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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: PBS Aerospace Establishes North American HQ in Metro Atlanta

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that PBS Aerospace, a designer and manufacturer of world-class small turbojet engines, will invest up to $20 million to establish its North American headquarters, manufacturing, and R&D operations in Roswell. The new operations will create at least 95 new jobs in metro Atlanta, growing the company’s presence in the state.

    “We are excited that PBS Aerospace has chosen to stay in Georgia to increase their footprint and establish their first R&D and headquarter facilities in the United States,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Aerospace is one of the Georgia’s top industries thanks to innovative companies like PBS Aerospace that call Georgia home. By preparing strategic, new ready-for-development sites and supporting workforce development initiatives in high-demand careers, we will keep building on our success and creating opportunities for hardworking Georgians.”

    PBS Aerospace is an international manufacturer of turbojet engines and auxiliary power units that has been present in the U.S. market for more than a decade.

    “PBS Group’s owner, William Didden, made the decision to establish Georgia as the location for our U.S. headquarters because of the successful foundation we have built in Atlanta through PBS Aerospace,” said Tomas Koutsky, Managing Director of PBS Aerospace. “Atlanta has proven to be an exceptional base for our operations, offering access to an excellent education system, skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and a thriving business environment. The positive experiences and success in Atlanta have undoubtedly influenced our choice as they reflect Georgia’s ability to support our continued growth.”

    “We look forward to building our new Roswell factory, which will produce the world’s most advanced small turbojet engines designed to meet the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Erin Durham, CEO of PBS Aerospace. “This move aligns seamlessly with our larger growth strategy, which focuses on partnering with Georgia’s extensive manufacturing, aerospace, and defense sectors.”

    PBS Aerospace’s footprint will include an existing, renovated building at 1350 North Meadow and a new facility that will be constructed at the Tech Village North Site in Roswell. Hiring is underway for open roles, with projections to meet full operations in April 2025. Interested individuals can learn more and apply at www.pbsaerospace.com/career.

    “Roswell offers the perfect environment for innovative companies like PBS Aerospace to thrive, and their decision reflects the strength of our community and our commitment to fostering economic growth,” said Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Our city is a sought-after destination, not only for businesses but also for families, thanks to our exceptional schools, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and the strong sense of community our residents share. We are proud to welcome PBS Aerospace to Roswell and look forward to their success and contributions to our city’s future.”

    “Fulton County is a hub for innovative business operations like PBS Aerospace,” said Robb Pitts, Chairman of Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “This significant development not only strengthens our position as a destination for advanced manufacturing and aerospace technology but also brings tangible benefits to residents in nearby cities through job creation and economic opportunity.”

    “Metro Atlanta is where top talent meets opportunity. We are pleased to welcome PBS Aerospace as a vital part of our growing aerospace and defense ecosystem,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “University graduates here have seamless access to thriving industries like aerospace – which is Georgia’s No. 1 export and a $57.5 billion powerhouse industry in the state. This new presence will help fuel our regional economy and strengthen our local and global relationships.”

    Statewide Project Manager Haley Casola represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the City of Roswell, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Quick Start, the Georgia Center of Innovation, and Georgia Power.

    “PBS Aerospace first landed in the U.S. through Georgia, so it’s incredibly exciting that the company has chosen to expand on its presence here to establish not only its North American headquarters but also its first manufacturing and R&D operations in the U.S.,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Today’s news is the result of investing in our relationships at home and internationally, taking the time to ensure companies have a great experience working with the state at their existing locations and taking the initiative to meet with company leadership in-person to learn more about their plans for the future. Congratulations to PBS Aerospace for expanding in the U.S. market, and to all of the partners involved in bringing the opportunity for a job to Georgians through this investment!”

    About PBS Aerospace 

    PBS Aerospace Inc. is a subsidiary of PBS GROUP, an engineering holding company and has been an established brand for over 200 years. PBS Group delivers cutting-edge engineering solutions across a portfolio of companies that focus on the aerospace, energy, and transportation industries. PBS Aerospace Inc. has had a presence in the U.S. market for more than 10 years and focuses on providing highly reliable turbojet engines and auxiliary power units (APUs) for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC

    Governor Josh Stein Advocating for $1.07 Billion to Rebuild Western NC
    bwood
    Mon, 02/03/2025 – 10:42

    Raleigh, NC

    Governor Josh Stein today requested $1.07 billion in immediate funding to support urgent rebuilding needs in western North Carolina. Governor Stein’s budget request includes funds to strengthen the economy, get people back into homes faster, repair infrastructure, support farmers, fix private roads and bridges, remove debris, and help school children stay at grade level. 

    “The people of western North Carolina have suffered tremendously since Helene swept through,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I appreciate what the General Assembly has done so far, but it’s time for us to step up and get them the money they need right now to rebuild. We can’t forget western North Carolina – and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state shows up for them.” 

    Governor Stein made his budget request at MANNA Food Bank, which works with over 300 community-based nonprofit food assistance partner agencies in 16 western North Carolina counties. 

    “MANNA has been an essential resource for the people it serves, and its work has become even more critical since Hurricane Helene struck,” said Governor Stein. “As these organizations continue the daily work of supporting their community, we have a responsibility to support them.”  

    The Governor’s budget request includes funding in the following categories. An overview of some of the programs is below; full request details are available here.  

    Strengthening the Economy

    • $150 million across two grant programs for businesses that suffered physical damage or significant economic loss.

    • $30 million for grants to small towns and counties to rebuild downtowns and other business districts.

    • $15 million to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s VisitNC division to support North Carolina’s tourism industry and to attract travelers and new businesses to the area.

    • $100 million for revenue replacement grants to support local governments whose resources were exhausted by immediate disaster response, as they work to keep water and sewer services going, pay law enforcement, and support school operations.

    Providing Safe and Warm Places to Live

    • $150 million for a Helene Home Construction and Repair Program to immediately start rebuilding the estimated 5,100 homes that will need to be rebuilt post-Helene. 

    • $25 million to support people struggling to afford rent, mortgage, or utility costs because their home or livelihood was affected.

    • $10 million for Back@Home, a program that supports people who are without homes and provides them with case management support.

    • $50 million in incentives for affordable housing construction. 

    • $25 million to fill in gaps for home repairs that are not covered by FEMA. 

    Repairing Infrastructure

    • $75 million to repair private roads and bridges. 

    • $25 million to clean up local parks and greenways in affected areas.

    • $12 million to expedite debris removal.

    • $10 million to provide backup power for emergency operations and other critical infrastructure. 

    • $4 million to repair septic systems.

    Supporting Farmers

    • $15 million for grants to farmers for verified uninsured losses to crops, livestock, aquaculture, and infrastructure.

    • $100 million to help farmers clear debris and repair their land and waterways so they can resume production and protect against future flooding.

    • $19.4 million to prepare for the wildfire season and mitigate future risk.

    Caring For Families and Children

    • $34.2 million for school districts that missed 15 or more days of school to provide summer instruction and other support services to ensure students continue to perform at grade level on End of Grade and End of Course assessments.

    • $20 million to fund food banks in affected areas.

    • $2 million to help college students who are struggling to pay tuition, fees, or emergency expenses that might force them to drop out of school at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University.  

    Feb 3, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Viventium Expands Scheduling Software with Open Shift Management, Enhancing Scheduling Flexibility and Streamlining Operations for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Senior Living Communities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Viventium, the leading SaaS-based human capital management platform serving the healthcare industry, announces the addition of Open Shift Management to Viventium Scheduling, Viventium’s proprietary and innovative workforce management tool tailored to facilities and communities in the healthcare industry. Open Shift Management boosts staffing and compliance by enabling employees to apply for open shifts on their mobile devices while providing administrators with the data to quickly and confidently grant the shifts to the most suitable employees with the click of a button. The feature minimizes the risk of understaffing and reduces costs and reliance on staffing agencies.

    Open Shift Management is custom-built to help facilities and communities achieve staffing quotas and ratios by reducing last-minute callouts. It helps keep staffing priorities clear by highlighting shifts requiring immediate attention and providing comprehensive employee insights at every request for data-driven decisions while complying with union and organizational rules.

    “Open Shift Management is a robust feature of Viventium Scheduling that promotes a balanced approach as it improves scheduling efficiency, increases employee engagement, and reduces the stress of last-minute staffing gaps,” said Navin Gupta, CEO of Viventium. “We remain committed to addressing the complex staffing requirements impacting skilled nursing facilities and senior living communities by creating this collaborative environment for smooth, transparent staffing operations.”

    “Our software suite is consistently optimized from the direct feedback of our clients,” said Zishe Glauber, CPO of Viventium. “Viventium’s Open Shift Management addition to our workforce management solution stands out because it is specifically tailored to the needs of facility- and community-based care.”

    About Viventium

    Viventium provides a SaaS-based human capital management solution that is focused on the healthcare industry. The company’s mission is to enrich the lives of caregivers through technology so they love going to work every day. By providing specialized software and expert guidance, Viventium helps its clients throughout the lifecycle of each caregiver. The company has clients in all 50 states and supports over 500,000 client employees each year.

    For more information about Viventium, visit https://www.viventium.com or follow @viventium on LinkedIn and X.

    Contact: press@viventium.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Bio-Convert Develops QR-02, a Potential Breakthrough in the Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEVERLY HILLS, California, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bio-Convert ApS (“Bio-Convert”), a subsidiary of Nordicus Partners Corporation (OTCQB: NORD) (“Nordicus” or the “Company”), a financial consulting company specializing in supporting Nordic and U.S. life sciences companies in establishing themselves in the U.S. market, announces the groundbreaking development of QR-02, a unique and proprietary oral topical treatment designed to address oral leukoplakia with moderate to severe dysplasia, a potentially precancerous condition affecting millions worldwide.

    Addressing a Critical Unmet Medical Need

    Oral leukoplakia is characterized by white patches or plaques in the mouth, and when accompanied by dysplasia (abnormal cell growth), it becomes a marker of disease progression. Alarmingly, 10-30% of these patients may develop oral cancer, which has a five-year mortality rate exceeding 50%.

    With 15.5 million oral leukoplakia patients in the U.S. and EU alone, there is an urgent need for an effective treatment to prevent disease progression. Given that 80% of leukoplakia lesions occur in the oral cavity, a therapy that remains in place for an extended period is critical for success.

    QR-02: A Game-Changing Approach

    Bio-Convert’s QR-02 introduces a novel mucoadhesive oral formulation designed to adhere to the oral cavity for an extended period of 12-24 hours—a major advancement over traditional treatments, which last only 15-20 minutes due to the washout effect of saliva. This extended retention period significantly enhances drug efficacy and improves patient outcomes.

    QR-02’s active ingredient, imiquimod, is already FDA-approved for treating Actinic Keratosis, External Genital Warts, and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (sBCC)—all superficial skin conditions. However, QR-02 is uniquely formulated for oral application, providing new hope for patients with oral leukoplakia and may also be beneficial in treating conditions that subsequently could occur in such patients.

    Potential for a Transformative Impact

    The goal of QR-02 is to treat and reduce dysplasia levels, potentially offering a curative solution for oral leukoplakia, an outcome that would mark a significant breakthrough in oral medicine. By treating oral leukoplakia at an early stage, QR-02 may potentially have a positive health impact in patients with collateral symptoms.

    Advancing Toward Clinical Validation

    Bio-Convert is actively progressing QR-02 through its development pipeline, with plans to validate its efficacy through pilot clinical trials and bring this life-changing treatment to market. As Bio-Convert continues to push the boundaries of oral medicine innovation, QR-02 is a major step forward in preventing oral leukoplakia from developing into more severe conditions.

    “We are incredibly proud of this invention and the impact it will have on patients,” said Allan Wehnert, CEO & Founder of Bio-Convert. “Our hope is that patients may return to a normal life and, potentially, be cured of their illness.”

    For further information, contact:

    Mr. Henrik Rouf
    Chief Executive Officer
    Phone +1 310 666 0750
    Email hr@nordicuspartners.com

    Investor Relations
    Jonathan Paterson
    Harbor Access Investor Relations
    Jonathan.Paterson@Harbor-Access.com
    Tel +1 475 477 9401

    About Nordicus Partners Corporation

    Nordicus Partners Corporation is the only U.S. publicly traded business accelerator and holding company for Nordic life sciences companies. Leveraging decades of combined management experience in domestic and global corporate sectors, Nordicus excels in corporate finance activities including business and market development, growth strategies, talent acquisition, partnership building, capital raising, and facilitating company acquisitions and sales. In 2024, Nordicus acquired 100% of Orocidin A/S, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company developing next-generation therapies for periodontitis and 100% of Bio-Convert ApS, a Danish preclinical-stage biotech company dedicated to revolutionizing the treatment of oral leukoplakia. For more information about Nordicus, please visit: www.nordicuspartners.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Threads and BlueSky.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our plans, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. There may be events in the future, however, that we are not able to predict accurately or control. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date on which we make it. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján: Trump Tariffs Will Hit New Mexico Families, Increase Everyday Prices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Reporting Shows Tariffs Could Lead to Cost Increase for Gas, Groceries

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement on President Trump’s announcement to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10% tariffs on China:

    “From the price at the pump to the cost of groceries, President Trump’s tariffs will leave New Mexico families footing the bill. The Trump Tariffs will drive up costs for groceries, gas, cars, and electronics that Americans depend on. At the same time President Trump is pushing a tax scam that benefits the wealthiest Americans, working families will be forced to pay the price. 

    “The Trump Tariffs will result in tariffs against American products, putting American jobs, businesses, and industries at risk. These tariffs will weaken the economy, raise prices for everyday families, and hurt the American people. Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, should be concerned that the Trump administration is needlessly threatening the economy that we worked hard to rebuild and grow.   

    “My colleagues and I remain committed to combating the fentanyl crisis, and I have long called for increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl and save lives, but these tariffs will not accomplish that.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Nations: West Bank violence undermining Gaza ceasefire: UNRWA

    Source: United Nations 4

    3 February 2025 Peace and Security

    Escalating hostilities in the occupied West Bank are putting the fragile ceasefire in Gaza at risk, the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, warned in a statement on Monday. 

    It comes a day after Israeli Security Forces (ISF) carried out a series of controlled detonations at the Jenin refugee camp, located in the northern West Bank, destroying large areas there “in a split second”.

    UNRWA said it received no prior warning of the explosions “as contact between staff and Israeli authorities is no longer permitted – putting civilian lives at risk.”  

    ‘A ghost town’

    The agency said residents of the camp “have endured the impossible, facing nearly two months of unceasing and escalating violence,” adding that Jenin “has been rendered a ghost town” in the past months. 

    “The operations conducted both by Israeli and Palestinian security forces have led to the forced displacement of thousands of camp residents, many of whom will now have nowhere to return to,” it said. “The basics of life are gone.”

    UNRWA noted that “on a day that was supposed to mark the beginning of the new school semester for thousands of children, 13 schools in the northern West Bank remained closed due to ISF operations in the area.”

    Ceasefire undermined

    Furthermore, its services inside Jenin camp have been interrupted for months and stopped completely in early December.

    “Today’s shocking scenes in the West Bank undermine the fragile ceasefire reached in Gaza, and risk a new escalation,” the agency said.

    The first phase of the temporary truce and hostage release deal came into effect two weeks ago, following 15 months of war which killed some 46,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health authorities.

    The conflict was sparked by the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken as hostages.

    In October 2024, the Israeli parliament adopted two laws banning UNRWA’s operations in its territory and prohibiting Israeli authorities from having any contact with the agency, which went into force last Thursday. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: University of Ottawa crowned National Champion of The Governor’s Challenge

    Source: Bank of Canada

    The Bank of Canada is pleased to announce the University of Ottawa has won the tenth annual Governor’s Challenge, a national student competition in which teams simulate the role of advisor to the Bank’s Governing Council. The winners were announced following the final round on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

    Six teams competed in the final round, each one giving a presentation on the economic outlook for Canada and making a monetary policy recommendation to a panel of senior central bank officials.

    The other finalists, in no particular order, were the teams from:

    • Université de Sherbrooke
    • University of Guelph
    • University of Alberta
    • Wilfrid Laurier University
    • Western University

    The competition began on November 13, 2024, with a first round of presentations; more than 100 students from 26 Canadian universities participated. On November 25, six teams were selected to compete in the final round.

    The Governor’s Challenge invites undergraduate students in economics and finance to develop a deeper understanding of the Canadian economy and the Bank’s role in it. Since the first competition, more than 60 participants have joined the Bank.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Pharmaceutical Executive Sentenced for Insider Trading

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    BOSTON – A former executive of a global pharmaceutical company was sentenced today in federal in Boston for earning more than $250,000 by trading on material non-public information.

    Dishant Gupta, 41, of Hillsborough, N.J., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to two months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. Gupta was also ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 and forfeiture of $260,078. In October 2024, Gupta pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud.

    Gupta worked as the Director of Strategy and Operations in the Boston office of a global pharmaceutical company (Company A). In the spring of 2022, during the course of his employment at Company A, Gupta learned that Company A was negotiating to acquire certain assets of a smaller pharmaceutical company based in Boston (Company B), including its leading cancer drug, and that Company A later agreed to acquire Company B outright.

    While in possession of this material non-public information, and in violation of his fiduciary duties to Company A, Gupta acquired shares of Company B in his own and his wife’s brokerage accounts – in an effort to profit from the eventual public announcement of the transaction. Gupta purchased more than 300,000 shares of Company B over approximately two and a half months. Gupta then sold all the shares he had acquired after Company A announced the acquisition of Company B, earning more than $250,000.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil complaint against Gupta alleging violations of the securities laws.
        
    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin A. Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Demand for Skills & Competency Solutions Propel Kahuna’s Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kahuna Workforce Solutions, a leading skills and competency management SaaS platform, continues to gain momentum as more organizations embrace skills-based workforce strategies. With remarkable company growth across its customer base, product offerings and partnerships, Kahuna is well-positioned to build on this success and drive greater impact in 2025.

    “Kahuna’s growth this past year is a testament to the trust our customers place in us to solve mission-critical workforce challenges,” said Jai Shah, chief executive officer of Kahuna. “We’ve strengthened our team, expanded our technology, and deepened our industry partnerships—all with a relentless focus on delivering real value. As we move forward in 2025, I’m excited about what’s ahead: a growing community of customer advocates, a strong go-to-market strategy and evolving technology solutions to meet our customers’ needs.”

    Key Milestones from 2024:

    • Customer Growth: Kahuna saw a 31% increase in new customers, welcoming enterprise organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, energy and field service.
    • Customer Satisfaction: Kahuna’s commitment to long-term success for customers is reflected in a 98% Gross Dollar Retention Rate and a 116% Net Dollar Retention Rate. The company also earned top recognition from G2, including badges for Best Support, Users Most Likely to Recommend, Easiest to Do Business With and Highest User Adoption.
    • Strategic Industry Collaboration: New partnerships with PXO and Amplifire and collaboration with one of the top-rated hospital networks in the world, expanded market reach and delivered greater value to customers. The Kahuna Advisory Board (KAB) also grew by 221%, strengthening knowledge sharing among Kahuna customers.
    • Product Innovation: Kahuna continued to enhance its product offerings, with new solutions launching in 2025 that will help organizations leverage skills data for career development, operational efficiency and workforce planning.
    • Investments: Memorial Hermann Health System deepened its partnership with Kahuna by becoming an investor, reinforcing a shared commitment to developing innovative solutions that help build more resilient, future-ready workforces.
    • Team Growth: Kahuna expanded its team significantly, with key leadership additions including Vijay Kalvakuntla as chief financial officer, Diane Mitchell as chief marketing officer and Jeff Durand as vice president of channels and business development.

    With a strong foundation in place, Kahuna is set to continue helping customers use validated skills data to build more agile workforces and operate more effectively in 2025, and beyond.

    About Kahuna Workforce Solutions
    Kahuna Workforce Solutions is a leading skills and competency management SaaS platform designed for operations, learning and human resources. The platform provides enterprises with validated skills data, offering valuable insights into workforce capabilities, aligning talent supply and demand and maximizing training investments. Kahuna helps organizations build a more skilled, adaptable, and competitive workforce. Learn more: kahunaworkforce.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement calling for action to tackle congestion and speed up bus journeys in Oxford

    Source: City of Oxford

    Published: Monday, 3 February 2025

    “We share the frustration of local residents and businesses about further delay to the Botley Road bridge replacement. 

    “The upgrade of Oxford train station is vital for the city’s economy, but the closure of Botley Road is having a devastating impact on residents and businesses across Oxford. 

    “Oxfordshire County Council, as the highways authority, must take action now to tackle congestion and speed up bus journeys in Oxford. We cannot leave residents wasting hours every day sitting in traffic jams for another year and a half.

    “The county council needs to sit down with the bus companies, businesses and others urgently to find solutions. All options must be on the table.” 

    Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Planning

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Chinese Chemical Company Executives Convicted And Multiple Websites And Cryptocurrency Accounts Seized In Connection With Fentanyl Precursor Importation And Money Laundering Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Qingzhou Wang, the Company’s Principal Executive, and Yiyi Chen, the Company’s Marketing Manager, Conspired to Import Ton Quantities of Fentanyl Precursors from China to the United States in Exchange for Payment in Cryptocurrency

    Danielle R. Sassoon, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Derek S. Maltz, the Acting Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict against QINGZHOU WANG, a/k/a “Bruce” (“WANG”), and YIYI CHEN, a/k/a “Chiron” (“CHEN”), on fentanyl precursor importation and money laundering charges.  WANG was also convicted of importing a methamphetamine precursor.  WANG and CHEN, both nationals of China, were found guilty following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon and Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz also announced today the seizure of domain names for seven websites and four cryptocurrency accounts, totaling approximately $900,000 worth of digital funds, tied to the illicit precursor chemical business of WANG and CHEN’s company, HUBEI AMARVEL BIOTECH CO., LTD., a/k/a “AmarvelBio,” (“AMARVEL BIOTECH”), its related entities, and its executives and employees.  Five additional websites tied to AMARVEL BIOTECH, including its principal website, were previously seized in June 2023.

    U.S. Attorney Danielle R. Sassoon said: “Qingzhou Wang and Yiyi Chen conspired to import massive amounts of fentanyl precursors from China into the United States.  They did so with callous disregard for the effect that such deadly chemicals would ultimately have here in the United States.  Now, they stand convicted in an American courtroom and face a substantial term of imprisonment for their crimes.  And we are not done.  The seizures announced today continue the ongoing fight against the fentanyl supply chain.  The message should be clear:  we are watching, and we will continue to dismantle these fentanyl precursor operations, and bring the individuals responsible to justice.”

    Acting Administrator Derek S. Maltz said: “I have personally seen the devastation that illicit fentanyl has had on American families. I have looked into the eyes of hundreds of mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, who would give anything to have one more moment with their loved one. The DEA’s top priority is protecting the safety of the American people. These convictions, and the seizures of these websites and accounts, show that no matter where you live in the world or where you operate in the fentanyl supply chain, the DEA will utilize all of our resources to bring you to justice. I’m incredibly proud of the men and women of DEA, alongside our law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly on this investigation and the unrelenting fight against illicit fentanyl.”

    As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

    AMARVEL BIOTECH was a chemical manufacturer based in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, China, that exported vast quantities of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and its analogues. A synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49.  Fentanyl analogues, similar in chemical makeup and effect to fentanyl, can be even more potent and lethal than fentanyl.  Fentanyl and its analogues have devastated communities across the U.S. and are fueling the ongoing opioid epidemic, which killed at least 105,263 Americans between February 2022 and January 2023 alone.

    During the course of an undercover investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), AMARVEL BIOTECH and its principal executive, WANG, its marketing manager, CHEN, and a sales representative, FNU LNU, a/k/a “Er Yang,” a/k/a “Anita” (“YANG”), shipped more than 200 kilograms from China to the United States of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl and its analogues.  AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG shipped the precursors to the U.S. after being told that the chemicals would be used to produce fentanyl in New York, and they agreed to supply multi-ton shipments of fentanyl precursors despite being told that Americans had died after consuming fentanyl made from the chemicals that the defendants had sold.

    For example, on or about November 17, 2022, a DEA confidential source (“CS-1”) wrote to YANG using an encrypted messaging application, “You know I making fentanyl,” and “Is not safe.”  YANG replied, “i know.”  On or about December 1, 2022, YANG wrote to CS-1, promising that CS-1 would be “happy with our product” and noting that CS-1 would “be able to synthesize fentanyl.” In exchange for payment in cryptocurrency, AMARVEL BIOTECH thereafter shipped from China to New York approximately 999.7 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-AP, approximately 1,002.6 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-piperidone, and approximately 893.6 grams of the methamphetamine precursor methylamine.

    In or about March 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet with an individual whom CS-1 represented was CS-1’s boss, but was in fact another DEA confidential source (“CS-2”).  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed AMARVEL BIOTECH’s ability to supply ton-quantities of fentanyl precursors to New York for CS-1 and CS-2’s fentanyl manufacturing operation.  After CS-2 stated that CS-2 wanted a different formula for manufacturing fentanyl and that several of CS-2’s American customers had purportedly died, WANG and CHEN advised they had “a lot of customers in America and Mexico” who could provide technical assistance with fentanyl production.                        

    After the March 2023 meeting in Bangkok, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG agreed to sell CS-1 and CS-2 approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors in exchange for payment in cryptocurrency.  During an April 10, 2023 video call with WANG and CHEN, CS-2 stated that the approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors would be used to manufacture approximately 50 to 55 kilograms of fentanyl—an amount that could contain approximately 25 million deadly doses.   

    In or about May 2023, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG sent to the U.S. the shipment ordered by CS-1 and CS-2.  On or about May 5, 2023, the DEA retrieved the precursor shipment from a warehouse near Los Angeles, California.  Lab testing confirmed the presence of a precursor chemical for a fentanyl analogue. In an encrypted messaging group chat with CS-1, CS-2, WANG, and CHEN, YANG explained that “New York, the United States, has been strict in checking the precursors of the ‘final product’ some time ago, so for the sake of safety, this time it is sent to California.”

    In or about June 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to meet again with CS-2.  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed with CS-2 a multi-ton order of fentanyl precursor chemicals.  WANG and CHEN also discussed the need to take additional measures to protect themselves from detection and interdiction of their shipments “because recently American government . . . seized some Mexican group and they followed the routes to China,” where the U.S. Government found “our competitor in China”—an apparent reference to fentanyl-related charges filed in the Southern District of New York and announced in April 2023 against, among others, leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and certain China-based precursor chemical company executives.

    AMARVEL BIOTECH openly advertised online its sale of precursor chemicals for use in manufacturing fentanyl.  Through its website and a host of other storefront sites, AMARVEL BIOTECH targeted precursor chemical customers in Mexico, where drug cartels operate clandestine laboratories and distribute finished fentanyl into and throughout the United States, including by advertising fentanyl precursors as a “Mexico hot sale,” guaranteeing “100% stealth shipping” abroad, and posting to its websites documentation of AMARVEL BIOTECH shipping chemicals to Culiacan, the home city of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the dominant drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere and which is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the U.S. in recent years.  Below is a screenshot of one of AMARVEL BIOTECH’s store pages for a fentanyl precursor:

    AMARVEL BIOTECH also endeavored to thwart law enforcement interdiction of its precursor chemical shipments.  AMARVEL BIOTECH advertised online the business’s ability to use deceptive packaging—such as packaging indicating the contents are dog food, nuts, or motor oil—to ensure “safe” delivery of the illicit contents such shipments.  An example of one of AMARVEL BIOTECH’s online advertisements are shown below:

    *                *                *

    WANG, 36, of China, and CHEN, 32, of China, were each convicted of:  one count of conspiracy to import the fentanyl precursor chemical 1-boc-4-AP, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it will be used to manufacture fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  WANG was also convicted of: one count of importation of the fentanyl precursor chemical 1-boc-4-AP, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it will be used to manufacture fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of importation of the methamphetamine precursor chemical methylamine, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.  WANG and CHEN were each acquitted of one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and a fentanyl-related substance.

    The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

    A table listing the websites for which the domain names have been seized pursuant Title 21, U.S. Code, Sections 853 and 970 is set forth below:

    Internet users attempting to access the seized domains now see the following:

    Ms. Sassoon praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit.  Ms. Sassoon also thanked the DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Wellington Country Office, DEA Beijing Country Office, DEA Honolulu District Office, DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) Strike Force, DEA Riverside District Office, DEA Special Testing Laboratory, the DEA Southwest Laboratory, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Fiji Police Force Narcotic Bureau, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii for their assistance.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Li and Kevin Sullivan are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Sabrina Jim Munoz.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Video: Visit of the Commission members to the Polish Presidency, Gdansk, Poland

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Press conference by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Visit our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z21IBU_inNA

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Video: EU Ambassadors’ conference 2025

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2025

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Visit our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

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

    MIL OSI Video –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £69 billion confirmed for council budgets

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Final Settlement confirms over £69 billion government funding for councils, a 6.8% cash-terms increase in Core Spending Power 

    More than £69 billion in funding for England’s councils has been confirmed today as the government delivers on its commitment to restore trust and stability in public services.   

    Following the provisional Settlement in December, today’s final Settlement provides a 6.8% in cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power compared to 2024-25. With increased demand and running costs rising, this money is a lifeline and will guarantee no council sees a decrease in their Core Spending Power.   

    Families across the country rely on crucial council services such as social care, which is why the government is providing up to £3.7 billion additional funding to social care authorities to deliver this. This includes an £880 million uplift to the Social Care Grant, compared to 2024-25.  

    A new £270 million Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant will support the national roll out of vital family help, keeping children safe and ensuring they get the best start in life as set out in the Plan for Change.  

    While fundamental change cannot happen overnight, the government is working at pace with the sector to deliver the ambitious reform needed to spread power, money and resources more fairly across the country.   

    Today, £60 million has also been confirmed to fund long-term improvements to the local government sector over the next year, including empowering mayoral areas leading the devolution revolution in delivering local priorities and supporting councils’ financial reporting with a fit and legal audit system to ensure transparency.  

    Rebuilding the sector from the ground up is a crucial step towards the national Plan for Change to bring better value for money, sustained economic growth and fix our country’s public services.  

    The government has maintained the 5% referendum principles on council tax increases – the same level set by the previous administration- to protect taxpayers from excessive increases. 

    Unlike previous years, this government has introduced a stricter approach to the inherited arrangements that allowed councils to request higher council tax increases if they need Exceptional Financial Support and see increases as critical to maintaining their financial sustainability. 

    This approach puts taxpayers at the forefront, for example by only agreeing increases where councils are amongst the lowest existing levels for tax. In fact, taxpayers in these areas are still expected to be paying less than the average council tax compared to similar councils. This approach has limited the number and scale of additional increases, with the government not agreeing where councils have asked to increase council tax by a very high amount or by high amounts in successive years. 

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:   

    Councils deliver vital services across the country – driving growth and local economies and providing a lifeline for those that need it most.  

    Through our Plan for Change we are determined to fix the foundations of local government; investing where it is needed, trusting local leaders and working together to deliver growth, better health and social care services and the affordable homes people need. 

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE said:   

    We have been clear we will fix the foundations of local government. That means an end to short-term solutions and instead rebuilding the sector to put councils on a more stable and secure footing.    

     >Local leaders play a crucial role in delivering the day-to-day services communities across the country rely on, which is why we want to work with them towards a fairer funding model that tackles regional inequality and prioritises outcomes for local people.

    This final Settlement marks an important step towards a government focused on efficiency, value-for-money and a community first approach. For the first time, a new £600 million Recovery Grant will help support places most in need, which maximises public spending to ensure it delivers more meaningful outcomes.   

    The sector is already having its say via an open consultation on how to best streamline the outdated funding model and distribute taxpayer’s money more fairly, based on an updated assessment of need, enabling every council to deliver high quality services to their communities.   

    As part of handing local leaders more power and control of their funding, the government will end outdated processes and bureaucracy of bidding for different funding pots and bring forward the first multi-year settlement in a decade in 2026-27 to provide certainty and economic security to councils setting budgets.    

    The provisional settlement consultation was open for 4 weeks and closed on 15 January 2024.    

    Notes to Editors   

    Further details on all of the above, including allocations for individual councils can be found on the Final Local Government Finance Settlement page 2025-26 here.   

    See the Deputy Prime Minister’s full Written Ministerial Statement here: Written statements – Written questions, answers and statements – UK Parliament   

    The Final Settlement will be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday 5th February.  

    The government’s consultation on funding reform from 2026-27 can be found here, and remains open until 12 February.     

    Two statutory reports have also been published:   

    • A Local Government Finance Report which outlines how core settlement funding will be distributed;  

    • a Council Tax Referendum Principles Report, which sets out council tax excessiveness principles – if a local authority wishes to set council tax higher than these it will need to hold a local referendum.  

    A record number of councils asked the government for support this year to help them set their budgets, and a record number of these councils have asked for additional council tax increases to aid their financial recovery. 

    For councils that require Exceptional Financial Support, the government has considered requests from councils for bespoke council tax referendum principles on a case-by-case basis and has agreed bespoke referendum principles for six local authorities. All six of the councils have been clear they will not be able to set a balanced budget without government support. The government has not agreed to all requests and has not agreed to any request in its entirety, to reduce the impact on taxpayers. In the areas where we have made the difficult decision to allow limited council tax rises,  we expect that no taxpayer will see their bills reach higher than the average compared to similar authorities. 

    Core Spending Power is a measure of the resources available to local authorities to fund service delivery. It sets out the money that has been made available to councils through the local government finance settlement.   

    The government confirmed unringfenced allocations of the £515m of funding announced at the provisional local government finance settlement to support to local government meet the increased costs of directly employed staff arising from changes to employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs).   

    The previous government’s referendum threshold for council tax will be maintained at 3% with 2% for the adult social care precept to protect local taxpayers.    

    Several grants including the Rural Services Delivery Grant and the Services Grant will be repurposed. The government will ensure the impact of rurality on the cost of service delivery and demand is reflected in the public consultation next year. Places with a significant rural population will on average receive almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power. No council will see a reduction.  

    Councils will also receive over £1 billion in total through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packing scheme (pEPR) which will cover the existing costs they incur for managing household packaging waste, provide additional funding for new legal duties, and support much needed investment in the waste and recycling industry.

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    Published 3 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Loss Reports Tabled

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 3, 2025

    The most recent quarterly reports on losses of public money within government ministries and Crown corporations, for the period from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, have been tabled with their respective legislative committees.

    The Provincial Comptroller has tabled a nil report with the Public Accounts Committee for Executive Government’s third quarter of 2024-25.

    The Crown Investments Corporation tabled a nil report with the Crown and Central Agencies Committee for the Crown sector’s third quarter of 2024-25.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Urbana Corporation Announces 2025 Winter Drilling Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S./

    TORONTO, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Urbana Corporation (TSX & CSE: URB & URB.A)

    Urbana Corporation is pleased to announce that it plans to conduct a winter drilling program on its 100% owned “Urban Township Project” in the coming weeks (the “Winter Drilling Program”). The objectives are (a) determining if the gold mineralization recently found near the boundary of Urbana’s gold project continues onto Urbana’s ground, (b) extending historical gold discoveries on strike and at depth in three different areas, and (c) testing select geophysical and geological targets for mineralization.

    The Winter Drilling Program consists of up to 4,150 metres of drilling in the southern sector of Urbana’s claim group. The project is located near existing infrastructure, is accessible by road and is located between the nearby Windfall and Barry gold deposits, along the same geological feature.

    The areas surrounding Urbana’s mining property have seen radical changes in recent years with the consolidation of claims into a couple of major companies, the advancement of gold deposits by Osisko Mining Inc. and Bonterra Resources, and most recently the acquisition of Osisko Mining Inc. by Gold Fields Limited, a large gold producer based out of South Africa with properties surrounding Urbana’s centrally located property. Management is excited about the prospect of significant findings from the Winter Drilling Program.

    A review of additional data located in the northern sector of the project is underway. Data collected shows numerous gold prospects throughout the area which warrant a potential second drill program in late summer. PDF versions of the documents are available at www.urbanacorp.com and at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Qualified Persons
    Technical and scientific aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified, and approved by Mathieu Stephens, P.Geo., the Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

    For further information contact:
    Elizabeth Naumovski, Investor Relations
    (416) 595-9106   enaumovski@urbanacorp.com

    150 KING ST. WEST, SUITE 1702, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5H 1J9
    TEL: 416-595-9106   FAX: 416-862-2498   www.urbanacorp.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Lendmark Financial Services Expands California Presence with Fresno Branch, Marking its 44th Location in the State

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRESNO, Calif., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its California footprint, opening a new branch in Fresno.

    The branch is located at 8076 N. Cedar Ave. and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Patricia Schamp, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.

    “Planned and unplanned life events still happen, causing many consumers to look for financial resources to meet these needs,” said Linda Lopes, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our team will be laser focused on serving the Fresno community, delivering personalized and convenient household credit solutions that meet their respective financial needs.”

    In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 559-550-0457.

    Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.

    Lendmark customers can participate by donating $1 when closing their loan. Lendmark matches the donation.

    About Lendmark Financial Services
    Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 510 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.

    Media Contact
    Jeff Hamilton
    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
    jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com
    678-625-3128

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The final stage of the VIII season of the Olympiad “I am a professional”: two weeks before the start

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    For the eighth year, the intellectual competition has been inviting talents from all over the country to become part of the universe of opportunities to receive bonuses upon admission to the HSE Master’s program, a chance to do an internship at partner companies (Yandex, VTB, Sber, Russian Railways and others) and cash prizes of up to 300,000 rubles. The results of the selection round are already known, and the final round is just around the corner. We share statistics and talk about important dates in February.

    Of the 71 areas of this Olympiad season, six are implemented by the Higher School of Economics: Economics, Sociology, Urban Studies, Business Informatics, Journalism, and Design.

    The qualifying stage has been completed

    Based on the results of the selection round, 3,619 participants were admitted to participate in the following areas of the Higher School of Economics: Business Informatics – 558, Design – 429, Journalism – 348, Sociology – 983, Urban Studies – 419, and Economics – 882.

    Participants who have scored the required number of points and presented a document confirming their student status are admitted to the final stage of the Olympiad. Passing scores may vary depending on the territorial affiliation of the university. More details are available at page.

    Alexander Chepovsky, Director of Strategic Work with Applicants, shares statistics: “The Higher School of Economics has been the university organizing the Olympiad for the eighth year now.”I am a professional“Our areas traditionally enjoy great interest among students from all over Russia. For example, this year, almost 80% of students who passed to the next stage in our areas are studying at other universities in the country. Students of the Higher School of Economics showed decent results in the selection stage of the Olympiad “I am a professional” and were admitted to participate in the final stage in 70 areas. The range of interests is impressive and makes you wonder how versatile and talented the people at the HSE are.”

    The final stage

    The final stage in all areas will begin in February. It may be held in several rounds (semi-final and final) or in one (final) depending on each specific area.

    “Business Informatics”

    The final stage is held in two rounds in a remote format. The semi-final will take place on February 23 in two time slots: from 03:00 to 09:00 and from 10:00 to 16:00 Moscow time. Participants have the right to choose one most convenient slot. The completion time is fixed: participants who start completing tasks not from the beginning of the allocated interval will have less time.

    “Design”

    There is no semi-final in this area — only the final. Participants must upload completed projects to their personal account from 00:00 on February 17 to 23:59 on March 16 Moscow time. The defense of completed assignments will take place in April.

    “Journalism”

    Participants will have an online semi-final and final. In the first round, they must complete and upload their work from 00:00 on February 26 to 23:59 on March 3 Moscow time. The final will also be held in April.

    “Sociology”

    There is no semi-final in this category. Participants must complete the final round in person.

    The competition will take place on February 15. The participants will gather and undergo the identification procedure from 09:30 to 09:50 Moscow time. The final will begin at 10:00 (Moscow time). You will have 240 minutes to complete the tasks.

    The final will be held in the following cities: Barnaul, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Tomsk, Tyumen and Yakutsk.

    “Urban Studies”

    The final stage will be held within one round (final) in person on February 16. The start is at 10:00 (Moscow time). You will have 240 minutes to complete the tasks.

    The final of the direction will take place at venues in Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg and Tomsk.

    “Economy”

    The final stage of this direction is also held in person at sites in Barnaul, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Tomsk, Tyumen and Yakutsk.

    The final will take place on February 15. The competition starts at 10:00 Moscow time. Participants will have 180 minutes to complete the tasks.

    You can find the materials of the final stage and a detailed schedule for each direction at website.

    Alexander Chepovsky gives advice to the participants of the final competition: “When going through the final stage, I advise you to be attentive and focused. Stay calm to easily cope with any tasks. Remember that the best will receive not only cash prizes, but also advantages when entering the HSE Master’s program, as well as valuable experience that will help in finding a job and building a career.”

    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 –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc: Total voting rights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc
    Total Voting Rights
    3 February 2025

    In conformity with the Disclosure and Transparency Rule 5.6.1, ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc (the “Company”) announces that the Company’s capital and voting rights, as at 31 January 2025, are summarised as follows:

      Shares in issue Voting rights per Share Voting rights
    Ordinary shares of 1.6187p each 316,620,312 1 316,620,312
    Total voting rights     316,620,312
           

    The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. 

    The above takes account of any shares that have been recently bought back for cancellation, even if such transactions have not yet settled. 

    The above figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc under the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

    Beringea LLP
    Company Secretary
    Telephone 020 7845 7820

    – End

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lectures, business games and master classes: SPbGASU held Russian Science Day for students of Lyceum No. 126

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Business game “Interview”

    On January 31, SPbGASU held a large-scale event for students of grades 8–11 of St. Petersburg Lyceum No. 126. The students celebrated Russian Science Day at our university. They visited departments, museums, laboratories, the exhibition hall of the architectural faculty and the scientific and technical library, listened to lectures, took part in business games and master classes.

    On behalf of the university’s management and staff, Marina Malyutina, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, welcomed the guests: “SPbGASU was founded in 1832 under Emperor Nicholas I as the School of Civil Engineers. Throughout our history, we have had different names, but the meaning has remained the same – our university has always been the center of engineering thought and construction science.”

    “Macaroni Builder”, “First-Year Grant” and other reasons to study at SPbGASU

    Alevtina Ragimova and Marina Malyutina

    Marina Viktorovna informed that more than 12 thousand students study at the university. Every year more than 2 thousand graduates leave its walls. All of them are at the cutting edge of new technologies and knowledge and are in demand by the industry: more than 70 percent of graduates find employment in their specialty.

    The university closely cooperates with industry partners – the largest developers of St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast and other regions. More than 500 teachers are involved in the educational process, 70 percent of whom have academic titles and degrees, many of whom are members of various state and public academies, including the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences.

    You can study at SPbGASU throughout your life – full-time, part-time, part-time, improving your qualifications, undergoing retraining. Students have the opportunity to study in additional educational programs, master a second qualification. The university provides scope for research in more than 10 scientific areas. Scientists report the results of their scientific activities at conferences and symposiums.

    SPbGASU organizes intra-university and all-Russian TIM championships, participates in the International Engineering Championship CASE-IN, and holds the international competition “Macaroni Builder”. An active student life is in full swing here: the Student Leisure and Creativity Center “Kirpich”, the Center for Physical Culture and Sports operate, and student projects are supported. One of such projects is “Adapters”, within the framework of which senior students help first-year students for six months. Curators – teachers who help first-year students study, communicate, and solve everyday problems – also work with the first-year students.

    “Our university is especially proud of the SPbGASU personal scholarship, the so-called “First-Year Grant”. We support the guys who have shown themselves in school and in secondary vocational education – in public life, research, studies, and pay them an additional scholarship on a competitive basis. In general, we have 17 scholarships that our students can receive upon fulfilling certain requirements,” said Marina Malyutina.

    At the end of her speech, the vice-rector presented the lyceum with a book about the architects of St. Petersburg. Alevtina Ragimova, the director of Lyceum No. 126, in her response expressed confidence that many graduates will become students of SPbGASU.

    Students from the Kirpich Student Leisure and Creativity Center performed a concert program that drew thunderous applause. In addition, the winners of the Olympiads that the university holds for future applicants were awarded. Then the lyceum students were treated to a tour of the university and numerous events that immersed them in the world of science.

    What were university lectures about?

    Lecture by Ekaterina Voznyak “Architects of St. Petersburg and Architectural Education”

    Ekaterina Voznyak, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, spoke about the architects of St. Petersburg and architectural education in her lecture. The Dean said that she does not encourage the audience to become architects, since an architect is a calling that either exists or does not. The students will be able to decide on this issue not now, but at the age of 18-19, however, according to the Dean, it is useful for everyone to know about the architecture and architects of St. Petersburg. Ekaterina Ryurikovna emphasized that in the Northern capital they love and know their architects, who, being different people, create an ensemble, build a single city. This is what distinguishes St. Petersburg architects.

    The lecture by Dmitry Ulrich, Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management, was called “Excursion into the World of Science.” He spoke about the prerequisites for the development of science, the classification of sciences, and scientific discoveries that changed the world. Students learned about the role of chemistry, physics, and mathematics in construction, heat supply, land management, and their importance for engineering education.

    Galina Tokunova, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, offered to look into the future of the construction industry. The speaker’s focus was on TIM design, 3D printing, the Internet of Things and smart sensors, robots and drones. The audience learned why artificial intelligence will not replace specialists in economics and management, what specialists in business informatics and economic security do, what is happening in the Laboratory of Digital Information Models in Construction at SPbGASU and much more.

    What was taught in the master classes

    You could feel like an artist at the master class “City Landscape”. Before it began, Konstantin Tarasov, senior teacher of the drawing department, explained that the children would first make an air space “on the wet”, and then introduce into it the silhouette of St. Petersburg – the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Kazan Cathedral. The lesson helped the lyceum students to reveal their creative abilities.

    The model workshop hosted a master class called “Architectural Fantasies”. The children were divided into five teams and created a model of a skyscraper. Olga Belousova, associate professor of the architectural design department, said: “As a starting point, the teams received handouts – photos, pictures, discussed the concept and began to assemble a fantasy model. Forty-five minutes later, the captains presented their work. In this case, they were required not only to write a short story about their skyscraper, but also to come up with a motto for it.”

    Due to the expansion of its activities, the organization calculated its personnel needs. The calculation showed that there were not enough workers in certain areas… This is how the business game “Interview” began, in which the participants learned to present themselves to the employer.

    The guys were divided into two groups: the HR department and job seekers. Olga Bochkareva, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Associate Professor of the Construction Management Department, and Marina Egorova, Deputy Dean for Educational Work, Senior Lecturer of the same department, suggested choosing professional skills that correspond to the professions: economic security specialist, marketer, construction economist, HR department employee. The HR department developed a list of interview questions. Job seekers prepared resumes and talked about themselves. As in real life, only the best got the job.

    At the master classes of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport, it was possible to acquire practical skills of legal literacy in relations with unscrupulous employers, take psychological training “How to negotiate with any person”, learn about the criminal liability of minors and receive a lot of other useful information.

    The Automobile and Road Faculty prepared an interesting program. The students learned about the operation of vehicles and transport infrastructure in Arctic conditions, about digital twins of the roads of the future, and reverse engineering. The Automobile and Road Faculty is confident that today the road industry is developing at an incredible speed, and the task of teachers is to prepare specialists who will not only follow modern trends, but also create them.

    “Students of SPbGASU master advanced technologies, participate in research on the introduction of sustainable materials in road construction and the design of safe transport interchanges. SPbGASU is a leader in training personnel for the transport complex, actively cooperates with leading enterprises in the industry and provides students with the opportunity to undergo practical training at the largest construction and transport sites,” commented Andrey Zazykin, Dean of the ADF.

    “Our graduates are in demand – they are invited to work even at the training stage, because employers know that at SPbGASU they receive not only a theoretical base, but also valuable practical experience,” added Igor Chernyaev, head of the department of technical operation of vehicles.

    “SPbGASU is an interesting option”

    We asked ninth-grade students what they remember about Russian Science Day at SPbGASU and where they plan to study next.

    “We are still searching, but this is an interesting option. I will consider it. My father studied here,” shared Timur Bukhtiyarov.

    “I liked the business game the most. It was very fun, interesting, and exciting,” said Zlata Khudyakova.

    Galina Avdeeva, deputy director of Lyceum No. 126 for educational work, said that the Lyceum is very happy with such invitations – not only students, but also teachers learn a lot of new things here.

    The Admissions Committee, which organized the celebration for the lyceum students, thanks the university teachers for their participation, as well as students from the Kirpich Center for Social and Cultural Development, the student media center, and the SPbGASU Volunteer Club.

    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 –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: GB Energy: Labour’s broken promises will hurt North East of Scotland

    Source: Scottish Greens

    03 Feb 2025 Climate

    Labour must not break its promise to workers in Aberdeen and beyond.

    More in Climate

    People in the North East of Scotland will not forget it if Labour’s GB Energy fails to deliver on promised jobs for Aberdeen, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.

    The comments come as the boss of Keir Starmer’s energy company has revealed that it could take 20 years for the promised jobs to be created.

    At the general election, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar promised “lower bills, more jobs, greater energy security”, but today Scotland discovered that Labour had yet again over-promised in their desire for power. Now Scotland could have to wait decades to feel any benefit.

    This is just the latest failure by Labour to make good on its promise to working Scots to make household bills cheaper. In August 2024, The UK Government dumped a key election promise to cut energy bills by £300 a year, and when questioned by MPs at Westminster in October, the boss of GB Energy was unable to say when GB Energy would reduce household bills.

    Scottish Greens MSP for North East, Maggie Chapman said:

    “Labour promised that GB Energy would finally cut energy bills while creating hundreds of new jobs in Aberdeen, but it’s looking increasingly likely that neither of these things will happen.

    “GB Energy looks like yet another Westminster white elephant that is designed by businessmen for businessmen. If it is not lowering bills or creating jobs then what will it do?

    “Energy bills are too high and are stretching people to their limits. We must get away from a broken and destructive system that means sky high bills for households and families and chaos for our climate.

    “People were told that they were voting for change at the election, but it’s clear that Starmer and Sarwar have no intention of delivering it.

    “Time and again, this Labour government has shown that it cannot be trusted. It has already chosen to plunge pensioners into fuel poverty by cutting winter fuel payments, kept the cruel two-child cap and betrayed millions of working class WASPI women. Are workers in Aberdeen the next to be betrayed?

    “Scotland deserves so much better than this. We have masses of unlocked potential in our skilled workforce, and vast renewable resources. We need politicians to invest in our communities and our skills and put people and planet before profit.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Announcing 20250010 (MRO,liquidity providing), for 7 days deadline 09:30

    Source: European Central Bank

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Lendmark Financial Services Expands Louisiana Presence with Denham Springs Branch, Marking its 17th Location in the State

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENHAM SPRINGS, La., Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark), a leading provider of household credit and consumer loan solutions, continues to expand its Louisiana footprint, opening a new branch in Denham Springs.

    The branch is located at 240 Range 12 Blvd, Suite 104, and is expected to serve hundreds of customers in its first year. Desstina King, who serves as the branch manager, will be responsible for the administration of all daily operations. These include building personal relationships with customers and integrating into the community to ensure area residents receive a superior level of individualized loan services that meet their unique financial needs.

    “As we grow our footprint in Louisiana, we will continue to focus on delivering the tailored loan solutions our customers need to meet planned and unplanned life events,” said Patrick Jones, Vice President of Branch Operations at Lendmark. “Our Louisiana branch openings and overall branch growth demonstrate an ongoing need for diverse household financial options for consumers here and throughout the country.”

    In addition to serving consumers directly, Lendmark provides financing solutions for thousands of retailers and independent auto dealerships, allowing these businesses’ customers to obtain Lendmark financing. Local businesses that are interested in partnering with Lendmark to provide financing solutions for their customers should visit the branch or call 225-453-0987.

    Lendmark’s ‘Climb to Cure’ is its signature cause-related initiative. The company has committed to raising $10 million by 2025 to mark its 10-year anniversary partnering with CURE Childhood Cancer. So far, Lendmark’s employees, partners and customers have raised $8.83 million to support CURE, an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to funding targeted pediatric cancer research that is utilized nationwide.

    About Lendmark Financial Services
    Lendmark Financial Services (Lendmark) provides personal and household credit and loan solutions to consumers. Founded in 1996, Lendmark strives to be the lender, employer, and partner of choice by protecting household wealth, offering stability and helping consumers meet both planned and unplanned life events through affordable loan offerings. Today, Lendmark operates more than 510 branches in 22 states across the country, providing personalized services to customers and retail business partners with every transaction. Lendmark is headquartered in Lawrenceville, Ga. For more information, visit www.lendmarkfinancial.com.

    Media Contact
    Jeff Hamilton
    Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
    jhamilton@lendmarkfinancial.com
    678-625-3128

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Solum Global Inc. Announces Blockchain-Based Electronic Health Wallet (EHW) Solution for U.S. Healthcare Industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solum Global Inc. (“Solum Global, Solum or the Company”) is a transparent digital network with a fully decentralized, permissionless blockchain protocol and stablecoin (sgUSD) for storing, trading, and transferring digital and real-world assets enabling immediate settlement between individuals, businesses, and governments, announced today its entrance into the U.S. healthcare industry with the anticipated second quarter 2025 release of its electronic health wallet, a blockchain-powered solution designed to streamline transactions, reduce fraud, and enhance data protection.  

    Solum Global is transforming U.S. healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence (AI), smart contracts, and its stablecoin (sgUSD) with a proprietary electronic health wallet (EHW). EHW is a blockchain-based web3 platform that streamlines revenue cycle management (RCM), replacing fragmented legacy web2 systems with a unified, secure, and automated solution. Leveraging blockchain’s key attributes—programmability, security, immutability, and smart contract billing—Solum enables instant payments through its EHW using sgUSD, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin. AI-driven analysis of historical medical records helps detect financial inefficiencies, including billing errors, waste, abuse, and fraud, while predicting and optimizing future medical expenditures for providers, hospitals, and insurers.

    “Healthcare professionals, hospitals, senior care providers, and insurance companies all recognize the inefficiencies in the U.S. healthcare system, but stakeholders underestimate their true scale. By exposing the full extent of these losses and providing a solution, Solum improves profitability for its clients and contributes to a more secure, efficient, and sustainable healthcare system, benefiting providers, patients, and payers,” stated Geary Stonesifer, CEO of Solum Global, Inc.

    The U.S. healthcare system is plagued by inefficiencies, rising costs, and security vulnerabilities, making innovation more critical than ever. In 2023, the amount spent within the U.S. healthcare industry was a staggering $4.9 trillion, which was $14,570 per person and 17.6% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to one out of every six dollars spent on the U.S. economy. The Journal of Managed Care and Specialty Pharmacy reports an estimated $262 billion in claims are denied annually by payers in the United States. The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association estimates the annual cost of healthcare accounts for an estimated 3% to 10% of all expenditures, or $147 – $490 billion annually. Data breaches among healthcare and medical insurance companies that expose sensitive personal information for millions of Americans occur routinely. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published that 725 breaches compromised over 133 million records across healthcare and insurance companies. The Solum Global electronic health wallet addresses these challenges by providing a secure, blockchain-powered solution that streamlines transactions, reduces fraud, and enhances data protection. By providing individuals with greater control over their health information, Solum Global is setting a new standard for security and efficiency in healthcare.

    About Solum Global Inc.
    Solum Global is a transparent digital network with a fully decentralized, permissionless blockchain protocol for storing, trading, and transferring digital and real-world assets, enabling immediate settlement between individuals, businesses, and governments. Utilizing cutting-edge blockchain technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart contracts, the Company’s stablecoin (sgUSD), and a proprietary electronic health wallet (EHW), Solum Global provides a seamless solution that addresses the significant challenges inherent in the U.S. healthcare industry. For more information, visit  www.solum.global.

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  Words such as “may,” “might,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contacts:

    Investor Relations
    Hanover International
    ka@hanoverintlinc.com

    Media Contact
    media@solum.global

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Westhaven Commences Winter Drill Program on the Shovelnose Gold Property

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westhaven Gold Corp. (TSX-V:WHN) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on the 41,634 hectare Shovelnose gold property, situated within the prospective Spences Bridge Gold Belt (SBGB), 30 kilometres south of Merritt, British Columbia.

    The winter drill program will be testing three target areas: Certes 1, Certes 3 and Corral, with approximately 2,500 metres (m) of drilling in five holes. Certes 1 and 3 are located approximately 8-10 kilometres (kms) southeast of the high-grade South Zone deposit (see Preliminary Economic Assessment July 18, 2023). A corridor of mineralization and anomalous pathfinder geochemistry was expanded southeast by surface sampling and drilling in 2024. This corridor may represent single west-northwest striking structure 13.5 kms in length that remains open in all directions.

    Preliminary shallow drilling in 2024 at Certes has uncovered a well-preserved epithermal system, now confirmed in the pathfinder geochemistry and TerraSpec (SWIR) analytical work. Certes 3 will be the initial focus of the program, testing down-dip the arsenic and gold-bearing carbonate breccias and quartz veins intersected in hole SN24-425 (e.g. 125ppm arsenic over 9m, 0.69 g/t Au over 1.74m).

    Drilling at Certes 1 will test a subvertical resistivity feature, outlined by the fall 2024 IP survey, immediately north of hole SN24-420 which saw a transition from high level gold pathfinders, mercury and antimony in the first 350m (e.g. 0.44ppm Hg over 119m) to deeper pathfinders such as arsenic in the bottom 40m of the hole. Certes 1 is also proximal to mercury-bearing sinter cobbles and boulders found on surface, suggesting the epithermal system is entirely preserved here.

    A single hole is also planned at the Corral target, south of Certes. Corral is thought to represent a west-northwest striking structure subparallel to Certes in an area of anomalous arsenic in outcrop. This hole will target a resistivity feature detected in the same IP survey.

    Shovelnose Development

    An updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the South Zone deposit is expected to be completed in Q1 2025 and will include the Forget Me Not (FMN) and Franz Zones, additional discoveries located within the main Vein Zone 1 trend.

    On behalf of the Board of Directors
    WESTHAVEN GOLD CORP.

    “Gareth Thomas”

    Gareth Thomas, President, CEO & Director is responsible for this announcement
    Telephone number: 604-681-5558 ext. 102

    Qualified Person Statement

    Peter Fischl, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person within the context of National Instrument 43-101 has read and takes responsibility for this release.

    Sampling, Laboratory Analyses and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

    Most core samples consist of halved drill core cut by manual sawing. In rare cases, and where required by physical core conditions, manual splitting may be used. Half of the core is retained in the original core box for reference samples and any required future work, including QA/QC. Core samples, controlled by a unique barcoded reference number, are delivered to ALS’s Kamloops facility and prepared using the PREP-31 package. Each core sample is crushed to better than 70% passing a 2mm (Tyler 9 mesh, US Std. No.10) screen. A split of 250g is taken and pulverized to better than 85% passing a 75-micron (Tyler 200 mesh, US Std. No. 200) screen. Further analytical and assay procedures are conducted in ALS’s North Vancouver facility. A 0.75g subsample of the pulverized split is subjected to four acid digestion and analyzed via ICP-MS (method code ME-MS61m (+Hg)) which reports a suite of 49 elements. All samples are also analyzed for gold by fire assay with an AES finish, method code Au-ICP21 (30g sample size). Samples returning gold values over 10ppm are subjected to ore grade check assays using fire assay and a gravimetric finish (method code Au-GRA21 and a 30g sample size). Other overlimit elements may also be subjected to ore grade analyses which vary depending on the element of interest. QA/QC includes the laboratory’s internal quality assurance controls as well as field controls, including the insertion of quarter core duplicates, certified reference materials and blanks, each at a rate of roughly one per 20-25 core samples. Additional blanks are inserted following samples with visible gold or significant concentrations of ginguro (fine grained bands of dark gray to black sulphides). QA/QC data are evaluated on receipt for failures, and appropriate action is taken if results for duplicates, standards and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances. Westhaven’s ongoing Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs are consistent with industry best practices and include auditing of all exploration data. Any significant changes will be reported when available.

    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.

    About Westhaven Gold Corp.

    Westhaven is a gold-focused exploration company advancing the high-grade discovery on the Shovelnose project in Canada’s newest gold district, the Spences Bridge Gold Belt. Westhaven controls 61,512 hectares (615 square kilometres) with four gold properties spread along this underexplored belt. The Shovelnose property is situated off a major highway, near power, rail, large producing mines, and within commuting distance from the city of Merritt, which translates into low-cost exploration. Westhaven trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol WHN. For further information, please call 604-681-5558 or visit Westhaven’s website at www.westhavengold.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Westhaven does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, but are not limited to, the interpretation of preliminary results from exploration undertaken to date at Shovelnose using various exploration techniques and analysis; statements with respect to potential styles of epithermal mineralization at the Shovelnose Project;  the possibility that the Company’s Shovelnose project may host multiple gold bearing epithermal systems; and, the potential for an intermediate sulphidation epithermal signature at the Certes target.  In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. However, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Westhaven’s property interests are in the exploration stages only, are without known bodies of commercial mineralization and have no ongoing mining operations.  Mineral exploration involves a high degree of risk and few properties, which are explored, are ultimately developed into producing mines. Exploration of the Company’s mineral properties may not result in any discoveries of commercial bodies of mineralization. If the Company’s efforts do not result in any discovery of commercial mineralization, the Company will be forced to look for other exploration projects or cease operation. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration, drilling and assay results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permits and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company’s business and prospects. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Plan Map of Proposed Winter Drilling

    A map accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d48db140-e744-4e80-8630-5a6f650a222c

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Imposing Duties to Address the Situation at Our Southern Border

    Source: The White House

              By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

              I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the sustained influx of illegal aliens and illicit opioids and other drugs has profound consequences on our Nation, endangering lives and putting a severe strain on our healthcare system, public services, communities, and schools.  Since the end of my first term, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security has recorded more than three times as many inadmissible encounters nationwide as during my first term.

         These challenges threaten the fabric of our society.  Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities.  Mexico has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources to meaningfully stem the tide of unlawful migration and illicit drugs.

         Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the world’s leading traffickers of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs, and they cultivate, process, and distribute massive quantities of narcotics that fuel addiction and violence in communities across the United States.  These DTOs collaborate and conspire with transnational cartels and other global partners to smuggle drugs into the United States, utilizing clandestine airstrips, maritime routes, tunnels, and overland corridors, and both willing and unwilling human couriers.  

         The Mexican DTOs have an intolerable alliance with the government of Mexico. This alliance endangers the national security of the United States, and we must eradicate the influence of these dangerous cartels from the bilateral environment. The government of Mexico has afforded safe havens for the cartels to engage in the manufacturing and transportation of illicit drugs, which collectively have led to the overdose deaths of hundreds of thousands of American victims.

         Mexican cartels are also implicated in human trafficking and smuggling operations, enabling the illegal migration of millions across our borders.  These operations are often tied to organized crime, and they create pathways for cartel activities to expand into the United States.  Furthermore, violent criminals originating from Central and South America easily transit into and through Mexico, and into the United States, where they cause irreparable harm to our citizens.  These dangerous criminals are involved in drug-related violence, gang activity, and other crimes that endanger the safety of American communities.
     
         Immediate action is required to address the national emergency I declared in Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States), and to finally end the public health crisis caused by opioid use and addiction, which will not happen unless the compliance and cooperation of the government of Mexico is assured.

         I hereby determine and order:
         Section 1.  (a)  As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens.  A Nation without borders is not a Nation at all.  I will not stand by and allow our sovereignty to be eroded, our laws to be trampled, our citizens to be endangered, or our borders to be disrespected anymore.

         I previously declared a national emergency with respect to the grave threat to the United States posed by the influx of illegal aliens and illicit drugs into the United States in Proclamation 10886.  Pursuant to the NEA, I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in that proclamation to cover the failure of Mexico to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and illicit drugs.  In addition, this failure to act on the part of the government of Mexico constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  I hereby declare and reiterate a national emergency under the NEA and IEEPA to deal with that threat.  This national emergency requires decisive and immediate action, and I have decided to impose, consistent with law, ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of Mexico as set forth in this order.  In doing so, I invoke my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA, and specifically find that action under other authority to impose tariffs is inadequate to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.

         Sec. 2.  (a)  All articles that are products of Mexico, as defined by the Federal Register notice described in section 2(d) of this order (the Federal Register notice), shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty.  Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice. 
         (b)  The rates of duty established by this order are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles. 
         (c)  Should the government of Mexico retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Mexico or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action. 
         (d)  In order to establish the duty rate on imports of articles that are products of Mexico, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine the modifications necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in order to effectuate this order consistent with law and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  The modifications made to the HTSUS by this notice shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, and shall continue in effect until such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.
         (e)  Articles that are products of Mexico, except those that are eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, which are subject to the duties imposed by this order and are admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41.  Such articles will be subject upon entry for consumption to the rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admittance into the United States foreign trade zone. 
         (f)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this order.
         (g)  For avoidance of doubt, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for the articles described in subsection (a) of this section.
         (h)  Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other presidential directive or guidance related to trade with Mexico that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order. 
         (i)  The articles described in subsection (a) of this section shall exclude those encompassed by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b).

         Sec. 3.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall regularly consult with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security on the situation at our southern border.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, indicate that the government of Mexico has taken adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crisis through cooperative actions.  Upon the President’s determination of sufficient action to alleviate the crisis, the tariffs described in section 2 of this order will be removed.
         (b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security shall recommend additional action, if necessary, should the government of Mexico fail to take adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crises through cooperative enforcement actions.

         Sec. 4.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Commerce, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to me by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order.  The Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of Homeland Security.  All agencies shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

           Sec. 5.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs,  and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency under IEEPA declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

         Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
         (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
         (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
         (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
         (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE, 
        February 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China

    Source: The White House

         By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

         I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the sustained influx of synthetic opioids has profound consequences on our Nation, including by killing approximately two hundred Americans per day, putting a severe strain on our healthcare system, ravaging our communities, and destroying our families.  Synthetic opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for people aged 18 to 45 in the United States. 

         During my first term, I took steps to end the direct flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the United States.  Since then, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which exerts ultimate control over the government and enterprises of the PRC, has subsidized and otherwise incentivized PRC chemical companies to export fentanyl and related precursor chemicals that are used to produce synthetic opioids sold illicitly in the United States. 

         Furthermore, the PRC provides support to and safe haven for PRC-origin transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) that launder the revenues from the production, shipment, and sale of illicit synthetic opioids.  These PRC-origin TCOs coordinate and communicate using PRC social media software applications in the conduct of their business.

         Many PRC-based chemical companies also go to great lengths to evade law enforcement and hide illicit substances in the flow of legitimate commerce.  Some of the techniques employed by these PRC-based companies to conceal the true contents of the parcels and the identity of the distributors include the use of re-shippers in the United States, false invoices, fraudulent postage, and deceptive packaging.   While more than 500,000 pounds of drugs have been seized at the southern border each of the last 3 fiscal years, in addition, more than 42,000 pounds of drugs have been seized at the northern border each year on average over the last 3 years.  Illicit drugs kill tens of thousands of Americans each year, including 75,000 deaths per year attributed to fentanyl alone.

         The influx of these drugs to our Nation threatens the fabric of our society.  The PRC plays a central role in this challenge, not merely by failing to stem the ultimate source of many illicit drugs distributed in the United States, but by actively sustaining and expanding the business of poisoning our citizens.

         The flow of contraband drugs like fentanyl to the United States through illicit distribution networks has created a national emergency, including a public health crisis in the United States, as outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (America First Trade Policy), Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States), and Executive Order 14157 of January 20, 2025 (Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists). 

         Despite multiple attempts to resolve this crisis at its root source through bilateral dialogue, PRC officials have failed to follow through with the decisive actions needed to stem the flow of precursor chemicals to known criminal cartels and shut down the money laundering TCOs.  The PRC implements the most sophisticated domestic surveillance network coupled with the most comprehensive domestic law enforcement apparatus in the world.  The PRC also routinely exerts extraterritorial reach across the globe to threaten, harass, and suppress what it views as political dissent.  As such, the CCP does not lack the capacity to severely blunt the global illicit opioid epidemic; it simply is unwilling to do so.

         Immediate action is required to address the national emergency I declared and to finally end this emergency, including the public health crisis caused by opioid use and addiction, which will not happen until the full compliance and cooperation of the PRC government is assured.
    I hereby determine and order:
         Section 1.  (a)  As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens.  I will not stand by and allow our citizens to be poisoned, our laws to be trampled, our communities to be ravaged, or our families to be destroyed.

         I previously declared a national emergency with respect to the grave threat to the United States posed by the influx of illegal aliens and drugs into the United States in Proclamation 10886.  Pursuant to the NEA, I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in that proclamation to cover the failure of the PRC government to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept chemical precursor suppliers, money launderers, other TCOs, criminals at large, and drugs.  In addition, this failure to act constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.  I hereby declare and reiterate a national emergency under the NEA and IEEPA to deal with that threat.  This national emergency requires decisive and immediate action, and I have decided to impose, consistent with law, ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of the PRC as set forth in this order.  In doing so, I invoke my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA, and specifically find that action under other authority to impose tariffs is inadequate to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.

         Sec. 2.  (a)  All articles that are products of the PRC, as defined by the Federal Register notice described in section 2(d) of this order (the Federal Register notice), shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty.  Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security as specified in the Federal Register notice. 
         (b)  The rates of duty established by this order are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles. 
         (c)  Should the PRC retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to the PRC or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this Executive Order to ensure the efficacy of this action.
         (d)  In order to establish the duty rate on imports of articles that are products of the PRC, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine the modifications necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in order to effectuate the objectives of this order consistent with law and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  The modifications made to the HTSUS by this notice shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, and shall continue in effect until such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.
         (e)  Articles that are products of the PRC, except those that are eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, which are subject to the duties imposed by this order and are admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsection 2(a) of this section, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41.  Such articles will be subject upon entry for consumption to the rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admittance into the United States foreign trade zone. 
         (f)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this order. 
         (g)  For avoidance of doubt, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for the articles described in subsection (a) of this section. 
         (h)  Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other presidential directive or guidance related to trade with the PRC that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order. 
         (i)  The articles described in subsection (a) of this section shall exclude those encompassed by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b).

         Sec. 3.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall regularly consult with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security on the situation regarding the PRC.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, indicate that the PRC government has taken adequate steps to alleviate the opioid crisis through cooperative actions.  Upon the President’s determination of sufficient action to alleviate the crisis, the tariffs described in section 2 of this order will be removed.
         (b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, shall recommend additional action, if necessary, should the PRC fail to take adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis through cooperative enforcement actions.

         Sec. 4.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Commerce, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order.  The Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of Homeland Security.  All executive departments and agencies shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

         Sec. 5.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Attorney General, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency under IEEPA declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

         Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
         (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
         (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
         (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
         (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        February 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border

    Source: The White House

         By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) (NEA), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

    I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the sustained influx of illicit opioids and other drugs has profound consequences on our Nation, endangering lives and putting a severe strain on our healthcare system, public services, and communities.

    This challenge threatens the fabric of our society.  Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities.  Canada has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources or meaningfully coordinate with United States law enforcement partners to effectively stem the tide of illicit drugs.

    Drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the world’s leading producers of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs, and they cultivate, process, and distribute massive quantities of narcotics that fuel addiction and violence in communities across the United States.  These DTOs often collaborate with transnational cartels to smuggle illicit drugs into the United States, utilizing clandestine airstrips, maritime routes, and overland corridors. 

    The challenges at our southern border are foremost in the public consciousness, but our northern border is not exempt from these issues.  Criminal networks are implicated in human trafficking and smuggling operations, enabling unvetted illegal migration across our northern border.  There is also a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada.  The flow of illicit drugs like fentanyl to the United States through both illicit distribution networks and international mail — due, in the case of the latter, to the existing administrative exemption from duty and taxes, also known as de minimis, under section 1321 of title 19, United States Code — has created a public health crisis in the United States, as outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (America First Trade Policy) and Executive Order 14157 of January 20, 2025 (Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists).  With respect to smuggling of illicit drugs across our northern border, Canada’s Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre recently published a study on the laundering of proceeds of illicit synthetic opioids, which recognized Canada’s heightened domestic production of fentanyl, largely from British Columbia, and its growing footprint within international narcotics distribution.  Despite a North American dialogue on the public health impacts of illicit drugs since 2016, Canadian officials have acknowledged that the problem has only grown.  And while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security seized, comparatively, much less fentanyl from Canada than from Mexico last year, fentanyl is so potent that even a very small parcel of the drug can cause many deaths and destruction to America families.  In fact, the amount of fentanyl that crossed the northern border last year could kill 9.5 million Americans.

    Immediate action is required to finally end this public health crisis and national emergency, which will not happen unless the compliance and cooperation of Canada is assured.

    I hereby determine and order:

         Section 1.  (a)  As President of the United States, my highest duty is the defense of the country and its citizens.  A Nation without borders is not a nation at all.  I will not stand by and allow our sovereignty to be eroded, our laws to be trampled, our citizens to be endangered, or our borders to be disrespected anymore.

    I previously declared a national emergency with respect to the grave threat to the United States posed by the influx of illegal aliens and illicit drugs into the United States in Proclamation 10886 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border).  Pursuant to the NEA, I hereby expand the scope of the national emergency declared in that Proclamation to cover the threat to the safety and security of Americans, including the public health crisis of deaths due to the use of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, and the failure of Canada to do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.  In addition, this failure to act on the part of Canada constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  I hereby declare and reiterate a national emergency under the NEA and IEEPA to deal with that threat.  This national emergency requires decisive and immediate action, and I have decided to impose, consistent with law, ad valorem tariffs on articles that are products of Canada set forth in this order.  In doing so, I invoke my authority under section 1702(a)(1)(B) of IEEPA and specifically find that action under other authority to impose tariffs is inadequate to address this unusual and extraordinary threat.

         Sec. 2.  (a)  All articles that are products of Canada as defined by the Federal Register notice described in subsection (e) of this section (Federal Register notice), and except for those products described in subsection (b) of this section, shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem rate of duty.  Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice. 

    (b)  With respect to energy or energy resources, as defined in section 8 of Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), and as otherwise included in the Federal Register notice, such articles that are products of Canada as defined by the Federal Register notice shall be, consistent with law, subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty.  Such rate of duty shall apply with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except that goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, after such time that were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading or in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 1, 2025, shall not be subject to such additional duty, only if the importer certifies to CBP as specified in the Federal Register notice.  

    (c)  The rates of duty established by this order are in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, or charges applicable to such imported articles. 

    (d)  Should Canada retaliate against the United States in response to this action through import duties on United States exports to Canada or similar measures, the President may increase or expand in scope the duties imposed under this order to ensure the efficacy of this action.

    (e)  In order to establish the duty rate on imports of articles that are products of Canada, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine the modifications necessary to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) in order to effectuate this order consistent with law and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  The modifications made to the HTSUS by this notice shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, and shall continue in effect until such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.

    (f)  Articles that are products of Canada, except those that are eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, which are subject to the duties imposed by this order and are admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern time on February 4, 2025, except as otherwise noted in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41.  Such articles will be subject upon entry for consumption to the rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading in effect at the time of admittance into the United States foreign trade zone. 

    (g)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this order. 

    (h)  For avoidance of doubt, duty-free de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 shall not be available for the articles described in subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section.

         (i)  Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance related to trade with Canada that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order. 

         (j)  The articles described in subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section shall exclude those encompassed by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b).

         Sec. 3.  (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall regularly consult with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security on the situation at our northern border.  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Security, indicate that the Government of Canada has taken adequate steps to alleviate this public health crisis through cooperative enforcement actions.  Upon the President’s determination of sufficient action to alleviate the crisis, the tariffs described in section 2 of this order shall be removed.

    (b)  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, shall recommend additional action, if necessary, should the Government of Canada fail to take adequate steps to alleviate the illegal migration and illicit drug crises through cooperative enforcement actions.

         Sec. 4.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Commerce, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order.  The Secretary of Homeland Security may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of Homeland Security.  All executive departments and agencies shall take all appropriate measures within their authority to implement this order.

         Sec. 5.  The Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Commerce, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, is hereby authorized to submit recurring and final reports to the Congress on the national emergency under IEEPA declared in this order, consistent with section 401(c) of the NEA (50 U.S.C. 1641(c)) and section 204(c) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1703(c)).

         Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

        February 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will publicly offer EUR 8 million of bonds via REFI Energy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, will start the public offering of an EUR 8 million bond issue on 4 February through REFI Energy, a company it owns. The bonds will be offered to private and institutional investors in the Baltic countries. The proceeds will go to refinance previously issued bonds.

    The bond issue has a maturity of 2.5 years. The fixed interest rate on the debt securities will be set in the range of 7.5% to 8.5% and announced at completion of the offering. Interest will be paid quarterly to investors. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will provide guarantees to all holders of the bonds.

    “The fund continues actively developing renewable energy projects – the construction of solar power plants – in Romania and Poland. A successful offering of the new bonds will allow us not only to carry out the planned projects but also to reduce debt costs by refinancing bonds issued in 2023,” says Liudas Liutkevičius, Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I.

    The bonds of the company owned by the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will be offered to investors from 4 February until 1 p.m. on 17 February. The manager and distributor of the public bond offering is Šiaulių Bankas. The certified advisor to the issuer is the law firm TGS Baltic, while the bondholders’ trustee is the company Audifina. Within 3 months of the completion of the offering, the debt securities will be listed on the First North alternative securities market operated by Nasdaq Vilnius.

    More details about the bonds issue and the offering process are available at www.invlrenewable.com  in the section for Investors relations

    An online webinar for investors and question-and-answer session will be held on 10 February at 10 a.m. The link to the presentation is here. The presentation will be held in English.

    The fund’s company REFI Energy raised EUR 3.5 million from investors in late June 2023 in a private placement of 2-year 9.5% fixed-rate bonds. In September of the same year, the company entered the public bond market and raised EUR 4.5 million in a public offering of bonds with the same maturity. Those bonds, offered only in Lithuania, have a yield of 10%. Both issues were carried out under the General Terms and Conditions for EUR 8 million of REFI Energy Bonds.

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is focusing on the Polish and Romanian markets, where the fund’s managers see big growth potential. Total capacity of the fund’s portfolio of projects in development in these markets is 388 MW.

    In Romania, the fund is investing in projects for 8 solar plants with a combined capacity of 356 MW. In Poland, it is developing solar park projects with over 32 MW of capacity. Investments in the projects in Romania and Poland are expected to exceed EUR 258 million. Construction of all the solar parks in those countries should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

    To date the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I has raised EUR 73.9 million from investors through investment units and bonds. 

    About the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I 

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I was established on 20 July 2021 by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States, as a sub-fund for informed investors. It invests in early- and mid-stage renewable energy projects (solar), including the construction of new power plants, the development and/or acquisition of the infrastructure necessary for the operation of power plants, and effective management of existing power plants in the European Union and member states of the European Economic Area. 

    INVL Asset Management is part of Invalda INVL, the leading Baltic asset management group.

    Further information:
    Liudas Liutkevičius
    Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
    liudas.liutkevicius@invl.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: StoneX Completes Acquisition of Octo Finances

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON and PARIS, Feb. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StoneX Group Inc. (the “Company”; NASDAQ: SNEX) today announced the completion of its acquisition of Octo Finances SA (“Octo Finances”), which will further expand the Company’s offering in fixed income and strengthen its capabilities in Europe.

    “We’re thrilled to officially welcome Octo Finances to StoneX Group and believe the company will provide us with significant new capabilities. Our joint planning is well underway, and we are excited by the opportunities for growth for the combined business in Europe,” said Anthony Di Ciollo, Global Head of Fixed Income at StoneX.

    Octo Finances is a leading fixed income broker based in Paris, France. The company has expertise in bond and convertible sales, debt capital markets and credit research, having published over 75,000 reports since their founding in 1991.

    About StoneX Group Inc.

    StoneX Group Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates a global financial services network that connects companies, organizations, traders and investors to the global market ecosystem through a unique blend of digital platforms, end-to-end clearing and execution services, high touch service and deep expertise. The Company strives to be the one trusted partner to its clients, providing its network, product and services to allow them to pursue trading opportunities, manage their market risks, make investments and improve their business performance. A Fortune 100 company headquartered in New York City and listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (NASDAQ:SNEX), StoneX Group Inc. and its more than 4,500 employees serve more than 54,000 commercial, institutional, and payments clients, and more than 400,000 retail accounts, from more than 80 offices spread across six continents. Further information on the Company is available at www.stonex.com.

    About Octo Finances SA

    Octo Finances SA is a premier fixed income brokerage firm based in Paris, France, specializing in bond and convertible sales, debt capital markets, and credit research. Established in 1991, Octo Finances has built a robust client base that includes banks, insurance companies, private debt funds, mutual funds, and private wealth managers. With a commitment to delivering exceptional client service and market insights, Octo Finances continues to be a trusted partner in the financial services industry.

    Investor inquiries:
    Kevin Murphy
    (212) 403 – 7296
    kevin.murphy@stonex.com

    SNEX-G

    The MIL Network –

    February 4, 2025
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