NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI China: China halts unreliable entity list, export control measures on certain US firms

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

    China on Wednesday suspended its unreliable entity list and export control measures on multiple U.S. entities, the Ministry of Commerce has said.

    When answering media inquiries, a ministry spokesperson said that a measure which added 11 U.S. firms to China’s unreliable entity list, which was announced on April 4, has been suspended for 90 days.

    An April 9 measure that added six U.S. firms to China’s unreliable entity list has also been paused, the spokesperson said, adding that domestic enterprises are now permitted to apply to conduct transactions with these entities.

    China has also suspended export control measures that added 28 U.S. entities to its export control list in announcements on April 4 and April 9 for 90 days, the spokesperson said.

    If export operators need to export dual-use items to the aforementioned 28 entities, they should apply to the ministry in accordance with relevant regulations. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Applauds House Committee Markups Advancing President Trump’s Economic Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) today applauded U.S. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Kentucky) on successful committee markups that move Congress one step closer to delivering on President Trump’s economic agenda.
    “We have been working closely with our House counterparts on the Ways and Means Committee, the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Administration on a unified goal: to extend pro-growth tax policy, ensure Americans can keep more of their hard-earned money, provide additional tax relief to those who need it most, and take long-overdue action toward getting our fiscal house in order.  These committees have taken significant steps by passing legislation that builds on the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and preserves and strengthens federal health care programs, and I commend Chairmen Smith and Guthrie for the progress they have made.  The Senate will continue working through its process to make Trump’s tax cuts permanent and deliver additional tax relief for American workers and families, and I look forward to continued coordination with our House colleagues.  I am confident we can build on this momentum and deliver on our shared vision of restoring economic prosperity and opportunity for all Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch Send Letter Backing President Trump’s Call for Full Dismantlement of Iran’s Nuclear Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in sending a letter to President Donald Trump regarding the Administration’s ongoing negotiations with Iran.  The letter calls on the Trump Administration to secure a deal that results in the full dismantlement of the Iranian nuclear program, including permanently ending the regime’s capacity to enrich uranium.  The letter was signed by 51 Senate Republicans.  The letter states:
    “We write to express our strong support for your efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program, and to reinforce the explicit warnings that you and officials in your Administration have issued that the regime must permanently give up any capacity for enrichment.
    “We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did.  The Iranian regime should know that the Administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated,” the letter continues.  “As always we stand ready to provide you and your Administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests.”
    The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Shelly Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ashley Moody (R-Florida), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Dan Sullivan (R-Arkansas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), Todd Young (R-Indiana), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina).
    Read the full letter here or below:
    Dear Mr. Trump:
    We write to express our strong support for your efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program, and to reinforce the explicit warnings that you and officials in your Administration have issued that the regime must permanently give up any capacity for enrichment.
    During your first term you withdrew the United States from the deeply broken Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposed maximum pressure on the regime.  As you said then, a fatal flaw of the deal was that it “allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.”  The JCPOA allowed Iran to sell oil, provided waivers allowing third countries to help Iran build out its nuclear program and included the termination of United Nations sanctions on the regime.  Despite critics claiming your withdrawal from the deal would allow Iran to advance its nuclear ambitions, the Iranian regime remained deterred from making substantial nuclear progress throughout your term because of your maximum pressure campaign.
    Tragically, the Biden Administration systematically undid that pressure, functionally re-implementing the nuclear deal.  They immediately rescinded your decision to reimpose U.N. sanctions, allowed Iran to sell oil at JCPOA-levels and even re-issued waivers allowing Iran to build out its nuclear program.  As you predicted, those policies indeed allowed Iran to reach the brink of nuclear breakout, which is where they are today.  The Biden Administration made those concessions without any reciprocal concessions from Iran, and Iran even ceased providing international inspectors access to significant parts of its nuclear program in the early days of the Biden Administration.
    The scope and breadth of Iran’s nuclear buildout have made it impossible to verify any new deal that allows Iran to continue enriching uranium.  In its most recent report, published on February 26, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that because of Iran’s activities over the last four years, “the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge in relation to the production and current inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and UOC, which it will not be possible to restore.”
    You and your Administration have therefore correctly drawn a redline against any deal that allows Iran to retain any enrichment capability.  Your National Security Presidential Memorandum on Iran stated that “Iran’s nuclear program, including its enrichment- and reprocessing-related capabilities and nuclear-capable missiles, poses an existential danger to the United States and the entire civilized world,” and you recently said that only “full dismantlement” of those capabilities would be acceptable.  Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff has made it clear in that context of negotiation that for any final arrangement to work, “Iran must stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program.”
    We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did.  The Iranian regime should know that the Administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated.
    As always, we stand ready to provide you and your Administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Asks Nominees About Bridge Funding, PFAS Remediation, USACE Project Prioritization

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led ahearing on the nominations of Sean McMaster to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), John Busterud to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Adam Telle to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
    During the hearing, Chairman Capito questioned the nominees about initiatives to support our nation’s bridges through FHWA policy and funding, the importance of federal efforts to address PFAS contamination, and promptly addressing priority projects through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
    HIGHLIGHTS:
    FHWA BRIDGE FUNDING AND POLICY:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “[West Virginia’s] geography requires to have a lot of those bridges. So, we need a strong federal partner in the FHWA, it’s critical to our success. You know, a lot of progress has been made with the IIJA, but are there any policy and funding proposals that we should consider including in the next reauthorization, which we’re getting to work on, to further address regionally significant or bridge projects?”
    SEAN MCMASTER:
    “Senator, I appreciate the question, I know you’ve been a champion for bridges. For the Federal Highway Administration, bridge safety is a paramount importance issue. It’s critical to the safety of our traveling public. It’s critical to our supply chain. As we look to support reauthorization, there is work still yet to be done. Tremendous progress over the last few years, when I served at HNTB, I was fortunate to work in support of the Brent Spence Bridge, which after 20 years, is now finally realizing development. I look forward to supporting you, if I’m confirmed. I know it’s of paramount importance for the Federal Highway Administration, and I look forward, if confirmed, to supporting your efforts through reauthorization to identify additional ways we can accelerate the maintenance and enhancement of our nation’s bridges on the highway system.”
    ADDRESSING PFAS CONTAMINATION:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “I was pleased to see the EPA release an agency wide plan setting bold goals to tackle this crisis. If confirmed, you will be responsible for leading OLEM’s major role in the strategy, from updating PFAS destruction guidance, to enforcing the polluter pays principle. How would you lead in this way and help us tackle this very difficult and far-ranging problem of PFAS contamination?”
    JOHN BUSTERUD:
    “PFAS is a high priority issue for EPA and the Administrator, on April 28 as you noted, announced a suite of programs basically taking a whole of EPA approach to addressing PFAS across its major program offices. As you noted, and as we discussed in our conversation in your office, OLEM will play an important role to increase the frequency of guidance we give on PFAS destruction. It has been every three years. We’re going to commit to providing those updates on an annual basis, and there was great interest in that. OLEM will also look at and examine its RCRA authorities to prevent releases of PFAS from manufacturing facilities and other facilities which use PFAS. And you mentioned the polluter pays issue, and I support that entirely, and we will continue with that approach. The issue of passive receiver is very important to a number of senators on your committee and others. That is an issue that, if confirmed, I pledge to work with our dedicated career staff and to look at ways in which we can avoid a situation in which customers of water utilities would be forced to pay for contamination they didn’t put in the water to begin with, and I look forward to working with your committee on that.”
    USACE PROJECT PRIORITIZATION:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “We had a hearing on the Corps of Engineers and the implementation of some of their programs. This is a daunting challenge, I think, to step into the position that you’re in because the slowness and the sluggishness of some of the work that we know is critical is, I think, universally felt by all of us. This goes to the fact that the Army Corps is actively working on nearly 100 ongoing feasibility studies and general reevaluation reports. These will result in projects later on, as you know, in authorizations and appropriations. How will you ensure that projects and other activities are appropriately prioritized in work plans, and balance the competing water resources in the country?”
    ADAM TELLE:
    “Chairman Capito, you’ve identified the fundamental issue as it relates to this nomination, which is, this is a complex and exhaustive set of challenges. The demand for the Corps’ work is greater than the supply. The Congress is incredibly interested in the projects and the work of the Corps of Engineers, as you have identified. And the core principle, and when it comes to prioritization in a constrained budget environment is to follow the law, and the law says that the Corps’ primary missions are navigation, enabling Commerce on America’s waterways, flood mitigation and control, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. And so those have to be the primary beacons when it comes to prioritization, examining how the projects meet those missions as the Congress has laid them out, setting priorities on the basis of benefits versus costs, life and safety, and other factors that ultimately will play into all these decisions, and it’s a complicated one.”
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Op-Ed: Getting Tough on Water Treaty

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in The Monitor praising the Trump administration for prioritizing the push for Mexico to live up to its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty and previewing his next steps in the fight to bring relief to the South Texas agriculture community.
    Getting Tough on Water Treaty
    Senator Cornyn
    The Monitor
    May 13, 2025
    https://myrgv.com/opinion/2025/05/13/commentary-getting-tough-on-water-treaty/
    The Rio Grande Valley is home to farmers and ranchers who supply the nation’s grocery stores and represent billions of dollars in economic activity. In 1944, Mexico and the United States made an agreement to share the waters of the Rio Grande. Under this treaty, Mexico and the U.S. agreed to deliver set amounts of water every five years to one another. While that may seem straightforward, this deeply flawed agreement has the Lone Star State’s tensions with Mexico at a tipping point, and I’m working with the Donald Trump administration to get this fixed and protect Texas agriculture.
    While the United States and Texas have kept their side of the agreement, faithfully delivering water from the Colorado River to Mexico as set out in the treaty, Mexico has been delinquent. They’ve not met their full obligations in years. Four years into the current five-year cycle, Mexico a balance of more than 60% of their five-year water delivery obligation outstanding and due in just over six months.
    As the senior senator from Texas, I’ve been using every lever at my disposal to hold Mexico accountable. I’ve worked with the Appropriations Committee here in the Senate to prohibit funds from going to Mexico until they hold up their end of the bargain. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats blocked this effort.
    I secured provisions that authorized block grants to provide relief to South Texas farmers and ranchers who are affected by water shortages. While these grants offered some relief, the White House has the ultimate authority to enforce the treaty and hold Mexico accountable.
    The Joe Biden administration’s response epitomized its weak posture on foreign policy. I demanded that the State Department put pressure on Mexico to fulfill their obligations. I hosted multiple calls with Secretary Anthony Blinken, urging him to listen to what Texans were experiencing and hold Mexico accountable for failing to meet their treaty obligations. But the Biden administration didn’t care. In characteristic ineptitude on the world stage, President Biden and Secretary Blinken did nothing to hold Mexico accountable.
    Thankfully, under President Trump we have an entirely new landscape. Last month, thanks to President Trump, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Mexico has finally agreed to start making deliveries again. This much-needed development will make a difference for South Texas farmers. But while this is an important step in the right direction, I will not consider this work finished until Mexico is making consistent water deliveries.
    Nothing short of annual water deliveries will fulfill Mexico’s obligations to the United States. Mexico must give one-fifth of the required water every year in order to meet the 1.7 million acre-feet quota and give South Texas farmers and ranchers the predictability they need.
    Given Mexico’s current water shortages, it is unlikely that they will meet this total requirement by the end of the cycle, and they can’t blame Mother Nature for their failure to plan. Furthermore, even if they could suddenly deliver the required amount left before time runs out, this would not make Texas farmers whole.
    Consider how farming works. Farmers cannot go four years without irrigating their crops, and suddenly make up for it in year five when their fields are dry and decimated. Cattle and other livestock won’t last long without water, either. This is exactly what Mexico has been doing to South Texas farmers, and it is unacceptable.
    I will continue to push this issue in the Senate until South Texas farmers are receiving the water they deserve. My efforts will include introducing legislation and holding a hearing in the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, which I chair. I will also continue working with the Trump administration to strengthen the terms and enforcement of the treaty as part of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement review process.
    The United States has kept our end of the treaty. Mexico must be held accountable until they have done the same. I will not stop fighting until Texas agriculture is receiving the predictable, yearly water deliveries that Mexico is obligated to provide.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Fires Ablaze! Artek is 100 Years Old (14.05.2025)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    On May 15, 2025, the Bank of Russia will issue a commemorative silver coin of 3 rubles “100th Anniversary of the International Children’s Center “Artek” of the “Historical Events” series (catalog No. 5111-0518).

    Artek, which began in 1925 with four canvas tents at the foot of Mount Ayu-Dag, was the most famous pioneer camp in the USSR, where not only pioneers from all over the Union dreamed of going, but also children from other countries. Now it is one of the largest international children’s centers in the world. Over the course of its existence, more than 1.8 million children have visited Artek. Artek is often called the capital of the country of childhood.

    The silver coin with a face value of 3 rubles (pure precious metal weight – 31.1 g, alloy fineness – 925) has the shape of a circle with a diameter of 39.0 mm.

    There is a raised edge around the circumference of both the front and back sides of the coin.

    On the obverse of the coin there is a relief image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, the inscriptions “RUSSIAN FEDERATION”, “BANK OF RUSSIA”, the coin denomination “3 RUBLES”, the date “2025”, the designation of the metal according to the Periodic Table of Elements of D.I. Mendeleyev, the alloy fineness, the trademark of the St. Petersburg Mint and the pure mass of the precious metal.

    On the reverse side of the coin there is a colored element of the logo of the International Children’s Center “Artek” against the background of a laser-matted image of Mount Ayu-Dag; at the bottom there are relief inscriptions: along the circumference – “INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S CENTER “ARTEK”, above it – “100”.

    The side surface of the coin is ribbed.

    The coin is made in proof quality.

    The mintage of the coin is 3.0 thousand pieces.

    The issued coin is a legal tender in the territory of the Russian Federation and must be accepted at face value for all types of payments without restrictions.

    When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

    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

    KHTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/PR/? File = 638828247159718694KOins. CHTM

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mission real estate agent indicted for fraud scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 45-year-old Mission man has made an appearance in McAllen federal court on wire fraud charges, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    According to the four-count indictment, Sergio Efrain Zamora Jr. sold multiple homes by forging signatures on the documents and transferring titles to his business.

    The charges allege, beginning in June 2021, Zamora orchestrated a real estate fraud scheme by selling multiple homes without the homeowners’ authorization. He allegedly forged signatures on documents and transferred property titles to his business.

    The victims-some of whom were his own family and friends-were unaware their homes were being sold, according to the charges. Zamora allegedly created fraudulent documents, including warranty deeds and contracts of sale, to make the transactions appear legitimate.

    According to the indictment, he forged paperwork as part of the scheme. He allegedly profited illegally by using the proceeds to pay off debts and, in some cases, by receiving funds directly from the fraudulent closings.

    The charges allege the scheme caused a total loss of $655,000 to the victims and the title company.

    If convicted, Zamora faces up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

    FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp. Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Rights, Commencing May 19, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:CHACU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing May 19, 2025, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and rights included in the units. The Class A ordinary shares and rights that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “CHAC” and “CHACR,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CHACU.”

    The Company 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. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution. The Company’s primary focus, however, will be to identify companies in the technology, real assets, and energy sectors. The Company’s management team is led by Jonathan Z. Cohen, its Chairman of the Board of Directors, Edward E. Cohen, Vice Chairman, William Fradin, Chief Executive Officer, Tom Elliott, Chief Financial Officer, and Jeffrey Brotman, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Operating Officer.

    This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “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. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Contact Information:

    Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp.
    craneharbor@hepcollc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: AGNICO EAGLE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN FORAN MINING CORPORATION

    Source: Agnico Eagle Mines

    Stock Symbol: AEM (NYSE and TSX)

    TORONTO, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ – Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) (“Agnico Eagle”) announced today that it has agreed to subscribe for 30,000,000 voting common shares (“Common Shares”) of Foran Mining Corporation (“Foran”) in a non-brokered private placement at a price of C$3.00 per Common Share for total consideration of C$90,000,000 (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement is expected to close in two tranches. The closing of each tranche remains subject to certain closing conditions, including approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and closing of the second tranche is also subject to approval by the shareholders of Foran. Closing of the first tranche is expected to occur on or about May 28, 2025 and the second tranche is expected to close as soon as practicable following receipt of shareholder approval.

    Agnico Eagle currently owns 39,125,448 Common Shares, representing approximately 9.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis. On closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement, Agnico Eagle is expected to own 64,454,767 Common Shares, which will represent approximately 13.1% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis (assuming that Foran issues an additional 73,173,590 Common Shares in connection with the first tranche of the concurrent private placements). On closing of the second tranche of the Private Placement, Agnico Eagle is expected to own 69,125,448 Common Shares, which will represent approximately 13.5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis (assuming that Foran issues an additional 13,493,077 Common Shares in connection with the second tranche of the concurrent private placements).

    Agnico Eagle and Foran are party to an investor rights agreement dated August 8, 2024 (the “Existing Agnico IRA”), pursuant to which Agnico Eagle is entitled to certain rights, provided Agnico Eagle maintains certain ownership thresholds, including: (a) the right to participate in certain equity financings by Foran to acquire up to the greater of: (i) 19.99% of the Common Shares being offered in the equity financing, or (ii) such number of Common Shares that would permit Agnico Eagle to maintain its pro rata ownership interest in Foran; (b) the right to top-up its holdings in relation to dilutive issuances by Foran in order to maintain its pro rata ownership interest in Foran; and (c) the right to nominate one person to the board of directors of Foran.

    On the closing of the first tranche of the Private Placement, the Existing Agnico IRA will be amended and restated in order to, among other things: (a) amend the participation and top-up rights to permit Agnico Eagle to participate in equity financings and top-up its holdings in relation to dilutive issuances in order to maintain its pro rata ownership interest in Foran at the time of such financing or acquire up to a 19.99% ownership interest in Foran; and (b) amend the nomination right to permit Agnico Eagle to nominate an additional individual to the board of directors of Foran if the size of the board is increased to 10 or more directors.

    In addition, Agnico Eagle is announcing a previously reported follow-on investment in Azimut Exploration Inc. (“Azimut”). On September 28, 2023, Agnico Eagle acquired an additional 2,197,300 common shares (“Azimut Shares”) of Azimut at C$1.05 per Azimut Share (the “Share Purchases”) for total consideration of C$2,307,165 from several sellers that participated in an offering of flow-through Azimut Shares undertaken by Azimut at such time (as more particularly described in Azimut’s news release dated September 28, 2023). Prior to the Share Purchases, Agnico Eagle owned 8,003,425 Azimut Shares, representing approximately 10.06% of the issued and outstanding Azimut Shares on a undiluted basis at such time. Following the Share Purchases, Agnico Eagle owned 10,200,725 Azimut Shares, representing approximately 12% of the issued and outstanding Azimut Shares on a undiluted basis at such time.

    Agnico Eagle is acquiring the Common Shares, and acquired the Azimut Shares for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions and other factors, Agnico Eagle may, from time to time, acquire additional Common Shares, Azimut Shares or other securities of Foran or Azimut, or dispose of some or all of the Common Shares, Azimut Shares or other securities of Foran or Azimut it owns at such time.

    Separate early warning reports in respect of the Foran investment and the Azimut investment will be filed by Agnico Eagle today. To obtain a copy of either early warning report, please contact:

    Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
    c/o Investor Relations
    145 King Street East, Suite 400
    Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7
    Telephone: 416-947-1212
    Email: investor.relations@agnicoeagle.com

    Agnico Eagle’s head office is located at 145 King Street East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7. Foran’s head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1Y2. Azimut’s head office is located at 110 De la Barre Street, Suite 224, Longueuil, Quebec J4K 1A3.

    About Agnico Eagle

    Agnico Eagle is a Canadian based and led senior gold mining company and the third largest gold producer in the world, producing precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects. Agnico Eagle is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading sustainability practices. Agnico Eagle was founded in 1957 and has consistently created value for its shareholders, declaring a cash dividend every year since 1983.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this news release has been prepared as at May 14, 2025. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “will” or similar terms.

    Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation, statements relating to the expected closing of the Private Placement (including the expected closing date of each tranche), the ability to satisfy closing conditions in respect of the Private Place (including obtaining approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the shareholders of the Foran), Agnico Eagle’s expected ownership interest in Foran upon closing of each tranche of the Private Placement, the expected number of securities to be issued in each tranche of the Private Placement and Agnico Eagle’s acquisition or disposition of securities of Foran or Azimut in the future.

    Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Agnico Eagle as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Other than as required by law, Agnico Eagle does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.

    View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnico-eagle-announces-additional-investment-in-foran-mining-corporation-302455954.html

    SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government, Flinders University

    Last July, a powerful student-led uprising in Bangladesh toppled the authoritarian, corrupt government led for 15 years by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

    Bangladesh now shows modest signs of democratic recovery. Months into its tenure, a transitional government has reopened political and civic space, especially at universities, and begun reforming key state bodies.

    Yet, violence and political retribution persist. This week, the interim government banned Hasina’s former party, the Awami League, under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Act while a tribunal investigates its role in the deaths of hundreds of protesters last year.

    Elections have also been delayed and may not happen until 2026.

    Amid this fragile transition, interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 84-year-old Nobel-prize winning economist, has emerged as a rare figure of trust and calm. His popularity is so high, in fact, many are calling for him to remain at the helm for another five years.

    Given the uncertainty, Bangladesh faces some uncomfortable questions: can it afford electoral democracy right now? Or must stability come first, with democracy postponed until institutions can catch up?

    And what happens if emergency governance becomes the new normal?

    Fraught road to democratic renewal

    According to a global democracy report, Bangladesh is still classified as an “electoral autocracy” — one of the few in the category that actually got worse in 2024.

    The opposition, chiefly the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), has mounted a fierce challenge to the interim government’s legitimacy, arguing it lacks a democratic mandate to implement meaningful reforms.

    While the BNP and its former ally, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, may appeal to segments of Bangladesh’s Muslim majority, their support is undermined by reputational baggage and limited resonance with younger voters.

    At the same time, radical, right-wing, Islamist forces are exploiting the vacuum to reassert themselves, exacerbating tensions between Muslims and the Hindu minority.

    Economically, the country is also still reeling from the damage done under Hasina’s regime.

    Corruption hollowed out the banking system, leaving key institutions almost bankrupt. Although Yunus has taken steps to stabilise the economy by bringing in competent officials, uncertainty continues to dampen investor confidence.

    Inflation remains high. And unless job creation accelerates, especially for the youth, the seeds of further unrest are already planted.

    In addition, law and order has deteriorated sharply. The country’s police force has been tainted by its association with the Alami League, and the former police chief is facing charges of crimes against humanity.

    Street crime is rising and minorities are experiencing growing harassment. Women feel deeply unsafe — both online and on the streets. Some parties are also seen as a threat to countering violence against women.

    Despite strong laws on paper, weak law enforcement and victim-blaming are allowing violence to flourish. It’s very difficult to hold perpetrators of crimes to account.

    Bangladesh is also increasingly isolated on the global stage.

    India, long allied to Hasina’s government, has turned its back on the interim government. The United States is disengaging, as well. USAID had committed nearly US$1 billion (A$1.6 billion) from 2021–26 to help improve the lives of Bangladeshis, but this funding has now been suspended.

    Some gains on civil liberties

    This year, Bangladesh improved slightly in Freedom House’s index on political freedoms and civil liberties, from a score of 40 points out of 100 last year to 45. This is a step in the right direction.

    Among the improvements in the past year, the government has:

    The appointment of new election commissioners and the creation of advisory commissions for judicial and anti-corruption reform also signal an institutional reset in motion.

    But gains remain fragile. While politically motivated cases against opposition figures have been dropped, new ones have emerged against former ruling elites. The military’s policing role has expanded and harassment of Awami League supporters by protesters persists.

    In addition, media freedom remains heavily constrained, with a human rights group reporting the interim government had targeted hundreds of journalists in the past eight months.

    In this fractured environment, urgent reforms are needed. But these need to be sustainable, as well. Whether the interim government has the time, authority or support to deliver them remains in doubt. The government also needs to deliver on its promise to hold free and fair elections.

    A new party on the rise

    The country’s politically engaged youth have not been dissuaded by these issues. Rather, they are trying to reshape the political landscape.

    The new National Citizen Party (NCP) was formed in early 2025 by leaders of last year’s student uprising. It has positioned itself as the party to bring a “second republic” to Bangladesh. Drawing from historical models from France and the US, the party envisions a new elected, constituent assembly and constitution.

    With organisational support and tacit backing from the interim government, the NCP has rapidly grown into a viable political force.

    Still, the party faces a steep, uphill climb. Its broad, ideological umbrella risks diluting its message, blurring its distinctions with the BNP.

    For the NCP to turn protests into policy, it must sharpen its identity, consolidate its base, and avoid being co-opted or outflanked.

    Whether this moment of political flux leads to real transformation or yet another cycle of disillusionment will depend on how boldly — and how sustainably— the interim government and new actors like the NCP act. And they must not draw out the process of transition for too long.

    Intifar Chowdhury 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. After an autocratic leader was toppled in Bangladesh, democratic renewal remains a work in progress – https://theconversation.com/after-an-autocratic-leader-was-toppled-in-bangladesh-democratic-renewal-remains-a-work-in-progress-253846

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2025, No. 16)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    1. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 1262 of Part One and Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation and Article 3 of the Federal Law “On Amendments to Articles 102 and 1262 of Part One and Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at motivating employers to participate in the formation of funds under the long-term savings program for the benefit of their employees, as well as encouraging citizens to enter into long-term life insurance contracts.

    2. On amending the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 23, 2021 No. 636 (in terms of amending the Regulation on the Federal Customs Service)

    The draft act provides for amendments in terms of granting the Federal Customs Service of Russia the authority to take measures related to counteracting the financing of extremist activities.

    3. On Amendments to the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of March 16, 2009 No. 228 (regarding amendments to the Regulation on the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media)

    The draft act is aimed at implementing the provisions of the Federal Law of December 26, 2024 No. 479-FZ “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On Advertising” and Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”.

    4. On the allocation of budgetary appropriations from the reserve fund of the Government of the Russian Federation to the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation in 2025 to provide a subsidy to the joint-stock company DOM.RF in the form of a contribution to property that does not increase its authorized capital

    The draft order is aimed at compensating credit and other organizations for lost income on housing (mortgage) loans (credits) issued to employees of accredited organizations operating in the field of information technology.

    5. On Amendments to Certain Acts of the Government of the Russian Federation (in terms of amendments to the Regulation on the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources)

    The draft act is aimed at bringing the provisions of Government acts into line with the legislative changes introduced by Federal Law No. 460-FZ of December 13, 2024 “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”.

    Moscow, May 14, 2025

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Athene Prices $1,000,000,000 Investment Grade Senior Notes Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) today announced it has agreed to sell $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2055. The offering is expected to close on May 19, 2025, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    Athene intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including capital contributions to its insurance subsidiaries to support organic growth.

    Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. Apollo Global Securities, Academy Securities, BMO Capital Markets, Citigroup, Ramirez & Co., Inc. and SMBC Nikko are acting as co-managers for the offering.

    The notes are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement that has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offer, or solicitation to buy, if at all, will be made solely by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement filed with the SEC. You may obtain these documents without charge from the SEC at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may request copies of these materials from the joint book-running managers by contacting Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC toll-free at (866) 718-1649, BofA Securities, Inc. toll-free at (800) 294-1322, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC toll-free at (866) 471-2526, or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC collect at (212) 834-4533.

    About Athene

    Athene is a leading retirement services company with over $380 billion of total assets as of March 31, 2025, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by Athene’s representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Athene’s management and the management of Athene’s subsidiaries. Generally, forward-looking statements include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” “should,” or “continues” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements within this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future growth prospects and financial performance. Although Athene management believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties related to Athene’s forward-looking statements, see its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Athene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

    Media Contact
    Jeanne Hess
    VP, External Relations
    +1 646 768 7319
    jeanne.hess@athene.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko proposed publishing a jubilee collection of Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s works

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The State Duma held the second meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the LDPR Vladimir Zhirinovsky

    May 14, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko during a meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the LDPR Vladimir Zhirinovsky

    May 14, 2025

    Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin

    May 14, 2025

    Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov

    May 14, 2025

    Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov

    May 14, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    The State Duma held the second meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the LDPR Vladimir Zhirinovsky

    The State Duma held the second meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the LDPR, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, where the plan for the main events was considered.

    Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin, noting the scale of Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s personality, emphasized the importance of perpetuating his memory: “We must do everything so that the memory of him, as a person who did a lot to create the party-political system of our state, who headed the faction in the State Duma throughout his entire time, lives and is passed on from generation to generation.” He recalled that Vladimir Zhirinovsky did a lot to strengthen the Russian state.

    Vyacheslav Volodin told what has already been done within the framework of the memorial events: “Starting September 1, scholarships named after Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky will be paid to the most gifted, talented students who have achieved high results in the field that Vladimir Volfovich loved – in oriental studies. He was a specialist in it.”

    The Chairman of the State Duma noted the efforts made by the leader of the LDPR faction Leonid Slutsky: “Leonid Eduardovich and his colleagues are doing a lot to ensure that the Vladimir Volfovich museum is opened next year. It will be located in the headquarters of the LDPR party. This is a home place for Vladimir Volfovich.”

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the meeting. He emphasized that Vladimir Zhirinovsky left behind a significant scientific and literary legacy, and put forward an initiative to publish a jubilee collection of his works.

    “Considering that Vladimir Volfovich left behind a significant scientific, literary, journalistic legacy, if Vyacheslav Viktorovich Volodin supports it, I propose considering the possibility of creating a commission at the State Duma, which could include scientists, historians and sociologists from the country’s leading universities, such as Moscow State University, Russian State University for the Humanities, and St. Petersburg State University. It would analyze the existing legacy, propose a publication structure and select works and documentation to publish a collection of his works,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also noted that on the eve of the committee meeting he discussed preparations for the anniversary with LDPR Chairman Leonid Slutsky. As a result, the draft plan of events was significantly expanded: federal ministries and departments, the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as major public organizations and media will participate in the implementation of 56 events.

    In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister thanked all members of the Government and personally the Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin for their active participation in the preparation of the anniversary. The Deputy Prime Minister added that all work is under the control of the Chairman of the Government Mikhail Mishustin.

    The meeting of the organizing committee was also attended by the Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov, the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, the Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, the Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov, the Minister of Transport Roman Starovoit, the Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Denis Ashirov, State Duma deputies, senators and other members of the organizing committee.

    The 80th anniversary of Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s birth will be celebrated on April 25, 2026. By decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin dated November 6, 2024, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin was appointed head of the organizing committee. The committee includes parliamentarians, government representatives, scientists, representatives of the university community and major media.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Traffic on Russian highways increased during May holidays

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Traffic on Russian highways increased during May holidays

    May 14, 2025

    Traffic on Russian highways increased during May holidays

    May 14, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Traffic on Russian highways increased during May holidays

    Highways continue to be one of the key factors in the country’s infrastructure development. Their demand among road users increases annually, especially on weekends and holidays. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Expressways allow citizens to quickly, conveniently and safely get to their destination. The absence of traffic lights, level crossings, high-quality pavement, intelligent transport systems and modern multifunctional road service zones (MFSZ) make travel on such roads as comfortable as possible. All these factors affect the growth of traffic on them and the increase in traffic intensity, especially during holidays. During the May holidays, this figure increased significantly across the entire network of expressways. For example, on May 1 of this year, cars and trucks traveled a record number of kilometers on the M-12 Vostok – 21.5 million km, which is 29% higher compared to the same period last year,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that on the M-11 Neva highway, during the May holidays, an average of over 21,000 trips were recorded per day. The peak was recorded on May 1, when the figure rose to almost 33,000. The traffic intensity on the section of the road from Moscow to the Tver Region exceeded 40,000 trips per day. Overall, on the highway this year, it has grown by 14% compared to the same period last year.

    The peak traffic intensity on the Central Ring Road was on April 30 – on average over 25 thousand trips per day, and in some areas over 37 thousand were recorded. During the May holidays, over 20 thousand trips were recorded on the Malye Vyazme bypass that opened last year.

    The new road A-289 Krasnodar – Kerch also shows a steady growth in traffic intensity. On April 30, traffic was 19.5 thousand trips. The peak value was recorded on May 1 – more than 22.5 thousand. At the end of the May holidays, as of May 11, the traffic intensity on this road was 16.8 thousand trips per day.

    Chairman of the Board of the state company Avtodor Vyacheslav Petushenko noted that during the holidays there is an increase in passenger car traffic on all routes of high-speed highways. The high-speed road to the south, M-4 Don, is in particular demand.

    “The average daily traffic intensity on the M-4 Don also increased during the May holidays. The peak value on this highway was recorded on April 30, on some sections of the road the flow of cars reached high values. Thus, on the highway within the Moscow Region, more than 80 thousand trips were registered on this day. High figures were observed on May 1 in the Rostov Region – over 55 thousand trips were recorded here. In general, during the first and last days of the holiday period, the highway demonstrated a stable load. On some sections, more than 75 thousand trips per day were recorded,” noted Vyacheslav Petushenko.

    The highest traffic intensity is observed on the eve and at the end of holidays, when people go on trips and to their summer cottages. More and more motorists choose expressways due to their high capacity, safety, comfort and service, making them the main routes on these days. Modern multifunctional road service zones, 24-hour free assistance from emergency commissioners and monitoring systems that improve traffic safety are available on the highways.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Pfluger Secures Big Wins in the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a strong, commonsense reconciliation bill after over twenty-six hours of debate. Upon passage, Rep. Pfluger released the following statement.

    “After over twenty-six hours of Democrat distractions, falsehoods, and baseless debate, Energy and Commerce Republicans stayed focused on delivering real, commonsense results for the American people. We have now completed our part in advancing President Trump’s agenda through the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill.’ This package ends wasteful spending on woke Green New Deal-style programs, secures American energy dominance to support the rapid innovation of American industry, and preserves and protects Medicaid for all vulnerable Texans and Americans who truly need it. This legislation also expands rural connectivity through smart spectrum policy while safeguarding national security interests. Through these commonsense policies, we’re building a stronger, more secure America for generations to come.”

    Among the many Republican-backed victories supported by Rep. Pfluger in this legislation, this bill includes several key priorities Rep. Pfluger has specifically championed, which will directly benefit Texans and all Americans alike:

    Energy Wins:

    ·     Expedited LNG Exports (Section 41003) — Expedites approvals by deeming applications to non-free trade countries “in the public interest” upon payment of a $1 million fee, eliminating a previously lengthy review process. This streamlining preserves existing legal and regulatory authorities while potentially reducing approval timelines from years to months. This directly aligns with Rep. Pfluger’s bill to strengthen energy leadership and expand LNG exports.

    ·     Natural Gas Permitting Reform (Section 41005) — Creates a voluntary expedited permitting pathway with guaranteed timelines, requiring agencies to complete reviews within one year of fee payment ($10M or 1% of project cost). If review deadlines are missed, applications are automatically approved, and legal challenges are limited. This provision advances Rep. Pfluger’s permitting reform priority and provides greater certainty for major energy projects.

    ·     Strategic Petroleum Reserve Funding (Section 41008) — Provides a $2 billion appropriation for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), including $218 million for cavern repairs, $1.32 billion for oil purchases, and directs the remaining funds to reverse prior mandated sales. This targeted investment strengthens U.S. energy security and reserve readiness and directly supports Rep. Pfluger’s priority to refill the SPR.

    Environment Wins:

    ·     Air Pollution Monitoring Limitation (Section 42105) — Repeals and rescinds unobligated funds from IRA Section 60105, which had allocated $281.5 million to the EPA for expanding air quality monitoring networks. This reduces the EPA’s ability to identify new non-attainment zones, limiting additional regulatory burdens. This acts on Rep. Pfluger’s priority to protect the Permian Basin from costly regulatory designations that could impact energy producers.

    ·     Methane Emissions Program Delay (Section 42113) — Extends the timeline for the Methane Emissions Reduction Program charges by an additional 10 years. This extension reinforces Rep. Pfluger’s success with his legislation that President Trump signed into law earlier this year. It also supports his position against the immediate implementation of the harmful program’s current requirements.

    Healthcare Wins:

    ·     Affordable Care Act Exchange Reforms (Section 44201) — Amends the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) definition of “lawfully present” to exclude Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This change counters the Biden Administration’s May 2024 rule, which expanded ACA eligibility to include DACA recipients, a move with potential legal and financial implications. This aligns with Rep. Pfluger’s previous Congressional Review Act efforts to prevent ACA expansion to DACA recipients.

    WATCH: Rep. Pfluger Dismantled Several Democrat Lies On Key Provisions in the Final Package, Including:

    ·     Lies on the LNG export user fees HERE

    ·     Work requirements for Medicaid benefits HERE

    How this bill protects Medicaid for vulnerable, eligible Americans HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Competition watchdog gets green light for growth in latest move to back business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Competition watchdog gets green light for growth in latest move to back business

    Businesses and consumers will benefit from new growth-focused Strategic Steer set for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in the latest step of the government’s agenda to reform regulation to drive growth as part of the plan for change.

    • Government delivers new strategic steer to competition watchdog to prioritise growth while ensuring effective competition and consumer protection
    • The steer reset CMA’s priorities with aim to create a level-playing field for businesses through more transparent, timely and responsive regulation
    • Part of wider push to ensure regulators drive investor confidence and support economic growth across the UK as part of the plan for change

    Businesses and consumers will benefit from new growth-focused Strategic Steer set for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today (Thursday 15 May), in the latest step of the government’s agenda to reform regulation to drive growth as part of the plan for change.

    The steer resets the competition watchdog’s priorities, with a renewed focus on prioritising growth and investment while ensuring free and fair competition and protecting the rights of consumers.

    In addition to this, the steer is focused on minimising uncertainty for businesses by encouraging the CMA to be proactive, transparent, timely, predictable and responsive in its engagement, underpinning the government’s upcoming industrial strategy.

    The independent CMA has already set out positive plans to address these issues to deliver meaningful reforms, by announcing their new public commitment to the pace, predictability, proportionality and process of their mergers investigations, digital and consumer work   – giving businesses more clarity and confidence in the CMA’s work. The Government wants to see the same level of ambition from other regulators.

    This is just one part of its wider commitment to reforming the regulatory landscape with work underway to improve licensing regulations for businesses, a new regulation innovation office to speed up regulatory decisions and consolidating the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

    This is to ensure delivery not only for businesses but for taxpayers too by driving investment, boosting confidence and setting out the stall for the upcoming industrial strategy that will articulate a new relationship between business and government to boost growth – delivering the plan for change.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This government believes in promoting and protecting competition – that is fundamental to our growth mission and Britain’s modern Industrial Strategy. Our economic regulators are crucial to creating the conditions for increased growth and investment. This steer sets out the government’s priorities for the CMA.

    I am grateful for the positive approach taken by the new Interim Chair and the Chief Executive as they re-focus the work of the CMA, supporting our Plan for Change to drive growth, investment and business confidence while protecting consumers.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    Competitive markets are more important than ever for attracting investment into the UK and driving economic growth, and our new Strategic Steer for the CMA will help us achieve these goals, making Britain the best country to do business.

    We fully support the CMA’s independence and welcome the steps it has already taken to act swiftly, predictably, independently, and proportionately to promote competition, protect consumers and strengthen our economy.

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: 

    The Strategic Steer reinforces the importance of a strong, independent competition and consumer protection regime, whilst situating this squarely in the context of the growth mission. 

    The steer provides helpful clarity on how the CMA should prioritise and go about our work, promoting competition and protecting consumers with a sharp focus on supporting higher levels of investment and economic growth.

    It reinforces the approach we have set out in the CMA’s 2025/26 Annual Plan and in the roll out of our 4Ps approach, focused on driving greater pace, predictability, proportionality and an improved process committed to strong stakeholder engagement. 

    The government expects the CMA to clearly communicate how it is taking account of the steer and report on how it has applied the steer in practice in its annual report.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Media law reforms to boost press sustainability and protect independence

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    • Long-term sustainability and independence of UK press protected with government plans to modernise media merger rules in public interest
    • Powers to call in media mergers extended beyond TV, radio and newspapers to include online news sites and news magazines
    • Introduction of a 15% cap for state-owned investors will minimise potential ‘chilling effect’ whilst ensuring there is minimal risk of foreign state influence or control

    People’s access to independent and accurate news will be better protected under updated government rules being set out today, which will modernise powers around media mergers while supporting investment and growth.

    The Culture Secretary will today confirm reforms to extend powers to scrutinise takeovers beyond traditional media to online news sites and magazines for the first time.

    The media mergers regime will now cover acquisitions of UK online news publications and periodical news magazines, expanding beyond just television, radio and print newspapers as it presently stands.

    This reflects modern news consumption habits, with Ofcom reporting that seven in ten UK adults say they consume online news in some capacity.

    The expanded powers will allow greater scrutiny of takeovers that might negatively impact accurate reporting, freedom of expression and media plurality – which are essential to the UK’s democracy.

    The government is also introducing targeted exceptions to allow certain state-owned investment funds – such as sovereign wealth funds or pension funds – to invest up to 15% in UK newspapers and news periodicals. This balanced approach will still limit any scope for foreign state control or influence of news organisations while giving them much-needed flexibility to seek business investment that supports their long-term sustainability. 

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

    Britain’s free and independent press is a national asset like no other and it is right that we have strong measures in place to allow scrutiny of UK takeovers that might go against the public interest.

    These important, modernising reforms are about protecting media plurality and reflect the changing ways in which people are consuming news.

    We are fully upholding the need to safeguard our news media from foreign state control whilst recognising that  news organisations must be able to raise vital funding. We are taking a proportionate, balanced approach to a threshold for low-risk investments that will remove a potential chilling effect on press sustainability, while supporting growth under our Plan for Change.

    Secondary legislation will be laid to enact these changes and will be subject to votes in both Houses of Parliament.

    The proposed amendments to the definition of newspaper for the Foreign State Influence regime will apply with retrospective effect from today.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors:

    Exceptions to Foreign State Influence Regime 

    The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 created new rules to prevent foreign states from acquiring ownership, control or influence over UK newspapers and news magazines.

    The legislation covers a number of scenarios in which a foreign power could control or influence the policy of a newspaper or a news magazine enterprise – including if it holds, whether directly or indirectly, any shares or voting rights in a corporate body that carries on a newspaper enterprise, or if it has the right to appoint or remove members of staff.

    The regime defines ‘foreign power’ broadly to include: the sovereign or head of a foreign state, any part of a foreign government including ministers, government agencies and authorities, and any governing political party or its officers. It applies where a foreign power could acquire control or influence over the policy of a newspaper through persons associated with it.

    As permitted by the Act, the Government intends to introduce a number of targeted and specific exceptions to the regime via regulations, which are intended to offset potential negative impacts on inward investment into the press sector without undermining the core principles of the regime.

    The previous government launched a consultation on exceptions to the regime which closed in July 2024. Ministers have carefully considered the responses received, including the views of newspaper groups that the previous government’s suggested thresholds were too low and would place unnecessary restrictions on their ability to raise funding. 

    Ministers consider that setting the threshold for State Owned Investors’ investment at 15% of shares or voting rights in a newspaper or news magazine is the most effective, simple and proportionate approach. State Owned Investors (SOIs) include sovereign wealth funds or public pension or social security schemes that make long-term investments on behalf of that state and which in many cases are operated at arms length. 

    The new measures carefully balance the need for newspapers and news magazines to have access to a range of investment from SOIs where control or influence by foreign states is unlikely to be a risk. It will avoid the need for the Culture Secretary to refer low levels of investment to the CMA for investigation where there is no likelihood of any material influence.

    The UK has a strong track record for encouraging investment critical to growth within the media industry, and this pro-growth decision will continue that trend while providing a robust regulatory framework that protects press freedom and free speech. 

    Extending the scope of the media mergers regime

    In November, the government launched a consultation on proposals to broaden the scope of the UK’s media merger regime. Having taken into account responses to the consultation, the government has decided to expand the scope of the media mergers regime from print newspapers and broadcasters to encompass online news platforms and periodical news magazines.

    This will mean the Culture Secretary has the ability to intervene in a merger involving an online news publication that meets certain conditions relating to turnover or share of supply, where they believe a public interest consideration may be relevant. According to Ofcom’s annual report on news consumption in the UK, 71 percent of UK adults consume online news in some capacity, level with news consumed via TV and on demand (70 percent); and nearly a quarter of UK adults (22 percent) access news via print newspapers, increasing to 34 percent when including their online platforms.

    News publications circulated on a weekly or monthly basis will also be brought in scope of the regime to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose given daily, local, and Sunday publications are already included. 

    The measures will ensure that the public interest can be safeguarded across these popular sources of news content for people across the UK. They will enable the Culture Secretary to intervene where necessary to protect the availability of a wide range of accurate and high-quality news, particularly for younger audiences as technology and news habits evolve. 

    The announcement follows recommendations from the independent regulator Ofcom as part of its statutory review of media ownership rules.

    The inclusion of online news sites will apply both to the public interest media mergers regime and to the new Foreign State Influence regime.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Madison Pacific Properties Inc. announces the results for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and declares special dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Madison Pacific Properties Inc. (the Company) (TSX: MPC and MPC.C), a Vancouver-based real estate company announces the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    In July 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change of financial year-end of the Company from August 31 to December 31. This change of year-end is effective for the financial year commencing September 1, 2024. The comparative figures presented for the three months ended March 31, 2025 are the three months ended February 29, 2024.

    The results reported are pursuant to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for public companies.

    For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company is reporting a net income of $6.2 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $14.4 million); cash flows generated from operating activities before changes in non-cash operating balances of $3.3 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $2.7 million); and income per share of $0.10 (three months ended February 29, 2024: $0.24). Net income includes a net gain on the fair value adjustment on investment properties of approximately $5.2 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $12.3 million), equity earnings of associate and joint ventures of $0.1 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $0.7 million), interest income of $0.2 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $0.9 million), and interest expense of $3.7 million (three months ended February 29, 2024: $3.2 million).

    As at March 31, 2025, the Company owns approximately $731 million in investment properties (December 31, 2024: $724 million).

    As at the date of this Press Release, the Company’s investment portfolio comprises 55 properties with approximately 1.9 million rentable sq. ft. of industrial and commercial space and a 50% interest in seven multi-family rental properties with a total of 219 units. Approximately 94.49% of available space within the industrial and commercial investment properties is currently leased and within the multi-family residential properties, 97.26% is currently leased. The Company’s development properties include a 50% interest in the Silverdale Hills Limited Partnership which currently owns approximately 1,425 acres of primarily residential designated development lands in Mission, British Columbia.

    For a review of the risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, see its most recently filed annual and interim MD&A.

    The Company announced today that it has declared the payment of a special cash dividend of $0.34 per Class B voting common share and Class C non-voting share payable on June 4, 2025 to shareholders of record on May 27, 2025.

    The amount of the special one-time dividend allows the Company to continue to pursue real estate opportunities while returning some capital to shareholders. The special dividend is in addition to any dividends that may be declared pursuant to the regular dividend policy of the Company.

    The dividend is an eligible dividend for Canadian tax purposes.

    Contact: Mr. John Delucchi
    President & CEO    		 Ms. Bernice Yip
    Chief Financial Officer
    Telephone: (604) 732-6540 (604) 732-6540
    Address: 389 West 6th Avenue
    Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1L1    		  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Continues Push to Safeguard Conscience Rights of Health Care Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

    WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Conscience Protection Act to protect health care providers and insurance plans from government discrimination if they decline to participate in abortions. The Conscience Protection Act provides enforcement for existing conscience laws by providing a private right of action for victims of conscience discrimination. 

    “When conscience protections aren’t enforced, health care workers are forced to decide if they should lose their job or violate their beliefs by performing an abortion. Many health care professionals went into their careers to protect life, not take life. Doctors and nurses should never have to make the choice between their career and their conscience. The Conscience Protection Act defends health care workers and empowers them to stand by convictions as they care for their community,” said Lankford.

    Lankford first introduced the Conscience Protection Act in 2019 and again in 2021 and 2024.  He spoke on the Senate floor after Democrats blocked his bill to protect all Americans’ conscience rights.

    Lankford is joined on the bill by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jim Risch (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Todd Young (R-IN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Lee (R-UT), Jim Banks (R-IN), and Mike Crapo (R-ID). Representative August Plfuger (R-TX) is leading the legislation in the House of Representatives.

    This legislation is also supported by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, Eagle Forum, National Right to Life Committee, First Liberty Institute, CatholicVote, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and March for Life.

    Background

    Congress has enacted more than 25 laws to protect conscience rights for individuals who have a religious or moral objection to performing certain medical procedures, including abortion. Yet, courts have consistently declined to find that these laws provide a “private right of action” for an individual to commence litigation to defend their right of conscience—thereby leaving victims of conscience discrimination unable to defend their rights in court. Currently, if a health care worker refuses to provide abortions, the only recourse available is to file a complaint with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). 

    In 2014, California required that health plans must cover abortions, which forced religious employers to offer plans that violate their religious beliefs. In December 2014, under the Obama Administration, HHS opened an investigation. Despite the then-current laws protecting conscience rights, in June 2016, HHS declared that California could force all its health plans to cover elective abortions, which President Biden’s nominee for HHS Secretary has advocated for and enforced as Attorney General of California.

    During the first Trump Administration, several landmark actions were taken to enforce current law and protect conscience: (1) created the Conscience and Religious Freedom Division, (2) partnered with the Department of Justice to notice and enforce conscience violations in Vermont and California, resulting in the disallowance of $200 million per quarter from the state due to former Attorney General Becerra’s refusal to comply with the law, and (3) issued the final rule “Protecting Statutory Conscience Rights In Health Care” to enforce existing statutory protections, which Lankford supported. Unfortunately, a federal court vacated the conscience rule in November 2019. Litigation on the final rule continued at the Second Circuit in New York v. HHS, and seventy-eight Members of Congress filed an amicus brief led by Senator Lankford in the case.

    In response to the Biden Administration’s proposed rule that would insufficiently enforce conscience protections for medical professionals, Lankford led his colleagues in filing a public comment letter demanding greater implementation and enforcement of all of the statutory conscience protections enacted by Congress, as reflected in the previous rule issued under the Trump Administration. 

    This week, President Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it is initiating a compliance review under the Church Amendments, which is central to the legislation. This key development pairs perfectly with the Conscience Protection Act and underscores the need for further action to protect conscience rights.

    You can read the exclusive in the Daily Signal HERE, and can read the full text of the Conscience Protection Act HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: POET Technologies Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), light sources and optical modules for the AI and data center markets, today reported its unaudited condensed consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company’s financial results as well as the Management Discussion and Analysis have been filed on SEDAR+. All financial figures are in United States dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise indicated.

    Management Commentary:

    “In the first quarter of 2025, we continued to build momentum across multiple fronts—technology innovation, commercial progress, strategic partnerships and production capacity – positioning the company for accelerated revenue growth in the second half of the year,” said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, Chairman & CEO of POET Technologies. “The transition out of SPX in China into Malaysia was a timely and energizing event for the Company. Opening a 10,000 square foot clean room filled with wafer-level production tools at our partner, Globetronics, was the indispensable next step to accepting volume orders from AI and cloud data center customers. As we look ahead, we are building on the strong foundation of innovative products introduced at OFC, and the reaction of customers and partners, reinforces our conviction that POET is on the cusp of a meaningful revenue inflection later this year.”

    Notable Business Highlights:

    • Shipped final design samples of its POET Infinity transmit product line for 400G and 800G applications to three major technology leaders. The products include 400G FR4, 800G 2xFR4 and 800G DR8 transmit formats, all assembled at our high-volume production facility in Malaysia.
    • Demonstrated its latest innovations, POET Teralight™, a line of 1.6T highly integrated transmit and receive optical engines and the new POET Blazar™, an advanced light source at the Optical Fiber Communications (“OFC”) Conference.
    • Partnered with Lessengers, an innovative optical solution provider based in South Korea, to offer a differentiated 800G DR8 transceiver

    Non-IFRS Financial Summary
    The Company reported non-recurring engineering (“NRE”) and product revenue of $166,760 in the first quarter of 2025 compared to $8,710 for the same period in 2024 and $29,032 in the fourth quarter of 2024. Historically, the Company provided NRE services to multiple customers for unique projects that are being addressed utilizing the capabilities of the POET Optical Interposer. The Company only had small product revenue in Q1 2025.

    The Company reported a net income of $6.3 million, or $0.08 per share, in the first quarter of 2025 compared with a net loss of $5.7 million, or ($0.13) per share, for the same period in 2024 and a net loss of $30.2 million, or ($0.50) per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024. The net income in the first quarter of 2025 included research and development costs of $4.3 million compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2024 and $3.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Fluctuations in R&D for a Company of this size and this stage of growth is expected on a period-over-period basis as the Company transitions from technology development to product development.

    The largest component of the Company’s income was from the non-cash gain in fair value adjustment to derivative warrant liability of $15.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to loss of $630,000 in the same period in 2024 and a loss of $12.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This non-cash item relates to warrants issued in a foreign currency and is periodically remeasured.

    Other non-cash expenses in the first quarter of 2025 included stock-based compensation of $0.8 million and depreciation and amortization of $0.7 million. Non-cash stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization in the same period of 2024 were $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Fourth quarter 2024 stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization were $1.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The Company had non-cash finance costs of $33,000 in the first quarter of 2025 compared to non-cash finance costs of $20,000 in the first quarter of 2024 and non-cash costs of $32,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    The Company recognized other income, including interest of $528,000 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $52,000 in the same period in 2024 and $511,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company acquired the remaining 24.8% interest of SPX from SAIC. The acquisition of this interest resulted in a non-cash loss to the Company of $6,852,687. There was no impact of the acquisition transaction in the first quarter of 2025.

    Cash flow from operating activities in the first quarter of 2025 was ($8.9) million compared to ($4.6) million in the first quarter of 2024 and ($8.7) million in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    Summary of Financial Performance
    The following is a summary of the Company’s operations over the five quarters ending March 31, 2025. This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s financial statements filed on Sedar+ on May 14, 2025.

     
    POET TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    PROFORMA – NON-IFRS AND IFRS PRESENTATION OF OPERATIONS
    (All figures are in U.S. Dollars)
     
    For the Quarter ended: 31-Mar-25     31-Dec-24     30-Sep-24     30-Jun-24     31-Mar-24    
    Revenue 166,760     29,032     3,685     –     8,710    
    Research and development (4,360,192 )   (3,437,683 )   (1,765,481 )   (2,117,828 )   (1,922,066 )  
    Depreciation and amortization (726,868 )   (475,281 )   (525,955 )   (509,699 )   (509,260 )  
    Professional fees (276,184 )   (679,156 )   (480,871 )   (366,839 )   (409,726 )  
    Wages and benefits (2,123,274 )   (758,883 )   (667,963 )   (780,146 )   (768,496 )  
    Loss on acquisition of 24.8% of SPX –     (6,852,687 )   –     –     –    
    Stock-based compensation (841,793 )   (1,404,995 )   (1,525,131 )   (1,591,741 )   (947,502 )  
    General expenses and rent (898,056 )   (474,937 )   (465,448 )   (448,357 )   (570,819 )  
    Finance advisory fees (476,802 )   (4,239,831 )   (1,319,392 )   (942,576 )   –    
    Derivative liability adjustment 15,382,971     (12,444,661 )   (6,179,836 )   (1,376,761 )   (629,824 )  
    Interest expense (32,786 )   (31,605 )   (30,482 )   (20,833 )   (19,753 )  
    Other (income), including interest 527,782     511,448     216,337     174,911     52,558    
    Net loss 6,341,558     (30,259,239 )   (12,740,537 )   (7,979,869 )   (5,716,178 )  
                                   
    Net income (loss) per share – Basic 0.08     (0.50 )   (0.20 )   (0.14 )   (0.13 )  
    Net income (loss) per share – Diluted –     (0.50 )   (0.20 )   (0.14 )   (0.13 )  
     

    About POET Technologies Inc.
    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Company’s expectations with respect to its move of production capacity from China to Malaysia, the ability of its partners to install and operate production equipment, the reaction of customers and partners to the Company’s product offerings, the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, the expected results of its operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations for approval of proposals at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.

    Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding its move of production capacity from China to Malaysia, the ability of its partner to meet production expectations, the reaction of customers and partners to the Company’s product offerings, the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, the introduction of new products, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, opening of offices, the form and potential of its joint venture, plans for and completion of projects by the Company’s consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve high volume production in Malaysia on time, the failure of its products to meet performance requirements or to be produced in Malaysia on time and budget, the lack of sales in its products, once released, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s anticipated projects, risks affecting the Company’s ability to execute projects, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, the ability to attract key personnel, the ability to raise additional capital and the agreement by shareholders to approve proposals put forth by the Company at shareholders’ meetings. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2 – Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Brick by brick: Police nab Lego thief

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police have put the pieces together on a Lego theft spree stretching from Northland down to the Waikato in recent months.

    An Auckland man is facing numerous charges after being arrested on Wednesday.

    A case has steadily been built by the Waitematā West Enquiries Team after offending began in January.

    “Retailers have been targeted as far north as Whangārei, across Auckland and as far south as Te Rapa,” Sergeant Julian Conder says.

    “It will be alleged highly valuable Lego items were either stolen, or had barcodes altered in this offending.”

    A search warrant for a Te Atatū South property was put together by Constable Kim from the Enquiries Team.

    Police have since arrested a 39-year-old man at the address, charging him with seven counts of obtains by deception and three counts of theft.

    He is now before the Waitākere District Court.

    Fear not Lego lovers, no bricks were harmed.

    “Pleasingly, the team recovered all of the stolen Lego during the search warrant,” Sergeant Conder says.

    “At the end of the day it will mean that these pieces will be available for those who are willing to pay for their goods.”

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Africa Road Builders: Angolan President João Lourenco, winner of the Babacar Ndiaye Prize 2025

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Angolan President João Lourenço has won the 2025 “Africa Road Builders” prize –awarded to African leaders who have invested in infrastructure development. He follows Equatorial Guinea’s Téodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who were joint winners in 2024.

    The selection committee for the Babacar Ndiaye Road Builder Super Prize, meeting in Dubai on 25 April, awarded it to Lourenço for the construction of major transport infrastructure in Angola. Projects include the Lobito Corridor, a strategic regional railway line between Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The African Development Fund, the African Development Bank Group’s concessional loans window, provided a grant of $8.14 million towards implementing the project, which will improve regional integration and support trade between the three countries.

    The construction of the new Dr Agostinho Neto international airport, which opened in November 2023, paving 2,000 km of roads, resurfacing a further 2,000 km and building a light metro system in Luanda were the key factors in making their decision, the committee said.

    “We were aware that in recent years, Angola has embarked on a major transformation of its transport infrastructure, with the aim of strengthening its strategic position in southern and central Africa and diversifying its economy. The immediate impacts of these various projects and achievements have been the creation of several services, including the use of new information and communication technologies,” explained the Africa Road Builders selection committee.

    The latest winner of the Babacar Ndiaye prize will receive his award in Abidjan on 28 May, alongside the Annual Meetings 2025 of the African Development Bank Group.

    Sponsored by the African Development Bank Group, the Babacar Ndiaye Africa Road Builders prize is awarded by Acturoutes, a platform that provides information on the road network and infrastructure in Africa, and the organization Media for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa (MIFA), a network of African journalists specializing in road infrastructure.

    The prize was created in honour of Babacar Ndiaye (1936-2017), President of the African Development Bank Group from 1985 – 1995. Each year, the “Africa Road Builders” Selection Committee evaluates ambitious, tangible projects that have a real impact on people’s mobility in Africa.

    Since its launch in 2016, the Babacar Ndiaye Prize has been awarded to the following heads of state: King Mohamed VI (Morocco), Edgar Lungu (Zambia), Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire), Ali Bongo Ondimba (Gabon), Macky Sall (Senegal) and Paul Kagamé (Rwanda) as joint winners in 2017, Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Adama Barrow (Gambia), Abdel Fattah-al Sissi (Egypt), Muhammadu Buhari (Nigeria), Samia Suhulu Hassan (Tanzania), Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar), and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (Equatorial Guinea) and Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Congo), joint winners in 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With Nominee To Serve As Chairman Of CFTC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 14, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Brian Quintenz, who has been nominated to serve as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).  During their meeting, Durbin emphasized the need for regulation and steady oversight on cryptocurrency, as well as explicit consumer protections within the industry.  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Durbin also discussed funding that is needed to enforce cryptocurrency regulation at CFTC.
    “As cryptocurrency rises in popularity, it’s critical that we institute oversight and regulations that adequately protect consumers,” said Durbin.  “Today, I met with Brian Quintenz, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Chairman of CFTC, to reiterate that, if confirmed, he must put American consumers first and ensure that the digital asset market plays fair.”
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Launching the Auckland University of Technology Innovation Fund

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Tēnā koutou katoa,
    Thank you for inviting me to join you today. 
    Vice-Chancellor Damon Salesa, AUT Council Members, leadership, AUT Ventures staff and the start up community joining us here this morning – I appreciate your warm welcome. 
    It’s a real pleasure to help launch the AUT Innovation Fund.
    This fund is exactly the kind of initiative we want to see more of under the Government’s Going for Growth plan. New Zealand needs to back smart ideas, new technology, and the people behind them. That’s how we create better jobs, stronger businesses, and a more diverse economy.
    Our universities are central to this. They’re not just places of teaching and learning—they’re also where innovation happens. That’s why I’m pleased to see this fund focusing on turning research into real-world outcomes, including new companies, products, and services.
    It’s also good to see the fund supports sharing the benefits with researchers and students through intellectual property. When people know their ideas can go somewhere—and that they’ll be recognised and rewarded—it encourages creativity, ambition, and impact.
    AUT already has a track record in this space through AUT Ventures. It’s great to see that work now expanding, with new backing to support ideas like Spherelose and businesses like Conical. These are just some of the early examples of what’s possible.
    As Minister for Universities—and also for Science, Innovation and Technology—I see a big opportunity to better connect our universities with the wider research and business community. That’s why we’re making some of the biggest changes to our science system in 30 years. And we’re doing it in a way that recognises the vital role universities play.
    At the same time, we’re also updating the Tertiary Education Strategy—a roadmap for the future of our universities and vocational providers. It will set out the Government’s priorities for the sector and the changes we’d like to see over the next few years.
    We expect to focus on four main areas:

    Access and Participation – making sure people from all backgrounds can get the skills they need.
    Achievement – supporting students to complete their study and succeed afterwards.
    Impact and Innovation – making sure research and teaching support the economy and wider society.
    Integration and Collaboration – encouraging stronger links between universities, business, and other research groups.

    We’re also considering a fifth area: international partnerships, to grow our global connections.
    Early engagement is already underway, including with Universities New Zealand. Wider consultation will follow later this year.
    I know the changes underway in the sector are big. I want to acknowledge that. But small steps won’t deliver the kind of transformation New Zealand needs—especially in how we grow our economy and support our people.
    We’ve always had world-class ideas in this country. The challenge has been turning them into world-class outcomes that benefit New Zealanders. The AUT Innovation Fund is a practical step toward solving that challenge—taking great ideas and helping them go further.
    So, I want to thank AUT for stepping up, and I look forward to seeing what comes from this work.
    Ngā mihi nui, and all the best for the fund and its future success.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Available to Arkansas Small Businesses, Private Nonprofits and Residents Affected by Severe Storms and Tornadoes

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued May 8, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to Arkansas small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations and residents affected by severe storms and tornadoes occurring March 14-15.

    The disaster declaration covers the Arkansas counties of Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

    Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

    SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    Interest rates can be as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Jayapal to Host Viewing of No Other Land at the U.S. Capitol

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) will host a panel discussion and special Capitol Hill viewing of the Academy Award winning documentary film, “No Other Land” for Members of Congress, congressional staff, civil society leaders, and members of the press. The panel of experts, moderated by journalist Mehdi Hasan, will discuss the film, settler violence in the West Bank, the expansion of Israeli settlements, and shifts in U.S. policy.  
    Event: Panel Discussion and Viewing of “No Other Land” Date and Time: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00PM Location: South Orientation Theater (CVC 241), Capitol Visitor Center Panel: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07); Zaha Hassan; Dr. Debra Shushan; and Josh Paul; moderated by Mehdi Hasan. 
    RSVP: Please RSVP using this LINK 
    Entry Instructions: Please see Capitol Visitor Guidelines here. Use the main entrance near the intersection of East Capitol St NE and First St NE (by the Supreme Court and Library of Congress). Follow the signage down to the Capitol Visitor Center entrance, to the lower floor of the Visitor Center. 
    Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film, “No Other Land” is directed by a collective of directors from Palestine and Israel—Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, and Rachel Szor. The Oscar winning documentary follows Palestinian activist Basel Adra as he documents the demolition of his community in Masafer Yatta. It is a powerful testament to shared resistance, human rights, and the enduring struggle for justice. 
    Senator Welch and Representative Jayapal have co-led several efforts on issues related to the West Bank, including legislation to fund UNRWA. In April, Senator Welch and Representative Jayapal led 29 of their bicameral colleagues in raising the alarm over escalating violence in the West Bank. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers urged the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate sanctions against individuals who perpetrate violence that undermines regional stability and security in the West Bank. The bicameral letter was in response to the violent assault of Hamdan Ballal, a director of “No Other Land.” On March 24, 2025, Mr. Ballal was attacked by a group of Israeli settlers in the village of Susiya in the occupied West Bank. Following this attack, Israeli Defense Forces arrested and detained Mr. Ballal.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Ricketts, colleagues applaud President Trump’s push to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and 50 Republican colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald Trump applauding the president’s efforts to secure a deal with Iran that dismantles its nuclear program.
    Key excerpts of the letter are below:
    “During your first term you withdrew the United States from the deeply broken Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and imposed maximum pressure on the regime. As you said then, a fatal flaw of the deal was that it ‘allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and, over time, reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.’ The JCPOA allowed Iran to sell oil, provided waivers allowing third countries to help Iran build out its nuclear program, and included the termination of United Nations sanctions on the regime.”
    . . .
    “Tragically, the Biden administration systematically undid that pressure, functionally re-implementing the nuclear deal. They immediately rescinded your decision to reimpose U.N. sanctions, allowed Iran to sell oil at JCPOA-levels, and even re-issued waivers allowing Iran to build out its nuclear program. As you predicted, those policies indeed allowed Iran to reach the brink of nuclear breakout, which is where they are today.” 
    . . .
    “We cannot afford another agreement that enables Iran to play for time, as the JCPOA did. The Iranian regime should know that the administration has Congressional backing to ensure their ability to enrich uranium is permanently eliminated.
    “As always we stand ready to provide you and your administration whatever resources you need to advance American national security interests.”
    Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also signed the letter.
    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Details How to Fuel the Great American Industrial Comeback

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – Today, at a U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing, Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) discussed how Congress can continue to fuel the manufacturing boom across America by reigniting investment in small manufacturers.
    Ernst highlighted that small manufacturers are the key to the great American industrial comeback because they make up 98% of all manufacturing firms in the United States.
    Watch Chair Ernst’s remarks here.
    Ernst’s full remarks:
    “I am excited to hold this hearing to discuss opportunities to reignite investment in small American manufacturers and ensure our industrial future is built right here, at home.
    “America is and has always been a nation of builders — men and women who roll up their sleeves, put in a hard day’s work, and take pride not just in what they make, but what it means for their families, their communities, and their country. That entrepreneurial spirit is in our DNA.
    “For far too long, Washington looked the other way as factories and farms shut down and the jobs that once sustained many U.S. families were shipped overseas.
    “Despite the importance of domestic industrial production to our national security, production of critical goods was off shored to foreign countries.
    “In doing so, we’ve made ourselves dependent on an international supply chains offering fast, mass-produced goods — mostly coming from China.
    “This came at a cost. Not just economic, but strategic.
    “In January of this year, the U.S. recorded a $29.7 billion trade deficit with China —we’ve been massively reliant on our chief adversary for the goods and services we consume.
    “Today, the manufacturing sector comprises only 10.1 percent of America’s gross domestic product, a figure trailing most other industrialized nations.
    “We’ve left ourselves economically beholden to the rest of the world and hollowed out our industrial core that once employed millions of Americans.
    “We cannot accept that status quo.
    “I believe in a great American comeback, one driven by the world’s most talented workforce and a new era of domestic manufacturing ensuring this nation’s economic security.
    “We can make ‘Made in America’ the norm instead of the exception.
    “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are already seeing the early signs of a manufacturing revival and industrial boom in Iowa and all across the country.
    “No group is more eager to lead this charge than small manufacturers, who make up 98 percent of all manufacturing firms in the United States.
    They are ready to build, ready to grow, and they want to do it here – in the United States.
    “But Washington needs to do its part.
    “It’s time Congress acts to ensure that the federal government does not stand in the way of small manufacturers.
    “We must empower them by providing them the tools they need to generate new jobs – to rebuild and fortify American supply chain stability, and to reduce our reliance on other countries, including adversaries.
    “However, breaking ground on new manufacturing facilities or upgrading existing ones is a major investment.
    “In many cases, these projects require long-term financing options, which can be particularly difficult for small businesses to access.
    “That is why I was proud to introduce the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act, along with another member of this Committee, Senator Coons.
    “This bipartisan legislation would double the SBA-backed loan limit from $5 million to $10 million for small manufacturers.
    “By allowing manufacturers to access greater capital my legislation encourages small manufacturers to invest in their operations and support the training and expansion of our manufacturing workforce.
    “This is about leveling the playing field for American manufacturers on the world stage. It is a straightforward, commonsense, and bipartisan solution to unlock the potential small manufacturers have to secure our national and economic security.
    “I am also interested in how we can leverage another SBA program—the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) to support small manufacturers.
    “This program supports the flow of private capital to small businesses across the country.
    “I am grateful that we’re joined today by Mr. Mickelson, from Iowa, and Mr. Geis, from Missouri, who invest in small businesses across the heartland through the SBIC program.
    “I look forward to hearing from all our witnesses about how we can best align SBA programs and private investment to spark America’s next industrial boom.
    “The independence, prosperity, and security of our next generation depends on it.
    “Thanks to our witnesses for being here today and I look forward to your testimony.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Pays Tribute to Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers on Senate Floor

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    05.14.25
    Senate Passes Hoeven-Backed Resolution Designating National Police Week
    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor to pay tribute to the nation’s law enforcement officers. Hoeven delivered the remarks after the Senate unanimously passed a resolution he introduced with Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) designating May 12 through 17 as National Police Week, and reaffirming the Senate’s steadfast support for law enforcement officers across the nation.
    “We can never fully repay our police officers for such enormous sacrifices, but we can continue to show respect for our law enforcement, honor those we’ve lost and recognize the sacrifices of their families and loved ones,” said Hoeven.
    “To honor our men and women in blue, I helped introduce a resolution in the Senate commemorating National Police Week, and paying tribute to their bravery. National Police Week provides us with the opportunity to come together as a nation to honor the peace officers who put their lives on the line to protect and serve our communities.”
    Hoeven, Grassley and Durbin are joined by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.). 
    Full text of the resolution can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Continues To Investigate The Merger – DNB, BRDG, LNSR, SSBK

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating:

    • Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNB), relating to the proposed merger with Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. Under the terms of the agreement, Dun & Bradstreet shareholders will receive $9.15 in cash for each share of common stock they own.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for June 12, 2025.
            
    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/dun-bradstreet-holdings-inc-dnb/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Bridge Investment Group Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BRDG), relating to the proposed merger with Apollo. Under the terms of the agreement, Bridge stockholders and Bridge OpCo unitholders will receive 0.07081 shares of Apollo stock for each share of Bridge Class A common stock and each Bridge OpCo Class A common unit, respectively.

    ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for June 17, 2025.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/bridge-investment-group-holdings-inc-brdg/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • LENSAR, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNSR), relating to the proposed merger with Alcon. Under the terms of the agreement, LENSAR shareholders will receive $14.00 per share, with an additional non-tradeable contingent value right offering up to $2.75 per share in cash conditioned on the achievement of certain milestones.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/lensar-inc-lnsr/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    • Southern States Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: SSBK), relating to the proposed merger with FB Financial Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Southern States’ shareholders will receive 0.800 shares of FB Financial common stock for each share of Southern States stock.

    Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/southern-states-bancshares-inc-ssbk/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

    NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:

    1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
    2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
    3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?

    About Monteverde & Associates PC

    Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. 

    No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

    Contact:
    Juan Monteverde, Esq.
    MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
    The Empire State Building
    350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
    New York, NY 10118
    United States of America
    jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
    Tel: (212) 971-1341

    Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com).  Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

    The MIL Network –