Category: Americas

MIL-OSI: Ellomay Capital Reports Publication of Financial Statements of Dorad Energy Ltd. as of and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TEL-AVIV, Israel, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, Israel and USA, today reported the publication in Israel of financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 of Dorad Energy Ltd. (“Dorad”), in which Ellomay currently indirectly holds approximately 9.4% through its indirect 50% ownership of Ellomay Luzon Energy Infrastructures Ltd. (formerly U. Dori Energy Infrastructures Ltd.) (“Ellomay Luzon Energy”).

On May 29, 2025, Amos Luzon Entrepreneurship and Energy Group Ltd. (the “Luzon Group”), an Israeli public company that currently holds the remaining 50% of Ellomay Luzon Energy, which, in turn, holds 18.75% of Dorad, published its quarterly report in Israel based on the requirements of the Israeli Securities Law, 1968. Based on applicable regulatory requirements, the quarterly report of the Luzon Group includes the financial statements of Dorad for the same period.

The financial statements of Dorad as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Ellomay will include its indirect share of these results (through its holdings in Ellomay Luzon Energy) in its financial results for this period. In an effort to provide Ellomay’s shareholders with access to Dorad’s financial results (which were published in Hebrew), Ellomay hereby provides a convenience translation to English of Dorad’s financial results.

Dorad Financial Highlights

Dorad’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025 – approximately NIS 610.6 million.
Dorad’s operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2025 – approximately NIS 76.9 million.

Based on the information provided by Dorad, the demand for electricity by Dorad’s customers is seasonal and is affected by, inter alia, the climate prevailing in that season. The months of the year are split into three seasons as follows: summer – June-September; winter – December-February; and intermediate (spring and autumn) – March-May and October-November. There is a higher demand for electricity during the winter and summer seasons, and the average electricity consumption is higher in these seasons than in the intermediate seasons and is even characterized by peak demands due to extreme climate conditions of heat or cold. In addition, Dorad’s revenues are affected by the change in load and time tariffs – TAOZ (an electricity tariff that varies across seasons and across the day in accordance with demand hour clusters), as, on average, TAOZ tariffs are higher in the summer season than in the intermediate and winter seasons. Therefore, the results presented for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, which include winter months of January and February and the intermediate month of March, are not indicative of full year results. In addition, due to various reasons, including the effects of the increase in the Israeli CPI impacting interest payments by Dorad on its credit facility, the results included herein may not be indicative of first quarter results in the future or comparable to first quarter results in the past.

A convenience translation of the financial results for Dorad as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 and as of and for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 is included at the end of this press release. Ellomay does not undertake to separately report Dorad’s financial results in a press release in the future. Neither Ellomay nor its independent public accountants have reviewed or consulted with the Luzon Group, Ellomay Luzon Energy or Dorad with respect to the financial results included in this press release.

About Ellomay Capital Ltd.
Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.
To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 294 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of approximately 27 MW that are placed in service and in process of connection to the grid and additional 22 MW are under construction.

For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including changes in electricity prices and demand, continued war and hostilities and political and economic conditions generally in Israel, regulatory changes, the decisions of the Israeli Electricity Authority, changes in demand, technical and other disruptions in the operations of the power plant operated by Dorad, competition, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Dorad’s facilities and in the price of oil and electricity, changes in the Israeli CPI, changes in interest rates, seasonality, failure to obtain financing for the expansion of Dorad and other risks applicable to projects under development and construction, and other risks applicable to projects under development and construction, in addition to other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s and Dorad’s business that are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
CFO
Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
Email: hilai@ellomay.com


Dorad Energy Ltd.
Interim Condensed Statements of Financial Position
	March 31	March 31	December 31
	2025	2024	2024
	(Unaudited)	(Unaudited)	(Audited)
	NIS thousands	NIS thousands	NIS thousands
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1,030,373	399,596	846,565
Trade receivables and accrued income	247,812	181,182	185,625
Other receivables	26,929	13,850	32,400
Financial derivatives	803	–	–
Total current assets	1,305,917	594,628	1,064,590

Non-current assets
Restricted deposit	541,855	514,770	531,569
Long-term Prepaid expenses	79,666	29,548	79,739
Fixed assets	2,678,973	3,065,103	2,697,592
Intangible assets	10,215	7,573	9,688
Right of use assets	53,332	54,544	54,199
Total non-current assets	3,364,041	3,671,538	3,372,787

Total assets	4,669,958	4,266,166	4,437,377

Current liabilities
Current maturities of loans from banks	347,509	329,137	321,805
Current maturities of lease liabilities	4,991	4,787	4,887
Current tax liabilities	24,119	–	14,016
Trade payables	297,164	158,545	168,637
Other payables	14,865	19,897	14,971
Financial derivatives	–	1,125	–
Total current liabilities	688,648	513,491	524,316

Non-current liabilities
Loans from banks	1,756,777	2,001,668	1,750,457
Other long-term liabilities	60,872	11,562	60,987
Long-term lease liabilities	47,198	48,007	46,809
Provision for dismantling and restoration	37,212	38,013	38,102
Deferred tax liabilities	405,837	297,691	399,282
Liabilities for employee benefits, net	160	160	160
Total non-current liabilities	2,308,056	2,397,101	2,295,797

Equity
Share capital	11	11	11
Share premium	642,199	642,199	642,199
Capital reserve from activities with shareholders	3,748	3,748	3,748
Retained earnings	1,027,296	709,616	971,306
Total equity	1,673,254	1,355,574	1,617,264

Total liabilities and equity	4,669,958	4,266,166	4,437,377

Dorad Energy Ltd.
Interim Condensed Statements of Profit or Loss
		For the three months ended				Year ended
		March 31				December 31
		2025		2024		2024
		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)		(Audited)
		NIS thousands		NIS thousands		NIS thousands
Revenues	610,554		610,882		2,863,770

Operating costs of the Power Plant

Energy costs	105,220		131,084		574,572

Electricity purchase and infrastructure services	325,315		263,191		1,372,618
Depreciation and amortization	51,418		55,514		106,266
Other operating costs		43,475		42,469		190,027

Total operating costs of Power Plant		525,428		492,258		2,243,483


Profit from operating the Power Plant	85,126		118,624		620,287

General and administrative expenses	8,186		9,874		23,929
Other income		–		–		58

Operating profit	76,940		108,750		596,416

Financing income	28,452		12,879		184,939
Financing expenses		32,743		36,396		193,825

Financing expenses, net		4,291		23,517		8,886

Profit before taxes on income	72,649		85,233		587,530

Taxes on income		16,659		19,596		135,203

Net profit for the period		55,990		65,637		452,327

Dorad Energy Ltd.

Interim Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Capital reserve

for activities

Share

with

Retained

capital

premium

shareholders

earnings

Total Equity

NIS thousands

For the three months

ended March 31, 2025

(Unaudited)

Balance as at

January 1, 2025 (Audited)

642,199

3,748

971,306

1,617,264

Net profit for the period

–

55,990

Balance as at
March 31, 2025 (Unaudited)

642,199

3,748

1,027,296

1,673,254

For the three months

ended March 31, 2024

(Unaudited)

Balance as at

January 1, 2024 (Audited)

642,199

3,748

643,979

1,289,937

Net profit for the period

–

65,637

Balance as at

March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)

642,199

3,748

709,616

1,355,574

For the year ended

December 31, 2024 (Audited)

Balance as at

January 1, 2024 (Audited)

642,199

3,748

643,979

1,289,937

Dividend distributed

–

(125,000

)

(125,000

)

Net profit for the year

–

452,327

Balance as at

December 31, 2024 (Audited)

642,199

3,748

971,306

1,617,264


Dorad Energy Ltd.
Interim Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
		For the three months ended				Year ended
		March 31				December 31
		2025		2024		2024
		(Unaudited)		(Unaudited)		(Audited)
		NIS thousands		NIS thousands		NIS thousands
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Profit for the period	55,990			65,637		452,327

Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
and fuel consumption	53,036			59,379		121,664
Taxes on income	16,659			19,596		135,203
Financing expenses, net	4,291			23,517		8,886
	73,986			102,492		265,753

Change in trade receivables	(62,187		)	30,684		26,241
Change in other receivables	5,471			(4,493	)	(20,951	)
Change in trade payables	116,677			(8,906	)	(10,361	)
Change in other payables	(106		)	5,954		(3,481	)
Change in other long-term liabilities	315			(1,381	)	(3,661	)
	60,170			21,858		(12,213	)

Net cash from operating activities	190,146			189,987		705,867

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds (used in) for settlement of financial derivatives, net	289			(1,395	)	1,548
Decrease in long-term restricted deposits	–			17,500		17,500
Investment in fixed assets	(34,249		)	(17,069	)	(44,132	)
Proceeds from arbitration	–			–		337,905
Proceeds from insurance for damages to fixed assets	–			2,737		5,148
Investment in intangible assets	(1,115		)	(412	)	(4,054	)
Interest received	14,847			9,577		42,221

Net cash from )used in) investing activities	(20,228		)	10,918		356,136

Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of lease liability	–			(100	)	(4,984	)
Repayment of loans from banks	–			–		(284,570	)
Dividends paid	–			(17,500	)	(142,500	)
Interest paid	(190		)	(196	)	(129,957	)
Proceeds from arbitration	–			–		127,195

Net cash used in financing activities	(190		)	(17,796	)	(434,816	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	169,728			183,109		627,187

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations
on cash and cash equivalents	14,080			(2,759	)	132
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period	846,565			219,246		219,246
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period	1,030,373			399,596		846,565

(a) Significant non-cash activity
Liability for gas agreements	432			–		56,208

The MIL Network –

May 30, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: How trafficked American guns fuel Mexico’s cartel violence – podcast

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

More than two thirds of guns recovered at Mexican crime scenes originate in the U.S. For decades, Mexico has struggled with staggering levels of gun violence fueled in large part by weapons trafficked across its northern border.

Now an investigation published by The Conversation has arrived at a new estimate of the scale of this illicit gun trade between the U.S. and Mexico in 2022: 135,000 guns.

Investigative journalist Sean Campbell and Topher McDougal, a professor of economic development at the University of San Diego, spent a year combing through multiple databases and court documents and conducting interviews to understand how the flow of guns works.

Their investigation reveals where in the U.S. the guns are coming from, what impact these American guns are having in Mexico, and how difficult it is for American law enforcement agencies to prosecute those trafficking guns across the border.

Listen to Campbell and McDougal talk about their investigation on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

You can read the full investigation here.

This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

Newsclips in this episode from PBS News, CGTN, France24, ABC 7 and NewsNation.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts.

Sean Campbell and Topher McDougal do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations.

– ref. How trafficked American guns fuel Mexico’s cartel violence – podcast – https://theconversation.com/how-trafficked-american-guns-fuel-mexicos-cartel-violence-podcast-256746

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Israel announces construction of 22 new settlements in occupied West Bank

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

JERUSALEM, May 30 (Xinhua) — Israel on Thursday said it would establish 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, in what officials called a strategic expansion of Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territory.

A map published by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich shows that the plan includes the rebuilding of two settlements, Homesh and Sa-Nur, in the northern part of the territory. They were evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel’s disengagement from the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the Security Cabinet’s approval of the plan, calling it a “historic decision” to “strengthen our [Israeli] authority” in the West Bank.

The announcement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to take full control of Gaza, while pro-settlement ministers, including B. Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, advocated moving evacuated Jewish settlements to Gaza.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War and has been expanding settlements there ever since. More than 720,000 Israeli settlers now live in heavily guarded communities there. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SFST meets Canadian officials

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui met financial officials in Ottawa on Wednesday and business representatives in Vancouver yesterday, as he continued a five-day visit to Canada.

Mr Hui met Canadian Deputy Minister of Finance Chris Forbes on Wednesday. They discussed the challenges posed by unilateralism and protectionism, and how Hong Kong and Canada might collaborate to achieve mutual benefits in areas such as the gold market and virtual assets.

Mr Hui told Mr Forbes that as global economic gravity continues to shift eastwards, Hong Kong has been exploring new growth areas and expanding international co-operation. He said this includes efforts by a working group to promote gold market development.

In a meeting with Canada’s Superintendent of Financial Institutions Peter Routledge, Mr Hui spoke of Hong Kong’s perseverance in upholding a robust regulatory regime across different financial institutions and financial products.

Mr Routledge praised Hong Kong for its advanced development in the area of digital assets, stating that it sets an example for other regions.

Mr Hui then met Senator Woo Yuen-pau at Parliament Hill and brief hum on Hong Kong’s effort in maintaining its status as an international financial centre through various measures.

He mentioned the recent affirmations of Hong Kong’s credit ratings by Fitch, S&P and Moody’s, adding that these fully demonstrate Hong Kong’s resilience in maintaining stability amid increasing global economic and financial uncertainties.

During his short stay in Ottawa, Mr Hui also paid a courtesy call to China’s Ambassador to Canada Wang Di.

Mr Wang said Hong Kong has its own distinctive advantages which can enable it to be a bridgehead in driving closer ties between China and Canada in addition to fostering direct co-operation between Hong Kong and Canada.

In Vancouver yesterday, Mr Hui met Fraser Institute Board Chair Mark Scott and some other prominent business figures to update them on Hong Kong’s financial development.

Mr Hui welcomed the think-tank’s ranking of Hong Kong as the world’s freest economies in its Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report.

Later, he spoke at a business lunch hosted by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Vancouver Chapter), and participated in a fireside chat.

Mr Hui then met representatives of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and briefed them on development in areas such as wealth management and digital assets in Hong Kong.

The day concluded with a business networking reception and seminar organised by Invest Hong Kong (Canada).

Addressing the audience, Mr Hui highlighted the Government’s dedication to integrate Web3 innovations into the real economy by introducing a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers, and to foster the development of Web3 and digital assets.

He also mentioned Hong Kong’s determination to expand the financial value chain to sustain the world-class status of its financial markets. Two forward-looking moves are to build an international gold trading market and create a commodity trading ecosystem in Hong Kong, he said.

Mr Hui added that, with Canada enjoying a prominent position in the global gold market and the Toronto Stock Exchange being the world’s pre-eminent stock exchange for mining companies, co-operation between Hong Kong and Canada can establish an East-West financial corridor for the world.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Touts House’s One Big, Beautiful Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House Floor ahead of the vote on Republicans’ once-in-a-generation reconciliation package, prioritizing hardworking families through no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and tax cut permanency. Leader Scalise emphasized how Democrats’ ‘no’ vote is a direct vote for tax hikes on Americans.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
Excerpts from remarks:

“Any restaurant you go to, talk to the waiters and waitresses. Ask them about their hopes and dreams. Ask them about their families. And what would they do with just a little bit more money in their paycheck? Do you know, Mr. Speaker, that big provision that every Democrat is going to vote against, the average tip worker makes $32,000 a year, and every Democrat will vote no on that benefit while they hide behind the lie of the millionaires and the billionaires because they know that’s not the case. But they also know if they’re going to vote against every hardworking waiter and waitress who averages $32,000 a year, how do they get away with it? They’ve got to create some fake boogie man that they can point to and say, ‘Gee, whiz, look at the billionaire over there.’ As if class warfare, dividing Americans, is their way to try to get more power in Washington. How about we give people in America more power? Take it away from Washington. Empower the people in this country who have been struggling for too long. If you want to live the American dream, it can still exist. For a lot of people, they thought it was going away. President Trump ran and said, ‘I will renew that promise.’ But it only happens if Congress delivers.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Washington Post: Scalise Leads Outside the Glare of the House Speakership

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Last week, Washington Post’s Paul Kane profiled House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) critical leadership in the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and examined his role as the most tenured member of Congressional leadership. To see highlights of the piece, see below. To read the full article, click here.

Washington Post: Scalise Leads Outside the Glare of the House Speakership
The House majority leader, having come back from a shooting and a cancer bout, has shifted into the role of GOP elder statesman after having once sought the chamber’s top job.May 24, 2025By Paul Kane
When House Majority Leader Steve Scalise looks around the leadership table these days, he realizes no one else played even a small role in the last big GOP tax-cut bill in 2017.“Everybody else is new. It’s amazing when you think about how much turnover there’s been,” the Louisiana Republican said.Scalise serves as the leader tasked with educating the relative newcomers about mistakes of the past while trying to push their sweeping conservative agenda across the legislative finish line.Scalise, 59, has found something close to political solace, effectively, as the COO for the House implementing day-to-day tasks, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) in the CEO role managing relationships with the Senate, President Donald Trump and key party holdouts on big votes.That paid off early Thursday when, despite the smallest majority in almost 100 years, House Republicans narrowly passed the massive tax-and-border-security package with not a single vote to spare.When the gavel fell, Scalise gave a high-five to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota) before embracing him. Behind them, the three chiefs of staff for Johnson, Scalise and Emmer all jumped into one another’s arms in a group bear hug.“It shows you how much better things are,” Scalise said in an interview Thursday.Less than two years ago, all three were engaged in a leadership game of musical chairs, following the far-right flank’s decision to eject Kevin McCarthy (R-California) from the top job.…Making matters worse, Scalise had just been diagnosed with multiple myeloma blood cancer, which included some intensive and debilitating treatments while also fueling rumors pushed by his internal foes. That followed the 2017 shooting at a congressional baseball practice in which Scalise was within minutes of dying.“There were people trying to spread a rumor that I had six months to go, and obviously that wasn’t true. And a lot of those other things were disgustingly false, deliberate lies. But look, this is a rough-and-tumble business. I have no qualms about that,” Scalise said in a 45-minute interview Tuesday in his third-floor Capitol suite, looking out onto the National Mall, one of two interviews we had for this column.…Rather than sulking away from politics, Scalise hunkered down and fashioned a strong relationship with his fellow Louisianan, whom he’s known for decades.He’s now the elder statesman of an incredibly green leadership team. During the 2017 effort to pass President Donald Trump’s first-term tax cut plan, Johnson was just months into his congressional service and Emmer was starting his second term. Rep. Lisa C. McClain (R-Michigan), now the No. 4 GOP leader, was working in the financial services industry.Having won his first election in 2007, Scalise knows what life was like before Trump consumed Republican politics. He’s one of fewer than 25 GOP members, out of 220, who served during George W. Bush’s presidency.Scalise was first elected to a top leadership post in 2014, as whip, which put him in charge during Trump’s first term of marshaling support for the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.He spent a lot of time early this year reminding everyone how difficult those lifts were. The Senate failed on its ACA repeal vote in July 2017 and then kept fiddling on the issue into the fall, and the House didn’t fully engage on the tax plan until the fall, passing the budget resolution in late October despite the opposition of 20 Republicans from wealthy states that opposed its handling of local-tax deductions.The final vote on the nearly $2 trillion tax cut did not come until five days before Christmas 2017.“We had a rocky start in 2017, and it really threw us off a few months. We literally burned the first few months of that supermajority not having a sync between Congress and President Trump,” Scalise recalled Tuesday.Back then, House Republicans had more than 240 members, a luxury compared with today’s tally of 220, with Johnson able to spare just three votes from his side of the aisle to pass legislation with no Democratic support.So Scalise fought hard against Republicans, particularly in the Senate, when they wanted to divide up Trump’s agenda into two bills that would use the parliamentary fast track known as reconciliation, allowing some budget measures to pass without clearing the Senate’s filibuster hurdle.House Republicans have been so bitterly divided that at times they struggle to execute the most basic tasks, so it made no sense to bet on them passing two major bills with no margin for error.Scalise believes that pushing the tax agenda faster will deliver benefits faster to voters — something Republicans failed at eight years ago because Trump’s approval ratings on the economy did not soar until well after the 2018 midterm elections.“We never really got the economic benefits because it takes months for those economic benefits to kick in. By the time you get to the midterms, you really didn’t have the full bounce from the positive things that did happen,” he said.This time around, financial markets have had a different reaction, panicked by how the massive legislation will add trillions to the swelling federal debt.But Republicans have convinced themselves it will give an economic boost regardless. So Scalise visited Trump a year ago and began planning with committee chairmen about how to push through an agenda as quickly as possible if the GOP swept control of Congress.“Let’s be ready for the moment,” he told Trump.Close friends feel that Scalise is finally really comfortable and delivering results, after an almost biblical run of surviving the shooting, fighting McCarthy and others in internal feuds, and battling blood cancer.“We can’t minimize the speaker’s role, we can’t minimize the whip’s role. But Steve Scalise is running on all cylinders in a big way,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Florida), a 22-year veteran and unofficial lieutenant on Team Scalise.…Scalise said that he is in remission and that he goes through a battery of tests monthly. Sometimes he still crosses a partisan line that doesn’t fit his otherwise backslapping nature, as happened during a fiery, almost 20-minute speech just after 5 a.m. Thursday.Scalise accused Democrats of saying “President Biden’s health is just fine,” a couple of days after the former president’s prostate cancer diagnosis.It was a more partisan jab, coming from someone who’s also battling cancer, than Scalise’s natural posture.When Pelosi delivered her farewell speech from leadership, in November 2022, Scalise was the only member of the GOP leadership to attend. He said that he loves the institution and was there out of respect, particularly after she had been so nice to him after the 2017 shooting.Scalise blames “small numbers on both sides” who use a burn-it-all-down approach to toxify the image of Congress.“It doesn’t take many people to do it. And that helps beat the institution down,” he said.Scalise has been beat down more than most lawmakers, and he has the scars — real and emotional — to show for it.But he keeps forging ahead.Next month, at the annual Congressional Baseball Game, Scalise will again take the field at Nationals Park, where lawmakers gathered in a massive, bipartisan prayer the day after the 2017 shooting.He expects to occupy the one spot in the baseball lineup that he has yet to secure inside the Capitol.Scalise bats leadoff for the Republican team.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Louisiana Leaders Applaud House Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

JEFFERSON, La.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) celebrated the House passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and Louisiana leaders issued the following statements praising the legislation:“President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill unleashes Louisiana energy and increases the cap on GOMESA from $500 to $650 million/ year. It lowers taxes for Louisiana families and allows us to properly secure the border. It’s exactly why Louisiana voted for President Trump, and Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise did a great job getting it to the finish line—delivering win after win for Louisiana,” said Governor Jeff Landry.”Over 91% of NFIB members support making the expiring small business Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions permanent. This legislation will prevent a tax hike on over 33 million small business owners and reduce the effective tax rates of most small business owners,” said NFIB Senior Vice President for Advocacy Adam Temple. “Louisiana’s energy industry is vital to the economic growth of our state, and I’m pleased to see American energy become a national priority once again with the One, Big Beautiful Bill that not only raises the revenue sharing amount our state receives for coastal restoration but also mandates 30 new Gulf of America lease sales to ensure there are future GOMESA dollars to go to the states. I’m grateful to Leader Scalise and Speaker Johnson for ushering this legislation through the House today and urge our Senators to swiftly pass it as well,” said Greater Lafourche Port Commission Executive Director Chett Chiasson.“If the 2017 tax cuts are not renewed, Louisiana families and small businesses are looking at a tax hike to the tune of thousands of dollars. I’m pleased Leader Scalise and Speaker Johnson are fighting for Louisiana and working hard to secure these tax rates, get more individuals working, and strengthen our local economy,”said St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell.“House passage of the reconciliation bill is a key step toward advancing American energy dominance and preserving the Gulf of America’s role as a strategic offshore energy hub,” said National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Scalise: House Republicans Delivered on Reconciliation for Hardworking Americans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and House Republican Committee Chairmen to celebrate Republicans passing the One, Big, Beautiful reconciliation bill, with the hard work of 11 House Committees, in order to secure major wins for deserving families. Despite Democrat opposition, Leader Scalise described how this bill begins the process of reversing course on the Biden Administration’s failed policies by securing the border, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, unleashing American energy, preventing tax hikes, and bolstering the economy.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
On House Republicans fighting for deserving families:“As the Speaker said, it truly is morning in America again. When you think about all of the work that’s gone into putting this bill together, it’s one big, beautiful bill for a lot of reasons.There are a lot of really important wins for the American people in this bill. We had 11 committees come together and meet in hearings, some went on over 24 hours. Rules Committee went over 20 hours. You had, of course, the Budget Committee. Chairman Arrington is the lead author of the bill. All of the people that had to come together in our conference, and I think a lot of you know, we don’t all think alike. Democrats made it very clear they didn’t want to have any part in helping get America back on track again. But we were never deterred. When this bill could have failed 10 times over, we said we were going to get this done, and failure is not an option, and we meant it. “We knew we were fighting for the families who have been struggling for way too long under the failed policies of Joe Biden and all the Democrats who did have control of Washington for too long. We watched higher interest rates and higher inflation and lower wages, and a demise of the American dream that we knew should not be permanent, but was only going to turn around if we passed a bill to get America back on track. We knew we had to prevent a massive tax increase, so we put it in the bill. We knew we needed to secure America’s border as President Trump ran on all across this country and won the election on, and we put it in this bill. We ran on and said we would produce more American energy, and we put it in this bill. All the things that we knew we needed to do to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in government. Focus on those families who are struggling. All of that is in this one big, beautiful bill.”On reconciliation’s next step in the Senate:“Yes, now the House has come together and passed this bill against all odds, but we’re still working on the rest of the process. Still goes to the Senate. Senate has a lot of work to do, too. That’s why we’ve been talking to the Senate for a long time. But it’s their turn to take this bill and move forward.”On strong GOP leadership under President Trump:“But I’ll tell you, none of this would be possible without the leadership of President Trump, who every step of the way, not only laid out the vision, ran a campaign on this vision, but every step of the way, too, said, ‘Whatever you need, let me know.’ And he was there to help us. Our great Speaker, Mike Johnson, who was never deterred, probably hasn’t slept in a few days, but never wavered in his commitment to get this done. And this whole team has come together.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Celebrates Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: “Last November, the American people gave us a mandate to end the years of bloated Biden government that led to the worst inflation in decades, a wide-open southern border, and a dangerous assault on American energy. With this One Big, Beautiful Bill, House Republicans are answering that mandate and implementing President Trump’s America First agenda, delivering on our promises and providing relief to American families who’ve been struggling for too long. “President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill prevents the largest tax hike on American families and businesses in history, reestablishes American energy dominance through unleashing domestic production, secures the southern border and delivers much needed resources to carry out the President’s immigration agenda, restores Peace through Strength, spurs economic growth and new investments, and secures historic spending reductions while protecting essential programs. “A vote against this historic legislation is a vote for huge tax increases, inflation, open borders, energy dependence, fewer jobs, and less money in your pocket. If this legislation does not become law, the average taxpayer will see a 22 percent tax hike, the Child Tax Credit will be cut in half for 40 million families, guaranteed deduction will be slashed in half for 91 percent of taxpayers, and 26 million small businesses will experience a massive tax increase. With passage of this bill, the average American family will save $1,700 – the equivalent of nine weeks of groceries – increasing real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by $4,000-$5,000. “House Republicans started preparing for budget reconciliation with President Trump over a year ago, and I’m incredibly grateful to the President, our Committee Chairs, House leadership team, and all of our dedicated Republican members for the months of late nights and hard work that got us to this moment. This Big, Beautiful Bill is a huge win for all Americans, and I urge the Senate to pass it as quickly as possible so we can get it to President Trump’s desk and start delivering the relief Americans have been waiting for.”

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: African Mining Week (AMW) to Spotlight Opportunities in South Africa’s Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Market

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

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 30, 2025/APO Group/ —

The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders, taking place from October 1-3, 2025, in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated panel exploring investment and growth opportunities within the country’s platinum group metals (PGM) market. Titled, South Africa’s Strategic Influence in the Global PGM Market, the panel session will spotlight national initiatives designed to strengthen the country’s PGM value chain – an industry that already accounts for approximately 80% of global supplies.

As South Africa strengthens its position as the world’s leading producer of PGM, the session will foster greater collaboration among industry stakeholders. Speakers are expected to address challenges and opportunities across the value chain, identifying strategies for accelerating production and consolidating the country’s position as a major global supplier.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

South Africa’s PGM market offers significant opportunities for mining companies and investors. In May 2025, mining firm Ivanhoe Mines reached a significant milestone by driving underground development into the high-grade platinum, palladium, rhodium, nickel, gold and copper orebody at the Platreef Mine in Mokopane. First production at the project is targeted for Q4, 2025, followed by Phase 2 within two years after first production. The project, containing over 95 million tons of PGMs, aims to produce 450,000 ounces annually in Phase 2.

Meanwhile, Canada-based Platinum Group Metals Ltd. recently announced plans to raise $1.8 billion through a private placement to advance the Waterburg Project in South Africa. The project holds proven and probable reserves of 246.2 million tons of platinum, palladium, rhodium and hold at an average grade of 2.96 grams per ton. With aims to diversify its product portfolio and enhance revenue generation, mining Group Pelagic Resources launched the development of a new PGM concentrator at its Kookfontein Mine in February this year. Designed by exploration company Nuco Chrome in early 2024, the concentrator is currently in an advanced development stage and is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2025.

Other major PGM developments in South Africa include the 40-million-ounce Bengwenyama Project by Southern Palladium, which completed a pre-feasibility study in October last year, confirming a 14% increase in PGM reserves. Meanwhile, Vanadium Resources Ltd. recently signed an agreement with China Energy Engineering International Group for the provision of engineering, procurement and construction services for the Steelpoortdrift Vanadium Project. The open pit mine and treatment facility will be developed for the exploitation of 680 million tons of vanadium resources in the Bushveld Complex. Additionally, Northam Platinum Holdings is reviving the Eland Mine Complex in the North West Province, with aims to increase PGM production from 100,000 ounces annually in 2025 to 180,000 ounces by 2028.

Amid this growth, AMW will serve as a key platform to unpack these developments and explore new strategies being implemented to attract investment and boost production. The event will bring together South African regulators, mining executives and global partners to shape the future of the country’s PGM sector.

MIL OSI Africa –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: International cooperation: GUU at the General Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia and Africa

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

On March 28, 2025, the State University of Management took part in a meeting of the General Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia and Africa, which was held in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Grigory Karasin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Nationalities Ildar Gilmutdinov, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation Oleg Kobyakov, Plenipotentiary Minister with the rank of Ambassador – Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Cuba to the Russian Federation Enrique Horta Gonzalez, Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua Claudio Antonio Arana.

Our university was represented by the Head of the International Cooperation Department Inessa Bogatyreva and graduate students from the Institutes of the State University of Management: Nguyen Thi Hai Anh (Socialist Republic of Vietnam), Moncef Nasrullah (Afghanistan), Umar Bretil Hissein Bretil Hissein (Republic of Chad).

In their reports, the speakers paid special attention to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War and noted that this year has been declared the Year of Peace and Unity in the CIS in the fight against Nazism. The participants presented such large-scale projects as the International Public Forum “Preserving the Memory of the Second World War and the Great Patriotic War”, the initiatives “Immortal Memory”, “Road of Life – Road of Military Glory”, “Panfilov’s Men: Our Pride, Our Glory”, etc.

It is worth noting that within the framework of the Assembly’s work, significant projects are being implemented that contribute to strengthening spiritual and cultural ties between the states of Eurasia and Africa. Among them are the “Caravan of Friendship”, “Road of Life”, “Song of Peace”, “Children of Eurasia”, “Angels of Peace”, “Discover Eurasia”, the 1st International Sports Games of National and Non-Olympic Sports “Towards Eurasiada”.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Di Maria to return to boyhood club Rosario Central

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Argentina’s FIFA World Cup winner Angel Di Maria has reached an agreement to return to his boyhood team Rosario Central, the club announced on Thursday.

The 37-year-old will rejoin the Argentine Primera Division side on a free transfer after his contract with Portuguese outfit Benfica expires in July.

Angel di Maria (R) of Argentina vies with Matty Cash of Poland during their Group C match at the 2022 FIFA World Cup at Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

“Our history together has more pages to write. Welcome home,” read a statement issued by the club on social media.

Di Maria began his professional career with Rosario Central in 2005 before signing with Benfica two years later. He had subsequent spells at Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus before returning to Benfica in 2023.

The winger ended his Argentina career last year with 145 caps, having won the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.

He will start his new spell with Rosario Central following the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Benfica will begin its campaign against Boca Juniors on June 16 before also facing Auckland City and Bayern Munich in the group stage.

MIL OSI China News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Fleischmann’s Statement on House Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Energy and Water Appropriations Chairman, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that delivers President Trump’s America First Agenda.

“Today, I proudly voted YES on House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers President Trump’s America First Agenda. This historic bill permanently slashes taxes for hardworking East Tennesseans, invests in border security, puts our country back on a path toward fiscal sanity, strengthens the benefits Americans have paid for, builds up American military might to restore peace through strength, and unleashes American-made energy dominance. As Chairman of Energy and Water Appropriations, I am particularly pleased with the continued support for advanced nuclear reactors in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which underscores President Trump’s continuing commitment to work with me to create America’s New Nuclear Future,” said Congressman Fleischmann.

“Tennesseans and Americans nationwide demanded once-in-a-generation change in Washington, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers the change they overwhelming voted for. I thank President Trump and all my colleagues for their hard work on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and urge the Senate to quickly pass our bill to deliver the America First Agenda that the American People demand.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 30, 2025
India to be fastest-growing economy for next 30 years: Piyush Goyal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India is poised to remain the fastest-growing large economy for the next three decades, with a sustained annual growth rate of 6–7%, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit 2025, Goyal said the government is aiming to push growth to 8% at constant prices.

“Even amidst international upheavals, we are among the better-performing emerging markets,” he said. “Today, India holds the world’s fourth-largest foreign exchange reserves in the world at about $690 billion. Our inflation has remained below 4% for the last three months. The Reserve Bank has done a commendable job balancing liquidity and currency management.”

Goyal emphasized that India remains an attractive investment destination. Over the past two decades, Indian companies have delivered nearly 20% CAGR returns, he noted, adding that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows continue to break records. “We are back on track on the growth trajectory, working through international trading relations,” he said.

On trade agreements, Goyal pointed to major progress on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UAE, Australia, the UK, and the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). “We are well on track with our bilateral trade agreement with the USA and making fast progress with the European Union’s 27-nation bloc. We have also launched negotiations with New Zealand,” he said.

Goyal said the EFTA countries have committed $100 billion in FDI over the next 15 years, potentially catalyzing a total investment of $500 billion. “This ecosystem could attract an additional $500 billion,” he added. The investment clause in the EFTA deal is the first of its kind globally, and the figures exclude contributions from Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.

Despite global volatility, Goyal said India continues to be a pillar of global growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that India will become the world’s third-largest economy by GDP by 2027.

Highlighting government’s sustained push for ease of doing business, the Goyal said that over 40,000 compliances have been reduced, several laws have been decriminalised, and nearly 2,000 obsolete laws have been removed from the statute book. He noted that the Jan Vishwas Bill reflects the trust between the government and people.

“The Act promotes self-certification, encourages businesses to offer suggestions to improve ease of doing business, and simplifies people’s lives. It reflects a government that trusts its stakeholders,” he said.

On the sustainability front, he pointed out that renewable energy coupled with storage is now available at ₹3.30 per kilowatt hour—among the lowest globally. “Solar and wind plus storage make a compelling case for data centres to come to India. We have a large interconnected grid with low-cost clean energy to power these centres. This is not just about sustainability – it is an economic case,” he said.

Reaffirming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive development, Goyal said the government is working to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, education, and basic needs. “Free healthcare, quality education and basic needs are being addressed. We are now seeing employment growth, and skill development centres are playing a key role. No child should be deprived, and no man should be left behind,” he said.

May 30, 2025
Operation Sindoor outreach: Tharoor-led delegation reaffirms India’s anti-terror stand in Colombia

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Colombia on Thursday, continuing its diplomatic outreach in Latin America to highlight India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and strengthen bilateral ties with key regional partners.

Sharing an update from Bogotá, Tharoor posted on X: “Our Colombia visit got under way today with a briefing to the delegation from our Ambassador, Vanlalhuma, followed by a well-attended press interaction with more than a dozen local media outlets. I then did an interview with Colombian journalist Juan Camillo Ramirez. Getting the message out where it needs to be heard!”

The visit, which runs from May 29 to 31, includes meetings with Colombian lawmakers, government ministers, policy think tanks, and media representatives. The discussions are focused on promoting counterterrorism cooperation and expanding strategic and economic engagement between the two democracies.

The Colombia leg follows a high-profile visit to Panama, where the Indian delegation was hosted by Ambassador Sumit Seth.

“Our trip ended with a spectacular reception hosted by Ambassador Seth for the diplomatic corps and influential Panamanian personalities. The Foreign Minister spoke, as did his Vice-Minister, Carlos Hoyos, in strong sympathy for India, expressing support for our fight against terrorism and for enhancing the close cooperation between our two countries,” Tharoor said

The delegation comprises MPs Sarfraz Ahmad, Ganti Harish Madhur, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Milind Murli Deora, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

(With inputs from IANS)

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) on the first report covering DPRK-Russia military cooperation
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Joint Statement of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT) on the first report covering DPRK-Russia military cooperation

Several countries gave a joint statement following the publication of the first report of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT).
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand,
Republic of Korea, the UK and the USA gave a statement following the publication of the first report of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT):

We, the participating states of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), released today its first report. This multilateral mechanism was established in October 2024 to monitor and report on the implementation of United Nations sanctions measures on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The report is available on the official MSMT website.

The report, which focuses primarily on unlawful DPRK-Russia military cooperation including arms transfers and Russia’s training of DPRK troops, consolidates information provided by MSMT participating states on violations and evasions of sanction measures stipulated in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). The report also contains information provided by open source intelligence organizations.

This report is a product of our efforts to address the monitoring gap arising from the disbandment of the UN Security Council’s 1718 Committee Panel of Experts in April 2024 which was caused by Russia’s veto in March 2024. The report will assist with the full implementation of UN sanctions by the international community. The opportunity for dialogue to reestablish the Panel of Experts as a central element of the UN sanctions framework remains open, provided the Panel is restored to the full form it had prior to disbandment.

With the release of the first MSMT report, we underscore once again our shared determination to fully implement relevant UNSCRs. We urge the DPRK to engage in meaningful diplomacy, and call on all states to join global efforts to maintain international peace and security in the face of ongoing threats from the DPRK and those that facilitate its illicit activities in contravention of relevant UNSCRs.

We will continue our efforts to monitor the implementation of UNSCRs on the DPRK and raise awareness of ongoing attempts to violate and evade UN sanctions.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Published 30 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Joins Solana Summit 2025 as Major Partner to Advance Crypto Payments

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has announced its official partnership with the Solana Summit 2025 as a major sponsor, marking a significant step in its efforts to expand real-world crypto adoption. The summit, taking place from June 5 to 7 in Da Nang, Vietnam, is expected to gather over 1,000 developers and founders from across the global Solana ecosystem.

At the event, Bitget Wallet will debut new in-app payment features that enables users to scan QR codes and complete transactions instantly on-site. Visitors to its branded coffee booth can enjoy complimentary drinks when paying with Bitget Wallet. Additional activations include live product demonstrations, developer workshops, and exclusive merchandise giveaways, all centered around Bitget Wallet’s expanding PayFi suite. Designed to streamline crypto payments across currencies and networks, the wallet’s PayFi roadmap includes upcoming support for both national QR codes and Solana Pay, unlocking seamless QR-based transactions across currencies and blockchains.

“We’re excited to partner with Solana Summit to showcase the potential of real-world crypto payments,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “Bitget Wallet is no longer just a place to store and send tokens — it’s becoming the starting point for how people trade, earn, pay, and explore onchain, delivering smarter, simpler experiences that solve real user pain points and bring crypto closer to everyday life.”

On June 5, Bitget Wallet will open with a product announcement introducing its QR-based payment integrations, including Solana Pay and VietQR for seamless, multi-currency payments. A developer workshop will follow, showcasing how Solana dApps can integrate and scale within the wallet ecosystem. On June 6, Xavier Ow Yeong will join a panel discussion on how on-chain finance is reshaping payment, financing, and spending behaviors. That evening, Bitget Wallet will co-host a community meetup with Saros, featuring a preview of its upcoming VietQR payment integration and a $500 incentive pool for attendees who test the functionality.

Bitget Wallet offers a full Solana feature set across Trade, Earn, Pay, and Discover. Users can access Solana-native limit order trading through integration with Jupiter DEX, perform cross-chain swaps, and stake SOL via the wallet’s Earn suite. The wallet also supports reclaiming idle SOL through Solana account rent refunds, provides built-in MEV protection, and enables gas fee coverage using GetGas with Solana Paymaster support. Additionally, users can explore a wide array of Solana-based DApps directly within the app. These capabilities reflect Bitget Wallet’s broader commitment to making onchain finance more accessible, efficient, and secure for users engaging with the Solana network.

Find out more on Bitget Wallet’s official channels.

About Bitget Wallet
Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets.
For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c05961d3-ca9c-4cbe-8607-241ef5e550bc

The MIL Network –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong

On Sunday, Mexico will hold an unprecedented election, becoming the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at every level.

Voters will elect approximately half the judges in the country on June 1 – from the nine members of the Supreme Court down to 850 federal judges and thousands more at lower levels. In 2027, a second vote will see the rest of Mexico’s judiciary elected.

As part of the overhaul, the country’s merit-based, career judiciary system will be abolished. Instead, all judges will serve nine-year terms, renewable by popular vote.

The election had been championed by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and embraced by his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October.

Sheinbaum has proclaimed Mexico will be “the most democratic country in the world” because the people will now choose all three branches of government.

Critics are not so sure. Some are calling the process a cynical farce. Others warn it will concentrate power in Morena, the ruling party, and its political allies, dismantling the country’s system of checks and balances.

Critics also warn that inexperienced judges could be elected, or those who could be influenced by organised crime. Some candidates themselves have been investigated for crimes, and at least two are former defence attorneys for drug cartels.

Former president Ernesto Zedillo, currently director at the Yale Centre for the Study of Globalisation, has gone so far as to declare that democracy itself “has come to an end” in Mexico.

Why reform the judiciary?

During his time in office from 2018–2024, López Obrador waged a rhetorical battle with Mexico’s courts, accusing judges of serving the elites and blocking his agenda.

In truth, what irked López Obrador was the fact the courts wielded the power to review and restrain his actions through constitutional oversight.

Sheinbaum seems to share his hostility towards the judiciary. Arturo Zaldívar, a former Supreme Court chief justice who designed the judicial reform system and later joined Sheinbaum’s cabinet, has accused the outgoing chief justice, Norma Piña, of being “a force of opposition allied with the oligarchy”.

In September 2024, Morena used its congressional super-majority to ram through a series of constitutional amendments to enact the judicial reform.

In response, judges walked off the job. Court staff, lawyers and law students took to the streets in support of their strike, some carrying banners reading “justice is not a popularity contest”.

Experts note the reform does nothing to fix Mexico’s real justice problems – the rampant corruption and abuse that plagues the system. The institutions that allow criminals to act with impunity are not the courts, but the prosecutors and police.

Human Rights Watch reports that nearly half of Mexicans have “little or very little confidence” in the country’s justice authorities. Nine in ten Mexicans don’t even bother to report crimes.

The perils of judicial elections

Electing judges is an idea fraught with peril. International human rights law treats an independent judiciary as a basic human right. Article 8 of the 1978 American Convention on Human Rights – an international treaty for North, Central and South America – guarantees every person “a hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal.”

Popular elections invite precisely the opposite. As UN experts caution, election campaigns will inevitably inject “political loyalty or alignment with party interests” into judge selection, rather than competence and impartiality.

In addition, leading legal theorists have long warned that politicising the judiciary undermines the rule of law.

US jurist Ronald Dworkin argued judges must decide according to principles – not political winds. Italian jurist Luigi Ferrajoli’s notion of a “guarantee-based” democracy – which is hugely influential in Latin America – likewise insists judges be insulated from party bargaining.

Even in the United States, where some states hold judicial elections, scholars lament their corrosive effects.

As one study notes:

Wealthy people and corporations can pump lots of money […] to elect and reelect judges who decide cases the way they want.

Opponents of billionaire Elon Musk critiqued his decision this year to pour US$21 million (A$33 million) into the campaign of a conservative candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In a comment he posted on X, Musk said he didn’t expect to win but “there is value to losing a piece for positional gain.”

Bolivia offers another cautionary tale. Beginning in 2011, Bolivia has held elections for the judges on its top courts in an effort to “decolonise” the justice system and fight corruption.

In practice, though, only judges pre-approved by the ruling party’s congressional majority make the ballot. Voters, too, know little about the candidates. Turnout is very low.

Courts increasingly under attack

Mexico’s justice system, indeed, needs reform. But its multiple problems will not be solved with the wholesale politicisation of the courts.

As Argentine scholar Roberto Gargarella bluntly observes, electing judges in this way is “one of the greatest institutional tragedies of our time.”

Mexico’s reform effort threatens to turn the courts into just another party apparatus. In that sense, Mexico joins a disturbing global trend. From Washington to Brasília, populist leaders are increasingly attacking the courts as the enemies of the people.

With courts in Mexico potentially beholden to the government or influenced by organised crime, neutral judges may become much harder to find. If history teaches anything, it’s that the night of authoritarianism grows darker when the last judges are gone.

Luis Gómez Romero 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. Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite – https://theconversation.com/will-elections-for-judges-make-mexico-the-most-democratic-country-in-the-world-critics-fear-the-opposite-257730

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 30, 2025

MIL-OSI: High Arctic Overseas Announces 2025 First Quarter Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

CALGARY, Alberta, May 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp. (TSXV: HOH) (“High Arctic Overseas” or the “Corporation”) has released its first quarter 2025 financial and operating results. The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) and management’s discussion & analysis (“MD&A”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts are denominated in United States dollars (“USD”), unless otherwise indicated.

The common shares of the Corporation began trading on the TSXV on August 16, 2024 under the trading symbol HOH.

Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer commented on the Corporation’s first quarter 2025 financial and operating results:

“Having established High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp. with dedicated Management and a resilient core business, this Corporation is well placed to participate meaningfully in anticipated future major project developments.

Our experience combined with ideal drilling equipment for the challenging PNG environment positions us well.

I remain excited about our prospects to play a strategic role servicing the major projects anticipated in PNG over the second half of the decade.”

2025 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

Drilling rig 103 remains suspended and drilling rigs 115 and 116 remain cold-stacked;
Manpower and rental services maintained similar activity levels to Q4 2024;
Revenue and operating margins significantly reduced compared to Q1 2024, largely as a result of rig 103 operating in Q1 2024 versus being suspended in Q1 2025; and
Disciplined cashflow management resulted in exiting Q1 2025 with working capital of over $20 million.

Business strategy

Our business strategy focused on Papua New Guinea is underpinned by the following cornerstones:

Leveraging our core PNG planning and logistics capability to diversify ‎our service offerings;
Deploying idle assets into profitable operations;
Strengthening local content & participation in the PNG finance and investment communities;
An established and efficient corporate structure; and
Seeking opportunities to expand and root the business in the Australasian region.

2025 Strategic Objectives

Relentless focus on safety excellence and quality service delivery;
Reduce general and administrative expenditures;
Grow the manpower business in Papua New Guinea;
Maximize potential participation in future major Papua New Guinea projects; and
Pursue expansionary transactions that increase shareholder value.

Since the Corporation and HAES-Cyprus were both wholly-owned by HWO, the transfer of all of the outstanding ordinary shares of HAES-Cyprus to the Corporation was deemed a common control transaction. The Corporation’s Financial Statements are presented under the continuity of interests basis. Financial and operational results contained within this Press Release present the historic financial position, results of operations and cash flows of HAES-Cyprus for all prior periods up to August 12, 2024, under HWO’s control. The financial position, results of operations and cash flows from April 1, 2024 (the date of incorporation of the Corporation) to August 12, 2024, include both HAES-Cyprus and the Corporation on a combined basis and from August 12, 2024, forward include the results of the Corporation on a consolidated basis upon completion of the Arrangement.

For reporting purposes in the Financial Statements, the MD&A and this Press Release, it is assumed that the Corporation held the PNG business prior to August 12, 2024, and as such, information provided includes the financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025, including all comparative periods.

In the above results discussion, the three months ended March 31, 2025 may be referred to as the “quarter” or “Q1 2025” and the comparative three months ended March 31, 2024 may be referred to as “Q1 2024”. References to other quarters may be presented as “QX 20XX” with X/XX being the quarter/year to which the commentary relates.

FIRST QUARTER 2025 SELECT FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL RESULTS OVERVIEW

	Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of USD except per share amounts)		2025		2024
Operating results:
Revenue		2,510		11,134
Net income (loss)		(1,225)		2,501
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.10)		$0.20
Operating margin ⁽³⁾		714		4,315
Operating margin as a % of revenue ⁽³⁾		28.4%		38.8%
EBITDA ⁽³⁾		(286)		3,588
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.02)		$0.29
Adjusted EBITDA ⁽³⁾		(202)		3,530
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue ⁽³⁾		(8.0%)		31.7%
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.02)		$0.28
Operating income (loss) ⁽³⁾		(998)		2,720
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.08)		$0.22
Cash flow:
Cash flow from operating activities		(825)		5,348
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.07)		$0.43
Funds flow from operations ⁽³⁾		(256)		3,314
Per share (basic and diluted) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	($0.02)		$0.27
Capital expenditures		74		550

(thousands of USD except per share amounts and common shares outstanding)	March 31, 2025		December 31, 2024
Financial position:
Working capital ⁽³⁾		20,212		20,602
Cash and cash equivalents		13,902		14,930
Total assets		34,133		35,287
Shareholder’s equity		29,766		30,953
Per share ⁽⁴⁾	$2.39		$2.49
Common shares outstanding		12,448,166		12,448,166
_{⁽¹⁾For periods when the Corporation incurred a net loss the shares outstanding under the Corporation’s equity incentive plans for the periods presented are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares as the outstanding options were anti-dilutive.} _{⁽²⁾For the purposes of computing per share amounts, the number of common shares outstanding for the periods prior to the Arrangement is deemed to be the number of shares issued by the Corporation to the shareholders of HWO upon completion of the Arrangement. See “2024 Corporate Reorganization” section of this Press Release and the Corporation’s Financial Statements for additional details.} _{⁽³⁾Readers are cautioned that Operating margin, Operating margin as a % of revenue, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue, Operating income (loss), Funds flow from operations and Working capital do not have a standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. See “Non IFRS Measures” in this Press Release for additional details on the calculations of these measures.} _{⁽⁴⁾Shareholders’ equity per share calculated based on the number of common shares outstanding as at the relevant date.}

Operating Results

	Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of USD, unless otherwise noted)	2025	2024
Revenue	2,510	11,134
Operating expenses	(1,796)	(6,819)
Operating margin ⁽¹⁾	714	4,315
Operating margin percentage ⁽¹⁾	28.4%	38.8%
⁽¹⁾_{See “Non-IFRS Measures”}

Customer-owned rig 103 has been suspended since the second half of 2024 compared to being operational in the first 5.5 months in 2024. As such, the majority of Q1 2025 revenue is from the provision of equipment rental and skilled personnel to key customers within PNG’s oil and gas industry. While minor, the Corporation is seeing increased equipment rental revenues from other industries within PNG. As noted above, revenues for Q1 2024, were inclusive of rig 103 drilling activities plus revenue from the provision of equipment rental and skilled personnel into PNG’s oil and gas industry.

The Corporation owns two heli-portable drilling rigs (Rigs 115 and 116) which remain preserved and maintained ready for deployment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

	Three months ended March 31,
(thousands of USD)	2025	2024
Cash provided by (used in) operations:
Operating activities	(825)	5,348
Investing activities	(74)	(550)
Financing activities	(117)	(124)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes	(12)	–
Increase (decrease) in cash	(1,028)	4,674

(thousands of USD, unless otherwise noted)	As at March 31, 2025	As at Dec 31, 2024
Current assets	24,230	24,706
Working capital⁽¹⁾	20,212	20,602
Working capital ratio⁽¹⁾	6.0:1	6.0:1
Cash and cash equivalents	13,902	14,930
⁽¹⁾ _{See “Non-IFRS Measures”}

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cashflows from Operating Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, cash used in operating activities was $825 (Q1 2024 – cash generated was $5,348). The change in operating cash flow was driven by reduced revenue generating activities and changes in non-cash working capital. Changes in non-cash working capital are listed in Note 13 of the Financial Statements and represent temporary differences as inventory is purchased in support of anticipated sales, deferred revenue is earned and related party balances post the Arrangement.

Cashflows from Investing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, cash used in investing activities was $74 (Q1 2024 – $550). Cash outflows associated with investing activities were directed towards capital expenditures for additional rental assets. The Corporation continues to seek opportunities to invest in additional capital assets, in particular where it can do so with support of customer take-or-pay agreements.

Cash flows from Financing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, cash used in financing activities was $117 (Q1 2024 – $124). Cash outflows associated with finance activities were directed towards lease obligation payments.

Outlook

Consistent with the outlook provided by the Corporation in Q4 2024 the outlook for the Corporation’s core business in PNG for the remainder of 2025 remains subdued. Current quarter operating results were largely driven by manpower and rental services delivered to its key customers in PNG’s oil and gas industry. With no near-term drilling activity currently contracted, the Corporation expects equipment rental and manpower to continue as the primary revenue generating activity for 2025. The second half of 2025 is expected to see a decline in these activities as certain projects supported by the Corporation are expected to conclude, and customers have deferred non-essential work as they realize low and volatile near-term commodity prices.

The Corporation is buoyed by an increase in recent enquiries for services and requests for pricing which may lead to a future upswing in revenue generating activity. The Corporation remains engaged with its principal customer on planning for future drilling activity and continues to focus on enhancing and optimizing its existing rental fleet deployment and manpower solutions offerings. The Corporation also continues to pursue business expansion opportunities in PNG, participating in requests for tender and actively engaging with potential customers for its services in PNG and the wider region while also taking actions to protect its capability to realize the future potential of the business.

Our rationale for a business strategy focussed on PNG is unchanged. Papua New Guinea possesses substantial deposits of natural resources including significant reserves of oil and natural gas and has emerged as a reliable low-cost energy exporter to Asian markets, particularly for liquefied natural gas (“LNG”). A significant investment in the country’s oil and gas industry was evidenced by the successful construction of the PNG-LNG project in 2014, with the primary partners in the venture being customers of the Corporation. In the period following, the Corporation’s predecessor company committed to the purchase and upgrade of drilling rigs 115 and 116 and expansion of the Corporation’s fleet of rentable equipment including camps, material handling equipment and worksite matting. These investments contributed to a substantive lift in revenues and earnings as PNG enjoyed its highest period of exploration and development activity.

Since the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020, there has been a substantive reduction in drilling services in PNG. This follows some consolidation among the active exploration and production companies and evolving political and economic influences. In the longer term, High Arctic believes PNG is on the precipice of a new round of large-scale projects in the natural resources sector. ‎The next significant ‎LNG project currently being planned is Papua-LNG, a project lead by the French oil and gas super-major TotalEnergies, with a final investment decision anticipated in late 2025. There is an expectation for increased drilling activity through the latter half of this decade, ‎not only to develop wells for the supply of gas to the Papua-LNG export facility, but also to explore for and ‎appraise other discoveries. The signing of a fiscal stability agreement between the P’nyang gas field joint venture and the government of PNG is another positive signal for that expansionary project to follow Papua-LNG.

The Corporation is strategically positioned to support these developments, given its dominant position for drilling and associated services in PNG, existing work relationships with the operating companies, and proximity to the proposed sites of operation. The Corporation’s drilling rigs 115 and 116 are portable by helicopter and have been maintained and preserved for future use.

There are a number of other petroleum projects and substantive nation-building projects including infrastructure, ‎electrification, telecommunications and defense projects planned for the development of PNG. ‎These ‎projects will require access to transport and material handling machinery, quality worksite and temporary ‎road mats and a substantive amount of labour including skilled equipment operators, qualified tradespeople and engineers, ‎geoscientists and other professionals. ‎High Arctic’s business continues to position itself to be a meaningful supplier of services, equipment and manpower for this market.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

This Press Release contains references to certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and may not be comparable to the same or similar measures used by other companies. High Arctic Overseas uses these financial measures to assess performance and believes these measures provide useful supplemental information to shareholders and investors. These financial measures are computed on a consistent basis for each reporting period and include Oilfield services operating margin, EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization), Adjusted EBITDA, Operating loss, Funds flow from operating activities, Working capital and Net cash. These do not have standardized meanings.

These financial measures should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), cash from operating activities, current assets or current liabilities, cash and/or other measures of financial performance as determined in accordance with IFRS.

For additional information regarding non-IFRS measures, including their use to management and investors and reconciliations to measures recognized by IFRS, please refer to the Corporation’s Q1 2025 MD&A, which is available online at www.sedarplus.ca.

About High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp.

High Arctic Overseas is a market leader in Papua New Guinea providing drilling ‎and specialized well completion services, manpower solutions and supplies rental equipment including rig matting, camps, material ‎handling and drilling support equipment.

For further information, please contact:

Mike Maguire
Chief Executive Officer
1.587.320.1301

High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp.
Suite 2350, 330–5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0L4
www.higharctic.com
Email: info@higharctic.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “seek”, “propose”, “estimate”, “expect”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Corporation’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Corporation’s actual results, performance, or achievements to vary from those described in this Press Release.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this Press Release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this Press Release include, among others, statements pertaining to the following: general economic and business conditions; the role of the energy services industry in future phases of the energy industry; the outlook for energy services both globally and within PNG; the impact of conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine; the timing and impact on the Corporation’s business related to potential new large-scale natural resources projects and increased drilling activity in PNG; the impact, if any, related to existing or future changes to government regulations by the government of PNG; the impact, if any, on the Corporation’s future financial and operational results related to non-resource development opportunities in PNG; market fluctuations in commodity prices, and foreign currency exchange rates; restrictions on repatriation of funds held in PNG; expectations regarding the Corporation’s ability to manage its liquidity risk; raise capital and manage its debt finance agreements; projections of market prices and costs; factors upon which the Corporation will decide whether or not to undertake a specific course of operational action or expansion; the Corporation’s ongoing relationship with its major customers; customers’ drilling intentions; the Corporation’s ability to position itself to be a significant supplier of services, equipment and manpower for other resource and non-resources based projects in PNG; the Corporation’s expectations related to financial and operational results in 2025, including the expectation that the equipment rental and manpower services portion of the Corporation’s business will be the primary revenue generating activity for fiscal 2025; the timing and ability of the Corporation to put its own administrative infrastructure in place; the Corporation’s ability to invest in additional capital assets, including the impact on the Corporation’s future financial and operational results; the impact, if any, of geo-political events, changes in government, changes to tariff’s or related trade policies and the potential impact on the Corporation’s ability to execute on its 2025 business plan and strategic objectives; the ability of the Corporation to expand its geographic customer base outside of PNG, and the deploying idle heli-portable drilling rigs 115 and 116 and securing future work with other exploration companies in PNG.

With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release, the Corporation has made assumptions regarding, among other things, its ability to: maintain its ongoing relationship with major customers; successfully market its services to current and new customers; devise methods for, and achieve its primary objectives; source and obtain equipment from suppliers; successfully manage, operate, and thrive in an environment which is facing much uncertainty; remain competitive in all its operations; attract and retain skilled employees; and obtain equity and debt financing on satisfactory terms and manage liquidity related risks.

The Corporation’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth in this Press Release and in the Corporation’s annual 2024 MD&A, which is available on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Press Release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this Press Release. The Corporation does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the ‎policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The MIL Network –

May 30, 2025

MIL-OSI Video: This wasn’t part of the plan, but we’re rolling with it.

Source: US Army (video statements)

About the U.S. Army: The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force. Interested in joining the U.S. Army? Visit:
spr.ly/6001igl5L
Connect with the U.S. Army online: Web:
https://www.army.mil
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
X:
Tweets by USArmy
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts #Army

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d9-1nAgGrE

MIL OSI Video –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Battle of the Bulge: How One Hero Turned the Tide of WWII

Source: US Army (video statements)

One man. One mission. Total transformation.

About the U.S. Army: The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

Connect with the U.S. Army online:
Web: https://www.army.mil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/

X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
#USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Army #WWII

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0ArxOICtTQ

MIL OSI Video –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: McClay to champion NZ’s trade interests at OECD and in Brussels

Source: New Zealand Government

Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Europe this weekend to advance New Zealand’s trade and investment interests

Minister McClay will visit Switzerland, Paris and Brussels for high level ministerial and business meetings.

In Switzerland he will attend the first in person meeting of a new pro-trade group with ministers from UAE, Singapore and Switzerland where he will focus on removing trade barriers and the promotion of paperless trade.

In Paris he will attend the annual OECD Trade Ministers, a CPTPP ministers discussion, ACCTs Ministers meeting, and a WTO Mini Ministerial meeting. He will also hold discussions with ministers from Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, USA.

He will also undertake a bilateral French programme and meet the French Minister responsible for Trade.

In Brussels Mr McClay will hold talks with EU Commissioner for Trade, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, and EU Vice President responsible for sustainability. He will also speak at an event to mark the first year of the NZ EU FTA.

“One in four Kiwi jobs depend on Trade, and strong trade relationships mean more opportunities for New Zealander.

The Government’s is committed to the ambitious goal of doubling exports by value in the next ten years to deliver higher paying jobs for all New Zealanders,” Mr McClay says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SFST meets government financial officials and financial leaders in Ottawa and Vancouver (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, met with Canadian financial officials in Ottawa, Canada on May 28 (Ottawa time) and continued his visit to Vancouver on May 29 (Vancouver time).

Mr Hui went to Ottawa on May 28 (Ottawa time) to meet with the Canadian Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Chris Forbes. They discussed the challenges posed by unilateralism and protectionism, and how Hong Kong and Canada could collaborate to achieve mutual benefits in areas such as the gold market and virtual assets. Mr Hui told Mr Forbes that as the global economic gravity continues to shift eastwards, Hong Kong has been exploring new growth areas and expanding international co-operation, including the development of international gold trading currently pursued by the working group on promoting gold market development.
Mr Hui then met with Senator Mr Woo Yuen-pau at the Parliament Hill. He briefed Mr Woo on Hong Kong’s effort in maintaining its status as an international financial centre through various measures. He mentioned the recent affirmations of Hong Kong’s credit ratings by Fitch, S&P and Moody’s, all with “stable” outlooks. These affirmations fully demonstrate Hong Kong’s resilience in maintaining stability amid increasing global economic and financial uncertainties. In addition, both S&P and Moody’s provided positive evaluations of Hong Kong’s credit profile, including its substantial fiscal buffers and foreign exchange reserves, a strong external balance sheet, and high per-capita income levels. Mr Hui said, with its effective policy framework and solid financial market built over the years, Hong Kong is definitely a trusted partner for Canada at a time when the global political and economic landscape is fraught with uncertainties.
On May 29 (Vancouver time), Mr Hui started his visit to Vancouver where he met with Mr Mark Scott who is the Board Chair of Fraser Institute, the most influential think-tank in Canada, and some other prominent business figures to update them of Hong Kong’s latest financial development. The Director, Head (Policy Research) of the Financial Services Development Council, Dr Rocky Tung, also joined the meeting. Mr Hui welcomed that Hong Kong was ranked as the world’s freest economies among 165 economies in Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report. Among the five areas of assessment, Hong Kong topped in the areas of “Freedom to trade internationally” and “Regulation”, and came third in “Sound money”. Looking ahead, Hong Kong will continue to undertake a series of initiatives covering areas in which it has competitive edges, including stocks, bonds, and asset and wealth management, as well as emerging opportunities such as green and sustainable finance and the development of Web3, with a view to keeping the momentum to boost the high-quality development of Hong Kong’s financial market.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong

On Sunday, Mexico will hold an unprecedented election, becoming the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at every level.

Voters will elect approximately half the judges in the country on June 1 – from the nine members of the Supreme Court down to 850 federal judges and thousands more at lower levels. In 2027, a second vote will see the rest of Mexico’s judiciary elected.

As part of the overhaul, the country’s merit-based, career judiciary system will be abolished. Instead, all judges will serve nine-year terms, renewable by popular vote.

The election had been championed by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and embraced by his successor, Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October.

Sheinbaum has proclaimed Mexico will be “the most democratic country in the world” because the people will now choose all three branches of government.

Critics are not so sure. Some are calling the process a cynical farce. Others warn it will concentrate power in Morena, the ruling party, and its political allies, dismantling the country’s system of checks and balances.

Critics also warn that inexperienced judges could be elected, or those who could be influenced by organised crime. Some candidates themselves have been investigated for crimes, and at least two are former defence attorneys for drug cartels.

Former president Ernesto Zedillo, currently director at the Yale Centre for the Study of Globalisation, has gone so far as to declare that democracy itself “has come to an end” in Mexico.

Why reform the judiciary?

During his time in office from 2018–2024, López Obrador waged a rhetorical battle with Mexico’s courts, accusing judges of serving the elites and blocking his agenda.

In truth, what irked López Obrador was the fact the courts wielded the power to review and restrain his actions through constitutional oversight.

Sheinbaum seems to share his hostility towards the judiciary. Arturo Zaldívar, a former Supreme Court chief justice who designed the judicial reform system and later joined Sheinbaum’s cabinet, has accused the outgoing chief justice, Norma Piña, of being “a force of opposition allied with the oligarchy”.

In September 2024, Morena used its congressional super-majority to ram through a series of constitutional amendments to enact the judicial reform.

In response, judges walked off the job. Court staff, lawyers and law students took to the streets in support of their strike, some carrying banners reading “justice is not a popularity contest”.

Experts note the reform does nothing to fix Mexico’s real justice problems – the rampant corruption and abuse that plagues the system. The institutions that allow criminals to act with impunity are not the courts, but the prosecutors and police.

Human Rights Watch reports that nearly half of Mexicans have “little or very little confidence” in the country’s justice authorities. Nine in ten Mexicans don’t even bother to report crimes.

The perils of judicial elections

Electing judges is an idea fraught with peril. International human rights law treats an independent judiciary as a basic human right. Article 8 of the 1978 American Convention on Human Rights – an international treaty for North, Central and South America – guarantees every person “a hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal.”

Popular elections invite precisely the opposite. As UN experts caution, election campaigns will inevitably inject “political loyalty or alignment with party interests” into judge selection, rather than competence and impartiality.

In addition, leading legal theorists have long warned that politicising the judiciary undermines the rule of law.

US jurist Ronald Dworkin argued judges must decide according to principles – not political winds. Italian jurist Luigi Ferrajoli’s notion of a “guarantee-based” democracy – which is hugely influential in Latin America – likewise insists judges be insulated from party bargaining.

Even in the United States, where some states hold judicial elections, scholars lament their corrosive effects.

As one study notes:

Wealthy people and corporations can pump lots of money […] to elect and reelect judges who decide cases the way they want.

Opponents of billionaire Elon Musk critiqued his decision this year to pour US$21 million (A$33 million) into the campaign of a conservative candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. In a comment he posted on X, Musk said he didn’t expect to win but “there is value to losing a piece for positional gain.”

Bolivia offers another cautionary tale. Beginning in 2011, Bolivia has held elections for the judges on its top courts in an effort to “decolonise” the justice system and fight corruption.

In practice, though, only judges pre-approved by the ruling party’s congressional majority make the ballot. Voters, too, know little about the candidates. Turnout is very low.

Courts increasingly under attack

Mexico’s justice system, indeed, needs reform. But its multiple problems will not be solved with the wholesale politicisation of the courts.

As Argentine scholar Roberto Gargarella bluntly observes, electing judges in this way is “one of the greatest institutional tragedies of our time.”

Mexico’s reform effort threatens to turn the courts into just another party apparatus. In that sense, Mexico joins a disturbing global trend. From Washington to Brasília, populist leaders are increasingly attacking the courts as the enemies of the people.

With courts in Mexico potentially beholden to the government or influenced by organised crime, neutral judges may become much harder to find. If history teaches anything, it’s that the night of authoritarianism grows darker when the last judges are gone.

Luis Gómez Romero 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. Will elections for judges make Mexico the ‘most democratic country in the world’? Critics fear the opposite – https://theconversation.com/will-elections-for-judges-make-mexico-the-most-democratic-country-in-the-world-critics-fear-the-opposite-257730

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Finding answers in China: How clean energy fuels the comeback of Shennongjia’s golden snub-nosed monkeys?

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

.

Deep in the lush and mysterious forests of Shennongjia, central China’s Hubei province, golden figures leap effortlessly through the treetops—these are the Shennongjia golden snub-nosed monkeys. Once on the brink of extinction, they’ve made a stunning recovery and are now even recognized as a unique subspecies. But what’s the story behind their stunning revitalization? How has China’s energy transition played a key role in protecting their habitat? And can China’s ecological wisdom offer new solutions for the world?

To find out, Peruvian host Rebeca Phang from China.org.cn teams up with global energy expert Professor Saifur Rahman for a journey into the heart of Shennongjia.

MIL OSI China News –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI: Quantum eMotion Announces Brokered LIFE Financing of C$6,000,000

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

MONTREAL, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quantum eMotion Corp. (“QeM” or the “Corporation”) (TSX.V: QNC; OTCQB: QNCCF) is pleased to announce a best efforts brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of at least C$6,000,000 (the “Offering”), consisting of at least 4,000,000 units of the Corporation (each a “Unit”) at a price of C$1.50 per Unit (the “Offering Price”), pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption (the “LIFE Exemption”) under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”).

Each Unit will consist of (i) one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a “Share”), and (ii) one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share (a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$1.82 for a period of 3 years following the Closing Date (as defined herein).

The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds raised from the Offering to accelerate the pace of its research and development (“R&D”) efforts, expand the R&D team, hire staff for the commercialization initiatives underway and expanding the presence of QeM in the USA and other markets and for general working capital needs.

A.G.P. Canada Investments ULC (“Agent“) is acting as the sole bookrunner and agent for the Offering and A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners is acting as sole U.S. placement agent for the Offering.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the securities issued pursuant to the LIFE Exemption are expected to be immediately freely tradeable and will not be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units may also be offered to persons in the United States pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) and all applicable U.S. state securities laws, as well as outside Canada and the United States on a basis which does not require the qualification or registration of any of the Corporation’s common shares or require the Corporation to be subject to any ongoing disclosure requirements under any domestic securities laws.

There is an offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Corporation’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Corporation website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision.

It is expected that closing of the Offering will take place on or about June 2, 2025 (the “Closing Date”). Closing of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals.

As consideration for their services, the Agent will receive an aggregate cash fee equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. In addition, the Corporation will issue to the Agent non-transferable warrants (the “Agent Warrants”) representing 4.0% of the aggregate number of Units issued pursuant to the Offering. Each Agent Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Corporation at price of C$1.66 for a 30-month period from the date of issuance.

This press release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to qualification or registration under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act” ), and such securities may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from U.S. registration requirements. “United States” and “U.S. persons” have the meanings ascribed to them in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

About Quantum eMotion

The Company’s mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware and software security for connected devices. Thanks to its patented Quantum Random Number Generator, QeM has become a pioneering force in classical and quantum cybersecurity solutions. This security solution exploits quantum mechanics’ built-in unpredictability and promises to provide enhanced protection for high-value assets and critical systems. For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/ or contact us at: info@quantumemotion.com

The Company intends to target highly valued Financial Services, Healthcare, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Krown Technologies and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography.

For further information, please visit our website at https://www.quantumemotion.com/ or contact:

Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 514.956.2525

Email: info@quantumemotion.com

Website: www.quantumemotion.com

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which is based upon the Corporation’s current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the Corporation’s expectations with respect to the use of proceeds and the use of the available funds following completion of the Offering, the completion of the Offering, if it is to be completed at all; the expected Closing Date; and the completion of the Corporation’s business objectives, and the timing, costs, and benefits thereof. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relate to future events and future performance and include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management based on information currently available to the Corporation. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”, “anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or forward-looking information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating risks inherent to the cybersecurity industry, the value of the Corporation’s intangible assets, completing proof of concept studies, protecting intangible assets rights, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms or at all, the possibility that future results will not be consistent with the Corporation’s expectations, increases in costs, changes in legislation and regulation, changes in economic and political conditions and other risks involved in the cybersecurity industry and inherent to new technologies, such as risk of obsolescence, slow adoption and competing technological advances; and those risks set out in the Corporation’s public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that could cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. For more information on the Corporation and the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review the Corporation’s annual filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. The Corporation provides no assurance that forward-looking statements or forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Corporation disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The MIL Network –

May 30, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Keith Rankin Analysis – Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night?
Analysis by Keith Rankin.

Who, neither politician nor monarch, executed 100,000 civilians in a single night?

Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

Answer: Curtis LeMay, American Air Force General, in the wee hours of 10 March 1945. While authorised by his immediate superior, this firebombing of Tokyo was a decentralised military operation which received subsequent popular approval. It was called ‘Operation Meetinghouse’. While Japanese civilians were aware that they had become a collateral target to the encroaching American military machine, these victims had no prior idea of the murderous danger they faced that night.

Le May went on to execute at least another 120,000 Japanese civilians in the next five months and five days; from 10 March until 15 August. The method of execution was to burn people alive. LeMay’s inflammatory instrument was napalm. The politicians approved, but did not fully comprehend. They had been softened up by bureaucratic-speak, and they did not see burning people on their TV screens.

(In that August there was an additional couplet of mass executions; nuclear executions. This parallel military operation was not under the command of LeMay, but used the same airfields and the same B29 aircraft type. Contrary to impressions given that the atomic bomb was planned for Germany, pilot Paul Tibbets was chosen in 1944, and was doing test manoeuvres from Cuba at the end of that year. And there were five cities LeMay had been asked not to firebomb, and did not bomb, knowing that these were ‘reserved’ targets. An additional 120,000 people were summarily executed by the untested ‘Little Boy’ [Hiroshima] and the New Mexico tested ‘Fat Man’ [plutonium bomb dropped on Nagasaki], with thousands more suffering lingering executions. These bombings – rubber-stamped by President Truman – were arranged by technocrats and military bureaucrats. The American authorities were preparing to give a repeat larger dose when more ‘Fat Men’ would become available towards the end of 1945.)

In the middle centuries of the last millennium, one particularly appalling form of execution was to burn ‘heretics’ and ‘witches’ at the stake. These executions peaked in the sixteenth century. The most renowned perpetrator was Bloody Mary, Queen of England during the 1550s. Her tally, those burned while she was queen, was about 500 people. Unlike the citizens of Tokyo, most of Queen Mary’s victims had options, albeit unsatisfactory options, to escape their fates. We think of such executions-by-fire as the epitome of terror. (And we note that some Holocaust victims, in places such as Belarus, were burned in wooden buildings locked by their Nazi executioners.)

It is 200 kilometres from Auckland to Tauranga via SH2. (For an international example, try Dover to Cambridge.) Just imagine 20,000 stakes, faggots at the ready, 10 metres apart, all the way along the highway between those two cities. Now imagine a family being burned at each of those 20,000 stakes. That is, in essence, what General Curtis LeMay achieved in one spring night, in central Tokyo. (And, as we have noted, he was only warming up. His total civilian kill count was ‘limited’ because putative victims, now forewarned, were more able to take measures to save their lives though not their homes. He firebombed literally hundreds of Japanese cities.)

Did we remember this event in March this year, its 80th anniversary? No. This literal holocaust was barely remembered, even in Japan. Indeed, in the 1960s, political leaders in the new Japan presented him in 1964 with a prestigious accolade for his supposed sine qua non role in making the new Japan possible.

1945 was not Lemay’s first participation in megadeath; not his first rodeo. He earned his stripes in the European ‘bombing theatre’ in 1942 and 1943, where he took on board the ‘atrocities may be more effective’ approach of the British RAF. He also operated out of Bengal in 1944, during the Bengal famine which resulted from food being diverted away from millions of Bengali civilians to facilitate war objectives, in an earlier attempt to bomb Japan via India and China. In addition to starving Indians – a somewhat wretched people, in LeMay’s view – the American military was willing to sustain huge American losses, eg flying over the Himalayas, for minimal military success. A mitigating factor for LeMay, then, was that he was implementing other people’s plans. On 10 March 1945, Operation Meetinghouse was his scheme.

Why?

What was the purpose of this mass execution, this collective punishment of civilians who happened to live in a country that was losing a war?

Japanese civilians were neither fascists nor communists nor anti-semites nor anti-hamites nor anyone else ‘deserving’ of immolation. Their government was however guilty of good old-fashioned imperialism, and the usual atrocities that come with conquests of other people’s lands.

There were two officially-stated arguments used to justify these executions. One was that, as civilian victims of such suffering, they, demoralised, might somehow convince their political masters to end the war sooner. The second justification was that the civilian victims were either workers in factories producing military goods, or were involved in ‘cottage industries’ which contributed to the production of military goods; this really amounts to some kind of ‘revenge’ justification masked as ‘normal warfare’. And this second justification is uncannily like the ‘Hamas’ argument used at present by the Israeli government to justify executions of civilians in Gaza.

The American bombing culture in Europe had been more reserved than that of the British. The Americans, including LeMay, witnessed the British firebombing of German cities during 1942 to 1944 – especially in the west of Germany where Nazi support was the least – which had conspicuously failed to create conditions facilitating popular revolution in Germany. Dead people tended to be passive, and survivors tended to channel their despair towards the perpetrators of their anguish. Indeed, among victimised communities, murderous bombing campaigns generally reinforced propaganda perpetuated by the victims’ governments. Further, despite calling their tactic ‘morale bombing’, the British already knew that the morale narrative was false, having been able to closely evaluate the morale effects of comparatively small amounts of German bombing in 1940 upon British civilians.

Overall, it comes across that the main reason for the executions was some kind of ‘impunity’; they did it because they could. The more they failed to bring the war to an end, the more they persevered in doing the executions that hadn’t achieved their stated goals. Just one more city. And then another. And another.

The impunity argument was augmented by the ‘scientific’ rationalisations. Applied scientists developing ever more efficient methods of execution would never be satisfied unless they could see the success of their own apparatus ‘in the field’.

Sky-executions this century: Iraq from 2003, Afghanistan, and Gaza from 2023

In the last decade (or so) of the twentieth century, most people believed that humans – except perhaps a few terrorists (who indeed perpetrated a sky-execution in 2001) – could never repeat such atrocities upon civilians. Then we saw, in 2003, based on false claims about ‘weapons of mass destruction’ held by Saddam Hussein, executions similar to those of WW2 were perpetrated upon the civilians of Iraq. And a huge bunker bomb – the Mother of All Bombs “the most powerful non-nuclear bomb ever used” – was dropped on a village in eastern Afghanistan in 2017. (A comment to this recent Al Jazeera news clip says: “Americans tested their weapons on innocent civilians’ villages”. And see BBC: The Mother of All Bombs: How badly did it hurt IS in Afghanistan? 27 April 2017.)

These executions were seen to be a mix of ‘revenge’ and ‘impunity’, although once again cloaked as being part of a higher purpose; in this case the higher purpose being the export of western-style ‘Democracy’. We saw in Iraq that the main consequence of western sky-executions – the ‘shock and awe’ bombing campaign – was the formation of terror-group ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dragged on for twenty years before the eventual humiliation of the United States in Afghanistan in 2021.

Since 2023 in Gaza we have seen a constant stream of airborne executions of civilians; mostly people who by fate were born into that occupied or encircled ghetto; a piece of real estate, densely populated by the descendants of refugees, coveted by the descendants of comparatively recent European colonisers making bizarre historical claims of entitlement.

The young people of this world were shocked to see that their political leaders were indifferent, and that many were actually prompting these executions; executions by explosion and fire. Admittedly the scale of what is happening in Gaza is much less than the scale of Curtis LeMay’s murderous firebombs. But otherwise it is much the same. Our elders, some of whom protested against the Vietnam War, by and large couldn’t care less.

This indifference is facilitated by the fact that the victims’ fates are simply too graphic to show on television. There is no lack of footage; it’s just too horrible. But now, there is footage that’s less horrible – though still very horrible – of emaciated starving children. I don’t think that those western elites who were indifferent to the live burnings are really any less indifferent to the starvations perpetrated, not by Jews, but by the state of Israel. But the elites are sensitive to the impact of detrimental optics on their ability to garner political support from non-elites.

G-Hats and B-hats

It must be hard for young people to explain why there is so much indifference among their elders, especially their elite elders, towards the sky-executions that appear on daily news feeds (though commonly at about 6:25pm – after two sets of advertisements – on the nightly six o’clock news).

My explanation is this. We put hats (ie labels) on various groups of people. Especially ‘Goody’ and ‘Baddy’ hats. Hats labelled G (for good or for God), and hats labelled B (for bad, or evil). Sometimes there is a D-hat; western liberal ‘Democracy’, the imperialism we most see today.

Following westerners’ contrition for The Holocaust, the first people in line to be awarded G hats were the Jewish citizens of the newly created state of Israel. We gave out many G and B hats to various other people of course. And, of course, just about every identity group issues themselves with G-hats, reserving B-hats for distinct others.

One of the problems with the human brain is that it reacts badly to contradiction. Neural pathways short-circuit when we see people with G-hats doing B (bad) – often very bad – things. Most observers will resolve the contradiction in favour of the hat rather than in favour of the observed action. So, if a G-hatted person or institution sky-executes some people, then we rationalise this dissonance by ignoring the action or by presuming that the victims must have been B (effectively converting a grotesque action into a good action). We expect our societal leaders to rise above these forms of neural conflict.

Through this kind of dissonance, we both excuse the bad actions of the Good, and fail to acknowledge the good actions of the Bad. (An example of the latter is that, in many contexts, colonisers and their descendants are given B-hats by the descendants of the colonised; and any genuine achievements which may have arisen from a colonised setting are devalued, deamplified, or disregarded.)

On the matter of cognitive dissonance, for which my hat explanation is an example, see Social Atrophy on the Rise,France24 26 May 20125, featuring Sarah Stein Lubrano, author of Don’t Talk about Politics (published this month). She says: “When people are given new information or new arguments about something about which they already hold beliefs – especially strong beliefs – they experience cognitive dissonance, they feel discomfort between the contradiction between new ideas and existing ideas and this often causes them to re-entrench, to double-down on their existing ideas.”

Conclusion

Some things are so horrible – including inflammatory executions – we cannot compute them. That’s no excuse to repeat them.

————-

On Curtis LeMay, my three main sources have been:
- Richard Overy (2025), Rain of Ruin
- Malcolm Gladwell (2021), The Bomber Mafia
- James Scott (2022), Black Snow
*******

Keith Rankin (keith at rankin dot nz), trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Speech: Meg O’Neill Address to the 2025 Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition – Australian Energy Producers

Source: Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association

Headline: Speech: Meg O’Neill Address to the 2025 Australian Energy Producers Conference & Exhibition – Australian Energy Producers

Thank you, Samantha, for that kind introduction.

Welcome everyone to the 2025 Australian Energy Producers Conference!

I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Jagera and Turrbal people as the traditional custodians of the land upon which we are meeting today.

Thank you also to Shannon Ruska for that wonderful Welcome to Country.

It was a fantastic way to open our conference and mark the start of National Reconciliation Week.

Looking around at this room, it is great to see such strong support for our industry.

Thank you to each and every one of you for the effort you have made to be here.

It’s really valuable for us to come together and share knowledge and debate ideas, with the aim of constantly improving how we work, and how we can chart a brighter future for our industry and the nation in the years to come.

We’ve already had some thoughtful speeches this morning.

Thank you Sam for your dedication to promoting the great work of our members.

And Minister King, thank you for your reflections and your strong advocacy for our industry.

We look forward to continuing to work with you.

I would also like to acknowledge that Senator Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Resources is here.

Senator Chisolm, thank you for your attendance.

Later this morning we’ll hear from former Australian Treasurer and Ambassador to the United States Joe Hockey and the Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki.

I am very much looking forward to hearing their perspectives on the economic and energy challenges facing Australia, and nations around the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Albanese Government on its election victory.

Campaigning for office is not for the faint of heart. It takes passion, discipline and a belief in the idea that Australia can be better. I admire the commitment and endurance of those who run in modern-day elections.

One vital pathway to building a brighter future for Australia is to ensure that we and our regional partners have the energy we need to build prosperity and succeed in the energy transition.

So, I would also like to thank the Government for its clear acknowledgement of the critical role that gas plays in the Australian economy and in the nation’s trading relationships.

The vital importance of gas has also been emphasised by the Liberals and Nationals, and we appreciate this bipartisan support.

The Government’s Future Gas Strategy, led by Minister King, makes a powerful and compelling case for the role of gas in supporting the quality of life in Australia, and in providing energy security in our region.

We thank the Minister for her leadership and vision in laying out this roadmap for Australia’s gas endowment.

The opportunity now is to take real actions that deliver the Government’s Future Gas Strategy.

And Minister King, you have our industry’s support in working together with all stakeholders to achieve this for the long-term.

Celebration of the year’s success

One of my favourite things about this conference is the chance to celebrate our industry’s success in helping meet Australia’s energy needs, and in delivering strong economic outcomes at local, state and national levels.

I think it’s fitting we are here in Brisbane, because this year marks 10 years since the Queensland LNG industry began operating.

It’s hard to imagine the Australian industry without our Queensland operators and I think we should celebrate this achievement with a round of applause.

From the vast offshore fields of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Victoria – to the rich onshore basins of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales – and to the emerging basins such as the Perth Basin and the Beetaloo – Australia’s oil and gas industry stands as a powerhouse of innovation and economic strength.

By exploring, developing and producing these resources, we play a critical role in providing the energy needed in Australia and the Asian region.

But we cannot take this for granted.

Reflection on Australia’s energy edge

For decades, Australia’s vast energy resources have provided a major competitive advantage for the nation’s economy.

In particular, safe, affordable and reliable domestic gas has helped underpin the success of many Australian businesses, especially in mining and manufacturing.

While the LNG industry has made a significant contribution to Australia’s prosperity through taxes and royalties, skilled jobs, community support and economic development.

KPMG analysis commissioned by AEP found the gas industry contributed 105 billion dollars to Australia’s gross domestic product and supported 215,000 ongoing jobs across the economy in 2021-22.

This is in addition to taxes and royalties paid to Australian governments, which in 2023‑24 totalled an estimated 17.1 billion dollars.

But our energy edge is at risk.

This is evidenced by forecasts of looming supply shortfalls on both the east and west coasts and weakened investor confidence in investing in new supply.

AEP has this week released a Wood Mackenzie report that analysed Australia as an investment destination.

The study involved data analysis and a survey of CEOs of AEP member companies.

It makes for sobering reading, confirming what many in this room already know.

Certainty around Australia’s energy and climate policies, environmental regulation and timely approvals is critical to driving investment.

95 per cent of respondents said they have had investments directly impacted by a change in government policy or regulation.

Of these investments, a fifth did not proceed or were relocated outside of Australia, and almost half were significantly delayed.

Learning from experiences in prior years, we have an opportunity now to create the foundations for the next wave of energy investment in Australia.

We must continue to make the most of our natural resources and our ingenuity, so that we keep jobs and revenue in Australia.

Implications

What is also at stake is the nation’s ability to compete on the global stage for the industries of the future.

These include artificial intelligence, data centres, critical minerals manufacturing and no doubt sectors we haven’t even imagined yet. All of which depend on reliable and affordable power.

The recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal are a forceful reminder of the consequences of losing reliable supplies of energy, upon which we rely for our daily lives and jobs.

While the causes of the blackouts are still being investigated, what we can see with certainty is that these events reinforce the need to focus on energy security and energy affordability, as well as – and not instead of – emissions reduction.

All three matter.

When we lose sight of any one of these, all three are at risk.

I am encouraged by evidence – including the Government’s Future Gas Strategy – that policymakers are increasingly willing to recognise and speak up for the critical importance of natural gas, including as the stabilising partner to higher levels of renewables and as a lower emissions source of power than coal.

I welcome more government policy decisions to reflect the strategy in practice.

And I think it is time that the opponents of our industry face up to the fact that they are making the energy transition harder and more risky by slowing down investment and trying to take practical options off the table.

If Australia loses its energy edge, we also lose opportunities to contribute to decarbonisation at home and abroad.

As we know, when used to generate electricity, gas typically produces half the life cycle emissions of coal.

Coal demand in the Asia Pacific continues to grow and drive up global emissions.

This underlines why Australia must maximise opportunities to supply LNG to Asian customers who want to reduce their reliance on coal through a combination of gas and renewables.

Furthermore, the opportunity to service growing demand for natural gas is one that Australia’s competitor nations will seize, if Australia is not able to take the opportunities before it.

For example – we have seen significant pro-energy investment policy changes in the USA with the change in administration, and I am eager to hear Joe Hockey’s take on this.

But no one doubts where the US stands on developing its natural resources – the President has declared an Energy Emergency, and prioritised development of the US’s energy resources – both for domestic use and for customers abroad.

And there is genuine urgency to tackle permitting reform and make energy investment easier.

Our offer and our ask

All of us in this room recognise the enormous opportunity that Australia has to help meet essential energy needs – and the necessity of doing so responsibly.

Australian Energy Producers’ message to policymakers here in Australia, is that we will play our part in supplying affordable, reliable energy to customers, while also tackling climate change.

We are committed to doing this through innovation and collaboration.

We are designing and operating out emissions from our assets, implementing CCS, and diversifying into new lower-carbon commodities and technologies.

As a proof point – Australia now has two of the world’s largest CCS projects, with the Gorgon project having sequestered over 11 million tons of CO2 since it commenced operations, and the Moomba CCS project starting up last year.

Something else we’re committed to is ensuring the public discussion about energy policy includes balance and facts.

Through AEP’s advocacy, we are calling out misinformation and disinformation campaigns that seek to downplay our sector’s significant economic and tax contribution, and the essential role of gas in achieving decarbonisation goals.

We appreciate government efforts to help build community understanding of the role of gas and foster support for what we deliver.

It’s vital that people hear the facts about gas and understand its importance to their lives, the Australian economy and decarbonising Asia.

By equipping people with knowledge about energy production, consumption and role in the energy transition, we make it harder for our opponents to spread misinformation, and easier to have the respectful policy debates that can lead to better industry and environmental outcomes.

With a new federal parliament elected, it is an opportunity to finally cut red and green tape, to simplify and streamline Australia’s approvals system.

Cutting red and green tape will promote innovation, and enable businesses to thrive.

And it will create more jobs for Australians.

Streamlining approvals will also drive the productivity growth Australia needs to remain competitive in an increasingly protectionist world.

And in news hot off the press, it was a huge relief last week to see the Native Title Tribunal clear a path for Santos’s much-needed Narrabri gas development to go ahead.

As an industry, we look forward to working with new Environment Minister Murray Watt as he takes on the critical role of ensuring energy development in Australia is conducted responsibly and sustainably.

We acknowledge that Minister Watt is working through the process to take a decision on the North West Shelf extension and we look forward to an outcome.

We all recognise that energy development must meet rigorous environmental standards and maintain the confidence of the community.

The Government’s Future Gas Strategy is a clear roadmap for policy reform to ensure that these objectives are met as the nation’s resources are responsibly developed.

This includes implementing clear and unambiguous offshore consultation rules.

Regulatory loopholes are in no-one’s interests.

The industry fully supports consulting with impacted traditional owners and other stakeholders – but the rules for consultation must be clear to provide predictable outcomes for all parties.

It is also essential that exploration resume in earnest in Australia.

This starts with regular offshore acreage licensing rounds, and clear regulations around the well-proven and safe technology of seismic surveys.

We must get exploration going now to ensure the energy future of the 2030’s and 2040’s is secure.

Conclusion

In closing, Australia has the key ingredients to sustain its energy edge for decades to come.

We have been gifted natural resource potential like few other nations.

We have the talented, capable and motivated workforce we need to unlock the potential.

We have a long track record of supporting downstream domestic industries and providing feedstock and energy to build Australia’s prosperity.

We also have proximity to the world’s fastest growing energy markets, who are looking for secure, reliable supplies to power their own development.

We have the opportunity now to build on the decades of success – unlocking new resources, powering a bright future, and doing so responsibly.

There will be headwinds, but we have the resilience and the vision as an industry to ensure that Australia’s energy edge delivers for every Australian, for decades to come.

Thank you everyone, I wish you a great conference.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

May 30, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 30, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 30, 2025.

French politicians in New Caledonia to stir the political melting pot
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French national politicians have been in New Caledonia as the territory’s future remains undecided. Leaders from both right-wing Les Républicains (LR) and Rassemblement National (RN), — vice-president François-Xavier Bellamy and Marine Le Pen respectively — have been in the French Pacific territory this week. They expressed

Elon Musk promises more risky launches after sixth Starship failure
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology What goes up must come down, and earlier this week yet another of SpaceX’s Starships, the biggest and most powerful type of rocket ever built, came back down to Earth in spectacular fashion. In the

Tracking crime from the cradle: why some people keep breaking the law while most of us never do
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ayda Kuluk, PhD Candidate in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Alena Lom/Shutterstock A major Australian study tracking more than 80,000 Queenslanders from birth to adulthood reveals stark differences between men and women in patterns of criminal behaviour. These patterns offer insights into effective crime prevention strategies.

Most of Australia’s conservation efforts ignore climate risks – here are 3 fixes
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yi Fei Chung, PhD Candidate in Environmental Policy, The University of Queensland Imagine replanting various native species only to have them die because the area is too hot or too dry. Or reconnecting woodland habitat only to lose large tracts to bushfire. Well, our new research suggests

Earth’s seasonal rhythms are changing, putting species and ecosystems at risk
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MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 30, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China expands visa-free access for Latin America to boost trade ties

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

For the first time since 2017, Peruvian national Marcel Sanchez Lopez is preparing to return to China, this time, unburdened by the once-cumbersome entry procedures.

“Even as a CEO of a big company, I used to feel that going to China was like facing a sea of troubles,” said Marcel Sanchez, who leads a major energy firm with longstanding ties to Chinese gas equipment supplier Tianjin Sinogas Repower Energy Co., Ltd. “Now that it’s visa-free, I’m bringing my family for both business and sightseeing.”

Starting June 1, 2025, citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay will be allowed to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, cultural exchange, or transit. The policy, which will run on a trial basis until May 31, 2026, was announced recently by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Unveiled at the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing earlier this month, this policy aligns with China’s broader initiative to extend visa exemptions and foster friendly exchanges with more Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC countries).

For Chinese companies with trade ties in the region, the measure is viewed as a long-awaited step toward meaningful cooperation. “It solves a real bottleneck in our business operations,” said Ryan Yang, general manager of Sinogas, a Tianjin-based energy technology firm exporting to Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil. “Clients can now come for factory inspections, product demos, and training sessions without weeks or months of visa delays.”

Marcel Sanchez, whose company began working with Sinogas eight years ago, said visa constraints often hindered cooperation. “In the past, we had to skip business trips and just rely on remote support from our Chinese partner. Now we can do face-to-face collaboration again, and that’s where real progress happens,” he added.

China’s continued expansion of its visa-free policy and efforts to facilitate entries send a clear signal of the country’s commitment to high-standard opening up, according to Yu Haibo, an associate professor specializing in tourism management at Tianjin-based Nankai University.

These measures demonstrate China’s resolve and efforts to promote a more dynamic, inclusive and resilient form of economic globalization, Yu noted.

Trade between China and LAC nations has doubled over the past decade, reaching 518.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Chinese products, including its signature electric vehicles, are exported extensively to LAC countries, while goods originating from the region also enjoy popularity in China. Notably, Chilean cherries and Argentine beef have become regular staples in the diets of Chinese households.

Sun Yanfeng, a researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies under the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, noted that Latin American countries are eager to boost exports through their economic and trade ties with China. The visa-free policy, he added, will greatly facilitate visits by Latin American entrepreneurs, especially those from small and medium-sized enterprises, by simplifying travel procedures.

Tianjin Free Trade Service Co., Ltd., a major service provider for thousands of small and medium-sized exporters, has business development teams preparing for more inbound visits. “This policy will bring Latin American partners to our doorstep,” said Du Chen, a manager at the company. “Without the visa hurdles, people are more willing to come, to see, and to trust.”

Elizabeth Milagros Alvarado Taco, a Peruvian graduate student majoring in international business at Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said the visa-free policy will accelerate business activities, making it easier for Latin American entrepreneurs and businessmen to come to China for negotiations, factory visits, or trade fairs.

“It can also facilitate the rotation of international teams, improve coordination of multinational projects, and reduce costs and processing time. Overall, this convenience will promote bilateral investment and corporate cooperation,” she said.

MIL OSI China News –

May 30, 2025

Category: Americas

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