David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found MARIO PASCUAL-AQUINO, 44, of Torrington, guilty of fentanyl trafficking offenses.
According to the evidence presented during the trial, this matter stems from a DEA Hartford Task Force investigation of a Hartford-based drug trafficking organization involved in the distribution of a large amount of fentanyl and other narcotics, and the transportation and laundering of cash proceeds from their drug trafficking activity. In January 2022, law enforcement coordinated a motor vehicle stop of a minivan and seized $92,000 from a hidden compartment. The investigation revealed that Harold Luis Del Orbe, also known as “Jaro,” was directing the operators of the minivan to conduct narcotics-related transactions on his behalf. On November 16, 2022, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant at an apartment on Putnam Heights in Hartford and seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl, items used to process and package narcotics, and a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Pascual-Aquino, Del Orbe, and others were present in the apartment at the time of the search.
The trial before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver began on May 14, 2025. On May 19, Pascual-Aquino was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. At sentencing, which is scheduled for August 13, Pascual-Aquino faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.
Pascual-Aquino, who had been released on bond, was remanded to custody at the conclusion of his trial.
Del Orbe pleaded guilty to related charges and, on May 6, 2025, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment.
This investigation is being conducted by the DEA’s Hartford Task Force, which includes personnel from the DEA Hartford Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bristol, Hartford, East Hartford, Enfield, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Rocky Hill, Wethersfield, and Windsor Locks Police Departments.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Geoffrey M. Stone and Robert S. Dearington through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Republicans in the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees voted along party lines to severely cut Medicaid and blow a hole in America’s health care system in order to provide bigger tax benefits to billionaires and big corporations.
The House Republican plan would take health care away from millions of Americans, including children and seniors in nursing home, as well as people battling cancer or addiction, and working families who don’t receive health care through their employers. It would result in 10.3 million people losing Medicaid coverage and 7.6 million people going uninsured, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).
Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed denounced the Republican plan to cut Medicaid, stating:
“The American people want more people to have health insurance and for it to be more affordable. Republicans apparently don’t agree and want to whack Medicaid so fewer people have coverage and costs go up. These Trump inspired cuts will do real harm – pushing seniors out of nursing homes, increasing hospital closures, and denying families access to preventative care. If you think the emergency room is crowded now, just wait until Trump’s Medicaid cuts happen.
“These cuts to Medicaid are extremely unpopular, which is why Republicans hope people don’t notice. I urge citizens to look closely at what Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are trying to do here. Get engaged before it is too late.
“Ensuring the health care system is strong, sustainable, affordable, and accessible to all will do more to save Americans their hard earned money, rather than a few dollars in tax cuts. Congressional Republicans are trying to jam Medicaid cuts through without people noticing. Trump Administration officials are trying to incorrectly brand Medicaid, which covers hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders, as ‘welfare.’ It’s not welfare – it’s a lifeline.
“I will continue to sound the alarm and oppose it every step of the way. We have a long way to go, and together, we can make a difference. But ordinary people need to speak up and send a message that if Republicans cut Medicaid, they will be held accountable.”
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today commended General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB), the U.S. Navy, and labor leaders for working together to reach a tentative agreement that will increase wages for workers at Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island.
Last year, Reed, who was then serving as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), led passage of the $883.7 billion fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included permissive authority for wage increases for submarine workers. President Biden signed the measure into law in December 2024 and Reed, working on the Appropriations Committee, helped to include the funds in the Continuing Resolution to allow the Navy to underwrite the cost of these wage increases for shipbuilders.
On April 30, the Navy awarded EB and Newport News Shipbuilding, which is a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, an $18.4 billion contract for new submarines and workforce development, including wage improvements.
“This is good news for the hardworking men and women who help build these world-class submarines right here in Rhode Island. They deserve a raise and fair wages that reflect the value of their outstanding work. This will also help us recruit and retain the skilled workers needed to continue building these next generation submarines at Quonset. So it is a win for these workers, the state’s economy, and national security,” said Senator Reed.
The new wage includes across the board wage increases for hourly employees at EB’s Quonset shipyard and will increase the starting rate to $22/hour.
Additionally, current shipbuilders will see wage increases that range from 2 percent to over 6 percent depending on years of service and specific trade – for example additional wage increases for trades that have been both difficult to attract/retain employees.
EB will also implement a new Pay-for-Performance model where hourly employees will be eligible for greater increases every 6 months based on a performance review.
As a result of the wage adjustments, the maximum rate for each Labor Grade will also increase.
The changes are scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2025.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump’s efforts to curry favor from several wealthy royal families that rule over countries in the Middle East and cut artificial intelligence deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) could threaten U.S. national security and put American economic interests at risk.
Today. U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) along with Congressmen Jim Himes (D-CT) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following joint statement in response to President Trump’s artificial intelligence deals that were announced with Saudi Arabia and the UAE this week:
“Democrats and Republicans have long agreed that American companies must remain the undisputed leader in AI, a rapidly developing technology critical to the future of everything from our national security to manufacturing, finance to health care. We have worked hard to ensure the most powerful AI systems are built here, and we have fought to restrict the most sophisticated chips from reaching China – or those who would grant remote access to China – given Beijing’s use of AI to strengthen its military, crack down on domestic dissent, and compete with the U.S.
“President Trump announced deals to export very large volumes of advanced AI chips to the UAE and Saudi Arabia without credible security assurances to prevent U.S. adversaries from accessing those chips. These deals pose a significant threat to U.S. national security and fundamentally undermine bipartisan efforts to ensure the United States remains the global leader in AI. Rather than putting America first, this deal puts the Gulf first.
“The volume of AI chips Trump is offering for export would deprive American AI developers of highly sought-after chips needed here and slow the U.S. AI buildout. Under this deal, data centers and AI systems that would otherwise be built in America will be built in the Middle East – at the exact time that President Trump says he wants to bring jobs and key industries back home. This deal would incentivize U.S. firms to build the factories of the future overseas, creating significant vulnerabilities in our AI supply chain. If our leading AI firms offshore their frontier computing infrastructure to the Middle East, we could become as reliant on the Middle East for AI as we are on Taiwan for advanced semiconductors – and as we used to be on the Middle East for oil. We should not foster new dependencies on foreign countries for this premier technology.
“Additionally, these deals will provide our highest end chips to G42, a company with a well-documented history of cooperation with the People’s Republic of China. We applaud the administration’s efforts to limit exports of advanced AI chips to China, including recent actions to further restrict exports of Nvidia chips. However, these efforts will be for nothing if G42 or other companies with ties to China are given large quantities of our most advanced chips.
“Proponents of the deal argue that China will fill the gap if we do not sell substantial quantities of advanced chips to these countries. This is false. China cannot and will not because China makes fewer chips as a nation than these deals offer, and each is inferior to their U.S.-designed equivalent. This is thanks to the bipartisan efforts under both the Trump and Biden administrations to cut off China’s access to advanced chip manufacturing equipment. These efforts have worked, and we should double down on this success rather than squander the leverage we have won.
“If this deal succeeds, the offshoring of frontier American AI will be recorded as an historic American blunder. People around the world deserve to enjoy the benefits we will reap from AI. However, AI chips must only be exported to trusted companies, in reasonable numbers, and in concert with credible security standards and assurances. We welcome the opportunity to work with the administration to meet these objectives and urge our colleagues in Congress to do the same.”
Senator Reed is Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Coons is Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. Senator Shaheen is Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator Warner is Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Senator Kelly is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Congressman Himes is Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee. Congressman Krishnamoorthi is Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, sent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing concern about the Administration’s tariff policy and its harmful impact on U.S. national security.
The leading national security Senators warned that tariffs announced this year will cost American households thousands of dollars, increase inflation and undermine longstanding U.S. alliances and partnerships—ultimately harming U.S. national security interests. They urged President Trump to reassess the long-term national security consequences of a trade policy that isolates the U.S. from its closest partners.
“We are writing to express our deep concern over your Administration’s tariff policy and its harmful impact on U.S. national security,” wrote the Senators. “The tariffs announced this year will raise trade barriers to their highest level in more than a century, costing the average American household $4,900 per year, increasing inflation to as high as 5.5 percent and risking bankruptcy for small businesses across the country.”
“Global stock markets have experienced wild fluctuations and companies have paused shipments to the United States, laid off workers and delayed new investments and expansion due to the uncertainty these tariffs have caused,” continued the Senators. “Yet this decision has an additional consequence: it undermines longstanding U.S. alliances and partnerships and harms our national security interests. We urge you to assess the long-term national security implications of your short-sighted, impulsive tariff agenda.”
“As the Senate considers the Administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, we will hold a number of hearings,” concluded the Senators. “We expect Administration officials to speak to the impact of U.S. tariff actions on our alliances and partnerships as part of that process. If your tariff tirade continues to spiral, ‘America First’ may result in ‘America Alone,’ leaving our citizens less safe and our Nation less strong and less prosperous.”
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear President Trump,
We are writing to express our deep concern over your Administration’s tariff policy and its harmful impact on U.S. national security. The tariffs announced this year will raise trade barriers to their highest level in more than a century, costing the average American household $4,900 per year, increasing inflation to as high as 5.5 percent and risking bankruptcy for small businesses across the country. Global stock markets have experienced wild fluctuations and companies have paused shipments to the United States, laid off workers and delayed new investments and expansion due to the uncertainty these tariffs have caused. Yet this decision has an additional consequence: it undermines longstanding U.S. alliances and partnerships and harms our national security interests. We urge you to assess the long-term national security implications of your short-sighted, impulsive tariff agenda.
The April 2nd Executive Order has been deeply felt by partners and allies across the world. All NATO allies have been affected, in addition to Indo-Pacific partners whom the United States relies upon to deliver the “free and open Indo-Pacific” that Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio has continued to call for. However, the rationale for these tariffs remains unclear to both Americans and our allies. While the April 9th announcement to pause some tariffs and apparent willingness to negotiate was a positive step, it remains unclear what goals this negotiation is meant to achieve and thus what actions countries should be prepared to take. In addition, the ten percent universal tariff appears likely to remain in place, weakening relationships with our allies and partners.
Some of our allies, arguably our most critical allies who have stood by us in our most challenging times, have announced economic counter measures against the United States. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen has said the European Union is readying its “first package of countermeasures,” while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has noted “we are going to fight these tariffs” after having warned that Canada’s “trade and security relations are too reliant on the United States. We must diversify.” We are also concerned that US-EU negotiations show no sign of progress, with reports that the Trump Administration refuses to engage in good faith with America’s largest trading partner.
At the same time as the Administration is imposing new tariffs, we are also urging our European and Indo-Pacific partners to increase defense spending. The Administration has called on NATO allies to increase their defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product and Taiwan to increase their defense spending to 10 percent; only to turn around and undermine such an effort by threatening a trade war that stifles economic growth and raises costs. We are already seeing reports that partners will have to diversify away from U.S. parts in weapons production and procurement and critical security partnerships, like AUKUS, could end up too expensive to pursue.
The tariffs are also likely in conflict with our U.S. treaty commitments. For instance, the tariffs imposed on NATO members could be a violation of Article II of the North Atlantic Treaty, which calls on all NATO partners to “eliminate conflict in their international economic policies,” and “encourage economic collaboration.” The same language exists in our mutual defense treaty with Japan. The Administration must explain to how the tariff announcements are in accordance with U.S. treaty commitments.
Our networks of allies and partners are our greatest competitive advantage. We must work to foster greater unity and resolve to address the most pressing national security challenges together. Your administration’s policy approach is undermining such efforts. Strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be far harder to win alone. As we learned in 2022, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we can impose significant economic pain when the United States, the European Union, and our Indo-Pacific partners act in unison. We are stronger together. And launching a trade war against our allies and partners undermines that strength. We urge you to rethink this harmful policy.
As the Senate considers the Administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget request, we will hold a number of hearings. We expect Administration officials to speak to the impact of U.S. tariff actions on our alliances and partnerships as part of that process. If your tariff tirade continues to spiral, “America First” may result in “America Alone,” leaving our citizens less safe and our Nation less strong and less prosperous.
Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-Del.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mike Lee (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the International Nuclear Energy Act. This legislation aims to support the U.S. domestic nuclear energy industry’s leadership and offset China and Russia’s growing influence on international nuclear energy development.
“If the U.S. doesn’t lead on nuclear energy development, Russia and China will,” said Risch. “This bill will give us the tools we need to compete with these authoritarian aggressors and build long-lasting nuclear energy deals that benefit our economy and ensure America remains the leader on nuclear energy for generations to come.”
“With the International Nuclear Energy Act, we’re not asking for a seat at the table—we’re setting the agenda on global nuclear development,” said Lee.“Achieving American energy dominance will require us to streamline our nuclear exports, foster our relationships abroad, and bring the full weight of American industry to bear in out-competing our geopolitical adversaries. I’m grateful to partner with Senator Risch to ensure that America remains at the forefront of nuclear power for decades to come.”
The International Nuclear Energy Act would:
Support the establishment of an office to coordinate civil nuclear exports strategy; establish financing relationships; promote regulatory harmonization; enhance safeguards and security; promote standardization of licensing framework; and create a nuclear exports working group.
Create programs to facilitate international nuclear energy cooperation to develop financing relationships, training, education, market analysis, safety, security, safeguards and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program.
Require a cabinet-level biennial summit focused on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, and to enhance cooperative relationships between private industry and government.
Establish a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group to determine how to best structure a Fund to finance projects critical to national security.
The International Nuclear Energy Act is supported by the Idaho National Lab, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Clearpath Action.
“I commend Senator Risch for his continued leadership and attention to advancing U.S. nuclear energy policy on the global stage. Securing American leadership in global nuclear deployment is essential to national security, meeting international energy demand, and ensuring that safe, reliable technologies define the global standard,” said John Wagner, Director of Idaho National Laboratory.
“From Europe and the Asia-Pacific, from the Americas to the Middle East and Africa, countries are turning to nuclear energy to meet growing energy demands with reliable, secure, abundant, affordable, and clean sources. Now more than ever, U.S. nuclear energy leadership is needed. The International Nuclear Energy Act includes important provisions that will facilitate the deployment of U.S. nuclear energy technologies to partner nations, generating American jobs and extending U.S. influence in nuclear safety, nonproliferation, and security. We commend Senators Risch, Coons, Lee, and Heinrich for advancing legislation that will help maintain U.S. global leadership in commercial nuclear technology,” said Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.
“Investing in our domestic nuclear energy supply chain and fostering export opportunities abroad will increase the energy security of our allies and create jobs here in America. While the United States remains the foremost nuclear power in the world, from our power plants to our nuclear navy, developing countries have more recently looked to Russia and China for their new nuclear needs. INEA wisely puts new tools in America’s energy tool belt to support domestic technologies racing to the global marketplace to compete,” said Jeremy Harrell, CEO of ClearPath Action.
Idaho is home to the Idaho National Lab (INL), which is the flagship laboratory for civil nuclear research energy and the first place in the world to generate electricity with a nuclear reactor. INL is driving significant progress in new nuclear research by collaborating with industry to demonstrate advanced technologies like small modular reactors, microreactors, and safer, more efficient nuclear fuels. These efforts, made possible through public-private partnerships at INL, will contribute to the nation’s energy independence and strengthen U.S. leadership in civil nuclear energy around the world.
Senator Risch has long advocated for domestic nuclear energy production and the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies. In a recent Washington Times editorial, Senator Risch underscored the critical role of nuclear energy in powering America’s current and future energy needs.
In a show of support for a sustainably financed World Health Organization, WHO Member States today approved a 20% increase in assessed contributions (membership dues) as they endorsed the Organization’s 2026–27 budget of US$ 4.2 billion.
This is the second such 20% increase in assessed contributions to WHO, the previous being agreed as part of the 2024–25 budget. It comes as governments are facing financial constraints and economic headwinds and demonstrates Member States’ fundamental support for global health solidarity and the critical role of WHO.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, and other senior leaders thanked Member States for their support and partnership, noting their profound vote of confidence in WHO’s mission and their commitment to health security and resilience worldwide.
Insufficient levels of predictable funding of WHO has hindered its ability to carry out long term projects and support its global operations to promote health for all. This, in addition to over reliance on funding from a small set of traditional donors, was identified as a major organizational challenge in WHO’s Transformation initiative that launched in 2017.
In 2022, WHO Member States agreed an historic increase in their assessed contributions by gradually increasing their membership dues to represent 50% of WHO’s core budget by the 2030–2031 cycle, at the latest. In the 2020–2021 biennium, assessed contributions represented only 16% of the approved programme budget.
While this work began years ago, due to recent changes in the global financial landscape, sustainable financing is more important than ever before. WHO’s originally approved 2026–27 programme budget was downsized 22% (from US$ 5.3 billion to US$ 4.2 billion) due to financial constraints.
Today’s approval of WHO’s base programme budget of US$ 4.2 billion for 2026–2027 is the first to be fully developed based on the Organization’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work, 2025–2028 (GPW 14), its global health strategy for the next four years.
Note to editor
At its meeting in January 2021, WHO’s Executive Board established the Sustainable Financing Working Group to begin work on a path towards resolving the widening gap between the world’s expectations of WHO and the financial resources available to us to meet them.
In addition to increasing Member State assessed contributions to WHO, several other resource mobilization initiatives are being undertaken to support WHO’s activities. These include the establishment of the WHO Foundation, diversification of WHO’s donor base, and staging of its first Investment Round, including today’s high-level pledging event.
Ensuring WHO has sustainable levels of financing is critical for it to continue responding to health emergencies, increasing health-care access, and ensuring people are living healthy lives.
The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly marks a key moment in the transformation of WHO to become a more efficient and effective organization, made possible by contributions from partners across the globe.
LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on a day-long visit that included three separate stops and two significant announcements. He was joined in the visits by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Sherry Vinton and U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith.
“I’m pleased that Sec. Rollins has had the opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of Nebraska agriculture and what our state is doing to help feed the world and save the planet,” said Gov. Pillen. “Today, she heard from a diverse group of producers, visited a typical multi-generational Nebraska family farm, and got a first-hand look at what sets our state apart for the future — value-added agriculture. I’m glad we could make these connections and look forward to continuing the work that makes Nebraska the innovative agricultural leader it is, between crop, livestock and ethanol production.”
The ag tour kicked off at the Cargill Bioscience 650-acre facility in Blair this morning. That facility is Cargill’s largest and directly employs approximately 600 Nebraskans while processing over 340,000 bushels of corn daily to produce products such as fuel grade ethanol, corn gluten meal and meat for poultry, pet food and cattle feed. The company also makes sweetener, corn syrup and other corn-based products such as enzymes, biopolymers, and amino acids.
Upon arriving at Wholestone Farms in Fremont, Sec. Rollins took a few minutes to greet employees waiting inside. The group witnessed part of the plant’s hog processing operation and later gathered in the staff cafeteria with members of the media. There. Sec. Rollins signed off on Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) waiver request, excluding soda and energy drinks from the list of approved purchases. Nebraska submitted its waiver in early April and is the first state in the nation to have its application approved by the USDA, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’ Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” said Sec. Rollins.
“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty,” said Gov. Pillen.
Gov. Pillen, Sec. Rollins, Rep. Smith and NDA Dir. Vinton wrapped up their tour of ag businesses with a stop in the afternoon at Ohnoutka Family Farm in Valparaiso. There, the group engaged in a roundtable with invited producers from across the state. Discussion hit on a variety of topics, from tariffs to grants, water quantity and quality, educating youth about agriculture and keeping generational farming going in Nebraska. Prior to the roundtable event, the group was greeted by youth from the local FFA chapter.
Following the roundtable, Sec. Rollins made her second announcement – a policy initiative aimed at supporting small family farms. Called Farmers First, the program is part of the USDA’s Make Agriculture Great Again agenda and outlines 10 action items that aim to help the 86 percent of small family farms across the nation.
“Welcoming Secretary Rollins to Nebraska alongside Governor Pillen provided a tremendous opportunity to showcase Nebraska’s world-leading livestock, crop, and biofuels producers,” said Rep. Smith, who represents the state’s third district. “As we mark 163 years since the signing of the Homestead Act, agriculture remains the economic driver of our state and the nation’s Heartland. USDA’s new Farmers First strategy will expand markets, deliver regulatory relief, promote long-term certainty, and ensure the accessibility of USDA resources for American farming families working tirelessly to feed and fuel the world. I will continue to work with Secretary Rollins and President Trump to unleash prosperity for generations to come.”
Some of the efforts in the Farmers First initiative include:
Streamlining Processes: Simplifying USDA applications, like the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), to reduce barriers for farmers
Credit and Land Access: Reforming loan programs and using tools like the Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) to help farmers buy and protect land
Farm Transitions: Calling on Congress to adjust tax policies, like expanding Section 179, to ease passing farms to the next generation
Market and Infrastructure: Prioritizing local farmers in procurement and reforming programs to ensure funds reach producers, not special interests
Labor Access: Working with other agencies to address labor shortages, including exploring visa reforms for agricultural workers
Risk Management: Making USDA programs simpler and launching a disaster portal for better access to assistance
Energy and Regulations: Supporting affordable energy and reviewing environmental permitting to lower costs for farmers
“Our family-owned farms and ranches are at the heart of agriculture in America and are the backbone of the economy in states like Nebraska. Generations of producers have passed down the love of farming, strongly rooted values, and common-sense stewardship of our land and water to the next generation,” said Gov. Pillen. “I’m glad that Secretary Rollins and the USDA are highlighting the value and importance of family owned and small operations as part of our efforts to put Farmers First. I look forward to this tremendous initiative, and I am thrilled that she chose to launch it from a family farm right here in Nebraska.”
More information about the Farmers First initiative can be found here:
View the Farmers First: Small Family Farms Policy Agenda
.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in Nebraska today as she signed the first-in-the-nation waiver to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Nebraska’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Effective January 1, 2026, taxpayers will no longer be subsidizing the purchase of soda or energy drinks in the State of Nebraska.
“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks. SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state. We have to act because we can’t keep letting Nebraskans starve in the midst of plenty,” said Governor Jim Pillen.
“Today’s waiver to remove soda and energy drinks from SNAP is the first of its kind, and it is a historic step to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have encouraged states to serve as the ‘laboratories of innovation.’
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Governors in Iowa, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Colorado are pioneers in improving the health of our nation,” said Secretary Rollins.
Prior to this waiver, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot foods, and personal care products. This historic action adds soda and energy drinks to the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in the state of Nebraska.
As part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, this historic action seeks to reverse alarming disease trends across the country. Prediabetes now affects one in three children ages 12 to 19; 40% of school-aged children and adolescents have at least one chronic condition; and 15% of high school students drink one or more sodas daily.
overnor Kathy Hochul today warned basketball fans looking to purchase tickets to an NBA Eastern Conference Final game to be aware of potential scams. The New York Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, and game one on Wednesday will be played at Madison Square Garden. Fans usually get excited about their favorite team and may decide to see them play live to be part of the experience, but it’s also an attractive opportunity for scammers to take advantage of high demand for tickets. Governor Hochul is urging consumers to follow tips provided by the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection to avoid event ticket scams leading up to the Knicks home games.
“As the Knicks continue their incredible run, I understand the excitement and pride fans across New York are feeling — it’s electric,” Governor Hochul said. “But I want to remind everyone: don’t let that excitement make you a target. Be cautious when buying tickets and only use trusted sources. Scammers are out there, and we won’t let them take advantage of our fans.”
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “With the Knicks heading to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, excitement for fans is through the roof, but so is the risk of scams. I urge all New Yorkers, and all sports fans alike, to follow our tips from the Division of Consumer Protection when purchasing tickets to this historic matchup to prevent scammers from stealing your shot at seeing the Knicks take home the championship title.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “As many New Yorkers celebrate the Knicks’ big win and look forward to the next game, it’s important for fans looking for tickets to be vigilant and aware of potential scams. As Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, I want Knicks fans to understand that this is an opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the excitement surrounding the team. Please pay close attention to the tickets you purchase because you don’t want to ruin your experience at the next big game with a fraudulent ticket.”
Assemblymember Nily Rozic said, “While we cannot wait to see the Knicks-In-Four, it’s equally important that fans are not sidelined by scammers looking to take advantage of the moment. I applaud Governor Hochul for issuing this timely alert and urge all New Yorkers to follow these tips to protect themselves and their money when buying tickets.”
TIPS TO AVOID TICKET SCAMS:
Purchase from the venue: Many official ticket sales agents now offer secondary sales options, as well.
Buy only from trusted sources: Buy only from vendors you know and trust. Be especially wary of online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other social media sites, as they are ripe with scammers peddling bogus tickets. Also avoid the so-called ticket scalpers who approach you outside the event gates, since it’s easy for scammers to sell you a fake ticket and disappear.
Watch out for fake tickets: Scammers often use fake services that mimic legitimate payment platforms to trick individuals into providing sensitive information or transferring funds.Beware of resellers that re-direct you to a different payment platform or a different website. Official digital payment platforms are designed to integrate with existing systems to facilitate seamless and secure payment processing and do not redirect you to a different website. The process of buying tickets and paying for the tickets are embedded allowing users to purchase tickets directly from within a website, without being redirected to a separate ticketing platform.
Verify the seller: Research the seller and check for reviews and their reputation online. Check for a physical address and phone number. A legitimate seller will have a real address and a phone number where you can contact them. Also, verify the ticket details. Ensure the ticket details, such as the event name, date, and time, match the official event information. You can also look up the seller on VerifiedTicketSource.com to confirm you are buying from a National Association of Ticket Brokers member resale company, which requires its members to guarantee that every ticket sold on their websites is legitimate.
Beware of low prices: Don’t let the excitement of finally finding a good deal on a ticket cloud your judgement. Many scammers use low prices and will try and pressure you into quickly buying the tickets. If it looks too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
Consider paying with a credit card: Credit cards generally offer more fraud protection than other payment methods like debit cards and payment apps if you ever need to dispute a charge. Scammers often want you to pay with payment apps, prepaid gift cards or cash since these payment methods are untraceable and may not allow you to stop payment or reverse a transaction.
Use a strong password: Many stadiums and venues only accept digital tickets accessed through an app. Be sure to use a strong password to ensure a scammer can’t hack into your account and steal your ticket.
Want to stream the game instead? Know your rights with free trials: If you sign up for a free trial on a streaming service to watch the game, keep track of when the trial ends and cancel beforehand to avoid paying for an unwanted subscription. New York State law requires businesses that offer automatically renewing subscriptions with free trials to outline how prices will change and how you can cancel the service.
About the New York State Division of Consumer Protection
Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced economic development awards to five Western New York-based firms that will spur nearly $135 million in capital investments. The awards, approved by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Board of Trustees today, include Western New York hydropower allocations to four firms that will create 107 jobs and $88,000 in Western New York Power Proceeds funding to Industrial Support Inc. in Buffalo.
“New York Power Authority economic development awards play a key role in attracting businesses to Western New York, stimulating regional job growth and significant capital investments, and leveraging our state’s hydropower resources,” Governor Hochul said. “This round of awards reflects our efforts to build a vibrant, resilient economy through the creation of more than one hundred jobs for the Western New York workforce.”
Western New York Hydropower
At today’s meeting, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved low-cost Niagara hydropower allocations for Food Nerd, Polaris, Saint-Gobain and Deckorators.
Food Nerd—a firm established in 2019 that creates nutrient-rich, plant-based snack foods and meals—was awarded 630 kilowatts (kW) of Niagara hydropower for a nearly $5 million expansion that will lead to the creation of 11 jobs. The project includes the establishment of a production line in a 27,000 square-foot facility in Clarence in Erie County. The new manufacturing line will have the capacity to produce more than 100,000 product packs per week for a variety of items, including those for children and pets. For its expansion, Food Nerd will purchase new machinery and equipment, refurbish its Clarence site and implement a seed sprouting operation, providing end-to-end processing capabilities—from raw ingredients to finished products.
Polaris specializes in providing temperature-controlled storage and warehouse solutions, offering a variety of services tailored to meet the needs of industries that require strict temperature regulation for products, such as the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. The firm was awarded 1,290 kW of low-cost Niagara hydropower to support its more than $12 million expansion that includes the construction of a new 80,000 square-foot facility in Sanborn in Niagara County and associated machinery and equipment purchases. The facility will feature five separate freezer storage areas totaling 32,000 square feet, and four separate coolers providing 16,000 square feet of climate-controlled space. Additionally, the firm will allot 12,000 square feet for dry storage. As a result of the project, Polaris will create 16 jobs.
Saint-Gobain, a producer of high-performance materials and products, was awarded a 2,060-kW hydropower allocation to support a $40 million project at its Niagara Falls site. The firm will construct a new 125,000 square-foot manufacturing facility to expand its manufacturing capabilities for producing catalyst carriers—materials to which catalysts that speed up chemical reactions are affixed—and ceramic media products, which are used for grinding and polishing of hard metal workpieces such as steel. To outfit the new facility, Saint-Gobain will purchase associated machinery and equipment. The project will lead to the creation of 30 new jobs.
Deckorators, an American designer and producer of decking materials and accessories, is expanding its operations through the acquisition and renovation of its first Northeast facility in Lackawanna in Erie County. The firm will double its current production of its Surestone composite decking products resulting from its expansion into a 240,000 square-foot manufacturing space on the site. NYPA will support Deckorator’s more than $77 million project—that includes machinery and equipment purchases—with 2,080 kW of Niagara hydropower, supporting the creation of 50 jobs.
Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for eligible companies located within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and in Chautauqua County.
NYPA Chairman and Western New York resident John R. Koelmel said, “The approval of these Niagara hydropower allocations for Western New York businesses underscores the Power Authority’s essential role in driving economic development in Western New York. The Niagara Power Project does more than produce electricity, it supports significant investments in our communities and creates meaningful job opportunities for local residents as evidenced by the more than 100 jobs supported through today’s announcement.”
Western New York Power Proceeds
At today’s meeting, the NYPA board also approved an $88,005 Western New York Power Proceeds funding award to Industrial Support Inc., a Buffalo-based firm that specializes in metal fabrication and stamping, electronic and manufacturing assembly, and contract packaging.
The funding award will support the firm’s purchase of a new machine for its metal fabrication segment to enhance quality and precision, increase production speed and offer more complex designs. The expanded capabilities will support 27 jobs—four newly created.
NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Supporting small businesses like Industrial Support Inc. is at the heart of NYPA’s mission to support New York’s clean energy economy. The funding award approved at today’s Power Authority Board of Trustees meeting will provide Industrial Support Inc. with the resources needed to enhance its production capabilities and create new jobs, underscoring our dedication to fostering economic growth at a local level.”
The NYPA funding award is made possible through the Western New York Power Proceeds Fund, which is comprised of net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and stems from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, “With Empire State Development and NYPA support, we are proud to see multiple projects moving forward. Governor Hochul’s focus on manufacturing is paying off, with new companies taking root and global companies choosing to expand in Western New York. We look forward to seeing each of the businesses grow the local workforce as they find success in the region.”
State Senator April N. M. Baskin said, “An infusion of capital investment and more than 100 new jobs in our region is welcome news; I applaud the New York Power Authority for continuing to be a catalyst for positive change in our community, delivering funds and good paying jobs. In my district alone, we are seeing tangible results with the expansion of Deckorators in Lackawanna and funding for Buffalo-based Industrial Supports Inc.”
Assemblymember Jonathan D. Rivera said, “By utilizing our region’s unique access to clean, renewable hydropower, we are attracting forward-looking companies like Deckorators to invest, expand, and build right here in our communities. This significant investment in my district and in Lackawanna not only brings new life to a historic industrial site, but also positions Erie County as a hub for advanced manufacturing and sustainable products. I thank NYPA for its continued commitment to unlocking Western New York’s economic potential as its economic development program continues to be a powerful driver of growth and job creation throughout our corner of the state.”
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
A middle-aged woman was arrested by RCMP NL on May 19, 2025, after police responded to a disturbance and residential fire at a home in Davidsville.
Shortly after 5:00 p.m. on Monday, police received a report of a residential disturbance. A woman inside the home threatened another occupant and was damaging the property. As officers were responding, they received further information that the home was now on fire.
Upon arrival at the residence in Davidsville, police determined that the home, which was fully engulfed in flames, had been safely vacated and that no one was injured. The woman was arrested for uttering threats and was transported to the James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre in Gander for an assessment under the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act. She was committed into care at the hospital.
Fire and Emergency Services were engaged. The investigation is continuing with further charges possible.
Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC (a protected cell company incorporated in Jersey with registration number 93546) Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658
Correction: Net Asset Value announcement
Correction to the announcement made at 14:00 on 19 May 2025: The full corrected announcement is as per below:
Net Asset Value
As at the close of business on 16 May 2025 the estimated unaudited Net Asset Value per share was 130.15 pence (including accrued income).
Investments in the Company’s portfolio have been valued on a bid price basis.
Company announcement no. 29 / 2025 Schindellegi, Switzerland – 20 May 2025
Reporting of transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities
Pursuant to the Market Abuse Regulation Article 19, Trifork Group AG (Swiss company registration number CHE-474.101.854) (“Trifork”) hereby notifies receipt of information of the following transactions made by persons discharging managerial responsibilities in Trifork or by persons associated with them.
1.
Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
a)
Name
Ferd AS
2.
Reason for the notification
a)
Position/status
Ferd AS is represented on the Board of Directors of Trifork Group AG by Erik Theodor Jakobsen
b)
Initial notification/ Amendment
Initial notification
3.
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)
Name
Trifork Group AG
b)
LEI
8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
4.1
Details of the transaction(s)
a)
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
Shares
ISIN CH1111227810
b)
Nature of the transaction
Acquisition
c)
Price(s) and volume(s)
Price(s)
Volume(s)
DKK 90.00
160,000
d)
Aggregated information — Aggregated volume — Price
Total volume: 160,000
Total price: DKK 90.00
Total value: DKK 14,400,000
e)
Date of the transaction
20 May 2025
f)
Place of the transaction
Nasdaq Copenhagen (XCSE)
1.
Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities/person closely associated
a)
Name
Jørn Larsen
2.
Reason for the notification
a)
Position/status
CEO
b)
Initial notification/ Amendment
Initial notification
3.
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
a)
Name
Trifork Group AG
b)
LEI
8945004BYZKXPESTBL36
4.1
Details of the transaction(s)
a)
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
Shares
ISIN CH1111227810
b)
Nature of the transaction
Sale
c)
Price(s) and volume(s)
Price(s)
Volume(s)
DKK 90.00
160,000
d)
Aggregated information — Aggregated volume — Price
Total volume: 160,000
Total price: DKK 90.00
Total value: DKK 14,400,000
e)
Date of the transaction
20 May 2025
f)
Place of the transaction
Nasdaq Copenhagen (XCSE)
Investor and media contact Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17
About Trifork Trifork is a pioneering and global technology partner, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Trifork Group AG is publicly listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SPC AC 201615
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1115 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
Valid 201630Z – 211200Z
…THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT FROM EASTERN ARKANSAS INTO MUCH OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS…
…SUMMARY… Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected today through this evening, centered on the Mid/Deep South, Tennessee/Lower Ohio Valleys, and Cumberland Plateau. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, along with scattered to widespread damaging winds, and large to isolated significant severe hail will be possible.
…KY/TN… Thunderstorms are ongoing across central KY/middle TN. These storms will progress eastward through the afternoon into a moist and increasingly unstable air mass over eastern KY/TN and eventually into western WV/VA. Most model guidance suggests that storms will intensify through the day, with an increasing risk of damaging wind gusts and a few tornadoes. Refer to MCD #902 for further details.
…AR into the TN Valley this afternoon/evening… In the wake of the aforementioned convection, rapid heating is occurring across eastern AR/west TN/northern MS. Surface dewpoints in the upper 60s to 70s and steep mid level lapse rates will yield afternoon MLCAPE values around 3000 J/kg and only a weak cap. This will lead to the development of multiple clusters of intense thunderstorms (including supercells) that will track eastward through the afternoon and evening hours. The initial storms will pose a risk of very large hail and a few tornadoes. As the activity progresses eastward, the risk of damaging winds will increase with a persistent risk of tornadoes. Strong tornadoes will be possible. Storms are expected to get as far east as northwest GA tonight before slowly weakening.
…MO/IL… Satellite imagery shows a well-defined shortwave trough and associated surface low over IA/MO. Ahead of this feature, southerly low-level winds have transported mid 60s dewpoints into central IL, where strong heating is now occurring. This will result in moderate CAPE across the region and encourage rapid thunderstorm development over northeast and east-central MO by mid-afternoon. Steep lapse rates aloft and favorable deep-layer shear will support supercell structures capable of large hail, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. Storms will track across IL and into central IN this evening.
..Hart/Moore.. 05/20/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 2000Z
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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May 20, 2025 1300 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook
Updated: Tue May 20 12:39:12 UTC 2025 (Print Version | | )
Probabilistic to Categorical Outlook Conversion Table
Forecast Discussion
SPC AC 201239
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0739 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
Valid 201300Z – 211200Z
…THERE IS AN ENHANCED RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS MID/DEEP SOUTH TO TN VALLEY AND CUMBERLAND PLATEAU…
…SUMMARY… Multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms are expected today through this evening, centered on the Mid/Deep South, Tennessee/Lower Ohio Valleys, and Cumberland Plateau. Tornadoes, some of which could be strong, along with scattered to widespread damaging winds, and large to isolated significant severe hail will be possible.
…Mid/Deep South to the TN/Lower OH Valleys and Cumberland Plateau… Water-vapor imagery this morning shows a negatively tilted, large-scale mid to upper-level trough centered over the Dakotas southeastward through the mid MS Valley and Ozarks. Several thunderstorms clusters are ongoing within a larger corridor of convection from the OH Valley southwestward into the lower MS Valley. This activity is occurring to the east/southeast of a gradually filling cyclone forecast to move from the lower MO Valley eastward into the southwest Great Lakes by late tonight.
Little change was made to the previous outlook due in part to general consistency in model guidance and observational trends noted this morning. Richer low-level moisture from west-central KY southward into the Gulf Coast states will contribute to a moderate to very unstable airmass by the early afternoon in areas void of recent convective outflow and associated cloud debris. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms are forecast to develop coincident with the diurnal heating cycle. Forecast hodographs coupled with progged buoyancy will support a mix of supercells and line segments this afternoon. The initial supercell activity will potentially yield a threat for large to very large hail. It appears the greatest risk for supercell tornadoes may exist from northern MS east-northeastward into middle TN. Morning convection and associated destabilization concerns preclude higher tornado risk probabilities. However, models continue to indicate upscale growth into several bands will occur late this afternoon through the late evening as storms move east across the Enhanced (level 3) Risk area. Have enlarged severe/damaging wind probabilities across AL/GA to account for confidence in a continuation of a wind threat persisting through the evening.
…IL/IN… Within the left-exit region of a cyclonically curved mid to upper speed max, a dry slot and attendant corridor of steep lapse rates will likely evolve across portions of MO to IL/IN from midday into the afternoon. Destabilization will likely be less across the mid MS Valley eastward into IN, with the richer moisture confined south of residual outflow and warm frontal zone over the lower OH Valley. Nonetheless, isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are possible later today into the evening via a mix of shorter-lived supercells and organized multicells. Isolated to scattered coverage of severe and all hazards are possible with the stronger storms before this activity diminishes during the evening.
..Smith/Marsh.. 05/20/2025
CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT
.html”>Latest Day 2 Outlook/Today’s Outlooks/Forecast Products/Home
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Mesoscale Discussion 0902 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1019 AM CDT Tue May 20 2025
Areas affected…parts of eastern Kentucky…middle/eastern Tennessee,,,northern Alabama
Concerning…Severe potential…Watch possible
Valid 201519Z – 201745Z
Probability of Watch Issuance…60 percent
SUMMARY…An initially isolated severe wind threat will probably gradually become more widespread, perhaps along with increasing potential for tornadoes, as storms spread eastward into early/mid afternoon.
DISCUSSION…Little in the way of notable surface pressures rises have recently been evident within elongated, eastward advancing (around 35 kt) conglomerate convective outflow. However, forcing for ascent downstream of large-scale mid-level troughing slowly pivoting into the lower Ohio Valley has been maintaining convective development along its leading edge, with embedded cells occasionally undergoing a period of intensification. The downstream boundary-layer across eastern Tennessee into the vicinity of a stalled frontal zone across Kentucky is seasonably moist, and becoming characterized by CAPE in excess of 1000 J/kg, with inhibition gradually weakening with insolation.
As daytime heating continues, a gradual intensification of storms is likely to continue, with further organization probable as this occurs, in the presence of strong deep-layer shear beneath 50+ kt southwesterly 500 mb flow. It appears that the intersection of the convective outflow and the surface frontal zone may become the focus for a developing area of low pressure across south central through southeastern Kentucky. As this occurs, hodographs might become increasingly conducive to a risk for tornadoes, in addition to increasing potential for strong to severe surface gusts associated with the strengthening convective cold pool.
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Watch 302 Status Reports
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NOAA / National Weather ServiceNational Centers for Environmental PredictionStorm Prediction Center120 David L. Boren Blvd.Norman, OK 73072 U.S.A.spc.feedback@noaa.govPage last modified: May 20, 2025 DisclaimerInformation QualityHelpGlossary Privacy PolicyFreedom of Information Act (FOIA)About UsCareer Opportunities
Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports. SEL2
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 302 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 110 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Tornado Watch for portions of Eastern Kentucky Northeast Tennessee Extreme Southwest Virginia Western West Virginia
* Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until 800 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include… A few tornadoes possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible
SUMMARY…A line of thunderstorms will track eastward across the watch area through the afternoon, posing a risk of locally damaging winds gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 60 miles south of London KY to 70 miles northeast of Jackson KY. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
&&
AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 25030.
…Hart
SEL2
URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED Tornado Watch Number 302 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 110 PM EDT Tue May 20 2025
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
* Tornado Watch for portions of Eastern Kentucky Northeast Tennessee Extreme Southwest Virginia Western West Virginia
* Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 110 PM until 800 PM EDT.
* Primary threats include… A few tornadoes possible Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible
SUMMARY…A line of thunderstorms will track eastward across the watch area through the afternoon, posing a risk of locally damaging winds gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.
The tornado watch area is approximately along and 80 statute miles east and west of a line from 60 miles south of London KY to 70 miles northeast of Jackson KY. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
&&
AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to 1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector 25030.
…Hart
Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas. SAW2 WW 302 TORNADO KY TN VA WV 201710Z – 210000Z AXIS..80 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE.. 60S LOZ/LONDON KY/ – 70NE JKL/JACKSON KY/ ..AVIATION COORDS.. 70NM E/W /21NNW VXV – 36SW HNN/ HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS. MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.
LAT…LON 36208551 38248394 38248099 36208265
THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS FOR WOU2.
Watch 302 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.
Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes
Probability of 2 or more tornadoes
Mod (50%)
Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes
Low (20%)
Wind
Probability of 10 or more severe wind events
Mod (60%)
Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots
Low (10%)
Hail
Probability of 10 or more severe hail events
Mod (40%)
Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches
Low (20%)
Combined Severe Hail/Wind
Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events
High (90%)
For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
Summary
Company Announcement Date: May 19, 2025 FDA Publish Date: May 20, 2025 Product Type: Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness Reason for Announcement:
Recall Reason Description Salmonella
Company Name: Bender Grower’s, Inc. Brand Name:
Brand Name(s) No Brand Name
Product Description:
Product Description Cucumbers
Company Announcement Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida is voluntarily recalling cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. The recalled cucumbers were sold directly to consumers at the three Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets locations in Florida (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach). Because the recalled cucumbers do not bear any stickers or other labeling, customers should discard and not consume any cucumbers that were purchased at these locations between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers also were sold to a wholesale distributor, which has been directed to further contact its customers with recall instructions. The cucumbers are being recalled because they have been linked by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a Salmonella outbreak that has resulted in 26 illnesses in AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA. This recall does not include any cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets after May 14, 2025, nor does it include any other agricultural products. All cucumbers currently available for sale at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Markets were not grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., as the company is no longer producing, packing, or selling any cucumbers because the growing season has concluded. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products may obtain additional information by contacting Bedner Growers, Inc. at 866-222-9180, M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EDT. Bedner Growers, Inc. is conducting this recall in coordination with the FDA.
Painesville, OH – United States Marshal Pete Elliott and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno announce the successful completion of Operation Washout in Lake County.
Operation Washout was a six weeklong operation focused in Lake County in an attempt to bring down drug related violence and overdose incidences throughout the county.
Investigative and enforcement resources from the United States Marshals Service (USMS) were used to reduce crime by working in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. The operation targeted violent felony warrants, to include offenses that have an illegal narcotic distribution or possession nexus. The operation also targeted individuals wanted for crimes related to narcotic trafficking such as homicide, robbery, sex offenses, felonious assault and firearm violations.
Sheriff Frank Leonbruno stated, “Operation Washout was a tremendous success and made a significant impact in finding some our most wanted persons throughout Lake County. The cooperation we have working with the United States Marshal Service helps to ensure we are able to meet the safety and security needs of our citizens to help ensure that Lake County is the best place to build a home, create a business, and raise your family.”
During the course of the six weeklong operation, 61 warrants were closed after arrests by the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), its partner agencies or other law enforcement agencies in the area. Six known gang members were arrested during the operation and one firearm was recovered.
Notable arrests during the operation include Tyrese Johnson and Brianna Johnson, both wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for manslaughter, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, tampering with evidence, corrupting another with drugs, and drug trafficking. This investigation began with the Mentor Police Department after two overdose deaths that occurred in April of 2024. Tyrese Johnson was arrested on April 9th, at his residence in the 600 block of River Street, Grand River. Brianna Johnson was arrested on that same date at her residence in the 1400 block of East 175th Street, Cleveland.
Additionally, Cortez Hopper who was wanted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for illegal manufacture of drugs was also arrested during the operation. Fugitive investigation led the NOVFTF to believe that Hopper was in Steubenville, OH. In addition to the charges in Lake County, Hopper was a suspect in an investigation where he was distributing cocaine in Steubenville. Members of the local police department were unable to identify Hopper until information was sent to their area in connection with the fugitive investigation. Hopper was arrested on April 4 with assistance of the Northern District of West Virginia, Wheeling.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Outstanding and longstanding partnerships are what make operations such as this so successful. When agencies work towards the same goals, success like this is inevitable. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force are all committed to the safety of the communities we serve.”
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on X @USMSCleveland.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Painesville Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies: U.S. Marshals Service, Eastlake Police Department, Willowick Police Department, Willoughby Police Department, Willoughby Hills Police Department, Wickliffe Police Department, Mentor Police Department, Mentor-on-the-lake Police Department, Painesville Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Geauga County Sheriff’s Department, Ashtabula Police Department, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Middlefield Police Department, Lake County Narcotics, Chester Township Police Department, Kirtland Police Department, and Madison Village Police Department.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As real-world asset (RWA) tokenization gains momentum across global markets, Kaanch Network is capturing investor attention with a presale that has already raised over $1.12 million. Now in Stage 5, Kaanch is offering tokens at $0.16 — marking one of the final opportunities for early participants before its upcoming centralized exchange (CEX) listing.
With institutions, governments, and enterprises racing to digitize real-world assets such as real estate, bonds, certificates, and credentials, blockchain infrastructure is under pressure to evolve. Purpose-built for this shift, Kaanch Network stands out as a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain designed to meet the legal, technical, and compliance requirements of large-scale RWA adoption.
Tokenizing real-world assets isn’t just about issuing tokens — it requires:
Compliance-ready smart contracts
Final, traceable, real-time settlement
Low transaction fees for scalable use
Built-in decentralized identity layers
Cross-chain interoperability
DAO-based governance mechanisms
Kaanch Network delivers on all fronts — setting the stage for seamless tokenization of both physical and financial assets.
Kaanch Network: Ready for Real-World Scale
Key infrastructure highlights include:
1.4 Million TPS – High throughput for real-time issuance, trading, and workflows
0.8-Second Finality – Instant settlement for asset transfers and financial operations
3600 Validators – Deep decentralization ensures resilience and trust
.knch Domains – Native decentralized identity for agents, wallets, and registries
RWA Framework – Built-in standards for tokenizing real estate, bonds, certifications, and more
Interoperability Bridges – Seamless asset flows with Ethereum, Solana, and BNB
DAO Governance – Token holders vote on upgrades, funding, and proposals
Live Staking – Up to 119% APY for early supporters and stakers
Final Presale Rounds Before Listing
The Kaanch token ($KNCH) has entered Stage 5 of its presale at $0.16, with limited availability before the project officially hits exchanges. The presale offers an early entry point into one of the few Layer 1 platforms specifically engineered for the RWA era.
“With over $1.12M raised and infrastructure built for institutional-grade asset tokenization, we believe Kaanch is one of the most strategically positioned blockchains heading into the next wave of adoption,” said a spokesperson for Kaanch Network.
As global financial systems begin integrating blockchain into core asset management, the demand for compliant, high-performance infrastructure is set to soar. With a real-world-ready framework and growing momentum, Kaanch Network aims to be at the center of this transformation.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Kaanch Network.The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented.We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article.This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital.It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
“We’re not building just an exchange. We’re building infrastructure for the free movement of value.” “Stablecoins aren’t a product innovation—they’re a redefinition of who gets access to financial power.”
– By Matt, CEO of BloFin
ROAD TOWN, Virgin Islands, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matt, CEO of BloFin, has released a forward-looking statement outlining the company’s long-term vision for the evolution of global finance—one driven by stablecoin infrastructure, seamless trading and payments, and inclusive access to capital. Positioned at the intersection of fintech and Web3, BloFin aims to build the foundational infrastructure for a borderless financial system, enabling users worldwide to hold, earn, swap, and spend digital assets with the same simplicity and security as traditional money.
When the internet first arrived, it democratized access to information. Blogs replaced newspapers. Social media replaced TV. Search and discovery replaced gatekeepers.
Now, we’re witnessing the next wave of decentralization—not of information, but of value.
Stablecoins are turning the US dollar into an internet-native asset. What used to be gated by banks, borders, and bureaucracy is now becoming programmable, portable, and universally accessible.
Asset tokenization, meanwhile, is doing to capital markets what MP3s did to the music industry—unlocking accessibility, liquidity, and user ownership.
This isn’t about crypto hype. It’s about financial experience catching up with digital expectations.
Trading and Payments Are Merging
Historically, trading and payments were separate industries. One was speculative, the other transactional.
That wall is falling.
Today, users don’t want to think about “investment” vs. “remittance” vs. “yield” vs. “purchase.” They want seamless flows:
Hold stablecoins
Earn yield
Swap into assets
Send money abroad
Pay with a tap
In the background: liquidity, risk, custody, and compliance. But to the user—it just works.
The future of trading and payments is not about interfaces. It’s about infrastructure that makes the experience invisible.
What Infrastructure Must Look Like in the Next 10 Years
To serve this shift, we believe the next-generation platforms must be:
Stablecoin-native, not bank-native
Cross-border by design, not by exception
Compliant, modular, and transparent, without sacrificing speed or usability
Open to both traditional and decentralized assets, with unified user experience
This is not about replacing banks or regulators. It’s about building something parallel, efficient, and trustworthy.
Five Systems We Need to Build as an Industry
Over the next decade, the most important evolution in crypto won’t be the next memecoin.
It will be whether we can build:
Global, high-trust trading platforms rooted in stablecoin rails
Borderless financial accounts (wallets + custodial layers) that scale safely
Unified payment and settlement networks that work across fiat and crypto
Stablecoin ecosystems that support real-world use: payrolls, invoices, trade
Crypto-native banking infrastructure with savings, credit, and asset management
These aren’t buzzwords. They’re necessities—especially for users in markets where the traditional financial system has left them behind.
Principles That Matter in a Fragmented World
This industry is still young. And while some players chase short-term profit, others are working to lay down something more lasting.
For anyone building:
Compliance isn’t a constraint—it’s a moat.
User trust is everything. Don’t trade against them, freeze them, or exploit them.
Culture isn’t perks—it’s what your team tolerates under pressure.
Systems > slogans. Execution > announcements.
In an increasingly fragmented, regulated, and uncertain environment, long-term trust is the rarest asset.
A Final Thought
Crypto started with the idea of freedom. But freedom without function leads nowhere.
What we need now is function that delivers freedom:
The freedom to trade without friction.
The freedom to earn, send, and save without permission.
The freedom to hold value in a system that doesn’t collapse when borders close.
That’s the system we want to build.
And if you’re building it too—we’re already on the same team.
— By Matt, CEO of BloFin
About BloFin
BloFin is a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange that specializes in futures trading. The platform offers 480+ USDT-M perpetual pairs, spot trading, copy trading, API access, unified account management, and advanced sub-account solutions. Committed to security and compliance, BloFin integrates Fireblocks and Chainalysis to ensure robust asset protection. By partnering with top affiliates, BloFin delivers scalable trading solutions, efficient fund management, and enhanced flexibility for professional traders. As the constant sponsor of TOKEN2049, BloFin continues to expand its global presence, reinforcing its position as the place “WHERE WHALES ARE MADE.” For more information, visit BloFin’s official website at https://www.blofin.com.
Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Blofin. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
The Company announces that the Annual Report and Accounts 2025 and Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025 have today been sent or otherwise made available to shareholders and published on the Company’s website at: https://www.icg-enterprise.co.uk
In accordance with UK Listing Rules 6.4.1R and 6.4.3R, copies of the following documents have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for viewing at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism
Annual Report and Accounts 2025
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025
Proxy Form for the 2025 Annual General Meeting
Proposed New Articles of Association
The Company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting will be held at Procession House, 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW, on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at 3:30pm.
Analyst / Investor enquiries:
Chris Hunt Shareholder Relations, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 2020
Andrew Lewis Company Secretary, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 1344
DENVER, Colo., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the Agent Singularity Summit, the energy was unmistakable. A vibrant community of over 300 developers, researchers, and infrastructure leaders came together for a full-day deep dive into AI agents and decentralized infrastructure. Hosted by Sparsity and co-presented by Sui and Virtuals, the summit explored how autonomous agents can operate on-chain in real time—pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in decentralized, verifiable computing.
AI Agents, Live and On-Chain
The event featured discussions from some of the most respected teams in AI and crypto, including Google DeepMind, a16z CSX, Mysten Labs, Coinbase, Solana Foundation and Virtuals. Sparsity’s own Justin Zhang and Conrad Shelton opened the day with a fireside chat, outlining their vision for scalable, AI-native computation. Backed by a16z CSX, Sparsity is pioneering a novel sparsity technique that enables high-throughput agent execution without compromising decentralization.
Justin (right) and Conrad from Sparsity shared their vision on scalable computation for AI-driven decentralized systems.
Key technical talks included:
Chi Wang (AG2, Google DeepMind): Introduction to AgentOS, an operating system for multi-agent systems.
Lincoln Murr (Coinbase Developer Platform): The importance of crypto-native frameworks for autonomous AI.
John Naulty (Mysten Labs): How Sui powers on-chain agentic workflows with native primitives.
Chi Wang (AG2, Google DeepMind), Lincoln Murr (Coinbase), and John Naulty (Mysten Labs / Sui) speak at Agent Singularity Summit
Sparsity: Powering the Intelligent Layer of Web3
As a Layer N+1 execution protocol, Sparsity enables real-time, parallelized AI computation across any blockchain. At Agent Singularity, this infrastructure was demonstrated in action, allowing AI agents to execute logic and interact with on-chain environments without being constrained by L1 throughput or block finality latency.
“AI agents are no longer theoretical in Web3—they exist. But they need infrastructure that can keep up,” said Justin Zhang, CEO of Sparsity. “That’s what Sparsity delivers: real-time compute, cross-chain composition, and customized validation.”
Builders, Ecosystems, and Real-World Progress
Panels throughout the day featured leaders from projects like Solana, Virtuals, Pond Protocol, Talus Network, and BitGPT, focusing on how autonomous agents are being built, deployed, and scaled today. A standout was Virtuals, a fast-rising project building agent-based automation for DeFi, emphasizing the real-world adoption of agent frameworks.
Agent Singularity also hosted DevNet 1.0, a mini-hackathon where participants deployed AI x Web3 applications using Sparsity’s infrastructure. The depth of participation signaled strong builder interest in scalable agentic systems.
A Collaborative, Interoperable Future
The event was not just about technical discussions; it was a milestone in shaping the AI x crypto landscape. With attendees from Base, Sui, and other leading blockchain protocols, conversations spanned agent-governed DAOs, ZK-augmented logic, and AI orchestration at the protocol level.
Chi Wang, founder of AG2 and a leading voice in autonomous agent architectures, played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse at the event. “Chi Wang’s contributions were instrumental in bringing Agent Singularity to life,” the Sparsity team noted. His work helped bridge the gap between speculative ideas and practical implementation, inspiring a new wave of AI-native founders and engineers.
Great minds coming together to discuss the next frontier: Web3 and AI.
The Future is Now
A common theme emerged across all sessions: the agent economy is no longer speculative. With scalable compute, real-time coordination, and emerging interoperability standards, AI x crypto is entering a new phase of technical maturity.
Sparsity is leading this shift, offering the speed, composability, and developer flexibility needed to build AI-native applications across chains.
If you’re working on AI agents, decentralized compute, or high-performance blockchain infrastructure, visit sparsity.ai and get involved.
Watch the Full Event The full recording of Agent Singularity is now available online: Watch here
Follow Us Stay up to date with the future of on-chain AI — follow us on Twitter: @sparsity_xyz
Memorable moments shared between our incredible audience and the organizing team – thank you all for making it happen!
Contact Detail Lan X Business Development Email – lan@sparsity.xyz
Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Sparsity. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.
Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SolMicroGrid, a leading provider of microgrid solutions to the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, today announced the launch of its Array to Microgrid program—an innovative offering that enables property owners to unlock the embedded value of their existing solar arrays by selling them for cash proceeds while simultaneously upgrading to fully managed, resilient microgrids.
This innovative program is designed for businesses across the retail, industrial, and commercial and real estate sectors that seek to reduce operational complexity, improve energy resilience, and eliminate the burdens of solar asset ownership. By acquiring and converting underutilized solar systems into state-of-the-art microgrids – with potential additions of battery storage, backup generation and smart controls, SolMicroGrid provides a comprehensive Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solution tailored to each facility’s needs.
At the heart of this offering is SolMicroGrid’s Energy-as-a-Service business model. This structure replaces traditional asset ownership with a long-term service agreement, relieving customers of all capital expenditure, maintenance responsibilities, and operational risk. Customers benefit from predictable energy costs, improved site resilience, and enhanced sustainability—without capital outlays for infrastructure.
SolMicroGrid has successfully deployed this model across a growing number of commercial sites, where it has demonstrated measurable improvements in energy cost savings, system reliability, and operational efficiency. The company’s microgrid systems are fully customizable and scalable, allowing seamless integration with a range of distributed energy resources (DERs) including solar PV, battery storage, backup generation, and advanced energy management control systems.
“Our Array to Microgrid program delivers a powerful combination of financial flexibility and operational reliability,” said Kirk Edelman, CEO of SolMicroGrid. “We enable customers to monetize their solar assets, eliminate maintenance and risk, and upgrade to a robust energy platform that reduces electricity costs and enhances energy security – all without capital outlay.”
As extreme weather, rising electricity prices, and growing grid instability continue to challenge energy reliability across the U.S., SolMicroGrid’s solutions enable C&I customers to optimize their renewable energy usage, minimize dependence on the utility grid, and ensure uninterrupted operations during outages—all while supporting broader sustainability goals.
About SolMicroGrid SolMicroGrid is a differentiated developer and operator of solar-enabled microgrid systems, offering energy resiliency and efficiency to commercial and industrial customers. The company’s service solution reduces operating expenses without the need for customer capital investment. SolMicroGrid is a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Energy Partners.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security & Dean of Faculty, University of Hull
Denmark’s foreign affairs minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen sounded surprised and emotional as he addressed a press conference on May 7. He announced he would call in the acting head of the US embassy in Copenhagen, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, over highly charged allegations that Washington has instructed its intelligence agencies to step up espionage on Greenland and Copenhagen.
According to the Wall Street Journal, US intelligence operatives have been asked to collect information on Greenland’s politicians, independence activists and mining interests that could be leveraged in a potential purchase or coerced transfer of Greenland to the US.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous Danish territory that Donald Trump has stated he would like to become part of the US. The US State Department has refused to comment on the allegations and the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, said she was opening an investigation into leaks of classified information.
This looks like a large powerful nation doing all it can to undermine an ally and fellow member of Nato, which is why the Danes are so affronted.
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The real surprise of the story is that it became so public. But this drama comes at a time of increasingly frosty relations between Denmark and the US, made worse by a visit by US vice-president, J.D. Vance, that didn’t go through diplomatic channels. Even before this, Danish supermarkets were marking US products so consumers could boycott them.
In another case with some parallels to the Greenland spy saga with one ally spying on another, there has been reports of a newly uncovered Hungarian spy ring in Ukraine, collecting military data for Russia. Hungary said the reports were propaganda.
Hungary is, in theory, aligned with Ukraine as a member of the EU and Nato. However, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán has expressed sympathy for Russian agendas and has the closest relationship with Moscow of any current EU leader. Orbán has even repeatedly attempted to block EU aid to Ukraine.
The alleged discovery of a Hungarian spy network may ramp up the creeping distrust of Hungary by other EU members and the sense of it becoming even more closely aligned with Russia.
There has even been a recently reported example of spying going on among countries that are loosely considered allies. North Korean spies were recently caught spying on China, for example.
The Greenland and Hungary episodes, particularly, shed light on how the world order is being remade. We are in the middle of this shift, with technology-enabled intelligence playing a significant part. These episodes demonstrate that governments who thought they were allies are quickly discovering they could be adversaries.
The US’s reported efforts at spying on Greenland and Denmark is a window into intelligence business.
Intelligence efforts against allies are generally only curtailed when they become subject to a public scandal. Intelligence historian Richard Aldrich described this as “regulation by revelation”. The inquiries into these operations normally result in a light censure from politicians or judges, pledges not to repeat the offences and subsequent changes to processes.
Denmark claims the US has been spying on Greenland.
What will happen in the Greenland case is as yet unclear, particularly when the Trump administration has shown itself to be particularly immune from public, media and political challenge. The most effective challenge to hostile activity against Greenland could be any ramifications for international stock market sentiment, but even that is not guaranteed.
The reliance of the US constitution and international law on participants behaving appropriately now looks strained under the Trump administration. The lack of restraint on US power may cause nations to rely more heavily on their own intelligence capabilities.
Intelligence could, as a policy area, begin to mirror that of tariffs and trade as a way that the US can create further uncertainty among other nations about its foreign policy objectives.
But another factor in contemporary intelligence is that nations can now spy on each other much more easily. Technical capabilities are getting cheaper and easier to use.
For instance, communications intercepts, satellite imagery and open source data-analysis spying methods are cheaper than ever before. These approaches offer more insight, because of the development of machine analytics and the ready availability of computing power and data storage.
So, allies will continue to spy on allies because they are able to. That ability drives a demand, even in peace time, to know what other national leaders, and their public, are thinking and doing.
Nations will also aggressively spy at the moment because the world is particularly unstable, and on the edge of conflict in many regions. Understanding where conflicts might erupt, why and with what force and consequence is essential to any nation’s defence posture.
Nations only know what equipment to buy, what resources to stockpile and how many people to employ in their militaries with this insight. Intelligence is as much about avoiding surprise as it is creating the circumstances to surprise others. In this sense, intelligence is just another tool of statecraft.
Most nations have spied on their allies for as long as they have been able. During the cold war the US purchased the Swiss encrypted communications company Crypto AG and sold hundreds of secure communications devices with weakened security, which allowed it to listen in on the countries that were using it and gain intelligence
This type of operation was the forerunner of the widespread intelligence practices of the US National Security Agency, which is in charge of collecting information for counter intelligence purposes, in recent years.
For Denmark, the challenges of working with its allies through Nato, while defending Greenland, are increasingly complex. Meanwhile, the EU will also be concerned about what Hungary is sharing with its other “friends”. International allies and alliances are increasingly untrustworthy as part of 2025 tectonic shifts in global geopolitics. The recent revelations are just part of that moving picture.
Robert Dover has previously received funding from the AHRC around the subject of lessons learned from intelligence operations.
Unfortunately, our new report highlights a workforce crisis that raises serious questions about the future of the UK screen industry. And Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on non-US films adds to the grim situation, throwing the industry’s vulnerability into stark relief.
We carried out extensive interviews with 29 participants from across the sector who painted a bleak picture of overwork, financial instability, discrimination and barriers to career progression.
Charities supporting the sector have already noted that the industry has a longstanding retention problem – the so-called “leaky pipeline”. But our report highlights that economic volatility in the UK and elsewhere is worsening financial and working conditions so much that the film and television industry risks a debilitating loss of its most valuable resource: freelancers.
This article is part of our State of the Arts series. These articles tackle the challenges of the arts and heritage industry – and celebrate the wins, too.
Long gaps between jobs are widening, and even experienced freelancers with long careers are struggling to make ends meet. Currently there is no publicly available data on numbers entering and leaving the industry, but companies have reported worsening skills shortages, not due to poor recruitment, but because people are leaving in response to worsening conditions.
As many as two thirds of screen freelancers are considering leaving the industry within the next five years. Since just under 50% of the film production workforce is freelance, such a large-scale exodus would seriously damage our domestic screen industry.
That industry contributes £13.48 billion to the UK economy, and its talent on-screen and behind the cameras is world-renowned, so why is this crisis happening at all?
Boom and bust
The key change has been a reduction in domestic investment by UK-based public service broadcasters in tandem with increased investment from US-based studios and streamers.
While a recent boom in international investment led to a rapid expansion in UK film and TV infrastructure and a corresponding acute shortage of workers, it also inflated the costs of production, which has proved unaffordable to traditional domestic commissioners. Without consistent local productions, the UK market is exposed to international disruptions like never before.
Since the deregulation of the TV sector in the 1990s, the UK’s screen industry has relied on a high proportion of freelance workers. This model provided flexibility in a thriving domestic industry boasting some of the world’s most skilled talent and specialist infrastructure to match.
A shift in the 2000s towards international workflows in production and post-production fuelled by competitive tax incentives transformed the UK film and TV industry into a global operation. Coupled with healthy domestic competition, the UK’s film and TV industry soared.
But more recently, this globalised business model has been tested by an extended period of economic volatility that has left experienced talent out of work.
First came the COVID lockdowns. Then a post-pandemic boom as companies moved to refill their schedules, took UK film and TV production to a record high in 2021.
High inflation – partly caused by the influx of international money – led many domestic companies to slash their commissioning budgets. By the middle of 2024, plans to build new studios in the UK were being put on hold and more than half the workforce were still unemployed.
As one worker told us: “I’ve got friends who’ve been out of work for a year … they’re having to sell their houses and these are experienced, serious producers.” Another contributor told us how: “So many people I know at the moment are looking elsewhere for work completely outside of the industry.”
And another interviewee said: “There have been some unfortunate casualties along the way, some people simply haven’t had the income or the interest to sustain a living and and they’ve got to do what comes first, which is earn a wage that lets them survive.”
Until recently, a healthy domestic broadcasting industry helped provide consistent work opportunities for freelancers. But at the same time as production costs have risen, broadcasters’ revenue from advertising – and for the BBC, from the licence fee – has fallen.
The effect has been a precipitous 22% drop in domestic high-end television commissions in 2024, alongside a 50% decrease in international co-productions. UK broadcasters no longer have the financial capacity to plug the gap in the periods when international investors cut back.
In effect, the domestic industry has become dominated by, and heavily reliant on, a handful of international players led by unpredictable economic interests and global market fluctuations. It’s no coincidence that the two most notable recent British success stories, Adolescence and Baby Reindeer, are produced by Netflix, which has the financial resources British broadcasters lack.
And despite the presence of the streamers, inflated costs are making it harder for producers to make programmes with British subject matter. Patrick Spence, the executive producer of the hugely successful Mr Bates vs. the Post Office, has said he wouldn’t even try to make the show today.
To make matters worse, productions funded by international finance (that might have been funded by UK broadcasters in the past) bring little subscription or licensing profits back to the domestic industry.
As our research shows, this constellation of issues means freelancers face extreme financial insecurity like never before, alongside increasingly poor working practices as production companies try to cut costs and, in some cases, promote too early where experienced staff are missing. It is little wonder that so many are considering leaving the sector.
If significant numbers do leave the sector, there will no longer be a supply of skilled workers to meet the demands of an uptick in productions – and the US firms will go elsewhere, leaving only a depleted domestic industry in financial crisis.
Netflix has already made a thinly veiled threat to seek out more competitive territories in the event of a levy on streamers. We could expect a similar decision if they find that the skilled talent they count on in the UK is no longer available.
The next bust may already be in sight thanks to President Trump’s proposed tariffs on “foreign-made” films. Though such a levy would be difficult to implement and would cause as much harm to the US industry as it would its global partners, it’s not hard to imagine it having a chilling effect on commissioning in the UK.
So what can be done? The introduction of a new programme of tax breaks for productions made in the UK, initiated by the Conservatives and ratified by the Labour government, has been rightly celebrated. However, industry experts predict these will not solve the financial sustainability of a homegrown industry.
MPs have called on the government to go further in its support for the UK independent film and high-end television sectors, to provide a counterbalance to the fluctuations in investment in big budget fare, and to appoint a freelance commissioner to protect workers rights.
We wait to hear whether the government will take up its recommendations, and bring us closer to other countries, such as France, that have protected their domestic workforce by negotiating specific investment agreements with the major US streamers.
In our report, we argue that a minister for self-employed and precarious workers working across government departments is the only way to ensure that the appropriate measures can be achieved to address the challenges freelancers now face.
Better data on freelancer movements will help policy makers and industry to understand the effects of changes to the domestic industry, to help better secure that workforce for future growth as part of the government’s Invest 2035 growth plans.
We also recommend better data for freelancers themselves: a central source of information on taxation, employment rights, training, funding and the other resources they need to thrive in this challenging landscape.
These are only the first steps to lessen the immediate risk of losing a substantial section of the skilled workforce that is the engine of the UK industry, preparing the ground for the much larger structural shifts that are needed. Participants in our research at different stages of their career repeatedly insisted that the industry needs root and branch care to overcome the extreme cycles of feast and famine.
Protecting the cultural value of the UK’s screen industry goes far beyond making economic sense. The sector forms a major part of the country’s diverse national identity and projects a global image that is literally priceless.
Andrew Philip receives funding for his screen industries research from the Arts & Humanities Research Council through the University of Reading’s Impact Acceleration Account programme.
Lisa Purse receives funding for her screen industries research from the Arts & Humanities Research Council through the University of Reading’s Impact Acceleration Account programme.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Megan Bradley, Full Professor, Political Science and International Development Studies, McGill University
The international humanitarian system is in freefall. Following the dramatic funding cuts initiated by Donald Trump’s administration in the United States, deliveries of essential food, medicines and clean water to those in need have halted and stockpiles are dwindling. Aid agencies are scrambling to figure out how to do less with less, even as global needs are mounting.
Those displaced inside their own countries, as a result of conflict or natural disaster, have been particularly hard hit by this upheaval.
Internally displaced persons already fall through the cracks of the humanitarian system, despite dramatically outnumbering those who cross borders as refugees.
Worldwide, there are an estimated 43.7 million refugees, compared to 83.4 million internally displaced people. Yet media coverage still focuses on those fleeing their country as refugees, while internally displaced people remain less visible and beholden to national governments that have the primary responsibility to assist them.
Some governments, such as Ukraine’s, work hard to meet this challenge but need outside support. In countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan, governments are complicit in displacing their own citizens, necessitating stronger international leadership.
The UN’s central role
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established to protect and assist refugees. But from as early as the 1970s — as a result of calls from the UN General Assembly to address displacement crises — it has also become a leading entity in the international response to internally displaced persons.
The danger today is not that the UNHCR and other humanitarian leaders will treat internally displaced people as unimportant or undeserving of help. Instead, ground could be lost through a return to the UNHCR’s traditional, narrow refugee mandate. Responsibility for internally displaced persons could be shirked as many UN agencies are also under stress.
This will further increase the marginalization of internally displaced people and expose them to heightened levels of insecurity, poverty and disease.
The UNHCR is far from the only international organization involved with internally displaced persons. The International Organization for Migration is another important player, particularly in natural disasters, and other agencies, including the UN Development Programme, support longer-term development solutions.
Yet the UNHCR is the core protection agency for those who are forcibly displaced and its leadership is critical to ensuring a comprehensive response to both refugees and those displaced within their own country’s borders.
Difficult choices
In the face of a 30 per cent reduction in operating expenses in its headquarters and regional bureaus, the UNHCR faces some agonizing choices. But these cuts must not produce a competition between internally displaced persons and refugees in humanitarian assistance.
Experience has shown that effective responses must consider displacement dynamics not only across but also within borders — especially since many refugees are internally displaced before they seek safety abroad and many face internal displacement if they return to their countries of origin.
However, the head of the UNHCR has not yet publicly and clearly reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to standing up for internally displaced people alongside refugees in this moment of flux in the humanitarian sector.
The need for strong leadership
As the UNHCR reduces its commitments and shrinks its operations, there could be a void of senior leadership on internal displacement at headquarters and in the field. This means the agency’s response may be determined by regional and country directors with different levels of comfort with and commitment to internally displaced persons.
The irony is that the UNHCR routinely calls for governments dealing with internal displacement crises to clearly allocate responsibility for effective responses. Today’s budget crisis is no excuse for the UNHCR not to walk its own talk.
In the face of declining resources but mounting humanitarian needs, the UNHCR and its donors should prioritize preserving their investment in strengthened, reliable and rights-based responses to internally displaced persons — not only for the sake of these citizens, but also as an integral element of a comprehensive response to refugee situations.
The UNHCR should recognize and insist that refugee response requires an effective response to those displaced internally and vice versa. As a core part of this approach, the agency should also enhance its support for local efforts led by internally displaced people themselves, recognizing they can be, and have been, at the forefront of more effective solutions to their displacement.
The UNHCR’s funding cuts are putting the agency in a pared-down holding pattern until the next high commissioner of the organization is chosen later this year. A key criterion for selecting the next leader should be their vision for sustaining engagement with internally displaced persons alongside refugees in this moment of global turmoil.
Megan Bradley receives funding from SSHRC.
Jennifer Welsh receives funding from the Social Science and Research Council of Canada and the European Research Council.
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after the passing of North Dakota Representative Cindy Schreiber-Beck, who represented District 25 for over a decade.
“Cindy was an effective legislator because she combined the qualities of intellect, experience, compassion and common sense. She was a trusted leader and servant, and will be greatly missed. I pray God will bless her memory.”