NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Drug Trafficking Ringleader Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Career offender and previously convicted felon of drug-related crimes ordered by the court to forfeit over $300,000 in cash, three firearms and two vehicles

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Llobani Federico Figueroa, aka “Pablo,” 33, of Magna, Utah, was sentenced to 264 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to operating a continuing criminal enterprise in the District of Utah, which had ties to California and Mexico.

    The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, Jr., comes after Figueroa pleaded guilty on December 11, 2024, to continuing a criminal enterprise and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In addition to the sentence, Figueroa was ordered by the court to 10 years’ supervised release and forfeited over $300,961.00 in U.S. currency, three firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition, and two vehicles.

    According to court documents and statements made at Llobani’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Figueroa, beginning at the age of 18, engaged in over a decade-long series of drug trafficking offenses. However, between at least December 2022 and August 2023, Llobani engaged in continuous drug trafficking. Specifically, according to court documents, Figueroa was the primary conduit among multiple Californian and Mexico-based sources of supply and broker/distributors in the District of Utah. Figueroa admitted that he regularly obtained methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. He then caused those controlled substances to be transported to Utah by courier, and he maintained various locations in which the controlled substances were stored and sold. His drug trafficking enterprise involved five or more people, including his co-defendants and others. See prior press release here: Utah Fugitive and Alleged Drug Trafficking Ringleader Among 28 Defendants Charged in Major Multi-Agency Operation.

    Llobani further admitted his role in the drug trafficking organization was as a manager or supervisor and he recruited other participants and organized couriers to distribute controlled substances on his behalf. He then delegated other responsibilities to his coconspirators and admitted his organization could not have functioned without the involvement and assistance of these others.

    In addition to Figueroa’s prior convictions, he is the subject of three pending criminal cases with the state of Utah. The pending charges include, but are not limited to, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a first degree felony; distribution of methamphetamine, a federal class A felony; and manslaughter, a second degree felony.

    “As a decades-long drug-trafficker, Mr. Figueroa has been a threat and danger to the people of our state,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah. “His well-deserved decades-long sentence will serve as a reminder that those who peddle poison into our communities in violation of federal law for their own financial gain will face justice and forfeit their ill-gotten gains.”

    “An individual struggling with substance abuse isn’t just a statistic. It’s someone’s son, daughter, a friend. Too many families have been devastated by an epidemic that Mr. Figueroa directly contributed to,” said Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Drugs and violent crime go hand-in-hand. The FBI is committed to dismantling criminal organizations in our steadfast effort to keep our communities safe.”

    “This operation exemplifies the dedication and skill of our street crimes unit,” said West Valley City Police Chief, Colleen Jacobs. “Their meticulous investigation was key in the arrest of a significant drug trafficker, and led to the dismantling of a major source of illicit drugs in our state. This success underscores our unwavering commitment to public safety and the relentless pursuit of those who endanger our neighborhoods.”

    The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Safe Streets Violent Task Force and West Valley City Police Department.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. 
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Recovers Approximately $2.5 Million of Cryptocurrency Involved in Fraudulent Confidence Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – United States District Court Judge Amir H. Ali has ordered forfeiture of approximately $2.5 million worth of virtual currency involved in cryptocurrency confidence schemes to the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Chief John Lynch of the Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section of the Department of Justice, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the San Diego Field Office.

                “Whether they are in our district’s streets or hiding behind a computer screen abroad, the United States will continue to hold fraudsters and grifters responsible, seize money they scam from hardworking Americans, and use our authority to compensate victims,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro.

                “Cryptocurrency confidence schemes defraud and manipulate vulnerable victims into losing devastating amounts of money,” said Moy of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office. “We hope today’s announcement brings a measure of justice to the victims and serves as a reminder, the FBI will hold fraudsters accountable, no matter where they are located.”

                Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and fraud scams – should contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov.

                In this case and others, the United States of America utilizes asset forfeiture to punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities; to promote and enhance cooperation among federal and foreign law enforcement agencies; and most importantly, to recover assets that may be used to compensate victims. For more information, please visit https://www.justice.gov/afp.

                This matter was investigated by the FBI San Diego Field Office. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and FBI’s Virtual Asset Unit provided valuable assistance. The Department of Justice would like to acknowledge Tether for its assistance in effectuating the transfer of these assets.

               This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Blaylock Jr., Asset Forfeiture Coordinator, and Kevin Rosenberg, Acting Deputy Chief of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia—along with Trial Attorney Stefanie Schwartz and Gaelin Bernstein from the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Department of Justice. Supervisory Paralegal Gina Torres provided valuable assistance.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendant Convicted in Armed Assault Gets 18 Year Prison Term

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Aaron Brown, 29, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in Superior Court to 18 years in prison for assault with intent to kill (while armed) stemming from the killing of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes in March of 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven J. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, ATF Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Brown also pleaded guilty to the assault with intent to kill charge on December 20, 2024, before Judge Rainey Brandt. Brown’s charge stemmed from his participation in a shooting after Lukes’s homicide. Previously, a jury found three of Brown’s co-defendants, Stephon Nelson, Tyiion Freeman and Koran Jackson—guilty of first-degree murder while armed, several counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, conspiracy to commit various firearms offenses and other firearms-related charges.  Freeman received 108 years; Jackson was sentenced to 164 years in prison while Nelson received 108 ½ years of incarceration.

                Between February 1, 2020, and May 31, 2020, the defendants, along with one other defendant (whose case was severed pre-trial and will be tried in August 2025), participated in a conspiracy to illegally possess, carry, and transfer firearms for the purpose of using those firearms in the commission of dangerous and violent crimes. Jackson, Freeman, Nelson along with Brown and the severed defendant, are members and associates of neighborhood crews. Between 2019-2020, the defendants’ neighborhood crews were feuding with other crews and the feud escalated when Tahlil Byrd, also known as Slatt Goon, was killed in September 2019.

                On March 1, 2020, Brown along with his co-defendants (Jackson, Freeman and the severed co-defendant) participated in two shootings in two separate neighborhoods over the span of 10 minutes. At 2:08 p.m., the defendants, who were traveling in a stolen Kia Soul, followed 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, along with his three friends, into the Ninth Street area of the 600 block of S Street, N.W., where two defendants exited the Kia Soul and opened fire on them. Malachi Lukes was shot in the back as he fled. The bullet traveled through his heart and lung causing him to collapse to his death. Brown remained in the car while the shooting took place. The defendants then traveled to another neighborhood where members of the rival crew were known to gather and at 2:18 p.m., opened fire on individuals in that block. No injuries were reported in that shooting spree. Brown was one of the shooters. 

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Jensen, ATF Special Agent in Charge Spotswood and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the MPD and ATF along with the Arlington County Police Department. They also thanked the Arlington County Sheriff Department; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Capitol Police; D.C. Department of Forensic Sciences; DOJ Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section; Montgomery County Police Department; D.C. Department of Corrections; and the Internal Revenue Service—Atlanta Branch. 

                They also commended the efforts of those who provided assistance with the case including Lead Paralegal Sharon Newman, Supervisory Paralegal Tasha Harris, Paralegals April Urbanowski and Alyssa Schroeder, former Superior Court Operations Manager Linda McDonald, and Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen. They acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Jackson, Tamara Rubb, and Nebiyu Feleke, who prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Sentenced for Torching His Car on U.S. Capitol Grounds as Former President Carter Laid in State

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Adrian J. Hinton, 36, of Lorton, Virginia, was sentenced today to one year of supervised release, plus 125 hours of community service, for setting his car ablaze with “napalm” on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police.

                Hinton pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta to a charge of destruction of government property.

                According to court documents, on January 8, 2025, Hinton drove his vehicle from Virginia into Washington, D.C., arriving shortly before 5 p.m. on U.S. Capitol Grounds. Hinton parked on First Street NW between Pennsylvania Avenue and Maryland Avenue near the memorial to Ulysses S Grant.

                Several minutes later, he removed a bottle containing an unknown liquid from his car. He spread the liquid on the top of the vehicle and ignited it. Bystanders reported the burning car to the U.S. Capitol Police. Along with USCP officers, agents responded from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives.

                Bomb technicians rendered the scene safe. Officers found no explosives or accelerants in the vehicle but found matches, a bottle, and a knife adjacent to the vehicle. After waiving his Miranda rights and agreeing to speak with law enforcement, Hinton told agents he had developed a plan to set his vehicle on fire near the U.S. Capitol to draw attention to his displeasure with the recent election results. Hinton said he had researched how to make homemade napalm with a mixture of household fluids.

                On January 8, 2025, President Carter was laying in state at the Capitol Rotunda and numerous elected officials were visiting the Capitol Rotunda.

                This case was investigated by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the FBI Washington Field Office. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder and Assault Gets Shooter 29 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Guy Johnson, 57, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 29 years in prison for the 2020 murder of Kriston Robinson, 28, in Southeast Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                On March 10, 2025, a jury found Johnson guilty of one count each of second-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.  Superior Court Judge Danya A. Dayson presided over the trial and today’s sentencing.  The 29-year sentence includes 10 years for assault with the intent to kill while armed committed against the surviving victim.

                According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 3:17 a.m., on March 25, 2020, defendant Johnson shot multiple times into a white Kia Forte occupied by 28-year-old Kriston Robinson and the surviving victim. One of the shots struck Robinson in the head killing her nearly instantly. The surviving victim fled from the car and escaped injury.

               This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including former Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Kimak.

               It was tried and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory Evans and Anthony Cocuzza.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Texas Residents Operating a Visa Racket Indicted for Visa Fraud, Money Laundering, and RICO Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Two Texas residents, Abdul Hadi Murshid, 39, and Muhammad Salman Nasir, 35, both originally from Pakistan, a law firm, and a business entity were charged by indictment with conspiracy to defraud the United States, visa fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) conspiracy, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.  Murshid and Nasir were also charged with unlawfully obtaining and attempting to obtain United States citizenship.

    According to the indictment, Abdul Hadi Murshid, Muhammad Salman Nasir, the Law Offices of D. Robert Jones PLLC, and Reliable Ventures, Inc. engaged in a scheme to commit visa fraud to enrich themselves and others, and to cause individuals to fraudulently obtain entry into and immigration status in the United States.  It is alleged that Murshid, Nasir, and others submitted and caused to be submitted false and fraudulent visa applications for individuals who were not United States citizens (hereinafter referred to as “visa seekers”), and applications to adjust status of the visa seekers so the visa seekers could enter and remain in the United States.

    “These defendants are charged with engaging in extensive measures to hide a massive, multi-year, immigration fraud scheme through which they reaped substantial personal financial gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham.  “Pursuing criminal charges to deter and punish this type of flagrant disregard for the lawful immigration process is a top priority of this Office.”

    “The defendants allegedly oversaw an international criminal enterprise for years that repeatedly undermined our nation’s immigration laws. These laws are necessary to protect national security and safeguard the lawful immigration process,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will hold any individual accountable that misuses their position of trust for personal profit.” 

    As part of the scheme, the indictment alleges that the defendants exploited the EB-2, EB-3, and H-1B visa programs.  Specifically, the defendants caused classified advertisements to be placed in a daily periodical for non-existent jobs.  These advertisements were placed in order to satisfy a Department of Labor (“DOL”) requirement to offer the position to United States citizens before hiring foreign nationals.  Once they received the fraudulently obtained certification for from the Department of Labor, the defendants filed a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to obtain an immigrant visa for the visa seekers.  At the time the petitions were submitted, the defendants also submitted an application for legal permanent residence so that the visa seekers could also obtain a green card.  According to the indictment, to make the non-existent jobs look legitimate, the defendants received payment from visa seekers, then returned a portion of the money back to the visa seekers as purported payroll. 

    The defendants made their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rebecca Rutherford on May 23, 2025, and the government moved for their detention. The detention hearings are scheduled for May 30, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian McKay.
    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  Like all defendants, Murshid, Nasir, and the business entities are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

    If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison.  Murshid faces denaturalization if convicted of unlawfully obtaining and attempting to obtain his United States citizenship.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.  The Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General provided significant assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Hocter, Tiffany H. Eggers, and Jongwoo Chung are prosecuting the case.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: The United States Attorney’s Office and City of Spokane Announce Appointment of a Special Assistant United States Attorney to Prosecute Drug Trafficking in the City of Spokane

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – The United States’s Attorney’s Office and the City of Spokane jointly announced today the appointment of a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) for the Eastern District of Washington. The SAUSA, Annika Tangvald, will prosecute cases in federal court relating to illegal narcotics impacting the City of Spokane. Ms. Tangvald was sworn into office by Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker on May 19, 2025.

    In making this announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Barker reiterated his office’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic. “We see the impact of fentanyl and other drugs in almost every case we prosecute – including violent crime, firearms trafficking, prosecution of transnational gangs and cartels, and even in some of our fraud and human trafficking cases.  Having a dedicated prosecutor for these cases allows the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring more cases specifically focused on the City of Spokane.  SAUSA Tangvald, who I worked with as an AUSA in this office, is a talented lawyer and she will be working with some of the finest prosecutors in the United States to ensure those who distribute large amounts of drugs into the Spokane community are held responsible.”  Acting U.S. Attorney Barker added, “I am so grateful to the City for their collaboration to make this joint vision a reality.”

    “The City of Spokane Prosecutor’s Office is committed to a multi-prong approach to end the fentanyl epidemic our community faces,” stated Justin Bingham, Prosecutor for the City of Spokane. “Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office will greatly strengthen our current efforts to hold drug-related offenders accountable. I’m excited to see the positive impacts this joint position will bring to Spokane.”

    “Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tangvald will help fill a critical gap in our system. Her role in prosecuting fentanyl-related crimes is a vital step forward in our fight against the opioid crisis,” Mayor Lisa Brown said. “With dedicated resources and sharper focus, this move will protect our community, hold traffickers accountable, and ultimately save lives.”

    (L to R: City of Spokane Prosecutor Justin Bingham, Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown, Acting U.S Attorney Richard Barker)

    SAUSA Tangvald is a Spokane native with deep roots in Eastern Washington. Since 2023, Tangvald has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County where she prosecuted criminal cases in Spokane County Superior Court. Prior to her time as a county prosecutor, Tangvald was a law clerk at the U.S Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington. She is a graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law.

    “I am honored to be returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and to serve in this unique role,” stated SAUSA Tangvald. “Becoming a federal prosecutor has been a dream of mine, and I look forward to working with the City and with the United States Attorney’s Office to improving public safety in the city I love.”   

    About the U.S. Attorney’s Office

    The United States Attorney’s Office is responsible for representing the federal government in almost all litigation involving the United States in the Eastern District of Washington, which is comprised of the 20 Washington counties east of the Cascade Mountains. The U.S. Attorney’s Office handles all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, as well as civil lawsuits by and against the U.S. government. It is the mission and the pledge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to represent the United States with determination, professionalism, and integrity. The District’s headquarters is located in Spokane, Washington, with branch offices in Richland and Yakima.

    About the City of Spokane

    The City of Spokane, home to more than 229,000 people, is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. Our 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. For more information, visit www.spokanecity.org and follow us @spokanecity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    The Spokane City Council unanimously approved funding for the SAUSA position in late 2024. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 14 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Arnoldo Oswaldo Vargas-Samayoa, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced in federal court today to ­14 years in prison for managing a cocaine trafficking organization that smuggled more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine into the United States from Guatemala.

    Following his surrender to U.S. authorities in June 2024 at Los Angeles International Airport, Vargas-Samayoa pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to import cocaine that were filed in January 2020.

    In imposing sentence, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo noted that Vargas-Samayoa was a “manager of a very extensive international drug ring” and money laundering effort who did not make a “mistake” but rather “chose a lifestyle.”

    Vargas admitted he sourced the cocaine from two different Guatemalan suppliers and coordinated delivery to a Mexico-based drug trafficker. Vargas and the Mexico-based trafficker arranged for the drugs to be hidden in vehicles and smuggled into the United States through ports of entry in Southern California and Southern Texas.

    Vargas, whose communications were being intercepted by law enforcement, messaged with the trafficker while cocaine loads were being moved into the United States to confirm the drugs were successfully smuggled. Once in the United States, some of that cocaine was moved to the Chicago area for further distribution. Vargas received a commission of $1,000 U.S. dollars for each kilogram of cocaine he delivered to the Mexico-based trafficker.

    “Cocaine continues to be a dangerous and highly addictive drug with devastating consequences for individuals and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We remain committed to dismantling the entire supply chain—from powerful cartel leaders to street-level dealers—and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.”

    “This sentencing sends the message that those who traffic dangerous drugs into our country will be held accountable,” said Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “Thanks to the outstanding investigative work and strong domestic and international law enforcement partnerships, we were able to disrupt a key supply line of a major drug trafficking network. We remain committed to targeting high-level drug trafficking organizations and keeping deadly narcotics, like cocaine, out of our communities.”

    The U.S. Attorney’s office has previously convicted, and the court has sentenced, multiple couriers attempting to smuggle narcotics for the same drug trafficking organization as well as individuals engaged in related money laundering efforts (see list below). Through the related investigation of this matter, law enforcement has seized more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, more than $2 million in bulk currency, and firearms.     

    Vargas’ father, Arnoldo Vargas Estrada, is the former mayor of Zacapa, Guatemala who was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of New York in Case No. 90cr00855-SJF of five counts related to the importation of narcotics. He was sentenced to 365-months in custody. Vargas Estrada was one of the first Guatemalan drug traffickers to be extradited to the United States in the early 1990’s. He was released in 2017, returned to Guatemala, and then reelected as mayor of Zacapa holding that position until 2024.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Casper.

    DEFENDANT                                             Case Number 20CR00240-CAB                            

    Arnoldo Oswaldo Vargas-Samayoa, aka “Lalo”, aka “Pedrito”   Age: 50       Zacapa, Guatemala

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 960 and 963

    Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years and up to life in prison

    RELATED SENTENCES

    Case No. 17cr648-GPC

    Defendant/Conviction Charge/Custodial Sentence                                       

    Walter Rovidio Ipina

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1), 846)

    50 months

    Zachary Vasquez

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1), 846)

    66 months

    Juan Angel Mexicano

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1), 846)

    135 months

    Luis Fernandez Oliva-Campos (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1956(h))                                                                   

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments

    31 months

    David Castaneda-Solis   

    Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments (18 U.S.C. Sec. 1956(h))                                                                       70 months

    Jacob Castillo-Lopez

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1), 846)                                                                           33 months

    Case No. 18cr4414-GPC

    Melchor Cardenas

    Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

    60 months

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    Homeland Security Investigations

    Customs and Border Protection

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 134 Border-Related Cases This Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 134 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).

    In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.

    A sample of border-related arrests this week:

    • On May 16, Elizabeth Janeth Ramirez-Martinez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Ramirez-Martinez was stopped at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry by Customs and Border Protection officers, who found a Vietnamese national crammed into a compartment in the dash of her vehicle. The undocumented immigrant told officers that before they made their way to the border, the defendant had placed him in the compartment and secured it using screws.
    • On May 19, Fernanda Barrios Monzon, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested and charged with Bringing in Unlawful Aliens without Presentation and Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, the defendant drove her vehicle through the San Ysidro Port of Entry but was stopped when a Customs and Border Protection officer noticed a man lying on the floor of the vehicle, under the feet of the defendant’s children. The officer further discovered 271 pounds of methamphetamine hidden throughout the vehicle.
    • On May 20, Gustavo Hernandez Oliveros, was arrested and charged with Deported Alien Found in the U.S. According to a complaint, Border Patrol agents located Hernandez Oliveros hiding in brush about two miles north of the border and two miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. He was previously deported in November 2018.

    Also recently, a number of defendants with criminal records were convicted by a jury or sentenced for border-related crimes such as illegally re-entering the U.S. after previous deportation. Here are a few of those cases:

    • On May 23, Jair Valdez-Hernandez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of felony attempted carjacking in 2017, was sentenced in federal court to 10 months in custody for illegally entering the U.S. After illegally reentering the U.S., in July 2024, Valdez-Hernandez was convicted of corporal injury to a spouse/cohabitant and within the two months following that conviction was arrested twice for violating domestic violence protective orders.
    • On May 23, Rogelio Herrera-Rodriguez, a Mexican national who was previously convicted of voluntary manslaughter and corporal injury to a spouse causing great bodily injury and removed from the United States, was sentenced in federal court to 24 months for again reentering the U.S. illegally.
    • On May 23, Sacramento Sagrero-Pahua, a Mexican national, was sentenced in federal court to 36 months in custody for bringing aliens to the United States for financial gain. On August 26, 2023, Sagrero-Pahua guided a group of eight illegal aliens into the United States near Otay Mountain before being caught by Border Patrol agents. Among the group Sagrero-Pahua guided was an armed guard, who brought a gun with him to protect the group as it traveled toward the U.S.-Mexico border.
    • On May 19, 2025, Oscar Eduardo Audelo-Rodriguez, a Mexican national, who admitted to fleeing border patrol agents by boat in Mission Bay, was sentenced in federal court to 8 months in custody for alien smuggling.

    Pursuant to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities, federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.

    The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE investigation leads to indictment of 8 individuals with ties to China in transnational elder fraud scheme

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A federal indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Providence charges eight individuals for their roles in orchestrating and executing an elaborate transnational fraud and money laundering scheme targeting elderly citizens in the United States and Canada.

    The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-led investigation identified approximately 300 individuals in at least 37 states who have been defrauded. At this time, victims are estimated to have suffered known losses exceeding $5 million. However, investigators have identified a bank account through which approximately $16 million in additional suspected fraud funds appear to have been laundered.

    According to the charging documents, members of the conspiracy sent pop-up messages to seniors’ computers, often styled to appear as if they were originating from a well-known technology company. The messages contained various false claims, including that that the victims’ financial accounts had been compromised, that their computers had been hacked, or that the victims had been identified as the target of a criminal investigation.

    The pop-up message contained information that directed victims to call a “live agent,” who informed the victims that their financial assets were at risk or could be garnished, but the agent could assist in protecting their assets. During a series of calls, victims were connected with others who falsely claimed to be “representatives” of the victim’s financial institutions or government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Reserve Bank. Those “representatives” were, in fact, members of the conspiracy.

    During these calls, some victims were instructed that, in order to protect their assets, they should initiate a transfer of their funds from their accounts via wire transfers and cryptocurrency transfers to accounts controlled by agencies the scammers purportedly represented. Other victims were told to withdraw their funds in cash, purchase gold bars and turn them over to a purported government courier who would come to their home for transfer to a secure government location. Still others were told to simply turn the cash over to a courier for safe keeping by the government.

    The indictment charges:

    • Nanjun Song 27, of Brooklyn, New York, a Chinese national who has allegedly overstayed a B2 visa, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. ICE Homeland Security Investigations Las Vegas arrested the defendant. He is detained in federal custody in Rhode Island.
    • Jirui Liu, 23, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, a citizen of China and Canada, whose U.S. visa has expired, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. HSI Providence arrested the defendant with assistance from the Connecticut State Police and Narragansett Police Department. He is detained in federal custody in Rhode Island.
    • Xiang Li, 37, of Flushing, New York, a Chinese national and with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. HSI Providence with HSI New York and the New York City Police Department arrested the defendant. He was detained in New York and is being transferred to Rhode Island.
    • Xuehai Sun, 37, of Flushing New York, a Chinese national, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. HSI Providence with HSI New York and the NYPD arrested the defendant and he appeared that day in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
    • Fangzheng Wang, 24, of Westborough, Massachusetts, a Chinese national, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. HSI Providence with HSI New England arrested the defendant and he is detained in federal custody in Rhode Island.
    • Cynthia Jia Sun, 25, of Houston, Texas, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. HSI Houston with the Texas Department of Public Safety and is in federal custody in Houston arrested the defendant. She is awaiting transfer to Rhode Island.
    • Zhenyang Xin, 25, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, a Chinese national, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. An arrest warrant has been issued for the defendant.
    • Wing Kit Ho, 22, of Markham, Ontario, Canada, a Canadian citizen born in Hong Kong, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. An arrest warrant has been issued for the defendant.

    A federal indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    HSI Providence and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation led the investigation with assistance from and HSI New England, HSI New York, HSI Houston, and HSI Los Angeles, the Narragansett Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, New York Police Department, Connecticut State Police. The United States Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of New York and Southern District of Texas provided valuable assistance.

    This investigation is an initiative of the Rhode Island Homeland Security Task Force, a multiagency task force focused on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Whangārei

    Source: New Zealand Police

    One person has died after a truck collided with a power pole in Whangārei overnight.

    The crash, at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ewing Road, was reported to Police at 1.25am today.

    The driver of the truck was the sole occupant.

    Enquiries are under way into the circumstances of the crash.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oyster Enterprises II Acquisition Corp Completes Upsized $253,000,000 Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Miami, Florida, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oyster Enterprises II Acquisition Corp (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: OYSEU) announced today the closing of its upsized initial public offering of 25,300,000 units, which includes 3,300,000 units issued pursuant to the full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option. The offering was priced at $10.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $253,000,000. 

    The Company’s units began trading on May 22, 2025 on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the ticker symbol “OYSEU.” Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share of the Company and one right (the “Share Right”) to receive one tenth (1/10) of one Class A ordinary share of the Company upon the consummation of an initial business combination. Once the securities constituting the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and Share Rights are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “OYSE” and “OYSER,” respectively.

    Of the proceeds received from the consummation of the initial public offering (including the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters) and a simultaneous private placement of units, $253,000,000 (or $10.00 per unit sold in the offering) was placed in a trust account of the Company.

    The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business, industry, sector or geographical location, but is focused on industries that align with the background of the Company’s management team and advisor, including technology, media, entertainment, sports, consumer products, financial services, real estate and hospitality. The Company will also focus on AI companies positioned to complement or disrupt those industries, as well as companies within the digital assets and blockchain ecosystem.

    The Company’s management team is led by Mario Zarazua, its Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman, and Heath Freeman, its Chairman. In addition, the Board includes Divya Narendra, Lief Haniford and Jordan Fliegel. Randall D. Smith is an Advisor to the Company, and Mike Rollins is the Chief Financial Officer.

    BTIG, LLC acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    Registration statements relating to the securities were declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 21, 2025. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the initial public offering and the simultaneous private placement, and the search for an initial business combination. No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. Copies of these documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Company Contact:

    Oyster Enterprises II Acquisition Corp
    801 Brickell Avenue, 8th Floor
    Miami, Florida, 33131
    Attn: Mario Zarazua, CEO and Vice Chairman
    mario@oysteracquisition.com
    (786) 744-7720
    www.oysteracquisition.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Jayud Global Logistics Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Notification Letter Regarding Minimum Bid Price Deficiency

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jayud Global Logistics Limited (NASDAQ: JYD) (“Jayud” or the “Company”), a leading end-to-end supply chain solution provider based in Shenzhen, specializing in cross-border logistics, today announced that it received a notification letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on May 15, 2025 notifying that the Company is not currently in compliance with the minimum bid price requirement set forth in Nasdaq’s Listing Rules for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as the closing bid price for the Company’s ordinary shares listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market was below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires listed securities to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share, and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A) provides that a failure to meet the minimum bid price requirement exists if the deficiency continues for a period of 30 consecutive business days. The Notice provides that the Company has a period of 180 calendar days from the date of the Notice, or until November 11, 2025, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement.

    This press release is issued pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification. The receipt of the Notice has no immediate effect on the Company’s business operations or the listing of the Company’s ordinary shares, which will continue to trade uninterrupted on the Nasdaq under the ticker “JYD.” Pursuant to the Notice, the Company has until November 11, 2025 to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, during which time the Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. If at any time before November 11, 2025, the bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares closes at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide written confirmation of compliance to the Company. In the event that the Company does not regain compliance by November 11, 2025, the Company may be eligible for additional time to regain compliance or may face delisting.

    About Jayud Global Logistics Limited

    Jayud Global Logistics Limited is one of the leading Shenzhen-based end-to-end supply chain solution providers in China, focusing on cross-border logistics services. Headquartered in Shenzhen, the Company benefits from the unique geographical advantages of providing a high degree of support for ocean, air, and overland logistics. The Company has established a global operation nexus featuring logistic facilities throughout major transportation hubs in China and globally, with footprints in 12 provinces in Mainland China and 16 countries across six continents. Jayud offers a comprehensive range of cross-border supply chain solution services, including freight forwarding, supply chain management, and other value-added services. With its strong service capabilities and research and development capabilities in proprietary IT systems, the Company provides customized and efficient logistics solutions and develops long-standing customer relationships. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://ir.jayud.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “estimate”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “is/are likely to”, “potential”, “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Jayud Global Logistics Limited
    Investor Relations Department
    Email: ir@jayud.com 

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matthew Abenante, IRC
    President
    Strategic Investor Relations, LLC
    Tel: 347-947-2093
    Email: matthew@strategic-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces May 2025 Cash Distributions for ETF Series Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint Partners”) today announced the May 2025 cash distributions for its ETF Series securities. The record date for the distributions is May 30, 2025. All distributions are payable on June 6, 2025.

    The per-unit May 2025 distributions are detailed below:


    About Ninepoint Partners

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    Please note that distribution factors (breakdown between income, capital gains and return of capital) can only be calculated when a fund has reached its year-end. Distribution information should not be relied upon for income tax reporting purposes as this is only a component of total distributions for the year. For accurate distribution amounts for the purpose of filing an income tax return, please refer to the appropriate T3/T5 slips for that particular taxation year. Please refer to the prospectus or offering memorandum of each Fund for details of the Fund’s distribution policy.

    The payment of distributions and distribution breakdown, if applicable, is not guaranteed and may fluctuate. The payment of distributions should not be confused with a Fund’s performance, rate of return, or yield. If distributions paid by the Fund are greater than the performance of the Fund, then an investor’s original investment will shrink. Distributions paid as a result of capital gains realized by a Fund and income and dividends earned by a Fund are taxable in the year they are paid. An investor’s adjusted cost base will be reduced by the amount of any returns of capital. If an investor’s adjusted cost base goes below zero, then capital gains tax will have to be paid on the amount below zero.

    Sales Inquiries:

    Ninepoint Partners LP
    Neil Ross
    416-945-6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Magnetic North Acquisition Corp. Provides Bi-Weekly Update on Status of Management Cease Trade Order

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta and TORONTO, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Magnetic North Acquisition Corp. (TSXV: MNC; MNC.PR.A) (“Magnetic North” or the “Company”) is providing this bi-weekly update on the status of the management cease trade order granted on May 9, 2025 (the “MCTO”) by its principal regulator, the Alberta Securities Commission, under National Policy 12-203 – Management Cease Trade Orders (“NP 12-203”), following the Company’s announcement on May 8, 2025 (the “Default Announcement”) that it was unable to file its audited annual financial statements, ‎management’s discussion and analysis and related certifications for the year ended December ‎‎31, 2024 (the “Documents”) ‎on or before April 30, 2025, as required under applicable securities laws. The Company still expects to file the Documents by June 30, 2025.

    There are no material changes to the information contained in the Default Announcement. In addition: (i) the Company is satisfying and confirms that it intends to continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203 and issue bi-weekly default status reports for so long as the delay in filing the Documents is continuing, each of which will be issued in the form of a press release; (ii) the Company does not have any information at this time regarding any anticipated specified default subsequent to the default in filing the Documents; (iii) the Company is not subject to any insolvency proceedings; and (iv) there is no material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

    About Magnetic North Acquisition Corp.

    Magnetic North invests and manages businesses on behalf of its shareholders and believes that capital alone does not always lead to success. With offices in Calgary and Toronto, our experienced management team applies its considerable management, operations and capital markets expertise to ensure its investee companies are as successful as possible for shareholders. Magnetic North common shares and preferred shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the stock symbol MNC and MNC.PR.A, respectively. The TSX Venture recently announced that Magnetic North is a “2021 TSX Venture 50” recipient. For more information about Magnetic North, visit its website at www.magneticnac.com. Magnetic North’s securities filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com.

    For further information, please contact:


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

    CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

    Certain statements in this news release are “forward-looking statements”, which reflect current ‎expectations of the ‎management of Magnetic North regarding future events or Magnetic North’s ‎future performance. All statements other than ‎statements of historical fact contained in this news ‎release may be forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking ‎‎statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause ‎actual results or ‎events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking ‎statements. Magnetic North believes that the ‎expectations reflected in such forward-looking ‎statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these ‎expectations will prove to ‎be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The ‎forward-‎looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The ‎forward-‎looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and Magnetic North ‎assumes no obligation to update or ‎revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except ‎as expressly required by applicable securities law. ‎Further information regarding risks and ‎uncertainties relating to Magnetic North and its securities can be found in the ‎disclosure ‎documents filed by Magnetic North with the securities regulatory authorities, available at ‎www.sedar.com.‎

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Deploys Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security

    Source: The White House

    DEPLOYING NUCLEAR REACTORS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to rapidly deploy advanced nuclear technologies to support national security objectives, including powering artificial intelligence (AI) computing infrastructure and national security installations.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of the Army to establish a program of record to build a nuclear reactor at a domestic military installation to commence operations within the next three years.
    • The Order directs the Secretary of Energy to designate AI data centers, located at or operated in coordination with Department of Energy (DOE) facilities, as critical defense facilities, and the nuclear reactors powering them as defense critical electric infrastructure.
    • The Secretary of Energy will designate DOE sites, and work with the private sector, to deploy advanced nuclear technology to power AI infrastructure and meet other national security objectives within 30 months.
    • The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and the Secretaries of the military departments, is tasked with making legislative and regulatory recommendations regarding the operation of advanced nuclear reactors on military installations.

    SUPPORTING NUCLEAR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR: President Trump is taking comprehensive actions to remove government barriers to private sector investment and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies at Federal sites.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of Energy to release at least 20 metric tons of high-assay low-enriched uranium into a readily available fuel bank for private sector projects operating nuclear reactors to power AI infrastructure at DOE sites.
    • The Secretaries of Energy and Defense shall utilize their authorities to enable the construction and operation of privately-funded nuclear fuel recycling, reprocessing, and fabrication capabilities at Federal sites.
    • The Order directs the Secretaries of Energy and Defense to explore using categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act for the construction of advanced nuclear reactor technologies on Federal sites.
    • Federal departments will prioritize the issuance of security clearances to support the rapid distribution and use of nuclear energy and fuel cycle technologies.

    PROMOTING AMERICAN NUCLEAR EXPORTS: President Trump is fully leveraging the resources of the Federal government to promote the U.S. nuclear industry in the development of commercial civil nuclear projects worldwide.

    • The Order tasks the Secretary of State or his delegee to lead diplomatic engagement and negotiations for agreements under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act to enable the U.S. nuclear industry to access new markets in partner countries.
    • Within 90 days, the Federal government will produce strategies to:
      • Increase financing for U.S. nuclear projects and promote nuclear trade; and
      • Make financial and technical support available to support foreign adoption of nuclear energy.
    • The Order directs the Secretary of State to implement a program to enhance the global competitiveness of American nuclear companies by expediting agreements and removing burdens on American exports.

    POWERING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND NATIONAL SECURITY SYSTEMS: President Trump recognizes the need to power and operate critical defense facilities and computing infrastructure for AI capabilities.

    •  Military installations, including those in locations that are not well-served by other types of power due to complex supply chains required to reach them, require uninterruptible, dispatchable, high-density power of the type that advanced nuclear reactors can provide because of their unique size and generation capabilities. This is critical for readiness and national security.
    • The Federal Government’s advanced computing AI infrastructure will require a substantial increase in scalable power solutions, which advanced nuclear reactors are well-positioned to provide. This will ensure our technological supremacy in the emerging technologies of both AI and nuclear power.
    • By empowering the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to expand utilization of advanced nuclear power and instructing each to reduce regulatory red tape hampering use of nuclear power at their sites, this Order enhances our national security and reduces reliance on foreign sources of energy for our military and AI operations.
    • 87% of new reactor builds worldwide are based on foreign designs, and the majority of the world’s nuclear fuel comes from foreign sources. By instructing the Department of State and other agencies to aggressively pursue export opportunities, this Order will strengthen our relationships with our allies and disrupt potential industry control by adversaries.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in supporting all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.
    • Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Captivision Receives Notification from Nasdaq Related to Delayed Annual Report on Form 20-F

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Captivision Inc. (“Captivision” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CAPT), a pioneering manufacturer and global LED solution provider, today announced that it received a letter (the “Letter”) on May 22, 2025, from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) because it has not yet filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the period ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 20-F”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Letter is only a notification of deficiency, not of imminent delisting, and has no current effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Letter is in addition to previously disclosed letters regarding the Company’s non-compliance with Nasdaq’s continued listing standards related to market value of publicly held shares, minimum bid price, and market value of listed securities.

    In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company has 60 calendar days (until July 21, 2025) to submit a plan to regain compliance. If Nasdaq accepts the Company’s plan, Nasdaq can grant an exception of up to 180 calendar days from the due date of the Form 20-F, or until November 11, 2025, to regain compliance. However, there can be no assurance that Nasdaq will accept the Company’s plan to regain compliance or that the Company will be able to regain compliance within any extension period granted by Nasdaq. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s plan, the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a Hearing Panel under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5815(a). If the Company fails to timely regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, the securities of the Company will be subject to delisting on Nasdaq.

    The Company is continuing to work diligently to finalize and file the Form 20-F as soon as possible within the timeline prescribed by Nasdaq. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to file the Form 20-F within any applicable cure period.

    This announcement is made in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification.

    About Captivision

    Captivision is a pioneering manufacturer of media glass, combining IT building material and architectural glass. The product has a boundless array of applications including entertainment media, information media, cultural and artistic content as well as marketing use cases. Captivision can transform any glass façade into a transparent media screen with real time live stream capability. Captivision is fast becoming a solution provider across the LED product spectrum.

    Captivision’s media glass and solutions have been implemented in hundreds of locations globally across sports stadiums, entertainment venues, casinos and hotels, convention centers, office and retail properties and airports. Learn more at http://www.captivision.com/.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to expectations for future financial performance, business strategies, or expectations for the Company’s respective businesses. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of the management of the Company. Although the Company believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that it will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts, and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this press release, words such as “believe”, “can”, “continue”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “will” or the negative of such terms, and similar expressions, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

    The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability to raise financing in the future and to comply with restrictive covenants related to indebtedness; (2) the ability to realize the benefits expected from the business combination and the Company’s strategic direction; (3) the significant market adoption, demand and opportunities in the construction and digital out of home media industries for the Company’s products; (4) the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s ordinary shares and warrants on Nasdaq; (5) the ability of the Company to remain competitive in the fourth generation architectural media glass industry in the face of future technological innovations; (6) the ability of the Company to execute its international expansion strategy; (7) the ability of the Company to protect its intellectual property rights; (8) the profitability of the Company’s larger projects, which are subject to protracted sales cycles; (9) whether the raw materials, components, finished goods, and services used by the Company to manufacture its products will continue to be available and will not be subject to significant price increases; (10) the IT, vertical real estate, and large format wallscape modified regulatory restrictions or building codes; (11) the ability of the Company’s manufacturing facilities to meet their projected manufacturing costs and production capacity; (12) the future financial performance of the Company; (13) the emergence of new technologies and the response of the Company’s customer base to those technologies; (14) the ability of the Company to retain or recruit, or to effect changes required in, its officers, key employees, or directors; (15) the ability of the Company to comply with laws and regulations applicable to its business; and (16) other risks and uncertainties set forth under the section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F entitled “Risk Factors.”

    These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release and the Company’s management team’s current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company and its directors, officers, and affiliates. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company management team’s views as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update, add or to otherwise correct any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, inaccuracies that become apparent after the date hereof or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

    Investor Contact:
    Gateway Group
    Ralf Esper
    +1 949-574-3860
    CAPT@gateway-grp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Streamlines Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy

    Source: The White House

    STREAMLINING NUCLEAR REACTOR TESTING: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to reform and streamline National Laboratory processes for reactor testing at the Department of Energy.

    • The Order finds that the design, construction, and operation of advanced reactors under sufficient Department of Energy (DOE) control are, for the time being, for research purposes, and thus fall within DOE jurisdiction.
    • The Order tasks the Secretary of Energy with:
      • Issuing guidance on what counts as a qualified test reactor and taking steps to expeditiously process applications for such reactors.
      • Taking action to revise regulations, guidance, and procedures to significantly expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under DOE jurisdiction in order to enable operational test reactors within two years following a completed application.
      • Creating a pilot program for the construction and operation of at least three reactors outside of the National Laboratories, but under contract with and for the account of DOE, with the goal of achieving criticality by July 4, 2026.
      • Eliminating or expediting internal environmental review for authorizations, permits, approvals, and other activities related to reactor testing.

    FOSTERING NUCLEAR INNOVATION: President Trump is committed to re-establishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy and securing a reliable, diversified, and affordable energy supply to drive American prosperity and technological advancement.

    • While the United States led the development of civilian nuclear power through the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Reactor Testing Station (now Idaho National Laboratory), and other Federal entities, the commercial deployment of new nuclear technologies has all but stopped in recent decades.
    • Overregulation by the Federal government has stifled the domestic development and deployment of advanced reactors.
    • While the United States cultivated the effort to design and build the first Generation IV reactor for commercial use, we have since ceded the initiative to foreign nations in building these advanced reactors.
    • Advanced reactors have revolutionary potential, opening a range of new applications to support data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, hydrogen production, and other industries.
    • By maximizing DOE’s jurisdiction over next-generation nuclear technologies that are still in development, this Executive Order ensures that America’s innovators have clear pathways to create nuclear technologies that will propel economic prosperity and bolster national security.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.

    Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Reforming Nuclear Reactor Testing at the Department of Energy

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>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 led the development of civilian nuclear power through the Atomic Energy Commission, the National Reactor Testing Station (now known as Idaho National Laboratory), and several other Federal Government entities.  This work produced safe and abundant energy.  But in the decades since, commercial deployment of new nuclear technologies has all but stopped.  The Idaho National Laboratory has principal responsibility for constructing and testing new reactor designs; it concluded construction of new reactors in the 1970s.  Our proud history of innovation has succumbed to overregulated complacency.
    As I stated in Executive Order 14156 of January 20, 2025 (Declaring a National Energy Emergency), the United States needs a reliable, diversified, and affordable supply of energy to drive development of advanced technologies, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and defense industries, and to sustain modern life and national security. Nuclear energy both is vital to this effort and has never held so much promise. Decades of research and engineering have produced prototypes of advanced nuclear technologies that incorporate passive safety mechanisms, improve the physical architecture of reactor designs, increase reactor operational flexibility and performance, and reduce risk in fuel disposal.  Advanced reactors — including microreactors, small modular reactors, and Generation IV and Generation III+ reactors — have revolutionary potential.  They will open a range of new applications to support data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, healthcare, desalination, hydrogen production, and other industries.  
    The United States cultivated the effort to design and build the first Generation IV reactor for commercial use, but the Federal Government has effectively throttled the domestic deployment of advanced reactors, ceding the initiative to foreign nations in building this critical technology.  That changes today.  It is the policy of my Administration to foster nuclear innovation and bring advanced nuclear technologies into domestic production as soon as possible.
    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:
    (a)  The term “advanced reactor” has the same meaning as the term “advanced nuclear reactor” in 42 U.S.C. 16271(b)(1).
    (b)  The term “Department” means the Department of Energy.
    (c)  The term “qualified test reactor” means an advanced reactor that satisfies thresholds established by the Department sufficient to demonstrate that, from the perspective of technical development and financial backing, the reactor may feasibly be operational within 2 years from the date a substantially complete application is submitted.
    (d)  The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.
    Sec. 3.  Findings.  With some rare and arguable exceptions, no advanced reactors have yet been deployed in America.  I find that design, construction, operation, and disposition of such reactors under the auspices of the Department — and not to produce commercial electric power — would be for research purposes, rather than “for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of . . . a reactor” within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. 5842.  The purpose of testing these reactors at this stage in America’s industrial evolution is to establish fundamental technological viability.  Thus, at least for the foreseeable future, advanced reactors over which the Department exercises sufficient control and that do not produce commercial electric power, including those “under contract with and for the account of the [Department],” 42 U.S.C. 2140(a)(2), fall within the jurisdiction of the Department, which has authority to foster research and development in nuclear reactors.  Nothing in this section alters the authority or jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.
    Sec. 4.  Reforming the National Laboratory Process for Reactor Testing.  (a)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall issue guidance regarding what counts as a qualified test reactor for purposes of this order.
    (b)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall take appropriate action to revise the regulations, guidance, and procedures and practices of the Department, the National Laboratories, and any other entity under the Department’s jurisdiction to significantly expedite the review, approval, and deployment of advanced reactors under the Department’s jurisdiction.  The Secretary shall ensure that the Department’s expedited procedures enable qualified test reactors to be safely operational at Department-owned or Department-controlled facilities within 2 years following the submission of a substantially complete application.
    (c)  Upon finding that an applicant has submitted a substantially complete application for a qualified test reactor, the Secretary shall establish a team consisting of representatives from the Secretary’s office, the relevant National Laboratory or Laboratories, the Department’s Office of General Counsel, and any other entities within the Department that possess the authority to deconflict, oppose, or approve the application.  The team shall provide assistance to the applicant to ensure expeditious processing of its application.  For these purposes, each member shall report directly to the Secretary.
    (d)  The Secretary shall prioritize qualified test reactor projects for processing, as consistent with applicable law.
    Sec. 5.  Establishing a Pilot Program Outside the National Laboratories.  (a)  The Secretary shall create a pilot program for reactor construction and operation outside the National Laboratories, pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act’s authorization of reactors under the Department’s sufficient control, including reactors “under contract with and for the account of” the Department, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 2140.  The Secretary shall approve at least three reactors pursuant to this pilot program with the goal of achieving criticality in each of the three reactors by July 4, 2026.
    (b)  Upon approval of an application for this pilot program, the Secretary shall assign a team to provide assistance to the applicant as specified in subsection 4(c) of this order.
    Sec. 6.  Streamlining Environmental Reviews.  (a)  The Secretary shall, in consultation with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, take action to reform the Department’s rules governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) no later than June 30, 2025, consistent with the policies articulated in sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025 (Unleashing American Energy), and with applicable law.  
    (b)  The Secretary shall, consistent with applicable law, use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite the Department’s environmental reviews for authorizations, permits, approvals, leases, and any other activity requested by an applicant or potential applicant.  In addition to the measures outlined in section 7 of the Executive Order of May 23, 2025 (Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security), such measures shall include determining which Department functions are not subject to NEPA, creating categorical exclusions as appropriate for reactors within certain parameters (or relying on existing categorical exclusions), relying on supplemental analyses where reactors will be located on existing sites, or utilizing alternative procedures under NEPA.
    Sec. 7.  Implementation.  The Secretary shall work with the DOGE Team Lead at the Department, as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”), with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to implement this order.
    Sec. 8.  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 Energy shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Directs Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

    Source: The White House

    MODERNIZING NUCLEAR REGULATION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order directing the reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in order to reduce our dependence on foreign technologies, decrease regulatory barriers, and support our domestic nuclear industry.

    • This Order directs the NRC to complete rulemakings within 18 months to comprehensively revise its regulations and guidance documents, with a focus on balancing safety concerns with the benefits of nuclear energy for our economy and national security. The revisions will include:
      • Establishing fixed deadlines for evaluation and approval of licenses, including an 18-month deadline for construction and operation of new reactors and a 12-month deadline for continued operation of an existing reactor.
      • Adopting science-based radiation limits, instead of relying on flawed radiation exposure models.
      • Revising regulations governing compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
      • Establishing an expedited pathway for approving reactor designs that have been safely tested by the Department of Defense or Department of Energy.
      • Establishing a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including allowing for standardized applications.
      • Reconsidering regulations limiting license terms, extending those terms as appropriate.

    REALIGNING NRC CULTURE AND PERSONNEL: President Trump is directing the NRC to reform its culture and realign its organization to reflect Congress’ directive to rapidly promote nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety.

    • When licensing and regulating civilian nuclear power, the NRC is directed to consider the benefits of nuclear power to our economic and national security in addition to traditional concerns regarding safety, health, and environmental factors.
    • This Order directs a reorganization of the NRC to promote the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology.
    • The NRC will create a dedicated team to draft the new regulations directed by the Order.

    REFORMING THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION: President Trump is committed to reestablishing the United States as a global leader in nuclear energy, which will create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.

    • Since 1978, only two new nuclear reactors have begun construction and entered into commercial operation. Meanwhile, in just a single day, President Trump is signing twice as many Executive Orders to start a nuclear renaissance in the United States.
    • Due to an overly risk-averse culture that requires, for example, nuclear facilities to emit as little radiation as possible, including below naturally-occurring levels, the NRC has failed to license new reactors even as technological advances promise to make nuclear power safer, cheaper, more adaptable, and more abundant than ever. 
    • The Order establishes that U.S. policy will seek to facilitate the increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies and expand American nuclear energy capacity from around 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050.
    • Energy independence, deregulation, and reducing barriers to building infrastructure have been hallmarks of President Trump’s second term, and reforming the NRC will represent a significant milestone across these critical policy areas.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in supporting all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.
    • Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Solitron Devices, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2025 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solitron Devices, Inc. (OTC Pink: SODI) (“Solitron” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025 results. 

    FISCAL 2025 FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS –

    • Net sales decreased 22% to approximately $3.13 million in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus $4.00 million in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Net bookings increased 301% to $8.92 million in the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus $2.23 million in the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Backlog increased 62% to $18.11 million at the end of the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter as compared to $11.21 million at the end of the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.
    • Net loss was ($0.37) million, or ($0.18) per share, for the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter versus net income of $5.80 million, or $2.78 per share, for the fiscal 2024 fourth quarter.

    FISCAL YEAR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS –

    • Net sales increased 10% to approximately $14.05 million in fiscal year 2025 versus $12.76 million in fiscal year 2024.
    • Net bookings increased 62% to $20.76 million in fiscal year 2025 versus $12.84 million in fiscal year 2024.
    • Backlog increased 62% to $18.11 million at the end of fiscal year 2025 versus $11.21 million as the end of fiscal year 2024.
    • Net income decreased to $0.82 million, or $0.39 per share, in fiscal year 2025 versus $5.80 million, or $2.78 per share, in fiscal year 2024. Fiscal year 2024 net income benefited from two non-recurring events – a $2.24 million bargain purchase gain related to the acquisition of Micro Engineering, Inc. (MEI) and an income tax benefit of $3.02 million based on the release of the Company’s deferred tax valuation.

    Fiscal year 2025 results include a full year of financial information for MEI, while fiscal year 2024 only contain two full quarters of MEI’s financials based on the acquisition date of September 1, 2023.   MEI contributed $6.08 million in revenue in fiscal year 2025. 

    On a positive note, the Company had substantial bookings in the last two quarters from contracts related to the two largest defense programs we supply to. These programs typically order every 12-18 months, so we expect bookings to lag sales for next few quarters. We continue to see positive comments related to future production levels for both the AMRAAM and HIMARS programs. The CEO of RTX recently stated that AMRAAM production was scheduled to double in calendar year 2025 as compared to calendar year 2024 levels. HIMARS continues to perform well in Ukraine, and we have seen reports of possible production increases as well. Lockheed was just awarded a follow-on contract only a few months after the previous award, which should lead to a supplemental order within the next few quarters. Foreign demand for both systems is strong. Foreign sales are typically included as part of normal production orders for both programs.

    On a negative note, revenue was down in the fourth quarter due to the lag time between receipt of orders and production. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, revenue was $3.13 million. We expect soft revenues in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending May 31, 2025, and for sales to pick up at the end of the fiscal second quarter, before reaching a steadier level in the fiscal third quarter.

    We continue to see increased interest in new product development, including silicon carbide.  We have developed various prototypes for testing by potential customers and continue to be optimistic about creating additional revenue sources.

    SOLITRON DEVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
    FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2025, AND FEBRUARY 29, 2024
    (in thousands except for share and per share amounts)
                           
      For The Three
    Months Ended    		     For The Three
    Months Ended    		     For The Fiscal
    Year Ended    		     For The Fiscal
    Year Ended    		    
      February 28, 2025     February 29, 2024     February 28, 2025     February 29, 2024  
      unaudited     unaudited              
    Net sales $ 3,131     $ 4,004     $ 14,049     $ 12,757  
    Cost of sales 2,554     2,778     10,057     8,950  
                           
    Gross profit 577     1,226     3,992     3,807  
                           
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 748     858     2,994     2,873  
                           
    Operating income (loss) (171 )   368     998     934  
                           
    Other income (loss)                      
    Interest income –     4     6     29  
    Interest expense (73 )   (69 )   (272 )   (177 )
    Dividend income 30     2     70     29  
    Realized gain (loss) on investments 80     –     127     332  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on investments (62 )   166     65     (579 )
    Bargain purchase gain –     2,236     –     2,236  
    Other expense –     (46 )   –     (27 )
    Total other income (loss) (25 )   2,293     (4 )   1,843  
                           
    Net income (loss) before income tax (196 )   2,661     994     2,777  
    Income tax (expense) benefit (178 )   3,024     (178 )   3,024  
                           
    Net income (loss) $ (374 )   $ 5,685     $ 816     $ 5,801  
                           
    Net income (loss) per common share – basic and diluted $ (0.18 )   $ 2.73     $ 0.39     $ 2.78  
                           
    Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted 2,082,553     2,083,436     2,082,553     2,083,436  
                           
    SOLITRON DEVICES, INC.
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2025, AND FEBRUARY 29, 2024
    (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
           
      February 28, 2025   February 29, 2024
           
    ASSETS      
    CURRENT ASSETS      
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,099     $ 2,217  
    Marketable securities   919       904  
    Accounts receivable   2,129       2,826  
    Inventories, net   3,440       4,132  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets   132       532  
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS   10,719       10,611  
           
    Property, plant and equipment, net   8,635       7,356  
    Finance lease, right of use asset   –       1,715  
    Intangible assets   2,905       3,114  
    Deferred tax asset   1,622       1,837  
    Other assets   555       107  
    TOTAL ASSETS $ 24,436     $ 24,740  
           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    CURRENT LIABILITIES      
    Accounts payable $ 439     $ 439  
    Customer deposits   118       539  
    Accrued contingent consideration, current   570       465  
    Finance lease liability   –       1,750  
    Mortgage loan, current portion   152       111  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   846       1,080  
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES   2,125       4,384  
           
    Accrued contingent consideration, non-current   663       751  
    Mortgage loan, net of current portion   3,765       2,537  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES   6,553       7,672  
           
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 500,000 shares, none issued   –       –  
    Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, 2,082,553 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at February 28, 2025 and 2,083,436 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at February 29, 2024, respectively   21       21  
    Additional paid-in capital   1,834       1,834  
    Retained earnings   17,440       16,625  
    Less treasury stock   (1,412 )     (1,412 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   17,883       17,068  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 24,436     $ 24,740  
           

    The unaudited financial information disclosed in this press release for the three months ended February 28, 2025, is based on management’s review of operations for that period and the information available to the Company as of the date of this press release. The Company’s results included herein have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s independent auditors have audited the Company’s results for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025. The financial results presented herein should not be considered a substitute for the information filed or to be filed with the SEC in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the respective periods once such reports become available.

    About Solitron Devices, Inc.
    Solitron Devices, Inc., a Delaware corporation, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets solid state semiconductor components and related devices primarily for the military and aerospace markets. The Company manufactures a large variety of bipolar and metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) power transistors, power and control hybrids, junction and power MOS field effect transistors (“Power MOSFETS”), and other related products. Most of the Company’s products are custom made pursuant to contracts with customers whose end products are sold to the United States government. Other products, such as Joint Army/Navy (“JAN”) transistors, diodes, and Standard Military Drawings voltage regulators, are sold as standard or catalog items.

    Effective September 1, 2023, Solitron closed its acquisition of Micro Engineering Inc. (MEI) based in Apopka, Florida. MEI specializes in solving design layout and manufacturing challenges while maximizing efficiency and keeping flexibility to meet unique customer needs. Since 1980 the MEI team has been dedicated to overcoming obstacles to provide cost efficient and rapid results.  MEI specializes in low to mid volume projects that require engineering dedication, quality systems and efficient manufacturing.  

    Forward-Looking Statements 
    This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Solitron Devices, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results, including statements regarding the Company’s  expectations regarding future performance and trends, including production levels, government spending, backlog and delivery timelines, new product development, our efforts and performance following our acquisition of MEI, and potential future revenue and trends with respect thereto from each of the foregoing.  Factors that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties arising from potential adverse developments or changes in government budgetary spending and policy including with respect to the war in Ukraine, which may among other factors be affected by the possibility of reduced government spending on programs in which we participate, inflation, elevated interest rates, adverse trends in the economy and the possibility of a recession the likelihood of which appears to have increased based on recent economic data, the possibility that management’s estimates and assumptions regarding bookings, sales and other metrics prove to be incorrect; the timing and size of orders from our clients, our delivery schedules and our liquidity and cash position; our ability to make the appropriate adjustments to our cost structure; our ability to properly account for inventory in the future;  the demand for our products and potential loss of, or reduction of business from, substantial clients our dependence on government contracts, which are subject to termination, price renegotiations and regulatory compliance and which may among other factors be adversely affected by the factors described elsewhere herein, our ability to continue to integrate MEI in an efficient and effective manner, and the possibility that such  acquisition or any other acquisition or strategic transaction we may pursue does not yield the results or benefits desired or anticipated. Descriptions of other risk factors and uncertainties are contained in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025.  

    Tim Eriksen 
    Chief Executive Officer 
    (561) 848-4311 
    Corporate@solitrondevices.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>
    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.  Abundant energy is a vital national- and economic-security interest.  In conjunction with domestic fossil fuel production, nuclear energy can liberate America from dependence on geopolitical rivals.  It can power not only traditional manufacturing industries but also cutting-edge, energy-intensive industries such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
    Between 1954 and 1978, the United States authorized the construction of 133 since-completed civilian nuclear reactors at 81 power plants. Since 1978, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has authorized only a fraction of that number; of these, only two reactors have entered into commercial operation. The NRC charges applicants by the hour to process license applications, with prolonged timelines that maximize fees while throttling nuclear power development. The NRC has failed to license new reactors even as technological advances promise to make nuclear power safer, cheaper, more adaptable, and more abundant than ever.
    This failure stems from a fundamental error:  Instead of efficiently promoting safe, abundant nuclear energy, the NRC has instead tried to insulate Americans from the most remote risks without appropriate regard for the severe domestic and geopolitical costs of such risk aversion.  The NRC utilizes safety models that posit there is no safe threshold of radiation exposure and that harm is directly proportional to the amount of exposure.  Those models lack sound scientific basis and produce irrational results, such as requiring that nuclear plants protect against radiation below naturally occurring levels.  A myopic policy of minimizing even trivial risks ignores the reality that substitute forms of energy production also carry risk, such as pollution with potentially deleterious health effects.
    Recent events in Europe, such as the nationwide blackouts in Spain and Portugal, underscore the importance of my Administration’s focus on dispatchable power generation –including nuclear power — over intermittent power.  Beginning today, my Administration will reform the NRC, including its structure, personnel, regulations, and basic operations.  In so doing, we will produce lasting American dominance in the global nuclear energy market, create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and generate American-led prosperity and resilience.
    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to:
    (a)  Reestablish the United States as the global leader in nuclear energy;
    (b)  Facilitate increased deployment of new nuclear reactor technologies, such as Generation III+ and IV reactors, modular reactors, and microreactors, including by lowering regulatory and cost barriers to entry;
    (c)  Facilitate the expansion of American nuclear energy capacity from approximately 100 GW in 2024 to 400 GW by 2050;
    (d)  Employ emerging technologies to safely accelerate the modeling, simulation, testing, and approval of new reactor designs;
    (e)  Support the continued operation of, and facilitate appropriate operational extensions for, the current nuclear fleet, as well as the reactivation of prematurely shuttered or partially completed nuclear facilities; and
    (f)  Maintain the United States’ leading reputation for nuclear safety.
    Sec. 3.  Reforming the NRC’s Culture.  The Congress has mandated that the NRC’s “licensing and regulation of the civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy be conducted in a manner that is efficient and does not unnecessarily limit — (1) the civilian use of radioactive materials and deployment of nuclear energy; or (2) the benefits of civilian use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy technology to society.”  Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2024, Public Law 118-67, sec. 501(a).  Just as the Congress directed, the NRC’s mission shall include facilitating nuclear power while ensuring reactor safety.  When carrying out its licensing and related regulatory functions, the NRC shall consider the benefits of increased availability of, and innovation in, nuclear power to our economic and national security in addition to safety, health, and environmental considerations.

    Sec. 4.  Reforming the NRC’s Structure.  (a)  The current structure and staffing of the NRC are misaligned with the Congress’s directive that the NRC shall not unduly restrict the benefits of nuclear power.  The NRC shall, in consultation with the NRC’s DOGE Team (as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”)), and consistent with its governing statutes, reorganize the NRC to promote the expeditious processing of license applications and the adoption of innovative technology.  The NRC shall undertake reductions in force in conjunction with this reorganization, though certain functions may increase in size consistent with the policies in this order, including those devoted to new reactor licensing.  The NRC shall also create a dedicated team of at least 20 officials to draft the new regulations directed by section 5 of this order.
     (b)  The personnel and functions of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) shall be reduced to the minimum necessary to fulfill ACRS’s statutory obligations.  Review by ACRS of permitting and licensing issues shall focus on issues that are truly novel or noteworthy.

    Sec. 5.  Reforming and Modernizing the NRC’s Regulations.  The NRC, working with its DOGE Team, the Office of Management and Budget, and other executive departments and agencies as appropriate, shall undertake a review and wholesale revision of its regulations and guidance documents, and issue notice(s) of proposed rulemaking effecting this revision within 9 months of the date of this order.  The NRC shall issue final rules and guidance to conclude this revision process within 18 months of the date of this order.  In conducting this wholesale revision, the NRC shall be guided by the policies set forth in section 2 of this order and shall in particular:
    (a)  Establish fixed deadlines for its evaluation and approval of licenses, license amendments, license renewals, certificates of compliance, power uprates, license transfers, and any other activity requested by a licensee or potential licensee, as directed under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, rather than the nonbinding “generic milestone schedules” guidelines the NRC has already adopted.  Those deadlines shall be enforced by fixed caps on the NRC’s recovery of hourly fees.  The deadlines shall include:  (1) a deadline of no more than 18 months for final decision on an application to construct and operate a new reactor of any type, commencing with the first required step in the regulatory process, and (2) a deadline of no more than 1 year for final decision on an application to continue operating an existing reactor of any type, commencing with the first required step in the regulatory process.  The regulations should not provide for tolling those deadlines except in instances of applicant failure, and must allow a reasonably diligent applicant to navigate the licensing process successfully in the time allotted.  Moreover, these are maximum time periods; the NRC shall adopt shorter deadlines tailored to particular reactor types or licensing pathways as appropriate. 
    (b)  Adopt science-based radiation limits.  In particular, the NRC shall reconsider reliance on the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for radiation exposure and the “as low as reasonably achievable” standard, which is predicated on LNT.  Those models are flawed, as discussed in section 1 of this order.  In reconsidering those limits, the NRC shall specifically consider adopting determinate radiation limits, and in doing so shall consult with the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency.
    (c)  Revise, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, NRC regulations governing NRC’s compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act to reflect the Congress’s 2023 amendments to that statute and the policies articulated in sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025 (Unleashing American Energy). 
    (d) Establish an expedited pathway to approve reactor designs that the DOD or the DOE have tested and that have demonstrated the ability to function safely. NRC review of such designs shall focus solely on risks that may arise from new applications permitted by NRC licensure, rather than revisiting risks that have already been addressed in the DOE or DOD processes.
    (e)  Establish a process for high-volume licensing of microreactors and modular reactors, including by allowing for standardized applications and approvals and by considering to what extent such reactors or components thereof should be regulated through general licenses.
    (f)  Establish stringent thresholds for circumstances in which the NRC may demand changes to reactor design once construction is underway.
    (g)  Revise the Reactor Oversight Process and reactor security rules and requirements to reduce unnecessary burdens and be responsive to credible risks.  
    (h)  Adopt revised and, where feasible, determinate and data-backed thresholds to ensure that reactor safety assessments focus on credible, realistic risks.  
    (i)  Reconsider the regulations governing the time period for which a renewed license remains effective, and extend that period as appropriate based on available technological and safety data.
    (j)  Streamline the public hearings process.
    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 Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump is Restoring Gold Standard Science in America

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>RESTORING GOLD STANDARD SCIENCE IN AMERICA: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore Gold Standard Science as the cornerstone of Federal scientific research and rebuild public trust in science.

    • Gold Standard Science is:
      • Reproducible, transparent, and falsifiable;
      • Subject to unbiased peer review;
      • Clear about errors and uncertainties;
      • Skeptical of assumptions;
      • Collaborative and interdisciplinary;
      • Accepting of negative results as positive outcomes; and
      • Free from conflicts of interest.
    • With this Executive Order, President Trump is directing Federal agencies to align new and existing programs and activities with Gold Standard Science principles.
    • This Order reinstates the scientific integrity policies of the first Trump Administration and ensures that science is no longer manipulated or misused to justify political ends, ensures agencies prioritize data transparency, acknowledges scientific uncertainties, remains transparent about the likelihood of future scenarios, evaluates scientific findings objectively, and communicates scientific data accurately.
    • The EO charges the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to work with agency heads to issue guidance for adopting Gold Standard Science principles in 30 days and report their implementation progress within 60 days.
    • Agencies will publicly share data, analyses, models, and conclusions associated with scientific and technological information produced or used by the agency.
    • Agencies will also transparently acknowledge and document uncertainties, apply a “weight of scientific evidence” approach to decisionmaking, and ensure that scientific communication aligns with rigorous analysis.

    A CALL TO EXCELLENCE FOR AMERICA’S RESEACHERS: The Trump Administration encourages American research organizations across academia, industry, and philanthropy to return to core principles of scientific inquiry and align their activities to Gold Standard Science.

    • For too long, bureaucratic agendas, political interference, and inconsistent standards have eroded the American people’s trust in science.
    • Under the Biden Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) incorporated edits by a teachers’ union into its school reopening guidance, which discouraged in-person learning. This was despite the best available scientific evidence at the time showing that the COVID-19 risk for children was minimal, leading to prolonged closures that harmed students’ education.
    • The National Marine Fisheries Service adopted an admittedly flawed “worst-case scenario” projection for the North Atlantic right whale population, which could have devastated the historic Maine lobster fishery had the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals not overturned the opinion for skewing evidence analysis.
    • Agencies have relied on the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 to justify climate change policies that hamper the American energy industry, an unrealistic worst-case climate scenario with exaggerated coal use assumptions, which scientists have criticized as misleading.
    • The Biden Administration manipulated science to achieve political ends, and conducted subpar science designed to support predetermined outcomes instead of objective science that informed well-designed policies.
    • President Trump’s restoration of Gold Standard Science will rebuild the nation’s confidence in science and its use in Federal decisionmaking, and ensure continued American strength and global leadership in technology.
    • New scientific integrity policies will:
      • Encourage the open exchange of ideas;
      • Ensure consideration of different or dissenting viewpoints; and
      • Protect employees from efforts to dissuade or prevent consideration of alternative scientific opinions.

    USHERING IN AMERICA’S GOLDEN AGE OF INNOVATION: This Executive Order is another step forward in President Trump’s agenda to ensure unquestioned American scientific and technological global dominance.

    This Order imposes the highest standards of scientific rigor on both the development and use of science by Federal agencies to restore public trust and ensure that policymaking follows, or adequately addresses, scientific findings, for demonstratable positive outcomes for the American public.

    Since inauguration, the President has taken significant action to:

    • Define America’s key scientific priorities in artificial intelligence, quantum information science, nuclear technology, and biotechnology.
    • Secure trillions of dollars in U.S.-based technology and research & development investments.
    • Create new educational and workforce development opportunities in artificial intelligence technology for America’s youth.

    Improve the safety and security of biological research. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Reinvigorates the Nuclear Industrial Base

    Source: The White House

    REINVIGORATING THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to expedite and promote the production and operation of nuclear energy, which is necessary to power the next generation technologies that secure our global industrial, digital, and economic dominance, achieve energy independence, and protect our national security.

    • This Order tasks the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to report on a recommended national policy to support spent nuclear fuel management, an evaluation of policies regarding commercial recycling and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, and recommendations for the efficient use of nuclear waste materials.
    • The Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Director of OMB, will develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and enrichment capabilities to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs.
    • This Order directs the Secretary of Energy to create a program to dispose of surplus plutonium by processing and making it available for advanced reactor fuel fabrication, stopping the surplus plutonium disposition program other than with respect to existing legal obligations.
    • President Trump is leveraging the Defense Production Act to seek voluntary agreements with domestic nuclear energy companies for the procurement of enriched uranium and for consultation regarding methods to enhance domestic capability to manage spent nuclear fuel.
    • The Secretary of Energy is authorized to support the establishment of nuclear industry consortia by ensuring offtake for newly established domestic fuel supply across milling, conversion/deconversion, enrichment, fabrication, and recycling and reprocessing.

    ACCELERATING NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY PRODUCTION: President Trump is leveraging the full suite of Federal financial resources to support the restart, completion, uprate, and construction of nuclear plants.

    • The Department of Energy will prioritize the facilitation of 5 GW of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and construction on 10 new large reactors by 2030.
    • Federal loans and loan guarantees will be prioritized to support increased nuclear energy, including restarting closed nuclear power plants and completing construction of prematurely suspended plants.
    • The Order tasks the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to prioritize funding for companies with potential for near-term deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.

    EXPANDING THE AMERICAN NUCLEAR WORKFORCE: President Trump is taking action to expand pathways for Americans to gain employment in the domestic nuclear workforce.

    • Nuclear engineering and nuclear energy-related careers will be considered priority areas for actions directed pursuant to Executive Order 14278.
    • The Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education will increase participation in nuclear energy-related registered apprenticeships and career and technical education programs.
    • The Secretary of Energy will increase access to R&D infrastructure, workforce, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for college and university nuclear engineering students.

    STRENGTHENING THE DOMESTIC NUCLEAR FUEL SUPPLY CHAIN: To enable the long-term expansion of nuclear energy, the Federal government shall pursue policies to maximize the value of nuclear fuel and expand the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

    • The Nation’s nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure has severely atrophied, with domestic fuel sources supplying only about 5% of the fuel used in U.S. reactors. In addition to permitting challenges in mining the relevant minerals, in 1977 the Federal government introduced a policy that did not allow reprocessing of used fuel for commercial reactors, leaving the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of uranium as well as uranium enrichment and conversion services. 
    • The United States possesses ample deposits of uranium and thorium that can power advanced nuclear reactors. The President has already taken decisive action to advance mining activities relevant to these minerals pursuant to his Executive Order “Immediate Measures to Increase Domestic Mineral Production.”
    • This Executive Order supplements the Administration’s actions on mineral production to ensure that we can not only mine, but also process and refine, nuclear fuel domestically. This is crucial for energy independence and national security.
    • Treatment of nuclear waste is one of the most difficult problems in the nuclear supply chain, and this Order brings together all relevant Federal agencies to develop implementable solutions.
    • 60% of the nuclear workforce is between the ages of 30 and 60, and this Order takes decisive action to generate a pipeline of workers to supply the demand for this crucial industry.

    UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY: President Trump believes in supporting all forms of reliable, dispatchable energy, harnessing nuclear, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies to secure American energy independence and fuel economic growth.

    • On Day One, President Trump declared a National Energy Emergency to eliminate bureaucratic barriers, unleash innovation, and restore America’s position as the world’s leading energy producer.
    • Unleashing American energy will create jobs and economic prosperity, improve the United States’ trade balance, help our country compete with hostile foreign powers, strengthen relations with allies and partners, and support international peace and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base

    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 originally pioneered nuclear energy technology during a time of great peril.  We now face a new set of challenges, including a global race to dominate in artificial intelligence, a growing need for energy independence, and access to uninterruptible power supplies for national security. 
    It took nearly 40 years for the United States to add the same amount of nuclear capacity as another developed nation added in 10 years.Further, as American deployment of advanced reactor designs has waned, 87 percent of nuclear reactors installed worldwide since 2017 are based on designs from two foreign countries.At the same time, the Nation’s nuclear fuel cycle infrastructure has severely atrophied, leaving the United States heavily dependent on foreign sources of uranium as well as uranium enrichment and conversion services.These trends cannot continue.
    Swift and decisive action is required to jumpstart America’s nuclear energy industrial base and ensure our national and economic security by increasing fuel availability and production, securing civil nuclear supply chains, improving the efficiency with which advanced nuclear reactors are licensed, and preparing our workforce to establish America’s energy dominance and accelerate our path towards a more secure and independent energy future.

    Sec. 2.  Policy.  It is the policy of the United States to expedite and promote to the fullest possible extent the production and operation of nuclear energy to provide affordable, reliable, safe, and secure energy to the American people, to power advanced nuclear reactor technologies, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 16271(b)(1)(A), and to build associated supply chains that secure our global industrial and digital dominance, achieve our energy independence, protect our national security, and maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of nuclear fuel through recycling, reprocessing, and reinvigorating the commercial sector.

    Sec. 3.  Strengthening the Domestic Nuclear Fuel Cycle.  (a)  Within 240 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), shall prepare and submit to the President, through the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, a report that includes:

    (i.) a recommended national policy to support the management of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste and the development and deployment of advanced fuel cycle capabilities to establish a safe, secure, and sustainable long-term fuel cycle;

    (ii.) a review of relevant statutory authorities to identify any legislative changes necessary or desirable to achieve the national policy recommended under subsection (a)(i) of this section; 

    (iii.) an evaluation of the reprocessing and recycling of spent nuclear fuel from the operation of Department of Defense and Department of Energy reactors and other spent nuclear fuel managed by the Department of Energy, along with a discussion of steps the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy are taking or must take to improve such reprocessing and recycling processes;

    (iv.) an analysis of legal, budgetary, and policy considerations relevant to efficiently transferring spent nuclear fuel from reactors to a government-owned, privately operated reprocessing and recycling facility;

    (v.) recommendations for the efficient use of the uranium, plutonium, and other products recovered through recycling and reprocessing;

    (vi.) recommendations for the efficient disposal of the wastes generated by recycling or reprocessing through a permanent disposal pathway;

    (vii.) a recommended process for evaluating, prior to disposal, nuclear waste materials for isotopes of value to national security, or medical, industrial, and scientific sectors;

    (viii.) a reevaluation of historic and current nuclear reprocessing, separation, and storage facilities slated for decommissioning and that are identified as having valuable materials, isotopes, equipment, licenses, operations, or experienced workers, and that may have potential fuel cycle or national security benefits if operations are continued or increased; and

    (ix.) a program to develop methods and technologies to transport, domestically and overseas, used and unused advanced nuclear fuels and advanced nuclear reactors containing such fuels in a safe, secure, and environmentally sound manner, including any legislation required to support this initiative     (b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Director of OMB, shall develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and expand enrichment capabilities sufficient to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs for low enriched uranium (LEU), high enriched uranium (HEU) and high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU), subject to retention of such stockpiles as are necessary for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons. The plan shall be implemented based on the timeframes set forth in the plan.

      (b) Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Director of OMB, shall develop a plan to expand domestic uranium conversion capacity and expand enrichment capabilities sufficient to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs for low enriched uranium (LEU), high enriched uranium (HEU) and high assay, low enriched uranium (HALEU), subject to retention of such stockpiles as are necessary for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons. The plan shall be implemented based on the timeframes set forth in the plan.
      (c) The Secretary of Energy shall halt the surplus plutonium dilute and dispose program except with respect to the Department of Energy’s legal obligations to the State of South Carolina. In place of this program, the Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to dispose of surplus plutonium by processing and making it available to industry in a form that can be utilized for the fabrication of fuel for advanced nuclear technologies.
      (d) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense as appropriate, shall update the Department of Energy’s excess uranium management policy to align with the policy objectives of this order and the Nuclear Fuel Security Act, factoring in the national security need to modernize the United States nuclear weapon stockpile. The Secretary of Energy shall prioritize contracting for the development of fuel fabrication facilities that demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility to supply fuel to qualified test reactors or pilot program reactors within 3 years from the date of such applications.
      (e) Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, shall utilize the authority provided to the President in section 708(c)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) (50 U.S.C. 4558(c)(1)), which has been delegated to the Secretary of Energy pursuant to Executive Order 13603 of March 16, 2012 (National Defense Resources Preparedness), to seek voluntary agreements pursuant to section 708 of the DPA with domestic nuclear energy companies.The Secretary of Energy should prioritize agreements with those companies that have achieved objective milestones (e.g., Department of Energy-approved conceptual safety design reports, the ability to privately finance their fuel, or the demonstrated technology capability) for the cooperative procurement of LEU and HALEU, including as needed by the Federal Government for tritium production, naval propulsion, and nuclear weapons.
      (f)  The Secretary of Energy, the Attorney General, and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall take all necessary and appropriate steps under sections 708(c), (d), (e), and (f)(1)(A) of the DPA (50 U.S.C. 4558(c), (d), (e), (f)(1)(A)), for the Secretary of Energy to form agreements pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 
      (g)  The Attorney General shall, after consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, consider whether to make the finding described in section 708(f)(1)(B) of the DPA (50 U.S.C. 4558(f)(1)(B)), with respect to any agreement and, no later than 30 days after any voluntary agreement is reached, shall publish such finding as appropriate. 
      (h)  Such voluntary agreements shall further allow consultation with domestic nuclear energy companies to discuss and implement methods to enhance the capability to manage spent nuclear fuel, including the recycling and reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, to ensure the continued reliable operation of the Nation’s nuclear reactors.  Such voluntary agreements shall also allow industry consultation to establish consortia and plans of action to ensure that the nuclear fuel supply chain capacity, including milling, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, fabrication, recycling, or reprocessing, is available to enable the continued reliable operation of the Nation’s existing, and future, nuclear reactors.  The Secretary of Energy, consistent with applicable law, is authorized to provide procurement support, forward contracts, or guarantees to such consortia as a means to ensure offtake for newly established domestic fuel supply, including conversion, enrichment, reprocessing, or fabrication capacity.

      Sec. 4.  Funding for Restart, Completion, Uprate, or Construction of Nuclear Plants.  (a)  To maximize the speed and scale of new nuclear capacity, the Department of Energy shall prioritize work with the nuclear energy industry to facilitate 5 gigawatt of power uprates to existing nuclear reactors and have 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030.  To help achieve these objectives, the Secretary of Energy, through the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office, shall, subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act and other applicable law and OMB Circular A-11, prioritize activities that support nuclear energy, including actions to make available resources for restarting closed nuclear power plants, increasing power output of operating nuclear power plants, completing construction of nuclear reactors that was prematurely suspended, constructing new advanced nuclear reactors, and improving all associated aspects of the nuclear fuel supply chain.  
      (b) The Secretary of Energy shall also coordinate with the Secretary of Defense to assess the feasibility of restarting or repurposing closed nuclear power plants as energy hubs for military microgrid support, consistent with applicable law, focusing initially on installations with insufficient power resilience or grid fragility.
      (c) Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, prioritize funding for qualified advanced nuclear technologies through grants, loans, investment capital, funding opportunities, and other Federal support. Priority shall be given to those companies demonstrating the largest degrees of design and technological maturity, financial backing, and potential for near-term deployment of their technologies.

      Sec. 5.  Expanding the Nuclear Energy Workforce. (a Nuclear engineering and other careers and education pathways that support the nuclear energy industry shall be considered areas of focus and priority pursuant to Executive Order 14278 of April 23, 2025 (Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future).    
      (b)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Education shall seek to increase participation in nuclear energy-related Registered Apprenticeships and Career and Technical Education programs by:
      (i)    using apprenticeship intermediary contracts and allocating existing discretionary funds, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to engage industry organizations and employers to perform a gap analysis of apprenticeship programs, and facilitate the development of Registered Apprenticeship programs, in nuclear energy-related occupations that are underrepresented;
      (ii)   encouraging States and grantees to use funding provided under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113-128), as amended, to develop nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related skills and to support work-based learning opportunities, including issuing related guidance to State and local workforce development boards and others regarding use of such funds for such purposes; and
      (iii)  consistent with applicable law, establishing nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related skills training and work-based learning as a grant priority in Employment and Training Administration and Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education discretionary grant programs.
      (c)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, all executive departments and agencies that provide educational grants shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, consider nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related careers as a priority area for investment.
      (d)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy shall take steps to increase access to research and development infrastructure, workforce, and expertise at Department of Energy National Laboratories for college and university students studying nuclear engineering and other nuclear energy-related fields, and Department of Defense personnel affiliated with nuclear energy programs.

      Sec. 6.  Other Provisions.  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect OMB functions related to procurement actions and related policy.  This order shall be carried out subject to the budgetary, legislative, and procurement processes and requirements established by the Director of OMB, and coordinated with OMB, as appropriate, prior to the initiation of any new program, obligation, or commitment of Federal funds, or submission of any legislative or procurement proposal arising from this order.  This order shall be carried out in a manner which adheres to applicable legal requirements, conforms with nonproliferation obligations, and meets the highest safeguards, safety, and security standards.

      Sec. 7.  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 Energy shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                     DONALD J. TRUMP

      THE WHITE HOUSE,
          May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Restoring Gold Standard Science

    Source: The White House

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 7301 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:
    Section 1.  Policy and Purpose.  Over the last 5 years, confidence that scientists act in the best interests of the public has fallen significantly.  A majority of researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics believe science is facing a reproducibility crisis.  The falsification of data by leading researchers has led to high-profile retractions of federally funded research.  
    Unfortunately, the Federal Government has contributed to this loss of trust.  In several notable cases, executive departments and agencies (agencies) have used or promoted scientific information in a highly misleading manner.  For example, under the prior Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued COVID-19 guidance on reopening schools that incorporated edits by the American Federation of Teachers and was understood to discourage in-person learning.  This guidance’s restrictive and burdensome reopening conditions led many schools to remain at least partially closed, resulting in substantial negative effects on educational outcomes — even though the best available scientific evidence showed that children were unlikely to transmit or suffer serious illness or death from the virus, and that opening schools with reasonable mitigation measures would have only minor effects on transmission.  
    The National Marine Fisheries Service justified a biological opinion by adopting an admitted “worst-case scenario” projection of the North Atlantic right whale population that it believed was “very likely” wrong.  The agency’s proposed actions could have destroyed the historic Maine lobster fishery.  The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently overturned that opinion because the agency’s decision to seek out the worst-case scenario skewed its approach to the evidence.  
    Similarly, agencies have used Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenario 8.5 to assess the potential effects of climate change in a “higher” warming scenario.  RCP 8.5 is a worst-case scenario based on highly unlikely assumptions like end-of-century coal use exceeding estimates of recoverable coal reserves.  Scientists have warned that presenting RCP 8.5 as a likely outcome is misleading.
    Actions taken by the prior Administration further politicized science, for example, by encouraging agencies to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations into all aspects of science planning, execution, and communication.  Scientific integrity in the production and use of science by the Federal Government is critical to maintaining the trust of the American people and ensuring confidence in government decisions informed by science.
    My Administration is committed to restoring a gold standard for science to ensure that federally funded research is transparent, rigorous, and impactful, and that Federal decisions are informed by the most credible, reliable, and impartial scientific evidence available.  We must restore the American people’s faith in the scientific enterprise and institutions that create and apply scientific knowledge in service of the public good.  Reproducibility, rigor, and unbiased peer review must be maintained.  This order restores the scientific integrity policies of my first Administration and ensures that agencies practice data transparency, acknowledge relevant scientific uncertainties, are transparent about the assumptions and likelihood of scenarios used, approach scientific findings objectively, and communicate scientific data accurately.  Agency use of Gold Standard Science, as set forth in this order, will spur innovation, translate discovery to success, and ensure continued American strength and global leadership in technology.

    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this order:
    (a)  “Employee” has the meaning given that term in 5 U.S.C. 2105.
    (b)  “Scientific information” means factual inputs, data, models, analyses, technical information, or scientific assessments related to such disciplines as the behavioral and social sciences, public health and medical sciences, life and earth sciences, engineering, physical sciences, or probability and statistics.  This includes any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts or data, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual forms.
    (c)  “Scientific misconduct” means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting the results of scientific research, but does not include honest error or differences of opinion.  For the purposes of this definition;
    (i)    “fabrication” is making up data or results and recording or reporting them;
    (ii)   “falsification” is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record; and
    (iii)  “plagiarism” is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
    (d)  “Senior appointee” means an individual appointed by the President (or an individual performing the functions and duties of an individual appointed by the President) or a non-career member of the Senior Executive Service.
    (e)  “Weight of scientific evidence” means an approach to scientific evaluation in which each piece of relevant information is considered based on its quality and relevance, and then transparently integrated with other relevant information to inform the scientific evaluation prior to making a judgment about the scientific evaluation.  Quality and relevance determinations, at a minimum, should include consideration of study design, fitness for purpose, replicability, peer review, and transparency and reliability of data.

    Sec. 3.  Restoring Gold Standard Science.  (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP Director) shall, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies, issue guidance for agencies on implementation of “Gold Standard Science” in the conduct and management of their respective scientific activities.  For the purposes of this order, Gold Standard Science means science conducted in a manner that is:
    (i)     reproducible;
    (ii)    transparent;
    (iii)   communicative of error and uncertainty;
    (iv)    collaborative and interdisciplinary;
    (v)     skeptical of its findings and assumptions;
    (vi)    structured for falsifiability of hypotheses;
    (vii)   subject to unbiased peer review;
    (viii)  accepting of negative results as positive outcomes; and
    (ix)    without conflicts of interest.
    (b)  Upon publication of the guidance prescribed in subsection (a), each agency head, as necessary and appropriate and in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Director) and the OSTP Director, shall promptly update applicable agency policies governing the production and use of scientific information, including scientific integrity policies, to implement the OSTP Director’s guidance on Gold Standard Science and ensure that agency scientific activities are conducted in accordance with this order.
    (c)  Each agency head shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate the OSTP Director’s guidance on Gold Standard Science and the requirements of this order into the processes by which their agency conducts, manages, interprets, communicates, and uses scientific or technological information prior to the finalization of the updated policies under this section.
    (d)  Within 60 days of the publication of the guidance prescribed in section 3(a), agency heads shall report to the OSTP Director on the actions taken to implement Gold Standard Science at their agency.

     Sec. 4.  Improving the Use, Interpretation, and Communication of Scientific Data.  No later than 30 days after the date of this order, agency heads and employees shall adhere to the following rules governing the use, interpretation, and communication of scientific data, unless otherwise provided by law:
    (a)  Employees shall not engage in scientific misconduct nor knowingly rely on information resulting from scientific misconduct.
    (b)  Except as prohibited by law, and consistent with relevant policies that protect national security or sensitive personal or confidential business information, agency heads shall in a timely manner and, to the extent practicable and within the agency’s authority:
    (i)  subject to paragraph (ii), make publicly available the following information within the agency’s possession:
    (A)  the data, analyses, and conclusions associated with scientific and technological information produced or used by the agency that the agency reasonably assesses will have a clear and substantial effect on important public policies or important private sector decisions (influential scientific information), including data cited in peer-reviewed literature; and
    (B)  the models and analyses (including, as applicable, the source code for such models) the agency used to generate such influential scientific information.  Employees may not invoke exemption 5 to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552(b)(5)) to prevent disclosure of such models unless authorized in writing to do so by the agency head following prior notice to the OSTP Director.
    (ii)  risk models used to guide agency enforcement actions or select enforcement targets are not information that must be disclosed under this subsection.
    (c)  When using scientific information in agency decision-making, employees shall transparently acknowledge and document uncertainties, including how uncertainty propagates throughout any models used in the analysis.
    (d) Where employees produce or use scientific information to inform policy or legal determinations they must use science that comports with the legal standards applicable to those determinations, including when agencies evaluate the realistic or reasonably foreseeable effects of an action.
    (e)  Employees shall be transparent about the likelihood of the assumptions and scenarios used.  Highly unlikely and overly precautionary assumptions and scenarios should only be relied upon in agency decision-making where required by law or otherwise pertinent to the agency’s action.
    (f)  When scientific or technological information is used to inform agency evaluations and subsequent decision-making, employees shall apply a “weight of scientific evidence” approach.
    (g)  Employees’ communication of scientific information shall be consistent with the results of the relevant analysis and evaluation and, to the extent that uncertainty is present, the degree of uncertainty should be communicated.  Communications involving a scientific model or information derived from a scientific model should include reference to any material assumptions that inform the model’s outputs.
    (h)  Once the guidance on Gold Standard Science is established and promulgated pursuant to section 3 of this order, it shall, among other things, form the basis for employees’ evaluation of all scientific and technological information called for in this order except where otherwise required by law.

    Sec. 5.  Interim Scientific Integrity Policies.  (a)  Until the issuance of updated agency scientific integrity policies pursuant to section 3 of this order, and except where required by law:
    (i)    scientific integrity policies in each agency shall be governed by the scientific integrity policies that existed within the executive branch on January 19, 2021, except that in the event of a conflict between such policies and the policies and requirements of this order, the policies and requirements of this order control; and
    (ii)   agency heads shall take all necessary actions to reevaluate and, where necessary, revise or rescind scientific integrity policies or procedures, or amendments to such policies or procedures, issued between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025.
    (iii)  each agency head shall promptly revoke any organizational or operational changes, designations, or documents that were issued or enacted pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of January 27, 2021 (Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking), which was revoked pursuant to Executive Order 14154 and shall conduct applicable agency operations in the manner and revert applicable agency organization to the same form as would have existed in the absence of such changes, designations, or documents.
    (b)  In updating applicable scientific integrity policies pursuant to section 3 of this order, agencies should ensure they:
    (i)    encourage the open exchange of ideas;
    (ii)   provide for consideration of different or dissenting viewpoints; and
    (iii)  protect employees from efforts to prevent or deter consideration of alternative scientific opinions.
    (c)  Agencies, unless prohibited by law, shall review agency actions taken between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025, including regulations, guidance documents, policies, and scientific evaluations and take all appropriate steps, consistent with law, to ensure alignment with the policies and requirements of this order.

    Sec. 6.  Scope and Applicability.  (a)  The policies and rules set forth in this order apply to all employees involved in the generation, use, interpretation, or communication of scientific information, regardless of job classification, and to all agency decision-making, except where precluded by law.
    (b)  Agency heads and employees shall, to the extent practicable and consistent with applicable law, require agency contractors to adhere to these policies and rules as though they were agency employees.  
    (c)  The policies and rules set forth in this order govern the use of science that informs agency decisions but they are not applicable to non-scientific aspects of agency decision-making.

    Sec. 7.  Enforcement and Oversight.  (a)  Each agency head shall establish internal processes to evaluate alleged violations of the requirements of this order and other applicable agency policies governing the generation, use, interpretation, and communication of scientific information.  Such processes shall be the responsibility, and administered under the direction, of a senior appointee designated by the agency head and shall provide for taking appropriate measures to correct scientific information in response to violations, consistent with the requirements and procedures of section 515 of the statute commonly known as the Information Quality Act, Public Law 106-554, appendix C (114 Stat. 2763A-153).  The designated senior appointee may also forward potential violations to the relevant human resources officials for discipline to the extent the potential violation also violates applicable agency policies and procedures.  The designated senior appointee may consult appropriate officials with scientific expertise when establishing such processes.  
    (b)  The processes created under this section are, unless otherwise required by applicable law, the sole and exclusive means of evaluating and, as applicable, addressing alleged violations of this order and other agency policies governing the use, interpretation, and communication of scientific information.

    Sec. 8.  Waivers.  (a)  An agency head may request in writing that the OMB Director, in consultation with the OSTP Director, waive any of the requirements of this order for good cause shown.  Such request must explain how the requested waiver is consistent with the policies and purposes of this order.
    (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this order, the policies and requirements of this order shall apply to agency actions that pertain to foreign or military affairs, or to a national security or homeland security function of the United States, only to the extent that the applicable agency head, in his or her sole and exclusive discretion, determines they should apply.

    Sec. 9.  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 Office of Management and Budget shall provide funding for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        May 23, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Midland States Bancorp, Inc. receives expected notification of deficiency from Nasdaq related to delayed filing of Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EFFINGHAM, Ill., May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Midland States Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: MSBI) (the “Company”) today announced that it received an expected deficiency notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) on May 19, 2025 (the “Notice”). The Notice indicated that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of its failure to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”) and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (the “Form 10-Q”), as described more fully in the Company’s Form 12b-25 Notification of Late Filing (the “Form 12b-25”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 9, 2025. The Listing Rule requires Nasdaq-listed companies to timely file all required periodic reports with the SEC.

    The Notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company’s common stock or depositary shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

    In accordance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, the Company has until June 2, 2025 to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. Pursuant to the Notice, Nasdaq has the discretion to grant the Company up to 180 calendar days from the due date of the Form 10-K, or until September 29, 2025, to regain compliance. The Company intends to take the necessary steps to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules as soon as practicable.

    As discussed in the Company’s Form 12b-25, filed with the Commission on May 9, 2025, the Company is completing its evaluation of the accounting and financial reporting of third-party lending and servicing arrangements, including the collection and analysis of third-party documentation. In addition, the Company is completing an evaluation of whether there is an impairment to its goodwill, including obtaining valuation information from third parties.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s expectations as to the anticipated timing of filing the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, completion of the Company’s audit for the year ended December 31, 2024, any impact on the Company’s previously reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, and statements relating to the Company’s plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules, as well as all statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to change, and actual results may materially differ from those set forth in this press release due to certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the expected timing and results of the Company’s audit for the year ended December 31, 2024; the risk that the completion and filing of the Form 10-K or Form 10-Q will take longer than expected; the timing of the Company’s submission of a compliance plan; Nasdaq’s acceptance of any such plan; the duration of any exception period that may be granted by Nasdaq; and the risk that the Company will be unable to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements set forth in reports filed with the SEC. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement contained herein. These statements reflect the Company’s position as of the date of this press release. The Company expressly disclaims any undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any statements to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change of events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

    About Midland States Bancorp, Inc.

    Midland States Bancorp, Inc. is a community-based financial holding company headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, and is the sole shareholder of Midland States Bank. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had total assets of approximately $7.46 billion, and its Wealth Management Group had assets under administration of approximately $4.10 billion. The Company provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking products and services and business equipment financing, merchant credit card services, trust and investment management, insurance and financial planning services. For additional information, visit https://www.midlandsb.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/midland-states-bank.

    CONTACTS:
    Jeffrey G. Ludwig, President and CEO, at jludwig@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321
    Eric T. Lemke, Chief Financial Officer, at elemke@midlandsb.com or (217) 342-7321

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lumine Group Enters into an Agreement to Acquire Datafusion Systems

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lumine Group Inc. (“Lumine Group” or “the Company”) (TSXV: LMN), a global buy-and-hold forever acquirer of communications and media software businesses, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Datafusion Systems (“Datafusion”).

    Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and backed by over 30 years of expertise, Datafusion provides critical secure communication and intelligence solutions for telecom operators, law enforcement, and government agencies.

    This acquisition will enhance Lumine’s presence in the signaling and security sector, broadening the ecosystem’s product offerings and market reach. In addition, with Datafusion headquartered in Dubai, once the transaction closes, this will mark Lumine Group’s first acquisition in the UAE.

    “Datafusion will be a strong and exciting addition to Lumine Group,” said Tony Garcia, Chief Operating Officer at Lumine Group. “With an increasing focus on public safety and early threat detection, telecom operators, law enforcement, and government agencies have an ongoing pressing need for real time secure communication and intelligence solutions. Datafusion brings deep expertise and a solid track record in this sector, and we are excited to welcome them to Lumine Group, to share our best practices, and to learn from their decades of industry insight.”

    “Joining Lumine Group will mark an exciting new chapter for our team,” said John Senior, CEO of Datafusion. “Lumine Group’s long-term, buy-and-hold philosophy aligns closely with our own values and particularly that of our long-term customers and partners. With over three decades of experience, we are looking forward to completing this transaction and reinforcing our commitment to our customers and current regions, while exploring new opportunities for global growth. We look forward to what we can accomplish with Lumine Group in this next chapter.”

    Closing is expected by early Q3, following customary Dubai Development Authority review and approval.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements herein may be “forward looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual events to be materially different from any future events expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “should”, “anticipate” and other similar terminology are intended to identify forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include the intention of Lumine Group’s acquisition of Datafusion Systems. Such forward looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved, or when such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the results discussed in the forward looking statements. These forward looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and are made as of the date hereof and Lumine Group assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

    About Lumine Group

    Lumine Group acquires, strengthens, and grows vertical market software businesses in the Communications and Media industry. Learn more at www.luminegroup.com.

    About Datafusion Systems

    Datafusion Systems has more than 30 years of experience in the field of communication and data analytics solutions. Our field-proven products are based on state-of-the-art developments at the forefront of communication analysis technologies. Our mission is to provide data intelligence to both law enforcement authorities and enterprise customers.

    Media Relations Contact

    Erini Andriopoulos
    Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
    Lumine Group
    +1-437-353-4910
    erini.andriopoulos@luminegroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Trio to suspend operations at McCool Ranch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    California, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trio Petroleum Corp (NYSE American: TPET) (“Trio” or the “Company”), a California-based oil and gas company, has decided to suspend operations at McCool Ranch and will terminate its efforts to acquire a working interest in the project. We have made this determination, because, under previously negotiated terms, natural gas prices and water disposal costs, particularly in California, where McCool Ranch is located, makes it cost prohibitive for the Company to employ cyclic-steam operations to increase production and will not be economically feasible in the long run. The Company has decided to focus its efforts on other sites which it believes will be more economically feasible, and hopefully generate greater profits for the Company.

    About Trio Petroleum Corp

    Trio Petroleum Corp is an oil and gas exploration and development company in California, Saskatchewan and Utah.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements in this press release of Trio Petroleum Corp (“Trio”) and its representatives and partners that are not based on historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Acts”). In particular, when used in the preceding discussion, the words “estimates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “intends,” “on-track”, “plans,” “anticipates,” or “may,” and similar conditional expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Acts and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Acts. Any statements made in this news release other than those of historical fact, about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Trio’s control, that could cause actual results to materially and adversely differ from such statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth in the Risk Factors sections of the Trio reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Copies of such documents are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. Trio undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Redwood Empire Financial Communications
    Michael Bayes
    (404) 809 4172
    michael@redwoodefc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CETY Signs Non-Binding Offer with a European Solar and Wind Development Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, CA., May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: CETY) (the “Company” or “CETY”), a turnkey energy solutions provider leveraging advanced technologies to deliver cost-effective, eco-friendly green energy solutions, clean energy fuels, and alternative electricity for a sustainable future is pleased to announce signing a Non-Binding Offer (the “NBO”) with a European Solar and Wind development company (whose identity is currently undisclosed due to confidentiality reasons).

    In connection with the proposed transaction contemplated by the NBO, CETY has secured an initial $4,400,000 in equity investment that is expected to form a portion of the funds that would be deployed by the Company in connection with the NBO transactions. The total deal size is estimated to be approximately $85,000,000, with investments in the development company based on scheduled milestones.

    This transaction is expected to expand CETY’s operations to Europe and allow CETY to gain a foothold in the scalable and lucrative market of solar and wind power generation. CETY also believes that Europe has strong and stable government policies that support long-term growth of renewable energy.

    About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY)

    Headquartered in Irvine, California, Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY) is a rising leader in the zero-emission revolution by offering eco-friendly green energy solutions, clean energy fuels and alternative electric power for small and mid-sized projects in North America, Europe, and Asia. We deliver power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. The Company’s principal products are Waste Heat Recovery Solutions using our patented Clean CycleTM generator to create electricity. CETY Waste to Energy Solutions convert waste products created in manufacturing, agriculture, wastewater treatment plants and other industries to electricity and BioChar. CETY Engineering, Consulting and Project Management Solutions provide expertise and experience in developing clean energy projects for municipal and industrial customers and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) companies.

    CETY’s common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CETY.” For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com.

    Follow CETY on our social media channels: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook

    This summary should be read in conjunction with the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024 and other periodic filings made pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which contain, among other matters, risk factors and financial footnotes as well as a discussions of our business, operations and financial matters located on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the Company’s analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of CETY’s business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

    Investor and Investment Media inquiries:
    949-273-4990
    ir@cetyinc.com

    Source: Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

    The MIL Network –