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  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Champions Opportunities for Future Farmers and Manufacturers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    STORM LAKE, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, led a roundtable discussion on her bipartisan Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA) that will expand opportunities for first-time farmers and small to mid-size manufacturers.
    The legislation will modernize the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) rules for Industrial Development Bonds (IDBs) and First-Time Farmer Bonds (Aggie Bonds) and provide new financing opportunities for beginning farmers and small-scale manufacturers. Iowa leads the nation in use of Aggie Bonds, but the rules for IDBs and Aggie Bonds have not been updated in nearly 30 years.
    “It’s time to cut the red tape and give our farmers, small manufacturers, and rural lenders room to grow. My bipartisan MAMBA legislation’s commonsense updates will do that by driving new investment and making it easier for beginning farmers and manufacturers to access capital and grow their businesses,” said Senator Ernst. “Iowa leads the nation in using Aggie Bonds, and I appreciate the folks who joined me to share their insights as I work to get this bill across the finish line.”

    Download photos from the event here.
    Today, Ernst was joined by:

    Tammy Nebola, Ag Development Program Specialist, Iowa Finance Authority
    Jayme Ungs, Iowa Ag Development Division Board Member, Peoples Bank
    Kevin Boyle, Iowa Ag Development Division Board Member, Templeton Savings Bank
    Eric Weuve, Organizer of the Iowa Bankers Association Ag Lending Program, Iowa State Extension
    Makayla Gallentine, Advocacy and Policy Coordinator, Iowa Bankers Association
    Mike Gathman, CEO, Community Bankers of Iowa

    Ernst’s MAMBA legislation has earned overwhelming support:
    “We applaud Senator Ernst for introducing the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at the National Young Farmers Coalition. “Access to land–the number one challenge for this new generation of farmers and ranchers–is inextricably linked to credit accessibility. Aggies bonds provide a win-win mechanism that affords tax free interest to private agricultural lenders, on lower interest loans made to beginning farmers. This proposed legislation will make several commonsense updates to this important credit accessibility tool.”
    “We are thrilled that MAMBA has been reintroduced in the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support. With our country facing great economic opportunity, it has become clear that investments in farmers and manufacturers are necessary to strengthen the United States’ global competitiveness. By updating the 40-year-old rules around agricultural and manufacturing bonds, MAMBA allows for the innovative financing tools necessary to invest in local communities by expanding and growing American manufacturing and farming,” said Toby Rittner, President & CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies. “Senators Ernst and Warner have been great champions of farmers and manufacturers and the development finance industry as a whole, and I am thankful for their commitment to those key pillars of the U.S. economy.”
    “The BDA supports the reintroduction of the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA). This commonsense and bipartisan legislation will embolden small manufacturers and first-time farmers in a time when investment in rural America is needed more than ever,” said the Bond Dealers of America. “It has been over 30 years since these bonds have been modernized, causing stagnation in these respective industries.  We call on Congress to advance this overdue legislation.”
    “The Independent Community Banks of America (ICBA) supports the Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act (MAMBA) and applauds its introduction by Senators Ernst and Warner. This legislation modernizes industrial development bonds and first-time farmer bonds by updating, for the first time in 30 years, the Internal Revenue Code’s treatment of IDBs for small manufacturers and aggie bonds for beginning farmers,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA President and CEO. “These changes allow community banks to better serve these market segments that are vitally important to our local rural economies by providing customers more flexible and larger financing and lower-cost credit options.”
    “MAMBA will support the flow of investment to small and medium-size manufacturing companies across the American heartland, bringing the program of Industrial Development Bonds and Aggie Bonds into the 21st Century,” said Julius Krein, Chair of the Board of Directors of the New American Industrial Alliance. “NAIA encourages the reindustrialization of the American economy at all levels and in all sectors, especially in financing the development of productive capacity.”
    Read the full bill – supported by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) – here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Praise Pours in for Ernst Bill to Unleash Domestic Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – Support continues to pour in from small manufacturers in Iowa and across the country for Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act that doubles the loan limit for Small Business Administration (SBA) manufacturing loans.
    Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Ernst’s bill will continue to fuel the great manufacturing boom happening under President Trump and ensure that “Made in America” becomes the norm instead of the exception.
    Here is some of the praise for the bill:
    Ceilley Pallets (Waterloo, Iowa)
    “I think we as a community have the potential to once again be a manufacturing powerhouse in the Cedar Valley, as well as serving throughout the United States. I am optimistic that if stewarded properly, the additional resources available to small businesses will supercharge innovation, collaboration, production, education, and flourishing of our businesses, and workforce,” said Kevin Taylor, owner.
    The bill has previously earned high marks from groups across Iowa.
    Iowa Association of Business and Industry
    “Iowa’s manufacturers are ready to grow, invest, and lead in the future of American manufacturing – but access to capital is critical. The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act is a commonsense solution that will empower small manufacturers to invest in the tools, technology, and facilities they need to compete globally. ABI applauds Senator Ernst and Chairman Williams for their leadership and commitment to strengthening U.S. manufacturing,” said Nicole Crain, President.
    Iowa Bankers Association
    “The Iowa Bankers Association thanks Senator Joni Ernst for her leadership in proposing the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act. Bank leaders in Iowa have advocated for increasing the loan limits in these SBA programs with the goal of driving more investment in communities across the state of Iowa.  Manufacturing is an important piece of Iowa’s economy, and Iowa banks are proud partners in helping small businesses grow and expand. This proposed legislation will make the work of our Iowa banks even more impactful,” said Adam Gregg, President.
    Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance
    “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of our region’s economic vitality. By increasing access to capital for small manufacturers, the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act empowers businesses to expand, innovate and compete globally—while reinforcing our domestic supply chains. We commend Senator Ernst for her leadership as Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee and her commitment to addressing the financial needs of small manufacturers in today’s economy,” said Barbra Solberg.
    Greater Burlington Partnership
    “Increasing loan limits for small manufacturers strengthens the backbone of our local economy. This bipartisan effort will give more Iowa businesses the tools they need to expand operations, invest in new technology, and create quality jobs right here at home. As the cost of doing business continues to rise, we support the recommended increases in borrowing to accommodate our manufacturing businesses,” said Amy O’Brien, CEO.
    Additional praise has poured in from across the country:
    Better Team USA Corp (Clifton, N.J.)
    “This important legislation, particularly the provision to double the maximum 7(a) loan amount for small manufacturers from $5 million to $10 million, will play a crucial role in fostering growth, expanding manufacturing capabilities, reshoring jobs to the US. I believe that this bill will provide the necessary capital injection to help small businesses like mine scale operations, compete effectively in the global market, and contribute to rebuilding U.S. supply chains,” said Martin Di Battista, President.
    IngniteLI, The Manufacturing Consortium of Long Island (Hauppauge, N.Y.)
    “On behalf of Ignite Long Island, which represents more than 3,200 manufacturing companies across Suffolk and Nassau Counties, I want to express strong support for the bipartisan proposal to increase the SBA 7(a) loan cap from $5 million to $10 million. This change would directly benefit small and mid-sized manufacturers in our region – many of whom face growing capital needs as they invest in equipment, workforce, and facility upgrades to remain competitive in today’s economy. Raising the 7(a) loan threshold would unlock greater access to flexible, long-term financing for expansion, automation, reshoring, and defense readiness – all of which are key priorities for Long Island’s industrial base,” said Jamie Moore, President. 
    Marotta Controls (Montville, N.J.)
    “Marotta Controls encourages the Congress and the Administration to raise the SBA manufacturing loan limit to $10 Million. This would enable Marotta Controls to meaningfully increase our manufacturing capacity to support the Defense Industrial Base (DIB),” said Patrick Marotta, President and Chief Executive Officer.
    Sly Drinks (Phoenix, Ariz.)
    “America wants to build manufacturing here. If the Administration wants to build manufacturing facilities, then we need the SBA to raise the cap from 5M to 10M, reduce the equity requirements for the SBA loans on small business owners, and help small businesses like ours build manufacturing in America right here and now, and for future generation,” said Dr. Amy Czyz, Co-Founder.
    Long Island Bio (Bayport, N.Y.)
    “We at Long Island Bio, which represents the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Nutraceutical, and Medical Device manufacturers of Long Island, express strong support for the bipartisan proposal to increase the SBA 7(a) loan cap from $5 million to $10 million. Raising the 7(a) loan threshold would unlock greater access to flexible, long-term financing for expansion, automation, reshoring, and training – all of which are key priorities for our industry segment, and all of Long Island’s industrial base,” said Tom Mariner, Executive Director.
    GSE Dynamics (Hauppauge, N.Y.)
    “GSE Dynamics, a federally certified woman owned small business fully supports the bipartisan bill – Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025. Revitalizing manufacturing is a bipartisan issue – if we all agree on strengthening US manufacturing then we can strengthen our national security, and we strengthen our middle class.”
    Beauty Society (North Las Vegas, Nev.)
    “As a company that proudly manufacturers our products in the United States, we believe strongly in the power of domestic production – not only as a means to ensure product quality and supply chain control, but also as a strategic advantage over competitors that primarily rely on imported goods. The proposed shift from $5 million to $10 million in loan guarantees would be a transformative change – one that could accelerate growth for small- and mid-sized manufacturers across the country,” said Jeannie Lorin, Founder and CEO.
    Polk & Associates Construction (Brentwood, Tenn.)
    “The reality of scaling a construction or manufacturing firm requires significant capital for equipment, materials, skilled labor and the working capital that allows us to execute contracts on time and with excellence. Raising the SBA loan limit to $10 million would unlock new potential for us and many others across the country. It would remove one of the more persistent barriers to growth, access to affordable capital, and create sustainable cash flow that supports scaling operations, hiring more workers, and investing in innovation,” said Reggie Polk, President and CEO.  
    L & H Industrial (Gillette, Wyo.)
    “We strongly support the increase in SBA loan guarantees from $5 million to $10 million. This shift will allow manufacturers to confidently invest in reshoring operations, scale advanced capabilities, and bring more jobs and production back home. Access to capital remains one of the most critical levers in rebuilding America’s industrial base” said Mike Wandler, President and CEO.
    Kinematica USA (Bohemia, N.Y.)
    “As a proud small business owner providing technology to Pharma, Food and Cosmetic Industries, I fully support the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act and the proposed increase in SBA 7(a) and 504 loan limits from $5 million to $10 million. This legislation sends a strong and timely message: America is serious about rebuilding its manufacturing base and empowering entrepreneurs to invest boldly in our domestic future,” said Andreas Niens, Chief Visionary Officer.  
    LV Iron & Steel (Sunrise Manor, Nev.)
    “We were very encouraged by the discussion around the increase in lending limits, moving from $5 million to $10 million, and the potential this holds for the continued growth of our steel business and our forthcoming expansion. We anticipate that this increased access to capital and other valuable SBA resources designed to support cash flow and foster growth will be instrumental in propelling our business forward,” said Traci Aguilar, Founder.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Acorn Bluff Farms

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    Published: June 23, 2025

    Throughout this Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Acorn Bluff Farms of Louisa County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
    “Since 2016, Acorn Bluff Farms has proven they have the chops to deliver premium pork products directly to folks across Iowa,” said Chair Ernst. “The Todd brothers are truly bringing home the bacon with their signature Mangalitsa pork, which continues to earn high praise for its exceptional quality.”
    In 2016, Seth Todd – who was serving active duty in the Marine Corps – and his brother, Kenan, established Acorn Bluff Farms on a 200-year-old homestead farm in Columbus Junction. The brothers raise Mangalitsa pigs – a prized breed known for their rich fattiness and complex flavor profile, earningtheir title, the Kobe of pork. From farmers markets to an online storefront managed by their brother, Jared, Acorn Bluff Farms offers boar sausage, chorizo, bacon, and pork chops, in addition to variety boxes and sampler packs. The family-run and veteran-owned operation continues to grow by delivering high-quality, locally raised pork across Iowa and the nation.
    Stay tuned as Chair Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH TRANS-ATLANTIC SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

    For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland 

    June 23, 2025                                                    202-808-6129 

    PRESS RELEASE 

    CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH TRANS-ATLANTIC SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE 

    Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Plaskett’s (D-VI-AL) HR 1737, the “DiasporaLink Act”, passed through the House of Representatives by voice vote. The Bill, re-introduced in March with her Republican colleague Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID-1), requests an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a Trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable which will connect the East coast of the United States, via the United States Virgin Islands, with Nigeria and Ghana.  

    “I am pleased to see the passage of this legislation known as the ‘DiasporaLink Act’ through the House. This bill represents an opportunity to establish high-speed internet connection to Africa and throughout the Caribbean from American soil, which will enhance America’s national security data and communication interests in the regions. In the legislation, this TransAtlantic submarine fiber optic cable will intersect in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The DiasporaLink Act is envisioned as both a national security instrument and a digital commerce expressway to boost America’s global, political, economic, and military advantages and influences. This act will ensure the region is not forgotten as it confronts increasing regional political instability and transnational criminal activity,” stated Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett. 

    “Thank you to Congressman Fulcher for his continued support of this legislation as well as Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D – New Jersey) and Energy & Commerce Committee Chair, Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY) for their stewardship of this initiative.  

    “The passage of this bill through the House of Representatives is a significant step in the legislative process. Legislation does not become law until passed by the House, passed by the Senate, then signed by the President. I am hopeful this measure will be considered Senate in short order,” shared Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

    Background: 

    Presently, there is no direct fiber optic link between the US and the continent of Africa. Africa is increasingly an area that presents dynamic economic opportunity for our country as well as national security challenges that must be addressed. The Virgin Islands is strategically positioned in the transit zones to fight transnational crime and protect U.S. national and regional security in the Caribbean as well as be a safe hub for optic between the 2 continents. The TransAtlantic submarine fiber optic cable network’s strategic location makes DiasporaLink a “Digital Safe Harbor” under the U.S. flag. This service will provide African and Caribbean submarine operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) a clear channel to U.S. financial and business centers. In addition, undersea cables have significant strategic importance and an estimated 400 of them carry approximately 98 percent of international internet data as well as telephone traffic around the world. Many are owned and operated by U.S. companies — helping reinforce U.S. dominance over the internet while giving a sense of security to the U.S. and its allies that may be concerned about sabotage or surveillance. Having the hub in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a significant 21st century paradigm shift; it allows our islands’ advantages, many of which have been used for the benefit of other world powers (i.e. the VI’s geostrategic location), to be utilized for the benefit of our people. DiasporaLink in the USVI will make it a hub for commerce in the global digital economy and will stimulate high tech job opportunities for Virgin Islanders and attract digital users to the territory. 

    In the 118th Congress, this legislation passed through the House Energy & Commerce Committee with unanimous support, passed the House of Representatives and was sent on to the Senate. The Office of Congresswoman Plaskett is working with the Senate to facilitate passage in that Chamber. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Receives Conditional Approval for Change of Business

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Highlights

    • TSX Venture Exchange grants conditional approval for Matador’s Change of Business (“COB”) to a hybrid “Technology / Investment” issuer, subject to the Company satisfying the TSXV’s requirements and conditions.
    • Enables Matador to operate as a pure Bitcoin Ecosystem Company with a focus on holding, acquiring, and investing in Bitcoin and digital asset ventures, assuming that the Company obtains TSXV final approval of the COB.
    • Unlocks ability to scale Bitcoin treasury strategy, deploy capital into the Bitcoin ecosystem, and expand globally, assuming that the Company obtains TSXV final approval of the COB and obtains TSXV approval to expand globally.
    • Positions Matador to proceed with its proposed investment in HODL Systems, one of India’s first digital asset treasury companies, assuming that the Company obtains TSXV conditional approval with respect to this investment.

    TORONTO, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (“Matador” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MATA, OTCQB: MATAF, FSE: IU3), is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSXV”) to complete its previously announced Change of Business (“COB”) to a hybrid “Technology / Investment” issuer, as defined under TSXV policies, subject to the Company satisfying TSXV requirements and conditions. The Company expects to close the COB on or about July 4, 2025.

    Assuming that the Company satisfies TSXV requirements and conditions respecting the COB, Matador will be able to expand its business model to include activities consistent with its investment policy and TSXV regulations, including the acquisition and management of Bitcoin and investments in Bitcoin-related technologies and infrastructure. The new structure provides the Company with greater operational flexibility within the digital asset sector. “This marks an important milestone on our journey,” said Deven Soni, Chief Executive Officer of Matador Technologies. “With conditional approval in place, we are one step closer to advancing our Bitcoin treasury strategy and supporting Bitcoin-native innovation globally—subject to final TSXV approval.”

    What the Change of Business Enables

    Assuming that the Company obtains TSXV final approval of the COB, Matador will be able to:

    • Advance its Bitcoin accumulation strategy, applying a structured approach as a public issuer;
    • Make equity investments in Bitcoin-focused businesses and technologies including custody, mining, tokenization, and related infrastructure;
    • Continue developing its Digital Gold platform, beginning with its “Grammies” product line, which links physical gold to inscriptions on the Bitcoin blockchain;
    • Deploy capital in selected international markets such as India, where digital asset usage and gold demand are well-established;
    • Operate with expanded flexibility across the Bitcoin ecosystem.

    The Change of Business is subject to the receipt of shareholder approval and final TSXV approval and the filing of customary documentation. A filing statement in respect of the Change of Business has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile.

    Unlocking the India Opportunity

    Assuming that the Company obtains TSXV final approval of the COB and conditional approval of the HODL Systems (“HODL”) investment transaction, Matador will be able to increase its exposure to the global digital asset ecosystem. Under the terms of the LOI, Matador will commit to a share warrant structure that could provide the Company with up to a 24% ownership stake in HODL Systems, assuming full exercise of the warrants.

    This investment will anchor Matador’s entry into India—one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for technology, gold, and digital assets. With a median population age under 30, mobile-first adoption patterns, and the world’s largest private gold market, India is an ideal jurisdiction for Matador to scale both its Digital Gold product and its digital asset native treasury strategy. HODL Systems mirrors Matador’s thesis by implementing a digital asset balance sheet strategy and offering a gateway to license Matador’s infrastructure across the Indian subcontinent.

    “We believe HODL Systems reflects the kind of infrastructure-driven Bitcoin strategy we are seeking to support,” said Mark Moss, Chief Visionary Officer at Matador. “Subject to regulatory approval, this investment would support Matador’s entry into one of the most active markets for digital assets globally.”

    The investment in HODL remains subject to TSXV approval.

    Building a Global Bitcoin Ecosystem Company

    Matador’s proposed model is influenced by other public issuers such as Metaplanet Inc., a Japanese company that has implemented a Bitcoin treasury model. Metaplanet has pursued capital formation and Bitcoin acquisition strategies within a regulated public market framework in Japan, where institutional interest in Bitcoin is growing and monetary policy remains highly accommodative.

    Matador sees parallels between these conditions and those emerging in India, where inflationary pressures, a growing appetite for alternative assets, and increasing regulatory clarity around digital assets are driving renewed interest in Bitcoin as a store of value. Additionally, India’s robust technology sector and expanding capital markets create favorable conditions for a Bitcoin-aligned corporate strategy. Subject to final TSXV approval, Matador intends to pursue a similar approach in select jurisdictions, including India, where it can responsibly support Bitcoin-native companies and infrastructure development.

    “This conditional approval is a key milestone in our plan to hold and invest in Bitcoin as part of our corporate treasury strategy,” said Deven Soni, Chief Executive Officer of Matador Technologies. “Subject to final TSXV approval, it brings us closer to allocating capital to companies building core infrastructure across the Bitcoin ecosystem.”

    Strategic Advisors Supporting Execution

    To support this next phase of growth, Matador recently formed a Strategic Advisory Board composed of industry leaders with deep expertise in Bitcoin, gold, and global capital markets. The Strategic Advisory Board includes:

    • David Bailey, CEO of BTC Inc., General Partner at UTXO Management, LLC and founding partner of Bitcoin-focused holding company Nakamoto. Bailey brings significant experience from his leadership of Bitcoin for Corporations—a platform developed in partnership with MicroStrategy—and his early involvement in Metaplanet’s Bitcoin strategy in Japan.
    • Brad Mills, a Bitcoin entrepreneur and investor known for his active role in early-stage Bitcoin infrastructure and digital asset investments.
    • Dave Forestell, a legal and regulatory executive with deep expertise in natural resources, public markets, and policy. He chairs the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and previously led iGaming Ontario.

    These advisors provide Matador with a unique blend of strategic insight—combining institutional knowledge of Bitcoin capital markets, legacy gold infrastructure, and cross-border regulatory frameworks.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Sunny Ray
    President
    Email: sunny@matador.network
    Phone: 647-496-6282

    About Matador Technologies Inc.

    Matador Technologies Inc. (TSXV: MATA, OTCQB: MATAF, FSE: IU3) is a publicly traded Bitcoin ecosystem company focused on holding Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset and building products to enhance the Bitcoin network. Matador’s strategy combines strategic Bitcoin accumulation, Bitcoin-native product development, and participation in digital asset infrastructure, with a focus on driving long-term shareholder value while maintaining capital efficiency.

    Matador has recently expanded its global footprint by investing in HODL Systems, one of India’s first digital asset treasury companies, securing up to a 24% ownership stake. This investment strengthens Matador’s position as a leading Bitcoin treasury company and underscores its commitment to the worldwide adoption of Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

    With a Bitcoin-first strategy, and a clear focus on innovation, Matador is shaping the future of financial infrastructure on Bitcoin.

    Visit us online at https://www.matador.network/.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    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.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

    Forward-Looking Statements – Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s treasury management strategy, receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals, and the launch of its mobile application as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential acquisition of Bitcoin and/or US dollars, the pricing of such acquisitions and the timing of future operations. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Acceleware Announces Strategic Collaboration and Distribution Agreement with Scovan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acceleware® Ltd. (“Acceleware” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: AXE), a leading innovator of cutting-edge radio frequency (RF) power-to-heat technologies targeting process heat for critical minerals, amine regeneration (for carbon capture and other applications), and enhanced oil production, is pleased to announce a strategic collaboration and distribution agreement (“The Agreement”), with Scovan. Scovan is an industry leader specializing in innovation and expertise for energy sector projects by providing engineering, procurement, complete fabrication, construction and construction management services (EPFC).

    This Agreement supports Acceleware’s broader strategy to rapidly evolve the Company from research and development to a cash flow generating business. It is also structured such that it could potentially expedite successful commercialization immediately upon demonstrated success with the Company’s next RF XL 2.0 project.

    Among other terms, the Agreement establishes a collaboration that:

    • Appoints Scovan as the exclusive distributor of RF XL in western Canada, once RF XL is commercialized;
    • Provides Scovan as the preferred surface facility engineering and construction partner for RF XL 2.0.
    • Is expected to expedite partnerships and sales both before and after successful commercialization of RF XL 2.0.
    • Uses Scovan’s EPFC expertise to potentially reduce lead time from regulatory approval to cash flow by a year or more.

    Scovan has strong relationships with a large number of heavy oil and oil sands producers and has made bringing innovation to market as commercial solutions a strategic priority, allowing for a quick ramp up from demonstration to multi-well pilot, and then to commercialization and sales. Scovan is a recognized leader in oil sands and heavy oil EPFC.

    The Acceleware team continues to actively look to acquire additional production rights to heavy oil assets in western Canada where they will deploy an RF XL 2.0 demonstration as an enhanced oil recovery method. This initiative provides an opportunity to deploy RF XL in a well-suited reservoir and earn oil production revenues, while offering the potential for multi-well expansion.

    “This partnership is the first of several strategic steps to accelerate RF XL 2.0’s path to market,” said Geoff Clark, CEO of Acceleware. “With the federal government’s ‘One Canadian Economy’ Act placing a clear priority on decarbonized oil, the time to act is now. By engaging Scovan to fast-track commercialization, we aim to demonstrate both the economic viability and emissions-reduction potential of RF XL 2.0 – bringing this breakthrough technology to large-scale deployment within two years, not decades. We strongly believe that this Agreement adds significant value to Acceleware and to our shareholders by increasing our project delivery credibility, and providing strong backing that RF XL 2.0 can deliver for the industry.”

    Added Donovan Nielsen, President of Scovan, “This partnership supports Scovan’s vision of the ‘Facility of the Future’ – one that is more sustainable, more efficient, smaller in footprint, faster to deliver, and more cost-effective. Innovation and calculated risk-taking are essential to unlocking new approaches to oil development and Scovan’s collaboration with Acceleware reflects this mindset. While the technology is still proving its effectiveness in the field, we are excited by its potential and committed to supporting solutions that could reshape how in-situ oil sands extraction is done in the future.”

    About Acceleware:

    Acceleware is an advanced electromagnetic (EM) heating company with cutting-edge radio frequency (RF) power-to-heat solutions for large industrial applications. The Company’s technologies provide an opportunity to electrify and decarbonize industrial process heat applications while reducing costs.

    The Company is working to use its patented and field proven Clean Tech Inverter (CTI) to materially improve the efficiency of amine regeneration, and has partnered with a consortium of world-class potash partners seeking to decarbonize drying of potash ore and other critical minerals. Acceleware is actively developing other process heat applications and partnerships for RF heating.

    Acceleware’s RF XL is a patented low-cost, low-carbon RF thermal enhanced oil production technology for heavy oil that is materially different from any enhanced recovery technique used today.

    Acceleware is a public company listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol “AXE”.

    About Scovan:

    Scovan is a cutting-edge EPFC firm that provides innovative, sustainable services for energy sector projects. Our proven track record, unique approach and turnkey offerings allow us to provide end-to-end solutions, from piloting to full-scale commercial development. Combining past experience, present opportunities, and future vision, we create long-term value for clients. Scovan is your trusted partner, providing you with the confidence and certainty needed for successful developments – A New Energy.

    Cautionary Statements

    This news release contains forward-looking statements and/or forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. When used in this release, such words as “will”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “expects” and similar expressions, as they relate to Acceleware, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Acceleware with respect to future events, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause Acceleware’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any expected future results, performance or achievement that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Certain information and statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, which reflects Acceleware’s current expectations regarding future events, including, but not limited to: the future benefits arising from the Agreement; the Company’s ability to successfully complete commercialization of RF XL 2.0; the potential acquisition by the Company of certain assets, deployment of RF XL 2.0; the initiatives to be implemented by Management to shift the Company’s focus from research and development to cash flow generation; the timing to complete certain milestones in the Agreement; and the impact of the Agreement on Acceleware’s business and shareholder value.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the availability of potential heavy oil production rights in western Canada, the availability of investment capital and other funding, the high degree of uncertainties inherent to feasibility and economic studies which are based to a significant extent on various assumptions; variations in commodity prices and exchange rate fluctuations; variations in cost of supplies and labour; lack of availability of qualified personnel; receipt of necessary approvals; availability of financing for technology and project development; uncertainties and risks with respect to developing and adopting new technologies; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; change in demand for technologies to be offered by the Company; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities and/or shareholders, as applicable; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. For a more fulsome list of risk factors please see the Company’s December 31, 2024, year-end Management Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Management of the Company has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements provided in this release to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on the Company’s current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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

    This press release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    For more information:
    Geoff Clark
    Tel: +1 (403) 249-9099
    geoff.clark@acceleware.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Blue Foundry Bancorp Announces Adoption of Sixth Stock Repurchase Program

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Foundry Bancorp (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: BLFY), announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the adoption of its sixth stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 1,082,533 shares of the Company’s common stock, which is approximately 5% of its outstanding common stock. The new program commenced on June 20, 2025.

    Since announcing its first stock repurchase program on July 20, 2022, through the completion of the fifth stock repurchase program, the Company has repurchased 7,798,723 shares, or 27.3% of its common shares, at a weighted average price of $10.09. The Company’s tangible book value per share was $14.81 as of March 31, 2025.

    The repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market or private transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company’s financial performance. Open market purchases will be made in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any particular number of shares or any shares in any specific time period.

    James D. Nesci, President and CEO of the Company, remarked that “We are happy to announce our sixth repurchase program. We have been successful in our prior repurchase programs, which have allowed us to repurchase shares at a significant discount to tangible book value. We believe that share repurchases are a prudent use of capital and are pleased to have the strong capital position that allows us the ability to purchase our stock and provide value to our shareholders.”

    About Blue Foundry Bancorp

    Blue Foundry Bancorp is the holding company for Blue Foundry Bank, a place where things are made, purpose is formed, and ideas are crafted. Headquartered in Rutherford NJ, with a presence in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties, Blue Foundry Bank is a full-service, innovative bank serving the doers, movers, and shakers in our communities. We offer individuals and businesses alike the tailored products and services they need to build their futures. With a rich history dating back more than 145 years, Blue Foundry Bank has a longstanding commitment to its customers and communities. To learn more about Blue Foundry Bank visit BlueFoundryBank.com or call (888) 931-BLUE. Member FDIC.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on certain current assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions.

    Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements: inflation and changes in the interest rate environment that reduce our margins and yields, the fair value of financial instruments or our level of loan originations, or increase in the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans we have made and make; general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas, that are worse than expected, including potential recessionary conditions, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies; including potential recessionary conditions, the imposition of tariffs or other domestic or international governmental policies; changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; our ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in our market area; our ability to implement and change our business strategies; competition among depository and other financial institutions; adverse changes in the securities or secondary mortgage markets; changes in laws or government regulations or policies affecting financial institutions, including changes in regulatory fees, capital requirements and insurance premiums; changes in monetary or fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios; technological changes that may be more difficult or expensive than expected; a failure or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, including cyber-attacks; the inability of third party providers to perform as expected; our ability to manage market risk, credit risk and operational risk in the current economic environment; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the bank regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; our ability to retain key employees; the current or anticipated impact of military conflict, terrorism or other geopolitical events; the ability of the U.S. Government to manage federal debt limits; and changes in the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of issuers of securities that we own.

    Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and we specifically disclaim any obligation, to release publicly the results of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    Contact Information

    Elyse D. Beidner
    Investor Relations
    BlueFoundryBank.com
    ebeidner@bluefoundrybank.com
    201-939-5000

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Appointments to St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 23, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, at a press conference in St. Louis, Governor Mike Kehoe announced his appointments to the citizen-led St. Louis City Board of Police Commissioners. The board, established by the passage of landmark public safety legislation in House Bill (HB) 495, is charged to be the governing body of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).

    “This board represents a renewed commitment to public trust and local oversight,” said Governor Kehoe. “By bringing together respected voices from across the city who support the men and women of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, we are ensuring that public safety efforts reflect the needs, values, and concerns of the people of St. Louis and the department. These appointments mark a significant move toward transparency, collaboration, and a safer future for the city.”

    The six-member board includes the St. Louis City Mayor Cara Spencer, who will participate with full voting authority, four governor-appointed voting members who are residents of the city, and one governor-appointed non-voting commissioner who either resides or owns property in the city.

    Governor Kehoe’s appointments include the following individuals:

    • Brad Arteaga is a successful entrepreneur in St. Louis City, serving as the president and owner of Arteaga Photos Ltd., BAKM LLC., and Arteaga LLC. In addition to his proven track record of managing and growing successful businesses, Arteaga has decades of active leadership and service on multiple civic and community boards including the St. Louis City Judicial Committee, Dismas House of St. Louis, Friends of Frances Park, and more. Arteaga will serve a one-year term as a voting member of the board.
    • Donald “Don” Brown is lifelong St. Louis resident and experienced automotive executive, currently serving as the Dealer Operator of Don Brown Chevrolet. With a career spanning more than four decades, Brown has held leadership roles across multiple dealerships and has been deeply involved in the community through various boards including the 3rd Police District Business Association, the Better Business Bureau, and the Friends of Kids Board of Directors. Brown will serve a four-year term as the non-voting member of the board.
    • Sonya Jenkins-Gray is a nationally recognized human resources executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors. She previously served as the director of human resources for the City of St. Louis, overseeing HR operations for more than 5,000 employees. She also previously served on the board of Mound City Bar Foundation and is currently the chairperson for the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Jenkins-Gray will serve a two-year term as a voting member of the board.
    • Edward McVey is a seasoned business owner and operator of Maggie O’Brien’s Restaurant and Irish Pub in St. Louis, where he has led operations since 2008. With expertise in contract negotiation, strategic planning, and team leadership, McVey has built a strong track record of business development and community engagement. He is active in local organizations including the St. Patrick’s Center and the St. Louis Boys and Girls Club. McVey will serve a three-year term as a voting member of the board.
    • Chris Saracino is the owner-operator of Bartolino’s Hospitality Group, which includes several full-service restaurants across the city. He is also the co-founder of Campbell Security and Services Group, serving households and communities throughout Missouri. Saracino has held several leadership roles with the Hill Business Association, The Hill 2000 Neighborhood Association, and the St. Louis Regional Sports Authority. He also prioritizes community service as an active member of several charitable organizations including the Kiwanis Club of St. Louis City and the Italian Open Charities. Saracino will serve a four-year term as a voting member of the board.

    The board will begin work immediately, with the assistance of Transition Director Derek Winters, to ensure an orderly and responsible implementation period, without disruption to residents of the city and commissioned and civilian personnel of the SLMPD. During the implementation period, the commissioners will work to determine the board’s policies for meetings and bylaws and begin their work in overseeing the Chief of Police and the department’s policies, contracts, assets, and budgets. The day-to-day operations of the department will remain under the leadership of the Chief of Police.

    All media inquiries related to the board may now be directed to the SLMPD, at media@slmpd.org. A webpage with headshot photos for the board is forthcoming.

    For more information on the roles and responsibilities of the St. Louis City Police Board of Commissioners, as designated in HB 495, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: StoneX Group Inc. Announces Pricing of $625.0 Million of Senior Secured Notes due 2032

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StoneX Group Inc. (the “Company” or “StoneX”; NASDAQ: SNEX), today announced the pricing of a previously announced offering of $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the “Notes”) to be issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary, StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC. The Notes and the related Note guarantees are being offered in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to certain persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering is expected to close on or about July 8, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC, which was created solely to issue the Notes in connection with the Merger (as defined below), will deposit the gross proceeds of the offering into a segregated escrow account (the “Escrowed Proceeds”) until the date that certain escrow release conditions are satisfied. Upon the closing of the Company’s proposed acquisition (the “Merger”) of R.J. O’Brien (“RJO”), StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC will merge with and into the Company, and the Escrowed Proceeds will be released. The Company will thereupon assume the obligations under the Notes. Upon the closing of the Merger and release of the Escrowed Proceeds, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering together with cash on hand to pay the purchase price and related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with Merger.

    Until the completion of the Merger, the Notes will not be guaranteed and will be secured only by a senior secured first priority lien on the Escrowed Proceeds. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured second lien basis by each of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries that guarantees indebtedness under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and certain other senior indebtedness. The guarantees are subject to release under specified circumstances. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Notes and the related guarantees will be secured on a second priority basis by liens on substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ property and assets, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The liens on the Company’s and the guarantors’ assets that secure the Notes and the related guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens on the Company’s and the guarantors’ assets that secure the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future first lien obligations, including indebtedness under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility, as a result of an intercreditor agreement among the collateral agent for the Notes, the agent for the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and the collateral agent for the Company’s existing senior secured notes due 2031. The Notes are expected to pay interest semi-annually, in arrears, at a rate of 6.875% per annum. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, the related guarantees or any other security, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the Notes and the related guarantees will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

    The offer and sale of the Notes and related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Notes and related guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemptions from registration requirements.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements and “safe harbor statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in StoneX’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed acquisition of RJO, including expected synergies and future financial and operating results, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of StoneX after the acquisition, the expected timing to close the acquisition, closing of the offering and expected use of proceeds. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include the risks related to the proposed acquisition and the integration of RJO as well as the risks and other factors described in StoneX’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing forward-looking statements, StoneX is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If StoneX updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.

    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 4,700 employees serve more than 54,000 commercial, institutional, and global payments clients, and more than 400,000 self-directed/retail accounts, from more than 80 offices spread across six continents.

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

    SNEX-G

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: StoneX Group Inc. Announces Pricing of $625.0 Million of Senior Secured Notes due 2032

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StoneX Group Inc. (the “Company” or “StoneX”; NASDAQ: SNEX), today announced the pricing of a previously announced offering of $625.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2032 (the “Notes”) to be issued by its wholly-owned subsidiary, StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC. The Notes and the related Note guarantees are being offered in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and to certain persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The offering is expected to close on or about July 8, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC, which was created solely to issue the Notes in connection with the Merger (as defined below), will deposit the gross proceeds of the offering into a segregated escrow account (the “Escrowed Proceeds”) until the date that certain escrow release conditions are satisfied. Upon the closing of the Company’s proposed acquisition (the “Merger”) of R.J. O’Brien (“RJO”), StoneX Escrow Issuer LLC will merge with and into the Company, and the Escrowed Proceeds will be released. The Company will thereupon assume the obligations under the Notes. Upon the closing of the Merger and release of the Escrowed Proceeds, the Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering together with cash on hand to pay the purchase price and related fees, costs, premiums and expenses in connection with Merger.

    Until the completion of the Merger, the Notes will not be guaranteed and will be secured only by a senior secured first priority lien on the Escrowed Proceeds. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured second lien basis by each of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries that guarantees indebtedness under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and certain other senior indebtedness. The guarantees are subject to release under specified circumstances. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Notes and the related guarantees will be secured on a second priority basis by liens on substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ property and assets, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. The liens on the Company’s and the guarantors’ assets that secure the Notes and the related guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens on the Company’s and the guarantors’ assets that secure the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future first lien obligations, including indebtedness under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility, as a result of an intercreditor agreement among the collateral agent for the Notes, the agent for the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and the collateral agent for the Company’s existing senior secured notes due 2031. The Notes are expected to pay interest semi-annually, in arrears, at a rate of 6.875% per annum. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, the related guarantees or any other security, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the Notes and the related guarantees will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

    The offer and sale of the Notes and related guarantees have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and the Notes and related guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemptions from registration requirements.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements and “safe harbor statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in StoneX’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed acquisition of RJO, including expected synergies and future financial and operating results, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of StoneX after the acquisition, the expected timing to close the acquisition, closing of the offering and expected use of proceeds. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include the risks related to the proposed acquisition and the integration of RJO as well as the risks and other factors described in StoneX’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing forward-looking statements, StoneX is not undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If StoneX updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.

    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 4,700 employees serve more than 54,000 commercial, institutional, and global payments clients, and more than 400,000 self-directed/retail accounts, from more than 80 offices spread across six continents.

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

    SNEX-G

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lucas GC Limited Announces Closing of Follow-On Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lucas GC Limited (NASDAQ: LGCL) (“Lucas” or the “Company”), an artificial intelligence (“AI”) technology-driven Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) company with proprietary technologies applied to the human resources and insurance industry verticals, today announced the closing of its “best efforts” follow-on offering (the “Offering”) of 32,150,000 ordinary shares, par value US$0.000005 per share, of the Company (the “Ordinary Shares”) at a public offering price of US$0.20 per share, for total gross proceeds of US$6,430,000 before deducting placement agent’s fee and offering expenses.

    AC Sunshine Securities LLC acted as the placement agent for the Offering.

    A registration statement related to the Offering has been filed with, and declared effective by, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    This offering was made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. The final prospectus relating to the Offering was filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the final prospectus may be obtained from AC Sunshine Securities LLC, 200 E. Robinson Street Suite 295, Orlando, FL 32801.

    About Lucas GC Limited
    With 19 granted U.S. and Chinese patents and over 75 registered software copyrights in the AI, data analytics and blockchain technologies, Lucas GC Limited is an AI technology-driven PaaS company with over 780,320 agents working on its platform. Lucas’ technologies have been applied to the human resources and insurance industry verticals. For more information, please visit: https://www.lucasgc.com/.

    For Investor Inquiries and Media Contact:
    https://www.lucasgc.com/ 
    ir@lucasgc.com 
    T: 818-741-0923

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are also based on assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: In Almost Half of Russian Regions, Price Growth in May Was Nearly 4% Year-On-Year

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    In 59 of 85 Russian regions, prices in May rose less than in April, and in 6 regions they fell. According to the Bank of Russia, in 41 regions, the price increase, excluding seasonality, was close to 4% or lower on an annualized basis.

    The growth of food prices has slowed in 49 regions. Fruit and vegetable products and sugar have become noticeably cheaper, and the prices of pasta and cereals have continued to decline.

    Non-food products fell in price in 41 regions, with the biggest decline being in the price of appliances and electronics.

    The rate of price growth has decreased most noticeably in the services sector. Price dynamics have slowed in 65 regions, mainly due to transport services.

    According to Rosstat, annual inflation in Russia fell to 9.9% in May. In the vast majority of regions (66), it also slowed down. The Bank of Russia will continue to reduce inflation, maintaining high rates in the economy. According to our forecast, annual inflation will return to 4% in 2026.

    For more information on inflation in each region, seeinformation and analytical materials, published on the website of the Bank of Russia.

    Preview photo: Mariia Orlovskaya / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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

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

    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/Event/? ID = 24722

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Join LeSean McCoy, Local Leaders for Ribbon Cutting at New Affordable Housing Development in Uptown Harrisburg

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 24, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Join LeSean McCoy, Local Leaders for Ribbon Cutting at New Affordable Housing Development in Uptown Harrisburg

    Governor Josh Shapiro will join LeSean McCoy, state and local leaders, developers, and community members to celebrate the ribbon cutting of JMB Gardens, a newly developed 41-unit, $16.7 million affordable housing community in uptown Harrisburg.

    Developed by Vice Capital, LLC – the real estate investment and development firm led by Harrisburg native and former NFL player LeSean McCoy – JMB Gardens is a major investment in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization in the city.

    Supported by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the project delivers safe, affordable housing for Harrisburg families and reflects the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring more Pennsylvanians have a safe, affordable place to live.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    LeSean McCoy, Owner, Vice Capital, LLC
    Robin Weissmann, PHFA Executive Director and CEO
    Senator Patty Kim
    Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams
    Brian Hudson, former PHFA Executive Director

    WHERE:
    JMB Gardens
    2309 N. 6th Street
    Harrisburg, PA 17110

    WHEN:
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phones numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Pelican Acquisition Corporation Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Greenland Exploration Limited

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pelican Acquisition Corporation (NASDAQ: PELI, the “Company” or “Pelican”), a Cayman Islands exempted company formed as a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) with Greenland Exploration Limited (“Greenland Exploration” or “GEL”) to pursue a potential business combination.

    Greenland Exploration is a Texas-based special purpose vehicle focused on developing strategic interests in North American energy assets. Greenland Exploration has an agreement that will allow it to invest up to $70 million in the Jameson Land Basin, where it’s partner March GL Company has rights through a drill in program to over 2 million acres on the island of Greenland. According to March GL Company, over $200 million has been invested to date by major oil companies (including ARCO) to develop oil reserves in the Jameson Land Basin. A 2007 estimate from the U.S. Geological Survey suggests that Greenland contains approximately 31.4 billion barrels of oil equivalent, including oil, gas and natural gas liquids. Taking this fact into consideration, coupled with recent US prerogatives to designate Greenland as a strategic defensive location, Pelican believes the proposed transaction with GEL could present an extraordinarily unique and attractive opportunity for its shareholders.

    Under the preliminary, non-binding terms, the parties are exploring a potential share-for-share exchange in which Pelican would acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding equity of GEL. While the structure remains subject to further negotiation and due diligence, the LOI contemplates an exchange ratio of one Pelican share for each GEL common share which would result in the issuance of 21.5 million shares of Pelican. In addition, March GL Company may receive certain equity exchange rights based on a notional valuation of $200 million, assuming a $10.00 per share value for Pelican, subject to final structuring and definitive documentation.

    “This letter of intent represents an exciting first step in our strategy to bring valuable energy assets to the public markets,” said Robert Labbe, Chief Executive Officer of Pelican. “We believe Greenland Exploration’s potential access to strategic reserves in an underexplored region makes it a promising partner for long-term growth.”

    “We are very pleased to enter into this LOI with Pelican as we pursue a public market strategy to develop one of the world’s most significant untapped hydrocarbon basins,” said Larry G. Swets, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Greenland Exploration. “We look forward to working closely with Pelican to evaluate this opportunity.”

    The LOI provides for a 30-day exclusive negotiation period, during which the parties will work in good faith toward executing a definitive agreement. The transaction remains subject to, among other things, execution of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence, approval of the boards and shareholders of the respective parties (if applicable), and regulatory and other customary conditions.

    As part of the contemplated deal structure, Pelican’s sponsor would forfeit founder shares such that post-transaction, its founder equity would equal 25% of the shares issued in its IPO. The current structure under discussion does not include a minimum cash condition from Pelican’s trust account for the transaction to close.

    ThinkEquity is acting as advisor to Greenland Exploration and EarlyBirdCapital is acting as advisor to Pelican on the transaction.

    Important Note Regarding the LOI

    The LOI is non-binding and there can be no assurance whatsoever that a definitive agreement will be executed or that the proposed transaction will be completed on the terms described, or at all.

    About Greenland Exploration Limited

    Greenland Exploration Limited is a Texas-based entity focused on developing strategic positions in North American energy assets. Through its partnerships and future acquisitions, GEL aims to deliver long-term shareholder value in a dynamic and evolving energy market.

    About March GL Company

    March GL Company, a privately-owned Texas Corporation, entered into an agreement with 80 Mile, for drilling to commence at the Jameson oil and gas basin in Greenland. March GL will fund 100% of the costs associated with up to two exploration wells which are designed to delineate the sedimentary structure and energy potential of the Jameson Basin. In return, March GL will earn through 80 Mile’s subsidiary company White Flame A/S up to 70% interest of the entire basin. March GL Company will be appointed by White Flame A/S as Field Operations Manager. More information is available at it’s website www.MarchGL.com.

    About Pelican Acquisition Corporation

    Pelican Acquisition Corporation is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Pelican is not limited to any particular industry or geographic region in identifying prospective targets.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. These statements relate to, among other things, the proposed business combination, future operations, and performance. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. No assurance can be given that the parties will enter into a definitive agreement or that the proposed transaction will be consummated as described, or at all. Pelican disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release.

    Contact

    Robert Labbe
    Chief Executive Officer
    Email: admin@pelicanacq.com
    Tel: (212) 612-1400

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Brookfield Corporation Announces Results of Conversion of its Series 42 Preferred Shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROOKFIELD, NEWS, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brookfield Corporation (“Brookfield”) (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN) today announced that after having taken into account all election notices received by the deadline for the conversion of its Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 42 (the “Series 42 Shares”) (TSX: BN.PF.G) into Cumulative Class A Preference Shares, Series 43 (the “Series 43 Shares”), there were 10,420 Series 42 Shares tendered for conversion, which is less than the one million shares required to give effect to conversion into Series 43 Shares. Accordingly, there will be no conversion of Series 42 Shares into Series 43 Shares and holders of Series 42 Shares will retain their Series 42 Shares.

    About Brookfield Corporation

    Brookfield Corporation is a leading global investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for institutions and individuals around the world. We have three core businesses: Alternative Asset Management, Wealth Solutions, and our Operating Businesses which are in renewable power, infrastructure, business and industrial services, and real estate.

    We have a track record of delivering 15%+ annualized returns to shareholders for over 30 years, supported by our unrivaled investment and operational experience. Our conservatively managed balance sheet, extensive operational experience, and global sourcing networks allow us to consistently access unique opportunities. At the center of our success is the Brookfield Ecosystem, which is based on the fundamental principle that each group within Brookfield benefits from being part of the broader organization. Brookfield Corporation is publicly traded in New York and Toronto (NYSE: BN, TSX: BN).

    For more information, please visit our website at www.bn.brookfield.com or contact:

    Media: Investor Relations:
    Kerrie McHugh Katie Battaglia
    Tel: (212) 618-3469 Tel: (416) 359-8544
    Email: kerrie.mchugh@brookfield.com Email: katie.battaglia@brookfield.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Diversified Energy and Carlyle Enter Strategic Partnership to Invest in Up to $2 Billion of PDP Energy Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC; NYSE: DEC) (“Diversified,” or “DEC”), a leading publicly traded natural gas and liquids production company, and global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) have today announced a strategic partnership to invest in up to $2 billion in existing proved developed producing (PDP) natural gas and oil assets across the United States.

    This exclusive partnership will combine Carlyle’s deep credit and structuring expertise, led by Carlyle’s asset-backed finance (ABF) team, with Diversified’s market-leading operating capabilities and differentiated business model of acquiring and optimizing portfolios of existing long-life oil and gas assets to generate reliable production and consistent cash flow.

    The partnership enhances Diversified’s access to capital in an attractive acquisition market. Under the terms of the agreement, Diversified will serve as the operator and servicer of the newly acquired assets. As investments occur, Carlyle intends to pursue opportunities to securitize these assets, seeking to unlock long-term, resilient financing for this critical segment of the nation’s energy infrastructure.

    “We are excited to partner with Carlyle, a leader in the asset-backed finance space. This arrangement significantly enhances our ability to pursue and scale strategic acquisitions in what we believe is a highly compelling environment for PDP asset consolidation,” said Rusty Hutson, Jr., CEO of Diversified Energy. “We continue to see a robust pipeline of opportunities and the growing need for operational scale and efficiency. With Carlyle’s support, we are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends while aiming to generate sustainable cash flow and value for our shareholders.”

    “Diversified is a leading operator of long-life energy assets and a pioneer in bringing PDP securitizations to institutional markets,” said Akhil Bansal, Head of Asset-Backed Finance at Carlyle. “We are excited to bring institutional capital to high-quality, cash-yielding energy assets that are core to US domestic energy production and energy security. This partnership underscores Carlyle’s ability to originate differentiated investment opportunities through proprietary sourcing channels and seek access to stable, yield-oriented energy exposure.”

    Carlyle Asset-Backed Finance (“Carlyle ABF”) is a group within Carlyle’s Global Credit platform focused on private fixed income and asset-backed investments. The highly experienced team leverages the knowledge, sourcing, structuring, and breadth of the entire Carlyle investment platform to help deliver tailored asset-focused financing solutions to businesses, specialty finance companies, banks, asset managers, and other originators and owners of diversified pools of assets. Carlyle ABF has deployed approximately $8 billion since 2021 and has approximately $9 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025.

    About Diversified Energy Company PLC
    Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.

    About Carlyle
    Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across its business and conducts its operations through three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $453 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group

    Media Contacts

    Diversified Energy Company PLC
    Doug Kris
    Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
    (973) 856 2757
    dkris@dgoc.com

    Carlyle
    Kristen Ashton
    Corporate Communications
    (212) 813-4763
    Kristen.ashton@carlyle.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected results of the strategic partnership and future results, which speak only as of the date of this release. They reflect Diversified’s current expectations and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the factors described in Diversified’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Liquidia Receives $50 Million from Healthcare Royalty (HCRx) Following First Commercial Sale of YUTREPIA™

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MORRISVILLE, N.C., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced the receipt of an additional $50.0 million under its sixth amendment to its financing agreement (HCR Agreement) with Healthcare Royalty (HCRx) upon the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina denying United Therapeutics Corporation’s request for a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order in its complaint filed against Liquidia and the first commercial sale of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder.

    Michael Kaseta, Liquidia’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are grateful for the continued partnership with HCRx and pleased with the early stages of YUTREPIA’s launch. The proceeds from HCRx will further accelerate our launch execution, advance our clinical pipeline, and support the expansion of future manufacturing operations, including the build-out of our newly leased manufacturing facility. Our early momentum and strong financial position reinforce our belief in Liquidia’s ability to achieve profitability without the need for additional capital.”

    Clarke Futch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCRx added: “Today’s news reflects an important milestone in Liquidia’s commercial execution of YUTREPIA and further strengthens our confidence in the company’s long-term vision. We are pleased to support Liquidia as it further advances the commercial launch of YUTREPIA and prepares to expand future manufacturing capabilities to meet growing market demand in the years ahead.”

    Under the terms of the HCR agreement, Liquidia has now received $175.0 million of the $200.0 million in total potential funding. An additional $25.0 million remains available upon the mutual agreement of the parties, if Liquidia achieves aggregate net sales of YUTREPIA in excess of $100.0 million at any time on or prior to June 30, 2026. The additional $50.0 million that HCRx funded is subject to a fixed payment schedule through 2033. Aggregate payments to HCRx are capped at 175% of the total amounts funded. A true-up payment may be required if HCRx’s internal rate of return falls below a minimum threshold on the date the cap is reached, which is 13% for this funding of $50.0 million.

    About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
    Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, chronic, progressive disease caused by narrowing, thickening or stiffening of the pulmonary arteries that can lead to right heart failure and eventually death. Currently, an estimated 45,000 patients are diagnosed and treated in the United States. There is currently no cure for PAH, so the goals of existing treatments are to alleviate symptoms, maintain or improve functional class, delay disease progression, and improve quality of life.

    About Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease (PH-ILD)
    Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) includes a diverse collection of up to 200 different pulmonary diseases, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, connective tissue disease-related ILD, and chronic pulmonary fibrosis with emphysema (CPFE) among others. Any level of PH in ILD patients is associated with poor 3-year survival. A current estimate of PH-ILD prevalence in the United States is greater than 60,000 patients, though population size in many of these underlying ILD diseases is not yet known due to factors including underdiagnosis and lack of approved treatments until March 2021, when inhaled treprostinil was first approved for this indication.

    About YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder 
    YUTREPIA is an inhaled dry-powder formulation of treprostinil delivered through a convenient, low-effort, palm-sized device. YUTREPIA was designed using Liquidia’s PRINT® technology, which enables the development of drug particles that are precise and uniform in size, shape and composition, and that are engineered for enhanced deposition in the lung following oral inhalation. Liquidia has completed the INSPIRE trial (NCT03399604), or Investigation of the Safety and Pharmacology of Dry Powder Inhalation of Treprostinil, an open-label, multi-center phase 3 clinical study of YUTREPIA in patients diagnosed with PAH who are naïve to inhaled treprostinil or who are transitioning from Tyvaso® (nebulized treprostinil). YUTREPIA is currently being studied in the ASCENT trial (NCT06129240), or An Open-Label ProSpective MultiCENTer Study to Evaluate Safety and Tolerability of Dry Powder Inhaled Treprostinil in PH, with the objective of informing YUTREPIA’s dosing and tolerability profile in patients with PH-ILD. YUTREPIA was previously referred to as LIQ861 in investigational studies.

    INDICATION
    YUTREPIA (treprostinil) inhalation powder is a prostacyclin analog indicated for the treatment of:

    • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability. Studies establishing effectiveness predominately included patients with NYHA Functional Class III symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (56%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (33%).
    • Pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD; WHO Group 3) to improve exercise ability. The study establishing effectiveness predominately included patients with etiologies of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) (45%) inclusive of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) (25%), and WHO Group 3 connective tissue disease (22%).

    SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION: WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 

    • Treprostinil is a pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. In patients with low systemic arterial pressure, treatment with Treprostinil may produce symptomatic hypotension.
    • Treprostinil inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding.
    • Co-administration of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 enzyme inhibitor (e.g., gemfibrozil) may increase exposure (both Cmax and AUC) to treprostinil. Co-administration of a CYP2C8 enzyme inducer (e.g., rifampin) may decrease exposure to treprostinil. Increased exposure is likely to increase adverse events associated with treprostinil administration, whereas decreased exposure is likely to reduce clinical effectiveness.
    • Like other inhaled prostaglandins, YUTREPIA may cause acute bronchospasm. Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other bronchial hyperreactivity, are at increased risk for bronchospasm. Ensure that such patients are treated optimally for reactive airway disease prior to and during treatment. 
    • Most common adverse reactions with YUTREPIA (≥10%) are cough, headache, throat irritation and dizziness.

    Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use for YUTREPIA (treprostinil) inhalation powder are available at YUTREPIA.com.

    About Liquidia Corporation
    Liquidia Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease. The company’s current focus spans the development and commercialization of products in pulmonary hypertension and other applications of its proprietary PRINT® Technology. PRINT enabled the creation of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, a drug that has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PHILD). The company is also developing L606, an investigational sustained-release formulation of treprostinil administered twice-daily with a next-generation nebulizer and currently markets generic Treprostinil Injection for the treatment of PAH. To learn more about Liquidia, please visit www.liquidia.com.

    About HealthCare Royalty
    HealthCare Royalty is a leading royalty acquisition company focused on commercial or near-commercial biopharmaceutical products. With offices in Stamford, Conn., San Francisco, Boston, London and Miami. HCRx has invested $5+ billion in over 90 biopharmaceutical products since inception. For more information, visit https://www.hcrx.com. HEALTHCARE ROYALTY® and HCRx® are registered trademarks of HealthCare Royalty Management, LLC.

    Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our strategic and financial initiatives, our business strategy and plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding clinical trials, clinical studies and other clinical work (including the funding therefor, anticipated patient enrollment, safety data, study data, trial outcomes, timing or associated costs), regulatory applications and related submission contents and timelines; our ability to successfully commercialize our products, including YUTREPIA, for which we obtain FDA or other regulatory authority approval; the acceptance by the market of our products, including YUTREPIA, and their potential pricing and/or reimbursement by third-party payors, if approved (in the case of our product candidates) and whether such acceptance is sufficient to support continued commercialization or development of our products; the successful development or commercialization of our products, including YUTREPIA; our revenue from product sales and whether or not we may become profitable in the near term, or at all; future competitive or other market factors that may adversely affect the commercial potential for YUTREPIA; and our ability to execute on our strategic or financial initiatives, involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Despite the approval of YUTREPIA by the FDA, it is possible that commercialization of YUTREPIA may be blocked or delayed in connection with legal proceedings that have been initiated or that may in the future be initiated, or we may be required to pay damages, including royalties, in connection with our commercial launch, as a result of these legal proceedings. We may be unable to achieve the net sales milestone necessary to receive additional funding under the HCRx agreement and, even if we do achieve the net sales milestone, additional funding is contingent upon the agreement of both HCRx and us. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks discussed in our filings with the SEC, as well as a number of uncertainties and assumptions. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and our industry has inherent risks. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that these goals will be achieved, and we undertake no duty to update our goals or to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Tyvaso® is a registered trademark of United Therapeutics Corporation.

    Contact Information

    Investors:
    Jason Adair
    Chief Business Officer
    919.328.4350
    Jason.adair@liquidia.com

    Media:
    Patrick Wallace
    Director, Corporate Communications
    919.328.4383
    patrick.wallace@liquidia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Service CU Launches Service Ventures to Drive Innovation in the Credit Union Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PORTSMOUTH, N.H., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Service Ventures, an independent investment arm of Service Credit Union, has officially launched to allow the credit union to drive its mission of improving members’ financial well-being while also helping their experience.

    Service Ventures invests in solutions that empower credit unions to deliver exceptional member experiences. The firm seeks partnerships with startups that share a commitment to enhancing service, accessibility, and operational excellence across the credit union landscape.

    In its early stage, Service Ventures has already made strategic investments in several innovative companies, including member engagement platform Larky, deposit management solution Modern FI CUSO, conversational AI assistant Posh AI, and wealth technology company WealthCabinet. More information on each of these companies can be found at service.vc/portfolio.

    Service Ventures is led by General Partner Brian Regan. Before joining Service Ventures in 2024, Brian co-founded Strake, a cloud optimization company. Prior to that, Brian worked for VMWare’s Security Business Unit, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and business planning initiatives.

    “Service Ventures will fuel the next generation of companies that help credit unions better serve their members,” Regan said. “We’re focused on ethical, member-first solutions and are excited to bring visionary founders into the fold of opportunity within the cooperative banking space.”

    About Service Ventures

    Service Ventures is the independent venture capital arm of Service Credit Union, a $6+ billion financial institution serving more than 350,000 members worldwide. Service Ventures invests in innovative financial technology companies that align with the credit union philosophy of people helping people and fosters partnerships that drive meaningful impact across the financial services landscape.

    About Service Credit Union

    Service Credit Union is dedicated to providing a banking experience that improves our members’ lives and the communities in which they live. Established in 1957 to provide affordable credit to the Pease Air Force Base community, and now the largest credit union in New Hampshire, with over $6 billion in assets and 50 branch locations in the New England Region and Germany, we continue to provide a better future to our members all over the world. To learn more about Service Credit Union, please visit www.servicecu.org.

    Contact:
    Chris Banker
    cbanker@servicecu.org (603) 923-0904

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Presidents of both parties have launched military action without Congress declaring war − Trump’s bombing of Iran is just the latest

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Burns, Associate Professor of Political Science, Rochester Institute of Technology

    President Donald Trump is seen on a monitor in the White House press briefing room on June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military strike on three sites in Iran. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    In the wake of the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, many congressional Democrats and a few Republicans have objected to President Donald Trump’s failure to seek congressional approval before conducting military operations.

    They note that Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and say that section required Trump to seek prior authorization for military action.

    The Trump administration disagrees. “This is not a war against Iran,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, implying that the action did not require approval by Congress. That’s the same view held by most modern presidents and their lawyers in the Office of Legal Counsel: Article 2 of the Constitution allows the president to use the military in certain situations without prior approval from Congress.

    By this reading of the text, presidents, as commander in chief, claim the power to unilaterally order the military to initiate small-scale operations for a short duration. Members of Congress may object to that claim, but they have done little to limit presidents’ unilateralism. What little they have done has not been effective.

    As I’ve demonstrated in my research, even though the 1973 War Powers Resolution attempted to constrain presidential power after the disasters of the Vietnam War, it contains many loopholes that presidents have exploited to act unilaterally. For example, it allows presidents to engage in military operations without congressional approval for up to 90 days. And more recent congressional resolutions have broadened executive control even further.

    President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the U.S. declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941.
    U.S. National Archives

    A long tradition of executive authority

    Presidents can even overcome the loopholes in the War Powers Resolution if the operation lasts longer than 90 days. In 2011, a State Department lawyer argued that airstrikes in Libya could continue beyond the War Powers Resolution’s 90-day time limit because there were no ground troops involved. By that logic, any future president could carry out an indefinite bombing campaign with no congressional oversight.

    While every president has bristled at congressional restraints on their actions, presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt have successfully circumvented them by citing vague concerns like “national security,” “regional security” or the need to “prevent a humanitarian disaster” when launching military operations. While members of Congress always take issue with these actions, they never hold presidents accountable by passing legislation restraining him.

    President Trump’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites without consulting Congress falls in line with precedent from both Democratic and Republican leaders for decades.

    Much like his predecessors, Trump did not, and likely will not, provide Congress with more concrete information about the legality of his actions. Nor are congressional lawmakers effectively holding him accountable.

    The push-and-pull between Congress and the president over military operations dates back to the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, which led Congress to declare war on Japan. Before then, Congress had prevented the U.S. from joining World War II by enforcing an arms embargo and refusing to help the Allies prior to the attack on Hawaii. But afterward, Congress began allowing the president to take more control over the military.

    During the Cold War, rather than returning to a balanced debate between the branches, Congress continued to relinquish those powers.

    Congress never authorized the war in Korea; Harry Truman used a U.N. Security Council resolution as legal justification. Congress’ vote explicitly opposing the invasion of Cambodia didn’t stop Richard Nixon from doing it anyway. Even after the Cold War, Bill Clinton regularly acted unilaterally to address humanitarian crises or the continued threat from leaders like Saddam Hussein. He sent the military to Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo, among other places.

    After 9/11, Congress quickly gave up more of its power. A week after those attacks, Congress passed a sweeping Authorization for Use of Military Force, giving the president permission to “use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”

    In a follow-up 2002 authorization, Congress went even further, allowing the president to “use the Armed Forces … as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend national security … against the continuing threat posed by Iraq.” This approach provides few, if any, congressional checks on the control of military affairs exercised by the president.

    In the two decades since those authorizations, four presidents have used them to justify all manner of military action, from targeted killings of terrorists to the years long fight against the Islamic State group.

    Congress regularly discusses terminating those authorizations, but has yet to do so. If Congress did, the loopholes in the original War Powers Resolution would still exist.

    While President Biden claimed he supported the repeal of the authorizations, and supported more congressional oversight of military actions, Trump has made no such claims. Instead, he has claimed even more sweeping authority to act without any permission from Congress.

    As recently as 2024, Biden used the 2002 authorization as a legal rationale for the targeted killing of Iranian-backed militiamen in Iraq, a strike condemned by Iraqi leaders.

    Those actions may have ruffled congressional feathers, but they were in keeping with a long U.S. tradition of targeting members of terrorist groups and protecting members of the military serving in a conflict zone.

    Demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol in January 2020 call on Congress to limit the president’s powers to use the military.
    AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    Threats of war

    During his first presidential term in 2020, Trump ordered a lethal drone strike against a respected member of the Iranian government, Major General Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran’s equivalent of the CIA, without consulting Congress or publicly providing proof of why the attack was necessary, even to this day.

    Tensions – and fears of war – spiked but then slowly faded when Iran responded with missile attacks on two U.S. bases in Iraq.

    Now, the U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites have revived both fears of war and renewed questions about the president’s authority to unilaterally engage in military action. Presidents since the 1970s, however, have effectively managed to dodge definitive answers to those questions – demonstrating both the power inherent in their position and the unwillingness among members of the legislative branch to reclaim their coequal status.

    This article is an updated version of a story published on Jan. 24, 2024.

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

    – ref. Presidents of both parties have launched military action without Congress declaring war − Trump’s bombing of Iran is just the latest – https://theconversation.com/presidents-of-both-parties-have-launched-military-action-without-congress-declaring-war-trumps-bombing-of-iran-is-just-the-latest-259636

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: iBio Presents Next-Generation Obesity and Cardiometabolic Pipeline Candidates on June 24 Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Review of promising Myostatin and Activin E antibody data

    iBio to announce 3rdtarget in Astral Bio Collaboration

    Conference call Tuesday, June 24 at 8:30 a.m. ET

    SAN DIEGO, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — iBio, Inc. (Nasdaq: IBIO), an AI-driven innovator of precision antibody therapies, today announced the Company will host a conference call on Tuesday, June 24, at 8:30 a.m. ET to review its latest advances in obesity and cardiometabolic disease treatments and announce a third target in the AstralBio Collaboration in addition to Myostatin and Activin E.

    Martin Brenner, DVM, Ph.D., iBio’s CEO and Chief Scientific Officer, will outline how iBio is pioneering the next generation of antibody medicines—targeted, longer-lasting, and potentially better tolerated therapies with more sustainable efficacy. Dr. Brenner will present a strategic overview of the obesity strategy, including details on their long acting Myostatin, IBIO-600, new preclinical data on Activin E and, more safe and effective treatment options.

    The webcast of the live call may be accessed on the Investors section of the iBio website at ir.ibioinc.com/news-events/ir-calendar. A replay of the webcast will be available on the iBio website for approximately 60 days following the presentation.

    To join the live call, participants need to access this link for dial-in numbers and a unique participation code.

    About iBio, Inc.

    iBio (Nasdaq: IBIO) is a cutting-edge biotech company leveraging AI and advanced computational biology to develop next-generation biopharmaceuticals for cardiometabolic diseases, obesity, cancer and other hard-to-treat diseases. By combining proprietary 3D modeling with innovative drug discovery platforms, iBio is creating a pipeline of breakthrough antibody treatments to address significant unmet medical needs. Our mission is to transform drug discovery, accelerate development timelines, and unlock new possibilities in precision medicine. For more information, visit www.ibioinc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Any statements contained in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements include statements regarding pioneering the next generation of antibody medicines, which are potentially better tolerated therapies with more sustainable efficacy, and Activin E and amylin agonist, which are promising pathways for more safe and effective treatment options. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including iBio’s ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of its product candidates, or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements; regulatory limitations relating to iBio’s ability to promote or commercialize its product candidates for specific indications; acceptance of iBio’s product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of products; and whether iBio will incur unforeseen expenses or liabilities or other market factors; and the other factors discussed in iBio’s filings with the SEC including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 and its subsequent filings with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The information in this release is provided only as of the date of this release, and iBio undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release on account of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Corporate Contact: 
    iBio, Inc. 
    Investor Relations 
    ir@ibioinc.com

    Media Contacts: 
    Ignacio Guerrero-Ros, Ph.D., or David Schull 
    Russo Partners, LLC 
    Ignacio.guerrero-ros@russopartnersllc.com 
    David.schull@russopartnersllc.com 
    (858) 717-2310 or (646) 942-5604

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University

    Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16)

    We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt.

    And what records we do have about them often concern the lives of the elite – the young king or the children of senior officials. They are more prominent in surviving material evidence, especially funerary art. Infant mortality rates were high in ancient Egypt.

    As a result, much of the work in Egyptology on representations of childhood in ancient Egypt is dominated by evidence for the lives of boys and young adult men.

    But what were the lives of ordinary girls like in ancient Egypt? And how did they make their way in a deeply patriarchal culture?

    Finding hieroglyphic words for girls

    An initial problem in studying girls’ lives in ancient Egypt is answering the question: who was a girl in ancient Egypt?

    Chronological age was not always recorded by ancient Egyptians in their letters or inscriptions.

    Instead, more general words and hieroglyphic signs tended to accompany images of men, women and children to indicate their social roles.

    A woman is shown nursing a child while another woman is dressing her hair.
    Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (22.2.35)

    These words and signs were only loosely associated with biological development.

    Hieroglyphic words for infants and small children, for instance, could be marked with an image of a small, seated child – sometimes with a finger held to its mouth.

    Among the words used to describe young girls – talking, walking, and participating alongside adults in their work – was sheriyt.

    This is the word often found in ancient accounting documents recording payments of wages, indicating a girl-child worker. They are distinguished from older women in these documents, although it is difficult to know precisely how young they might have been.

    In this way, written administrative records and archaeological evidence reveals girls of many social classes were integrated into economic production from an early age.

    Payment for work

    Elephantine, a town at Egypt’s southern frontier near modern-day Aswan, provides a unique window into the urban life of some girls who worked in textile workshops during the ancient Egyptian Middle Kingdom, which dates approximately 2030–1650 BCE.

    First published in 1996, archaeologists found a ceramic bowl repurposed as a writing surface in a house in the densely packed urban settlement.

    The excavators initially dated the bowl to the reign of King Amenemhat III, who ruled almost 3,800 years ago. However, based on the style of writing and the types of names listed, some scholars have also dated it earlier. It contains lists of payments of provisions of grain for textile workers over the course of a month.

    What makes this document so important is that it names at least 18 child workers. Of these, 11 are girls, clearly marked with the Egyptian word sheriyt, working alongside 28 adult women.

    The list shows adult women in this workshop received between 50–57 heqat (around 240–274 litres) of grain – although it’s not entirely clear if this was a one-off payment, a payment per month, or something else. The girls earned smaller but still significant wages of 3–7 heqat (around 14–34 litres).

    Some other adult women seem to have also received comparable provisions to the girls, although without further information it is difficult know their social status or age.

    This document not only confirms that girls received payment for their labour. It also suggests a structured apprenticeship system where young girls (and boys) worked alongside experienced craftswomen.

    This corroborates evidence from visual art of textile workshops from the same period.

    Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted at the tomb in 1931 by Norman de Garis Davies.
    Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (33.8.16)

    Work life, home life

    Archaeological evidence suggests textile production occurred both within homes and in dedicated workshops.

    Evidence from the excavations at Elephantine suggests homes had several rooms with multiple purposes, including courtyards, entrance vestibules, kitchens with ovens (recognisable by blackened walls and ash deposits), and possible stairs leading to roof spaces.

    Privacy would have been limited. Daily life would have included close interaction with animals, as evidenced by attached animal pens.

    More recently, close to the house where the provision list was discovered, archaeologists found needles, spindles, shuttles, and remains of pegs for a large loom.

    These were found both inside houses and in the courtyards attached to them.

    It’s hard to know what exactly these buildings were for; they probably served multiple purposes.

    Lives shaped by class and legal status

    Not all girls at Elephantine had the same experience of life. The town’s position at Egypt’s southern frontier in this period meant it was home to diverse populations, which included migrants, enslaved people and transitory workers.

    A letter dating to the reign of King Amenemhat III documents some families, including women and children, arriving at Elephantine seeking work during a famine in their home region.

    This ancient letter mentions families, including women and children, looking for work.
    © The Trustees of the British Museum. Shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence, CC BY-NC-SA

    This evidence can be compared to a legal document from the same time period but from another Egyptian town, El Lahun. This document mentions the purchase and transfer of enslaved women and infants who are called Aamut, referring to a region in West Asia. The document shows they have been given new Egyptian names.

    These documents remind us factors such as class and legal status have always profoundly shaped girls’ lives.

    Valuing the work of girls

    Accessing the everyday thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of many ancient people, especially children, is challenging for historians. We don’t, for instance, have a wealth of personal diaries from ancient Egypt to learn about girls’ interior lives.

    But what’s clear is that girls were not merely passive participants in society. They were active economic contributors, who often received formal compensation for their work.

    Historians must always look beyond elite contexts to incorporate diverse evidence types – administrative documents, archaeological remains, and artistic representations – to construct a more complete picture of ancient lives.

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

    – ref. Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt – https://theconversation.com/work-wages-and-apprenticeships-sifting-for-clues-about-the-lives-of-girls-in-ancient-egypt-249581

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong

    Panuwat Dangsungnoen/Getty Images

    Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so these terms give us a clear idea of what the procedure entails.

    So why is the removal of the uterus called a hysterectomy and not a uterectomy?

    The name hysterectomy is rooted in a mental health condition – “hysteria” – that was once believed to affect women. But we now know this condition doesn’t exist.

    Continuing to call this significant operation a hysterectomy both perpetuates misogyny and hampers people’s understanding of what it is.

    From the defunct condition ‘hysteria’

    Hysteria was a psychiatric condition first formally defined in the 5th century BCE. It had many symptoms, including excessive emotion, irritability, anxiety, breathlessness and fainting.

    But hysteria was only diagnosed in women. Male physicians at the time claimed these symptoms were caused by a “wandering womb”. They believed the womb (uterus) moved around the body looking for sperm and disrupted other organs.

    Because the uterus was blamed for hysteria, the treatment was to remove it. This procedure was called a hysterectomy. Sadly, many women had their healthy uterus unnecessarily removed and most died.

    The word “hysteria” did originally came from the ancient Greek word for uterus, “hystera”. But the modern Greek word for uterus is “mitra”, which is where words such as “endometrium” come from.

    Hysteria was only removed as an official medical diagnosis in 1980. It was finally recognised it does not exist and is sexist.

    “Hysterectomy” should also be removed from medical terminology because it continues to link the uterus to hysteria.

    Common but confusing

    About one in three Australian women will have their uterus removed. A hysterectomy is one of the most common surgeries worldwide. It’s used to treat conditions including:

    • abnormal uterine bleeding (heavy bleeding)
    • uterine fibroids (benign tumours)
    • uterine prolapse (when the uterus protrudes down into the vagina)
    • adenomyosis (when the inner layer of the uterus grows into the muscle layer)
    • cancer.

    However, in a survey colleagues and I did of almost 500 Australian adults, which is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, one in five people thought hysterectomy meant removal of the ovaries, not the uterus.

    It’s true some hysterectomies for cancer do also remove the ovaries. A hysterectomy or partial hysterectomy is the removal of only the uterus, a total hysterectomy removes the uterus and cervix, while a radical hysterectomy usually removes the uterus, cervix, uterine tubes and ovaries.

    There are important differences between these hysterectomies, so they should be named to clearly indicate the nature of the surgery.

    Research has shown ambiguous terminology such as “hysterectomy” is associated with low patient understanding of the procedure and the female anatomy involved.

    There are different types of hysterectomies, and the label can be confusing.
    Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock

    Uterectomy should be used for removal of the uterus, in combination with the medical terms for removal of the cervix, uterine tubes and ovaries as needed. For example, a uterectomy plus cervicectomy would refer to the removal of the uterus and the cervix.

    This could help patients understand what is (and isn’t) being removed from their bodies and increase clarity for the wider public.

    Other female body parts and procedures have male names

    There are many eponyms (something named after a person) in anatomy and medicine, such as the Achilles tendon and Parkinson’s disease. They are almost exclusively the names of white men.

    Eponyms for female anatomy and procedures include the Fallopian tubes, Pouch of Douglas, and Pap smear.

    The anatomical term for Fallopian tubes is uterine tubes. “Uterine” indicates these are attached to the uterus, which reinforces their important role in fertility.

    The Pouch of Douglas is the space between the rectum and uterus. Using the anatomical name (rectouterine pouch) is important, because this a common site for endometriosis and can explain any associated bowel symptoms.

    Pap smear gives no indication of its location or function. The new cervical screening test is named exactly that, which clarifies it samples cells of the cervix. This helps people understand this tests for risk of cervical cancer.

    Language matters in medicine and health care

    Language in medicine impacts patient care and health. It needs to be accurate and clear, not include words associated with bias or discrimination, and not disempower a person.

    For these reasons, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists recommends removing eponyms from scientific and medical communication.

    Meanwhile, experts have rightly argued it’s time to rename the hysterectomy to uterectomy.

    A hysterectomy is an emotional procedure with not only physical but also psychological effects. Not directly referring to the uterus perpetuates the historical disregard of female reproductive anatomy and functions. Removing the link to hysteria and renaming hysterectomy to uterectomy would be a simple but symbolic change.

    Educators, medical doctors and science communicators will play an important role in using the term uterectomy instead of hysterectomy. Ultimately, the World Health Organization should make official changes in the International Classification of Health Interventions.

    In line with increasing awareness and discussions around female reproductive health and medical misogyny, now is the time to improve terminology. We must ensure the names of body parts and medical procedures reflect the relevant anatomy.

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

    – ref. Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history – https://theconversation.com/inaccurate-and-misogynistic-why-we-need-to-make-the-term-hysterectomy-history-257972

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Eureka Acquisition Corp Announces Postponement of the Extraordinary General Meeting to June 30, 2025 and Extension of Redemption Request Deadline

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Eureka Acquisition Corp (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EURK), a blank check company, today announced that its previously announced extraordinary general meeting in lieu of an annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”) will be postponed from 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on June 25, 2025 to 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on June 30, 2025 (the “Postponement”) to allow the Company additional time to engage with shareholders.

    The Extraordinary General Meeting is to be held for the purpose of considering and voting on, among other proposals, a proposal to amend the Company’s current charter to provide that the Company has until July 3, 2025 to complete a business combination and may elect to extend up to twelve times, each by a one-month extension, for a total of up to twelve months to July 3, 2026.

    The record date for determining the Company shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting remains the close of business on May 23, 2025 (the “Record Date”). Shareholders as of the Record Date can vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Shareholders who have previously submitted their proxies or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not to take any action. Shareholders who have not yet done so are encouraged to vote as soon as possible.

    As a result of the Postponement, the previously disclosed deadline of June 23, 2025 (two business days before the Extraordinary General Meeting, as originally scheduled) for delivery of redemption requests from the Company’s shareholders to the Company’s transfer agent has been extended to June 26, 2025 (two business days before the postponed Extraordinary General Meeting). Shareholders who wish to withdraw their previously submitted redemption request may do so prior to the postponed Extraordinary General Meeting by requesting that the Company’s transfer agent return such shares by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 26, 2025.

    There is no change to the location, the record date, or any of the other proposals to be acted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

    If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your shares, please contact:

    Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
    1 State Street 30th Floor
    New York, NY 10004-1561
    E-mail: spacredemptions@continentalstock.com

    The Company’s shareholders who have questions regarding the Postponement, the Extraordinary General Meeting, or would like to request documents may contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, Advantage Proxy, Inc., at (877) 870-8565, or banks and brokers can call (206) 870-8565, or by email at ksmith@advantageproxy.com.

    About Eureka Acquisition Corp

    Eureka Acquisition Corp is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, incorporated for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “seeks,” or other similar expressions. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting and the redemption request deadline. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this press release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    On June 3, 2025, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Company will amend and supplement the definitive proxy statement to provide information about the Postponement and the redemption request deadline. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed with the SEC through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by contacting the Company’s proxy solicitor.

    Participants in the Solicitation

    The Company and its respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.

    Contact Information:
    Fen Zhang
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    Email: eric.zhang@hercules.global
    Tel: +86 135 0189 0555

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ILUS Provides Shareholder Podcast Update on Strategic Progress Across Its Portfolio Companies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) (“ILUS” or the “Company”), a mergers and acquisitions company focused on acquiring and scaling businesses in the public safety and industrial sectors, today released a shareholder podcast updating its progress, strategic shifts, and operational milestones across its portfolio companies.

    ILUS shared key updates regarding operational restructuring, financial improvements, and strategic goals as it enters a new phase of focused, scalable growth.

    To listen to the full shareholder podcast, please visit: https://youtu.be/d5DA9IPffK0

    ILUS Company Overview: Reset, Refocus, and Rebuild

    After navigating two challenging years in 2023 and 2024, ILUS is entering a new chapter of strategic growth and consolidation. Key themes from the shareholder podcast included:

    • Audits: ILUS and SAML have transitioned to a U.S.-based auditing firm, enhancing compliance and aligning with future uplisting goals. The company is currently finalizing a comprehensive two-year re-audit and related consolidations to bring all financial filings fully up to date.
    • Business Model Realignment: ILUS has restructured several legacy operations and consolidated its footprint, including relocating core operations to a central facility in Jacksonville, Florida, to streamline production and reduce costs.
    • Strategic Value Creation: ILUS continues to evaluate uplist, spinoffs, partnerships, and dividend-based structures to unlock and return shareholder value.

    ILUS also highlighted its positions in external entities, including Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO). Additionally, the podcast introduced ILUV Capital, a business development company (BDC) under consideration that may operate alongside ILUS to deliver alternative pathways for a return for ILUS Shareholders should it materialize.

    Portfolio Highlights

    SAML to ILUS Industries Transition

    SAML, an ILUS portfolio company, is currently undergoing a rebranding process:

    • A name change to ILUS Industries is underway.
    • Nick Link is serving as interim CEO, with the search for a permanent CEO currently in progress.
    • ILUS Industries will provide a focused platform for vertical growth and additional merger activity.

    Emergency Response Technologies (ERT)

    Will sit as a subsidiary under ILUS Industries, controlled by ILUS Industries

    ERT remains a core pillar of ILUS’s strategy, advancing innovation in the fire, public safety, and industrial markets.

    • Firebug Product Line: Production is underway at the Jacksonville facility, focused on wildfire response, battery fire suppression, and public safety, which will also alleviate any tariff risk.
    • E-Raptor EV Range: The desk top R&D and new design of the new electric vehicle are complete. Production will begin in Serbia, with partial U.S. assembly at ILUS’s Jacksonville site.
    • Expansion into Vertical Markets: ERT is actively developing distribution networks and product offerings in the industrial, safety, and agricultural sectors for this product and will seek an acquisition of a distribution network for this product.

    Fusion Fuel Green (HTOO)

    ILUS recently completed the sale of QIND to Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO):

    • As part of the realignment, JP Backwell transitioned from SAML to assume the role of CEO at HTOO.
    • ILUS now holds approximately 35 million shares of Nasdaq-listed HTOO equity as an asset on its Balance Sheet while:
      • The transaction eliminated QIND’s debt from ILUS’s balance sheet and relieved ILUS of related consolidation and reporting burdens.
      • ILUS retains indirect exposure to QIND’s future performance.

    Replay Solutions (Resource Recovery & E-Waste)

    A wholly owned subsidiary of ILUS Industries

    Replay is now launching its environmentally sustainable operations:

    • E-waste processing is set to begin in Serbia, with future expansion planned into additional regions, including Egypt, the UAE, and later the USA in 2026.
    • Equipment and machinery have been manufactured and are awaiting shipment to operational locations.
    • Has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Dubai-based refinery for the potential acquisition of a substantial volume of marine sludge oil, intended for processing into recycled oil products and lubricants. Additionally, Replay is conducting due diligence on a second acquisition target. There is no guarantee that either of these acquisitions will materialize.
    • Research and development are underway for a tyre pyrolysis facility to diversify Replay’s recycling capabilities, for the conversion of tyres into oil and lubricants.

    Strategic and Financial Outlook

    • ILUS has materially strengthened its financial position through the QIND/ HTOO transaction and strategic restructuring.
    • The organization now manages a portfolio of increasingly bankable businesses supporting improved capital access.
    • With enhanced balance sheet strength and operational scale, ILUS is increasingly improving and readying itself for a potential IPO or uplist in the future.
    • ILUS intends to establish a BDC company called As ILUV Capital either within ILUS or standalone, with ILUS Shareholders receiving benefits in some way to be defined. As this matures, ILUS may be in a position to explore dividends or share buybacks, consistent with its vision of long-term shareholder return.

    Summary and Closing Remarks

    • ILUS has postponed the upcoming shareholder meeting to ensure stronger participation and alignment.
    • With two difficult years behind it, ILUS is focused on ensuring the next three years reflect sustained growth, transparency, and execution.
    • ILUS management expressed gratitude for shareholders’ support and patience and looks forward to connecting in person during planned meetings later this year.

    For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels:

    Website: https://ilus-group.com
    X: @ILUS_INTL
    Email: IR@Ilus-Group.com
    Source: ILUS

    Contact:
    IR@Ilus-group.com
    (917) 522-3202)

    Forward-Looking Statement

    Certain information set forth in this press release contains “forward-looking information”, including “future-oriented financial information” and “financial outlook”, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company’s business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company’s projects; (vi) completion of the Company’s projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vii) renewal of the Company’s current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (viii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material nonpublic information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls, and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC’s guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com X: @ILUS_INTL

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LPL Financial Reports Monthly Activity for May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”), a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) (the “Company”), today released its monthly activity report for May 2025.

    Total advisory and brokerage assets at the end of May were $1.85 trillion, an increase of $66.6 billion, or 3.7%, compared to the end of April 2025.

    Total organic net new assets for May were $6.5 billion, translating to a 4.4% annualized growth rate. This included $1.0 billion of assets that off-boarded as part of the previously disclosed planned separation from misaligned large OSJs. Prior to these impacts, organic net new assets were $7.5 billion, translating to a 5.0% annualized growth rate.

    Total client cash balances at the end of May were $49.2 billion, a decrease of $2.6 billion compared to the end of April 2025. Net buying in May was $13.5 billion.

    (End of period $ in billions, unless noted) May April Change May Change
    2025 2025 M/M 2024 Y/Y
    Advisory and Brokerage Assets          
    Advisory assets 1,021.6 978.6 4.4% 809.4 26.2%
    Brokerage assets 832.9 809.4 2.9% 657.0 26.8%
    Total Advisory and Brokerage Assets 1,854.5 1,787.9 3.7% 1,466.4 26.5%
               
    Organic Net New Assets          
    Organic net new advisory assets 8.3 6.9 n/m 9.9 n/m
    Organic net new brokerage assets (1.8) (0.8) n/m 1.3 n/m
    Total Organic Net New Assets 6.5 6.1 n/m 11.2 n/m
               
    Acquired Net New Assets          
    Acquired net new advisory assets 0.0 0.0 n/m 0.0 n/m
    Acquired net new brokerage assets 0.0 0.0 n/m 0.0 n/m
    Total Acquired Net New Assets 0.0 0.0 n/m 0.0 n/m
               
    Total Net New Assets          
    Net new advisory assets 8.3 6.9 n/m 9.9 n/m
    Net new brokerage assets (1.8) (0.8) n/m 1.3 n/m
    Total Net New Assets 6.5 6.1 n/m 11.2 n/m
               
    Net brokerage to advisory conversions 2.2 1.7 n/m 1.2 n/m
               
    Client Cash Balances          
    Insured cash account sweep 33.4 35.2 (5.1%) 31.8 5.0%
    Deposit cash account sweep 10.6 10.7 (0.9%) 9.0 17.8%
    Total Bank Sweep 44.0 45.9 (4.1%) 40.8 7.8%
    Money market sweep 3.9 4.2 (7.1%) 2.3 69.6%
    Total Client Cash Sweep Held by Third Parties 47.9 50.2 (4.6%) 43.1 11.1%
    Client cash account 1.3 1.6 (18.8%) 1.3 —%
    Total Client Cash Balances 49.2 51.8 (5.0%) 44.5 10.6%
               
    Net buy (sell) activity 13.5 10.4 n/m 15.0 n/m
               
    Market Drivers          
    S&P 500 Index (end of period) 5,912 5,569 6.2% 5,278 12.0%
    Russell 2000 Index (end of period) 2,066 1,964 5.2% 2,070 (0.2%)
    Fed Funds daily effective rate (average bps) 433 433 —% 533 (18.8%)
               

    For additional information regarding these and other LPL Financial business metrics, please refer to the Company’s most recent earnings announcement, which is available in the quarterly results section of investor.lpl.com.

    Contacts

    Investor Relations
    investor.relations@lplfinancial.com

    Media Relations
    media.relations@lplfinancial.com

    About LPL Financial

    LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: LPLA) is among the fastest growing wealth management firms in the U.S. As a leader in the financial advisor-mediated marketplace, LPL supports over 29,000 financial advisors and the wealth management practices of approximately 1,200 financial institutions, servicing and custodying approximately $1.8 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets on behalf of approximately 7 million Americans. The firm provides a wide range of advisor affiliation models, investment solutions, fintech tools and practice management services, ensuring that advisors and institutions have the flexibility to choose the business model, services, and technology resources they need to run thriving businesses. For further information about LPL, please visit www.lpl.com.

    Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”) and LPL Enterprise, LLC (“LPL Enterprise”), both registered investment advisers and broker-dealers. Member FINRA/SIPC.

    Throughout this communication, the terms “financial advisors” and “advisors” are used to refer to registered representatives and/or investment advisor representatives affiliated with LPL Financial or LPL Enterprise.

    We routinely disclose information that may be important to shareholders in the “Investor Relations” or “Press Releases” section of our website.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Cipher Mining Commences Bitcoin Mining at Black Pearl Data Center

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Successfully energizes 300 MW Black Pearl site

    Commences hashing at 150 MW Black Pearl Phase I

    Total Cipher hashrate currently at ~16 EH/s and expected to increase to ~23.1 EH/s during the third quarter

    NEW YORK, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cipher Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: CIFR) (“Cipher” or the “Company”), a leader in the development of industrial-scale data centers, today announced the successful energization and commencement of hashing at its Black Pearl site.

    Hashrate currently generated at the site is ~2.5 EH/s and will continue to grow through the third quarter of 2025 as new mining rigs are delivered in scheduled batches, gradually replacing legacy units. Upon completion of this installation, Phase I is expected to reach a hashrate of ~9.6 EH/s, bringing Cipher’s total self-mining hashrate across all sites to ~23.1 EH/s.

    “We’re proud to be mining bitcoin ahead of schedule at Black Pearl, following the safe and efficient delivery of a best-in-class data center in just 16 months,” said Tyler Page, CEO. “As we continue to expand our mining footprint, the disciplined operations that underpin our positioning as one of the industry’s lowest-cost producers of bitcoin will remain a key advantage.”

    Cipher now operates five data centers dedicated to bitcoin mining, with a pipeline of 2.6 GW expected to be used for HPC hosting or bitcoin mining applications.

    Mining rigs energized and hashing at Black Pearl

    Fully developed Phase I infrastructure at Black Pearl

    About Cipher

    Cipher is focused on the development and operation of industrial-scale data centers for bitcoin mining and HPC hosting. Cipher aims to be a market leader in innovation, including in bitcoin mining growth, data center construction and as a hosting partner to the world’s largest HPC companies. To learn more about Cipher, please visit https://www.ciphermining.com/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws of the United States. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and includes this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Any statements made in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, such as, statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations regarding its planned business model and strategy, its bitcoin mining and HPC data center development, timing and likelihood of success, capacity, functionality and timing of operation of data centers, expectations regarding the operations of data centers, such as projected hashrate, and management plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “future,” “forecasts,” “opportunity,” “predicts,” “potential,” “would,” “will likely result,” “continue,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

    These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Cipher and its management, are inherently uncertain. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: volatility in the price of Cipher’s securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and regulated industry in which Cipher operates, Cipher’s evolving business model and strategy and efforts it may make to modify aspects of its business model or engage in various strategic initiatives, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Cipher’s business, and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and to identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of Cipher’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 25, 2025, and in Cipher’s subsequent filings with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cipher assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    Website Disclosure

    The company maintains a dedicated investor website at https://investors.ciphermining.com/investors (“Investors’ Website”). Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Investors Website. Cipher uses its Investors’ Website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company, including through press releases, investor presentations, reports and notices of upcoming events. Cipher intends to utilize its Investors’ Website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. In addition, you may sign up to automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company by visiting the “Email Alerts” option under the Investors Resources section of Cipher’s Investors’ Website and submitting your email address.

    Contacts:
    Investor Contact:
    Courtney Knight
    Head of Investor Relations at Cipher Mining
    Courtney.knight@ciphermining.com

    Media Contact:
    Ryan Dicovitsky / Kendal Till
    Dukas Linden Public Relations
    CipherMining@DLPR.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5c5f8c4-e8eb-40bb-a27e-6e6807da5e3a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9b8bd673-375b-4ed8-8db8-944c373fb32a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: dLocal announces appointment of Independent Board Member

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DLocal Limited (“dLocal”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) (NASDAQ:DLO), a technology-first payments platform, today announced the appointment of Will Pruett as an Independent Board Member and well as a member of our Audit Committee, effective July 1, 2025. With his extensive expertise in capital markets and emerging markets, Mr. Pruett will play a key role in strengthening the Board’s ability to guide dLocal’s growth and scalability.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Will Pruett to our Board of Directors,” said Eduardo Azar, Chairman of dLocal. “His deep knowledge of capital market dynamics and investment strategies, combined with his extensive experience across Latin America, Asia, and Africa, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our business and deliver value to our stakeholders.”

    Mr. Pruett serves as an independent board member of PicPay, one of the largest Brazilian digital banks. Previously, Mr. Pruett served at Fidelity Investments for 16 years (from 2008 to 2025), where he was a portfolio manager for the Fidelity Latin America Fund (FLATX), Fidelity Emerging Markets Opportunities Fund (FEMSX) and Fidelity Total Emerging Markets Fund (FTEMX). Prior to Fidelity, Mr. Pruett worked at HSBC, where he held roles in retail credit and e-commerce across Asia, Europe and Latin America. Mr. Pruett holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Harvard Business School and a degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.

    “His expertise and perspectives will undoubtedly add depth to board discussions and help drive long-term shareholder value. We warmly welcome Mr. Pruett and look forward to his meaningful contributions as we continue to unlock the power of emerging markets for our merchants,” added Eduardo Azar.

    This appointment underscores dLocal’s dedication to effective governance and leveraging a diversity of viewpoints to drive growth strategies.

    Additionally, dLocal announces that Mariam Toulan’s term as Independent Director on the Board of Directors will conclude on June 30, 2025. Ms. Toulan has been a valued member of the Board, and the company expresses its gratitude for her contributions, dedication, and wisdom during her tenure. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

    About dLocal
    dLocal powers local payments in emerging markets, connecting global enterprise merchants with billions of emerging market consumers in more than 40 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Through the “One dLocal” platform (one direct API, one platform, and one contract), global companies can accept payments, send pay-outs and settle funds globally without the need to manage separate pay-in and pay-out processors, set up numerous local entities, and integrate multiple acquirers and payment methods in each market.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    investor@dlocal.com

    Media Contact:
    media@dlocal.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenys Oberg, PhD candidate in education and trauma, The University of Queensland

    SolStock/Getty Images

    Australia is in the grip of a teacher shortage. Teachers are burning out, warning the job is no longer sustainable and leaving the profession.

    We know this is due to excessive workloads, stress and abuse. But research suggests there is another element at play: some teachers are also experiencing moral injury.

    Moral injury occurs when teachers are forced to act against their values – leaving them feeling disillusioned and complicit in harm. In my study of 57 Australian teachers, many shared emotionally-charged accounts of being put in impossible situations at work.

    What is moral injury?

    Moral injury is when professionals cannot act in line with their values due to external demands.

    It differs from burnout or compassion fatigue: burnout stems from chronic stress and compassion fatigue comes from emotional overload.

    Moral injury was initially developed in military psychology but has since been applied to healthcare and education – professions where high-stakes ethical decision-making and institutional failures often collide.

    Previous studies on moral injury in schools have shown how rigid disciplinary policies, high-stakes testing regimes and chronic underfunding often force teachers to act in ways that contradict their professional judgement. This can lead to frustration, guilt and professional disillusionment.

    Recent studies have reframed moral injury as a systemic issue rather than an individual psychological condition. This is because institutional constraints – such as inflexible accountability measures and bureaucratic inefficiencies – prevent teachers from fulfilling their ethical responsibilities.

    My new study

    This research stems from an initial study, which looked at burnout in Australian teachers.

    The initial study included a national sample of 2,000 educators. This new study is a subset of 57 teachers who participated in follow-up surveys and focus groups. The teachers were a mix of primary and secondary teachers and some also held leadership positions within their schools.

    While the original study focused on compassion fatigue and burnout, a striking pattern emerged: teachers repeatedly described moral conflicts in their work.

    ‘It feels like I’m being forced to harm a child’

    A key theme of the new research was teachers having to enforce school or departmental policies they believed were harmful. This was particularly the case when it came to discipline. As one teacher described:

    The policy says I should suspend a student for attendance issues, but their home life is falling apart. How does that help? It feels like I’m being forced to harm a child instead of helping them.

    Others talked about having to focus on standardised tests (for example, NAPLAN), rather than using their professional judgement to meet children’s individual needs. This is a contentious issue for teachers.

    As one high school teacher told us:

    We’re asked to push students through the curriculum even when we know they haven’t grasped the basics […] but we’re the ones who carry the guilt.

    A primary teacher similarly noted:

    Teaching to the test means leaving so many kids behind. It’s not what education should be.

    ‘It’s heartbreaking’

    Teachers also spoke about teaching in environments that were not adequately resourced. In some schools, teacher shortages were so severe that unqualified staff were delivering classes:

    We’ve got classes being taught by teacher aides […] but that’s because we don’t have enough staff.

    Or in other classes, students were not getting the help they needed.

    Larger class sizes and fewer staff mean that the kids who need the most attention are getting the least. It’s heartbreaking.

    The emotional impact was profound, as one high school teacher told us:

    At some point, you stop fighting. You realise that no matter how many times you raise concerns, nothing changes. It’s like the system is designed to wear you down until you just comply.

    What can schools do to prevent moral injury?

    While these findings are confronting, teachers also gave positive examples of what can buffer against moral injury in the workplace. This involved listening to teachers and including them in policies and decisions.

    One primary teacher told us how their school had changed their disciplinary approach:

    Our school’s push for restorative justice instead of punitive measures has been a game changer. It lets us address the root causes of issues instead of just punishing kids.

    Others talked about being asked to collaborate with school leadership to address discipline issues. As one primary teacher said:

    We helped create a new behaviour management framework. Having a say in the process made all the difference.

    What now?

    My research indicates when teachers are consistently asked to compromise their ethics, they don’t just burn out, they question the integrity of the entire system.

    This suggests if we want to keep teachers in classrooms, we need to do more than lighten their workloads. We need to make sure they are no longer placed in positions where doing their job means going against their professional values.

    This means teachers need to feel heard, respected and empowered in classrooms and schools.

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

    – ref. ‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury – https://theconversation.com/it-feels-like-i-am-being-forced-to-harm-a-child-research-shows-how-teachers-are-suffering-moral-injury-258821

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University

    Operation Deep Sentinel

    Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as a major policing win and was accompanied by a slick cyberpunk-themed video.

    But those of us who have studied this space for years weren’t surprised. Archetyp may have been the most secure dark web market. But shutdowns like this have become a recurring feature of the dark web. And they are usually not a significant turning point.

    The durability of these markets tells us that if policing responses keep following the same playbook, they will keep getting the same results. And by focusing so heavily on these hidden platforms, authorities are neglecting the growing digital harms in the spaces we all use.

    One of the most popular dark web markets

    Dark web markets mirror mainstream e-commerce platforms – think Amazon meets cybercrime. These are encrypted marketplaces accessed via the Tor Browser, a privacy-focused browser that hides users’ IP addresses. Buyers use cryptocurrency and escrow systems (third-party payment systems which hold funds until the transaction is complete) to anonymously purchase illicit drugs.

    Usually these products are sent to the buyer by post and money transferred to the seller through the escrow system.

    Archetyp launched in May 2020 and quickly grew to become one of the most popular dark web markets with an estimated total transaction volume of €250 million (A$446 million). It had more than 600,000 users worldwide and 17,000 listings consisting mainly of illicit drugs including MDMA, cocaine and methamphetamine.

    Compared to its predecessors, Archetyp enforced enhanced security expectations from its users. These included an advanced encryption program known as “Pretty Good Privacy” and a cryptocurrency called Monero. Unlike Bitcoin, which records every payment on a public ledger, Monero conceals all transaction details by default which makes them nearly impossible to trace.

    Despite the fact Archetyp had clearly raised the bar on security on the dark web, Operation Deep Sentinel – a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in six countries supported by Europol and Eurojust – took down the market. The front page has now been replaced by a banner.

    While these publicised take-downs feel effective, evidence has shown such interventions only have short-term impacts and the dark web ecosystem will quickly adapt.

    A persistent trade

    These shutdowns aren’t new. Silk Road, AlphaBay, WallStreet and Monopoly Market are all familiar names in the digital graveyard of the dark web. Before these dark web marketplaces were shutdown, they sold a range of illegal products, from drugs to firearms.

    Yet still, the trade persists. New markets emerge and old users return. In some cases, established sellers on closed-down markets are welcomed onto new markets as digital “refugees” and have joining fees waived.

    What current policing strategies neglect is that dark web markets are not isolated to the storefronts that are the popular target of crackdowns. These are communities stretched across dark and surface web forums which develop shared tutorials and help one another adapt to any new changes. These closures bind users together and foster a shared resilience and collective experience in navigating these environments.

    Law enforcement shutdowns are also only one type of disruption that dark web communities face. Dark web market users routinely face voluntary closures (the gradual retirement of a market), exit scams (sudden closures of markets where any money in escrow is taken), or even scheduled maintenance of these markets.

    Ultimately, this disruption to accessibility is not a unique event. In fact, it is routine for individual’s participating in these dark web communities, par for the course of engaging in the markets.

    This ability of dark web communities to thrive in disruptions reflects how dark web market users have become experts at adapting to risks, managing disruptions and rebuilding quickly.

    Dark web markets are accessed via the highly private and secure Tor Browser.
    Daniel Constante/Shutterstock

    Missing the wider landscape of digital harms

    The other emerging issue is that current policing efforts treat dark web markets as the core threat, which might miss the wider landscape of digital harms. Illicit drug sales, for example, are promoted on social media, where platform features such as recommendation systems are affording new means of illicit drug supply.

    Beyond drugs, there are now ever-growing examples of generative AI being used for sexual deepfakes across schools and even of public figures, including the recent case of NRL presenter Tiffany Salmond.

    This is all alongside the countless cases of celebrities and social media influencers caught up in crypto pump-and-dump schemes, where hype is used to artificially inflate the price of a token before the creators sell off their holdings and leave investors with worthless tokens.

    This shows that while the dark web gets all the attention, it’s far from the internet’s biggest problem.

    Archetyp’s takedown might make headlines, but it won’t stop the trade of illicit drugs on the dark web. It should force us to think about where harm is really happening online and whether current strategies are looking in the wrong direction.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down – https://theconversation.com/archetyp-was-one-of-the-dark-webs-biggest-drug-markets-a-global-sting-has-shut-it-down-259441

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: SGI Delivers Steady Fiscal Management in 2024-25

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 23, 2025

    SGI has released its 2024-25 Annual Reports, detailing a year marked by resilience, innovation, strategic investments, and a continued commitment to community safety and customer service.  

    “In 2024-25, SGI faced economic pressures, caused by rising claim costs, inflation, higher vehicle repair costs and extreme weather,” Minister Responsible for SGI Jeremy Harrison said. “Despite this, SGI’s strategic investment approach delivered affordable auto insurance rates and an $18.0 million dividend to support our government’s investments in services and infrastructure that benefit Saskatchewan families, communities and businesses.” 

    Saskatchewan Auto Fund*  

    Despite challenges, the Auto Fund maintained its commitment to affordability, customer service and traffic safety.   

    Auto Fund highlights for 2024-25 include: 

    • $1.170 billion in total net claims incurred.
    • $1.127 billion in gross premium written.
    • $181.1 million in discounts to customers through the Safe Driver Recognition (SDR) and Business Recognition programs.
    • $257.7 million in investment earnings.
    • The Auto Fund continued to provide customers among the lowest auto insurance rates, on average, in Canada.
    • The Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grant program awarded $2.9 million in grants to 137 Saskatchewan community projects for road safety improvements. 
    • $726.9 million in the Rate Stabilization Reserve, after a reduction of $198.0 million.

    *The Saskatchewan Auto Fund is the self-sustaining, compulsory auto insurance plan administered by SGI on behalf of the province. The Auto Fund operates on a break-even basis over time. 

    SGI CANADA**

    SGI CANADA reported solid financial performance, achieving net income of $43.2 million. This allowed the company to return a dividend of $18.0 million to the people of Saskatchewan. 

    Other SGI CANADA highlights in 2024-25: 

    • $1.425 billion in gross premium written.
    • Premium growth of 3.8 per cent (all provinces).
    • $132.9 million in investment earnings.
    • $97.3 million in net catastrophe claim losses.  
    • A multi-year, $2.0 million commitment to YWCA Regina to help fund the healing lodge at the new kikaskihtânaw Centre for Women and Families. 

    **SGI CANADA is the competitive side of SGI, offering property and casualty insurance in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia. SGI CANADA sells products through a network of close to 300 brokers who operate in more than 1,800 locations. 

    To see SGI’s full annual reports, visit: 

    Auto Fund: sgi.sk.ca/news-title=2024-25-financial-statements.

    SGI CANADA: sgicanada.ca/news-title=2024-25-financial-statements.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Heather Hubic
    SGI
    Regina
    Phone: 306-751-1837
    Email: mediainquiries@sgi.sk.ca
    Cell: 306-510-0404

    MIL OSI Canada News –