Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division
Headline: Justice Department Files Religious Liberty Lawsuit Against Troy, Idaho for Discriminating Against a Small Christian Church
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho alleging that the City of Troy, Idaho, violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied a conditional use permit (CUP) application sought by Christ Church, a small evangelical church.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in a resolution to celebrate National Charter Schools Week.
Sen. Tuberville has helped introduce this resolution every Congress he has served in.
“Our kids are the most precious resource we have,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We don’t need a top-down approach to education. School choice empowers parents, not the government, to make choices about their children’s educational futures. I’m proud of Alabama’s 18 public charter schools, which are providing a high-quality education and producing great results.”
Sens. Tuberville and Scott were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Maggie Hassen (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jon Husted (R-OH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN) in introducing the resolution.
Read full text of the resolution here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: The Quilted Forest of Winnebago County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Since 1998, The Quilted Forest has woven creativity into the fabric of Forest City, celebrating a vibrant community of quilters,” said Chair Ernst. “From their in-person store on Main Street to their strong digital presence, the Robsons and their team have patched together a welcoming space that inspires folks to carry on the cherished tradition of quilting.”
In 1998, Shelley and Dan Robson opened The Quilted Forest in Forest City, Iowa to create a one-stop shop for quilting kits, fabrics, and patterns. In 2004, Shelley launched Pieced Tree Patterns, a pattern design company that today sells custom quilt patterns both in store and nationwide. In 2021, Shelley started a YouTube channel, growing it to over 120,000 subscribers. On the channel, Shelley shared that she is creating a series of state quilt blocks to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday next year. This past March, The Quilted Forest celebrated its 28th anniversary.
Stay tuned as Chair Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
Published: May 20, 2025
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced that she will host her third annual Entrepreneur Expo at Iowa State University on Tuesday, August 12.
The event gives unprecedented access to opportunities across the federal marketplace with valuable networking opportunities and hands-on instruction on how Iowa small businesses can sell to America’s largest consumer – the federal government.
Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks here.
“This year’s expo theme is ‘Made in America,’ because innovation comes from the heartland and these opportunities should not be limited to Washington,” said Chair Ernst. “I’m honored to connect Iowa’s entrepreneurs and job creators and provide them with the ins and outs of federal opportunities.”
Ernst’s Entrepreneur Expo will provide an opportunity to hear about how to engage in the federal marketplace, work with federal innovation-focused programs, and learn about federal manufacturing initiatives.
Background:
Last year, 40 federal agency departments and state entities came to Ernst’s Expo to connect with small business programs and help them unlock opportunities in federal contracting and innovation programs.
Hundreds of Iowans attended Ernst’s 2023 Expo, which featured 31 federal agency departments and state entities.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with SenatorsTommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 which would allow farmers and ranchers the ability to protect their livestock when threatened by predatory animals without big government interference.
The Black Vultures Relief Act of 2025 removes the requirement for a depredation permit, allowing farmers and ranchers to take black vultures anytime the birds threaten their livestock. This bill also preserves the requirement for annual take reporting to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), allowing FWS to continue monitoring black vulture population numbers, in addition to prohibiting the use of poison as a method of take.
Senators Cotton (R-AR), Wicker (R-MS), Britt (R-AL), Scott (R-FL), Lummis (R-WY), Hagerty (R-TN), Budd (R-NC), Barrasso (R-WY), Ricketts (R-NE), Cruz (R-TX), Lankford (R-OK), Hyde-Smith (MS), and Graham (SC) joined Mullin, Tuberville, and Schmitt in cosponsoring this legislation.
“Oklahoma ranchers deserve the right to protect their livestock from threatening predators,” said Senator Mullin. “Attacks from black vultures are all too common and our ranchers are suffering the consequences. As a rancher myself, I know firsthand the implications of the rapidly growing black vulture population and the negative effect this has on livestock production. Removing the requirement for a depredation permit will allow Oklahomans the ability to do what is necessary to protect their livestock and reduce economic hardship. It’s vital to the livelihood of ranchers across the country that we get this fixed.”
“America’s cattlemen work hard to feed our communities and shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to protect their herds,” said Senator Tuberville. “Adjusting these sub-permit requirements that are based on outdated data is just one more commonsense way we can support our cattlemen and help them keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I’ll continue using the feedback from Alabama’s agriculture community to guide my work here in D.C.”
“Black vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450 percent since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across our great state the ability to do what they do best—provide the best beef and ag products in the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
Full text of the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 can be found here.
The Black Vulture Relief Act is endorsed by the following stakeholders: National Supporting Groups: National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife & Conservation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA), Wyoming Stock Growers (WSG), 14 Cattlemen’s Associations (AL, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MS, ND, OH, OK, OR, MO, TN, VA) and 7 State Farm Bureau Federations (FL, MS, OK, PA, TN, TX, WY)
“The challenges faced by America’s farmers and ranchers are numerous, from unstable commodity prices to drought and unpredictable weather. The safety threat to livestock posed by predatory birds like black vultures is yet another risk our members face, day in and day out, and we’re appreciative of Senator Mullin’s leadership to help our members mitigate that risk”, said Sam Kieffer, American Farm Bureau Federation VP of Public Policy. “Protecting their livestock is of the utmost importance to farmers and ranchers, and this legislation will better equip them to do just that.”
“Currently, black vulture populations in the south and Midwest are skyrocketing and it is a success story of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Now is the time to recognize that success and allow cattle producers to effectively manage this abundant predator species through commonsense measures like the Black Vulture Relief Act. Family cattle operations are facing financial strain from the abundance of black vultures on their operations and the propensity of these predators to target newborn calves that cannot defend themselves,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover. “NCBA and PLC thank Senator Mullin for taking action to fix this problem and providing producers the management tools they need to protect their livelihoods.”
“ASI encourages support for this legislation as vultures are a growing predator of lambs in America, and farmers and ranchers have few options today to address these losses. Predator losses of sheep and the associated management costs are the second-largest expense of many sheep operations in America,” said Steve Clements, American Sheep Industry Association Board Member and South Dakota sheep producer.
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is extremely grateful to Senator Mullin for introducing this bill to help cattle raisers protect their cattle. Black Vultures are a predator to cattle, especially new mother cows and their baby calves,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “Senator Mullin, being a cattle raiser, knows the challenges that high populations of black vultures have presented to cattle raisers. This is great common-sense legislation that works well in ranch country.”
“We appreciate Senator Mullin’s efforts to help cattle producers more effectively protect their herds and, ultimately, their livelihoods,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Eric Mayberry. “This legislation takes a crucial step in alleviating the burden farmers face with growing black vulture populations and depredation of livestock across Tennessee.”
“Black vultures are predators and pose a tremendous threat to cattle producers. Their attacks, often killing calves and vulnerable animals, cause financial devastation for family farms,” said Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. “The current system prevents producers from effectively protecting their cattle herd, at the same time as the black vulture population explodes and does not warrant continued federal protection. OCA appreciates Senator Mullin for his common-sense approach with this very important legislation.”
Background:
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC — Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), and Andy Biggs (AZ-05) introduced the bipartisan Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act to codify the core provisions of President Trump’s Executive Order into law — ensuring lasting, enforceable reform that permanently delivers lower prices to Americans.
Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world — in some cases, up to ten times more than patients in other comparably developed nations for the same exact medications. President Trump’s executive order, while a step forward, could be tied up in the courts and delayed indefinitely without action from Congress.
“It’s time to stand up to drug companies who are more worried about bolstering profits for their Wall Street investors, than making sure people can afford life-saving medication. The predatory pricing practices of giant, largely faceless, pharmaceutical corporations causes undue burden on Americans just trying their best just to get by,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “There is no reason my constituents should pay more for their medicine than our Canadian neighbors 59 miles away across our northern border. Our effort to guarantee lowest possible pricing will benefit the well-being of tens of millions of Americans. I’m grateful to Congressman Khanna, Congresswoman Luna, and Congressman Biggs for helping lead this bipartisan effort for the American people who need all the help they can get in lowering their prescription drug costs.”
“Americans are getting ripped off. It’s deeply unfair that we’re paying significantly more for the same prescription drugs than people in other countries,” said Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17). “Pharmaceutical companies are raking in Billions while patients are rationing their medications or going into crushing debt to get the prescriptions they need. There is bipartisan outrage, and Congress must come together to act. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Reps. Luna, Kaptur, and Biggs to lower prices for Americans.”
“For decades, Big Pharma has lined its pockets by ripping off American consumers. Their extraordinarily profitable racket overcharged desperate Americans for life-saving medicine, while charging foreign consumers more reasonable prices,” said Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna FL-13). “I’m proud to reach across the aisle to codify President Trump’s executive order, which put an end to this disgusting practice. Congress must make sure that pharmaceutical companies are never allowed to extort the sick and needy again.”
The Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act legislation would:
Require the Department of Commerce and USTR to assess policies that force Americans to subsidize global R&D or suppress fair pricing abroad.
# # #
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Met Police officers have secured significant banning orders against two prolific shoplifters as part of their continued crackdown on retail crime.
Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four months, banning him from every Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales.
In a separate investigation, officers in Haringey secured an order to ban Patrick Verry from every Greggs store in England and Wales after he targeted a store seven times.
Across London the Met is prioritising neighbourhood policing by putting more officers into local teams to tackle issues such as shoplifting.
Officers are working with business owners to target the most prolific offenders who cause fear to retail workers and have a negative impact on communities.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s lead for tackling retail crime, said:
“The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Wright and Verry. They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.
“We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”
Winston Wright, 44 (08.04.81), of Lewisham, pleaded guilty to eight counts of shoplifting and one count of commercial burglary at Croydon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
As well as being given a Criminal Behaviour Order which bans him from entering any Sainsbury’s, Boots and Co-op in England and Wales for three years, he’s also been banned from entering the Royal Borough of Greenwich for three years, jailed for three months and fined £200.
During the course of the investigation officers gathered CCTV from various stores which helped identify Wright as the offender. As a result he was stopped in Deptford High Street on Thursday, 20 March by a PCSO who recognised him.
Patrick Verry, 33 (02.04.92), of no fixed address, was caught in the act by officers at the store in Wood Green High Road on Thursday, 15 May. He pleaded guilty to six counts of theft from the same store at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 May.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
GREENWICH, Conn., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gabelli Funds announces Jennifer A. Wallace as the 2025 recipient of the Graham & Dodd, Murray, Greenwald Prize for Value Investing. She was presented with the Prize at the firm’s fortieth client conference on Friday, May 16th in New York.
In announcing Jennifer Wallace as the 2025 recipient, Tano Santos, the Academic Director of the Heilbrunn Center for Graham & Dodd Investing at Columbia Business School stated, “Jennifer’s entire career has been devoted to elevating the field of value investing, from her early days working alongside Robert Bruce, to launching Summit Street Capital. Her focus has been consistently on evaluating companies through a value investor lens.”
In 2009, she launched Summit Street Capital which employs a deep value investment approach using a concentrated portfolio of high-quality companies with strong balance sheets purchased at bargain prices. Jenny earned a BA from Columbia College and an MBA from Columbia Business School where she received Beta Gamma Sigma honors
In 2005, Gabelli created the annual prize to honor an individual, student, or practitioner who has made an outstanding contribution to enlarge the field of value investing. Known as the “Gabelli Prize”, the company funded the prize with $1 million and presents the award at its annual client meetings.
GAMCO Investors, Inc. (OTCQX: GAMI), through its subsidiaries, manages assets of private advisory accounts (GAMCO), mutual funds and closed-end funds (Gabelli Funds, LLC) and is known for its Private Market Value with a Catalyst™ style of investment.
Contact:
Douglas R. Jamieson
President & Chief Operating Officer
(914) 921-5020
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leonora Risse, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Canberra
After two years of publishing the gender pay gaps of Australia’s private-sector companies, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has released public-sector employer data for the first time.
The report shows a stark contrast between the private and public sectors. The Commonwealth public sector has a gender pay gap of 6.4%, far less than the equivalent gap of 21.1% in the private sector.
The agency attributes a big part of the “substantially better” outcome in the public sector to the achievement of gender balance at managerial and board levels.
Women’s representation in senior and governance roles doesn’t just narrow the pay gap at the top. It can also change workplace cultures and embed more gender-equitable practices that ripple through to all occupational levels.
The agency says public-sector employers have achieved this outcome by “long-term and deliberate actions that address gender equality”. These include conducting a gender pay gap analysis and formulating a gender-equality strategy.
The public sector’s results also illustrate the power of setting targets. The Australian government has set – and now achieved – targets for women to hold 50% of all Australian government board positions.
Of the 120 public-sector employers in the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s dataset, 55 have a gender pay gap that falls into the target range of between –5% and +5%.
Several have a gender pay gap in total remuneration at or very close to zero. These include the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of Treasury, Department of Social Services and the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman.
A handful have a slight positive gender pay gap in favour of women, including the Productivity Commission.
To support greater transparency, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency has published a searchable database of Commonwealth public sector employers. This is broken down by each department and agency.
The largest gender gaps in median total remuneration are reported by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (50.4%) and Coal Mining Industry Corporation (31.7%).
Closer to the middle of the pack, the Australian Federal Police reports a gender pay gap of 12.2%. The Reserve Bank of Australia has a gap of 11.5%, and Australia Post 8.6%.
The data does not include elected officials such as members of parliament.
All up, half of Commonwealth public-sector employers have a gender pay gap larger than 5%, which the agency deems the acceptable maximum.
But this is still a better performance than in the private sector, where 60% of companies exceeded the 5% threshold.
Women working in Australia’s public sector earn on average A$8,200 less per year than their male colleagues.
The data cover both the Australian Public Service (APS) (which is directly responsible for the delivery of government services) and non-APS organisations (which deliver services on behalf of the government).
Within the APS workforce, men’s average total remuneration of $128,503 compares to women’s $121,146. This equates to a 5.7% gap.
In public-sector agencies outside the APS, this gender pay gap widens to 8.8%. Men’s average salary of $127,354 compares to women’s $116,157.
In agencies outside the APS, more of this gender gap – 5.6 percentage points – is due to men being paid more in bonuses, overtime and superannuation. Within the APS, these above-base payments contribute only 1.1 percentage points to the overall gap.
The role of discretionary above-base payments in widening the gap in total remuneration is similar to the dynamics of the private sector, where there is also greater scope for individual negotiation.
Research shows negotiation practices are laced with gender biases.
More standardised recruitment, promotion and wage-setting practices in the public sector, compared with private companies, mean there’s less scope for personal subjectivity and implicit biases in hiring, promotion and salary decisions.
This is the first year the Commonwealth public sector’s performance on gender equality has been published at employer level. It follows changes to legislation in 2022 requiring public sector employers to report their gender equality indicators to WGEA from 2023, similar to the obligations of large private companies.
The point of publishing gender pay gaps is to spark awareness and motivate employer action.
Three in four public sector employers report they have taken action after conducting a gender pay gap analysis. Of these actions, one in four employers have corrected instances of unequal pay.
With a heightened awareness of the benefits of flexible work, almost all public-sector employers (96%) reported “flexible working is promoted throughout the organisation”.
But there is scope to improve the practical implementation of flexible work policies.
Only 56% of public-sector employers offer an online option for all team meetings. Only 43% provide support to managers to ensure performance evaluations are not unfairly biased against staff who work remotely or hybrid. And only 5% report that management positions can be designed as part-time.
With this greater transparency, there will be opportunity to monitor changes in future to look for ongoing improvements in gender-equality practices and outcomes.
It’s in the interests of fostering a more equitable, productive and effective public sector for all.
Read more:
Working from home is producing economic benefits return-to-office rules would quash
Leonora Risse receives research funding from the Trawalla Foundation and the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia. She has previously undertaken commissioned research for the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. She is a member of the Economic Society of Australia and the Women in Economics Network. She serves as an Expert Panel Member on gender pay equity for the Fair Work Commission.
– ref. The public service has a much smaller gender pay gap than the private sector. It’s a big achievement – https://theconversation.com/the-public-service-has-a-much-smaller-gender-pay-gap-than-the-private-sector-its-a-big-achievement-256810
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), received commitment from General David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to support the KC-46 tanker program and remain focused on military readiness and availability. Last fall, it was announced that Bangor Air National Guard Base was a finalist to receive the KC-46A fueling tankers to replace the aging KC-135s. During the exchange, Senator King touted the tremendous contribution of the “MAINEiacs” to national defense, encouraged continued investment there, and reminded General Allvin of the strategic importance of Bangor Air National Guard Base and it’s refueling mission.
“One way to help on the tanker capacity is the KC-46 which is at Bangor, affectionately known as the MAINEiacs. As you know, they provided enormous support during the Gulf War and anything on the east side of the United States, in terms of Europe, the Middle East, and it’s going to be an incredibly important capacity. They’re doing fantastically with their present fleet, but the KC-46 is the next generation. And as you pointed out yourself, tankers are the heart and soul of being able to keep our forces over the target. So, I hope that’s something on your agenda,” began Senator King.
“Absolutely, Senator, and sort of the maniacs were on the list as part of one of the candidate locations, and the final location for preferred location will happen in the fourth quarter of this year,” replied General Allvin.
“I appreciate that. Thank you very much,” said Senator King.
Later in the hearing, Senator King stressed his concerns about military readiness to General Allvin, particularly regarding aircraft availability and maintenance. During their discussion, Senator King pointed out that the military operates with between 50-60% of their fleet available while commercial carriers often have more than 90% of their planes available for use.
“General Allvin, I am concerned about availability and mission availability. You mentioned a couple of figures, 50%, 62%. The commercial air fleet is in the high 90s. Now, granted, there are more complicated systems in the military, but I believe, and this applies to the Navy as well, that we really don’t put enough emphasis on maintenance and availability. We’re talking about very expensive products here, very expensive aircraft, and if we had more of them ready to fly, we perhaps wouldn’t have to buy as many new ones. So, I see that closing that gap between 62% and 98% which is the commercial availability rate, would go a long way toward helping us with our budget and also helping us with our readiness,” said Senator King.
“Senator, thank you for that. I would say that one of the big challenges is that the airlines have a profit model. They have a different business model, and so as they look at that, they generate their values,” responded General Allvin.
“The difference is they have to meet a profit realization rate, and we don’t. The military doesn’t. And I think I’m just saying, surely, we can get beyond 62%,” replied Senator King.
General Allvin agreed, “I do believe, Senator, we do need to improve. I think one of the big challenges, though, is what I was trying to address, is the KC 135 is the average one? It’s as old as me and I am no spring chicken. So, the airlines, they just throw those out because it becomes cost ineffective for them to maintain older platforms that it can still have the enough seats for passenger seats to maintain a profit. So, they’ll dump those off to the side.”
I understand that. But do you believe that we can do better than 62%,” asked Senator King.
I do believe we can do better, and I think it becomes more challenging the older the aircraft get, because we’re discovering new things all the time, because they’re breaking in new and different ways. Yes, Senator, we can. We can continue to do better,” finished General Allvin.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator King has been a steadfast supporter of the armed forces, including Bangor’s 101st Air Refueling Wing. He recently secured key provisions in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that helps protect the Maine Air National Guard — guaranteeing that as the Air Force modernizes the tanker fleet, it replaces older aircraft on a one-for-one basis — and ensure support for all branches of the military to make sure that servicemembers can continue providing best in class services to protect the ‘territory of the brave.’
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act. The bipartisan legislation would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.
Diabetes can often lead to health complications, such as foot ulcers and calluses, and can even necessitate the amputation of toes, legs, and feet. In addition to managing the disease through physical activity, diet, and medication, diabetic patients often benefit from the use of therapeutic shoes, which are an important preventive measure to mitigate these complications.
“Ensuring patients with diabetes can access the full range of treatments in a timely manner is critical to helping them manage their diabetes and prevent medical emergencies,” said Senator Shaheen. “Therapeutic shoes can help put a stop to a number of complications caused by diabetes — so it’s only commonsense to clear the way for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe these life-changing shoes for their patients.”
“Therapeutic shoes are a proven method for preventing costly and painful complications related to diabetes, yet current Medicare regulations force patients to endure a time-consuming process to obtain them,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify their patients’ need for this important treatment method, saving patients time and allowing them to keep their current medical provider.”
While NPs and PAs often act as sole primary care providers for patients with diabetes – particularly those in underserved and rural communities – current law requires that they send their diabetic patients on Medicare who need therapeutic shoes to a physician who will certify that they do in fact need these shoes. The physician is then required to become the provider managing the patient’s diabetic condition moving forward. Not only does the current law impose additional costs on the Medicare program by requiring the participation of an additional provider, it can also result in delays for patients in underserved and rural areas which could jeopardize their overall health. This bill would authorize NPs and PAs to certify a Medicare beneficiary’s need for therapeutic shoes, improving timeliness and access to care while reducing costs.
The Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act is endorsed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Physician Associates.
“On behalf of more than 431,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) nationwide, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) thanks Senators Collins and Shaheen for their leadership on the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act,” said American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. “This legislation will authorize NPs to continue providing high-quality, cost-effective care for their Medicare patients with diabetes. By introducing this important legislation, Senators Collins and Shaheen have renewed their commitment to remove outdated barriers to care, improve patient access, and empower patients with diabetes to continue receiving care from their provider of choice.”
“Medical care for America’s aging population who live with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, should never be delayed by unnecessary restrictions. The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) extends our gratitude to Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen for their commitment to the health and well-being of those served by the Medicare program through the introduction of the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act. This bill would correct an undue barrier to care for Medicare beneficiaries by authorizing physician associates/assistants (PAs) to order diabetic shoes for their patients. With this change in the law, PAs will be able to provide timely care that means so much to the patient who needs it,” said American Academy of Physician Associates President and Board Chair Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA.
The full text of this legislation can be read here.
As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Shaheen and Collins recently delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor to recognize American Diabetes Month and to push for the passage of their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), reintroduced the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, bipartisan legislation to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Darren LaHood (R-IL), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
“Having watched my mother battle Alzheimer’s for a decade before her passing, I know this is a devastating disease that impacts not just the individual, but the entire family. Our legislation is key to helping secure an early diagnosis that will allow for better care, earlier access to treatment, and more support for families navigating this difficult journey,” Sen. Warner said.
“As we continue to search for breakthroughs in the fight against Alzheimer’s, we must ensure our health care system is doing its part to identify the disease earlier and connect patients and families with the tools they need. The CHANGE Act focuses on practical improvements—like earlier screening and detection—that can make a meaningful difference right now. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to help improve outcomes, ease the burden on caregivers, and move us closer to ending this devastating disease,” Sen. Capito said.
“Like countless families across the country, mine has personally felt the heartbreaking toll of Alzheimer’s,” Rep. Sánchez said. “Having lost both of my parents to this cruel disease, I understand how critical early diagnosis can be. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would early assessments and offer crucial resources for families. As our population continues to age and diagnoses expected to rise, we can’t afford to wait.”
“Alzheimer’s affects millions of Americans, and we must be relentless in our search for a cure,” Rep. LaHood said. “I am proud to work alongside Rep. Sánchez to reintroduce the CHANGE Act to strengthen existing tools within Medicare, helping to streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of dementia. It is critical that Congress find ways to support patients, their families, and caregivers.”
“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s and to support the millions of Americans battling against this disease. Early detection and intervention are crucial to improve care and prolong the life of loved ones,” Rep. Matsui said. “The CHANGE Act provides important tools to deliver early support and high-value care. I applaud my colleagues for advancing this bipartisan effort as we continue taking steps forward to prevent, treat, and put an end to Alzheimer’s.”
“As research continues to yield advancement in the development of more treatment options for patients with Alzheimer’s, we know that early detection, diagnosis and intervention offers the best promise for disease management,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “My family has coped with the devastating impacts of this horrific disease for more than a decade, so I understand the toll it takes on the patient and his or her loved ones as it progresses. We owe it to our fellow Americans to develop a system of care that prioritizes education, screening and assessment so that patients can enjoy the best possible quality of life.”
The CHANGE Act is endorsed by: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer’s, and USAging.
“The reintroduction of the CHANGE Act is a powerful display of bipartisan, bicameral leadership stepping up to confront the growing Alzheimer’s crisis. Senators Capito and Warner, along with Representatives Sánchez, LaHood, Matsui, and Bilirakis, recognize that early detection and timely intervention are extremely important to improving outcomes for patients and reducing strain on families and our healthcare system. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s proudly supports this legislation, which shifts our country’s approach from reacting too late to acting early—where we have the greatest chance to change lives and make a difference,” George Vradenburg, CEO and Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, said.
Approximately 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2025. That number could grow to a projected 13.8 million by 2060. The direct financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will also continue to increase exponentially, with projections indicating they will reach just under $1 trillion by 2050.
The CHANGE Act would better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias in their earliest stages.
Now, as new treatments are approved and glimpses at what could be on the horizon for those living with the disease emerge, ensuring screening and diagnosis is taking place is more essential than ever. An early documented diagnosis communicated to the patient and caregiver enables early access to care planning services and available medical and non-medical treatments and optimizes patients’ ability to build a care team, participate in support services, and enroll in clinical trials. It also would allow this devastating disease to be caught in its earliest stages, and ensure appropriate access to treatment.
Legislative text is available here.
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
BREAKING: President Trump announces the ‘Golden Dome,’ a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect the homeland.
Source: World Health Organisation
In time for the 78th World Health Assembly, WHO launched the first-ever WHO Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Dashboards, on 21 May 2025 featuring comprehensive global and country-level profiles.
This milestone builds on insights from the Third WHO Global Survey on TCIM, conducted between April 2023 and March 2024, and marks a significant leap forward in WHO’s data modernization agenda.
The new dashboards transform static survey data into a dynamic, real-time digital platform, empowering Member States to continuously update and manage their national TCIM data. Key benefits include:
Users can explore the data through two distinct views:
This launch underscores WHO’s commitment to harnessing digital innovation to advance evidence-based policymaking, promote transparency, and strengthen global collaboration in the field of TCIM.
Source: US Republican Governors Association
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Republican governors sent a joint letter to President Trump supporting the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to permanently secure the border, unleash American energy, and give working class families tax cuts worth thousands of dollars each.
In part, the governors wrote:
“As Republican Governors, we stand UNITED in strong support of your One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This landmark piece of legislation embodies your powerful vision to bring about the next great American revival. It truly delivers on the bold promises all Republicans made to the American people to restore the security, prosperity, and fiscal sanity for our nation.
“After four long years of tremendous hardship under President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the American people cannot wait any longer for Congress to enact the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. The American people have witnessed the tireless work undertaken by you and your administration to reverse the disastrous consequences of President Biden’s failed and often illegal policies. You have demonstrated a commitment to using every ounce of Executive authority available to reinstitute fiscal sanity, fight the deep state, secure our borders, and achieve energy dominance.”
Read the full letter here.
Signatories to the letter include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Mike Braun (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Mike Kehoe (MO), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Kelly Armstrong (ND), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Patrick Morrisey (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).
###
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CALGARY, Alberta, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helium Evolution Incorporated (TSXV:HEVI) (“HEVI” or the “Company“), a Canadian-based helium exploration company focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan, today announced the filing of the Company’s interim condensed financial statements and associated management’s discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (the “Q1 Report”).
Complete details of the Q1 Report are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and on HEVI’s website.
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Highlights
| Three months ended | ||||||
| Tabular amounts in thousands of Canadian Dollars, except share and per share amounts |
March 31, 2025 |
March 31, 2024 |
||||
| Financial | ||||||
| Net loss | 675 | 239 | ||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | 0.01 | 0.00 | ||||
| Cash | 3,004 | 5,304 | ||||
| Working capital | 1,966 | 4,992 | ||||
| Total assets | 11,683 | 11,293 | ||||
| Total liabilities | 1,500 | 872 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||
| Basic and diluted1 | 97,129,085 | 96,033,974 | ||||
| 1The weighted average number of common shares outstanding is not increased for outstanding stock options and warrants when the effect is anti-dilutive. | ||||||
During the first quarter of 2025, HEVI maintained its focus on disciplined operational execution, closing the quarter with $2.0 million in working capital and a strong cash position. Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company completed or announced equity financings totaling approximately $3.4 million, further strengthening its balance sheet and supporting planned development and drilling initiatives for the remainder of 2025.
Operationally, the Company drilled four wells in the Mankota area during the first quarter of 2025, in partnership with North American Helium Inc. (“NAH”), two of which discovered helium. To date, HEVI and NAH have successfully drilled six helium discovery wells, further substantiating the potential of the region.
Building upon this momentum, HEVI and NAH, are progressing with additional development plans in the Mankota area. Notably, NAH has secured a license for a facility (the “Soda Lake Facility”) to tie-in the 9-35 well, the 10-1 well and the 10-36 well in the northern part of the discovery, as shown on the map above. The Soda Lake Facility is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone for HEVI with its first helium sales volumes. Additional drilling is planned for the second half of 2025 to advance the project further.
Stay Connected to Helium Evolution
Shareholders and other parties interested in learning more about the Helium Evolution opportunity are encouraged to visit the Company’s website, which includes an updated corporate presentation, and are invited to follow the Company on LinkedIn and X for ongoing corporate updates and helium industry information. Helium Evolution also provides an extensive, commissioned ‘deep-dive’ research report prepared by a third party whose background includes serving as a research analyst for several bank-owned and independent investment dealers.
About Helium Evolution Incorporated
Helium Evolution is a Canadian-based helium exploration company holding the largest helium land rights position in North America among publicly-traded companies, focused on developing assets in southern Saskatchewan. The Company has over five million acres of land under permit near proven discoveries of economic helium concentrations which will support scaling the exploration and development efforts across its land base. HEVI’s management and board are executing a differentiated strategy to become a leading supplier of sustainably-produced helium for the growing global helium market.
For further information, please contact:
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will,” “would,” “may,” “could” or “should” occur.
Forward-looking statements in this document include statements regarding the Company’s expectations regarding the Soda Lake Facility including timing, tie-in of wells to the Soda Lake Facility, the Company’s expectations regarding scalable helium production from its land generally, the Company and/or NAH’s plans to drill more wells, completion of the financing as announced, the Company becoming a leading supplier of sustainably-produced helium, the Company’s belief regarding becoming a key player in the North American helium industry, the Company’s beliefs regarding growth of the global helium market and other statements that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: NAH may be unsuccessful in drilling commercially productive wells; the Company and/or NAH may choose to defer, accelerate or abandon its exploration and development plans including future drilling; the Company and/or NAH may determine not to bring the helium wells onto production; the Company and/or NAH may abandon, defer or accelerate plans and decisions regarding the Soda Lake Facility; new laws or regulations and/or unforeseen events could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations; stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and such volatility may adversely affect the price of the Company’s securities regardless of its operating performance; the financings may not close as anticipated or at all; risks generally associated with the exploration for and production of resources; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to expenses and the Company’s working capital position; constraint in the availability of services; commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations; adverse weather or break-up conditions; and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures.
When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and risks other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
An infographic accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ade519ed-7912-4ca5-8b3b-1edfd33a0e89
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
LEAWOOD, Kan., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First Busey Corporation (“Busey”) (Nasdaq: BUSE), the holding company for Busey Bank and CrossFirst Bank, today announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 8,600,000 depositary shares (inclusive of 600,000 depositary shares offered in connection with the partial exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), each representing a 1/40th ownership interest in a share of its 8.25% Fixed Rate Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (equivalent to $25.00 per depositary share). As a result of the public offering, Busey received proceeds of approximately $207,477,500, net of estimated expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions.
Piper Sandler & Co., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. acted as joint bookrunning managers for the offering, and Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is acting as the co-manager.
A shelf registration statement, including a prospectus, with respect to the offering was previously filed by Busey with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 21, 2023. A prospectus supplement relating to the offering has been filed with the SEC. The offering has been made by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to these securities may be obtained free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Busey or any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus supplement if you request it by emailing Piper Sandler & Co. at fsg-dcm@psc.com or calling Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC toll-free at 1-866-718-1649 or Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company at 1-800-966-1559.
Corporate Profile
As of March 31, 2025, First Busey Corporation (Nasdaq: BUSE) was a $19.46 billion financial holding company headquartered in Leawood, Kansas.
Busey Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation headquartered in Champaign, Illinois, had total assets of $11.98 billion as of March 31, 2025. Busey Bank currently has 62 banking centers, with 21 in Central Illinois markets, 17 in suburban Chicago markets, 20 in the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area, three in Southwest Florida, and one in Indianapolis. More information about Busey Bank can be found at busey.com.
CrossFirst Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of First Busey Corporation headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, had total assets of $7.45 billion as of March 31, 2025. CrossFirst Bank currently has 16 banking centers located across Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. More information about CrossFirst Bank can be found at crossfirstbank.com. It is anticipated that CrossFirst Bank will be merged with and into Busey Bank on June 20, 2025.
Through Busey Bank’s Wealth Management division, Busey provides a full range of asset management, investment, brokerage, fiduciary, philanthropic advisory, tax preparation, and farm management services to individuals, businesses, and foundations. Assets under care totaled $13.68 billion as of March 31, 2025. More information about Busey’s Wealth Management services can be found at busey.com/wealth-management.
Busey Bank’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FirsTech, Inc. (“FirsTech”) specializes in the evolving financial technology needs of small and medium-sized businesses, highly regulated enterprise industries, and financial institutions. FirsTech provides comprehensive and innovative payment technology solutions, including online, mobile, and voice-recognition bill payments; money and data movement; merchant services; direct debit services; lockbox remittance processing for payments made by mail; and walk-in payments at retail agents. Additionally, FirsTech simplifies client workflows through integrations enabling support with billing, reconciliation, bill reminders, and treasury services. More information about FirsTech can be found at firstechpayments.com.
For the fourth consecutive year, Busey was named among 2025’s America’s Best Banks by Forbes. Ranked 88th overall, Busey was one of seven banks headquartered in Illinois included on this year’s list. Busey was also named among the 2024 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker, the 2024 Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions and Investments, the 2024 Best Places to Work in Illinois by Daily Herald Business Ledger, the 2025 Best Places to Work in Indiana by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the 2024 Best Companies to Work For in Florida by Florida Trend magazine. We are honored to be consistently recognized globally, nationally and locally for our engaged culture of integrity and commitment to community development.
| First Busey Corporation Contacts | |
| For Financials: | For Media: |
| Scott Phillips, Interim CFO | Amy L. Randolph, EVP & COO |
| First Busey Corporation | First Busey Corporation |
| (239) 689-7167 | (217) 365-4049 |
| scott.phillips@busey.com | amy.randolph@busey.com |
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to Busey’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of Busey’s management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “position,” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Busey undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.
A number of factors, many of which are beyond Busey’s ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (1) the strength of the local, state, national, and international economies and financial markets (including effects of inflationary pressures, the threat or implementation of tariffs, trade wars, and changes to immigration policy); (2) changes in, and the interpretation and prioritization of, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and governmental policies (including those concerning Busey’s general business); (3) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats or attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets (including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East); (4) unexpected results of acquisitions, including the acquisition of CrossFirst, which may include the failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions and the possibility that the transaction and integration costs may be greater than anticipated; (5) the imposition of tariffs or other governmental policies impacting the value of products produced by Busey’s commercial borrowers; (6) new or revised accounting policies and practices as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory banking agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (7) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of Busey’s assets (including the impact of sustained elevated interest rates); (8) increased competition in the financial services sector (including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies) and the inability to attract new customers; (9) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (10) the loss of key executives or associates, talent shortages, and employee turnover; (11) unexpected outcomes and costs of existing or new litigation, investigations, or other legal proceedings, inquiries, and regulatory actions involving Busey (including with respect to Busey’s Illinois franchise taxes); (12) fluctuations in the value of securities held in Busey’s securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (13) credit risk and risk from concentrations (by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral, and industry), within Busey’s loan portfolio and large loans to certain borrowers (including commercial real estate loans); (14) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (15) the level of non-performing assets on Busey’s balance sheets; (16) interruptions involving information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (17) breaches or failures of information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents; (18) the economic impact on Busey and its customers of climate change, natural disasters, and exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, blizzards, and droughts; (19) the ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, which may increase dependence on non-core funding sources such as brokered deposits, and may negatively impact Busey’s cost of funds; (20) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (21) the effectiveness of Busey’s risk management framework; and (22) the ability of Busey to manage the risks associated with the foregoing. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mattr Corp. (“Mattr” or the “Company”) (TSX: MATR) announced today in accordance with Toronto Stock Exchange requirements, the voting results from its Annual Meeting held May 15, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario.
A total of 43,559,302 common shares were voted at the meeting representing 69.87% of the votes attached to all outstanding shares. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the meeting, including the election of all director nominees as follows:
| Name of Nominee | % of Votes For | % of Votes Against |
| Laura A. Cillis | 99.93 | 0.07 |
| Kathleen J. Hall | 99.86 | 0.14 |
| Alan R. Hibben | 99.84 | 0.16 |
| Kevin L. Nugent | 98.26 | 1.74 |
| Michael Reeves | 99.93 | 0.07 |
| Kathy Rethy | 99.70 | 0.30 |
| Marvin Riley | 99.77 | 0.23 |
“I appreciate the continued strong support of Mattr’s shareholders for both our strategic direction and our experienced team of Directors who provide invaluable governance oversight,” said Mike Reeves, Mattr’s President and CEO. “With output expanding from our recently established production facilities, strong customer adoption of our newly developed technologies and meaningful growth opportunities for the recently acquired AmerCable business, I believe Mattr is well positioned to deliver accelerating shareholder returns over the coming years.”
Detailed voting results for the meeting are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.
About Mattr
Mattr is a growth-oriented, global materials technology company broadly serving critical infrastructure markets, including transportation, communication, water management, energy and electrification. Its two business segments, Connection Technologies and Composite Technologies, enable responsible renewal and enhancement of critical infrastructure.
For further information, please contact:
Meghan MacEachern
VP, Investor Relations & External Communications
Telephone: 437.341.1848
Email: meghan.maceachern@mattr.com
Website: www.mattr.com
Source: Mattr Corp.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham
After a two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 19, US president Donald Trump took to social media to declare that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to the war. He did, however, add that the conditions for peace “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be”.
With the Vatican, according to Trump, “very interested in hosting the negotiations” and European leaders duly informed, it seems clear that the US has effectively abandoned its stalled mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
It was always a possibility that Trump could walk away from the war, despite previous claims he could end it in 24 hours. This only became more likely on May 16, when the first face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for more than three years predictably ended without a ceasefire agreement.
When Trump announced shortly afterwards that he would be speaking to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts by phone a few days later, he effectively mounted the beginning of a rearguard action. This was further underlined when, shortly before the Trump-Putin call, Vice-President J.D. Vance, explicitly told reporters that the US could end its shuttle diplomacy.
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The meagre outcomes of the talks between Russia and Ukraine – as well as between Trump and Putin – are not surprising. Russia is clearly not ready for any concessions yet. It keeps insisting that Ukraine accept its maximalist demands of territorial concessions and future neutrality.
Putin also continues to slow-walk any negotiations. After his call with Trump, he reportedly said that “Russia will offer and is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement”, including “a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time, should relevant agreements be reached.”
The lack of urgency on Russia’s part to end the fighting and, in fact, the Kremlin’s ability and willingness to continue the war was emphasised the day before the Trump-Putin call. Russia carried out its largest drone attack against Ukraine so far in the war, targeting several regions including Kyiv.
There has been no let-up in the fighting since. And the fact that Putin spoke to Trump while visiting a music school in the southern Russian city of Sochi does not suggest that a ceasefire in Ukraine is high on the Russian leader’s priority list.
A large part of the Kremlin’s calculation seems to be its desire to strike a grand bargain with the White House on a broader reset of relations between the US and Russia. It is signalling clearly that this is more important than the war in Ukraine and might even happen without the fighting there ending.
This also appears to be driving thinking in Washington. Trump foreshadowed an improvement in bilateral relations by describing the “tone and spirit” of his conversation with Putin as “excellent”. He also seemed pleased about the prospects of “large-scale trade” with Russia.
Trump is on record as saying that there would be no progress towards peace in Ukraine until he and Putin get together. But it is worth bearing mind that very little movement towards a ceasefire in Ukraine – let alone a peace agreement – occurred after the last phone call between the two presidents in February.
Part of this lack of progress has been Trump’s reluctance to put any real pressure on Putin. And despite agreement in Brussels and preparations in Washington for an escalation in sanctions against Russia, it is unlikely that Trump will change his approach.
In this context, the sequence in which the calls occurred is telling. Trump and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, had a short call before the former spoke with Putin. Zelensky said he told Trump not to make decisions about Ukraine “without us”.
But rather than presenting Putin with a clear ultimatum to accept a ceasefire, Trump apparently discussed future relations with Putin at great length before informing Zelensky and key European allies that the war in Ukraine is now solely their problem to solve.
This has certainly raised justifiable fears in Kyiv and European capitals that, for the sake of a reset with Russia, the US might yet completely abandon its allies across the Atlantic.
However, if a reset with Russia at any cost really is Trump’s strategy, it is bound to fail. As much as Putin seems willing to continue with his aggression against Ukraine, Zelensky is as unwilling to surrender. Putin can rely on China’s continued backing while Zelensky can count on support from Europe.
Supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine is essential for China to keep Moscow on side in its rivalry with the US. And for Europe, supporting Ukraine has become an existential question of deterring and containing a revisionist Russia hell-bent on restoring a Soviet-style sphere of influence in central and eastern Europe.
In a world that has been in flux since Trump’s return to the White House, these are some of the emerging constants. And they make a US-Russia reset highly improbable.
Even if it were to happen, it would not strengthen Washington’s position with Beijing. Walking away from Ukraine and Europe now will deprive the US of the very allies it will need in the long term to prevail in its rivalry with China.
By abandoning his mediation between Moscow and Kyiv, Trump may have broken the deadlock in his efforts to achieve a reset with Russia. But getting this deal over the line will be a pyrrhic victory.
Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.
– ref. After another call with Putin, it looks like Trump has abandoned efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/after-another-call-with-putin-it-looks-like-trump-has-abandoned-efforts-to-mediate-peace-in-ukraine-257021
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer, School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol
He’s leapt from cliffs, clung to planes mid-takeoff and held his breath underwater for as long as professional freedivers. Now, at 62, Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt for one final mission – and he’s still doing his own stunts.
With Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the saga reaches its high-stakes finale. But behind the scenes of death-defying spectacles lies a fascinating question: just how far can the human body be pushed – and trained – to pull off the seemingly impossible?
And at what cost? In filming the eight Mission: Impossible films, Cruise has suffered a broken ankle, cracked ribs and a torn shoulder.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to consider the capabilities – and limits – of the human body in being able to achieve these awesome heights. How much is it possible to train to achieve the apparently impossible?
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In Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Hunt navigates an underwater vault to recover a stolen ledger. Cruise wanted to film this all in one take and sought help from freediving instructors in order to hold his breath for the required time – over six minutes!
The average human can hold their breath for about 30 to 90 seconds. That’s without training. Although there’s an innate diving reflex built into the human body that allows it to temporarily adapt to immersion underwater.
The response is to lower the heart rate and redirect blood to the body’s core, essentially enabling it to lower its metabolic demand and preserve the function of the vital organs, like the brain and heart.
All well and good, but consider now the need to swim, as well as resist the pressure of the water pressing on the lungs. And also while fighting that desperate urge as a result of rising CO₂ to take a deep breath – which, underwater, would be catastrophic.
And if the diver’s oxygen levels fall too low, they might black out and lose consciousness. That’s why shallow water drowning is a real risk here.
That’s where freediving training comes into play. With practice, there are several ways you can increase the time you’re able to remain underwater. These include mastering breathing techniques to retain the maximum amount of air in the lungs. Sustained practice might also lead to increased oxygen storage capacity in the bloodstream.
This process takes months to years to attain and might lengthen the immersion time, on average, to around five minutes. What Cruise managed to achieve was nothing short of exceptional.
Mission Impossible films often open with Ethan Hunt working his way up some impossibly sheer building or cliff face with the agility of a mountain goat. He appears to be free climbing without a harness, and at the start of Mission: Impossible 2, clinging on with just one hand. While Cruise used safety wires to secure himself, the climbing was 100% real.
Then, of course, how could we forget that scene? The one in the original Mission: Impossible – where he has to suspend all limbs, centimetres from the ground, to prevent himself from setting off the alarms.
Although Cruise hasn’t revealed his specific training regime for these stunts that I can see – performing any of these actions would require an exceptionally strong back and core.
The muscles of our backs keep the spine straight and upright. Some span the space between back and limb, such as latissimus dorsi, or “lats”. These sheets of muscle, prized by bodybuilders, are also particularly valuable to climbers – allowing you to perform a chin-up, or pull yourself up that rock face.
Besides this, many other muscles are needed for extreme climbing – those that enable a strong grip, allow for reaching and “push offs”, and maintain tension and hold. It’s no wonder climbing is considered one of the best whole-body workouts.
It’s no surprise that Cruise is known to have trained extensively for this. To understand even an element of the difficulty he may have faced, you could try adopting that vault heist pose, with your belly in contact with the floor, and see how long you can hold it. I won’t tell you how pitiful my own attempt was.
Hunt has also escaped a fair few explosions in his time, from a helicopter in the Channel tunnel to a detonating fish tank in Prague. In Mission: Impossible 3, on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, another helicopter launching a missile triggers an explosion that sends Hunt smashing into a car. Again, Cruise did it all himself, for the price of two cracked ribs.
Pyrotechnics were used for the explosion, but of course, they couldn’t be used to lift Cruise up and deposit him against the car. The solution? A series of wires were used to drag him sideways. Never has the direction “brace, brace” been so apt.
And just so you know, broken or bruised ribs are far from fun. Some describe them as one of the most painful injuries you can experience, since the simple acts of coughing, sneezing and merely breathing exacerbate the pain.
But Tom Cruise picks himself up yet again, dusts himself off and gets on with it. His motivation? He has reportedly claimed that he wants the audience to experience what it really feels to be in that moment. And what a good sport he is.
This article won’t self-destruct in five seconds.
Dan Baumgardt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Feats of the human body behind Tom Cruise’s stunts in Mission: Impossible movies – https://theconversation.com/feats-of-the-human-body-behind-tom-cruises-stunts-in-mission-impossible-movies-256908
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra
Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is rewriting history.
In fact, she points out, Spotify founder Daniel Ek initially patented a platform around 2006, for circulating “any kind of digital content”. Only months later did he and his co-founder decide music might be the most profitable form of content.
Review: Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist – Liz Pelly (Hodder & Stoughton)
Ek grew up in a working-class suburb of Stockholm. A neighbour recalled that, while still at school, Ek had set up a website-making business – and was earning more than his teachers. Rejected for a job at Google, he founded an ad-targeting business, Advertigo. After he sold it to tech entrepreneur Martin Lorentzon, the two men registered a new company: Spotify.
Spotify would allow users to find their desired piece of music quickly. Ek described it in 2009 as “essentially the Google of music”, Pelly writes. He had a “maniacal focus” on ensuring a user would get a virtually instantaneous response when they pressed play; no annoying buffering.
Spotify launched in Europe in 2008 and in the United States in 2011. It listed on the stock market in 2018. Spotify has just recorded its first annual profit. It is valued at over US$100 billion: more than the three leading recording companies combined.
It had 678 million users at March 2025: of them, 268 million were paying subscribers. The rest contribute to Spotify’s earnings by listening to advertisements: the so-called “freemium” model.
Music streaming now accounts for 84% of recorded music revenue, according to Pelly – and Spotify is the largest music streamer.
Initially, Spotify looked like a boon to musicians, she writes. It could save music from the threat of “pirate” downloading, which gave no payments to creators. But many musicians are critical of the low payments artists get: fractions of a cent per stream.
Spotify claims that in 2024 it paid out more than US$10 billion to the music industry. It claims nearly 1,500 artists are earning over US$1 million annually.
Spotify pays the recording and publishing rights holders, not the singers and songwriters. How much the latter gets depends on their contracts with the record companies. The system is complicated, indirect and not that transparent.
Spotify gradually shifted towards playlists, to simplify the process of users selecting music. Some playlists, like “today’s top hits”, just consisted of the currently most popular songs. These are like the “top 40” format of many commercial radio stations.
Spotify also hired music experts to compile their choice of the best new releases. The compilers of the most popular of these playlists, such as the playlist “rap caviar”, became very influential. A Spotify advertisement in 2013 made the analogy between playlists and mixtapes (as featured in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity), claiming “mixtapes still work”.
Spotify also increasingly tried to increase passive listening. It introduced playlists geared to match the existing tastes of listeners and allow for how these might vary across the day. It termed this “music for every moment”: music to exercise to, background music for studying, music to help you sleep and so on. I have a playlist of songs about economics.
Ek said in 2016: “we really want to soundtrack every moment of your life”.
One of the parts of the book I found most intriguing was Pelly’s discussion of how this echoes a strategy developed by Thomas Edison around a century ago. He produced shellac 78 rpm records with titles such as “in moods of wistfulness” and “for more energy!”.
In 2014, Spotify made large investments in “algorithmic personalisation”. This suggested music similar in key, tempo, time signature, acousticness, danceability, loudness, mode and energy to whatever the user was already choosing.
This kept users “within their comfort zone (or as Spotify thought of it, their customer retention zone)”. But it meant users were much less likely to encounter new styles and artists, or broaden their musical horizons.
While Spotify denies it, Pelly claims Spotify commissions session musicians, playing under assumed names, to record very generic-sounding music, for playlists such as “chill instrumental beats”. Pelly gives an example of 20 songwriters using 500 names to produce thousands of tracks, streamed millions of times.
A “looming cloud” is the prospect AI-generated music will displace human musicians and singers in Spotify’s playlists, Pelly writes. She mentions that Spotify blocked a start-up called Boomy, which released over 14.5 million AI-generated songs – and has since struck up a partnership with Warner.
Another controversy is around Spotify’s Discovery Mode, which offers artists more promotion of their songs in exchange for accepting lower payments. But if most artists do this, the promotions cancel each other out, leaving all the artists worse off.
Pelly quotes an independent record label founder who says Spotify has changed the nature of the music being made.
It’s not sustainable to put out challenging records […] you have to put out records that are going to get repeat listens in coffee shops […] that are going to be playlist friendly.
This is despite some music fans saying the music they experience as “life-changing, really profound” is different from the songs they play most often.
Songs streamed are only monetised after 30 seconds. This has created “a particular emphasis placed on perfecting song intros […] songwriters would just dive directly into the chorus”. So, no more songs with long waits for the vocals, like U2, the Temptations, Dire Straits or Pink Floyd.
Artists who want their songs to appear on playlists need them to match a particular mood or context. This means songs increasingly “remain in a single emotional register throughout”.
It may mean artists are less likely to release songs with marked tempo changes, such as Dexys’ Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen (1982), Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (1971), Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) or Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out (2004). There may still be much smaller tempo changes, such as Taylor Swift’s Evermore from 2020.
The “Spotify for artists” service provides artists with data about the streaming of their songs. A band planning a tour can see in which cities or countries they are most popular. They can even alter their set lists to include the songs particularly popular in particular areas.
But Spotify monitors use of this facility, Pelly writes – and it is not clear how they use the data. Over time, it may encourage artists to repeat aspects of their most popular songs, rather than innovate and evolve.
The book is interesting and informative, but somewhat dryer than some other recent exposes of the tech sector. Partly this is because Ek is a less colourful character than X’s Elon Musk, or Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg.
Pelly does not provide the witty lines of tech journalist Kara Swisher’s Burn Book. She is not a gossipy former insider, like director of global public policy at Meta, Sarah Wynn-Williams.
As an economist, I felt the book complemented sociologist Michael Walsh’s Streaming Sounds: Musical Listening in the Digital Age. Walsh describes the demand for music streaming. Pelly analyses the supply side.
Pelly rightly describes her book as a “serious look” at Spotify. It brings together a lot of useful information about the company and raises good questions about whether it is changing the music industry – and music itself – for the better.
The debate will continue, as AI increases its influence and artists become more concerned about their songs being “TikTok friendly”, as well as “Spotify friendly”. Perhaps there will be more songs like Steve’s Lava Chicken from A Minecraft Movie. Just 34 seconds long, it recently became the shortest song to make the UK top 40.
John Hawkins does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Spotify continues to change music. What’s next – will AI musicians replace music made by humans? – https://theconversation.com/spotify-continues-to-change-music-whats-next-will-ai-musicians-replace-music-made-by-humans-253630
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
ARCHBOLD, Ohio, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — F&M Bank (“F&M”), an Archbold, Ohio-based bank owned by Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO), today announced that Jo Ellen Hornish has resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors following its May 20, 2025, board meeting.
Since 2013, Mrs. Hornish has served as a valued member of the Board, contributing her business acumen and leadership experience to the Company’s strategic vision. Her insights, particularly in the transportation and manufacturing industries, along with her service on the Audit Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, have helped guide the Bank through important growth and development phases.
“On behalf of the entire Board and executive leadership team, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Jo Ellen for her dedication to F&M,” said Lars Eller, President and CEO of F&M Bank. “Her guidance and steady leadership have been instrumental in shaping the success we enjoy today. We are sincerely grateful for the time, talent, and energy she has devoted to the Board and the communities we serve.”
Mrs. Hornish, President and CEO of several Defiance, Ohio -based companies, brought a wealth of corporate and community leadership experience to the Board. Her commitment to both local and national philanthropic efforts is also a testament to her deep-rooted values and community spirit.
F&M extends its sincere gratitude to Mrs. Hornish and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors.
About F&M Bank:
F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.
Safe harbor statement
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.
| Company Contact: | Investor and Media Contact: |
| Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (419) 446-2501 leller@fm.bank |
Andrew M. Berger Managing Director SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400 andrew@smberger.com |
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Tender Offer Amended to up to 9.9% of Class A Shares
Tender Offer Extended Until 5:00pm Eastern Time on June 3, 2025
ST. HELIER, Jersey, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Plantro Ltd. (“Plantro”) today announced that it is extending and amending its ongoing all-cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to acquire class A limited voting shares (the “Class A Shares”) in the capital of Information Services Corporation (TSX: ISC) (“ISC” or the “Company”).
Pursuant to the terms of a third amended and restated offer document dated May 20, 2025 (the “Offer Document”), Plantro has increased the consideration under the Tender Offer to $30 per Class A Share, payable in cash (the “Tender Price”). Plantro has also extended the expiry date of the Tender Offer to 5:00pm (Eastern Time) on June 3, 2025, unless the Tender Offer is further varied, extended, or withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Offer Document (the “Expiry Time”). The maximum number of Class A Shares to be purchased under the Tender Offer has been reduced to 1,398,887 Class A Shares, reflecting that, together with the 435,150 Class A Shares Plantro currently owns, the Tender Offer is for a maximum of 9.9% of ISC’s issued and outstanding Class A Shares.
Due in part to the extreme lack of trading liquidity of the Class A Shares, Plantro reduced the size of the Tender Offer and increased the Tender Price. The Tender Offer is an opportunity for shareholders weary of the ISC board of directors’ continued refusal to take actions to unlock value for shareholders, to realize full and fair value for their Class A Shares.
Plantro notes that the Tender Price of $30 is above the 12-month price target of $28 per Class A Share maintained by the sell-side analyst for ISC’s primary financial advisor and equals the 12-18 month price target provided by a sell-side analyst of the other major Canadian investment bank providing research coverage of the Company.
Finally, based on Plantro’s calculations, the Tender Price values the Company at approximately 20.3x Price to LTM EPS, 19.0x Enterprise Value to LTM Levered Free Cash Flow and 9.6x Enterprise Value to LTM EBITDAi.
Shareholders are urged to consider this attractive opportunity to receive certainty of value and all-cash consideration.
Shareholders of ISC who have already validly deposited and not withdrawn their Class A Shares are not required to take any further action to accept the Tender Offer and will be deemed to have deposited their Class A Shares at the increased Tender Price. No Class A Shares will be taken up and paid for by Plantro pursuant to the Tender Offer until after the Expiry Time.
Other than as set out herein, all other terms of the Tender Offer remain unchanged. Details of the Tender Offer, including instructions for tendering Class A Shares, are included in the Offer Document. The Offer Document and the third amended and restated letter of transmittal dated May 20, 2025 (together with the Offer Document, the “Offer Documents”) will be filed and made available on ISC’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Shareholders of ISC should carefully read the Offer Documents prior to making a decision with respect to the Tender Offer.
About Plantro
Plantro is a privately held company, with an established track record of making successful investments in undervalued and high quality legal, financial, and information services businesses.
Shareholder Questions
Shareholders of ISC who have questions with respect to the Tender Offer, or who need assistance in depositing their Class A Shares, should please contact the depositary or the information agent for the Tender Offer at the contact details below:
Depositary: Odyssey Trust Company
Toll Free (US & Canada): 1-888-290-1175
Calls (All Regions): 587-885-0960
Email: corp.actions@odysseytrust.com
Information Agent: Carson Proxy
North America Toll Free: 1-800-530-5189
Local and Text: 416-751-2066
Email: info@carsonproxy.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This press release may contain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Specifically, certain statements contained in this press release, including without limitation statements regarding the Tender Offer, taking up and paying for Class A Shares deposited under the Tender Offer, and the expiry of the Tender Offer, contain “forward-looking information” and are prospective in nature. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements.
Statements containing forward-looking information are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future outcomes expressed or implied by the statements containing forward-looking information.
Although Plantro believes that the expectations reflected in statements containing forward-looking information herein made by it (and not, for greater certainty, any forward-looking statements attributable to the Company) are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include the assumption that the business and economic conditions affecting the Company’s operations will continue substantially in the current state, including, without limitation, with respect to industry conditions, general levels of economic activity, continuity and availability of personnel, local and international laws and regulations, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, inflation, taxes, that there will be no unplanned material changes to the Company’s operations, and that the Company’s public disclosure record is accurate in all material respects and is not misleading (including by omission).
Plantro cautions that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. While these factors and assumptions are considered by Plantro to be appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date of this press release, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Plantro and there is no assurance that they will prove correct.
Important facts that could cause outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information include, among other things, actions taken by the Company in respect of the Tender Offer, the content of subsequent public disclosures by the Company, the failure to satisfy the conditions to the Tender Offer, general economic conditions, legislative or regulatory changes and changes in capital or securities markets. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the opinions, estimates or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results or future events might vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Although Plantro has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to Plantro or that Plantro presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information.
Statements containing forward-looking information in this press release are based on Plantro’s beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made, and there should be no expectation that such forward-looking information will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and Plantro disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements.
Non-IFRS Measures
This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS financial measures. These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS financial measures by providing further understanding of the Company’s results of operations from the Company’s perspective as disclosed by the Company in its public disclosure. The Company’s definitions of non-IFRS measures may not be the same as the definitions for such measures used by other companies or investors in their reporting. Non-IFRS measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial information reported under IFRS. Please refer to the Company’s public disclosure documents, which are available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for further details regarding its use of non-IFRS measures.
Media Contact: Gagnier Communications
Riyaz Lalani / Dan Gagnier
Email: Plantro@gagnierfc.com
i LTM is last twelve months to March 31, 2025. EPS equates to the sum of ISC’s Earnings per share, diluted for the past four quarters; Levered Free Cash Flow is equal to ISC’s Net cash flow provided by operating activities less: Additions to property, plant and equipment, Additions to intangible assets, Interest paid and Interest paid on lease obligations net of Interest received, and Principal repayments on lease obligations; EBITDA is equal to Net income before Depreciation and amortization, Net finance expense and Income tax expense.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) advises that the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Company was held on May 20, 2024 at 10:00 am (Bermuda time) at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. The audited consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended December 31, 2024 were presented at the Meeting.
The following resolutions were passed:
Golar would like to thank Georgina Sousa and Thorleif Egeli who retired from Golar’s Board of Directors today after two decades of combined service to the Company. Their contribution to the governance and transformation of Golar from a shipping company to a pure play FLNG business has been invaluable and we wish them well.
Following their election today as Directors, Golar also welcomes Benoît de la Fouchardiere and Mi Hong Yoon to its Board. Both have already contributed to Golar’s success – in the case of Benoît, through his part in contracting FLNG Hilli in Cameroon; and in the case of Mi Hong – through her role as Company Secretary. The Company looks forward to benefiting from their relevant and extensive experience as it seeks to grow its leading FLNG offering.
Hamilton, Bermuda
May 20, 2025
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jun Eric Fu, Senior Research Fellow, Youth Research Collective, The University of Melbourne
Australia’s school system – and whether it is doing its job – is often under the microscope from politicians, experts and parents.
The most recent NAPLAN results in 2024 triggered a wave of heated discussions after about one in three students were not meeting literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
Education Minister Jason Clare is among those who also have serious concerns about rates of students who complete Year 12. In 2024, the retention rate of students between Year 7 and Year 12 was 79.9%. For government school students, it was 74%.
But what do students themselves think about their schooling? Our new study asked recent school leavers about their experiences.
Our study draws on a 2023 survey as part of the Life Patterns research program, which follows different generations of young Australians after school.
We surveyed more than 4,000 young people recruited from a diverse sample of 100 government, Catholic and independent schools in urban and regional areas of Victoria, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.
These young people completed high school in 2023 and were asked to comment on their school experiences.
The participants rated their overall impression of school on a five-point scale, from very satisfied to very dissatisfied. About 60% of them were “quite satisfied” or “very satisfied”.
Despite this broadly positive picture, many of them also expressed concerns about their education, feeling its current content did not prepare them for life after school.
As one female student from a capital city told us:
I feel like school doesn’t prepare us for the real world at all and it freaks me out.
This sentiment was echoed by another female student from a regional city:
School seems extremely disconnected from either knowledge or experience that will help with jobs, or life skills that will assist in becoming a good, productive, happy person.
For many, this disconnect between the education on offer and the education they wanted contributed to a disengagement from school. A male student from a regional city said:
I am committed to my education and a dedicated student, but find it hard to connect with some of the information we are learning as it seems outdated and irrelevant. I want to learn things that are going to improve my life.
This follows researchers’ longstanding concerns the education system is not adequately setting students up for life outside school – and the complex social, political and economic changes they will confront.
Students also spoke about schools focusing on issues that do not matter to young people, such as students wearing the “correct” uniform or whether or not they have their phone at school.
As one female student commented:
Focus on more real issues. The debates about phones allowed at school or uniforms at school seem almost irrelevant when you compare them to the everyday common hardships and problems young people face.
A strong theme in young people’s responses was the amount of stress they faced with their studies. These feelings were often linked to heavy workloads (particularly in Year 11 and 12) and the pressure they felt to achieve certain grades.
A male student from a country town said:
[…] the pressure and the expectations to do well in school is so high and caused a lot of stress and anxiety.
Another male student from a capital city also felt:
There is so much pressure on high school and how one exam can change the course of your future which isn’t true.
This echoes other studies that query the focus on a single score (the ATAR) and supports alternative approaches to measuring education outcomes at the end of Year 12.
Amid ongoing reports of young people struggling with their mental health, mental health also emerged as a major concern in students’ responses.
A male student from a capital city told us young people were “battling every day” and they needed more free, accessible resources and support from school staff.
They also saw a connection between the pressures of schooling and mental health concerns. As one female student told us:
There is too much expected from students at school, leading to burn out and mental illnesses.
Our study shows many young people care deeply about their education. But they also feel it isn’t working for them or preparing them for life beyond school.
This suggests government institutions and schools need to be doing more to include young people’s perspectives as they design and implement curricula.
By recognising young people as active stakeholders in schools,
education shifts from something happening to them to something happening with them. This approach can foster a stronger sense of belonging, ownership and engagement with learning.
Jun Eric Fu works on the Life Patterns research program, which is funded by the Australian Research Council.
Julia Cook receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
– ref. ‘Outdated and irrelevant’: what do young Australians think of their schooling? – https://theconversation.com/outdated-and-irrelevant-what-do-young-australians-think-of-their-schooling-256889
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University
The outbreak of the deadly “mud bug” melioidosis in north Queensland has not yet abated since it began at the start of this year.
So far there have been 221 cases and 31 deaths from the disease in 2025. This encompasses a 400% increase in cases in Cairns and a 600% increase in Townsville compared to the average over previous years.
Fortunately, case numbers have begun to drop. Queensland Health reports new cases weekly, and in the most recent reporting period – up to May 6 – seven new cases were recorded, down from a peak of 29 cases in the week to February 16.
However, people are still contracting and dying from this disease. So what’s keeping it active in Queensland, and are there any promising vaccines on the horizon?
Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei which lives in soil, mud and groundwater, usually not causing any harm. But B. pseudomallei can cause disease in humans and animals if it enters the skin via a cut. Or it can be inhaled in water droplets and enter the lungs.
The disease generally takes one to four weeks to establish itself, meaning people don’t develop symptoms immediately after they’ve been exposed.
Melioidosis most commonly presents as pneumonia. However chronic skin infections, called cutaneous infections, occur in 10–20% of cases. Melioidosis can also lead to blood infections.
Symptoms of the pneumonia form include fever, headache, difficulty breathing, muscle pain, chest pain and confusion.
We don’t understand cutaneous infections as well as we do lung infections with melioidosis. Cutaneous infections are also less responsive to standard antibiotic treatments due to the nature of the chronic wound. For example, the bacteria can form a slimy layer called a biofilm. This can help the bacteria produce proteins which can block the antibiotics from working.
Melioidosis occurs most commonly in tropical areas, such as Thailand. But it’s also regarded as endemic in northern Australia, occurring in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Nonetheless, the scale of the current outbreak in north Queensland is highly unusual.
Anyone can contract melioidosis, but certain medical conditions can increase a person’s risk. These include diabetes, liver, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or other conditions which might compromise the patient’s immune system.
During the current Queensland outbreak 95% of cases have been in people with risk factors such as diabetes or lung disease.
Melioidosis increases during periods of high rainfall and flooding, and this has been the case in the current outbreak. However, patterns have begun to emerge suggesting the bacterium may now be spreading in other ways.
Experts have suggested that while the Townsville cases can be explained by flooding and correlate to high levels of rainfall, the Cairns cases do not match with this explanation.
One suggestion is that the construction of the Bruce Highway upgrade south of Cairns has caused an increase in cases due to clay soil particles becoming airborne during construction.
It’s not an entirely new idea. The movement of soil during highway construction and urban expansion has been investigated as a potential mode of transmission during previous spikes of melioidosis cases in far north Queensland.
The infrastructure body responsible for the upgrade has pledged to follow expert health advice as investigations continue.
This potential change in how the disease is spreading, and the increased number of cases and deaths, might indicate the organism is evolving to spread more easily and become more deadly. Genome analysis is ongoing to determine this.
Notably, bacteria found in the environment can acquire genes from other bacteria in soil and water. This may give them enhanced abilities to survive in unfavourable conditions and be more resilient to changes in their natural habitat, as well as potentially infect human hosts more effectively.
In a warming climate with increased rainfall, the bacterium behind melioidosis is likely to be a prime candidate for this kind of change.
There’s currently only one way to treat melioidosis, which involves receiving intravenous antibiotics in hospital for several weeks, followed by up to six months of oral antibiotics.
Against a backdrop of urgent calls for more research and increased public awareness around melioidosis, there may be hope on the horizon.
Researchers at the University of California have developed a vaccine which produces a protein that mimics the proteins in B. pseudomallei, leading to an immune response against this bacterium. The vaccine has been successful in mouse models and will continue to a further animal trial, which, if successful, will lead to human trials.
It seems melioidosis is a problem that’s not going away.
If you live in an affected region such as tropical Queensland or the NT, limit exposure to mud and water as much as possible. If you’re spending time in muddy areas, use appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and boots. You can also protect yourself by covering any open wounds and wearing a respirator if you’re working closely with water.
Monitor for symptoms and see a doctor if you feel unwell. More information is also available from Queensland Health.
Thomas Jeffries does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. The Queensland melioidosis outbreak is still growing. What’s keeping this deadly mud bug active? – https://theconversation.com/the-queensland-melioidosis-outbreak-is-still-growing-whats-keeping-this-deadly-mud-bug-active-256794
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Barbara Catinella, Professor and Senior Principal Research Fellow, International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), The University of Western Australia
Galaxies are often described as vast star factories, churning out new suns from clouds of gas. For decades, astronomers have assumed that the more raw material a galaxy holds, the more stars it should be able to make.
But our latest study, published this month in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA), challenges that assumption. We found that when it comes to forming stars, it’s not just the amount of gas in a galaxy that matters – it’s where that gas is located.
Our research is part of one of the largest efforts to map atomic hydrogen gas in nearby galaxies. This huge project is called the WALLABY survey (or the Widefield ASKAP L-band Legacy All-sky Blind Survey).
Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and the basic building block of stars. But surprisingly, a large fraction of this gas in galaxies lies far from where stars actually form – out in the faint outer regions, well beyond the bright stellar disk.
Think of atomic hydrogen as the flour in a cake recipe. It’s the essential ingredient for making stars. But what really matters for the recipe is not how much flour there is in the bag, but how much ends up in the mixing bowl.
In the same way, to understand how stars form, we need to focus on the gas that’s in the right place. In a galaxy, that means within the stellar disk, where it can actually be used.
Until now, most measurements of atomic hydrogen in galaxies have focused on their total gas content, without showing where that gas is located. That’s because earlier observations – especially those made with single-dish radio telescopes – couldn’t detect where in a galaxy hydrogen gas was located.
However, the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope in Western Australia has a very wide field of view and moderate resolution. This means astronomers can use it to efficiently map the hydrogen gas across large areas of the sky and within individual galaxies.
Using the ASKAP telescope, the WALLABY survey should eventually detect more than 200,000 galaxies and provide detailed hydrogen maps for many thousands of them.
Our study, led by PhD student Seona Lee, draws on hydrogen maps for around 1,000 galaxies. This is an unprecedented sample size for this kind of analysis.
The results reveal a clear trend. The amount of star formation is much more closely linked to the amount of hydrogen gas within the stellar disk than the gas farther out. That outer gas, even when it is plentiful, appears to play little immediate role in fuelling new stars.
This helps explain a long-standing puzzle – why some galaxies with large gas reservoirs form relatively few stars. It turns out much of their gas may be sitting idle in the galactic outskirts, too far from the regions where stars actually form.
In short, measuring the total gas content of a galaxy doesn’t give the full picture. To understand star formation, we need to zoom in – not just total up the ingredients, but see where they’re actually being used.
Parts of this research were supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D), through project number CE170100013.
– ref. For making stars, it’s not just how much gas a galaxy has that matters – it’s where it’s hiding – https://theconversation.com/for-making-stars-its-not-just-how-much-gas-a-galaxy-has-that-matters-its-where-its-hiding-257011
Source: United Nations – English
xcellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for taking part in this important forum in an important year.
We’re celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
But this milestone is tempered by a stark, undeniable reality that resonates on every page of the report I am presenting today.
With less than five years to go to the 2030 deadline, we are facing nothing short of a development emergency.
The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track.
And some of the hard-won gains made in recent years are getting derailed.
Progress is too slow in the fight against poverty, hunger, inequality, the climate crisis, decaying infrastructure, and under-resourced education, health and social protection systems.
We must never forget that a development emergency is, at its root, a human emergency.
The lives and futures of millions of people hang in the balance.
This development emergency is also a funding emergency.
Resources are shrinking across the board — and have been for some time.
For example, as detailed in my report, total financial contributions to the UN development system dropped by $9 billion — or 16 per cent — in 2023 from the year before.
We can imagine the number of 2024 taking into account what we have witnessed in the recent decisions.
Our organization is increasingly asked to do more with less — a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future.
This year, donors are pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale.
But the report we’re discussing today also carries an important message of hope.
Hope found in the progress we’ve achieved together to reform and reposition the UN development system, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Hope in the UN80 initiative to build on these reforms, and drive more of the change we need across the system for a more impactful, cohesive and efficient organization.
Hope in your continued strong support of, and engagement with, our Resident Coordinators and Country Teams.
And hope that lies in the potential of the Pact for the Future to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals — a Pact that secured consensus at the Summit of the Future.
Let me be clear.
While the context has shifted since the Pact’s adoption, its commitments are more important than ever.
This includes its bold calls for action on all the elements required to boost progress on sustainable development — including financing for development, the provision of debt relief, and strengthening the international financial architecture.
We cannot allow headwinds to blow these commitments off course.
We will continue working closely with all Member States and partners to keep our agenda on track, deepen our ongoing transformation, and to do so in the context of the UN80 initiative to drive progress across the system.
And we will ensure we can fully deliver and maximize the benefits of every single mandate of the landmark General Assembly resolution 72/279 that ushered in the reforms of the UN development system.
Excellencies,
In this spirit, and guided by the report under discussion today, I’d like to highlight four areas where we are making progress, where more is needed, and how Member States can support this work.
First — we must hold fast to our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
This is a critical year for development.
But across the board, we face a crisis in the means of implementation — from financing to trade, governance and institutional capacity to accelerate progress.
Acceleration means Member States keeping alive the bold commitments they made in adopting the Goals in 2015, as well as through the Pact for the Future.
These include easing the debt burden on developing countries, scaling innovative sources of finance, and pushing forward on reforms to the international financial architecture.
The upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla will be a key moment in driving the change we need.
Acceleration requires bold transformations.
We must continue traveling the clear pathways to progress outlined in the report — key areas where we can spur progress across all the Goals, such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, and supporting economic growth through trade.
Now is the time to build more political will and institutional capacity to support these essential shifts and drive progress.
Second — we will continue tailoring our operations to the needs and priorities of host countries.
We know we’re on the right track.
In the last year alone, Resident Coordinators supported over 160 countries.
Our work across the system and with governments is becoming more integrated and coordinated every year.
87 per cent of host governments — and 83 per cent of donor country governments — agreed that UN entities are working more collaboratively than before the reform.
And 98 per cent of host governments agreed that the UN activities, as articulated in our Cooperation Frameworks, are closely or very closely aligned to national priorities.
The evidence is clear.
The reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system we have built together is fast-becoming a launchpad for providing deeper development impact for people and planet alike:
By gathering partners together to shape policy and financing solutions to accelerate development…
By supporting countries’ efforts on financing, data-collection, trade and sustainable economic growth…
And by constantly striving to find efficiencies and innovations, and drive accountability and results across our work together.
We are rightly proud of our work, and we will protect and build on this as we move forward.
We know we can do better. And we will.
Despite high levels of support, the report shows worrying gaps between the priorities of our Cooperation Frameworks and the operational, governance and financial tools to bring them to life.
Moreover, the Management Accountability Framework established to ensure greater accountability in collective UN efforts is not being applied evenly across the system.
Our newly established evaluation office for the development system is now preparing its first independent report to this body this year to continue driving accountability and results, and ensure greater alignment of UN configuration and programming with country needs.
I ask all Member States to support this important work.
Third — funding.
I am deeply concerned about the system’s funding situation.
Core contributions to development agencies are insufficient, plunging to 16.5 per cent of total funding, with these contributions declining to 12 per cent for some agencies.
This is a far cry from the 30 per cent target countries committed to in the Funding Compact.
In December, the General Assembly agreed to my proposal to secure $53 million from the regular budget for the Resident Coordinator system — a much-needed boost at a critical time.
To be entirely frank, I have to say that the proposal was much higher but at least this compromise was found.
But this minimum level of support is insufficient to reach the maximum ambition we need.
Our ability to drive development and deliver support in a sustained way is at risk — at a moment when countries need us most.
For our part, we will continue working closely with you to close funding gaps, and ensure joint programming is well-funded and directed to the most vulnerable people and communities.
But more than ever, we need flexible, sustainable, predictable and innovative sources of funding.
I urge Member States to implement the new Funding Compact, without delay.
In the current context of shrinking resources, the Funding Compact becomes even more fundamental — in particular, its emphasis on pooled funds that allow for more strategic resource allocation depending on actual needs and priorities on the ground.
Enfin quatrièmement, nous continuerons de chercher à optimiser l’utilisation des ressources consacrées au développement.
Le rapport démontre que nos réformes portent leurs fruits : nous avons réalisé plus de 592 millions de dollars d’économies en 2024, soit bien plus que notre objectif initial de 310 millions de dollars.
Ces économies ont été rendues possibles grâce aux efforts déployés par chaque entité pour rationaliser les services et les chaînes d’approvisionnement, ainsi qu’à un recours accru aux services partagés, notamment s’agissant des voyages, des services de conférence et des fonctions administratives, et à d’autres gains d’efficacité importants.
Mais nous pouvons et devons en faire plus.
Dès le début de mon mandat, nous avons lancé un programme de réforme ambitieux destiné non seulement à améliorer nos méthodes de travail et nos résultats, mais aussi à explorer toutes les pistes possibles pour réaliser des économies et des gains d’efficacité.
L’Initiative ONU80 offre une excellente occasion de poursuivre sur cette lancée.
En dégageant rapidement des moyens de gagner en efficacité et d’améliorer nos méthodes de travail.
En consacrant une plus grande partie de nos ressources aux programmes de développement plutôt qu’aux coûts administratifs.
En procédant à un examen rigoureux de l’exécution des mandats qui nous sont confiés par les États Membres – et dont le nombre a considérablement augmenté ces dernières années.
Et en menant un examen stratégique des changements plus profonds et plus structurels ainsi qu’un réalignement des programmes au sein du système des Nations Unies.
L’Initiative ONU80 n’est pas une réponse aux coupes budgétaires mondiales…
Mais une réponse aux besoins mondiaux.
Aux besoins des populations du monde entier.
À la nécessité de faire en sorte que ces personnes soient soutenues comme il se doit, à travers des programmes adaptés au contexte national.
Et à l’impératif de travailler de façon aussi efficace, rationnelle et utile que possible.
Là encore, nous aurons besoin de l’appui de tous les États Membres pour rendre nos activités plus efficientes.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
Alors que nous poursuivons ce chemin de réforme et de renouveau, nous devons garder à l’esprit le plus important :
Celles et ceux qui, dans le monde entier, comptent sur nous.
Le rapport que nous examinons aujourd’hui ne se limite pas aux chiffres.
Le rapport concerne les services et l’aide que nous apportons à certaines des personnes et des communautés les plus vulnérables et défavorisées de la planète.
Il concerne les contribuables du monde entier, dont le dur labeur finance notre important travail.
Il concerne notre capacité à mieux répondre aux attentes des États Membres et agir conformément aux priorités de chaque pays.
Et il concerne notre quête constante d’efficacité, d’efficience et de responsabilité – tout en restant fidèles aux valeurs fondamentales qui nous animent depuis le tout début.
Continuons d’œuvrer dans l’unité et la solidarité pour construire une ONU encore plus forte et encore plus efficace – prête à relever les défis d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
Une ONU adaptée à sa mission et prête à agir.
Nous comptons sur le plein soutien des États Membres pour continuer à aller de l’avant.
Je vous remercie.
*****
[all-English]
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for taking part in this important forum in an important year.
We’re celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
But this milestone is tempered by a stark, undeniable reality that resonates on every page of the report I am presenting today.
With less than five years to go to the 2030 deadline, we are facing nothing short of a development emergency.
The Sustainable Development Goals are alarmingly off-track.
And some of the hard-won gains made in recent years are getting derailed.
Progress is too slow in the fight against poverty, hunger, inequality, the climate crisis, decaying infrastructure, and under-resourced education, health and social protection systems.
We must never forget that a development emergency is, at its root, a human emergency.
The lives and futures of millions of people hang in the balance.
This development emergency is also a funding emergency.
Resources are shrinking across the board — and have been for some time.
For example, as detailed in my report, total financial contributions to the UN development system dropped by $9 billion — or 16 per cent — in 2023 from the year before.
We can imagine the number of 2024 taking into account what we have witnessed in the recent decisions.
Our organization is increasingly asked to do more with less — a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future.
This year, donors are pulling the plug on aid commitments and delivery at historic speed and scale.
But the report we’re discussing today also carries an important message of hope.
Hope found in the progress we’ve achieved together to reform and reposition the UN development system, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Hope in the UN80 initiative to build on these reforms, and drive more of the change we need across the system for a more impactful, cohesive and efficient organization.
Hope in your continued strong support of, and engagement with, our Resident Coordinators and Country Teams.
And hope that lies in the potential of the Pact for the Future to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals — a Pact that secured consensus at the Summit of the Future.
Let me be clear.
While the context has shifted since the Pact’s adoption, its commitments are more important than ever.
This includes its bold calls for action on all the elements required to boost progress on sustainable development — including financing for development, the provision of debt relief, and strengthening the international financial architecture.
We cannot allow headwinds to blow these commitments off course.
We will continue working closely with all Member States and partners to keep our agenda on track, deepen our ongoing transformation, and to do so in the context of the UN80 initiative to drive progress across the system.
And we will ensure we can fully deliver and maximize the benefits of every single mandate of the landmark General Assembly resolution 72/279 that ushered in the reforms of the UN development system.
Excellencies,
In this spirit, and guided by the report under discussion today, I’d like to highlight four areas where we are making progress, where more is needed, and how Member States can support this work.
First — we must hold fast to our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
This is a critical year for development.
But across the board, we face a crisis in the means of implementation — from financing to trade, governance and institutional capacity to accelerate progress.
Acceleration means Member States keeping alive the bold commitments they made in adopting the Goals in 2015, as well as through the Pact for the Future.
These include easing the debt burden on developing countries, scaling innovative sources of finance, and pushing forward on reforms to the international financial architecture.
The upcoming Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla will be a key moment in driving the change we need.
Acceleration requires bold transformations.
We must continue traveling the clear pathways to progress outlined in the report — key areas where we can spur progress across all the Goals, such as food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, and supporting economic growth through trade.
Now is the time to build more political will and institutional capacity to support these essential shifts and drive progress.
Second — we will continue tailoring our operations to the needs and priorities of host countries.
We know we’re on the right track.
In the last year alone, Resident Coordinators supported over 160 countries.
Our work across the system and with governments is becoming more integrated and coordinated every year.
87 per cent of host governments — and 83 per cent of donor country governments — agreed that UN entities are working more collaboratively than before the reform.
And 98 per cent of host governments agreed that UN activities, as articulated in our Cooperation Frameworks, are closely or very closely aligned to national priorities.
The evidence is clear.
The reinvigorated Resident Coordinator system we have built together is fast-becoming a launchpad for providing deeper development impact for people and planet alike:
By gathering partners together to shape policy and financing solutions to accelerate development…
By supporting countries’ efforts on financing, data-collection, trade and sustainable economic growth…
And by constantly striving to find efficiencies and innovations, and drive accountability and results across our work together.
We are rightly proud of our work, and we will protect and build on this as we move forward.
We know we can do better. And we will.
Despite high levels of support, the report shows worrying gaps between the priorities of our Cooperation Frameworks and the operational, governance and financial tools to bring them to life.
Moreover, the Management Accountability Framework established to ensure greater accountability in collective UN efforts is not being applied evenly across the system.
Our newly established evaluation office for the development system is now preparing its first independent report to this body this year to continue driving accountability and results, and ensure greater alignment of UN configuration and programming with country needs.
I ask all Member States to support this important work.
Third — funding.
I am deeply concerned about the system’s funding situation.
Core contributions to development agencies are insufficient, plunging to 16.5 per cent of total funding, with these contributions declining to 12 per cent for some agencies.
This is a far cry from the 30 per cent target countries committed to in the Funding Compact.
In December, the General Assembly agreed to my proposal to secure $53 million from the regular budget for the Resident Coordinator system — a much-needed boost at a critical time.
To be entirely frank, I have to say that the proposal was much higher but at least this compromise was found.
But this minimum level of support is insufficient to reach the maximum ambition we need.
Our ability to drive development and deliver support in a sustained way is at risk — at a moment when countries need us most.
For our part, we will continue working closely with you to close funding gaps, and ensure joint programming is well-funded and directed to the most vulnerable people and communities.
But more than ever, we need flexible, sustainable, predictable and innovative sources of funding.
I urge Member States to implement the new Funding Compact, without delay.
In the current context of shrinking resources, the Funding Compact becomes even more fundamental — in particular, its emphasis on pooled funds that allow for more strategic resource allocation depending on actual needs and priorities on the ground.
And fourth — we will continue pushing for efficiencies that maximize the use of development resources.
The report demonstrates that our reforms are achieving results — with over $592 million in efficiencies in 2024, well above our initial target of $310 million.
These savings were achieved through individual agency efforts to streamline services and supply chains, as well as through the increased use of shared services across entities — including travel, conference and administrative functions, and other key efficiencies.
But we can and must do more.
From the very beginning of my mandate, we embarked on an ambitious reform agenda to strengthen not only how we work and deliver — but how we leave no stone unturned in finding cost-savings and efficiencies.
The UN80 initiative is an important opportunity to carry this work forward.
By rapidly identifying efficiencies and improvements in the way we work.
By ensuring that a greater share of our resources are allocated for development programmes rather than administrative costs.
By thoroughly reviewing the implementation of all mandates given to us by Member States, which have significantly increased in recent years.
And through a strategic review of deeper, more structural changes and programme realignment in the UN System.
UN80 is not about responding to global cuts.
It’s about responding to global needs.
The needs of people around the world.
The need to ensure that we support them in the right way, with the right programmes and country configurations.
And the need to be as efficient, streamlined and impactful as we can be.
Again, the support of all Member States will be critical as we strive to become more cost-effective in our operations.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As we continue travelling this road to reform and renewal, we must keep our focus where it belongs:
On the people around the world who are counting on us to get this right.
The report we are discussing today is not just about numbers.
It’s about the services and support we provide to some of the most vulnerable and underserved people and communities on earth.
It’s about hardworking taxpayers around the world who underwrite our important work.
It’s about responding more effectively to the expectations of Member States and aligning with national priorities.
And it’s about our constant pursuit of efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, while staying true to values that have driven our mission from the very start.
Let’s continue working as one, in solidarity, to build an even stronger and more effective United Nations — one that is ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
One that is fit for purpose and ready to serve.
We count on the full support of Member States as we move forward.
Thank you.
******
[all-French]
Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs,
Je vous remercie de prendre part à cette manifestation de premier plan en cette année importante.
L’Organisation des Nations Unies fête cette année ses 80 ans.
Mais cet anniversaire est tempéré par une réalité dure et indéniable, qui transparaît à chaque page du rapport que je présente aujourd’hui.
À moins de cinq ans de l’échéance de 2030, nous sommes face à une véritable crise du développement.
La réalisation des objectifs de développement durable accuse un retard alarmant.
Et certains des gains durement acquis ces dernières années risquent d’être réduits à néant.
Face à la pauvreté, à la faim, aux inégalités, à la crise climatique, aux infrastructures en déclin et au manque de ressources dans l’éducation et la protection sociale, les progrès demeurent trop lents.
Il ne faut pas perdre de vue qu’une crise du développement est, avant tout, une crise humaine.
La vie et l’avenir de millions de personnes sont en jeu.
Cette crise du développement est aussi une crise du financement.
Dans tous les secteurs, les ressources se réduisent comme peau de chagrin, et ce depuis un certain temps.
Ainsi, comme indiqué dans mon rapport, les contributions financières versées en 2023 au système des Nations Unies pour le développement ont chuté de 9 milliards de dollars US – soit 16 % – par rapport à l’année précédente.
On peut imaginer les chiffres de 2024 en tenant compte de ce que nous avons constaté dans les décisions récentes.
Notre Organisation est de plus en plus appelée à faire plus avec moins, et cela ne devrait pas changer de sitôt.
Cette année, plusieurs bailleurs de fonds mettent un coup de frein sans précédent à leurs engagements en matière d’aide sur le terrain.
Cela étant, le rapport que nous examinons aujourd’hui est également porteur d’un vrai message d’espoir.
Cet espoir repose sur plusieurs éléments : sur les progrès que nous avons accomplis ensemble dans la réforme et le repositionnement du système des Nations Unies pour le développement, le rendant plus efficace et plus économique ;
Sur l’Initiative ONU80, qui, dans le prolongement de ces réformes, induira les changements dont nous avons besoin à travers l’ensemble du système pour une organisation plus efficace, plus cohésive et plus efficiente ;
Sur l’appui résolu que vous continuez de manifester à nos coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs résidents et à nos équipes de pays, et sur votre détermination à travailler à leurs côtés dans un esprit de collaboration ;
Et sur le potentiel qui réside dans le potentiel du Pacte pour l’avenir d’accélérer les progrès vers les Objectifs de développement durable – un Pacte qui a fait l’objet d’un consensus lors du Sommet de l’avenir.
Soyons clairs.
Le Pacte a beau avoir été adopté dans un contexte différent, les engagements qui y sont énoncés demeurent plus importants que jamais.
Ils exigent notamment de l’audace dans tous les aspects propices au développement durable – y compris le financement du développement, l’allègement de la dette et le renforcement de l’architecture financière internationale.
Nous ne pouvons laisser les difficultés du moment nous faire dévier de ces engagements.
Nous continuerons de collaborer étroitement avec tous les États Membres et tous les partenaires pour poursuivre la bonne mise en œuvre de nos priorités, parfaire la transformation de l’Organisation et, dans le cadre de l’Initiative ONU80, encourager des progrès concrets dans l’ensemble du système.
Nous veillerons également à exécuter pleinement et de manière optimale tous les mandats prévus dans la résolution 72/279 de l’Assemblée générale, texte majeur qui a ouvert la voie à la réforme du système des Nations Unies pour le développement.
Excellences,
Dans ce contexte, et dans le droit fil du rapport qui est à l’examen aujourd’hui, je voudrais souligner quatre points pour récapituler les progrès que nous accomplissons, les domaines où nous devons redoubler d’efforts et l’aide que les États Membres peuvent apporter en ce sens.
Premièrement, nous devons garder le cap sur les objectifs de développement durable.
Cette année est cruciale pour le développement.
Pourtant, nous assistons à une crise généralisée des moyens de mise en œuvre, qui touche aussi bien le financement que le commerce, la gouvernance ou la capacité institutionnelle à accélérer les progrès.
Si l’on veut accélérer la cadence, il faut que les États Membres honorent les engagements ambitieux qu’ils ont pris en 2015 en adoptant les ODD et dans le cadre du Pacte pour l’avenir.
Cela inclut notamment l’allègement du fardeau de la dette des pays en développement, la mobilisation de sources de financement innovantes et de faire avancer la réforme de l’architecture financière internationale.
La quatrième Conférence internationale sur le financement du développement, qui se tiendra à Séville, constituera un moment clé moment clé dans la conduite des changements nécessaires.
Pour passer à la vitesse supérieure, il faut engager une transformation audacieuse.
Nous devons poursuivre la stratégie que nous avons clairement définie en vue de la réalisation de tous les Objectifs, notamment dans les domaines des systèmes alimentaires, de l’accès à l’énergie, de la desserte numérique ainsi que du commerce au service de la croissance économique.
Le moment est venu de mobiliser une plus grande volonté politique et de renforcer les capacités institutionnelles pour accompagner ces transformations essentielles et insuffler une dynamique de progrès.
Deuxièmement, nous continuerons d’adapter nos opérations aux besoins et aux priorités des pays hôtes.
Nous savons que nous sommes sur la bonne voie.
L’année dernière, les coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs résidents ont apporté un appui concret dans plus de 160 pays.
Le travail mené dans les entités du système et avec les gouvernements gagne chaque année en intégration et en coordination.
87 % des pays hôtes – et 83 % des pays donateurs – considèrent que les entités des Nations Unies collaborent plus qu’avant la réforme.
Et 98 % des pays hôtes estiment que les activités de l’ONU prévues dans nos plans-cadres de coopération concordent bien ou très bien avec les priorités nationales.
Les faits sont là.
Le système redynamisé des coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs résidents que nous avons mis en place ensemble est en passe de devenir un outil encore plus efficace au service du développement, tant pour les populations que pour la planète.
À cet égard, il réunit les partenaires pour définir l’action à mener et trouver des solutions financières visant à accélérer le développement…
Il accompagne les pays dans les domaines du financement, de la collecte de données, de la réglementation, du commerce et de la croissance économique durable…
Et il cherche continuellement à faire des économies, à innover, à faire respecter le principe de responsabilité et à encourager les progrès dans tous les aspects de notre action commune.
Nous sommes profondément fiers de ce que nous faisons, et nous continuerons sur notre lancée tout en préservant les acquis.
Nous pouvons faire mieux, nous le savons. Et nous le ferons.
Malgré l’adhésion que suscite notre action, le rapport fait apparaître un contraste inquiétant entre les priorités fixées dans nos plans-cadres de coopération et les moyens opérationnels et financiers et les outils de gouvernance qui permettent de les concrétiser.
En outre, le cadre de gestion et de responsabilité, établi pour renforcer la responsabilité dans l’action collective des Nations Unies, n’est pas appliqué de manière uniforme dans toutes les entités du système.
Notre bureau chargé des évaluations dans le système pour le développement, récemment établi, rédige actuellement son premier rapport indépendant, qu’il présentera au Conseil économique et social cette année, et poursuivra son action pour favoriser la définition des responsabilités, concourir à l’amélioration des résultats et faire en sorte que la présence et les programmes des Nations Unies soient mieux adaptés aux besoins de chaque pays.
Je demande à tous les États Membres d’appuyer ce travail essentiel.
Troisièmement, le financement.
Je suis très préoccupé par la situation financière du système.
Les contributions aux ressources de base des organismes de développement sont insuffisantes : elles ne représentent plus que 16,5 % du financement total, voire 12 % pour certaines entités.
On est bien loin de l’objectif de 30 % que les pays se sont engagés à atteindre dans le cadre du pacte de financement.
En décembre, l’Assemblée générale a accepté la proposition que j’ai faite de prélever sur le budget ordinaire un montant de 53 millions de dollars pour le système des coordonnatrices et coordonnateurs résidents. C’est un coup de pouce indispensable à un moment critique.
Pour être tout à fait franc, je dois dire que la proposition était beaucoup plus élevée, mais au moins ce compromis a été trouvé.
Mais ce modeste niveau de soutien n’est pas à la hauteur de l’ambition nécessaire.
Notre capacité à stimuler le développement et à apporter une aide durable est compromise, or c’est maintenant que les pays ont le plus besoin de nous.
Nous continuerons à collaborer étroitement à vos côtés pour que les déficits de financement se résorbent et pour que la programmation conjointe soit dotée de moyens financiers suffisants et profite aux personnes et aux populations les plus vulnérables.
Néanmoins, nous avons plus que jamais besoin de sources de financement souples, durables, prévisibles et novatrices.
J’invite instamment les États Membres à mettre en œuvre sans délai le nouveau pacte de financement.
À l’heure où les ressources s’amenuisent, le pacte de financement s’impose comme un dispositif incontournable, notamment par l’importance accordée aux fonds de financement commun, qui permettent d’allouer les ressources plus stratégiquement, en fonction des priorités et des besoins réels sur le terrain.
Enfin quatrièmement, nous continuerons de chercher à optimiser l’utilisation des ressources consacrées au développement.
Le rapport démontre que nos réformes portent leurs fruits : nous avons réalisé plus de 592 millions de dollars d’économies en 2024, soit bien plus que notre objectif initial de 310 millions de dollars.
Ces économies ont été rendues possibles grâce aux efforts déployés par chaque entité pour rationaliser les services et les chaînes d’approvisionnement, ainsi qu’à un recours accru aux services partagés, notamment s’agissant des voyages, des services de conférence et des fonctions administratives, et à d’autres gains d’efficacité importants.
Mais nous pouvons et devons en faire plus.
Dès le début de mon mandat, nous avons lancé un programme de réforme ambitieux destiné non seulement à améliorer nos méthodes de travail et nos résultats, mais aussi à explorer toutes les pistes possibles pour réaliser des économies et des gains d’efficacité.
L’Initiative ONU80 offre une excellente occasion de poursuivre sur cette lancée.
En dégageant rapidement des moyens de gagner en efficacité et d’améliorer nos méthodes de travail.
En consacrant une plus grande partie de nos ressources aux programmes de développement plutôt qu’aux coûts administratifs.
En procédant à un examen rigoureux de l’exécution des mandats qui nous sont confiés par les États Membres – et dont le nombre a considérablement augmenté ces dernières années.
Et en menant un examen stratégique des changements plus profonds et plus structurels ainsi qu’un réalignement des programmes au sein du système des Nations Unies.
L’Initiative ONU80 n’est pas une réponse aux coupes budgétaires mondiales…
Mais une réponse aux besoins mondiaux.
Aux besoins des populations du monde entier.
À la nécessité de faire en sorte que ces personnes soient soutenues comme il se doit, à travers des programmes adaptés au contexte national.
Et à l’impératif de travailler de façon aussi efficace, rationnelle et utile que possible.
Là encore, nous aurons besoin de l’appui de tous les États Membres pour rendre nos activités plus efficientes.
Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs,
Alors que nous poursuivons ce chemin de réforme et de renouveau, nous devons garder à l’esprit le plus important :
Celles et ceux qui, dans le monde entier, comptent sur nous.
Le rapport que nous examinons aujourd’hui ne se limite pas aux chiffres.
Le rapport concerne les services et l’aide que nous apportons à certaines des personnes et des communautés les plus vulnérables et défavorisées de la planète.
Il concerne les contribuables du monde entier, dont le dur labeur finance notre important travail.
Il concerne notre capacité à mieux répondre aux attentes des États Membres et agir conformément aux priorités de chaque pays.
Et il concerne notre quête constante d’efficacité, d’efficience et de responsabilité – tout en restant fidèles aux valeurs fondamentales qui nous animent depuis le tout début.
Continuons d’œuvrer dans l’unité et la solidarité pour construire une ONU encore plus forte et encore plus efficace – prête à relever les défis d’aujourd’hui et de demain.
Une ONU adaptée à sa mission et prête à agir.
Nous comptons sur le plein soutien des États Membres pour continuer à aller de l’avant.
Je vous remercie.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GENEVA, May 20 (Xinhua) — A spokesperson for the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday called on the United States to stop political manipulation over the issue of tracing the source of COVID-19 and stop pressuring international organizations.
As the official representative said in response to the baseless statements of the US delegation at the ongoing 78th session of the World Health Assembly, it is astonishing that the United States, a country that once announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), is now making baseless attacks on countries that have consistently increased their contribution to the organization. According to the diplomat, the US has clearly lost its basic understanding of truth and lies. China has always provided selfless support to the WHO, without any so-called undue influence, he emphasized.
The official representative recalled that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has shared with the international community information on the epidemiological situation and the genomic sequence of the virus in the shortest possible time. In addition, the Chinese side has provided medical supplies and financial assistance to the WHO and 153 countries, including the United States. All this, as the diplomat emphasized, demonstrates China’s firm commitment to protecting the common well-being of all mankind.
He noted that in an effort to carefully conceal their ineffective anti-epidemic measures, some countries resort to denigrating others. In his opinion, such attempts to politicize pandemic issues are disgusting and doomed to failure.
China is calling on the United States to share data on early cases with the WHO and to disclose information about the Fort Detrick facility and the network of U.S. biological laboratories around the world, an official said. The U.S. side should stop political manipulation around the issue of tracing the source of COVID-19 and stop pressuring international organizations, he concluded. –0–
Source: United Nations secretary general
Vice-Chair, Excellencies,
Thank you very much, our Vice-Chair of ECOSOC.
Excellencies,
I continue to deeply appreciate the opportunity to join this segment – as the DSG, but much more importantly as the chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, that represents over 38 agencies, funds and programs, and does an enormous amount of work to try to fulfil those ambitions of the SDGs and many more. Therefore, this segment really does embody the partnership needed to strengthen the UN development system.
I would like to thank the ECOSOC Bureau, especially the Vice-Chair Ambassador Szcserski, and its members for your continued engagement and leadership. I would also like to give a special welcome to our youth representative, Chelsea Antwan. We look very much forward to hearing your voice.
The Operational Activities for Development segment of the Economic and Social Council still remains one of the most significant segments of ECOSOC.
This segment plays a vital oversight role in reviewing how the United Nations development system is delivering on the promise to support countries in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals.
We are meeting at a pivotal moment, where the stakes could not be higher. Last year, member States were united in the Pact for the Future and in their commitment to strengthen collective efforts to turbocharge the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Following this momentous signal of unity, Member States adopted the 2024 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review, the QCPR—a landmark resolution that sets the strategic direction for the UN development system over the next four years.
The QCPR reflects a shared ambition to build on the progress that has been achieved since the 2018 repositioning of the development system.
The 2024 QCPR reaffirms the central role of sustainable development in the work of the United Nation – and, of course, the urgency of accelerating action to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of countries.
Member States gave critical guidance to strengthen coordination across the system; challenged us to deepen transparency and accountability and sought to breathe new life into the ECOSOC OAS Segment.
We will rise to your challenge. And in return, we ask that you continue to deepen your engagement in this session.
OAS is a critical platform for Member States to hold the system accountable for results, and to share the lessons learned, and offer guidance that helps translate policy into impact on the ground.
This segment is key to ensuring that Resident Coordinators have the tools and the backing they need to lead, and that UN Country Teams are equipped to deliver coherent support, and that development system is more strategic, efficient, effective, and results oriented.
I would like to underscore here that Resident Coordinators coordination, convening and leveraging for the scale and the urgency that is needed to achieve the SDGs. But at the same time, the kind of support we would need for UN Country Teams that will have to rise to operationalize that support that is needed for our countries.
We hope to see UN80 in the coming weeks and months playing a role in making that more efficient and effective.
Quality funding and financing continue to be significant enablers of a unified country team. The 6 transformative pathways are a means of enabling an effective and strategic response in any country.
Critical investments with a catalytic impact are needed across food systems, energy access and affordability, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The reverberating impact of these investments are needed now more than ever.
UN80 is a further opportunity to strengthen our work in this respect.
I look forward to your engagement throughout this week as we collectively seek to drive forward ambition on the SDGs that will leave no one behind.
Together, we have the opportunity—and we have the responsibility—to ensure that the UN development system delivers fully on the promise for people, for planet, as we work towards a safer, more sustainable and prosperous world.
Over the course of the next year, there are further opportunities for the international community to ground multilateral ambition.
Through the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, we seek to agree steps that will unlock large-scale SDG investment to put the goals back on track, and to reform the international financial architecture to make it more inclusive and effective in dealing with the shocks and the crises. And we are watching closely the ambitions that we hope will come out of the current G7 finance ministers meeting in Canada.
The Food Systems Stocktake +4 countries will come together to discuss how to move from plans to action, unlocking strategic investments for food systems transformation across all its dimensions –jobs, nutrition, adaptation to climate change in partnership with the private sector and IFIs. Our co-hosts in Italy and Ethiopia are driving this forward on the continent and beyond.
In the World Social Summit, we look to go beyond what was agreed in Copenhagen and agree to commitments to strengthen the three pillars of social development, as articulated in the SDGs. And we look forward to seeing all of you in Doha.
At COP 30 later this year, we seek to bridge the gap between Baku and Belem by agreeing on actions that can mobilize the $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance by 2035. We will build on the updated Nationally Determined Contribution plans presented by Member States, mainstreaming climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience plans across all sectors of the economy.
Our host, Brazil, has already begun that strategic push with getting the economies, and the green economy, effectively up and running.
I hope that you take most out of this segment, as we will be listening and we will be taking onboard your concerns, your reflections, your ideas, asking us the hard questions, sharing your guidance, and pressing us to go even further.
As I come out of Angola where we held a meeting of all the RCs in Africa, it was evident that progress has been made, but the expectations are so much higher given the crisis that we find ourselves in. I believe we have the tools, we have the Members States commitments and frameworks to help us navigate this.
We are determined to work with you on this as we move forward towards achieving Agenda 2030.
Thank you.
