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  • MIL-OSI Global: Cartoon Network changed animation forever – Warner Bros shouldn’t let it die

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jacqueline Ristola, Lecturer in Digital Animation, University of Bristol

    Many people – myself included – remember Cartoon Network as their favourite TV channel to watch after school. Launched in 1992, Cartoon Network became a global cable brand, available in over 180 countries.

    But while the channel had international recognition and commercial success with original hits such as The Powerpuff Girls (1998-2005) and Adventure Time (2010-2018), lately its iconic status has been diminished in the backdrop of the streaming platform wars.

    In fact, Cartoon Network is an excellent case study for how the conditions of media conglomeration shape how media is made and curated. And in making a wide variety of animation available, Cartoon Network also helped make audiences think differently about animation.

    The network’s story began in 1991, when media mogul Ted Turner bought the animated television titan Hanna-Barbera Productions. From the 1960s to the 1980s, the studio created more than 100 animated television series that dominated Saturday morning programming.

    Turner bought Hanna-Barbera not for the studio itself, but for its impressive content library – which provided much of Cartoon Network’s initial programming. But while Cartoon Network began as a rerun channel, its programmers were ambitious for something more.

    This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.

    In 1993, they went to Turner asking for money to produce original programming. Turner turned them away, telling them: “I bought you a library, now utilise it.”

    So, in the face of these corporate budget restrictions, Cartoon Network programmers innovated. By reusing the corporate library of Hanna-Barbera cartoons, they created their first fully original television series, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast (1994-2008).

    This series skewered the conventions of late-night talk shows through its characters’ surreal scenes and bizarre behaviour. It was made from the Hanna-Barbera content library itself, remixing the animations with new voices.

    In my research, I argue that the series enabled Cartoon Network programmers to reflect on their own precarious place within Turner’s giant corporation. The series made fun of television conventions, with characters sometimes discussing the process of making television while working for a major media conglomerate.

    The first episode of Space Ghost: Coast to Coast.

    Space Ghost: Coast to Coast is the first example of how Cartoon Network’s conglomerate ownership shaped its forms of production.

    Cartoon Network continued to make original programming, beginning with What a Cartoon! in 1995. Created by former MTV executive Fred Seibert, the series comprised animated shorts, with the most popular ones then being green-lit to series. The show launched several original series, starting with Dexter’s Laboratory in 1996. These were precursors for the groundbreaking, adult-oriented cartoon series and brand, Adult Swim, in 2001.

    Through this innovative approach, Cartoon Network helped revive television animation in the 1990s, giving emerging animators a platform to share their work.

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    Animation for kids and adults

    While the channel was initially aimed at kids, many of its series challenged typical expectations of children’s television.

    Samurai Jack (2001-2004 and 2017) blended sophisticated storytelling with a unique aesthetic. Later series such as Steven Universe (2013-2019) and Infinity Train (2019-2021) blended heady science fiction and fantasy with deep, emotional stories.

    And many series were just really, really funny. Johnny Bravo (1997-2004), for example, subtly undermined patriarchal norms through slapstick comedy.

    Cartoon Network series also paved the way for queer representation in children’s media. Adventure Time and Steven Universe featured both implicit and explicit queer representation throughout. These series were immensely popular with children and adults alike, and paved the way for other series to represent queerness in animation.

    Since its debut, Cartoon Network has always attracted a broad audience of adults. This is what prompted the launch of Adult Swim in 2001 – an adult-oriented programme block with edgy and subversive series, many of which were animated. Adult Swim pushed the envelope, creating animation that was crass, crude – and sometimes profound.

    Much of the humour of early Adult Swim series was predicated on the contrast between the assumption that animation is “for kids” and the crass material depicted. At the same time, they helped push animation to be considered as a form for everyone, regardless of age.

    Lost in the shuffle of media conglomeration

    Built through the resources of Turner’s media conglomerate, Cartoon Network established itself in a competitive cable marketplace – and such corporate conglomeration has continued to shape the channel, its content and brand. But the sale of Warner Bros. to Discovery in 2022 and subsequent corporate strategy shifts has left the channel and its content lost in the shuffle.

    Characters like the Powerpuff Girls have been firm fan favourites for years.
    Jamaica Parambita/Dupe

    During AT&T’s ownership of Warner Bros. (2018-2022), Cartoon Network was positioned as the central brand to reach kids and family audiences worldwide.

    But in 2022, AT&T sold the company to Discovery, creating Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). This merger produced turmoil in the media industry, as the newly formed conglomerate quickly announced layoffs and cut content, including animated content.

    While WBD publicly committed to reaching family audiences, several animated works (kid-focused or otherwise) got the axe. These apparent discrepancies between the company’s content and business strategies have arguably produced brand confusion, with Cartoon Network caught in the middle.

    Since 2024, most of Cartoon Network’s content has been cut from streaming libraries. What was once a prominent brand in the Warner Bros. portfolio seems forgotten. But as industry analysts note, kids content, animated or otherwise, remains an important component in any media portfolio. WBD should recognise the value Cartoon Network offers with its great animation and unique history.

    Jacqueline Ristola receives funding from ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educators Forum.

    – ref. Cartoon Network changed animation forever – Warner Bros shouldn’t let it die – https://theconversation.com/cartoon-network-changed-animation-forever-warner-bros-shouldnt-let-it-die-257173

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Golden Dome: An aerospace engineer explains the proposed US-wide missile defense system

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Iain Boyd, Director of the Center for National Security Initiatives and Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder

    Posters that President Donald Trump used to announce Golden Dome depict missile defense as a shield. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    President Donald Trump announced a plan to build a missile defense system, called the Golden Dome, on May 20, 2025. The system is intended to protect the United States from ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, and missiles launched from space.

    Trump is calling for the current budget to allocate US$25 billion to launch the initiative, which the government projected will cost $175 billion. He said Golden Dome will be fully operational before the end of his term in three years and will provide close to 100% protection.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Iain Boyd, an aerospace engineer and director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder, about the Golden Dome plan and the feasibility of Trump’s claims. Boyd receives funding for research unrelated to Golden Dome from defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

    Why does the United States need a missile shield?

    Several countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, have been developing missiles over the past few years that challenge the United States’ current missile defense systems.

    These weapons include updated ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and new hypersonic missiles. They have been specifically developed to counter America’s highly advanced missile defense systems such as the Patriot and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

    For example, the new hypersonic missiles are very high speed, operate in a region of the atmosphere where nothing else flies and are maneuverable. All of these aspects combined create a new challenge that requires a new, updated defensive approach.

    Russia has fired hypersonic missiles against Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. China parades its new hypersonic missiles in Tiananmen Square.

    So it’s reasonable to think that, to ensure the protection of its homeland and to aid its allies, the U.S. may need a new missile defense capability.

    Ukrainian forces are using the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system against Russian ballistic missiles.

    What are the components of a national missile defense system?

    Such a defense system requires a global array of geographically distributed sensors that cover all phases of all missile trajectories.

    First, it is essential for the system to detect the missile threats as early as possible after launch, so some of the sensors must be located close to regions where adversaries may fire them, such as by China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Then, it has to track the missiles along their trajectories as they travel hundreds or thousands of miles.

    These requirements are met by deploying a variety of sensors on a number of different platforms on the ground, at sea, in the air and in space. Interceptors are placed in locations that protect vital U.S. assets and usually aim to engage threats during the middle portion of the trajectory between launch and the terminal dive.

    The U.S. already has a broad array of sensors and interceptors in place around the world and in space primarily to protect the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles. The sensors would need to be expanded, including with more space-based sensors, to detect new missiles such as hypersonic missiles. The interceptors would need to be enhanced to enable them to address hypersonic weapons and other missiles and warheads that can maneuver.

    Does this technology exist?

    Intercepting hypersonic missiles specifically involves several steps.

    First, as explained above, a hostile missile must be detected and identified as a threat. Second, the threat must be tracked along all of its trajectory due to the ability of hypersonic missiles to maneuver. Third, an interceptor missile must be able to follow the threat and get close enough to it to disable or destroy it.

    The main new challenge here is the ability to track the hypersonic missile continuously. This requires new types of sensors to detect hypersonic vehicles and new sensor platforms that are able to provide a complete picture of the hypersonic trajectory. As described, Golden Dome would use the sensors in a layered approach in which they are installed on a variety of platforms in multiple domains, including ground, sea, air and space.

    These various platforms would need to have different types of sensors that are specifically designed to track hypersonic threats in different phases of their flight paths. These defensive systems will also be designed to address weapons fired from space. Much of the infrastructure will be multipurpose and able to defend against a variety of missile types.

    In terms of time frame for deployment, it is important to note that Golden Dome will build from the long legacy of existing U.S. missile defense systems. Another important aspect of Golden Dome is that some of the new capabilities have been under active development for years. In some ways, Golden Dome represents the commitment to actually deploy systems for which considerable progress has already been made.

    Is near 100% protection a realistic claim?

    Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system has been described as the most effective system of its kind anywhere in the world.

    But even Iron Dome is not 100% effective, and it has also been overwhelmed on occasion by Hamas and others who fire very large numbers of inexpensive missiles and rockets at it. So it is unlikely that any missile defense system will ever provide 100% protection.

    The more important goal here is to achieve deterrence, similar to the stalemate in the Cold War with the Soviet Union that was based on nuclear weapons. All of the new weapons that Golden Dome will defend against are very expensive. The U.S. is trying to change the calculus in an opponent’s thinking to the point where they will consider it not worth shooting their precious high-value missiles at the U.S. when they know there is a high probability of them not reaching their targets.

    CBS News covered President Donald Trump’s announcement.

    Is three years a feasible time frame?

    That seems to me like a very aggressive timeline, but with multiple countries now operating hypersonic missiles, there is a real sense of urgency.

    Existing missile defense systems on the ground, at sea and in the air can be expanded to include new, more capable sensors. Satellite systems are beginning to be put in place for the space layer. Sensors have been developed to track the new missile threats.

    Putting all of this highly complex system together, however, is likely to take more than three years. At the same time, if the U.S. fully commits to Golden Dome, a significant amount of progress can be made in this time.

    What does the president’s funding request tell you?

    President Trump is requesting a total budget for all defense spending of about $1 trillion in 2026. So, $25 billion to launch Golden Dome would represent only 2.5% of the total requested defense budget.

    Of course, that is still a lot of money, and a lot of other programs will need to be terminated to make it possible. But it is certainly financially achievable.

    How will Golden Dome differ from Iron Dome?

    Similar to Iron Dome, Golden Dome will consist of sensors and interceptor missiles but will be deployed over a much wider geographical region and for defense against a broader variety of threats in comparison with Iron Dome.

    A second-generation Golden Dome system in the future would likely use directed energy weapons such as high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves to destroy missiles. This approach would significantly increase the number of shots that defenders can take against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles.

    Iain Boyd receives funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed-Martin Corporation, a defense contractor that sells missile defense systems and could potentially benefit from the implementation of Golden Dome.

    – ref. Golden Dome: An aerospace engineer explains the proposed US-wide missile defense system – https://theconversation.com/golden-dome-an-aerospace-engineer-explains-the-proposed-us-wide-missile-defense-system-257408

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: GenAI VC funding in early 2025 highlights widening gap between US and China, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    GenAI VC funding in early 2025 highlights widening gap between US and China, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to capture the venture capital (VC) investors’ attention, with funding in the US soaring past $50 billion in the first five months of 2025 alone. Despite a rebound in early 2025, China still trails significantly due to regulatory headwinds, highlighting a widening gap between the two markets in their pursuit of dominance in GenAI innovation, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that the US has emerged as a clear leader. Although China has also garnered investors’ attention but lagged significantly compared to the US.

    In the US, the number of VC deals announced in the GenAI space has surged from around 50 deals in 2020 to more than 600 deals in 2024 while 2025 (January to 26 May) so far has already seen the announcement of more than 200 deals. Similarly, the total VC deal value in the US skyrocketed from around $800 million in 2020 to a staggering $39 billion in 2024. Notably, it has already surpassed $50 billion in just the first five months of 2025. This explosive growth underscores the robust appetite for innovation and investment in the GenAI space.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “This growth trajectory positions the US as a powerhouse in GenAI investment, showcasing a strong commitment to fostering technological advancement. The underlying factors contributing to the US’ dominance in the GenAI space include a well-established venture capital ecosystem, a culture of innovation, and a regulatory environment that encourages investment in emerging technologies.”

    Meanwhile, China’s VC funding activity in the GenAI space has also shown growth but lags far behind the US. Starting with just one deal in 2020 and peaking at 39 deals in 2024, the country has seen the announcement of 14 deals in 2025 so far.

    China’s VC deal value has also remained relatively lower, from around $40 million in 2020 to peaking at around $400 million in 2023 followed by a decline to around $140 million in 2024. However, VC funding value rebounded strongly in early 2025 with the first five months of the year itself seeing around $250 million worth of deals announcement.

    Bose concludes: “The US has positioned itself as a global leader in the GenAI space driven by substantial investments from venture capitalists eager to capitalize on the transformative potential of this technology. In contrast, China’s challenges in attracting similar levels of investment reflect broader issues within its tech ecosystem, including regulatory constraints. Nevertheless, China’s ability to adapt and create a more favorable environment for GenAI development will be crucial for its long-term competitiveness in the global tech landscape.”

    Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Controlling boyfriend’s suspended sentence overturned

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Controlling boyfriend’s suspended sentence overturned

    A man who violently abused and coercively controlled his partner has had his suspended sentence quashed following an intervention by the Attorney General. 

    Philip Humphreys, 39, from Stoke-on-Trent, has had his suspended sentence quashed and replaced with a two year and four month prison sentence after it was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Attorney General, Lord Hermer KC, under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. 

    The court heard that Humphreys and his partner began their relationship in April 2022 and quickly moved in together. However, Humphreys soon became controlling and coercive. 

    He repeatedly accused her of wanting to have sex with other men, constantly checked where she was and controlled what she wore. 

    Humphreys took around £6,000 from the victim, with the majority being spent on drugs, threatened to kill himself, aggressively shouted at her, and threw furniture. 

    Whilst on holiday, Humphreys violently assaulted the victim, which included strangling her and dragging her backwards. He only stopped when a hotel receptionist disturbed him.  

    After they broke up, Humphreys continued to intimidate the victim, repeatedly driving past her house.  

    Attorney General Lord Hermer KC said:  

    “Philip Humphreys’ carried out a sustained physical and psychological campaign of abuse against his victim, who must have been in a constant state of fear. My thoughts today are with the victim, and I commend her bravery for coming forward.” 

    “Philip Humphreys is a violent man, and I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence. I hope this case serves a strong warning to domestic abusers that we will use the full force of the law to keep violent abusers off our streets.”  

    On 7 March 2025, Philip Humphreys was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work and a 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days for one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.  

    On 23 May 2025, his sentence was increased to two years and four months’ imprisonment after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 27 May 2025 Departmental update World Health Assembly re-commits to global nutrition targets and marketing regulations

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Countries at the seventy-eighth World Health Assembly have agreed on two resolutions to extend the comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and child nutrition to 2030 and to regulate the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

    The extended comprehensive implementation plan, first adopted at the Sixty-Fifth World Health Assembly in 2012, builds on progress made to-date while acknowledging shortfalls and adopting new process indicators to monitor progress on areas like dietary diversity and breastfeeding. In addition, more ambitious goals were set for targets that have nearly been achieved, such as exclusive breastfeeding rates and the proportion of children who are overweight.

    The 2030 targets are:

    • 40% reduction in the number of children under 5 years of age who are stunted, compared to the 2012 baseline;
    • 50% reduction in anaemia in women of reproductive age, compared to the 2012 baseline;
    • 30% reduction in low birth weight, compared to the 2012 baseline;
    • reduce and maintain overweight in children under 5 years of age to less than 5%;
    • increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months up to at least 60%; and
    • reduce and maintain wasting in children under 5 years of age to less than 5%.

    Rather than simply extending the targets, this resolution calls for the scaled-up integration of essential nutrition action across all sectors along with capacity-building of health-care workers and fiscal policies such as the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages. In addition, the new 2030 deadline aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals agenda while allowing for countries to respond to emerging threats such as climate change, economic crises, rising food prices and internal displacement, all of which impact nutrition. 

    “Globally in 2024, an estimated 148 million children under 5 experienced stunting, 45 million were estimated to be wasted, and 37 million children were overweight or living with obesity,” said the representative of Ireland, which proposed the resolution together with Ethiopia. “That is almost 240 million children who are being denied the chance to thrive and meet their full potential.”

    Complementing this resolution, countries also agreed to extend the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) aimed at combatting the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods. The Code – a landmark public health agreement passed at the World Health Assembly in 1981 – aims to protect caregivers and new mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry, which often makes misleading claims or promotes unhealthy baby foods. In recent years, new digital marketing tactics have proliferated, particularly through the use of influencers and social media channels.

    The 2025 resolution calls for more robust efforts to develop, strengthen and coordinate the regulation of digital marketing to protect infant and child health during the first 1000 days of life. It also calls on countries to invest in effective systems for monitoring and enforcement.

    “Optimal breastfeeding provides critical nutrition and limits free sugar exposure, making it a powerful [and] cost-effective intervention to reduce the lifelong risk of NCDs,” noted the representative of FDI World Dental Federation, a non-State actor in official relations with WHO. “We applaud the new operational targets, especially early breastfeeding initiation, access to counselling on infant and young child feeding, and tracking sugary drink consumption in children.”

    Malnutrition in every form presents a significant threat to human health, particularly for infants, young children and adolescents – all stages of life at which nutrition can have a lifelong impact. Together these agreements send a strong message that maternal, infant and young child nutrition must be incorporated into national health policies and plans as a top priority, and that the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes must be regulated, monitored and enforced.

    Children are the foundation of our shared future, and these resolutions reflect a commitment to giving every child the best possible chance of realizing their full potential.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Leads Multistate Effort to Protect Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care Providers from Dangerous Certification Requirements

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in urging the American Medical Association (AMA) to take stronger action to protect health care providers from potentially dangerous medical board certification requirements. In testimony submitted to AMA, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that requiring abortion and gender-affirming care providers to travel to states that restrict those forms of care in order to get board-certified puts them at legal and physical risk. The attorneys general warn that mandating in-person testing in states that have aggressively criminalized or penalized reproductive and gender-affirming health care endangers providers, especially those who are pregnant or transgender, and threatens access to essential care nationwide.

    “As states weaponize their legal systems to punish doctors for providing essential health care, the American Medical Association must stand strong in defense of providers,” said Attorney General James. “Reproductive health care and gender-affirming care providers should not have to risk their safety or freedom just to advance in their medical careers. Forcing providers to travel to states that have declared war on reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights is as unnecessary as it is dangerous. I urge AMA to act swiftly to prevent these requirements from becoming a tool for harassment and intimidation.”

    Earlier this year, AMA acknowledged the risks posed to health care providers by state laws that restrict abortion and gender-affirming care, adopting a policy encouraging medical boards to provide alternative testing options in states with such restrictions. However, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that AMA’s current stance does not go far enough to protect examinees because it lacks sufficient urgency and fails to provide policy guidance to the specialty boards on concrete steps they should take to protect candidates. The attorneys general call for AMA to go further by recommending such steps, including:

    • Relocating testing sites to non-restrictive states;
    • Shifting to remote testing to eliminate the need for travel to hostile environments; or
    • Granting individual exemptions from in-person exams in restrictive states for those facing heightened legal or physical risks.

    The attorneys general’s testimony highlights the increasingly hostile legal landscape for health care providers in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Following the decision, several states implemented draconian restrictions on abortion and have since taken steps to criminalize patients and providers. Many of the same states have followed by passing a wave of restrictions on gender-affirming care. The attorneys general argue that officials in these anti-choice states have made it clear their goal is to intimidate and punish reproductive health and gender-affirming care providers, no matter where the care was provided.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn that mandating in-person board certification testing in states that penalize these forms of health care could have far-reaching and harmful consequences. In particular, the attorneys general highlight the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG), which requires OB/GYNs seeking board certification to travel to Texas for in-person testing. Texas has implemented some of the most severe anti-abortion legislation in the country – criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy, classifying it as a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment, and allowing private citizens to sue providers for up to $10,000 per abortion performed after six weeks into the pregnancy.

    Despite these restrictions, ABOG – which oversees all gynecologists and obstetricians, and even evaluates doctors’ ability to perform abortions as part of the certification process – continues to require in-person certification exams in Texas. The attorneys general assert that ABOG’s refusal to provide accommodations for candidates who fear prosecution or physical harm in Texas places providers at needless risk and endangers access to essential care nationwide. Attorney General James and the coalition note that their offices have engaged with ABOG to identify safer testing alternatives, but ABOG has refused to grant exemptions for candidates who are pregnant or who provide reproductive health care to patients from hostile states, including for the upcoming testing cycle beginning in October.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn that anti-abortion state officials have publicly stated their intent to prosecute providers who assist patients from Texas in obtaining abortion care in other states. Additionally, Texas recently classified gender-affirming care as “child abuse,” opening the door to additional investigations and potential criminal charges against providers. The attorneys general assert that requiring reproductive health providers to travel to anti-abortion states for certification could result in them being targeted under these laws, even if they are legally providing care in other states.

    The attorneys general emphasize that ensuring the safety of health care providers is essential to maintaining access to reproductive and gender-affirming care in states like New York. The attorneys general are urging AMA to act urgently and forcefully to ensure medical specialty boards adopt concrete, actionable policies that protect providers, warning that failure to act could exacerbate the national health care crisis.

    Joining Attorney General James in submitting this testimony are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    Attorney General James has been a leading voice in defending reproductive rights and opposing efforts to restrict abortion care. Earlier this month, Attorney General James and 20 other attorneys general called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to immediately reinstate tens of millions of dollars in federal reproductive health funds. In March 2025, Attorney General James won a lawsuit against an anti-abortion group, Red Rose Rescue, for invading reproductive health care clinics and interfering with access to care. Also in March, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Medicaid recipients’ right to choose their own health care providers, including reproductive health care clinics like Planned Parenthood. In October 2024, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging a federal court to maintain access to emergency abortion care. Also in October, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general filed an amicus brief in support of access to mifepristone. In May 2024, Attorney General James sued an anti-abortion group and 11 crisis pregnancy centers for promoting unproven abortion reversal treatment. In April 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to expand access to reproductive health services and pass the Access to Family Building Act. In January 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record Low Gun Violence for NYS

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that reported gun violence across New York State has continued to decline, reaching the lowest level since the state began tracking this data in 2006. New statistics released by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services show a 15 percent decline in shooting victims and a 9 percent drop in shooting incidents with injury from January 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025, compared to the same period last year, in communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. Since taking office, my administration has been laser focused on eliminating gun violence and reducing the number of gun-related injuries and fatalities across the State,” Governor Hochul said. “Our efforts are working, and I am committed to continuing our record level support for gun violence prevention initiatives in our most impacted communities to ensure all New Yorkers are safe.”

    Newly released data comes from the 28 police departments outside of New York City participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. These police departments report roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City. Since 2021 when Governor Hochul took office, shootings in New York are down by more than 50 percent and murders are down 30 percent.

    Between January and April 2025, these departments reported 156 shooting victims, down from 183 during the same period in 2024; and 139 shooting incidents with injury, down from 153 in 2024 — data that are the result of a coordinated, data-driven effort to reduce gun violence in the State’s most impacted communities.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “New York’s strategy is working because it’s grounded in data, backed by funding, and built on strong partnerships. We are proud to support our law enforcement and community partners with the tools they need to make every neighborhood safer.”

    Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said “Monroe County and New York State are committed to working together to keep our community and neighborhoods safe through sustained investments in gun violence prevention programs. Governor Hochul’s continued support for the GIVE initiative demonstrates a clear understanding that addressing gun violence requires data-driven and community-focused strategies. GIVE empowers local law enforcement and community partners with the tools and resources they need to prevent gun violence before it occurs. By prioritizing prevention and intervention, Governor Hochul and New York State are helping to build safe and more resilient communities across the state,”

    Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said “The ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence across the state are making a difference. Collaboration and support amongst many different law enforcement agencies and key community partners will help our continued efforts to promote public safety and to make neighborhoods safer. I thank Governor Hochul and my colleagues at other levels in government for continuing to work on reducing gun violence rates as we reinforce trusted safety measures and prevention methods to make every community safer, especially those disproportionately impacted by crime violent crimes that involve guns. Together we will achieve peace and stability throughout the state.”

    According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) the murder rate in New York declined by 8 percent from 2023 to 2024. Mortality data shows that New York has the second lowest homicide rate of the top 15 most populous states and the lowest homicide rate of the top 10 states. CDC data also shows that New York has the third lowest firearm-related mortality rate, including firearm-related homicides, accidental discharges, and suicides, in the nation behind only Massachusetts and New Jersey.

    Preliminary full year crime data from DCJS shows a 4 percent decline in overall index crime statewide in 2024 compared to 2023. The 57 counties outside New York City reported an 8 percent drop in crimes with 5 percent fewer violent crimes and 9 percent fewer property crimes.

    In the 57 counties outside of New York City, the following categories of crime declined significantly from 2023 to 2024, with robbery and burglary at the lowest levels on record:

    • Motor vehicle theft (-27 percent)
    • Robbery (-11 percent)
    • Burglary (-8 percent)
    • Larceny (-6 percent)

    To build on this progress, Governor Hochul’s recently enacted FY26 Enacted Budget strengthens New York’s public safety efforts, including:

    • $347 million in gun violence prevention programs that have helped drive gun violence down by more than 50 percent when compared to pandemic-era peaks;
    • Reforms to the discovery process aimed at reducing recidivism and ensuring timely justice;
    • Increased support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence;
    • Enhanced protections for transit workers and passengers; and
    • $77 million to partner with NYPD to increase police presence on platforms and trains by temporarily surging patrol levels for six months, among other key safety initiatives.

    The Budget also includes continued funding for DCJS initiatives that support local law enforcement, community-based violence prevention, and victim services. DCJS also recently notified law enforcement and victim service professionals of their first round of funding through its Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Violence (STRIVE) initiative, which directs resources to police, prosecutors and victim assistance providers so they can better address intimate partner violence in high-need communities.

    Detailed data on shooting incidents, victims and homicides by department is available on the DCJS statistics page.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA participates in water implementation and partnership conference in Lusaka

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, will lead a high-level delegation to the 3rd Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water (PANAFCON-3), scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia, from 27 to 29 May 2025.

    South Africa’s participation in the conference, is in line with the country’s unwavering commitment to African unity, water justice, and sustainable development.

    The conference is hosted by the Republic of Zambia’s Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, under the auspices of the African Union (AU), and the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW).

    It is co-convened by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Development Bank/Africa Water Facility (AfDB/AWF), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

    Held under the theme: “Assuring inclusive and climate-resilient water security and sanitation for the Africa We Want”, PANAFCON-3 is a landmark platform bringing together governments, experts, decision-makers, and sector stakeholders to shape Africa’s Post-2025 Vision and Policy on water and sanitation.

    The conference responds to the urgent need for coordinated, African-led solutions to challenges of water scarcity, climate change, and sustainable infrastructure.

    South Africa’s participation led by Minister Majodina, signals the country’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and the broader African Union Agenda 2063.

    The department highlighted that progress reported by Member States against the targets of the Africa Water Vision 2025 (AWV 2025) and related commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), indicated that the region is off track to actualise the vision.

    “In particular, the rate of growth in services provision is outstripped by rapid population growth and urbanisation and exacerbated by the impacts of climate change and climate variability.

    “Disproportionate public funding and investments to the sector have been identified as a fundamental factor underlying the fast-fading aspiration of actualising the Africa Water Vision by 2025,” the department said in a statement.

    The department added that the conference will pave a way for Member States and partners to review the initial draft of the vision and policy framework for assuring inclusive and climate resilient water security on the continent.

    Some of the sub-themes identified to be under discussion for three days include:
    •    Financing, investments and resource mobilisation.
    •    Water supply, sanitation, hygiene, and wastewater.
    •    Water infrastructure for economic production; climate resilience; and disaster risk reduction. 
    •    Governance and institutions for managing and protecting water resources.
    •    Information management and capacity development.
    •    Gender equality and social inclusion.

    As the continent faces mounting pressures from urbanisation, climate-related water stress, and infrastructure backlogs, the Minister said the conference offers a strategic moment for African states to align efforts toward inclusive development.

    “As Africans, our liberation is incomplete without sovereignty over our natural resources. Water is not just a basic right, it is a strategic resource essential to the dignity, health, and economic empowerment of our people.

    “Through platforms like PANAFCON, we unite to demand justice, equity, and transformation for all Africans,” the Minister said.

    At the conference, Majodina will engage in high-level dialogues on regional collaboration, transboundary water governance, and accelerating access to water and sanitation infrastructure across the continent.

    Majodina’s leadership is particularly significant given her portfolio’s central role in addressing access to clean water, sanitation equity, and climate resilience in South Africa.

    Her presence reinforces South Africa’s dedication to advancing a water-secure continent through practical cooperation and transformative partnerships. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Infrastructure development “fundamental” for SA’s growth

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared infrastructure as “fundamental” to South Africa’s development and a propellant of growth.

    The President was delivering the keynote address at the fourth annual Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) held at Century City in Cape Town on Tuesday.

    The two-day symposium kicked off on Monday and brings together government leaders, infrastructure funding representatives, construction sector representatives and technical experts to discuss and share strategies and best practices for infrastructure development in the country. 

    READ | SA’s infrstructure symposium kicks off 

    “In many ways, this is a moment that – I believe – is filled with great promise and endless opportunities for infrastructure development in our country. Earlier this year, one industry publication said the country was ready to unleash an infrastructure boom. As we gather at this symposium year after year, it is important for us to understand the important role that is played by infrastructure in the life of a nation, particularly our South African nation.

    “This is so because infrastructure is fundamental to the development of our country. It serves as the backbone of economic growth and social progress and contributes to the improvement of the life of our people,” the President said.

    He described public infrastructure as the “flywheel that our economy needs to boost growth and to create jobs”.

    “Through public infrastructure we are able to build roads, ports, railways and airports to enable what we produce as a nation to move efficiently. Infrastructure development demonstrates stability and great potential to investors. Infrastructure that is well constructed and maintained encourages investors to see our country as a great investment destination.

    “Infrastructure projects create jobs not only in construction and maintenance but in a number of related industries as well. Public infrastructure in water supply, electricity, schools and health clinics improves living standards and provides dignity to our people and fosters national unity.

    “When we have good infrastructure, we are a nation that is connected by rail, road, telecommunications, electricity, education facilities, good health centres and outstanding entertainment facilities like stadiums,” he explained.

    WATCH | President Ramaphosa addresses the SIDSSA 

    From planning to execution
    During the past month, Infrastructure South Africa released the second edition of the Construction Book – which showcases some 250 fully funded infrastructure projects with a value estimated to exceed R238 billion.

    This, the President said, is a good show of intent by government to move from concept to implementation.

    “By showcasing the types of infrastructure projects being developed, the Construction Book helps the construction sector and supplier industries anticipate demand for local materials, components and services.

    “By focusing on projects that are procurement-ready and financially secured, it also reduces uncertainty for contractors, consultants, manufacturers and material suppliers. 

    “We are showing that we have moved from great ideas on paper to executable plans to implementation,” President Ramaphosa noted.

    Reflecting on the R1 trillion earmarked for infrastructure investment by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, the President said government will look to partner with the private sector.

    “As the state substantially increases its capital investment, we recognise that government does not have the financial resources to undertake this work alone. That is why we are working to mobilise all available capital, both domestic and international, towards this infrastructure boom.

    “This requires that our projects have the credibility that is necessary for stakeholders to invest in our projects and so that we can mobilise the trillions of rands in long-term savings managed by the domestic financial sector,” he said.

    Reforms will be implemented to “make public-private partnerships easier, faster and more predictable”.

    “Some of the reforms we are focusing on will make it easier for public-private partnerships under the value of R2 billion to gain approval.

    “This will significantly reduce the procedural complexity of implementing public-private projects. We are implementing the reforms necessary to make it easier for more construction by reducing regulatory duplication and providing investors with long-term certainty,” he revealed.

    Developmental agenda

    On Monday, the SIDSSA hosted a Leaders Forum with a number of Ministers from across the continent, premiers, MECs and representatives of local government.

    The President described the gathering as “vital”.

    “The Leaders Forum is a vital platform for…creating space for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange and policy alignment. This level of collaboration is essential if we are to overcome shared challenges and realise the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    “As we seek to transform our country and continent and unlock its full potential, we must place infrastructure at the heart of our development agenda. Not only as a tool for economic growth and social development, but as a symbol of our great ambition and our hope for a better future,” President Ramaphosa concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government outlines process undertaken on EEIPs’ policy direction in ICT sector

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government has sought to allay fears that the recently published policy direction on the role of equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector was intended to open a special dispensation for a particular company or an individual.

    On 23 May 2025, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gave notice of the proposed policy direction to be issued to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in terms of section 3 of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (the ECA) regarding Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) in the ICT Sector.

    The policy direction seeks to provide much-needed policy certainty to attract investment into the ICT sector, and specifically with regards to licensing for broadcasters, internet service providers, mobile networks, or fixed and mobile networks.

    The publishing of the policy direction in the Government Gazette by the Minister on Friday comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Working Visit to the United States (U.S.), where the President met with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington D.C. to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South Africa and the U.S.

    Among the U.S.’s delegation was Elon Musk, Special Government Employee, U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who is also Starlink’s founder and believed to have interests in bringing his company to South Africa to provide internet services.

    Appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on Tuesday, the Minister explained that the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has been working on the proposed policy since September last year.

    “Last year, we indicated the efforts from the department around the full recognition of equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) in the ICT sector. This is also reflected in the Medium Term Development Plan for the seventh administration.

    “We are not attempting to open a special dispensation for Starlink or any other company or an individual. There is no conspiracy on our part in relation to the policy direction. There is no underhanded effort in darkness to railroad the South African public,” Malatsi said.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the Minister indicated that currently the rules around who can acquire a licence to provide electronic communications services or to operate an electronic communications network require a minimum of 30% shares to be in the hands of historically disadvantaged individuals. 

    “These regulations do not currently allow companies that can contribute to South Africa’s transformation goals in ways other than traditional ownership, to qualify for individual licences under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), whether or not they are big international companies that do not usually sell shares to local partners,” the Minister said.

    EEIPs, provided for under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act 53 of 2003) and the ICT Sector Code, allow qualifying multinationals to meet empowerment obligations through alternatives to 30% ownership. Examples of the latter can be in the form of investing in local suppliers, enterprise and skills development, job creation, infrastructure support, research and innovation, digital inclusion initiatives, and funding for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). 

    Despite the legal standing of the ICT Sector Code under the BBBEE Act, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s  (ICASA) Ownership Regulations do not fully reflect its provisions – particularly regarding deemed ownership and EEIPs.

    In the process of developing the policy direction, ICASA was informed on 4 October 2024 by the DCDT of the intention to issue a policy directive to provide policy clarity on the full introduction of the EEIPs in the ICT sector.

    “That was followed by a public comment communication released on that specific day. As required by the process, we submitted the draft policy direction to ICASA to give them an opportunity to be able to engage with it,” the Minister said.

    Malatsi emphasised that EEIPs are not a new invention as it was approved by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in 2016.

    EEIPs are alternative contributions that multinational companies can make to achieve their BBBEE ownership obligations when they are unable to sell shares directly to black South Africans due to global policies.

    These contributions, approved by the dtic, are essentially investment initiatives that promote enterprise development, job creation and socio-economic advancement.

    “While ECA, which guides the policy making in our sector and the ICASA Act do allow for ICASA to make the regulations, it also allows for ICASA in making those regulations that it must give effect to the whole parts of the ICT sector code.

    “My duty is to ensure that there is alignment between the codes and regulations, in fulfilment of all our national laws, in this case the BBBEE Act. In terms of the process that we have followed from the formulation of the policy directive, leading ultimately to the gazetting, we have followed the prescripts a Ministerial policy directive should follow,” the Minister said.

    The Minister asserted that his department has fulfilled the key steps in the formulation of the policy direction, which includes engagement with ICASA.

    “The consultation with the authority means that its submission must be given due consideration. It does not mean that the regulator can stop a Minister from exploring a policy direction because there are two steps.

    “The first step is the opportunity for the regulator to engage with the draft policy and the second step is post the public comment stage, which is where we are.

    “We must take into consideration that each and every interested stakeholder or anyone with views on this policy direction must  have their views being considered in the formulation of the policy,” he said.

    Stakeholders have a 30-day period from the day on which the Gazette was published to make their submissions on the policy directive.

    “What is incumbent of the department and the Ministry is that in the consideration of inputs from the public, they must inform the final formulation of the policy direction, which will be shared with the regulator as it is required.

    “I am pretty clear that transformation is sacrosanct in our country; that it is a non-negotiable in order for the country to achieve its aspirations, but most importantly to live up to the provisions of the BBBEE Act as it was articulated and envisaged,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Not just talk: how dialogue can help address complex problems

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ralph Hamann, Professor, University of Cape Town

    Societies around the world are confronted with complex problems that defy resolution by any single actor, even well-resourced governments or corporations. Problems like food security, climate change, or biodiversity loss involve a lot of elements and dynamics. A variety of stakeholders need to be involved in creating effective responses to such problems.

    The difficulty is not only in creating coordinated responses. There is often also a need to develop a shared understanding of what the problem and its underlying causes actually are.

    To foster a shared understanding and coordinated, innovative action, it can help to convene key players in multi-stakeholder dialogue processes.

    A first step is to identify and enrol the actors that are either influential in – or directly affected by – the focal problem. These people are then invited to engage in dialogue with each other in a carefully designed, structured process.

    Processes can take a variety of forms. But a common feature is that participants have enough time and support to look at the problem from different angles, to interact in ways that break down stereotypes, and to think afresh about new ways of acting.

    Fifteen years ago, we were involved in establishing a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue with a focus on the problem of hunger and food insecurity. It is called the Southern Africa Food Lab. Recently, we analysed the numerous dialogue processes hosted by this initiative over the years to better understand when and how they can make a positive difference.

    We found that even though some dialogue processes don’t seem to be obviously successful, they can play an important role in enabling subsequent dialogues to have far-reaching impacts. And for dialogue to have an impact, it needs to involve a “deeper” kind of participant interaction, beyond formal roles, polite facades, and adversarial debate.

    What does success look like, and when is it achieved?

    Participants and funders are unlikely to remain committed to a dialogue process if they feel it is little more than a series of “talk-shops”. We wanted to achieve tangible changes in government policies and corporate strategies, or collaborative actions that combine resources from different organisations.

    Because we had hosted numerous dialogue initiatives over the 15-year lifespan of the Food Lab, in our analysis we were able to compare different processes in terms of their impacts.

    We found that some of the dialogue processes – especially the early ones – had relatively limited impacts. Though the participants said they’d gained new insights and formed new relationships, there were few changes in organisational policies or practices.

    For example, early on in the initiative, we hosted a dialogue on supporting smallholder farmers. Participants emphasised that they learnt important lessons during this process. During field trips in different parts of the country, they came to appreciate the diverse difficulties encountered by smallholder farmers. And government officials appreciated academics’ analysis of the different kinds of smallholder farmers and corresponding support needs. But these insights and experiences did not yet result in changes in organisational behaviours or strategies.

    Other initiatives were more obviously successful in creating new and influential responses to the hunger problem. For example, we convened a second dialogue focused on smallholder farmers 18 months after the first one. It included some of the same participants as the first process, as well as others. This process resulted in more far-reaching changes.

    For instance, retail companies agreed to revise their supplier standards so that smallholder farmers’ diverse needs and challenges were better accounted for. Government officials used the dialogue to redesign their agricultural extension services. A farmer training programme was established with links to a more context-sensitive and supportive certification system.

    In our analysis, we considered many different explanations for why some dialogue processes were more successful than others. We discovered a pattern: our early dialogue processes were less likely to have impact than subsequent, follow-up dialogues.

    The early dialogues played a crucial role, however, in preparing the ground for the subsequent dialogues to be more effective. They helped participants develop the insights and relationships that enabled the deeper engagement necessary to create real changes.

    What kind of dialogue is needed?

    To create meaningful change, a dialogue needs to move from what we call “shallow” to “deep” dialogue. Shallow dialogue is the more common kind. It is what happens when different people are invited to a workshop and their interactions are shaped by their established views of themselves, the problem at hand, and other actors. Often they hide behind polite facades or blame each other.

    Deep dialogue, in contrast, has a distinct flavour and temperament. Participants gain a more multi-faceted understanding of each other. Thabo is not just a government official but also passionate about nature-based farming. John is not just a corporate manager but also volunteers for animal rights.

    Participants’ focus shifts from defending their personal views or organisational interests to a more expansive, genuine interest in learning from each other, and to exploring new ways to understand the focal problem and possible responses.

    How can this kind of dialogue be achieved?

    First, the potential for multi-stakeholder dialogue needs to be carefully assessed and motivated. Participants and funders need to agree that the problem is complex and in need of fresh responses. This rationale needs to be continuously reviewed and communicated to maintain commitment and engagement.

    Second, it is important to get the “right people” to participate in the process. This includes actors with influence, such as government officials or leaders. But it also includes people who are most directly affected by the focal problem, not least because they have unique knowledge about it.

    Third, convening and facilitating dialogue requires a range of commitments, resources and skills. For a start, as university-based researchers we had some degree of convening power. Participants perceived us to have at least some degree of neutrality. We needed to maintain this perception as much as possible, for example by being careful about what funding to accept. This was important given the controversies in the food security field.

    We also had to make sure we had the necessary facilitation competencies. Especially in the early years, we benefited from facilitators who had a lot of experience in this kind of thing. A facilitator needs to be able to make participants feel comfortable but, when necessary, challenge them to move beyond their “comfort zone”.

    Finally, it is helpful to recognise the cyclical and longer-term nature of dialogue – earlier processes create the “groundwork” for subsequent ones. This means that, as conveners, we needed to find ways of keeping the initiative alive in the periods in between dialogue processes, even if there was no funding available. In our case, it helped that we were university researchers who did not rely on consulting fees. More generally, conveners and funders should budget for “bridging” resources to enable the longer-term unfolding of dialogue’s true impact.

    Rebecca Freeth is a co-author of this article. She is a senior consultant with Reos Partners (Africa office).

    – Not just talk: how dialogue can help address complex problems
    – https://theconversation.com/not-just-talk-how-dialogue-can-help-address-complex-problems-256825

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sugary drinks, processed foods, alcohol and tobacco are big killers: why the G20 should add its weight to health taxes

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Karen Hofman, Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science – PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand

    By 2030, non-communicable diseases will account for 75% of all deaths annually. Eight percent of these will be in the global south. Most of these diseases are what we call silent killers: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer at increasingly younger ages.

    The consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats is fuelling these pandemics. And increasingly advertising is being seen as the means by which the consumption of unhealthy products is promoted. This translates into the growth of non-communicable diseases in populations across the globe. This rising threat is driven largely by the way in which markets and industries are organised, which, in turn, shapes social norms towards consumption of tobacco, alcohol, food and sugary beverages.

    This process is what’s known as commercial determinants of health.

    Products that top the list in terms of their risk to health are tobacco, sugary beverages, ultra processed food and alcohol.

    These products are heavily advertised. For example, in South Africa from 2013 to 2019, sugary beverage manufacturers spent US$191 million (R3.7 billion) to advertise their products. Many of the TV advertisements for sugary drinks were placed during child and family viewing time, between 3pm and 7pm.

    Over the past decade a number of countries have introduced policies in a bid to limit the use and intake of harmful food and beverages. These have ranged from taxes on certain products, such as sugar, alcohol and tobacco, to bans on advertising. Many have proved effective. But there are still big gaps in policies to control these harmful products.

    As academics who have researched this field for three decades we believe that the G20 can play a significant role in plugging these gaps. The countries under the G20 umbrella, which represent two thirds of the world’s population, have reason to act: all are experiencing a mounting burden of obesity-related illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer at ever-younger ages.

    One of South Africa’s G20 presidency health priorities is “stemming the tide of non-communicable diseases”. In our view this is an invitation for the G20 to pledge to combat the drivers of non-communicable diseases.

    The G20 can acknowledge that these diseases are part of a pathological system in which commercial actors are causing ill health. And G20 leaders can acknowledge that progress enacting health taxes has stagnated in most countries.

    By galvanising attention in this way, the G20 can give impetus to a high level United Nations meeting in 2025 at which a new vision for the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases is due to be set. Health taxes and bans on marketing are focus areas.

    What stands in the way of progress

    Efforts by various countries to curb consumption of these harmful products have shown one thing clearly: there’s no silver bullet.

    Nevertheless, evidence shows that consumers are responsive to price. This points to the fact that taxes are a key tool for decreasing demand, especially for young consumers.

    Read more: Sugary drinks are a killer: a 20% tax would save lives and rands in South Africa

    There is also mounting evidence that health taxes are progressive for health at a population level – in other words they lead to better health outcomes. Research also shows that they scarcely affect overall employment, if at all.

    But advances on alcohol and tobacco taxes are slow. And there has been little progress on taxes on sugary beverages.

    These taxes remain far too low because health promotion taxes face tough resistance from industry. When any health promotion taxes are proposed, industries deny harms, promote doubt, divert attention, spread disinformation, create front organisations, and varnish their reputations through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    When taxes do proceed through the legislative or regulatory process, industries influence proposals to make them less effective. They also offer to replace legislation with voluntary commitments. Evidence shows that voluntary commitments do not work.

    What would be gained

    In 2024, a report by a panel of experts showed that US$3.7 trillion in additional revenue could be generated over five years if all countries increased prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages by 50%.

    This money is sorely needed to boost healthcare. Non-communicable diseases disproportionately affect the most poor and vulnerable and healthcare systems are increasingly unable to cope. Screening, diagnosis, medications and treatment are very expensive for both ministries of finance and at the household level, where health needs can result in catastrophic expenditure.

    And taxes that generate a 50% increase in real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages would save 50 million lives globally over 50 years.

    Where to begin

    We believe the G20 platform is a sound one on which to champion efforts to curb the consumption of harmful products. This is because half of the countries in the group have one or two policies for food such as taxes on sweetened beverages. Their experiences can therefore inform debates about how to protect the public from the fatal effects of diet-influenced diseases.

    But building a solid foundation won’t be easy. What’s needed is for the G20 to put its weight behind these key points:

    • Promoting good health before people get sick should be an imperative because the cost of inaction in financial and human terms is just too high.

    • Promoting the case for raising tobacco taxes, because tobacco continues to cause the most death and illness. But taxation has stalled. Approximately 90% of smokers live in countries where cigarettes were equally or more affordable in 2022 than they were five years earlier.

    • A renewed focus on alcohol taxes, which have shown little improvement in the last decade. Alcohol excise taxes are not being used effectively.

    • Fresh impetus behind increasing the level of taxes as a percentage of the cost of sugar sweetened beverages. Evidence suggests that to be effective, taxes on sugar sweetened beverages should increase product prices by at least 20%.

    • Champion nutrition regulation when navigating the trade and nutrition policy environment. Trade policies can be inconsistent with health policies.

    • Lastly, push for stronger global monitoring frameworks to track corporate accountability in health. This should include clear conflict of interest policies, information management, and exposing when corporations try to shape their own evidence-base or discredit research that would be supportive of public health policies.

    – Sugary drinks, processed foods, alcohol and tobacco are big killers: why the G20 should add its weight to health taxes
    – https://theconversation.com/sugary-drinks-processed-foods-alcohol-and-tobacco-are-big-killers-why-the-g20-should-add-its-weight-to-health-taxes-256024

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I join our nation in mourning the loss of Congressman Charles B. Rangel—a titan of public service, a warrior for justice, and a beacon of hope for generations of Americans. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the fabric of our nation, but his extraordinary legacy will forever illuminate the path toward equity and dignity for all.

    Congressman Rangel was not only a colleague and mentor but a cherished friend and a guiding force in my life. His bond with my father, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, was forged in the fires of the Civil Rights Movement, where they stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight for voting rights, economic justice, and the soul of our democracy. “Charlie” as we all affectionately called him, was a brother in struggle and a steadfast ally who reminded us that “service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this Earth.” His counsel to me, as a young man navigating the weight of my family’s legacy, was unwavering: “Keep your eyes on the horizon, but never forget the people who lifted you there.”

    A son of Harlem and a decorated Korean War veteran, Congressman Rangel carried the scars of battle—both on the battlefield, where he earned a Purple Heart, and in the halls of Congress, where he waged a 46-year campaign against inequality. As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he transformed its vision into a powerhouse for progress, championing landmark legislation from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday to the fight for Reparations. His leadership as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee redefined economic fairness, ensuring that prosperity reached those too long left behind.

    Charlie’s life was a living testament to Black history. From his humble beginnings in a Harlem housing project to his rise as one of Congress’ most influential voices, he embodied the resilience and brilliance of our community. He stood as a bridge between the giants of the Civil Rights era and the leaders of today, reminding us that the fight for justice is both timeless and urgent. His unapologetic advocacy for the marginalized—whether through challenging apartheid in South Africa or battling discriminatory drug policies at home—cemented his place among the pantheon of American freedom fighters.

    To the Rangel family, I extend my deepest condolences and the gratitude of a nation forever shaped by his courage. Charlie Rangel’s light will never dim. As we mourn, let us also celebrate a life that taught us to lead with conviction, serve with compassion, and never surrender in the pursuit of what is right.

    Rest in power, Chairman. Your rent was paid in full.

    ####

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Eel travel around Somerset made easier

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Eel travel around Somerset made easier

    Natural England teams up with Parrett Internal Drainage Board to ease eel travel around the Somerset wetlands ditch network with a dozen new passes.

    Somerset is an important destination for glass eels as they arrive in the Severn Estuary in large numbers each spring, swimming inland via the River Brue and River Parrett. Photo credit: Geoff Carss and Vanessa Becker-Hughes

    Endangered eels have been given a boost in Somerset thanks to a project to install a dozen passes to helps them move around the extensive ditch network of the Somerset Levels wetlands.

    The project, funded by Natural England, is being carried out by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board. Water control structures are essential for maintaining the right water levels for farming and nature, but they are also significant barriers to eel movement.  The eel passes act as ladders that allow eels to swim up over weirs and more easily through the rhyne and and ditches and access the habitat they need to survive.

    What is a glass eel?

    Glass eels are small and translucent young eels which swim to Europe from their breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea – a journey of 4,000 miles.  Here, in Europe’s rivers and wetlands, they mature and grow up to 1m long before making their long return journey back to their breeding grounds.

    Over the last 40 years, the number of European eels arriving in Europe has fallen by around 95 per cent. Somerset is an important area for them in England, as they arrive in the Severn Estuary in large numbers each spring, before swimming inland via the River Brue and River Parrett. They are part of the county’s cultural heritage and a key component of the aquatic food chain and ecosystem.

    One of the eel passes with a ramp for young eels, called elvers, to reach new areas of their habitat. Photo credit: Phil Brewin

    A big threat to the eels is manmade structures in watercourses that act as a barrier, blocking the eels’ movement through the rivers and ditches. This prevents them from moving to the upper reaches of the rivers which they rely on in order to grow and complete their development.

    Making the wetlands eel friendly

    Now 12 eel passes are being installed as part of the Somerset Coast, Levels and Moors Nature Recovery Project in the North Moor and King’s Sedgemoor areas to help the eels complete their journey.  The ramp-like structures are fitted to existing tilting weirs to provide a surface and route that the elvers (the young eels in between the glass and mature stages) can climb to access new areas of their habitat.

    Simon Phelps, project lead for Natural England, said:

    Eels are a fascinating species and we’re lucky to have them in Somerset.

    They need our help to survive, so it has been great to be able to work with the Parrett Internal Drainage Board to deliver some practical actions for them.

    We hope to be able to do more of this type of thing in the future, to make the Levels and Moors a more welcoming place for this special creature.

    Phil Brewin, drainage board ecologist, said:

    With Natural England’s help the drainage board is fitting eel passes to water control structures to help eels to access the extensive ditch network of the Somerset Levels.

    Eel is an important species for Somerset and working with local partners and communities to help restore eel populations on the Levels is a priority for the Drainage Board. 

    This work will continue and, in combination with other conservation actions, we are confident that the decline in eel numbers experienced in recent decades can be reversed.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AT&T’s Proposed Acquisition of Lumen’s Home Fiber Business Raises Concerns for Workers and Consumers

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    On May 21, AT&T announced plans to acquire Lumen’s residential fiber business across 11 states, which serves a million customers. CWA represents workers at both AT&T and Lumen.

    The structure of this transaction raises serious concerns for Lumen’s workers and customers. Rather than transferring the residential fiber assets to AT&T, they are being sold to a new subsidiary that AT&T is calling “NetworkCo,” which will then be partially sold to an as yet unnamed private equity partner.

    “We are taking a close look at AT&T’s plans for Lumen’s home fiber business to assess the impact on our members and communities,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Our union’s leadership will work with both companies to ensure that our members are respected and protected so that they can continue providing the high-quality service that customers deserve.”

    Two years ago, AT&T launched a similar subsidiary, called Gigapower, which has begun operating in several markets. A CWA review of Gigapower’s deployment found that instead of hiring trained, experienced workers, AT&T’s Gigapower relies heavily on multi-tiered subcontracting and temporary staffing agencies. This low-road business model has put public safety at risk. In two cities—Mesa, Ariz., and Bloomington, Minn.—Gigapower contractors have been responsible for nearly 450 incidents of damage to the public right-of-way, and dozens of preventable underground utility hits.

    “Our members care deeply about the customers and communities we serve,” said CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister. We have fought to ensure that fiber buildout is done right, with high-quality networks built by experienced union technicians. AT&T’s stated plans for Lumen’s home fiber business put that at risk. CWA members are going to make sure that regulators and elected officials understand and address our concerns as this process moves forward.”

    “AT&T should be putting its customers and workers first, not its shareholders,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Lumen’s customers deserve a first-class fiber network, and that’s what CWA members deliver. Before this transaction is approved, AT&T and Lumen must commit to maintaining a well-trained, directly hired union workforce and make sure that customers who depend on Lumen’s copper network are not left behind.”

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Summary Report: FBI Denver 2024 Investigative Review of Wyoming Cases Involving Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons

    Source: US FBI

    In 2024, FBI Denver launched a data collection project to review Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) cases in the state of Wyoming. This initiative began with collecting tips from the public as well as case information from Wyoming law enforcement regarding MMIP investigations in Wyoming over the last 10 years. During this review, FBI Denver identified a new lead in a cold case due to advancements in technology, identified contributing factors associated with death investigations in and around the Wind River Indian Reservation (WRIR), and identified no new homicides or unknown missing persons investigations in Wyoming from public and law enforcement outreach efforts.

    In 2015, FBI Denver was advised of evidence retained by a coroner’s office from a 1969 cold case homicide on the Wind River Indian Reservation. FBI Denver opened a cold case investigation, however evidence reviewed by the FBI laboratory did not identify any new leads at that time. Based on recent advancements in technology, FBI Denver will re-open the investigation for investigative genetic genealogy review to identify potential new leads.

    A 10-year review of death investigations involving Native American victims in Wyoming identified gunshot wounds as the primary manner of death for homicides cases. This review identified the majority of Native American homicides are occurring in or around the Wind River Indian Reservation and involve Native American offenders and Native American victims. Intoxicants were a major contributing factor in the death investigations reviewed. FBI Denver did review the age of victims and offenders for Native American homicide cases in Wyoming; however, the ages of the victims and offenders varied greatly.

    The 10-year review of death investigations involved thoroughly reviewing documents such as medical reporting, law enforcement reporting, interviews, and evidence reports. The following are examples:

    • In August 2019, a Native American male was kidnapped by three other Native American males in Riverton, Wyoming. The individual was beaten and transported onto the WRIR, where he was executed and dumped off a bridge. Through extensive cooperation with other state and local LE agencies, the FBI successfully prosecuted the three subjects, all of whom received lengthy prison sentences.
    • In November 2017, a Native American male was found deceased inside a suitcase in the crawlspace of a home on the WRIR. The individual suffered from blunt force injuries and severe sharp force injuries. The investigation indicated the victim in this case was killed due to his refusal to provide alcohol to other involved individuals during a party at the residence. The FBI was able to successfully identify and prosecute four Native American individuals that were involved in the captioned homicide case.

    FBI Denver also collected information from public outreach efforts including a press release, public forums, and tip lines. Between February 8 2024, and October 30, 2024, FBI Denver received eight tips, however these tips did not provide any new leads or identify any unknown missing or murdered indigenous persons cases.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Apollo Capital Calls Out MediPharm Chairman Chris Taves (Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets) for Failure to Properly Communicate to Shareholders Details of David Pidduck’s Past as CEO and VP of Marketing for OxyContin® Manufacturer Purdue Pharma

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Opioid-Pusher Pidduck, Chairman Chris Taves and the Current MediPharm Board Have Presided Over $1 Billion in Shareholder Value Destruction while funneling $5,587,059 of the Shareholders’ Money Directly into Pidduck’s Pocket

    Apollo Capital’s Six Director Nominees Are Committed to Restoring Transparency and Value to MediPharm’s Shareholders

    URGES SHAREHOLDERS TO DISREGARD MEDIPHARM LABS’ GREEN PROXY CARD AND VOTE THE GOLD PROXY CARD “FOR” APOLLO CAPITAL’S SIX DIRECTOR NOMINEES

    TORONTO, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo Technology Capital Corporation (“Apollo Capital”), which together with its affiliates and associates collectively is one of the largest shareholders of MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) (“MediPharm”, “MediPharm Labs”, or the “Company”), owning approximately 3% of the Company’s common stock, today issued a statement regarding CEO David Pidduck’s background as former CEO & President of Purdue Pharma Canada (“Purdue Pharma”).

    Fellow shareholders deserve to know the truth regarding CEO David Pidduck. As stewards of a publicly traded company, MediPharm’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) have a responsibility to uphold transparency, accountability, and good governance. The current Board, which has overseen $1 billion of shareholder value destruction, and which has presided over an eye-watering 99% share price decline, is focused on downplaying Mr. Pidduck’s past, rather than its responsibilities to shareholders. Indeed, there was absolutely no reference to Pidduck’s role at Purdue Pharma, or of Purdue Pharma’s culpability in creating the opioid epidemic, in the Company’s press release announcing Mr. Pidduck’s appointment as CEO.

    Let’s look at the facts:

    From 2014 until December 2021, David Pidduck served as VP of Marketing, and then CEO & President of Purdue Pharma.

    As reported in the Globe and Mail, “More than 34,000 Canadians have died from opioids between January 2016, and September 2022, according to federal government data.”1

    In 2017, Purdue Canada agreed to pay $20 million to settle a class-action lawsuit involving allegations about how its pain pills were over-marketed, with the suit claiming that Purdue Pharma had engaged in deceitful marketing practices. In an interview with the CBC, Dr. David Juurlink, a drug safety researcher at the University of Toronto posited that, “the fair question that might be asked is did Purdue engage in questionable or even illegal activities in the marketing of OxyContin® in Canada.”2

    In 2020, Purdue Pharma’s U.S. entity pleaded guilty to three criminal charges over the handling of its painkiller OxyContin®, including conspiring to defraud officials and paying illegal kickbacks to doctors in a bid to keep prescriptions flowing.3

    In 2022, it was announced that Purdue Pharma agreed to pay a $150 million settlement in a proposed class action launched in 2018 on behalf of all provincial, territorial and federal governments, alleging that opioid manufacturers and distributors engaged in deceptive marketing practices that amplified addiction, destroying countless lives and killing of thousands of people. This remains the largest settlement of a governmental health claim in Canadian history.4

    Apollo Capital asks its fellow Shareholders – do you feel like Medipharm Chairman Chris Taves fulfilled his fiduciary duty, and even his moral duty to you, to make you aware of Opioid- Pusher Pidduck’s past with Purdue Pharma when he hired him as the CEO to steward your investments?

    Apollo Capital asks its fellow Shareholders – do you feel like Medipharm Chairman Chris Taves properly represented Pidduck’s past to you when he asked you on multiple occasions to vote on Opioid-Pusher Pidduck’s outrageous and off-market compensation package?

    Apollo asks its fellow Shareholders – do you feel like the details of Pidduck’s very recent past were MATERIAL facts that Medipharm Chairman Chris Taves should have made crystal clear to you so that you could have made a more informed decision before voting for nearly SIX MILLION DOLLARS of YOUR money to end up in Opioid-Pusher Pidduck’s pocket?

    While Shareholders have suffered immense losses with no path to stop the bleeding, Mr. Pidduck has benefited from the Board’s largesse with an excessive and off-market compensation package that has funneled $5,587,059 of Shareholders’ money directly to Pidduck, despite MediPharm’s share price plummeting nearly to zero.

    Shareholders should demand accountability from the Board at the 2025 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders on June 16, 2025. Apollo Capital has nominated six highly qualified individuals; namely, Regan McGee, Scott Walters, David Lontini, Demetrios Mallios, John Fowler and Alan D. Lewis (the “Apollo Nominees”) to replace the incumbents and hold the Board accountable for destroying one billion dollars of shareholder value, enriching themselves at your expense, and enabling a CEO whose actions have driven operational and strategic failure and arguably much, much worse.

    ___________

    The opioid crisis continues to be devastating for people across the country in terms of lives lost, families torn apart and the impact on our health care frontline staff.

    Victims who before February 28, 2017 were prescribed in Canada and ingested OxyContin® tablets and/or OxyNEO® tablets, can visit https://oxycontinclassactionsettlement.com/ for more information.

    __________

    MediPharm Labs Shareholders can visit www.CureMediPharm.com, to sign up for important campaign updates.

    To access Apollo Capital’s Circular and related proxy materials, including a proxy or voting instruction form, visit SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Contacts

    For Shareholders:
    Carson Proxy
    North American Toll-Free Phone: 1-800-530-5189
    Local or Text Message: 416-751-2066 (collect calls accepted)
    E: info@carsonproxy.com

    For Media:
    CureMediPharm@gasthalter.com

    Legal Disclosures

    Information in Support of Public Broadcast Exemption under Canadian Law

    In connection with the Annual Meeting, Apollo Capital has filed an amended and restated dissident information circular (the “Circular”) in compliance with applicable corporate and securities laws. Apollo Capital has provided in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of NI 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) and the corresponding exemption under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), and has filed the Circular, available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Circular contains disclosure prescribed by applicable corporate law and disclosure required under section 9.2(6) of NI 51-102 in respect of Apollo Capital’s director nominees, in accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public broadcast solicitations. The Circular is hereby incorporated by reference into this press release and is available under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The registered office of the Company is 151 John Street, Barrie, Ontario, Canada L4N 2L1.

    SHAREHOLDERS OF MEDIPHARM ARE URGED TO READ THE CIRCULAR CAREFULLY BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the Circular and any amendments or supplements thereto and further proxy circulars at no charge under MediPharm’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, shareholders are also able to obtain free copies of the Circular and other relevant documents by contacting Apollo Capital’s proxy solicitor, Carson Proxy Advisors Ltd. (“Carson Proxy”) at 1-800-530-5189, local (collect outside North America): 416-751-2066 or by email at info@carsonproxy.com.

    Proxies may be revoked in accordance with subsection 110(4) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) by a registered shareholder of Company shares: (a) by completing and signing a valid proxy bearing a later date and returning it in accordance with the instructions contained in the accompanying form of proxy; (b) by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing; (c) by transmitting by telephonic or electronic means a revocation that is signed by electronic signature in accordance with applicable law, as the case may be: (i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting is to be held, or (ii) with the chair of the Annual Meeting on the day of the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting; or (d) in any other manner permitted by law. In addition, proxies may be revoked by a non-registered holder of Company shares at any time by written notice to the intermediary in accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered holder by its intermediary. It should be noted that revocation of proxies or voting instructions by a non-registered holder can take several days or even longer to complete and, accordingly, any such revocation should be completed well in advance of the deadline prescribed in the form of proxy or voting instruction form to ensure it is given effect in respect of the Annual Meeting.

    The costs incurred in the preparation and mailing of any circular or proxy solicitation by Apollo Capital and any other participants named herein will be borne directly and indirectly by Apollo Capital. However, to the extent permitted under applicable law, Apollo Capital intends to seek reimbursement from the Company of all expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of its director nominees at the Annual Meeting.

    This press release and any solicitation made by Apollo Capital is, or will be, as applicable, made by such parties, and not by or on behalf of the management of the Company. Proxies may be solicited by proxy circular, mail, telephone, email or other electronic means, as well as by newspaper or other media advertising and in person by managers, directors, officers and employees of Apollo Capital who will not be specifically remunerated therefor. In addition, Apollo Capital may solicit proxies by way of public broadcast, including press release, speech or publication and any other manner permitted under applicable Canadian laws, and may engage the services of one or more agents and authorize other persons to assist it in soliciting proxies on their behalf.

    Apollo Capital has entered into an agreement with Carson Proxy Advisors (“Carson Proxy”) for solicitation and advisory services in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting, for which Carson Proxy will receive a fee not to exceed $250,000, together with reimbursement for reasonable and out-of-pocket expenses. Apollo Capital has also engaged Gasthalter & Co. LP (“G&Co”) to act as communications consultant to provide Apollo Capital with certain communications, public relations and related services, for which G&Co will receive a minimum fee of US$75,000 in addition to a performance fee of US$250,000 in the event that Apollo Capital’s nominees make up a majority of the Board following the Annual Meeting, plus excess fees, related costs and expenses.

    No member of Apollo Capital nor any of their associates or affiliates has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or will or would materially affect the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates. No member of Apollo Capital nor any of their associates or affiliates has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting, other than setting the number of directors, the election of directors, the appointment of auditors and the approval of the ordinary resolution approving, among other things, the Company’s amended and restated equity incentive plan dated May 8, 2025 and the unallocated awards available thereunder.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward‐looking statements. All statements contained in this filing that are not clearly historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are forward‐looking, and the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward‐looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of Apollo Capital and currently available information. They are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date hereof and Apollo Capital disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which Apollo Capital hereafter becomes aware, except as required by applicable law.

    Hashtags: #ShareholderActivism #CorporateGovernance #InvestorProtection #Investor Alert #Investor Fraud #FinancialRegulation #CorporateCrime #FinancialCrime #HomelandSecurity #DHS #OpioidCrisis #OpioidEpidemic #OpioidLitigation #OpioidVictims #BMO #DEA #ONDCP

    __________________________________________________
    1 Source: The Globe and Mail, “McKinsey pitched Purdue Pharma Canada on plan to boost opioid sales in 2014, memo reveals”, 6/19/2023, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-mckinsey-opioid-lawsuit-purdue-pharma/.
    2 Source: CBC, “OxyContin maker agrees to $20M settlement in Canadian class-action case”, 5/1/2017, https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/oxycontin-class-action-1.4093781
    3 Source: U.S. Department of Justice, “Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Kickback Conspiracies”, 11/24/2020, https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/opioid-manufacturer-purdue-pharma-pleads-guilty-fraud-and-kickback-conspiracies
    4 Source: Ontario Minitstry of the Attorney General, Opioid Damages Settlement Secured with Purdue Pharma (Canada), 6/29/2022, https://news.ontario.ca/en/bulletin/1002169/opioid-damages-settlement-secured-with-purdue-pharma-canada

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Adriana D Kugler: Commencement remarks

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you, Stefano, and before I say anything else, congratulations to the Class of 2025!1 My family is here today, so let me acknowledge my husband Ignacio, my daughter Miri, my son Danny, and my parents who are watching from elsewhere. I start with family because I know it takes a village! So, I want to acknowledge the enormous accomplishment by the graduates and also by their families and friends who supported them through this journey. Let’s give all of them a big round of applause! I also want to thank the leaders of Berkeley’s economics program for giving me the privilege of returning here, as a graduate of this program, to be a part of what is, in fact, my very first economics commencement ceremony here at Berkeley.

    On a similar spring afternoon in 1997, when my classmates were walking across this stage, I was across the country, hurrying to finish my dissertation at the Brookings Institution and preparing to start my first job as an economist. I would have loved to be here, as you are, and I praise you for taking the time to share with your classmates, friends, and family this moment of recognition for the huge achievement today represents. But somehow, at the time of my graduation, I felt the need to get on with earning a living and moving forward with my life, as I am sure many of you are eager to do also.

    So, you can understand that this is a very special-and also a little strange- moment for me because it feels, in a way, like I am celebrating my own graduation 28 years later! I think it is also an unusual situation for all of you to listen to this speaker who was once where you are today. It is unusual because standing at this podium now is not just the person I have become in the decades since leaving Berkeley. Standing beside me, very close by today, is also the young woman I was in 1997, who was too busy to attend her own graduation. You will be hearing at times from both of us today, and we may even exchange a few words with each other.

    This sounds a little like that Aubrey Plaza movie you may have seen last year, in which a young woman gets advice from her older self. Unfortunately, unlike Aubrey Plaza’s character, I cannot help my younger version through the many challenges that she will face, and let me tell you, there were many challenges indeed, and yet here I am! Nevertheless, because of my proximity, today, to that younger self, I hope I can see the world a little more through your eyes, when I try to offer some words of wisdom. I know, I know, commencement speakers are expected to provide wisdom and advice. But really, today, I would like to mainly tell you that the wisdom and also the conviction of my younger self are what allowed me to navigate the challenges along the way. So, trust yourselves!

    As I have indicated, the younger version of me was quite impatient to get her professional life started and try to make a mark in the world. The older me would say, “Take your time, figure out who you are, who you will become! Life is long, and among other things, life teaches you to have patience to work for big goals.” There is merit to this advice, of course, but today I am thinking about how I felt when I was in your shoes, and I am thinking that one of the underappreciated gifts of younger people is, in fact, impatience. I will say more about this, but if you take a look around at all the many urgent challenges we face here in the U.S. and the world, many of which depend on the powerful tool of economics and its potential to make people’s lives better, then I would certainly say that some impatience is, indeed, very much what we need.

    I speak of economics as a tool because that is all that it is. It is not a philosophy, a value system, or a religion, although I acknowledge that some in our profession might treat it that way. Economics can’t answer all the questions we face in our lives. Economics can’t tell us how to treat each other, or what kind of world we should strive to create, but it is a means to those ends.

    And even the answers that economics can provide are always evolving, as our understanding of economic behavior and phenomena evolves. What we understand in economics has evolved in the years since I left Berkeley, and it will continue to evolve. While this understanding does change over time, I think of it as changing like the California landscape changes. Some towns and cities grow, some decline, and there is the occasional earthquake to shake things up. But the landmarks that guide us in economics-the Golden Gate, the Sierra Nevada-they have been standing for a while now, and I believe they will continue to stand for a long time to come.

    Using these landmarks, these foundational and time-tested insights, economics can indeed be a powerful tool. But it is a tool, only to the extent, like any other tool, that it is useful. A brilliant insight, if not applied, or tested, or employed for some useful purpose, is like the gadget you pick up at the hardware store and never use. It is just taking up space in the toolbox. When economics reveals how to use resources efficiently, how to raise production and income and lower costs, these insights are only useful if they are applied-if they win in the marketplace of ideas.

    As you embark on your careers as economists, and the myriad ways in which you can employ the knowledge and skills you have acquired, one cause that I hope you all will embrace is actively participating in this marketplace of ideas. I hope you do, because, from the level of the individual household to the loftiest decisions of business leaders and government, employing the foundational insights of economics is the difference between prosperity and the utterly avoidable lack of prosperity.

    It is tempting to think that time-tested and broadly accepted ideas are permanent. In fact, the debate has never ended on many foundational ideas of economics, some of which can seem counterintuitive to people. These are ideas that must be fought for, because, as I said, to lose that fight is to go backward and accept less prosperity.

    Among the aspirations that each of you hold as you leave the Greek theater today, I hope that you will use what you have learned at Berkeley to be part of this fight. I would go further and argue that, along with the diplomas that you are receiving today, you will also carry with you a special responsibility to promote these principles and use them to promote greater prosperity for all. I am not shy in saying that economists have such a responsibility, nor in saying that the learning you have acquired qualifies you to be an active participant in these debates. I believe your expertise matters, because, in the cacophony of opinions, and trolling, and disinformation that seems to crowd ever more into the marketplace of ideas each year, I cling to the idea that expertise still matters. In his book The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, Jonathan Rauch argues that, just as important as America’s written Constitution is an unwritten one, based on a widespread agreement on what is true and what is not true. Knowledge, he writes, as it is added to and preserved over time, is a special glue, that Gorilla clear and precise super glue, that helps to hold society together and settle many conflicts. Expertise matters as the basis for that knowledge. When your expertise as economists is absent, when your voices are absent from the debate, knowledge suffers, and we are all poorer because of it.

    Let me pause for a moment because I am hearing from my younger self just now that these commencement remarks are maybe getting a little heavy. I can understand how she feels. Think about how things looked in 1997. The Cold War was over! The tech boom was just taking off, which meant that Oakland was still affordable. Honestly, in hindsight life back then sounds a lot less complicated than it seems today. My first job was at Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, and my second was at a large public university, the University of Houston. I had some research ideas, mostly in the area of labor economics, and I found some great collaborators, and I was off to the races. Today, I realize that colleges and universities are facing challenges like never before, which means that the prospect of trying to make a career in academia is much less certain.

    Public service is another traditional destination for economists, and I have been very fortunate to be able to move forward in my career as an academic, while taking time out on three occasions to work in Washington-as chief economist at the Department of Labor, as the U.S. executive director at the World Bank, and now as a governor at the Federal Reserve Board. By contrast, it is, of course, to put it mildly, a very challenging time to be thinking about starting a career in public service, at least at the federal level.

    I can stand here today and lament the new challenges faced by you and by many others in the Class of 2025. I am a mom, and my kids are also facing new circumstances. But I also look back sometimes and wonder how I got here. And this is another case where I believe the 27-year-old me had more wisdom than I do. If she were crossing this stage today, with you, facing these undeniable challenges, I do not think she would be discouraged. She would stubbornly say: “I love economic research; I will find a way to become an academic.” If you told her about the challenges facing colleges and universities, she would say that it is simply unthinkable that America would not support the greatest post-secondary educational system in the world. And if you told her that a pendulum swing in opinion might limit opportunities in public service, she might say: “If the purpose of life is helping others, (and I think it is) then public service will be valued, and it is something I must do, and that I will do.”

    I think if you had told the 27-year-old me that she could not achieve these things, which she dreamed of, she would stubbornly refuse to accept it. And of course, this is the way that humankind eventually solves most big problems. More than anything else, it is stubborn determination, which I hope is in good supply among you already, and which I encourage you to cultivate. You have already, of course, one of the greatest assets that anyone can have to make a career in economics, which is an education from one of the greatest universities in the world-the University of California, Berkeley. When I attended here, I had the privilege of taking classes with four winners of the Nobel Prize, and many people tell me that, if anything, the faculty is even stronger today. In my recent work at the Fed, I have had occasion to cite research by six current faculty members in public speeches. You have learned from the best, and with your energy, expertise, impatience, and stubborn determination, I know that nothing will stop you! Whatever you choose to do, I hope you will make use of what you have learned at Berkeley to be an active part of that marketplace of ideas. Go forth from here and make the world a brighter and better place. Go seize the day as you head out Sather Gate! Congratulations, again, Class of 2025, and thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Not just talk: how dialogue can help address complex problems

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ralph Hamann, Professor, University of Cape Town

    Societies around the world are confronted with complex problems that defy resolution by any single actor, even well-resourced governments or corporations. Problems like food security, climate change, or biodiversity loss involve a lot of elements and dynamics. A variety of stakeholders need to be involved in creating effective responses to such problems.

    The difficulty is not only in creating coordinated responses. There is often also a need to develop a shared understanding of what the problem and its underlying causes actually are.

    To foster a shared understanding and coordinated, innovative action, it can help to convene key players in multi-stakeholder dialogue processes.

    A first step is to identify and enrol the actors that are either influential in – or directly affected by – the focal problem. These people are then invited to engage in dialogue with each other in a carefully designed, structured process.

    Processes can take a variety of forms. But a common feature is that participants have enough time and support to look at the problem from different angles, to interact in ways that break down stereotypes, and to think afresh about new ways of acting.

    Fifteen years ago, we were involved in establishing a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue with a focus on the problem of hunger and food insecurity. It is called the Southern Africa Food Lab. Recently, we analysed the numerous dialogue processes hosted by this initiative over the years to better understand when and how they can make a positive difference.

    We found that even though some dialogue processes don’t seem to be obviously successful, they can play an important role in enabling subsequent dialogues to have far-reaching impacts. And for dialogue to have an impact, it needs to involve a “deeper” kind of participant interaction, beyond formal roles, polite facades, and adversarial debate.

    What does success look like, and when is it achieved?

    Participants and funders are unlikely to remain committed to a dialogue process if they feel it is little more than a series of “talk-shops”. We wanted to achieve tangible changes in government policies and corporate strategies, or collaborative actions that combine resources from different organisations.

    Because we had hosted numerous dialogue initiatives over the 15-year lifespan of the Food Lab, in our analysis we were able to compare different processes in terms of their impacts.

    We found that some of the dialogue processes – especially the early ones – had relatively limited impacts. Though the participants said they’d gained new insights and formed new relationships, there were few changes in organisational policies or practices.

    For example, early on in the initiative, we hosted a dialogue on supporting smallholder farmers. Participants emphasised that they learnt important lessons during this process. During field trips in different parts of the country, they came to appreciate the diverse difficulties encountered by smallholder farmers. And government officials appreciated academics’ analysis of the different kinds of smallholder farmers and corresponding support needs. But these insights and experiences did not yet result in changes in organisational behaviours or strategies.

    Other initiatives were more obviously successful in creating new and influential responses to the hunger problem. For example, we convened a second dialogue focused on smallholder farmers 18 months after the first one. It included some of the same participants as the first process, as well as others. This process resulted in more far-reaching changes.

    For instance, retail companies agreed to revise their supplier standards so that smallholder farmers’ diverse needs and challenges were better accounted for. Government officials used the dialogue to redesign their agricultural extension services. A farmer training programme was established with links to a more context-sensitive and supportive certification system.

    In our analysis, we considered many different explanations for why some dialogue processes were more successful than others. We discovered a pattern: our early dialogue processes were less likely to have impact than subsequent, follow-up dialogues.

    The early dialogues played a crucial role, however, in preparing the ground for the subsequent dialogues to be more effective. They helped participants develop the insights and relationships that enabled the deeper engagement necessary to create real changes.

    What kind of dialogue is needed?

    To create meaningful change, a dialogue needs to move from what we call “shallow” to “deep” dialogue. Shallow dialogue is the more common kind. It is what happens when different people are invited to a workshop and their interactions are shaped by their established views of themselves, the problem at hand, and other actors. Often they hide behind polite facades or blame each other.

    Deep dialogue, in contrast, has a distinct flavour and temperament. Participants gain a more multi-faceted understanding of each other. Thabo is not just a government official but also passionate about nature-based farming. John is not just a corporate manager but also volunteers for animal rights.

    Participants’ focus shifts from defending their personal views or organisational interests to a more expansive, genuine interest in learning from each other, and to exploring new ways to understand the focal problem and possible responses.

    How can this kind of dialogue be achieved?

    First, the potential for multi-stakeholder dialogue needs to be carefully assessed and motivated. Participants and funders need to agree that the problem is complex and in need of fresh responses. This rationale needs to be continuously reviewed and communicated to maintain commitment and engagement.

    Second, it is important to get the “right people” to participate in the process. This includes actors with influence, such as government officials or leaders. But it also includes people who are most directly affected by the focal problem, not least because they have unique knowledge about it.

    Third, convening and facilitating dialogue requires a range of commitments, resources and skills. For a start, as university-based researchers we had some degree of convening power. Participants perceived us to have at least some degree of neutrality. We needed to maintain this perception as much as possible, for example by being careful about what funding to accept. This was important given the controversies in the food security field.

    We also had to make sure we had the necessary facilitation competencies. Especially in the early years, we benefited from facilitators who had a lot of experience in this kind of thing. A facilitator needs to be able to make participants feel comfortable but, when necessary, challenge them to move beyond their “comfort zone”.

    Finally, it is helpful to recognise the cyclical and longer-term nature of dialogue – earlier processes create the “groundwork” for subsequent ones. This means that, as conveners, we needed to find ways of keeping the initiative alive in the periods in between dialogue processes, even if there was no funding available. In our case, it helped that we were university researchers who did not rely on consulting fees. More generally, conveners and funders should budget for “bridging” resources to enable the longer-term unfolding of dialogue’s true impact.

    Rebecca Freeth is a co-author of this article. She is a senior consultant with Reos Partners (Africa office).

    Ralph Hamann’s work with the Southern Africa Food Lab has benefited from funding from the African Climate and Development Institute, the University of Cape Town, and the National Research Foundation. The Food Lab’s funders are listed on its website.

    Scott Drimie co-directs the Southern Africa Food Lab.

    Warren Nilsson is affiliated with the University of Vermont and the Institute for Collective Wellbeing.

    – ref. Not just talk: how dialogue can help address complex problems – https://theconversation.com/not-just-talk-how-dialogue-can-help-address-complex-problems-256825

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sugary drinks, processed foods, alcohol and tobacco are big killers: why the G20 should add its weight to health taxes

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Karen Hofman, Professor and Programme Director, SA MRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science – PRICELESS SA (Priority Cost Effective Lessons in Systems Strengthening South Africa), University of the Witwatersrand

    By 2030, non-communicable diseases will account for 75% of all deaths annually. Eight percent of these will be in the global south. Most of these diseases are what we call silent killers: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as certain types of cancer at increasingly younger ages.

    The consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fats is fuelling these pandemics. And increasingly advertising is being seen as the means by which the consumption of unhealthy products is promoted. This translates into the growth of non-communicable diseases in populations across the globe. This rising threat is driven largely by the way in which markets and industries are organised, which, in turn, shapes social norms towards consumption of tobacco, alcohol, food and sugary beverages.

    This process is what’s known as commercial determinants of health.

    Products that top the list in terms of their risk to health are tobacco, sugary beverages, ultra processed food and alcohol.

    These products are heavily advertised. For example, in South Africa from 2013 to 2019, sugary beverage manufacturers spent US$191 million (R3.7 billion) to advertise their products. Many of the TV advertisements for sugary drinks were placed during child and family viewing time, between 3pm and 7pm.

    Over the past decade a number of countries have introduced policies in a bid to limit the use and intake of harmful food and beverages. These have ranged from taxes on certain products, such as sugar, alcohol and tobacco, to bans on advertising. Many have proved effective. But there are still big gaps in policies to control these harmful products.

    As academics who have researched this field for three decades we believe that the G20 can play a significant role in plugging these gaps. The countries under the G20 umbrella, which represent two thirds of the world’s population, have reason to act: all are experiencing a mounting burden of obesity-related illness such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer at ever-younger ages.

    One of South Africa’s G20 presidency health priorities is “stemming the tide of non-communicable diseases”. In our view this is an invitation for the G20 to pledge to combat the drivers of non-communicable diseases.

    The G20 can acknowledge that these diseases are part of a pathological system in which commercial actors are causing ill health. And G20 leaders can acknowledge that progress enacting health taxes has stagnated in most countries.

    By galvanising attention in this way, the G20 can give impetus to a high level United Nations meeting in 2025 at which a new vision for the control and prevention of non-communicable diseases is due to be set. Health taxes and bans on marketing are focus areas.

    What stands in the way of progress

    Efforts by various countries to curb consumption of these harmful products have shown one thing clearly: there’s no silver bullet.

    Nevertheless, evidence shows that consumers are responsive to price. This points to the fact that taxes are a key tool for decreasing demand, especially for young consumers.



    Read more:
    Sugary drinks are a killer: a 20% tax would save lives and rands in South Africa

    There is also mounting evidence that health taxes are progressive for health at a population level – in other words they lead to better health outcomes. Research also shows that they scarcely affect overall employment, if at all.

    But advances on alcohol and tobacco taxes are slow. And there has been little progress on taxes on sugary beverages.

    These taxes remain far too low because health promotion taxes face tough resistance from industry. When any health promotion taxes are proposed, industries deny harms, promote doubt, divert attention, spread disinformation, create front organisations, and varnish their reputations through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    When taxes do proceed through the legislative or regulatory process, industries influence proposals to make them less effective. They also offer to replace legislation with voluntary commitments. Evidence shows that voluntary commitments do not work.

    What would be gained

    In 2024, a report by a panel of experts showed that US$3.7 trillion in additional revenue could be generated over five years if all countries increased prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages by 50%.

    This money is sorely needed to boost healthcare. Non-communicable diseases disproportionately affect the most poor and vulnerable and healthcare systems are increasingly unable to cope. Screening, diagnosis, medications and treatment are very expensive for both ministries of finance and at the household level, where health needs can result in catastrophic expenditure.

    And taxes that generate a 50% increase in real prices of tobacco, alcohol and sugary beverages would save 50 million lives globally over 50 years.

    Where to begin

    We believe the G20 platform is a sound one on which to champion efforts to curb the consumption of harmful products. This is because half of the countries in the group have one or two policies for food such as taxes on sweetened beverages. Their experiences can therefore inform debates about how to protect the public from the fatal effects of diet-influenced diseases.

    But building a solid foundation won’t be easy. What’s needed is for the G20 to put its weight behind these key points:

    • Promoting good health before people get sick should be an imperative because the cost of inaction in financial and human terms is just too high.

    • Promoting the case for raising tobacco taxes, because tobacco continues to cause the most death and illness. But taxation has stalled. Approximately 90% of smokers live in countries where cigarettes were equally or more affordable in 2022 than they were five years earlier.

    • A renewed focus on alcohol taxes, which have shown little improvement in the last decade. Alcohol excise taxes are not being used effectively.

    • Fresh impetus behind increasing the level of taxes as a percentage of the cost of sugar sweetened beverages. Evidence suggests that to be effective, taxes on sugar sweetened beverages should increase product prices by at least 20%.

    • Champion nutrition regulation when navigating the trade and nutrition policy environment. Trade policies can be inconsistent with health policies.

    • Lastly, push for stronger global monitoring frameworks to track corporate accountability in health. This should include clear conflict of interest policies, information management, and exposing when corporations try to shape their own evidence-base or discredit research that would be supportive of public health policies.

    Susan Goldstein receives funding from the SAMRC, the NIHR and UNICEF. She is a Board Member of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance: South Africa,

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

    – ref. Sugary drinks, processed foods, alcohol and tobacco are big killers: why the G20 should add its weight to health taxes – https://theconversation.com/sugary-drinks-processed-foods-alcohol-and-tobacco-are-big-killers-why-the-g20-should-add-its-weight-to-health-taxes-256024

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Announces Creation of Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (May 27, 2025)— Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) announced the creation of a Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to further examine the underlying causes of absenteeism in Georgia schools and explore effective solutions.

    Senator Kennedy, who authored and carried Senate Bill 123 (SB 123) during the 2025 legislative session, will serve as the Chair of the study committee and will lead its work during the 2025 interim.

    “I’m grateful to Lieutenant Governor Jones for his steadfast commitment to education and his leadership in making chronic absenteeism a statewide priority,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Thanks to his support, this new study committee will help us dig deeper into the root causes of absenteeism and ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep Georgia students connected to their classroom and on track to succeed.”

    SB 123, signed into law on April 28, 2025, will take effect on July 1, 2025. SB 123 will require School Climate Committees in each school district to develop a comprehensive framework to improve student attendance. Additionally, it will create local attendance review teams to assess individual student attendance cases. The School Climate Committees must report their progress to the Georgia General Assembly and Georgia Department of Education, ensuring accountability and continued focus on this critical issue.

    Additional details regarding committee membership and meeting dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

    For more information about Senate Bill 123, click here.

    # # # #

    Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston counties. He may be reached at (404) 656-6578 or by email at John.Kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Illinois Police Officer Sentenced for Assaulting Handcuffed Man

    Source: US FBI

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Thursday sentenced a former police officer who struck a handcuffed man in the face to two years in prison.

    Justin Gaither was in full uniform and on duty with the Venice Police Department on Nov. 20, 2022, when he began pursuing a car that was displaying stolen license plates. The car drove over spike strips that Gaither deployed, then over the McKinley Bridge and into St. Louis. A Brooklyn Police Department officer was also pursuing the car. The pursuit ended in the 3800 block of Parnell Avenue in St. Louis. The vehicle’s occupants ran away. Gaither, the Brooklyn officer and that officer’s K-9 chased the driver. The driver was bitten while climbing over a fence and fell. His hands were then handcuffed behind his back by the Brooklyn officer. As Gaither lifted the driver from the ground to escort him to a police vehicle, he struck the driver twice in the face without justification and without a legitimate purpose, breaking the driver’s nose.

    Gaither, 34, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis in February to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. The right violated in this case is the right to be free from the use of unreasonable force under the Fourth Amendment.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Aerial and maritime live-force drill of China-Cambodia “Golden Dragon 2025” joint exercise conducted 2025-05-27 19:35:29

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, May 27 — On May 26, the aerial and maritime live-force drill of the China-Cambodia “Golden Dragon 2025” joint exercise kicked off in the sea area and airspace near the port of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. A joint taskforce comprising 11 naval vessels and 3 air force helicopters from the two countries participated in the drill.

      In the scenario of a cargo ship hijacked by “terrorists” riding armed speedboats, and focusing on the joint maritime counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking operations, the drill mainly included the joint response, accompanying escort, counter-terrorism and anti-piracy, joint aerial and maritime search and rescue, and other training subjects.

      After receiving the situation briefing, the joint taskforce rushed to the “incident sea area”. Following target identification through the search at sea, the navy and air force participating troops applied various methods to deter and stop the “terrorists”, implemented rapid blocking and guard, and carried out visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS). They also jointly searched and rescued the “terrorists” falling overboard and provided medical aid to them on humanitarian grounds.

      Subsequently, the two sides jointly held a conclusion ceremony for the aerial and maritime live-force drill. The drill achieved the purpose of mutual learning and advancement, and demonstrated the firm will and competence of both sides in jointly safeguarding maritime security.

      (Video Editor: Huang Panyue)

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • Income Tax Department extends date for filing ITRs from July 31 to Sep 15

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Income Tax Department on Tuesday extended the due date for filing income tax returns for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) from July 31 to September 15.

    “In view of the extensive changes introduced in the notified ITRs and considering the time required for system readiness and rollout of Income Tax Return (ITR) utilities for Assessment Year (AY) 2025-26,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced in a statement on Tuesday.

    This extension is expected to address concerns raised by stakeholders and provide adequate time for compliance, thereby ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the return filing process, the statement added.

    The notified ITRs for AY 2025-26 have undergone structural and content revisions aimed at simplifying compliance, enhancing transparency, and enabling accurate reporting. These changes have necessitated additional time for system development, integration, and testing of the corresponding utilities.

    Furthermore, credits arising from TDS statements—due for filing by May 31—are expected to begin reflecting in early June, effectively limiting the filing window without such an extension.

    Accordingly, to facilitate a smooth and convenient filing experience for taxpayers, the due date for filing ITRs, originally July 31, has been extended to September 15. A formal notification to this effect will be issued separately, the statement said.

    The CBDT notified income tax return forms ITR-1 and ITR-4 for FY 2024-25 and AY 2025-26 on April 30. Returns for income earned during the financial year from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, must be filed using the new forms.

    A major change in the ITR forms this year is that ITR-1 (SAHAJ) can now be used to report long-term capital gains (LTCG) under Section 112A, provided the LTCG does not exceed ₹1.25 lakh and the assessee has no capital losses to carry forward or set off.

    Earlier, ITR-1 did not include provisions to report capital gains tax. This year, taxpayers who have long-term capital gains from the sale of listed equity shares and equity-oriented mutual funds can file their returns using ITR-1.

    However, ITR-1 cannot be used by taxpayers who have capital gains from the sale of house property or short-term capital gains from listed equity and equity mutual funds.

    The notification also stipulates that taxpayers who opted out of the new income tax regime in AY 2024–25 must declare and indicate whether they wish to continue or reverse that selection.

    Those opting out of the new regime for the first time in AY 2025–26 are required to furnish the acknowledgement details of Form 10-IEA.

    Additionally, there must be clarification regarding the late filing of Form 10-IEA.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Caribbean logistic hub boosts disaster response ahead of hurricane season

    Source: World Food Programme

    BRIDGETOWN – The United Nations World Food Programme today joined the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to inaugurate the Caribbean’s newest disaster preparedness and response hub.

    The Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub, inaugurated just ahead of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, will store and dispatch critical relief items to affected communities in case of a disaster. The hub’s strategic location at the Grantley Adams International Airport and proximity to the main highway and port facilities will allow for both air and sea operations during an emergency response.

    The Hon. Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Executive Director, CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, and WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Lola Castro officially opened the new facility.

     “This hub is about saving lives. This is about getting food and critical supplies, including pharmaceuticals to persons within 48-72 hours of a major disaster. It isn’t only limited to emergency responses for disaster, it is also going to be for humanitarian crises,” said Mottley.

    The hub comprises a large fully enclosed warehouse and outdoor container park with space for up to forty, twenty-foot shipping containers. Additionally, the compound provides adequate space for consolidating equipment before shipping. The hub comprises of 2,500 square metres of covered storage space, 1,300 racked pallets and approximately 1,600sqm of open storage space.

    “Having seen how devastating hurricanes and other hazards can be in the Caribbean, we are proud to have this Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub in place,” said Castro. “WFP works with partners in the region and globally to enhance national response mechanisms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response in order to save lives.”

    Through collaboration with CDEMA, the Government of Barbados and other key stakeholders, plans are in place to expand the facility. The next phase, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, will see the development of greater emergency response knowledge, skills and expertise in the region, through specialized training programmes.

    “Recent geopolitical shifts have disrupted traditional support streams for humanitarian action highlighting the high-risk exposure of our system. The CDEMA system must now re-double efforts towards greater self-reliance, further deepen national capacity, enhance regional cooperation, and embrace new and non-traditional partnerships”, said Riley. “The hub supports this. It offers the infrastructure to pre-position high-demand emergency supplies.”

    While still under construction, the hub proved to be essential to the response to Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

    The construction of the hub was made possible through vital partnerships with the Government of Canada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the European Union, the United States and the World Food Program USA.

    #                     #                        #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media OR @wfp_caribbean

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Lo Chung-mau meets WHO official

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met World Health Organization Representative to China Martin Taylor to exchange views on various healthcare issues and explore the strengthening of related healthcare co-operation.

    During the meeting, Prof Lo introduced Mr Taylor to the comprehensive tobacco control strategies in Hong Kong, and the new-phase measures formulated around the four directions of regulating supply, banning promotion, expanding no smoking areas, and enhancing education.

    Both parties agreed that sustained international co-operation is particularly important to further strengthening global tobacco control efforts and safeguarding public health.

    Meanwhile, Prof Lo continued to meet the visiting Mainland delegations attending the Hospital Authority Convention 2025.

    In the morning, he met the delegation led by Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Deputy Director General Prof Hu Hongyi, to discuss healthcare talent exchanges between Hong Kong and Shanghai, and the internationalisation of Chinese medicine standards.

    At the afternoon meeting with the delegation led by Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region Luo Mei, Prof Lo introduced the structure of the healthcare system in Hong Kong and shared relevant management experience. Both sides also discussed the development of traditional medicine.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra Citizen of the Year helps women build skills

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Sunita delights in the sense of joy and empowerment Women’s Shed workshops give ACT women.

    In brief

    • Sunita Kotnala has been named the 2025 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
    • Sunita is the driving force behind Women’s Shed Canberra.
    • The social enterprise runs home repair and maintenance workshops that empower women.

    Women’s Shed Canberra CEO Sunita Kotnala has been named the 2025 Canberra Citizen of the Year.

    The award recognises her work empowering hundreds of women across the ACT.

    Women’s Shed Canberra

    Sunita is the CEO of Women’s Shed Canberra, established in 2020.

    It has since expanded, with a permanent home in Greenway.

    Women’s Shed Canberra runs hands-on home repair and maintenance workshops for women.

    These focus on skill-building and mental health for women of all backgrounds.

    Participants can pick up skills in:

    • carpentry
    • woodworking
    • using power tools
    • DIY.

    Workshop topics cover everything from building a picture frame to installing and replacing door locks.

    In some cases, women are also inspired to consider a career in construction and building trades.

    Creating a community

    Through the Women’s Shed Canberra, Sunita has made a space for women of all backgrounds and abilities to:

    • meet
    • get inspired
    • develop new skills
    • create and build.

    All women over the age of 18 can participate.

    Some original members remain active. Others come and go once they’ve acquired the skills they need.

    Increasing access

    Women’s Shed Canberra introduced a mobile service in 2023.

    This helped increase access to its services by reducing transport barriers for participants.

    In 2024, Women’s Shed Canberra received an ACT Social Enterprise Grant.

    The Shed’s permanent Greenway location will allow it to grow further and prosper into the future.

    In Sunita’s words

    Sunita was very proud to accept the award.

    “It showcases the role the women’s sheds can play as social enterprises in the circular economy by exposing women to valuable skills in building trades and home repairs,” she said.

    “I am delighted with the sense of joy and empowerment that women feel after learning to use power tools in a safe environment.

    “The award is doubly special for me as it comes 25 years since my arrival in Australia as a skilled migrant and brings together my experience in social development with my love for restoring and refurbishing.”

    Having these skills helps women improve their day-to-day lives and find new interests and connections.

    The award

    The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recognises people who have made a large contribution to the Canberra community.

    The award promotes and fosters a sense of civic pride.

    Find out more about the Canberra Citizen of the Year Award.

    Read more like this

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Felon Arrested in Connection with Months-Long Armed Robbery Spree

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Terry Lewis Burston, a multi-convicted felon who was released from prison last year, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon on May 22, 2025, following his arrest on charges of postal robbery, aggravated assault on a federal employee, Hobbs Act Robbery, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Burston was arrested on May 17, 2025, pursuant to a criminal complaint obtained by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

    “Burston is a violent repeat offender who allegedly terrorized the citizens of DeKalb County by assaulting federal employees and robbing local business operators at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners whose coordinated investigation resulted in Burston’s arrest and prevented him from committing additional violent crimes.”

    “This is another example of Postal Inspectors and local agencies collaborating to remove an armed and dangerous individual from our community,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the violent and callous actions committed by this defendant against postal service employees and other businesses.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On December 14, 2024, Burston allegedly robbed an auto parts store in Decatur, Georgia. During the robbery, Burston allegedly brandished a black handgun, tapped it on the store counter, and demanded money from an employee. Burston fled after confiscating the cash.

    Six days later, on December 20, 2024, Burston allegedly waited outside a Scottdale, Georgia, post office. He forced his way inside after the last customer departed, pointed a gun at a postal employee, demanded money, obtained cash from the register, and fled.

    Later, on January 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a gas station in Decatur when he pointed a black handgun at an employee and demanded money.

    Four months later, on May 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a Lithonia, Georgia, Post Office but fled after postal employees began alerting their co-workers. Postal inspectors who responded to the attempted robbery found Burston changing his clothes behind a nearby restaurant. They recovered a firearm lying at Burston’s feet and arrested him after a brief chase.

    At the time of these alleged offenses, Burston was subject to federal supervision following his 2013 conviction for armed bank robbery. In a separate case, Burston was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for robbing an Atlanta bank and post office in 1995.

    Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with valuable assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department. 

    Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Schechtman is prosecuting this case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Mexican National Purchased More Than 150 Firearms to Be Smuggled from the United States to Mexico

    ATLANTA – Edson Aregullin has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for unlawfully purchasing firearms for transport from Georgia to Mexico. 

    “Illegal firearms trafficking wreaks havoc in communities within and outside our district,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are proud to stand alongside our federal law enforcement partners in helping to stem the unlawful flow of firearms to criminals.”

    “Every illegal firearm that crosses our border becomes a weapon of destruction in the wrong hands,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “ATF is committed to shutting down these criminal pipelines with precision and force. Our communities – here and abroad – deserve nothing less.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Edson Aregullin conspired with several individuals in Mexico to purchase more than 150 firearms from various firearms dealers in the Northern District of Georgia.  Those firearms included 9mm pistols and AR-style rifles.  Aregullin’s contacts in Mexico sent him detailed instructions concerning the makes and models of the firearms to buy.  Aregullin bought the firearms with funds received from the actual buyer in Mexico and then facilitated transportation of the weapons to Mexico.

    The guns Areguillin purchased illegally were used to commit violent crimes. For example, on April 21, 2022, Aregullin bought a .223 caliber rifle that law enforcement officers in Guanajuato, Mexico recovered just a few months later after a deadly encounter between municipal police and armed combatants. During the ensuing melee, eight people were killed, and four were injured.

    On May 22, 2025, United States District Judge Steven D. Grimberg sentenced Edson Aregullin, 47, a Mexican national previously residing in Atlanta, Georgia, to 71 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On November 19, 2024, Aregullin pled guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms, three counts of Trafficking in Firearms, and three counts of False Statements to a Federal Firearms Licensee.   

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gabay-Smith prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: ibex Appoints Ricky Fields as Global Head of Business Development for Wave iX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), a leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and AI-powered customer engagement technology solutions, today announced the appointment of Ricky Fields as Global Head of Business Development for ibex Wave iX, the company’s next-gen AI solutions platform that is redefining the customer experience (CX) industry.

    In this role, Fields will report directly to Carl O’Neil, EVP and GM of Wave iX, Augment, and ibex CX. He will spearhead the company’s new go-to-market strategy as ibex scales Wave iX across industries seeking high-performance, non-human agent solutions that deliver seamless, fully autonomous customer experiences.

    “ibex is the proven leader in AI for CX, delivering breakthrough AI solutions that transform how businesses engage with their customers,” said Bob Dechant, CEO of ibex. “We manage hundreds of millions of customer interactions for the world’s top brands across major industries and provide unmatched business insights, making ibex the ideal CX partner to ensure digital transformation success. With Ricky driving our Wave iX go-to-market efforts, we’re positioned to reset the industry standard for customer experience and create unprecedented value for our clients.”

    Fields brings more than 25 years of experience scaling transformative technology at leading companies including Google, HPE, Cloudflare, and Avaya. His unique blend of strategic vision, technical expertise, and customer-first focus will be instrumental as ibex aggressively pursues its BPO 3.0 strategy and positions Wave iX as the leading AI-native CX platform.

    Fields’ passion for reimagining customer engagement aligns perfectly with ibex’s vision to modernize legacy CX models. In his new role, Fields will help accelerate ibex’s evolution as the Generative AI CX leader by unlocking new opportunities where intelligent AI agents deliver scalable, high-impact outcomes. Under his leadership, Wave iX is poised to further drive new revenue through AI, business insights, and operational excellence.

    About ibex

    ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of approximately 30 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.

    ibex leverages its diverse global team of more than 31,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including the AI-powered ibex Wave iX solutions suite, to manage nearly 175 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.

    Media Contact:
    Dan Burris
    ibex
    Daniel.Burris@ibex.co

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/585aee8d-87ff-43c4-9dc3-c972cfcfb84a

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