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Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: “A Common Sense Budget Reconciliation Bill”

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie makes the case in The Wall Street Journal for President Donald J. Trump’s top legislative priorities in the One Big, Beautiful Bill — slashing waste, strengthening Medicaid, and giving Americans a massive tax cut, to name a few.
    Rep. Guthrie writes:“When President Trump took the podium for his Second Inaugural Address, he promised a ‘revolution of common sense’ that would launch a generation of growth, health and prosperity. Today, our country faces numerous threats to that goal. Medicaid waste and abuse threatens the well-being of America’s most vulnerable as the looming expiration of important 2017 tax reforms throws a shadow over U.S. industry. Republicans’ best chance to secure the president’s inaugural promise is this year’s reconciliation bill.”Read the full op-ed here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World should be read in tandem to understand today’s troubled times

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emrah Atasoy, Associate Fellow of English and Comparative Literary Studies & Honorary Research Fellow of IAS, University of Warwick

    Is there any past work of fiction that can help us make sense of today’s troubling trends? Taking into account the proliferation of references to obfuscating “Newspeak”, Big Brother-style leaders and impossible-to-circumvent surveillance systems in newspaper articles, this question cries out for a simple answer: “Yes – and that work is George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.”

    People on both the political left and right see Orwell’s 1949 novel as the book from the last century that speaks to the present most powerfully. But there are others who regard consumer culture and social media obsession as the primary concerns of today. They have a different answer: “Yes – and that work is Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.”

    We, however, think the answer is “both”.

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    In the long-running debate over who was the most prophetic writer of their era, Orwell, who was a pupil of Huxley’s at Eton, is generally the favourite.

    One reason for this is that international alliances that long seemed stable are now in flux. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, his final novel, Orwell envisioned a future tri-polar world divided into competing blocks with shifting allegiances.

    In the short time since the US president, Donald Trump, began his second term, his policies and statements have triggered surprising realignments. The US and Canada, close partners for more than a century, have faced off against each other. And in April, an official from Beijing joined with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan to push back as an unlikely trio against Trump’s new tariffs.

    That is perhaps why there is a booming field of “Orwell studies”, with its own academic journal, but not “Huxley studies”. It also probably explains why Nineteen Eighty-Four, but not Brave New World, keeps making its way on to bestseller lists – sometimes in tandem with Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985). “Orwellian” (unlike the rarely heard “Huxleyan”) has few competitors other than “Kafkaesque” as an immediately recognisable adjective linked to a 20th-century author.

    Trailer for the film 1984, an adaptation of Orwell’s novel.

    As wonderful as Atwood and Kafka are, we are convinced that combining Orwell’s vision with Huxley’s offers scope for deeper analysis. This is true in part because of, not despite, how common it has been to contrast the modes of autocracy Orwell and Huxley describe.

    Orwellian and Huxleyan visions as one world

    We live in an era when all sorts of systems of control limit our freedoms of expression, identity and religion. Many do not quite fit the template that either Orwell or Huxley imagined, but instead combine elements.

    There are certainly places, such as Myanmar, where those in power rely on techniques that immediately bring Orwell to mind, with his focus on fear and surveillance. There are others, such as Dubai, that more readily evoke Huxley, with his focus on pleasure and distraction. In many cases, though, we find a mixture.

    This is especially clear if you take a global view. That’s something we specialise in as international and interdisciplinary researchers – a literary scholar from Turkey based in the UK, and a Californian cultural historian of China who has also published on southeast Asia.

    Like Orwell, Huxley wrote many books that were not dystopian fiction, but his foray into that genre became his most influential. Brave New World was well known throughout the cold war. In courses and commentaries, it was commonly paired with Nineteen Eighty-Four as a narrative illustrating a shallow society based on indulgence and consumerism, as opposed to the bleaker Orwellian world of suppression of desire and strict control.

    While it is common to approach the two books via their contrasts, they can be treated as interconnected and entangled works as well.

    Trailer for an adaptation of Brave New World, released in 2020.

    During the cold war, some commentators felt that Brave New World showed where capitalist consumerism in the age of television could lead. The west, according to this interpretation, could become a world in which autocrats like those in the novel stayed on top. They would do this by keeping people busy and divided among themselves, happily distracted by entertainment and the drug “soma”.

    Orwell, by contrast, seemed to provide a key to unlock the harder mode of control in non-capitalist, Communist Party-run lands, especially those of the Soviet bloc.

    Huxley himself in Brave New World Revisited, a non-fiction book he published in the 1950s, thought it was important to think about ways the techniques of power and societal engineering in the two novels could be combined, approached and analysed. And there is even more value in combining the approaches now, when capitalism has gone so global and the autocratic wave keeps reaching new shores in the so-called post-truth era.

    Orwellian hard-edged and Huxleyan soft-edged approaches to control and social engineering can be and often are combined. We see this within countries such as China, where the crude repressive methods of a Big Brother state are used against the Uyghur population, while cities such as Shenzhen evoke Brave New World.

    We see this mixing of dystopian elements in many countries – variations on the way that science fiction writer William Gibson, author of novels such as Neuromancer (1984), wrote about Singapore with a phrase that had a soft-edged first half and a hard-edged second: “Disneyland with the death penalty.”

    This can be a useful first step toward better understanding, and perhaps beginning to try to find a way of improving the troubling world of the mid-2020s. A world in which the smartphone in your pocket both keeps track of your actions and provides an endless set of enticing distractions.

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

    – ref. Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World should be read in tandem to understand today’s troubled times – https://theconversation.com/nineteen-eighty-four-and-brave-new-world-should-be-read-in-tandem-to-understand-todays-troubled-times-253872

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: UK’s India trade deal offers wider access to a surging economy – and could make food imports cheaper

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sangeeta Khorana, Professor of International Trade Policy, Aston University

    India’s economy is growing rapidly. Radiokafka/Shutterstock

    After more than three years and 14 rounds of negotiations, the UK and India have finally announced a free trade agreement (FTA). UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will formally sign the deal on a visit to India later this year. This is the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal the UK has struck since leaving the EU. It will have implications for both businesses and workers.

    In 2024, the UK’s trade with India was worth £43 billion – £17.1 billion of exports and £25.5 billion of imports. Government modelling estimates that trade between the nations will increase by as much as 39% and the UK’s GDP will expand by £4.8 billion or 0.1 percentage points per year as a result.

    India’s economy is growing fast. It is expected to expand by 6% annually, becoming the world’s third largest economy by 2028 after the US and China. This certainly makes the deal with the UK very timely.

    With a population of more than 1.4 billion and a growing middle class, the country offers huge market potential. Its import demand is predicted to grow by 144% between 2021 and 2035. This combination of strong economic growth and increasing numbers of citizens with disposable cash makes a compelling case for the deal.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Join The Conversation for free today.

    Both the UK and India have agreed to reduce tariffs under the deal. India will immediately lower its 150% tariffs on Scotch whisky and gin to 75%, and then to 40% within ten years. Tariffs on foodstuffs such as lamb, salmon and cheeses will fall from around 30% to zero.

    Simplified trade rules, including faster customs processing, reduced barriers such as complex labelling requirements, and enhanced support for small businesses should bring gains for companies. Timely customs clearance will support exports of perishable items like Scottish salmon, where delays reduce the product’s shelf life. Similarly, exporters of things like biscuits and cheese will benefit from streamlined paperwork and be able to compete in India’s growing market.

    There will no longer be limits on the number of UK businesses allowed to provide telecommunications, environmental and construction services. And UK businesses will not need to set up a company in India or be a resident in India to supply their services in these sectors.

    Once the FTA comes into force, which could take up to a year, the UK will allow 99% of Indian imports duty-free access into the UK. The sectors set to benefit most are footwear, textiles and clothing, as well as processed prawns, basmati rice and ready meals. These reductions will mean lower prices for UK consumers, given tariffs on clothing and footwear are 12% and 16% respectively.

    Clothing and textile imports to the UK will have tariff-free access.
    Yevhen Prozhyrko/Shutterstock

    Tariffs on luxury cars will also be reduced from more than 100% to 10% under quotas on both sides. The FTA locks in zero tariffs on industrial machinery, advanced materials for use in hi-tech industries, and components for electric vehicles. This will position British suppliers inside a manufacturing market ranked the world’s second-most attractive after China.

    In terms of workers, there were well publicised fears that the agreement might lead to UK workers being undercut by Indian counterparts. Plans for a so-called “double contribution convention” grants a three-year exemption from national insurance contributions for Indian employees temporarily working in the UK. But this is a reciprocal deal and is likely to apply only to workers who are seconded from one country to the other, so should not result in UK workers being more expensive to hire.

    And although no changes to immigration policy are planned, the FTA will offer easier movement for skilled workers. UK providers of services like construction and telecoms will have access to India’s growing market.

    Both countries have committed to encouraging the recognition of professional qualifications. A professional services working group for UK and Indian government officials will provide a forum to monitor and support this initiative.

    Timing is everything

    Against a backdrop of rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions, the UK-India FTA stands out as a strategic deal. It is also a significant milestone in Britain’s Indo-Pacific “tilt”. This approach gives UK firms a hedge against over-reliance on any single region or country-centric supply chains, to keep trade flowing in the event of more US tariff shocks, for example.

    With the US fixation on tariffs, and global supply chains facing continued disruption, securing preferential access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy is a strategic win for the UK. From India’s perspective, the trade deal is aligned with its rise as a “China-plus-one” manufacturing hub (where businesses diversify to ensure they do not invest only in China).

    The UK and India share historical ties that are underpinned by cultural, educational and people-to-people links. The UK-India FTA marks a new phase in this relationship, where shared economic interests define a forward-looking partnership between the two countries.

    And in terms of its ongoing talks with the EU, India could use the agreement to showcase its willingness to negotiate ambitious trade deals. For the UK, given its own upcoming trade and cooperation talks with the EU, the FTA with India demonstrates that new partnerships can be built while maintaining vital European ties.

    Sangeeta Khorana has received funding from UK-ESRC, EU and other international organisations. She is affiliated with Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade as a Trustee Director.

    – ref. UK’s India trade deal offers wider access to a surging economy – and could make food imports cheaper – https://theconversation.com/uks-india-trade-deal-offers-wider-access-to-a-surging-economy-and-could-make-food-imports-cheaper-256387

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Neil J. Gostling, Associate Professor in Evolution and Palaeobiology, University of Southampton

    Over the course of seven decades, Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries have reshaped how we see the natural world, shifting from colonial-era collecting trips to urgent calls for environmental action.

    His storytelling has inspired generations, but has only recently begun to confront the scale of the ecological crisis. To understand how far nature broadcasting has come, it helps to return to where it started.

    When Attenborough’s broadcasting career began in the 1950s, Austrian filmmakers Hans and Lotte Hass were already pushing the boundaries of what was possible by taking cameras below the sea and touring the world aboard their schooner, the Xafira.

    In one of their 1953 Galapagos films, a crewman handled a sealion pup, having crawled across the volcanic rock of Fernandina honking at sealions to attract them. A penguin and giant tortoise were brought on board Xafira. And as Lotte Hass took photographs, she’d beseech some poor creature to “not be frightened” and “look pleasant”.

    This is a world away from today’s expectations, where both research scientists and amateur naturalists are taught to observe without touching or disturbing wildlife. When the Hasses visited the Galápagos, it was still five years before the creation of the national park and the founding of the island’s conservation organisation Charles Darwin Foundation. Now, visitors must stay at least two metres from all animals – and never approach them.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Join The Conversation for free today.

    At the same time, television was beginning to shape public perceptions of the natural world. In 1954, Attenborough was working as a young producer on Zoo Quest. By chance, he became its presenter when zoologist Jack Lester became ill.

    The programme followed zoologists collecting animals from around the world for London Zoo. Zoo Quest was filmed in exotic locations around the world and then in the studio where the animals found on the expedition were shown “up close”.

    Attenborough has since acknowledged that Zoo Quest reflected attitudes that would not be acceptable today. The series showed animals being captured from the wild and transported to London Zoo – practices which mirrored extractive, colonial-era approaches to science.

    David Attenborough’s Zoo Quest for a Dragon aired in 1956.

    Yet, Zoo Quest was also groundbreaking. The series brought viewers face-to-face with animals they might never have seen before and pioneered a visual style that made natural history television both entertaining and educational. It helped establish Attenborough’s reputation as a compelling communicator and laid the foundations for a new genre of science broadcasting – one that has evolved, like its presenter, over time.

    After a decade in production, Attenborough returned to presenting with Life on Earth (1979), a landmark series that traced the evolution of life from single-celled organisms to birds and apes. Drawing on his long-standing interest in fossils, the series combined zoology, palaeobiology and natural history to create an ambitious new template for science broadcasting.

    Life on Earth helped cement Attenborough’s reputation as a trusted communicator and became the foundation of the BBC’s “blue-chip” natural history format – big-budget, internationally produced films that put high-quality cinematic wildlife footage at the forefront of the story. The series did not simply document the natural world. It reframed it, using presenter-led storytelling and global spectacle to shape how audiences understood evolutionary processes.

    For much of his career, Attenborough has been celebrated for showcasing the beauty of the natural world. Yet, he has also faced criticism for sidestepping the environmental crises threatening it. Commentators such as the environmental journalist George Monbiot argued that his earlier documentaries, while visually stunning, often avoided addressing the human role in climate change, presenting nature as untouched and avoiding difficult truths about ecological decline.

    Building on the legacy of Life on Earth, Attenborough’s later series began to respond to these critiques. Blue Planet (2001) expanded the scope of nature storytelling, revealing the mysteries of the ocean’s most remote and uncharted ecosystems. Its 2017 sequel, Blue Planet II, introduced a more urgent tone, highlighting the scale of plastic pollution and the need for marine conservation.

    Although Blue Planet II significantly increased viewers’ environmental knowledge, it did not lead to measurable changes in plastic consumption behaviour – a reminder that awareness alone does not guarantee action. The subsequent Wild Isles (2023) continued the shift towards conservation messaging. While the main series aired in five parts, a sixth episode – Saving Our Wild Isles – was released separately and drew controversy amid claims the BBC had sidelined it for being too political. In reality, the episode delivered a clear call to action.

    Attenborough’s latest film, Ocean, continues in this more urgent register, pairing breathtaking imagery with an unflinching assessment of ocean health. After decades of gentle narration, he now speaks with sharpened clarity about the scale of the crisis and the need to act.

    A voice for action

    In recent years, Attenborough has taken on a new role – not just as a broadcaster, but as a powerful voice in environmental diplomacy. He has addressed world leaders at major summits such as the UN climate conference Cop24 and the World Economic Forum, calling for urgent action on climate change. He was also appointed ambassador for the UK government’s review on the economics of biodiversity.

    On the subject of environmemtal diplomacy, Monbiot recently wrote: “A few years ago, I was sharply critical of Sir David for downplaying the environmental crisis on his TV programmes. Most people would have reacted badly but remarkably, at 92, he took this and similar critiques on board and radically changed his approach.”

    Attenborough not only speaks. He listens. This is part of his charm and popularity. He is learning and evolving as much as his audience.

    What makes Attenborough stand out is the way he speaks. While official climate treaties often rely on technical or legal language, he communicates in emotional, accessible terms – speaking plainly about responsibility, urgency and the moral imperative to protect life on Earth. His calm authority and familiar voice make complex issues easier to grasp and harder to dismiss.

    Frequently named Britain’s most trusted public figure, Attenborough has become something of an unofficial diplomat for the planet – apolitical, measured, and often seen as a voice of reason amid populist noise. Despite his criticisms, Attenborough’s documentaries walk a careful line between fragility and resilience, using emotionally ambivalent imagery to prompt reflection. He shares his wonder with the natural world and brings people along with him

    Ocean shows our blue planet in more spectacular fashion than Lotte and Hans Hass could ever have imagined. But it is also Attenborough’s most direct reckoning with environmental collapse. With clarity and urgency, it confronts the damage wrought by industrial trawling and habitat destruction.

    After 70 years of gently guiding viewers through the natural world, Attenborough’s voice has sharpened. If he once opened our eyes to nature’s wonders, he now challenges us not to look away. As he puts it: “If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime filming our planet, I’m sure that nothing is more important.”

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

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

    – ref. From Zoo Quest to Ocean: The evolution of David Attenborough’s voice for the planet – https://theconversation.com/from-zoo-quest-to-ocean-the-evolution-of-david-attenboroughs-voice-for-the-planet-251727

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Immigration White Paper oral statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Oral statement to Parliament

    Immigration White Paper oral statement

    The Home Secretary giving an oral statement to the House of Commons on 12th May to introduce the ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’ White Paper.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I will make a statement on the government’s White Paper on Restoring Control over the Immigration System.

    Five months ago, the figures were published that showed net migration had reached a record high of more than 900,000 under the last Conservative government – a figure that had quadrupled in the space of just four years.

    It was the consequence of specific government choices made from 2020 onwards, including introducing what was effectively a free market experiment on immigration – encouraging employers to recruit from abroad, loosening controls in different areas but without any requirement to tackle skills and labour shortages here at home. Choices which undermined the immigration system and the economy too.

    This government is making very different choices. We made clear at that time, just as we had set out in our manifesto, this government would restore order and control to the immigration system, bringing net migration substantially down but also boosting skills and training here at home.

    The White Paper we are publishing today does exactly that and it is built on five core principles.

    First, that net migration must come down so the system is properly managed and controlled.

    Second, that the immigration system must be linked to skills and training here in the UK, so that no industry is allowed to rely solely on immigration to fill its skills shortages. 

    Third, that the system must be fair and effective, with clearer rules in areas like respect for family life, to prevent perverse outcomes that undermine public confidence.

    Fourth, that the rules must be respected and enforced – including tackling illegal and irregular migration and deporting foreign criminals.

    And finally, that the system must support integration and community cohesion, including new rules on the ability to speak English and the contribution that people can bring to the UK.

    The United Kingdom is an interconnected and outward-looking nation. Our history and our geography mean that, for generations, British people have travelled overseas to live and work, and people have come to the UK to study, work, invest or seek refuge. And British citizens draw on heritage from all over the world and that has made us the country we are today.

    Through many years our country has been strengthened by those who have come here to contribute – from the doctors in our NHS to the entrepreneurs founding some of our biggest businesses to those who came through generations to work in jobs from coal mining to caring for our loved ones to serving in our armed forces. People often coming to do some of the most difficult jobs of all.

    Our trading nation, global leading universities and strong historic international connections mean that migration will always be part of our country’s future as well as our past.

    But that is exactly why immigration needs to be properly controlled and managed. It hasn’t been.

    Overseas recruitment shot up while training in the UK was cut.

    Lower skilled migration soared while the proportion of UK residents in work plummeted.

    In 2019 10% of skilled work visas went to non-graduate jobs; by 2024 that had risen to 60%.

    Employers were even given a 20% wage discount if they recruited for shortage jobs from abroad – actively discouraging them from paying the going rate or training here at home.

    Education institutions were allowed to substantially expand the number of overseas students without proper compliance checks.

    Social care providers were encouraged to recruit from abroad with no proper regulation.

    So we saw a serious increase in exploitation – deeply damaging for those who came to work here in good faith, and also for other workers and responsible companies who were being undercut.

    The rules and laws that are supposed to the immigration system were too often ignored.

    By 2024, returns of people with no right to be in the UK were down over a third compared to 2010.  

    And, of course, criminal gangs were allowed to build an entire smuggling industry along our borders, undermining security and creating a crisis in the asylum system.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, later this year we will set out further reforms on asylum and border security, and on tackling illegal and irregular migration, building on the new counter-terrorism powers in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill before the House this evening, because no one should be making these dangerous crossings on small boats.

    But this White Paper sets out how we restore that control to the legal migration system so it is sustainable, fair and works for the UK.

    First, we are overhauling the approach to labour market policy so for the first time we properly link the immigration system to skills and training here in the UK.

    So that where there are skills or labour shortages in the UK, immigration should not always be the answer to which employers turn. Because that long-term failure to tackle skills shortages, to bring in proper workforce planning, to get UK residents back into work, or to improve pay, terms and conditions here at home is bad for our economy as well as for the immigration system because it undermines our productivity and growth.

    So we will lift the threshold for skilled worker visas back to graduate level and above, removing up to 180 different jobs from the list, increasing salary thresholds.

    Access to the Points-Based System for lower skilled jobs will be limited to areas on a new Temporary Shortage List, including jobs which are critical to the Industrial Strategy, but access will be time limited. There must be a domestic workforce strategy in place, and employers must be acting to increase domestic recruitment.

    We will expect workforce strategies to be drawn up more widely in other higher skilled areas too where there is overreliance on recruitment from abroad.

    To support that work we will establish the new Labour Market Evidence Group, bringing together skills bodies from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Industrial Strategy Council and the Migration Advisory Committee to gather and share evidence on shortage occupations in different parts of the country and also to highlight the role that skills, training, pay and conditions and other policies can play in improving domestic recruitment, so that increased migration is never again the only answer to the shortages the economy faces.

    This new approach means we also need to act on social care.

    The introduction of the Social Care Visa led not only to a huge increase in migration but also to a shameful and deeply damaging increase in abuse and exploitation.

    When proper checks were finally brought in, 470 care providers had their licence to sponsor international staff suspended. 39,000 care workers were displaced.

    Overseas recruitment for care jobs has since dropped but it must not surge like that again. And it’s time we addressed domestic issues, including a proper Fair Pay Agreement to show respect to people who do some of the most important jobs in the country.

    We are therefore ending overseas recruitment of care workers. It will continue to be possible to extend existing visas and to recruit displaced care workers and people already in the UK with working rights on other visas.

    Alongside the new visa controls and workforce strategies, we will also increase the Immigration Skills Charge paid by employers who recruit from abroad by 32%. That money will be invested through the Spending Review in supporting skills and training here in the UK.

    We will ensure that Britain continues to attract the brightest and best global talent, by enhancing visa routes for very high skilled individuals, top scientific and design talent, and people with the right experience to support growth in key strategic industries.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, international students bring huge benefits to the UK – supporting our world-leading universities, bringing in top talent and investment.

    But we will strengthen compliance requirements and checks to prevent visa misuse.

    Currently, too many people on the Graduate Visa are not doing graduate jobs. So we will reduce the unrestricted period from two years to 18 months. Those who want to stay will need to get a graduate job on a skilled worker visa so that we can ensure they are contributing to the economy.

    Just as our rules on work visas are based on the contribution we expect people to make when they come to our country, we will consult later this year on new earned settlement and citizenship rules that apply the same approach, extending the principles of the Points-Based System, doubling the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years with provisions to qualify more swiftly that take account of the contribution people have made.

    Because the ability to speak English is integral to the ability for everyone to contribute and integrate, we will introduce new, higher language requirements across a range of visa routes, for both main applicants and their dependants. So family, too, can work, integrate and contribute.

    The system for family migration has become overly complex with policies increasingly developed around case law from court decisions rather than a coordinated framework set out by Parliament. So we will set out a new clearer framework, to be endorsed by Parliament, including clarifying how Article 8 rules should be interpreted and applied to prevent confusion or perverse conclusions.

    We will review current community sponsorship schemes that support recognised refugees and will continue to take action against trafficking and modern slavery. And we will shortly appoint a new Windrush Commissioner to ensure that Windrush lessons continue to be learnt and the Home Office also makes sure its standards are upheld.

    But the rules must be respected and enforced across the board. So we will also bring in stronger controls where there is evidence of visa misuse. We are also rolling out e-visas and digital ID, including better use of technology to monitor when people are overstaying on their visa, or to support the increase in illegal working raids. Since the election we have increased returns and we will go further.

    Those who come to our country must abide by our laws.

    So we will develop new procedures to ensure the Home Office is informed of all foreign nationals convicted of offences – not just those who go to prison – so we can also revoke visas and remove other offenders in a wide range of crimes who are abusing our system.

    Madam Deputy Speaker, already we are reducing the number of visas being granted this year, and updated figures will be published before the end of the month.

    Already we are increasing returns with over 24,000 people in the first 9 months, the highest 9-month period for eight years.

    The impact of the changes to skilled worker visas, care worker visas, settlement, students and English language is expected to reduce visas by around 100,000 a year. In addition, the new workforce strategies, Immigration Skills Charge, family and asylum reforms will further bring numbers down on top of that. And as the Prime Minister has said, where we need to go further to restore a sustainable system, we will.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, Madam Deputy Speaker, throughout our history, Britain has been strengthened by people coming to start new businesses, study at our universities, contribute to our cultural and sporting excellence, and do some of the toughest, most essential jobs in our country.

    But to be successful, effective and fair, our immigration must be properly controlled and managed. This White Paper sets out how we will restore control, fairness and order to the system, how we will continue to bring net migration down, and how we will turn the page on the chaos and failure of the past. I commend this statement to the House.

    Updates to this page

    Published 12 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: 51Talk Online Education Group to Present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference May 15th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) based in Singapore, and focused on global online education, today announced that its Investor Relations Vice President David Chung will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on May 15, 2025. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: May 15th
    TIME: 11:00 a.m. EST
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.  

    Participation is free of charge.

    51Talk Online Education Group: Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Highlights

    • Gross billings for the fourth quarter of 2024 were US$21.4 million, a 93.4% growth from the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • Net revenues were US$16.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2024, a 117.3% increase from US$7.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2023.
    • The number of active students with attended lesson consumption was approximately 74,200 in the fourth quarter of 2024, representing an 83.2% increase from approximately 40,500 for the fourth quarter of 2023.

    About 51Talk Online Education Group

    51Talk Online Education Group (NYSE American: COE) is a global online education platform with core expertise in English education. The Company’s mission is to make quality education accessible and affordable. The Company’s online and mobile education platforms enable students to take live interactive English lessons, on demand. The Company connects its students with a large pool of highly qualified teachers that it assembled using a shared economy approach, and employs student and teacher feedback and data analytics to deliver a personalized learning experience to its students.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    51Talk Online Education Group

    David Chung

    Investor Relations Vice President

    Jinling Wang

    Investor Relations Manager

    wangjinling@51talk.com 

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com 

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Viomi Technology Co., Ltd to Present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference May 15th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GUANGZHOU, China, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Viomi Technology Co., Ltd (“Viomi” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: VIOT) based in Guangzhou, and focused on home water solutions, today announced that Mr.Sam Yang, Head of the Company’s Capital and Strategy Department, and Ms. Claire Ji, the Company’s IR contact, will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on May 15, 2025. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: May 15, 2025
    TIME: 8:30 AM EDT
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Participation is free of charge.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • The Company achieved strong results with a significant turnaround from previous losses, driven by a strategic shift to focus on home water business. Net revenue for 2024 increased by 29.3% year over year, and net income reached RMB62.3 million, compared to a net loss of RMB89.3 million in 2023. Viomi is now on a fast track to high-quality growth and is well-positioned to seize new market opportunities.

    About Viomi Technology

    Viomi’s mission is “AI for Better Water,” utilizing AI technology to provide better drinking water solutions for households worldwide.

    As an industry-leading technology company in home water solutions, Viomi has developed a distinctive “Equipment + Consumables” business model. By leveraging its expertise in AI technology, intelligent hardware and software development, the Company simplifies filter replacement and enhances water quality monitoring, thereby increasing the filter replacement rate. Its continuous technological innovations extend filter lifespan and lower user costs, promoting the adoption of water purifiers and supporting a healthy lifestyle while effectively addressing the rising global demand for cleaner, fresher and healthier drinking water. The Company operates a world-leading “Water Purifier Gigafactory” with an integrated industrial chain that boasts optimal efficiency and facilitates continuous breakthroughs in water purification. This state-of-the-art facility enables Viomi to achieve economies of scale and accelerate the global popularization of residential water filtration.

    For more information, please visit: https://ir.viomi.com.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®

    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:
    Viomi Technology Co., Ltd
    Claire Ji
    E-mail: ir@viomi.com.cn

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ASM announces the voting results of the 2025 Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Almere, The Netherlands
    May 12, 2025

    ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) today announces the voting results of its Annual General meeting held on May 12, 2025, in the Van der Valk Hotel Almere, in Almere, the Netherlands.

    The shareholders approved all resolutions as proposed to the Annual General Meeting.

    The main resolutions include the following:

    • The annual accounts 2024 were approved and adopted.
    • A positive advisory vote was cast on the 2024 remuneration report.
    • A regular dividend of €3.00 per common share was approved.
    • Mr. Verhagen was reappointed as member of the Management Board for a two-year term.
    • Ms. Van der Meer Mohr and Mr. Sanchez were reappointed as members of the Supervisory Board for a second four-year term and Ms. Kahle-Galonske was reappointed as member of the Supervisory Board for a third term of one year.
    • EY Accountants B.V. was reappointed as auditor to audit the annual accounts for the financial year 2026 and appointed as assurance provider of sustainability information for the financial years 2025 and 2026.

    About ASM International

    ASM International N.V., headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, and its subsidiaries design and manufacture equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing, and have facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia. ASM International’s common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: ASM). For more information, visit ASM’s website at www.asm.com.

    Contact

    Investor and media relations

    Victor Bareño
    T: +31 88 100 8500
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    Investor relations

    Valentina Fantigrossi
    T: +31 88 100 8502
    E: investor.relations@asm.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Appointments to Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MAY 12, 2025

    Jefferson City — Building on the education priorities outlined in his inaugural State of the State Address in January, Governor Mike Kehoe announced today the full slate of members appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force. The Task Force, established by Executive Order 25-14, is charged with reviewing and recommending changes to Missouri’s K-12 school funding model and providing a final report to the Governor by December 1, 2026.

    “To secure a better future for Missouri students and schools, we must rethink how we fund Missouri’s foundation formula,” said Governor Kehoe. “We need a modernized funding model that rewards outcomes, encourages innovation, and ensures fairness for all Missouri students. These Task Force members bring the experience, perspective, and commitment needed to make responsible changes at business-speed. We look forward to reviewing their recommendations.”

    The 16-member body represents a broad range of voices—urban and rural, traditional and nontraditional, academia and industry—who will help build a model that delivers results for every Missouri student. The Task Force will operate under core guiding principles that promote equal access for students, local flexibility, performance accountability, and long-term funding sustainability.

    Governor Kehoe’s appointments include the following individuals:

    • Matt Davis, of Eldon, is a dedicated educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in the Missouri school system, including 17 years as superintendent of Eldon School District. Prior to serving as superintendent, he led career and technical education programs and prioritized securing grants and funding to enhance program offerings and facilities at Eldon Career Center. Davis will serve as the representative for superintendents from small rural school districts in Missouri.
    • Noah Devine, of Kansas City, is the executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association. He previously served as the deputy director of the Kansas City Action Fund and led the implementation of the sixth iteration of the Missouri School Improvement Plan (MSIP) standards for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as the MSIP 6 support facilitator. Devine will serve as the representative for charter schools in Missouri.
    • Emily LeRoy, of Hermann, is a senior advisor at Missouri Farm Bureau, serving on a leadership team that advocates for the diverse interests of farmers. She began her career at the Missouri Department of Agriculture as a legislative assistant and youth program coordinator before rising to the position of legislative and budget director. LeRoy will serve as an additional member as appointed by the Governor.
    • James “Jim” Meats, of Springfield, is the vice president of sales and marketing at Loren Cook Company and a licensed professional engineer. He previously worked as a technical consultant to manufacturers and municipalities in southwest Missouri, where he supported the development of formal plan reviews, permitting procedures, and construction inspection processes. Meats will serve as the representative for the business community.
    • Mike Podgursky, of Columbia, is a school finance expert with more than 40 years of experience, currently serving as the Chancelor’s Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri–Columbia and an affiliated scholar at Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research. He is also the author of several peer-reviewed articles and the book, Teacher Pay and Teacher Quality. Podgursky will serve as an additional member as appointed by the Governor.
    • Donald “Don” Thalhuber, of Columbia, is the policy director for the Senate Minority Caucus. Prior to serving in his current position, Thalhuber worked as a senior research analyst crafting education, pension, financial, tax, and veterans’ affairs legislation. He also drafted Missouri’s most recent public school funding formula in 2005. Thalhuber will serve as an additional member as appointed by the Governor.
    • Michael “Jeremy” Tucker, of Liberty, is the superintendent for Liberty Public Schools, managing the district’s $279 million budget and providing oversight and strategic guidance to executive leadership and their respective departments. Prior to serving as superintendent, he worked as an adjunct professor for Evangel University and Southwest Baptist University as well as a social studies teacher at Logan-Rogersville High School. Tucker will serve as the representative for superintendents from large urban school districts in Missouri.
    • Chris Vas, of Kansas City, is a senior director for the Herzog Foundation, working to implement school choice initiatives and trainings across the nation while overseeing an $8 million annual budget. He previously served as the executive director of Liberty Alliance USA, a regional, conservative grassroots network and watchdog organization. Vas will serve as the representative for non-profit organizations that work on expanding school choice in Missouri.
    • Casey Wasser, of California, is the deputy executive director and chief operating officer for the Missouri Soybean Association, a grassroots organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of soybean producers and crafting state and federal policy initiatives that support farmers’ freedom to operate and improved profitability. He has an extensive background in public policy, previously serving as the legislative director for the Missouri Department of Revenue. Wasser will serve as the representative for the agriculture industry.
    • David Wood, of Versailles, most recently served as a policy analyst and liaison for the Missouri State Tax Commission before retiring in June 2023. He previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2013 to 2020 and worked as an upper-level math and computer science teacher for Morgan County R-II Schools. Wood will serve as the representative for teachers from schools in Missouri.

    These ten appointments will be joined on the Task Force by two members of the State Board of Education.

    • Kerry Casey, of Chesterfield, recently retired from her position as vice president of Exegy, a global leader in financial market data, trading platforms, and predictive signals, where she was responsible for Global Sales Operations and Enablement. Casey was a founding board member of the KIPP Charter School in St. Louis and served on the board of directors until her appointment to the State Board in 2023.
    • Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, of Pasadena Hills, is a former vice president of the Normandy Schools Collaborative Joint Executive Governing Board and recently retired general partner from Edward Jones, where she co-led the Internal Audit Division. She previously worked for Express Scripts, Anheuser-Busch and Bank of America in senior governance, risk and compliance roles and held certifications in financial, operational, and information systems auditing.

    Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin and Missouri House Speaker Jonathan Patterson have also appointed Senators Rusty Black and Travis Fitzwater as well as Representatives Ed Lewis and Marlene Terry to serve on the Task Force.

    Senator Black, a former educator, will chair the task force.

    “As a former educator, I know firsthand the challenges our teachers face and the importance of ensuring that every dollar we invest in education has a meaningful impact,” said Senator Black. “I’m honored to help lead this important work as we build a funding model that supports student success in every corner of Missouri.”

    For more information on the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Yiren Digital to Present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank ADR Virtual Investor Conference May 15th  

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Yiren Digital (NYSE:YRD) based in Beijing, an AI-powered platform providing a comprehensive suite of financial and lifestyle services in Asia, today announced that its SVP of Capital Market, William Hui, will present at the dbVIC – Deutsche Bank American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Virtual Investor Conference on May 15, 2025. This virtual investor conference is aimed exclusively at introducing global companies with ADR programs to investors.

    DATE: May 15th
    TIME: 11:30 AM ET
    LINK: REGISTER HERE

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

    Participation is free of charge.

    About Yiren Digital

    Yiren Digital Ltd. is an advanced, AI-powered platform providing a comprehensive suite of financial and lifestyle services in Asia. Our mission is to elevate customers’ financial well-being and enhance their quality of life by delivering digital financial services, tailor-made insurance solutions, and premium lifestyle services. We support clients at various growth stages, addressing financing needs arising from consumption and production activities, while aiming to augment the overall well-being and security of individuals, families, and businesses.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access.  Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    CONTACTS:

    Yiren Digital
    Name: Keyao He
    Title: IR Director
    Email: ir@yiren.com 

    Virtual Investor Conferences
    John M. Viglotti
    SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
    OTC Markets Group
    (212) 220-2221
    johnv@otcmarkets.com 

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Talonvest Negotiates $66.1 Million of Construction Loans

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEWPORT BEACH, CA, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talonvest Capital, Inc., a boutique mortgage brokerage firm, is pleased to announce $66,100,000 of construction loan closings for its long-time client, 1784 Holdings, LLC. The first transaction was a $46,700,000 construction loan for the development of a state-of-the-art self storage facility located on a prime thoroughfare in North Hollywood, CA. The property will have almost 98,000 net rentable square feet across 1,144 climate-controlled units. The second financing was a $19,400,000 construction loan for a premier self storage development in Bordentown, NJ. Situated on 5.4 acres, the project will offer over 77,000 net rentable square feet, comprised of 777 climate-controlled units and 44 covered RV parking spaces.

    Both loans were participating debt construction loans with five-year terms negotiated with a REIT. The Talonvest team members involved in these assignments included Thomas Sherlock, Kim Bishop, Ivan Viramontes, and Lauren Maehler (as well as the late Talonvest principal, Jim Davies).

    “Talonvest worked with us to tailor a financing solution that meets all our objectives. We appreciate their strategic guidance, deep market knowledge, and strong lender relationships, which were all part of successfully closing these deals,” said Shane Albers, Chairman and CEO of 1784 Holdings.

    About Talonvest Capital Inc.

    Talonvest Capital is a commercial real estate advisory firm specializing in sourcing cutting-edge lending programs and advising on capital market trends for industrial, self-storage, multifamily, office, and retail property owners. The firm combines its collective institutional knowledge with an entrepreneurial attention to detail, remaining actively engaged throughout the entire assignment, including the closing process, to deliver tailored capital solutions for its clients. Learn more at https://talonvest.com.

    North Hollywood, CA

    Bordentown, NJ

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ac76727-f3bc-459b-a5d6-fdeb5193e631

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7fe4e9d-f0f4-4b9e-8cd8-149765294ea0

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by CE at media session in Doha (with photo/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Remarks by CE at media session in Doha (with photo/video) 
    Chief Executive: I will now turn to our English-speaking friends in the media.
     
    This marks my second duty visit to the Middle East since taking office. Our delegation comprises over 50 professionals and leaders of enterprises from Hong Kong plus Mainland China. The composition of the delegation demonstrates Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” under the principle of “one country, two systems”. Hong Kong is dedicated to capitalising on its connectivity with both Mainland China and the world, collaborating and synergising with economies and enterprises that are eager to pursue high-quality development with us.
     
    I have set out three major goals for our visit to the Middle East this time. First, to strengthen government-to-government relations; second, to explore new areas of co-operation; third, to make friends and expand our network.
     
    Yesterday, I had the honour of meeting His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, followed by a meeting with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. We also visited the Qatar Investment Authority. I introduced to them Hong Kong’s latest developments in finance, professional services, and innovation and technology. We agreed to deepen collaboration across sectors between Hong Kong and Qatar.
     
    We have also expanded our business networks. During this visit, we have achieved 35 MOUs and agreements spanning trade, investment, technology, legal co-operation, financial markets and so on.
     
    In addition to Hong Kong-Qatar co-operation, two agreements were reached between enterprises from Mainland China and Qatar, supporting the development of financial services and advanced manufacturing.
     
    A tripartite agreement among organisations from Hong Kong, Mainland China and Qatar was also reached, focusing on fintech collaboration, showcasing Hong Kong’s bridging role between different economies.
     
    The delegation has first-hand insights from the visit. The delegation visited the Qatar Foundation to learn about its R&D, education and community projects, and visited Lusail City to better understand the smart infrastructure in Qatar’s second-largest city.
     
    Later today, I will visit an autonomous vehicle project at the airport — a project designed by a Mainland Chinese tech firm with its international headquarters in Hong Kong, and first piloted in the Hong Kong International Airport. This exemplifies our role as a launchpad for global innovation.
     
    Tonight, we will depart for Kuwait and will announce the outcome of our duty visit later.
     
    Reporter: Thank you honourable sir. I wanted to ask you if you could you give a rough figure of the value of the 35 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) that have been signed today? And if you can go into a little bit more about the sectors whereby Qatar and Hong Kong can both benefit from each other? For example, you mentioned earlier technology in autonomous vehicles manufactured by Yutong.
     
    Chief Executive: There are 35 agreements signed within two days. I think that is quite a record. I am very glad that delegate members, plus our counterparts in Qatar, both have been very active and supportive in developing co-operation, collaboration and networking, and I see them really spending their time exchanging contact details and also exchanging ideas on how they can develop the relationship. The 35 co-operation agreements cover areas including economic co-operation, investment, technology, legal co-operation, finance, banking and also capital arrangement. If you want to look at the 35 areas of co-operation, I think if you look at the fullest, then you will see the focus areas of co-operation.
     
    The result of these 35 agreements will have to be judged by those who will then continue their work. What a visit led by the Chief Executive will achieve, and can achieve, is opening the doors first with governments, so that the delegates, business players and entrepreneurs can then continue the liaison to open more doors, windows and opportunities. It is up to them to work hard, and this is something I will be demanding – for them to work hard. But if you look at my last visit to the Middle East, which was about two years ago, after we signed a number of MOUs, we have seen companies producing hydrogen buses for a country in the Middle East. We have seen, for example, on the stock exchange side, stock exchanges exchanging agreements for dual listing. We also see professionals set up their offices in the countries that I visited in the Middle East last time, and they have been receiving work orders and doing their services. I expect the delegates to continue these liaisons amongst themselves. But I am glad to inform you that the amount of enthusiasm is very strong. I will say that there will be more exchanges between not just governments, but in the private sector, chambers, businessmen and associations. And I will see not just exchanges between themselves, but also their participation in some of the events organised in Hong Kong, including both conferences, a lot of match-making deals, etc. I am very positive that the momentum will continue.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
    Issued at HKT 23:58

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE leads delegation to continue visit to Qatar

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CE leads delegation to continue visit to Qatar 
    In the morning, Mr Lee met with the Minister of Labour of Qatar, Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, to discuss plans on enhancing talent exchanges between Hong Kong and Qatar, with a view to promoting cultural exchanges and communication between the two places. Noting that Hong Kong is home to five of the world’s top 100 universities and is actively developing into an international hub for post-secondary education, Mr Lee highlighted that Hong Kong offers a Belt and Road Scholarship to encourage students from Belt and Road countries or regions to pursue post-secondary studies in the city. This initiative aims to attract more outstanding non-local students and talent to Hong Kong. He welcomed more young people of Qatar to study and develop their careers in Hong Kong.
     
    After that, Mr Lee and the delegation attended a roundtable meeting with representatives of the Qatari Businessmen Association and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry respectively. Highlighting Hong Kong’s robust legal system, resilient financial system and simple and low tax regime, Mr Lee welcomed Qatari enterprises to capitalise on Hong Kong’s advantages in connecting with both the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. Qatari enterprises can also leverage Hong Kong’s high-quality financial, logistics and professional services, as well as its bridging roles to assist enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, tapping into business opportunities on the Mainland market.
     
    In the afternoon, Mr Lee attended a business luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Addressing the luncheon, Mr Lee introduced Hong Kong’s development opportunities and business advantages to over 300 local political and business representatives. Noting that the Middle East is a key region under the Belt and Road Initiative, Mr Lee said this marks his second visit to the Middle East since taking office, and that he was very pleased to see the continuous strengthening of ties and co-operation between Hong Kong and the region. Pointing out that Qatar is Hong Kong’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle East region, Mr Lee announced that Hong Kong and Qatar had substantially concluded negotiations on the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and would begin discussions on mutual recognition arrangements for their respective Authorized Economic Operator Programmes, creating a more favourable environment for flows of capital and goods. He also announced a new arrangement allowing Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders to visit Qatar visa-free for up to 30 days. He said he looks forward to further deepening co-operation with Qatar in such areas as economy and trade, tourism, and culture. He said that Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises complement each other’s strengths, and that Hong Kong will continue to play its bridging role to serve enterprises in going global and attracting external investment, with a view to deepening international exchanges and co-operation. Hong Kong and Qatar can jointly seize the significant development opportunities brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative.
     
    During the luncheon, government departments, enterprises, and institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and Qatar exchanged and announced 35 MOUs and co-operation agreements covering economic co-operation, investment, technology, legal collaboration, as well as finance, banking, and capital market development. In addition to the co-operation between Hong Kong and Qatar, two agreements were signed directly between Mainland and Qatari enterprises to foster co-operation in financial services and high-end manufacturing. Furthermore, a tripartite agreement was signed among Hong Kong, the Mainland, and Qatar to strengthen co-operation in fintech, covering Web3 and AI, leveraging the respective technological strengths of each region for mutual development.
     
    Afterwards, Mr Lee visited Hamad International Airport in Doha to learn about the operation and effectiveness of its autonomous vehicle pilot project and to examine the application of autonomous buses. The pilot project, which had participation by a Chinese enterprise, UISEE, set a precedent for applying autonomous driving technology at airports in the Middle East region. UISEE is one of the leading companies in autonomous driving technology on the Mainland, having established its international headquarters in Hong Kong as a springboard to expand its business globally. The company collaborated with Hong Kong International Airport on autonomous vehicle projects to enhance the safety and operational efficiency of airport logistics, drawing on the successful experiences to promote the technology to the international market. Hamad International Airport, which is the latest pilot site of UISEE, demonstrated the co-operation among Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Qatar.
     
    Mr Lee and the delegation will depart for Kuwait tonight.
     
    Issued at HKT 23:58

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ZA Miner Responds to Market Growth With Enhanced Crypto Mining Infrastructure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Image by ZA Miner

    MIDDLESEX, United Kingdom, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following recent gains in the cryptocurrency market, including Bitcoin’s climb above $78,000, mining activity is undergoing a marked resurgence. This renewed momentum has prompted various platforms to improve operational models, aiming to meet increased demand for accessible, secure, and efficient mining processes.

    One such platform, ZA Miner, has introduced a streamlined technical infrastructure designed to support users engaging in Bitcoin mining and other high-yield digital assets. Operating under FCA regulation, the platform adheres to key compliance protocols to provide transparency and data protection throughout its mining services.

    Recent analysis shows Bitcoin appreciating over 5% in a matter of days, contributing to wider market enthusiasm. This bullish phase has resulted in heightened user interest in mining pools that support the extraction of mainstream cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. In response, ZA Miner has adjusted its operational model by optimizing mining rig performance and improving backend algorithms to accommodate increased activity levels.

    Instead of focusing on promotional offers, ZA Miner’s process prioritizes efficiency and structure. Users—ranging from entry-level participants to experienced miners—are presented with various mining contracts that differ in duration, hardware configuration, and daily income potential. All calculations, payouts, and settlements are automated and occur on a 24-hour cycle.

    For example, recent mining plans demonstrate a variety of contract lengths and projected returns. A short-term $500 contract spread over two days may yield approximately $60 in total income. More substantial investments, such as a $5,100 contract over three days, forecast daily income exceeding $190. These figures are derived from predefined computational outputs rather than speculative projections.

    Each transaction is encrypted and stored securely, reflecting the platform’s compliance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s guidelines. The integration of real-time analytics and risk management tools also enables users to make informed decisions based on current market conditions and expected volatility.

    The emphasis on platform integrity, performance optimization, and regulatory compliance underscores a broader trend in the cryptocurrency mining industry—where stability and transparency are becoming as critical as profitability.

    As market volatility continues to shape investment behavior, platforms like ZA Miner are focusing on system reliability and scalable solutions rather than incentives or promotions. This development reflects a more mature stage of mining operations, where user trust and regulatory oversight serve as cornerstones of growth.

    Media Contact:
    SHEIKH, Anisah Fatema
    ZA FUNDINGS LTD
    info@zaminer.com
    https://www.zaminer.com/

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bc9c6ec3-7e54-4d74-a168-4fc770e02803

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Solutions30 becomes majority shareholder of SO-TEC and strengthens its position in the photovoltaic market in France

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Solutions30, the European leader in multi-technical field services for the telecommunications, energy, and digital sectors, announces that it has increased its stake in SO-TEC, a French company specializing in the design and construction of structures for photovoltaic power plants. Following the initial 10% investment announced in May 2024, Solutions30 now holds 60% of SO-TEC’s capital and plans to increase this stake to 100% within the coming years, in line with the existing agreements with the company’s historical shareholders.

    This transaction marks a strategic milestone for Solutions30 as it strengthens its foothold in the energy services market, driven by strong underlying trends, particularly in renewable energy sector. The Group plans to triple its energy-related revenue in France between 2023 and 2026.

    Based near Montpellier, SO-TEC employs nearly 100 people and generates annual revenue of over €20 million, which will be fully consolidated into the Group’s accounts starting in the second quarter of 2025. SO-TEC’s core business lies in designing and installing infrastructure for ground-mounted and rooftop solar power plants, as well as building solar canopies – expertise that complements Solutions30’s multi-disciplinary know-how.

    This increased investment in SO-TEC demonstrates Solutions30’s intention to support the sector’s growing structuring, where clients are increasingly seeking partners capable of managing all phases of a project – from design to maintenance. Thanks to synergies between the two companies, several dozen MWp have already been contracted and partially completed over the past twelve months, representing several millions of euros in revenue. Solutions30 thus positions itself as one of the few French EPC providers capable of covering the entire solar power plant value chain with its own resources.

    SO-TEC will retain its identity and continue to operate under its own name, while benefiting from Solutions30’s industrial, commercial, and organizational support to accelerate its development and meet the growing market demand.

    “This increased investment fits perfectly within our targeted growth strategy, based on strong, complementary partnerships. By strengthening our collaboration with SO-TEC, we are expanding our scope of action and enhancing our ability to support major clients in complex and high-impact projects – whether it’s the installation of large-scale solar power plants, essential for energy diversification, or the development of photovoltaic canopies, which will be significantly boosted by the application of the French renewable energy law (ENR),” said Amaury BOILOT, Secretary General of Solutions30.

    “The increase of Solutions30’s stake in SO-TEC marks a real turning point for our company. This strengthened alliance will allow us to take a major step forward in terms of organization, structure, and business development,” said Martial MESNIER, founder of SO-TEC.

    About Solutions30 SE

    Solutions30’s mission is to make the technological developments that are transforming our daily lives accessible to everyone, individuals and businesses alike, especially with regard to the digital transformation and the energy transition. With its network of more than 16,000 technicians, Solutions30 has completed over 65 million call-outs since its inception and led over 500 renewable energy projects with a combined maximum output surpassing 1800 MWp. Every day, Solutions30 is doing its part to build a more connected and sustainable world. Solutions30 has become an industry leader in Europe with operations in 10 countries: France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The capital of Solutions30 SE consists of 107,127,984 shares, equal to the number of theoretical votes that can be exercised. Solutions30 SE is listed on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN FR0013379484- code S30). Indices : CAC Mid & Small | CAC Small | CAC Technology | Euro Stoxx Total Market Technology | Euronext Tech Croissance.

    Visit our website to learn more: www.solutions30.com

    About SO-TEC

    SO-TEC is a company specialized in the design and construction of structures for ground-mounted and rooftop photovoltaic power plants. With nearly 100 employees and recognized expertise, it operates throughout the country in support of the energy transition stakeholders.

    Contact

    Individual Shareholders:
    actionnaires@solutions30.com – Tel: +33 1 86 86 00 63

    Analysts/Investors:
    investor.relations@solutions30.com

    Press – Image 7:
    Charlotte Le Barbier – Tel: +33 6 78 37 27 60 – clebarbier@image7.fr

    Attachment

    • CP S30 Sotec 120525 EN

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Equasens: Q1 revenue at 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Villers-lès-Nancy, 12 May 2025 – 6:00 PM (CET)

    PRESS RELEASE

    Q1 revenue at 31 March 2025: €57.0m
    + 6.9% growth on a reported basis and + 5.9% like-for-like

    Q1 2025 REVENUE (€m) 2024
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change /
    Reported basis    		 Of which external growth Like-for-like change
    (organic growth)
    Equasens Group 53.3 57.0 3.7 6.9% 0.5 3.2 5.9%
    Q1 2025 revenue / Division (€m) 2024
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change /
    Reported basis    		 Of which external growth Like-for-like change
    (organic growth)
    Pharmagest 39.8 42.0 2.2 5.5%   2.2 5.5%
    Axigate Link 7.8 8.3 0.4 5.5%   0.4 5.5%
    e-Connect 2.9 3.5 0.6 21.2%   0.6 21.2%
    Medical Solutions 2.1 2.7 0.5 25.1% 0.5 0.0 0.0%
    Fintech 0.6 0.6 -0.1 -8.3%   -0.1 -8.3%
    Total 53.3 57.0 3.7 6.9% 0.5 3.2 5.9%

    As of March 31, 2025, Equasens Group, (Euronext Paris™ – Compartment B – FR 0012882389 -EQS), a leading provider of digital solutions for healthcare professionals, reported revenue of €57.0m, up 6.9% on Q1 2024 reported basis and 5.9% like-for-like.

    Revenue from CALIMED SAS, acquired by the Medical Solutions Division in December 2024, was restated to reflect changes in the scope of consolidation (€0.5m).

    Q1 2025 revenue by type of business (€m) 2024
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change / Reported basis
    Sale of configurations and hardware 21.5 23.2 1.7 7.7%
    Scalable maintenance and professional training services 19.7 20.3 0.7 3.5%
    Software solutions and subscriptions 11.6 12.9 1.3 11.3%
    Other services (including intermediation) 0.5 0.6 0.0 7.7%
    Total 53.3 57.0 3.7 6.9%

    Q1 2025 highlights by type of business

    • Sales of configurations and hardware (+7.7%) were back on track, after one year, with a trajectory of sustained growth for Pharmagest (+5.7%) and e-Connect (+68.4%), confirming the rebound announced in Q4 2024.
    • Scalable maintenance and training services (+3.5%) display steady growth, maintaining the momentum of 2024, highlighting the loyalty of the customer base and the success of its value-added services.
    • Software solutions and subscriptions (+11.3%) continue to perform well, boosted both by the contribution of acquisitions (+4.4%) and strong organic growth (+6.9%), illustrating the relevance of the strategy of progressively transforming new solutions to a SaaS model.
    • The PHARMAGEST Division had Q1 revenue of €42.0m (+5.5%) on a reported basis (100% organic growth).
      • Investments in recruitment, R&D and continuing improvements in customer service are paying off, in a French market environment marked by positive signals from the public authorities that have contributed to renewed confidence among pharmacists.
        • In France, all business lines reported growth (+ 3.5%), driven by :
          • Mainly equipment sales, with a clear upturn. However, even if the trend is positive, certain segments remain cautious in terms of growth (e.g. electronic labels);
          • The success of innovative new offerings such as id.genius (540 sales in Q1), id.vocal+ (55 sales) and id.care+ ;
          • Digipharmacie (+41%), which is continuing to add new customers at a sustained pace and whose recently deployed new functionalities are driving the acceleration in growth that the Group has foreseen;
          • Atoopharm (+23%), which has benefited from the end of three-year training scheme for healthcare professionals and the anticipated substitution of biosimilars.
        • In Italy (revenue up 13.3%), the Division benefited from buoyant sales momentum (with almost 50 new customers in Q1), with a reinforced sales team that is now covering the entire country.
        • In Belgium, growth in revenue is back on track (+4.8%).
        • In Germany, revenue rose by 12.5%, driven by successful upgrades to existing software and the roll-out of innovative solutions, notably the id. express payment terminal.

    This Division accounts for 73.7% of total revenue.

    • The AXIGATE LINK Division recorded revenue of €8.3m in Q1 2025 (up 5.5% on a reported and like-for-like basis).
      • The Nursing Home sector (+11.9%) is still continuing this year to benefit from “ESMS Numérique” public funding in France, while the migration to TitanLink remains on course in both France and Belgium.
      • The Homecare sector (+6.5%) is maintaining a promising level of new business, buoyed by the signature of new contracts.
      • The Hospitals sector experienced a temporary downturn (-9.2%) reflecting the postponement of contracting cycles to Q2 2025 for a number of major agreements concluded in Q1 2025.

    This Division accounts for 14.5% of total revenue.

    • The E-CONNECT Division recorded revenue of €3.5m in Q1 2025 (up 21.2% on a reported and like-for-like basis).
      • The Division is benefiting from a significant rebound in sales of its Mobility solutions which are integrated by the market’s leading publishers.
      • The announcement in March 2025 that the French health insurance card app (Apps Vitale) will be rolled out nationwide, together with the adoption of the third-party payment system for dental check-ups at dentists, are a major catalyst for accelerating sales of electronic health insurance card readers.

            This Division accounts for 6.1% of total revenue.

    • The MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Division reported revenue of €2.7m in Q1 2025 (up 25.1% on a reported basis and nil like-for-like).
      • The driving force of this performance was the integration of CALIMED and its two SaaS software solutions for surgeons and physicians (with €0.5m in recurring revenues in Q1).
      • Sales of the traditional solutions for physicians, nurses and physiotherapists have remained stable, and are benefiting from the favourable reception given to new offerings such as the LOQUii voice AI consultation companion or online back-up solutions.

    The Division accounts for 4.7% of total revenue.

    • The FINTECH Division had revenue of €0.6m (down 8.3% on a reported and like-for-like basis) in Q1 2025.
      • This decline is the result of a decision to restructure the customer base in order to reduce the risk exposure and enhance the quality of the portfolio.
      • Sales activity remains dynamic, generating a stream of qualified prospects meeting the Group’s demanding criteria.

    The Division accounts for 1.0% of total revenue.

    H1 2025 outlook

    The investment and organisational efforts made are producing results, with the successful roll-out of SaaS solutions to all our healthcare professional customers. These efforts will be maintained throughout 2025.

    The level of orders received, particularly in the Pharmacy sector, reflects the renewed confidence of pharmacists, and enables the Group to be confident about growth in Q2, and is in line with the momentum of Q1.

    Backed by a solid financial structure, the Group remains attentive to opportunities for external growth, both in France and in Europe, that will strengthen its position as a leader in digital healthcare solutions.

    Financial calendar:

    • Annual General Meeting: 25 June 2025
    • Q2 2025 Revenue: 31 July 2025
    • H1 2025 results: 26 September 2025
    • Presentation of H1 2025 results to analysts (SFAF): 29 September 2025
    • Q3 2025 revenue: 5 November 2025
    • FY 2025 revenue: 5 February 2026

    About Equasens Group

    Founded over 35 years ago, Equasens Group, a leader in digital healthcare solutions, today employs over 1.300 people across Europe.
    Equasens Group’s specialised business applications facilitate the day-to-day work of healthcare professionals and their teams, working in private practice, collaborative medical structures or healthcare establishments. The Group also provides comprehensive support to healthcare professionals in the transformation of their profession by developing electronic equipment, digital solutions and healthcare robotics, as well as data hosting, financing and training adapted to their specific needs.
    And reflecting the spirit of its tagline “Technology for a More Human Experience”, the Group is a leading provider of interoperability solutions that improve coordination between healthcare professionals, their communications and data exchange resulting in better patient care and a more efficient and secure healthcare system.

    Listed on Euronext Paris™ – Compartment B
    Indexes: MSCI GLOBAL SMALL CAP – GAÏA Index 2020 – CAC®SMALL and CAC®All-Tradable
    Included in the Euronext Tech Leaders segment and the European Rising Tech label

    Eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (“Service à Réglement Différé” – SRD) and equity savings accounts invested in small and mid-caps (PEA-PME).
    ISIN: FR 0012882389 – Ticker Code: EQS

    Get all the news about Equasens Group www.equasens.com and on LinkedIn

    CONTACTS

    EQUASENS Group
    Analyst and Investor Relations:
    Chief Administrative and Financial Officer: Frédérique Schmidt
    Tel: +33 (0)3 83 15 90 67 – frederique.schmidt@equasens.com

    Financial communications agency:
    FIN’EXTENSO – Isabelle Aprile

    Tel.: +33 (0)6 17 38 61 78 – i.aprile@finextenso.fr

    Forward-looking statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not guarantees of future performance and are based on current opinions, forecasts and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about Equasens’ current and future strategy and the environment in which Equasens operates. These involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results or other events, to materially differ from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed in Chapter 3 “Risk factors” of the Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial market authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers or AMF) on April 29, 2025 under number D.25-0334. These forward-looking statements are valid only as of the date of this press release.

    Attachment

    • EQUASENS_PR_20250512_Q1 2025 REVENUE_EN

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA: Annual General Meeting agenda update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (the “Company”) refers to its stock exchange announcement on 30 April 2025 regarding notice of an annual general meeting scheduled for 21 May 2025 (the “AGM”).

    In accordance with Section 6-16b of the Public Limited Liability Companies Act, the Board has prepared a report on the salary and other remuneration of executive management of the Company in 2024 (“Remuneration Report”), and the Company’s auditors have issued an assurance report in relation to such Remuneration Report, both of which are available on www.idexbiometrics.com.

    The Remuneration Report will be subject to an advisory vote by the Company’s AGM to be held on 21 May 2025, under a new agenda item 15. Electronic proxy- and voting instruction forms will be updated accordingly.

    The Board proposes that the AGM approves the following resolution:

    «The Annual General Meeting approves the remuneration report for 2024.»

    For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed resolution text is translated to Norwegian:

    «Generalforsamlingen gir sin tilslutning til rapport om lønn og annen godtgjørelse for ledende personer for regnskapsåret 2024.»

    For further information, please contact:

    Kristian Flaten, CFO, Tel: +47 95092322

    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics:

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market. For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    About this notice:

    This notice was issued by Kristian Flaten, CFO, on 12 May 2025 at 18:00 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12.

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Fluent, Inc. to Announce 2025 First Quarter Financial Results and Host Earnings Conference Call on May 15, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) announced today that it will report its financial results for the First Quarter 2025 after the close of the U.S. financial markets on May 15, 2025. Fluent will host a conference call at 4:30 pm ET on the same day to discuss the results.

    The conference call can be accessed by phone after registering online at Fluent Conference Call or via audio at Audio Registration. The call and accompanying slide presentation will also be webcast simultaneously on the Fluent website on the Investor Relations Page. Please log in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to ensure adequate time for any downloads that may be required. Following the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available for one year on Fluent’s Investor Relations Page.

    About Fluent, Inc.
    Fluent, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) is a commerce media solutions provider connecting top-tier brands with highly engaged consumers. Leveraging exclusive ad inventory, robust first-party data, and proprietary machine learning, Fluent unlocks additional revenue streams for partners and empowers advertisers to acquire their most valuable customers at scale. Founded in 2010, Fluent uses its deep expertise in performance marketing to drive monetization and increase engagement at key touchpoints across the customer journey. For more insights visit https://www.fluentco.com/.

    Contact Information:
    Investor Relations
    Fluent, Inc.
    InvestorRelations@fluentco.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Quantum Capital Group Appoints Dwight Scott as Executive Vice Chairman

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quantum Capital Group (“Quantum”) today announced the appointment of D. Dwight Scott, an experienced and skilled leader and investor whose career spans decades across both the energy and credit markets, as Executive Vice Chairman, effective July 1, 2025. In this role, Mr. Scott will work closely with the Quantum leadership team and partners to help guide the firm’s overall strategic direction and oversee investments across its private equity, structured capital, and private credit platforms, all of which are focused on the energy industry.

    Mr. Scott brings over 35 years of energy and energy infrastructure investment experience, leadership, and business-building expertise to Quantum. Most recently, he helped build Blackstone’s credit unit into one of the largest credit businesses in the world, serving both as Global Head of Blackstone Credit and subsequently Chairman of Blackstone’s combined Credit and Insurance unit. While at Blackstone Credit, he started the firm’s energy debt business in 2005 and ran that business until being named president of Blackstone Credit in 2017. Earlier in his career, he served as Chief Financial Officer of El Paso Corporation, a provider of natural gas and energy products across North America and then-owner of the continent’s largest natural gas pipeline system, helping guide the company through a complex restructuring process. He began his career in energy investment banking, ultimately serving as a Managing Director at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

    “Dwight is an iconic and visionary investor and business leader with deep roots in the energy industry, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Quantum team,” said Wil VanLoh, Founder and CEO of Quantum. “Over the course of his long career, Dwight has established a record of consistently delivering strong returns for investors by identifying great energy and infrastructure businesses and providing both capital and expertise to help them succeed in complex markets and across economic and commodity cycles. In this newly created role, I am confident his expertise and alignment with our vision will position Quantum to be better investors and partners – unlocking new opportunities to create value for our limited partners.”

    “At Quantum, our ability to be both a flexible capital solutions provider and a value-added resource has made us the partner of choice for many energy businesses and management teams, shaping the future of what energy excellence looks like,” said Ajay Khurana, President of Quantum. “Dwight’s perspective will be an invaluable addition to our leadership team as we continue to thoughtfully enhance our capabilities and offerings to meet the needs of our partner companies and the scale of the opportunity in today’s market.”

    “I have watched with great respect over the years as Wil, Ajay, and the Quantum team have built a market-leading firm that has been a great partner to management teams and an exceptional steward of its clients’ capital in many different commodity and growth environments. I am thrilled to be part of the team and excited to return to my energy roots in Houston,” said Mr. Scott. “The energy industry, which is one of the most important in the world and filled with interesting and entrepreneurial businesses, requires both capital and creativity to succeed. I believe the next decade will be a time of tremendous investment opportunity, and Quantum’s experience, relationships, capital flexibility, and structuring capability position the firm exceptionally well for this exciting period.”

    In October 2024, Quantum announced it had raised more than $10 billion in capital commitments to support its investments across the entire energy value chain, including in oil and gas, midstream, thermal and renewable power generation, energy infrastructure, and the energy transition.

    About Quantum Capital Group
    Founded in 1998, Quantum is a leading provider of private capital to the global energy and energy transition industry, having managed together with its affiliates more than $30 billion in equity commitments since inception. For more information on Quantum, please visit www.quantumcap.com.

    Contacts

    Media
    Kate Thompson / Erik Carlson / Madeline Jones
    Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
    212-355-4449

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: CNL STRATEGIC CAPITAL ANNOUNCES OPERATING RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Orlando, Fla., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CNL Strategic Capital, LLC (“CNL Strategic Capital,” the “Company” or “we”) seeks to provide current income and long-term appreciation to investors by acquiring controlling equity stakes in combination with loan positions in privately owned middle-market businesses. The Company announced its operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

    Highlights:

    • As of March 31, 2025, CNL Strategic Capital’s portfolio consisted of equity and debt investments in 16 portfolio companies and approximately $1.3 billion in total assets, compared with 16 portfolio companies and approximately $1.3 billion in total assets as of Dec. 31, 2024.
    • For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized a net change in unrealized appreciation on investments, including unrealized foreign currency gain of approximately $9.9 million and had total investment income of approximately $16.9 million. That compares with a net change in unrealized appreciation on investments of $16.2 million and total investment income of approximately $14.9 million during the first three months of 2024.
    • The cumulative total investment return based on net asset value (NAV) since inception and through March 31, 2025, was approximately 108.7% for Class FA shares, 92.4% for Class A shares, 79.5% for Class T shares, 82.4% for Class D shares, 93.9% for Class I shares and 76.1% for Class S shares.1 These returns are prior to any applicable sales load and assume shareholders reinvested their distributions.  
    • For the three months ended March 31, 2025, CNL Strategic Capital received approximately $34.4 million in net offering proceeds, including approximately $5.2 million received through the distribution reinvestment plan. Since beginning operations in February 2018 through March 31, 2025, CNL Strategic Capital has raised approximately $1.2 billion, including $51.6 million received through the distribution reinvestment plan.

    Cash distributions declared net of distributions reinvested during the periods presented were funded from the following sources (in thousands):

      Three Months Ended March 31,
      2025   2024
      Amount   % of Cash Distributions Declared, Net of Distribution Reinvested   Amount   % of Cash Distributions Declared, Net of Distribution Reinvested
    Net investment income before Expense support (reimbursement) $ 8,692     167.3  %   $ 4,426      93.2    %
    Expense Support (reimbursement)   9     0.2        295        6.2   
    Net investment income $    8,701      167.5 %   $ 4,721     99.4 %
    Cash distributions net of distributions reinvested in excess of net investment income   —     —       30        0.6   
    Cash distributions declared, net of distributions reinvested2 $ 5,197     100.0  %   $ 4,751      100.0  %

    Sources of declared distributions on a GAAP basis (in thousands):

      Three Months Ended March 31,
      2025   2024
      Amount   % of Distributions Declared   Amount   % of Distributions Declared
    Net investment income3 $ 8,701     83.9  %   $ 4,721                            53.6    %
    Distributions in excess of net investment income4                       1,671       16.1                           4,086        46.4   
    Total distributions declared $ 10,372         100.0  %   $ 8,807      100.0  %

    Total investment return based on net asset value (NAV) after total return incentive fee per share for the first three months ended March 31, 20251:

    Class FA Class A Class T Class D Class I Class S
    1.5 % 1.6 % 1.3 % 1.5 % 1.5 % 1.5 %

    (These returns are prior to any applicable sales load and assume shareholders reinvested their distributions. These are not actual shareholder returns. Actual returns may vary materially.)

    Cumulative total investment return based on NAV after sales fees since inception through the three months ended March 31, 20251:

    Class FA
    (2/7/18-3/31/25)    		 Class A
    (4/10/18-3/31/25)    		 Class T
    (5/25/18-3/31/25)    		 Class D
    (6/26/18-3/31/25)    		 Class I
    (4/10/18-3/31/25)    		 Class S
    (3/31/20-3/31/25)
    108.7 % 92.4 % 79.5 % 82.4 % 93.9 % 76.1 %

    (These returns are prior to any applicable sales load and assume shareholders reinvested their distributions. These are not actual shareholder returns. Actual returns may vary materially.)
    1This is not shareholder returns. Total investment return is calculated for each share class as the change in the net asset value for such share class during the period and assuming all distributions are reinvested. Amounts are not annualized and are not representative of total return as calculated for purposes of the total return incentive fee. Since there is no public market for the Company’s shares, terminal market value per share is assumed to be equal to net asset value per share on the last day of the period presented. The Company’s performance changes over time and currently may be different than that shown above. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment performance is presented without regard to sales load that may be incurred by shareholders in the purchase of the Company’s shares. For the period from the date the first share was issued for each respective share class through March 31, 2025. 2Excludes $5,175 and $4,056 of distributions reinvested pursuant to the Company’s distribution reinvestment plan during the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. 3Net investment income includes Expense Support of $9 and $295 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024, respectively. 4Consists of distributions made from offering proceeds for the periods presented.

    About CNL Strategic Capital
    CNL Strategic Capital is a publicly registered, non-traded limited liability Company that seeks to provide current income and long-term appreciation to individuals by acquiring controlling equity stakes in combination with loan positions in durable and growing middle-market businesses. The Company is externally managed by CNL Strategic Capital Management, LLC and Levine Leichtman Strategic Capital, LLC (LLSC). For additional information, please visit cnlstrategiccapital.com.

    About CNL Financial Group
    CNL Financial Group (CNL) is a leading private investment management firm providing alternative investment opportunities. Since inception in 1973, CNL and/or its affiliates have formed or acquired companies with more than $36 billion in assets. CNL is headquartered in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit cnl.com.

    About Levine Leichtman Strategic Capital
    LLSC is an affiliate of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC (LLCP), a middle-market private equity firm with a 40-year track record of investing across various targeted sectors, including Franchising & Multi-unit, Business Services, Education & Training and Engineered Products & Manufacturing. LLCP utilizes a differentiated Structured Private Equity investment strategy, combining debt and equity capital investments in portfolio companies. LLCP believes that by investing in a combination of debt and equity securities, it offers management teams growth capital in a highly tailored, flexible investment structure that can be a more attractive alternative than traditional private equity.

    LLCP’s global team of dedicated investment professionals is led by ten partners who have worked at LLCP for an average of 20 years. Since inception, LLCP has managed approximately $16.4 billion of institutional capital across 15 investment funds and has invested in over 100 portfolio companies. LLCP currently manages $10.9 billion of assets and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Frankfurt. For additional information, please visit llcp.com.

    The information in this press release may include “forward-looking statements.” These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of CNL Strategic Capital’s management and on the information currently available to management at the time of such statements. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or similar expressions that indicate future events. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond CNL Strategic Capital’s control. Important risks, uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the risks associated with the Company’s ability to pay distributions and the sources of such distribution payments, the Company’s ability to locate and make suitable investments and other risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

    ###

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Economic Development Week: Joint statement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia Releases Oversight Report on Lessons From Kenneth Fire False Alerts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) released a report with key findings on the causes of false evacuation warnings during the Kenneth Fire on January 9, 2025, and policy recommendations to improve emergency warning alerts. The full report can be found here.

    “The Kenneth Fire false alert was a wake-up call,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “It showed the consequences of software failures, vague message wording, and a lack of federal standards. We must modernize our emergency alert systems to ensure that warnings are accurate, timely, and targeted. The public’s trust is at stake.”

    On February 13, 2025, Congressman Garcia and thirteen Members of Congress representing Los Angeles County sent oversight letters seeking answers to why evacuation warnings were accidentally sent to nearly 10 million L.A. County residents during the Los Angeles fires, why individuals received delayed warnings, or why individuals received multiple warnings.

    Responses were received from Genasys, Inc., the software company used by the County for issuing wireless emergency alerts, Los Angeles County, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

    The Kenneth Fire serves as a critical reminder of the importance of robust emergency communication systems. Congress and federal agencies must act swiftly to close identified gaps and ensure the public receives accurate and life-saving information when disaster strikes.

    The report’s key findings noted:

    • The initial false alert was caused by a software failure in Genasys, Inc.’s system. The correct evacuation area polygon was not uploaded to the IPAWS wireless alert channel, which Genasys believes was due to a network disruption. Genasys’ system failed to warn the LA County Office of Emergency Management that the polygon was missing, and the alert was to be sent county-wide. Genasys has since added safeguards to its software to address this issue.
    • LA County responded quickly, canceling the alert within 2 minutes and 47 seconds, and issued a corrected message 20 minutes later. The County temporarily transitioned to CalOES’ Onsolve CodeRed alert system and resumed use of Genasys on January 30, 2025.
    • LA County could improve the wording of alert messages. The wording of the original alert was vague and lacked geographic specificity. Improved language and inclusion of timestamps would have helped avoid confusion, especially for individuals outside the evacuation zone.
    • Duplicate and delayed alerts were not caused by downed cell towers, as initially thought, but by technical issuessuch as network overload, lack of unique message identifiers, and long alert durations.

    Policy recommendations included:

    1. Increase funding for IPAWS systems – Federal support is needed for planning, equipment, training, exercises, and system maintenance.
    2. Finalize FEMA’s IPAWS requirements – Five years after Congress mandated improvements, FEMA has yet to fully implement certification programs for users and third-party software providers.
    3. The FCC should ensure mobile providers include location-aware maps by the December 2026 deadline – Last October, the FCC passed a requirement for wireless services providers to include links to maps that show the emergency incident and your location relative to the incident by December 2026.
    4. The FCC should establish performance standards – The FCC should develop measurable goals and monitoring for Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) performance, including reliability, accuracy, and speed.

    By addressing these challenges, emergency alerting can become more accurate, reliable, and effective in future crises.

    Congressman Garcia is dedicated to ensuring that government operations are efficient, effective, and safe, especially during emergencies. After the devastating LA wildfires in January, he led a letter with LA colleagues to Genasys Inc., Los Angeles County, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) demanding answers regarding accidental emergency alerts. Individuals received delayed evacuation warnings, some received the same message multiple times, and millions received unnecessary warnings. As Mayor of Long Beach, Congressman Garcia helped establish the AlertLongBeach system to provide those who live or work in the city with text alerts containing important information before, during, and after a major emergency or disaster. Congressman Garcia’s leadership on the Oversight Committee ensures that government operations are effective and responsive to crises. Congressman Garcia led dozens of his colleagues in calling on FEMA to honor their commitment to reimbursing California cities and counties for providing shelter options for individuals experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Office of Congressman Don Davis to hold Mobile Office Hours in 19 Counties in May

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    Goldsboro, N.C. — Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced Thursday that his district staff will host Mobile Office Hours from May 12 to May 16 at multiple locations across North Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

    Mobile office hours give constituents the opportunity to meet directly with caseworkers for help with federal agencies, including Social Security, Medicare, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS, and passport services. Residents may also share their concerns about federal legislation.

    No appointment is needed, and all residents are welcome to attend.

    *Please note: Congressman Davis will not be in attendance at these events. 

    WHO:

    Office of Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    WHAT:

    Mobile Office Hours (Two hours per location)

    WHEN:

    Monday, May 12, 2025

    • Vance County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Henderson City Hall, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536
       
    • Granville County: 1 PM to 3 PM., Oxford City Hall, 300 Williamsboro St., Oxford, NC 27565
       
    • Camden County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Camden County Library (Conference Room), 118 N.C. Highway 343 N, Camden, NC 27921
       
    • Currituck County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Currituck Chamber of Commerce, 111D Currituck Commercial Drive, Moyock, NC 27958

    Tuesday, May 13, 2025 

    • Perquimans County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Hertford Community Center, 305 W. Grubb St., Hertford, NC 27944
       
    • Chowan County: 1 PM to 3PM, Edenton Municipal Building (Conference Room), 504 S. Broad St., Edenton, NC 27932
       
    • Martin County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Martin Memorial Library, 200 N. Smithwick St., Williamston, NC 27892
       
    • Bertie County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Windsor Town Hall, 128 S. King St., Windsor, NC 27983

    Wednesday, May 14, 2025

    • Lenoir County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Kinston City Hall (Council Chambers), 207 E. King St., Kinston, NC 28501
       
    • Greene County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Greene County Public Library, 229-G Kingold Blvd., Snow Hill, NC 28580
       
    • Tyrrell County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Columbia Town Hall, 103 Main St., Columbia, NC 27925
       
    • Washington County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Roper Community Building, 301 Buncombe St., Roper, NC 27970

    Thursday, May 15, 2025 

    • Edgecombe County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Tarboro Town Hall (Council Chambers), 500 N. Main St., Tarboro, NC 27886
       
    • Wilson County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Wilson Senior Center, 1808 S. Goldsboro St., Wilson, NC 27893
       
    • Warren County:10 AM to 12 PM, Warren County Memorial Library, 119 S. Front St., Warrenton, NC 27589
       
    • Halifax County: 1 PM to 3 PM, Halifax County Library, 33 S. Granville St., Halifax, NC 27839

    Friday, May 16, 2025

    • Northampton County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Conway Town Hall, 301 W. Main St., Conway, NC 27820
       
    • Gates County: 10 AM to 12 PM, Gatesville Town Hall, 127 Main St., Gatesville, NC 27938
       
    • Hertford County: 1 PM to 3 PM., Roanoke-Chowan Community College (Community Room), 109 Community College Rd., Ahoskie, NC 27910

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: OilXCoin Begins Capital Raise on Republic.com 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ZURICH, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OilXCoin, the evolutionary digital asset grounded in real-world value, is proud to announce it will launch a Reg D capital raise through Republic, one of the industry’s leading platforms for compliant investment offerings. This milestone reaffirms the company’s commitment to transparency, investor protection, and broad market accessibility.

    Having secured regulatory approval for OilXCoin’s prospectus from the Financial Market Authority (FMA) in Liechtenstein, along with passporting rights across the European Economic Area (EEA), OilXCoin continues to raise the bar in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization

    By partnering with Republic, OilXCoin expands its reach across both traditional and crypto-native capital markets through a platform widely recognized for its credibility with global investor communities.

    “Partnering with Republic aligns well with our goal of delivering an asset-backed token to qualified investors as we position OilXCoin for its market entry.” said Dave Rademacher, Co-Founder of OilXCoin. “The platform is trusted by investors and has a track record of facilitating compliant, high-quality investment opportunities.” 

    OilXCoin offers investors exposure to natural gas and oil reserves and their upstream value chains. With a capped token supply and a dual revenue model that includes both natural gas & oil revenues and transaction activity within the blockchain ecosystem, OilXCoin is designed to be a resilient and scalable investment opportunity.

    This public raise builds on early momentum, with more than USD $1.7 million already secured through private placements and restricted securities sales, now providing an opportunity for accredited investors in the United States under Reg D to participate.

    “We believe OilXCoin offers something fundamentally different,” said Glenn McColpin, Head of Oil & Gas at OilXCoin. “By combining real asset backing with blockchain infrastructure – and now launching on platforms like Republic – we’re creating a new way for oil and gas reserves to be financed by investors.”

    With the tokenized asset market projected to grow exponentially, OilXCoin is well-positioned to lead in a space where demand for compliant, real-world asset exposure continues to rise.

    Follow along at x.com/oilxcoin and linkedin.com/oilxcoin to stay updated and be part of this new wave in digital, asset-backed investment.

    -ENDS-

    About OilXCoin:

    OilXCoin is a digital asset that combines the resilience of tangible real-world assets, specifically oil & gas (O&G) and their upstream value chains, with the innovation of blockchain technology, providing investors with a unique opportunity to access both the traditional O&G sector and the dynamic cryptocurrency markets.

    The token is a perpetual debt instrument that gives investors exposure to O&G assets of DeXentra GmbH. Upon a termination of the OilXCoin, holders will have a claim to a share of the (actual or estimated) net proceeds from the disposal of DeXentra GmbH’s O&G assets. The OilXCoin provides no fixed yield. The OilXCoin is issued in the form of ledger-based securities under Swiss law.

    Disclosure: Here

    Investor Notice:

    OilXCoin tokens are available solely to residents of select EEA jurisdictions* and Switzerland. U.S. persons may acquire tokens under Regulation D 506(c). Visit oilxcoin.io for further details and to view or request a copy of the prospectus for the OilXCoin.

    The information contained herein is provided for informational and discussion purposes only and is not intended to be a recommendation for any investment or other advice of any kind, and shall not constitute or imply any offer to purchase, sell, or hold any security or to enter into or engage in any type of transaction. Any such offers will only be made pursuant to formal offering materials containing full details regarding risks, minimum investment, fees, and expenses of such transaction. 

    The tokens offered hereby may be deemed to be securities under U.S. securities laws, and will be sold in the United States only to persons that qualify as “accredited investors” under an exemption provided by Rule 506(c) of Regulation D. The tokens will be subject to transfer restrictions and any U.S. investor should not assume that the tokens can be resold immediately. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory agency has passed upon the merits of or has given its approval to the tokens, the terms of the offering, or the accuracy or completeness of any offering materials.

    *Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden.

    Contact:

    Aroma Kumar
    Account Manager
    aroma@lunapr.io
    www.lunapr.io

    Media Notice:

    The information contained in this press release is intended solely for dissemination by media outlets to their affiliates located in the following jurisdictions: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America.

    Distribution or sharing of the contents herein outside of these specified jurisdictions is strictly prohibited. Media outlets receiving this communication are responsible for ensuring compliance with this restriction and must exercise due diligence in disseminating information accordingly.

    The MIL Network –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Delivering Most-Favored-Nation Prescription Drug Pricing to American Patients

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Purpose.  The United States has less than five percent of the world’s population and yet funds around three quarters of global pharmaceutical profits.  This egregious imbalance is orchestrated through a purposeful scheme in which drug manufacturers deeply discount their products to access foreign markets, and subsidize that decrease through enormously high prices in the United States.The United States has for too long turned its back on Americans, who unwittingly sponsor both drug manufacturers and other countries.  These entities today rely on price markups on American consumers, generous public subsidies for research and development primarily through the National Institutes of Health, and robust public financing of prescription drug consumption through Federal and State healthcare programs.  Drug manufacturers, rather than seeking to equalize evident price discrimination, agree to other countries’ demands for low prices, and simultaneously fight against the ability for public and private payers in the United States to negotiate the best prices for patients.  The inflated prices in the United States fuel global innovation while foreign health systems get a free ride.This abuse of Americans’ generosity, who deserve low-cost pharmaceuticals on the same terms as other developed nations, must end.  Americans will no longer be forced to pay almost three times more for the exact same medicines, often made in the exact same factories.  As the largest purchaser of pharmaceuticals, Americans should get the best deal.
    Sec. 2.  Policy.  Americans should not be forced to subsidize low-cost prescription drugs and biologics in other developed countries, and face overcharges for the same products in the United States.  Americans must therefore have access to the most-favored-nation price for these products. My Administration will take immediate steps to end global freeloading and, should drug manufacturers fail to offer American consumers the most-favored-nation lowest price, my Administration will take additional aggressive action.
    Sec. 3.  Addressing Foreign Nations Freeloading on American-Financed Innovation.  The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative shall take all necessary and appropriate action to ensure foreign countries are not engaged in any act, policy, or practice that may be unreasonable or discriminatory or that may impair United States national security and that has the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.
    Sec. 4.  Enabling Direct-to-Consumer Sales to American Patients at the Most-Favored-Nation Price.  To the extent consistent with law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) shall facilitate direct-to-consumer purchasing programs for pharmaceutical manufacturers that sell their products to American patients at the most-favored-nation price.
    Sec. 5.  Establishing Most-Favored-Nation Pricing.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and other relevant executive department and agency (agency) officials, communicate most-favored-nation price targets to pharmaceutical manufacturers to bring prices for American patients in line with comparably developed nations.(b)  If, following the action described in subsection (a) of this section, significant progress towards most-favored-nation pricing for American patients is not delivered, to the extent consistent with law:(i)    the Secretary shall propose a rulemaking plan to impose most-favored-nation pricing; (ii)   the Secretary shall consider certification to the Congress that importation under section 804(j) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) will pose no additional risk to the public’s health and safety and result in a significant reduction in the cost of prescription drugs to the American consumer; and if the Secretary so certifies, then the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall take action under section 804(j)(2)(B) of the FDCA to describe circumstances under which waivers will be consistently granted to import prescription drugs on a case-by-case basis from developed nations with low-cost prescription drugs;  (iii)  following the report issued under section 13 of Executive Order 14273 of April 15, 2025 (Lowering Drug Prices by Once Again Putting Americans First), the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall, to the extent consistent with law, undertake enforcement action against any anti-competitive practices identified within such report, including through use of sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act and section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as appropriate;(iv)   the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other relevant agencies as necessary, shall review and consider all necessary action regarding the export of pharmaceutical drugs or precursor material that may be fueling the global price discrimination;(v)    the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall review and potentially modify or revoke approvals granted for drugs, for those drugs that maybe be unsafe, ineffective, or improperly marketed; and(vi)   the heads of agencies shall take all action available, in coordination with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, to address global freeloading and price discrimination against American patients.
    Sec. 6.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or(ii.) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.(d)  The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register. 
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP
    THE WHITE HOUSE,    May 12, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: ART OF THE DEAL: U.S., China Ink Initial Trade Deal

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    gure class=”wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized”>
    President Donald J. Trump and his administration have secured another good deal for the American people — an initial trade deal with China that reduces tariffs, ends retaliation, and sets Americans on the path for truly free, fair trade.
    It’s the second significant trade breakthrough of the past week following President Trump’s landmark trade deal with the United Kingdom — and comes as President Trump enacts his transformational vision for liberating Americans from the unfair trade practices that have gripped workers and businesses for decades.
    At a press conference in Geneva, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer laid out the details of the initial agreement:
    Secretary Bessent: “We have reached an agreement on a 90-day pause and substantially moved down the tariff levels — both sides, on the reciprocal tariffs, will move their tariffs down 115%.”
    Ambassador Greer: “Both the Chinese and the United States agreed to work constructively together on fentanyl and there’s a positive path forward there, as well.”
    Secretary Bessent: “The upside surprise for me from this weekend was the level of Chinese engagement on the fentanyl crisis in the United States. They brought the Deputy Minister for Public Safety … and he had a very robust and highly detailed discussion.”
    Ambassador Greer: “We are going to have our economy continue taking off as we put structure around these negotiations and get global trade into a better place.”
    Secretary Bessent then made the rounds on television to inform the American people of the landmark deal:
    On negotiations: “It was always respectful. We had the two largest economies in the world. We were firm — and we moved forward … We came with a list of problems that we were trying to solve and I think we did a good job on that.”
    On stopping precursors of fentanyl from China: “This is a priority for President Trump and, indeed, the whole administration … Hundreds of thousands of Americans die every year and I think that we saw here in Geneva that the Chinese are now serious about assisting the U.S. in stopping the flow of precursor drugs.”
    On non-tariff barriers: “We’ve had free trade, and as you said, that has not worked for the American people. There’s something called the ‘China shock,’ which has gutted our manufacturing sector … They subsidize labor, they subsidize capital goods, and they have exported that to us and to the rest of the world. We have put up tariffs to push back on that, so it will be a matter of what is the equilibrium level on tariffs and also getting China to open their markets for American companies.”
    On supply chains: “Bringing back our important strategic industries can be a result of tariffs, but it’s also a result of national will — so this administration is running full speed to make sure that what we saw during COVID never happens again.”
    On past agreements: “In January 2020, President Trump produced a template — we had an excellent trade agreement with China, and the Biden Administration chose not to enforce it. The Chinese delegation basically told us that once President Biden came into office, they just ignored their obligations.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS offers funding to states to find critical minerals in mine waste

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Interested state geological surveys can apply online at grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number G25AS00258. 

    Applications are due by May 14, 2025. More information on how to apply can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity available at grants.gov.  

    “The USGS is partnering with state geological surveys to modernize our understanding of critical minerals in the U.S., both below ground and above ground in mine waste, and this competitive funding will help us get there,” said Jamey Jones, science coordinator for the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative, also known as Earth MRI. “Minerals, such as germanium, are essential for high-performance computer chips used in applications that weren’t even dreamed of when old mines closed. Germanium often occurs with zinc in ore, and it might have been left behind in mine waste when zinc ore was processed.” 

    The cooperative agreements are offered through Earth MRI, a partnership with state geological surveys, private companies, academia and other state and federal agencies.  Earth MRI is transforming the nation’s mapping of the subsurface and mine wastes needed to assess mineral resources critical for the U.S. economy and national security, as directed by Executive Orders including “A Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals” in 2017 and “Unleashing American Energy” in 2025. 

    Through this funding, Earth MRI will provide science to evaluate the potential to extract valuable minerals from mine waste. This $5 million funding opportunity supports USGS efforts to build a national mine-waste inventory and characterize mine waste at mine sites across the nation. It also supports partnering with state geological surveys to plan Earth MRI data acquisition. 

    Mine waste is the material left over after mining. It consists of tailings, the material that remains after mined ore is milled and concentrated, as well as waste rock and other materials that were removed to get to the ore or left behind during ore processing. 

    Some critical minerals, like rare earth elements, are known to occur alongside more commonly mined minerals like iron or nickel. Because of this, mine wastes are now being revisited to see if the waste has potential for critical-mineral commodities that were not a primary product of the original mining. Understanding what is in mine waste also helps identify potential hazards of reprocessing it to recover the critical minerals and other valuable commodities and opportunities for remediation. 

    For example, the USGS revisited legacy iron mines in the Adirondack Mountains of New York to determine if rare earth elements might occur there. Results indicated significant potential that merits further exploration, especially for rare earth elements. 

    Since 2018, Earth MRI has focused new data collection in parts of the nation with known or suspected critical mineral potential, significantly increasing high-quality data coverage and geologic mapping across large regions. New data collection and critical mineral mapping under Earth MRI is propelling efforts to make once-in-a-generation advancements in the nation’s geologic and geophysical data collections and critical minerals mapping.   

    The USGS provides science for a changing world. Learn more at https://www.usgs.gov or follow us on Facebook @USGeologicalSurvey, YouTube @USGS, Instagram @USGS, or Twitter @USGS. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Donald Trump could remain president of the United States

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Pascal Lupien, Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Alberta

    United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of remaining in office after his second term ends in 2029. Since the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1951, no U.S. president has challenged the two-term limit it established.

    However, attempts to circumvent constitutional term limits are not unprecedented elsewhere.

    Virtually every country in Latin America has enshrined constitutional term limits as a safeguard against tyranny. These rules vary: some allow only a single term, some permit two, while others enable non-consecutive re-election. Yet several presidents have managed to defy these provisions.

    Recent examples include Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador.

    Although the institutional norms and political cultures of these countries differ from those of the U.S., examining how term limits have been dismantled offers valuable insights into how any similar efforts by Trump might unfold.

    How presidents have overstayed their term

    The most common tactic is for presidents to first ensure their political party in the legislature is fully subservient to them, and then leverage a loyal majority to amend the constitution — a move that has already been initiated in the U.S.

    Ortega and Correa successfully used their legislative majorities to pass constitutional amendments that eliminated term limits in Nicaragua and Ecuador.

    Whether Trump has achieved the same level of unwavering loyalty among Republicans is debatable, but getting amendments through the U.S. Congress is significantly more difficult. The process requires a two-thirds majority vote in both houses, followed by ratification from three-quarters of state legislatures.

    In contrast, Nicaragua’s constitution can be amended with a 60 per cent majority and, as in Ecuador, sub-national jurisdictions have no say in the matter.

    Another crucial step involves co-opting or capturing the judiciary. In Bolivia, Morales achieved a controversial third term in 2014 supported by a partisan Constitutional Tribunal. More recently, El Salvador’s Bukele secured a 2021 Supreme Court ruling (from judges he appointed) allowing him to seek immediate re-election in 2024, despite a constitutional prohibition on consecutive terms.

    We have seen a worrying pattern of subservience to Trump by the U.S. Supreme Court. The limits of this deference are increasingly uncertain.

    Securing popular support

    Some presidents have turned to plebiscites to legitimize constitutional tampering by appealing directly to the electorate and framing the move as a democratic exercise. Chávez employed this strategy in Venezuela, winning a 2009 referendum to abolish term limits.

    The absence of a national referendum mechanism in the U.S. — where popular consultations are organized at the sub-national (state) level — limits the options available to a president seeking to remove term limits through this type of populist ploy.

    Related to this, populist presidents who have successfully circumvented term limits have typically done so while enjoying extraordinarily high levels of public support.

    Correa maintained approval ratings near 70 per cent during much of his presidency, while independent polls have put Bukele’s support at well over 80 per cent. Both, along with Morales and Chávez, leveraged their popularity to justify constitutional changes through legislative and judicial channels, framing their actions as carrying out the will of the people.

    In contrast, Trump’s approval ratings have consistently remained far lower. Currently, his favourability sits in the low 40s, making any attempt to claim a broad popular mandate for a third term both dubious and precarious.

    The military matters

    Due to inevitable opposition, military support is central to any leader’s attempt to defy the constitution. In much of Latin America, the military is highly politicized, and armed forces have historically been shaped by doctrines of internal control rather than external defence.

    Rooted in Cold War-era national security ideologies, this orientation casts domestic dissenters (“socialists,” Indigenous movements, unionists) as internal enemies, legitimizing repression as a patriotic duty.

    In some countries, military oaths reflect this politicization. In both Nicaragua and Venezuela, these oaths increasingly emphasize loyalty to the president or ruling party and their revolutionary legacy, undermining institutional neutrality.

    By contrast, in the U.S., military personnel swear an oath to defend the Constitution, not the president. While they must follow orders, these must align with constitutional and legal boundaries.

    The absence of a tradition of using soldiers against American citizens and an institutional culture of constitutional loyalty and political neutrality may, at least in principle, provide some protection against the authoritarian overreach that has allowed certain Latin American presidents to remain in power indefinitely.

    But a substantial portion of the U.S. armed forces leans politically to the right, like their counterparts in Latin America, raising concerns that partisan sympathies within the military could influence its response to a constitutional crisis.

    Furthermore, the increasing use of non-military security forces — such as local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — against civilians demonstrates that the state has a range of instruments at its disposal for exercising control.

    The U.S. government’s use of ICE is reminiscent of how governments in countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua have used police and paramilitary units loyal to the president with impunity to suppress dissent.



    Read more:
    How ICE is becoming a secret police force under the Trump administration

    The perils of complacency

    Many in the West still hold on to the belief that constitutional erosion is something that only happens in the Global South. Some believe that American institutions are uniquely resilient and therefore capable of withstanding any attempt to subvert the constitution.

    For much of U.S. history, this confidence may have been justified, but today, it’s not only complacent but dangerous.

    The strength of democratic institutions depends on the political will to defend them. Time will tell if the barriers that exist in the U.S. are strong enough to withstand the pressures now being placed upon them. What is clear is that relying on increasingly tenuous institutional resilience or historical exceptionalism is no substitute for vigilance and active defence of democratic norms.

    Pascal Lupien 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. How Donald Trump could remain president of the United States – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trump-could-remain-president-of-the-united-states-255589

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 12 May 2025 News release WHO Results Report 2024 shows health progress across regions overcoming critical challenges

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) Results Report 2024, shows progress on global health goals, even in times of growing financial uncertainties.

    The report, released ahead of the Seventy-eight World Health Assembly (19–27 May 2025), presents a mid-term assessment of WHO’s performance in implementing the Programme budget 2024–2025, providing a snapshot of progress towards the strategic priorities of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, 2019–2025.

    The report highlights WHO’s work in over 150 countries, territories and provides an update on the implementation of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work, showcasing both the achievements so far and challenges ahead.

    “This report shows how, with WHO’s support, many countries are making progress on a huge range of health indicators, helping their populations to live healthier lives, giving them greater access to essential health services, and keeping them safer against health emergencies,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “In a world of multiple overlapping challenges and constrained resources for global health, these results demonstrate why the world needs a strong and sustainably-financed WHO, delivering the high-quality, trusted support on which countries and their people rely.”

    Progress on triple billion targets

    The report shows significant progress on coverage with essential health services, protection from health emergencies, and enjoyment of healthier lives. Still, the progress is insufficient to reach the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

    On the first billion – 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage – an estimated 431 million more people, close to half of the goal, are estimated to be covered with essential health services without catastrophic health spending. This progress is largely driven by improvements in the healthcare workforce, increased access to contraception and expanded HIV antiretroviral therapy. However, people continue to face financial hardships and challenges in immunization programmes persist.

    Regarding the second billion – 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies – an estimated 637 million more people are better protected through stronger preparedness, surveillance, workforce capacity, and equitable access to tools and services, supported by reforms such as the amendments to the International Health Regulations. Yet financial constraints threaten pandemic response efforts. In the face of the H5N1 avian flu outbreak, there is a continued need for pandemic preparedness. After more than three years of negotiations, WHO member states have drafted a pandemic agreement that will be up for consideration at the upcoming World Health Assembly. The draft proposal includes measures for an increased research infrastructure, emergency global health workforces and other key mechanisms to prevent and respond to pandemic threats.

    For the third billion – 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being – the report shows that 1.4 billion more people are living with better health and well-being, surpassing the initial goal. This is due to reduced tobacco use, improved air quality, clean household fuels, and access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Key challenges lie in addressing increased obesity and alcohol consumption.

    However, reaching the goals faces growing challenges. Pause in foreign aid and reduction of health budgets further strain already fragile health systems, especially in communities with the greatest health needs. Financial constraints threaten pandemic response efforts. Reduced funding will also undermine hard-won progress.

    WHO has taken concrete steps to become more efficient and effective, including by improving operational efficiency and transparency through digital innovation, enhanced support services, and stronger risk and security systems. In 2024, WHO strengthened its support for generating, accessing and using data paving the way for more evidence-based programming and timelier on the ground impact.

    Highlighted accomplishments

    Seven countries eliminated a neglected tropical disease in 2024, reaching 54 countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease. Guinea worm disease is now closer than ever to eradication.

    WHO assigned 481 international nonproprietary names for medicines and 185 countries accessed the WHO database of medical devices nomenclature.

    Seventy million more people had access to mental health services by the end of 2024 and at least one million people living with a mental health condition received treatment.

    An emergency polio campaign in the Gaza Strip vaccinated more than half a million children.

    With support from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, WHO distributed 259 000 mpox tests in 32 countries. Globally, 6 million mpox vaccine doses were pledged.

    WHO coordinated responses to 51 graded emergencies in 89 countries and territories. WHO’s emergency medical teams performed more than 37 000 surgeries and supported infection prevention and control, WASH, trauma care, and mental health support.

    WHO trained over 15 000 health providers and policy-makers across more than 160 Member States on addressing the health needs of refugees and migrants.

    WHO collaboration with UNICEF and other UN agencies has resulted in multiyear funding programmes in 15 high-burden countries, reaching 9.3 million children and saving an estimated 1 million lives.

    Increasing efficiency, the global digital health certification network supported by WHO has now enabled about 2 billion people to carry digital health records.

    WHO recognizes the sustained commitment of Member States and will work with new and existing donors and partners to secure additional funding. Securing predictable, sustainable and resilient financing is the key objective of the Investment Round, which has mobilized over US$ 1.7 billion in pledges from 71 contributors, covering 53% of WHO’s voluntary funding needs.

    The Results Report is crucial to WHO’s accountability to Member States. This report ensures that funding is used to deliver impact, results are regularly measured, and future needs are correctly identified, based upon lessons-learned.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Statement on DOT Secretary Duffy’s Plan to Modernize Our Aging Air Traffic Control System

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    May 08, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—issued the following statement after Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced his new plan to modernize our nation’s air traffic control system:

    “For years, I’ve sounded the alarm that we must modernize our air traffic control system in order to safeguard the flying public. After the deadly DCA crash, multiple near-misses and a terrifying equipment failure impacting Newark, it is encouraging that Secretary Duffy and the Trump Administration recognize how urgent this matter is and are calling for new funding to upgrade our nation’s aging air traffic control technology and facilities.

    “While this may be a positive development, we shouldn’t forget that these are the same officials who just months ago indiscriminately fired hundreds of FAA workers who helped keep our civilian aviation system safe. If America wants to remain the gold standard in aviation safety, we need smart investments—not canceled investments and funding cuts. I look forward to reviewing the details of the Trump Administration’s plan with my colleagues on the Commerce committee so we can ensure our air traffic controllers have the support and equipment they need to keep passengers and crew safe.”

    For years, Duckworth has been sounding the alarm that we must make these critical aviation safety investments immediately to prevent all-too-often near-misses from becoming catastrophic tragedies. Last Congress, Duckworth chaired two CST Aviation Subcommittee hearings—one last December and the other a year prior—to address our aviation industry’s chilling surge in near-deadly close calls and underscore the urgent need to improve air traffic control systems to protect the flying public.

    Last year, Duckworth helped author the landmark bipartisan FAA reauthorization that was signed into law to extend the FAA’s funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2028. The reauthorization included several of her provisions to improve consumer safety, expand the aviation workforce and enhance protections for travelers with disabilities.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 13, 2025
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