NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Czech Republic to Continue Training Ukrainian Pilots – Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    PRAGUE, May 6 (Xinhua) — The Czech Republic will continue training Ukrainian pilots and supplying ammunition and heavy equipment to the country, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday.

    “Today we agreed that together with our coalition partners we will focus on training Ukrainian pilots on L-39 and F-16 aircraft in the Czech Republic. Ukraine is already training helicopter and fighter pilots on Czech-made simulators,” he said following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

    The Prime Minister noted that since the beginning of the year, 500 thousand large-caliber shells have been delivered to Ukraine.

    Czech President Petr Pavel said Sunday that Ukraine could receive up to 1.8 million large-caliber shells by the end of the year if everything goes according to the agreement. The Czech Republic supplied Kyiv with about 1.5 million large-caliber shells last year.

    The parties also discussed strengthening economic cooperation. “Skoda Transportation and other companies are planning deliveries in the transport sector. We discussed the possibility of strengthening cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. Czech companies are ready to play an active role in the reconstruction of key infrastructure,” said P. Fiala. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Climate envoy visits Singapore to drive regional climate action

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    Climate envoy visits Singapore to drive regional climate action

    The visit by UK Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte, will strengthen UK-Singapore partnership and drive regional climate action and investment.

    The UK’s Special Representative for Climate, Rachel Kyte, is in Singapore on 6-7 May to strengthen UK-Singapore partnership on climate and clean investment and support greater climate ambition across Southeast Asia.

    As part of the two-day visit, Ms Kyte will speak at Ecosperity Week and the GenZero Climate Summit, where she will share lessons from the UK’s decarbonisation journey, engage on opportunities to catalyse investment and technical assistance in green growth across Southeast Asia, and together with partners drive development of carbon markets.

    The visit underscores the UK’s renewed commitment to international climate leadership. While here, Ms Kyte will hold meetings with Climate Ambassador Ravi Menon, as well as representatives from GenZero, Temasek, and Singapore’s Energy Market Authority to deepen collaboration on areas such as energy connectivity and carbon markets under the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework (UKSGEF).

    Rachel Kyte, the UK’s Special Representative for Climate, said:

    Increasingly vulnerable to climate impacts, Singapore has become one of the most important hubs for financing clean growth and climate action. From carbon markets to clean tech to building resilience Singapore, like London, is leading the way. Deepening collaboration and, together, encouraging others to join with us in our ambitions for greener growth benefits everyone in our two countries and in the wider region.

    I hope that the UK-Singapore partnership can help drive demand for high integrity carbon markets that will support stronger financial flows into nature and support companies to move faster with their transition plans and managing their emissions.

    British High Commissioner to Singapore, Nikesh (Nik) Mehta, said:

    The UK and Singapore share not just a commitment to addressing climate change, but a recognition that environmental protection and economic ambition go hand in hand. Singapore is a vital strategic partner in our climate diplomacy across Southeast Asia.

    Through our UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework, we are pioneering approaches that will spur the green transition across the region, unlocking significant investment and genuine climate benefits.

    I’m confident that we will further cement our collaboration and identify exciting new areas for joint action on sustainable finance, carbon markets, and clean energy – areas where our combined expertise can make a real difference to the region’s green transition.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corporation Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial and Operational Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — William Lundin, IPC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, comments: “We are pleased to announce another strong quarter of operational and financial performance for Q1 2025. IPC achieved an average net daily production during the quarter of 44,400 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). Our results during the quarter were in line with the 2025 guidance announced at our Capital Markets Day in February as we continue to execute according to plan across our operations in Canada, Malaysia and France. Notably, the transformational Blackrod Phase 1 development project in Canada has progressed substantially during the quarter and forecast first oil is maintained with the original project sanction guidance for late 2026. We also continued with purchases of IPC common shares under the normal course issuer bid, having completed approximately 60% of the current 2024/2025 program between December 2024 to March 2025.”

    Q1 2025 Business Highlights

    • Average net production of approximately 44,400 boepd for the first quarter of 2025, within the guidance range for the period (52% heavy crude oil, 15% light and medium crude oil and 33% natural gas).(1)
    • Continued progressing Phase 1 development activity as well as future phase resource maturation works at the Blackrod asset.
    • At Onion Lake Thermal, all four planned production infill wells and the final Pad L well pair have been successfully drilled.
    • 3.9 million IPC common shares purchased and cancelled during Q1 2025 and continuing with target to complete the full 2024/2025 NCIB this year.

    Q1 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Operating costs per boe of USD 17.3 for Q1 2025, in line with guidance.(3)
    • Operating cash flow (OCF) generation of MUSD 75 for Q1 2025, in line with guidance.(3)
    • Capital and decommissioning expenditures of MUSD 99 for Q1 2025, in line with guidance.
    • Free cash flow (FCF) generation for Q1 2025 amounted to MUSD -43 (MUSD 37 pre-Blackrod capital expenditure).(3)
    • Gross cash of MUSD 140 and net debt of MUSD 314 as at March 31, 2025.(3)
    • Net result of MUSD 16 for Q1 2025.

    Reserves and Resources

    • Total 2P reserves as at December 31, 2024 of 493 MMboe, with a reserve life index (RLI) of 31 years.(1)(2)
    • Contingent resources (best estimate, unrisked) as at December 31, 2024 of 1,107 MMboe.(1)(2)
    • 2P reserves net asset value (NAV) as at December 31, 2024 of MUSD 3,083 (10% discount rate).(1)(2)

    2025 Annual Guidance

    • Full year 2025 average net production guidance range forecast maintained at 43,000 to 45,000 boepd.(1)
    • Full year 2025 operating costs guidance range forecast maintained at USD 18 to 19 per boe.(3)
    • Full year 2025 OCF revised guidance estimated at between MUSD 240 and 270 (assuming Brent USD 60 to 75 per barrel for the remainder of 2025) from previous guidance of between MUSD 210 and 280 (assuming Brent USD 65 to 85 per barrel).(3)(4)
    • Full year 2025 capital and decommissioning expenditures guidance forecast maintained at MUSD 320.
    • Full year 2025 FCF revised guidance estimated at between MUSD -135 and -110 (assuming Brent USD 60 to 75 per barrel for the remainder of 2025) from previous guidance of between MUSD -150 and -80 (assuming Brent USD 65 to 85 per barrel), after taking into account MUSD 230 of forecast full year 2025 capital expenditures relating to the Blackrod asset.(3)(4)
      Three months ended March 31
    USD Thousands 2025 2024
    Revenue 178,492   206,419  
    Gross profit 44,149   55,184  
    Net result 16,231   33,719  
    Operating cash flow(3) 74,790   89,301  
    Free cash flow(3) (43,172)   (43,311)  
    EBITDA(3) 70,946   87,020  
    Net cash/(debt)(3) (314,255)   (60,572)  
             

    During the first quarter of 2025, oil prices were relatively stable, with Brent prices averaging just below USD 76 per barrel. Following the quarter, commodity prices pulled back with spot Brent rates falling to USD 60 per barrel in April 2025. The physical crude market remained tight throughout the first quarter, prompting OPEC and the OPEC+ group to increase supply ahead of expectations. The timing of the supply increases coincided with the United States proposing harsh tariffs to countries deemed in a trade surplus of US goods. These two events have impacted future crude supply and demand outlooks, in turn weighing on spot and future oil benchmark prices. Despite the poor market sentiment, global inventories remain below the 5-year average, high geopolitical tensions persist, non-OPEC 2025 oil production (namely, in the US) is unlikely to grow at current prices, and US Federal Reserve Bank rate cuts are likely to occur in the near future. IPC prudently supplemented downside protection measures at the beginning of the first quarter of 2025 through financial swap hedging arrangements which in total represent nearly 40% of our forecast 2025 oil production at around USD 76 and USD 71 per barrel for Dated Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI), respectively, for the remainder of 2025.

    In Canada, WTI to Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude price differentials during the first quarter of 2025 averaged just under USD 13 per barrel, with spot differentials decreasing to around USD 9 per barrel in April 2025. The Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) petroleum producers have greatly benefited from the TMX pipeline expansion with differentials tightening to levels not seen since 2020. There are currently no tariffs on Canadian crude exports to the United States, which remain covered by the US Mexico Canada free trade agreement. IPC has hedged the WTI/WCS differential for approximately 50% of our forecast 2025 Canadian oil production at USD 14 per barrel for 2025.

    Natural gas markets in Canada for the first quarter of 2025 remained weak, given the softer than average winter weather conditions and high natural gas storage levels. The average AECO gas price was CAD 2.1 per Mcf for the first quarter of 2025. The forward strip implies improved pricing for Canadian gas benchmark prices, driven by the pending startup of the West Coast LNG Canada project later this year. Approximately 50% of our net long exposure is hedged at CAD 2.4 per Mcf to end October 2025, dropping to around 15% for November and December at CAD 2.6 per mcf.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights and Full Year 2025 Guidance

    During the first quarter of 2025, our portfolio delivered average net production of 44,400 boepd, in line with guidance. Operational performance from our producing assets was strong to start the year as high facility and well uptimes were achieved. Drilling activity commenced in the first quarter of 2025 at Onion Lake Thermal, which aims to sustain production levels at the asset for 2025. In Malaysia, drilling and well maintenance works are planned to start in the second quarter of 2025, in line with plan. We maintain the full year 2025 average net production guidance range of 43,000 to 45,000 boepd.(1)

    Our operating costs per boe for the first quarter of 2025 was USD 17.3, in line with guidance. Full year 2025 operating expenditure guidance of USD 18.0 to 19.0 per boe remains unchanged.(3)

    Operating cash flow (OCF) generation for the first quarter of 2025 was MUSD 75. Full year 2025 OCF guidance is tightened to MUSD 240 to 270 (assuming Brent USD 60 to 75 per barrel for the remainder of 2025).(3)(4)

    Capital and decommissioning expenditure for the first quarter of 2025 was MUSD 99 in line with guidance. Full year 2025 capital and decommissioning expenditure of MUSD 320 is maintained.

    Free cash flow (FCF) generation was MUSD -43 (MUSD 37 pre-Blackrod capital expenditure) during the first quarter of 2025. Full year 2025 FCF guidance is tightened to MUSD -135 to -110 (assuming Brent USD 60 to 75 per barrel for the remainder of 2025) after taking into account MUSD 320 of forecast full year 2025 capital expenditures (including MUSD 230 relating to the Blackrod asset).(3)(4)

    As at March 31, 2025, IPC’s net debt position was MUSD 314, from a net debt position of MUSD 209 as at December 31, 2024, mainly driven by the funding of forecast capital expenditures and the continuing share repurchase program (NCIB). Gross cash on the balance sheet as at March 31, 2025 amounts to MUSD 140 and IPC has access to an undrawn Canadian credit facility of greater than 130 MUSD. The access to liquidity supports IPC to follow through on its key strategic objectives of enhancing stakeholder value through organic growth, stakeholder returns, and pursuing value adding M&A.(3)

    Blackrod

    During the first quarter of 2025, IPC continued to advance the Phase 1 development of the Blackrod asset. Growth capital expenditure to first oil is maintained at MUSD 850. First oil of the Phase 1 development is estimated to be in late 2026, with forecast net production of 30,000 boepd by 2028. IPC forecasts capital expenditure in 2025 at the Blackrod asset of MUSD 230, of which MUSD 77 was invested in the Phase 1 development project during Q1 2025. Since the transformational organic growth project was sanctioned in early 2023, MUSD 669, or approximately 80% of the total multi-year project capital budget, has been incurred.(1)

    Project activities for the multi-year Blackrod Phase 1 development have progressed according to plan. Engineering, procurement and fabrication is substantially complete with greater than 90% of all facility modules delivered to site. Equipment installation, piping inter-connects, electrical and instrumentation are the key areas of focus for construction at the Central Processing Facility (CPF) and well pad facilities.

    Resource maturation drilling for future phase expansion considerations took place during Q1 2025. Commercial operational readiness planning has ramped up in line with our progressive turnover strategy to ensure a seamless transition from build to start-up. IPC intends to fund the remaining Blackrod capital expenditure with forecast cash flow generated by its operations, cash on hand and drawing under the existing Canadian credit facility if needed.(3)

    Stakeholder Returns: Normal Course Issuer Bid

    In Q4 2024, IPC announced the renewal of the NCIB, with the ability to repurchase up to approximately 7.5 million common shares over the period of December 5, 2024 to December 4, 2025. Under the 2024/2025 NCIB, IPC repurchased and cancelled approximately 0.8 million common shares in December 2024, 3.7 million common shares during Q1 2025, and a further 0.2 million common shares purchased under other exemptions in Canada. The average price of common shares purchased under the 2024/2025 NCIB during Q1 2025 was SEK 146 / CAD 20 per share.

    As at March 31, 2025, IPC had a total of 115,176,514 common shares issued and outstanding and IPC held no common shares in treasury. As at April 30, 2025, IPC had a total of 114,248,119 common shares issued and outstanding and IPC held no common shares in treasury.

    Notwithstanding the final major capital investment year at Blackrod in 2025, IPC had purchased and cancelled 73% of the maximum 7.5 million common shares allowed under the 2024/2025 NCIB by the end of April 2025 and intends to purchase and cancel the remaining 2.0 million common shares under that program in 2025. This would result in the cancellation of 6.2% of common shares outstanding as at the beginning of December 2024. IPC continues to believe that reducing the number of shares outstanding in combination with investing in long-life production growth at the Blackrod project will prove to be a winning formula for our stakeholders.

    Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance

    During the first quarter of 2025, IPC recorded no material safety or environmental incidents.

    As previously announced, IPC targets a reduction of our net GHG emissions intensity by the end of 2025 to 50% of IPC’s 2019 baseline and IPC remains on track to achieve this reduction. IPC has also made a commitment to maintain 2025 levels of 20 kg CO2/boe through to the end of 2028.(5)

    Notes:

      (1) See “Supplemental Information regarding Product Types” in “Reserves and Resources Advisory” below. See also the annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024 (AIF) available on IPC’s website at www.international-petroleum.com and under IPC’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
      (2) See “Reserves and Resources Advisory“ below. Further information with respect to IPC’s reserves, contingent resources and estimates of future net revenue, including assumptions relating to the calculation of net present value (NPV), are described in the AIF. NAV is calculated as NPV less net debt of USD 209 million as at December 31, 2024.
      (3) Non-IFRS measures, see “Non-IFRS Measures” below and in the MD&A.
      (4) OCF and FCF forecasts at Brent USD 60 and 70 per barrel assume Brent to WTI differential of USD 3 and 5 per barrel, respectively, and WTI to WCS differential of USD 10 and 15 per barrel, respectively, for the remainder of 2025. OCF and FCF forecasts assume gas price on average of CAD 2.25 per Mcf for the remainder of 2025.
      (5) Emissions intensity is the ratio between oil and gas production and the associated carbon emissions, and net emissions intensity reflects gross emissions less operational emission reductions and carbon offsets.
         

    International Petroleum Corp. (IPC) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with a high quality portfolio of assets located in Canada, Malaysia and France, providing a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth. IPC is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies. IPC is incorporated in Canada and IPC’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange under the symbol “IPCO”.

    For further information, please contact:

    Rebecca Gordon
    SVP Corporate Planning and Investor Relations
    rebecca.gordon@international-petroleum.com
    Tel: +41 22 595 10 50
    Or Robert Eriksson
    Media Manager
    reriksson@rive6.ch
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
         

    This information is information that International Petroleum Corporation is required to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the contact persons set out above, at 07:30 CEST on May 6, 2025. The Corporation’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (Financial Statements) and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and are also available on the Corporation’s website (www.international-petroleum.com).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements and information which constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward-looking statements”) relate to future events, including the Corporation’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise indicated. IPC does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

    All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”.

    Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

    • 2025 production ranges (including total daily average production), production composition, cash flows, operating costs and capital and decommissioning expenditure estimates;
    • Estimates of future production, cash flows, operating costs and capital expenditures that are based on IPC’s current business plans and assumptions regarding the business environment, which are subject to change;
    • IPC’s financial and operational flexibility to navigate the Corporation through periods of volatile commodity prices;
    • The ability to fully fund future expenditures from cash flows and current borrowing capacity;
    • IPC’s intention and ability to continue to implement its strategies to build long-term shareholder value;
    • The ability of IPC’s portfolio of assets to provide a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth;
    • The continued facility uptime and reservoir performance in IPC’s areas of operation;
    • Development of the Blackrod project in Canada, including estimates of resource volumes, future production, timing, regulatory approvals, third party commercial arrangements, breakeven oil prices and net present values;
    • Current and future production performance, operations and development potential of the Onion Lake Thermal, Suffield, Brooks, Ferguson and Mooney operations, including the timing and success of future oil and gas drilling and optimization programs;
    • The potential improvement in the Canadian oil egress situation and IPC’s ability to benefit from any such improvements;
    • The ability to maintain current and forecast production in France and Malaysia;
    • The intention and ability of IPC to acquire further Common Shares under the NCIB, including the timing of any such purchases;
    • The return of value to IPC’s shareholders as a result of the NCIB;
    • IPC’s ability to implement its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity and climate strategies and to achieve its net GHG emissions intensity reduction targets;
    • IPC’s ability to implement projects to reduce net emissions intensity, including potential carbon capture and storage;
    • Estimates of reserves and contingent resources;
    • The ability to generate free cash flows and use that cash to repay debt;
    • IPC’s continued access to its existing credit facilities, including current financial headroom, on terms acceptable to the Corporation;
    • IPC’s ability to identify and complete future acquisitions;
    • Expectations regarding the oil and gas industry in Canada, Malaysia and France, including assumptions regarding future royalty rates, regulatory approvals, legislative changes, tariffs, and ongoing projects and their expected completion; and
    • Future drilling and other exploration and development activities.

    Statements relating to “reserves” and “contingent resources” are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves and resources can be profitably produced in the future. Ultimate recovery of reserves or resources is based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

    The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by IPC, including expectations and assumptions concerning: the potential impact of tariffs implemented in 2025 by the U.S. and Canadian governments and that other than the tariffs that have been implemented, neither the U.S. nor Canada (i) increases the rate or scope of such tariffs, or imposes new tariffs, on the import of goods from one country to the other, including on oil and natural gas, and/or (ii) imposes any other form of tax, restriction or prohibition on the import or export of products from one country to the other, including on oil and natural gas; prevailing commodity prices and currency exchange rates; applicable royalty rates and tax laws; interest rates; future well production rates and reserve and contingent resource volumes; operating costs; our ability to maintain our existing credit ratings; our ability to achieve our performance targets; the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals; the performance of existing wells; the success obtained in drilling new wells; anticipated timing and results of capital expenditures; the sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out planned activities; the timing, location and extent of future drilling operations; the successful completion of acquisitions and dispositions and that we will be able to implement our standards, controls, procedures and policies in respect of any acquisitions and realize the expected synergies on the anticipated timeline or at all; the benefits of acquisitions; the state of the economy and the exploration and production business in the jurisdictions in which IPC operates and globally; the availability and cost of financing, labour and services; our intention to complete share repurchases under our normal course issuer bid program, including the funding of such share repurchases, existing and future market conditions, including with respect to the price of our common shares, and compliance with respect to applicable limitations under securities laws and regulations and stock exchange policies; and the ability to market crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids successfully.

    Although IPC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because IPC can give no assurances that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks.

    These include, but are not limited to: general global economic, market and business conditions; the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves, resources, production, revenues, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; commodity price fluctuations; interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental and climate-related risks; competition; innovation and cybersecurity risks related to our systems, including our costs of addressing or mitigating such risks; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or dispositions; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals; geopolitical conflicts, including the war between Ukraine and Russia and the conflict in the Middle East, and their potential impact on, among other things, global market conditions; political or economic developments, including, without limitation, the risk that (i) one or both of the U.S. and Canadian governments increases the rate or scope of tariffs implemented in 2025, or imposes new tariffs on the import of goods from one country to the other, including on oil and natural gas, (ii) the U.S. and/or Canada imposes any other form of tax, restriction or prohibition on the import or export of products from one country to the other, including on oil and natural gas, and (iii) the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on other countries and responses thereto could have a material adverse effect on the Canadian, U.S. and global economies, and by extension the Canadian oil and natural gas industry and the Corporation; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties, environmental and abandonment regulations. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

    Additional information on these and other factors that could affect IPC, or its operations or financial results, are included in the MD&A (See “Risk Factors”, “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and “Reserves and Resources Advisory”), the Corporation’s Annual Information Form (AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2024, (See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information”, “Reserves and Resources Advisory” and “Risk Factors”) and other reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including previous financial reports, management’s discussion and analysis and material change reports, which may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or IPC’s website (www.international-petroleum.com).

    Management of IPC approved the production, operating costs, operating cash flow, capital and decommissioning expenditures and free cash flow guidance and estimates contained herein as of the date of this press release. The purpose of these guidance and estimates is to assist readers in understanding IPC’s expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

    Estimated production and FCF generation are based on IPC’s current business plans over the periods of 2025 to 2029 and 2030 to 2034, less net debt of USD 209 million as at December 31, 2024, with assumptions based on the reports of IPC’s independent reserves evaluators, and including certain corporate adjustments relating to estimated general and administration costs and hedging, and excluding shareholder distributions and financing costs. Assumptions include average net production of approximately 57 Mboepd over the period of 2025 to 2029, average net production of approximately 63 Mboepd over the period of 2030 to 2034, average Brent oil prices of USD 75 to 95 per bbl escalating by 2% per year, and average Brent to Western Canadian Select differentials and average gas prices as estimated by IPC’s independent reserves evaluator and as further described in the AIF. IPC’s current business plans and assumptions, and the business environment, are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from forward-looking estimates and forecasts.

    Non-IFRS Measures
    References are made in this press release to “operating cash flow” (OCF), “free cash flow” (FCF), “Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization” (EBITDA), “operating costs” and “net debt”/”net cash”, which are not generally accepted accounting measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other public companies. Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

    The definition of each non-IFRS measure is presented in IPC’s MD&A (See “Non-IFRS Measures” therein).

    Operating cash flow
    The following table sets out how operating cash flow is calculated from figures shown in the Financial Statements:

      Three months ended March 31
    USD Thousands 2025   2024  
    Revenue 178,492   206,419  
    Production costs and net sales of diluent to third party 1 (103,188)   (115,745)  
    Current tax (514)   (1,373)  
    Operating cash flow 74,790   89,301  

    1Includes net sales of diluent to third party amounting to USD 191 thousand for the first quarter of 2025.

    Free cash flow
    The following table sets out how free cash flow is calculated from figures shown in the Financial Statements:

      Three months ended March 31
    USD Thousands 2025   2024  
    Operating cash flow – see above 74,790   89,301  
    Capital expenditures (98,886)   (125,256)  
    Abandonment and farm-in expenditures1 (321)   (122)  
    General, administration and depreciation expenses before depreciation2 (4,358)   (3,653)  
    Cash financial items3 (14,397)   (3,581)  
    Free cash flow (43,172)   (43,311)  

    1 See note 16 to the Financial Statements
    2 Depreciation is not specifically disclosed in the Financial Statements
    3 See notes 4 and 5 to the Financial Statements

    EBITDA
    The following table sets out the reconciliation from net result from the consolidated statement of operations to EBITDA:

      Three months ended March 31
    USD Thousands 2025   2024  
    Net result 16,231   33,719  
    Net financial items 18,855   9,770  
    Income tax 4,679   7,746  
    Depletion and decommissioning costs 29,016   33,153  
    Depreciation of other tangible fixed assets 1,917   2,262  
    Exploration and business development costs 31   75  
    Sale of assets 1 (94)   –  
    Depreciation included in general, administration and depreciation expenses 2 311   295  
    EBITDA 70,946   87,020  

    1 Sale of assets is included under “Other income/(expense)” but not specifically disclosed in the Financial Statements
    2 Item is not shown in the Financial Statements

    Operating costs
    The following table sets out how operating costs is calculated:

      Three months ended March 31
    USD Thousands 2025   2024  
    Production costs 103,379   115,745  
    Cost of blending (37,726)   (45,206)  
    Change in inventory position 3,500   5,277  
    Operating costs 69,153   75,816  
             

    Net cash/(debt)
    The following table sets out how net cash / (debt) is calculated from figures shown in the Financial Statements:

    USD Thousands March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024
    Bank loans (4,449)   (5,121)  
    Bonds1 (450,000)   (450,000)  
    Cash and cash equivalents 140,194   246,593  
    Net cash/(debt) (314,255)   (208,528)  

    1 The bond amount represents the redeemable value at maturity (February 2027).

    Reserves and Resources Advisory
    This press release contains references to estimates of gross and net reserves and resources attributed to the Corporation’s oil and gas assets. For additional information with respect to such reserves and resources, refer to “Reserves and Resources Advisory” in the MD&A. Light, medium and heavy crude oil reserves/resources disclosed in this press release include solution gas and other by-products. Also see “Supplemental Information regarding Product Types” below.

    Reserve estimates, contingent resource estimates and estimates of future net revenue in respect of IPC’s oil and gas assets in Canada are effective as of December 31, 2024, and are included in the reports prepared by Sproule Associates Limited (Sproule), an independent qualified reserves evaluator, in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (NI 51-101) and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the COGE Handbook) and using Sproule’s December 31, 2024 price forecasts.

    Reserve estimates, contingent resource estimates and estimates of future net revenue in respect of IPC’s oil and gas assets in France and Malaysia are effective as of December 31, 2024, and are included in the report prepared by ERC Equipoise Ltd. (ERCE), an independent qualified reserves auditor, in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook, and using Sproule’s December 31, 2024 price forecasts.

    The price forecasts used in the Sproule and ERCE reports are available on the website of Sproule (sproule.com) and are contained in the AIF. These price forecasts are as at December 31, 2024 and may not be reflective of current and future forecast commodity prices.

    The reserve life index (RLI) is calculated by dividing the 2P reserves of 493 MMboe as at December 31, 2024 by the mid-point of the 2025 CMD production guidance of 43,000 to 45,000 boepd.

    IPC uses the industry-accepted standard conversion of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1 bbl). A BOE conversion ratio of 6:1 is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a 6:1 conversion basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

    Supplemental Information regarding Product Types

    The following table is intended to provide supplemental information about the product type composition of IPC’s net average daily production figures provided in this press release:

             
      Heavy Crude Oil
    (Mbopd)
    Light and Medium Crude
    Oil (Mbopd)
    Conventional Natural Gas
    (per day)
    Total
    (Mboepd)
    Three months ended        
    March 31, 2025 23.2 6.5 88.2 MMcf
    (14.7 Mboe)
    44.4
    March 31, 2024 24.9 7.9 96.0 MMcf
    (16.0 Mboe)
    48.8
    Year ended        
    December 31, 2024 23.9 7.7 95.1 MMcf
    (15.8 Mboe)
    47.4
             

    This press release also makes reference to IPC’s forecast total average daily production of 43,000 to 45,000 boepd for 2025. IPC estimates that approximately 52% of that production will be comprised of heavy oil, approximately 15% will be comprised of light and medium crude oil and approximately 33% will be comprised of conventional natural gas.

    Currency
    All dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in United States dollars, except where otherwise noted. References herein to USD mean United States dollars and to MUSD mean millions of United States dollars. References herein to CAD mean Canadian dollars.

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Viridien secures sale of Sercel Marlin Offshore Logistics solution to ONGC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France – May 6, 2025

    Viridien has announced a sale of its state-of-the art Sercel Marlin™ Offshore Logistics management solution to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to enhance operational efficiency and safety across its Western offshore E&P operations in India. The sale includes a five-year contract to provide ONGC with dedicated on-premises Sercel software and support services.

    The Sercel Marlin Offshore Logistics solution will digitize and streamline ONGC’s complex offshore E&P logistics, increasing situational awareness through real-time vessel tracking and boosting efficiency in operational planning while also managing helicopter transit. Seamless integration with ONGC’s market-leading ERP systems will also ensure efficient data exchange and decision-making. Additionally, Marlin’s advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms will future-proof ONGC’s operations by further enhancing operational efficiency and planning. All of this will support ONGC’s vision to deliver business excellence and achieve their carbon neutrality objectives.

    Jérôme Denigot, EVP, Sensing & Monitoring, Viridien, said: “We are proud to support ONGC’s digitalization strategy with our Sercel Marlin Offshore Logistics solution. Tailored for both cloud-based and on-premises deployment, it offers unparalleled flexibility to accommodate a client’s diverse infrastructure needs. This award widens our footprint in India’s offshore energy sector and opens up future growth opportunities for our Sercel software solutions in the region. This latest collaboration strengthens our position as a leading provider of operations and logistics software for the energy industry and beyond.”

    About Viridien:

    Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

    Contacts

    Attachment

    • Viridien secures sale of Sercel Marlin Offshore Logistics solution to ONGC

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Report for the three months ended 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Highlights

    • Power generation amounted to 251 GWh for the first quarter 2025, being at the lower end of the outlook range, mainly as a result of weather impact and production curtailments related to the provision of ancillary services, for which the Company receives compensation.
    • Reached the ready-to-permit milestone and launched a sales process for a 98 MW solar project in Germany.
    • Reached the ready-to-permit milestone on a second solar and battery project in the UK, bringing the total volume of ready-to-permit projects to 2.5 GW, with the sales process awaiting the conclusion of the ongoing grid connections reform.

    Consolidated financials

    • Cash flows from operating activities amounted to MEUR 0.6.

    Proportionate financials

    • Achieved electricity price amounted to EUR 40 per MWh, which resulted in a proportionate EBITDA of MEUR 0.4.
    • Proportionate net debt of MEUR 68.6, with significant liquidity headroom available through the MEUR 170 revolving credit facility.

    Financial Summary

    Orrön Energy owns renewables assets directly and through joint ventures and associated companies and is presenting proportionate financials in addition to the consolidated financial reporting under IFRS to show the net ownership and related results of these assets. The purpose of the proportionate reporting is to give an enhanced insight into the Company’s operational and financial results.

    Financial performance   Q1
    MEUR   2025 2024
    Revenue   9.3 12.3
    EBITDA   – 0.9 3.1
    Operating profit (EBIT)   – 5.2 – 1.0
    Net result   – 4.0 – 2.6
    Earnings per share – EUR   – 0.01 – 0.01
    Earnings per share diluted – EUR   – 0.01 – 0.01
    Alternative performance measures      
    Proportionate financials1      
    Power generation (GWh)   251 274
    Average price achieved per MWh – EUR   40 49
    Operating expenses per MWh – EUR   20 15
    Revenue   10.1 13.5
    EBITDA   0.4 5.1
    Operating profit (EBIT)   – 4.9 –
    1 Proportionate financials represent Orrön Energy’s proportionate ownership (net) of assets and related financial results, including joint ventures.
    For more details see section Key Financial Data in the Q1 Report 2025.

    Comment from Daniel Fitzgerald, CEO of Orrön Energy
    “Our greenfield platform is now well established after two years of investment, recruitment and project delivery. We have launched our first sales process in Germany for a 98 MW agri-PV project, and have around 2.5 GW of solar and battery projects in the UK at the ready-to-permit stage awaiting a final resolution from the ongoing grid connections reform. Over the course of 2025 and 2026, we expect to start monetising the first of these projects and I look forward to seeing the results of the hard work and dedication of the teams creating these opportunities. Our UK projects are amongst some of the largest solar projects in the country to date, and will make a significant contribution to the UK government’s ambition to reach net zero through renewable investment and decarbonisation of the power systems. The UK grid connections reform is still underway, and we expect to receive feedback during the fall of 2025, after which we expect to resume our sales process. It is unfortunate that the reform was launched mid-way through our sales process, and although we will see a delay, the value and interest from investors remains strong, as does the UK government’s support for projects such as ours. We expect to share more details on the outcome of the ongoing reform and our progress later this year.

    Our proportionate power generation in the first quarter amounted to 251 GWh, which was at the lower end of our outlook range, primarily due to weather conditions and curtailments linked to the ancillary services provided at our MLK windfarm. We are actively working to qualify additional sites for ancillary services, where we receive compensation when activated. This, alongside voluntary curtailments during periods of low electricity pricing, forms part of a broader set of measures we introduced last year to optimise our revenues and mitigate the ongoing volatility in power markets. Nordic electricity markets remain challenging with low prices and high volatility, and we are seeing that impact not only in our business, but across the sector with very few new renewable energy projects sanctioned.

    Financially resilient
    We remain in a strong financial position, with MEUR 100 of liquidity headroom, and have the ability to manage the pace of our investments as markets evolve. Proportionate revenues and other income for the quarter amounted to MEUR 10.2, and proportionate EBITDA was MEUR 0.4, reflecting the impact of electricity prices during the quarter. Project sales from our greenfield portfolio are expected to commence during the course of this year which should lead to a positive impact on our financial results and EBITDA. Our cost base will further reduce following the conclusion of the Sudan trial in the second quarter of 2026, strengthening our financial position going forward. Electricity prices are set to remain volatile, and future revenues from power sales will remain subject to the underlying Nordic electricity prices, which have been at sustained low levels for the last quarters. I expect to see this improve in the medium term given the lack of new power generation being built, especially in Sweden.

    Looking ahead
    The Company is continuing to deliver in line with our strategy to build a portfolio of producing assets and a pipeline of large-scale greenfield projects. We are making good progress on all fronts with optimisation and consolidation in our producing asset base and continued maturation in our project pipeline. We are supported by a highly skilled and committed team in the Nordics, and a dynamic development team driving our greenfield growth in the UK, Germany and France.

    The long-term outlook for renewable energy remains robust, underpinned by strong policy support, increasing electrification, and growing demand for low-carbon solutions across Europe. As we are investing in onshore technologies with the lowest breakeven price, I am confident that our portfolio is well positioned to deliver long-term value in this space and provide a much-needed new supply of low-cost energy to society. European electricity prices, especially in Germany and the UK, remain at elevated levels, well above the breakeven cost for new renewable projects to be sanctioned, which stands our greenfield portfolio in good shape for delivering long-term returns.

    I would like to once again thank our shareholders for your continued support, and look forward to further updates during 2025.”

    Webcast
    Listen to Daniel Fitzgerald, CEO and Espen Hennie, CFO commenting on the report and presenting the latest developments in Orrön Energy and its future growth strategy at a webcast today at 14.00 CEST. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

    Follow the presentation live on the below webcast link:
    https://orron-energy.events.inderes.com/q1-report-2025

    For further information, please contact:

    Robert Eriksson
    Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
    robert.eriksson@orron.com

    Jenny Sandström
    Communications Lead
    Tel: +41 79 431 63 68
    jenny.sandstrom@orron.com

    Orrön Energy is an independent, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm: “ORRON”) renewable energy company within the Lundin Group of Companies. Orrön Energy’s core portfolio consists of high quality, cash flow generating assets in the Nordics, coupled with greenfield growth opportunities in the Nordics, the UK, Germany, and France. With financial capacity to fund further growth and acquisitions, and backed by a major shareholder, management and Board with a proven track record of investing into, leading and growing highly successful businesses, Orrön Energy is in a unique position to create shareholder value through the energy transition.

    Forward-looking statements
    Statements in this press release relating to any future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that could occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to several factors, many of which are outside the company’s control. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and the company has no obligation (and undertakes no obligation) to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Attachment

    • Orrön Energy Q1 Report 2025 English

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Inbank unaudited financial results for Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    In Q1 2025 Inbank earned a consolidated net profit of 4.5 million euros, increasing 14% year-on-year. The return on equity (ROE) in Q1 stood at 12.3%. 

    • In Q1 2025, Inbank’s total net income reached 20.7 million euros, reflecting an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by consistently improving margins and portfolio growth across both CEE and the Baltics regions. Total operating expenses amounted to 11.1 million euros, which is an 11% increase year-on-year. As a result, Inbank’s cost-income ratio improved to 53.5% for the quarter. 
    • Inbank’s originated volume (OV) for the first quarter reached 166 million euros, which is 6% more than a year ago. 
    • Green financing in Poland grew strongly by 67% compared to a year ago and reached 33 million euros during the quarter. Merchant solutions remained the largest segment with 59.3 million euros in originated volume, but declined 7% compared to a year ago due to a strategic exit from lower-margin partners in Poland. Car financing recorded a 4% decrease year-on-year to 40.2 million euros, impacted by the newly introduced car tax in Estonia, which also contributed to a 2% decrease year-on-year in rental volumes to 11.6 million euros. Direct lending continued on a growth path, increasing 9% to 21.8 million euros. 
    • The loan and rental portfolio reached 1.18 billion euros increasing 11% year-on-year, while the deposit portfolio grew by 15% to 1.27 billion euros. As of the end of Q1, Inbank’s total assets stood at 1.5 billion euros growing 13% year-on-year. 
    • Inbank’s impairments on loans and receivables remained within the company’s target range, accounting for 1.54% of the average loan and rental portfolio. 
    • By the end of Q1, the number of active customer contracts reached 941,000 and 5,600 active partners, following the company’s strategic decision to exit lower-margin merchants.

    Priit Põldoja, Chief Executive Officer, comments on the results:

    “With a few challenging years behind us, Inbank is seeing steady improvement across its financial indicators. Key metrics such as return on equity, total income margin and cost-income ratio have shown consistent progress compared to the last three years and this positive trend is expected to continue. To improve profitability, we have found a better balance between the pace of growth and margin expansion. As of the end of Q1, Inbank’s total assets have surpassed 1.5 billion euros, and equity has exceeded 150 million euros. Remarkably, it was just nine quarters ago that we crossed the 1 billion euros and 100 million euro thresholds, respectively.

    Looking ahead, our improving financial performance and stronger capital base enable us to focus more intently on delivering value to our partners and end-customers. Inbank’s key competitive advantage lies in our broad partner network accompanied by the fastest, most convenient and automated loan origination and credit underwriting capabilities. Going forward we continue to focus on building on our strengths to grow our market position and profitability.”    

    Key financial indicators as of 31.03.2025 

    Total assets EUR 1.52 billion 
    Loan and rental portfolio EUR 1.18 billion
    Customer deposits EUR 1.13 billion
    Total equity EUR 152 million
    Net profit EUR 4.5 million
    Return on equity 12.3%

    Consolidated income statement (in thousands of euros)

      Q1 2025 Q1 2024 3 months 2025 3 months 2024
    Interest income calculated using effective interest method 31,273 28,768 31,273 28,768
    Interest expense -13,313 -13,612 -13,313 -13,612
    Net interest income 17,960 15,156 17,960 15,156
             
    Fee and commission income 7 111 7 111
    Fee and commission expenses -1,232 -1,186 -1,232 -1,186
    Net fee and commission income/expenses -1,225 -1,075 -1,225 -1,075
             
    Rental income 9,149 7,149 9,149 7,149
    Sale of assets previously rented to customers 3,961 4,583 3,961 4,583
    Other operating income 11 339 11 339
    Depreciation of rental assets -4,262 -3,331 -4,262 -3,331
    Other operating expenses -1,683 -1,458 -1,683 -1,458
    Cost of assets sold previously rented to customers -3,643 -4,350 -3,643 -4,350
    Net rental income/expenses 3,533 2,932 3,533 2,932
             
    Net gains/losses from financial assets measured at fair value 444 890 444 890
    Foreign exchange rate gain/losses 19 -339 19 -339
    Net gain/losses from financial items 463 551 463 551
             
    Total net income 20,731 17,564 20,731 17,564
             
    Personnel expenses -5,610 -4,771 -5,610 -4,771
    Marketing expenses -853 -633 -853 -633
    Administrative expenses -2,962 -2,838 -2,962 -2,838
    Depreciation, amortization -1,663 -1,756 -1,663 -1,756
    Total operating expenses -11,088 -9,998 -11,088 -9,998
             
    Share of profit from associates        
    Impairment losses on loans and receivables -4,470 -3,199 -4,470 -3,199
    Profit before income tax 5,173 4,367 5,173 4,367
             
    Income tax expense -642 -403 -642 -403
    Profit for the period 4,531 3,964 4,531 3,964
             
    Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss        
    Currency translation differences -107 20 -107 20
    Total comprehensive income for the period 4,424 3,984 4,424 3,984


    Consolidated statement of financial position (in thousands of euros)

      31.03.2025 31.12.2024
    Assets    
    Cash and cash equivalents 218,356 153,191
    Mandatory reserves at central banks 26,042 25,156
    Investments in debt securities 47,063 46,724
    Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss 103 27
    Loans and receivables 1,059,208 1,041,542
    Other financial assets 5,309 4,569
    Tangible fixed assets 100,263 98,069
    Right of use assets 19,775 20,551
    Intangible assets 32,022 31,560
    Other assets 9,532 9,718
    Deferred tax assets 4,973 4,707
    Total assets 1,522,646 1,435,814
         
    Liabilities    
    Customer deposits 1,267,247 1,171,359
    Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss 120 503
    Other financial liabilities 56,531 59,135
    Current tax liability 320 62
    Deferred tax liability 660 533
    Other liabilities 4,798 4,620
    Subordinated debt securities 40,896 52,046
    Total liabilities 1,370,572 1,288,258
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 1,152 1,152
    Share premium 54,849 54,849
    Statutory reserve 109 109
    Other reserves 1,316 1,329
    Retained earnings 94,648 90,117
    Total equity 152,074 147,556
         
    Total liabilities and equity 1,522,646 1,435,814

    Inbank is a financial technology company with an EU banking license that connects merchants, consumers and financial institutions on its next generation embedded finance platform. Partnering with more than 5,600 merchants, Inbank has 941,000+ active contracts and collects deposits across 7 markets in Europe. Inbank bonds are listed on the Nasdaq Tallinn Stock Exchange.

    Additional information:
    Styv Solovjov
    AS Inbank
    Head of Investor Relations
    +372 5645 9738
    styv.solovjov@inbank.ee

    Attachments

    • Inbank_Interim_Report_2025_Q1
    • Inbank_Corporate_Presentation_2025_Q1

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Zelensky – not Trump – may have ‘won’ the US-Ukraine minerals deal

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Eve Warburton, Research Fellow, Department of Political and Social Change, and Director, Indonesia Institute, Australian National University

    Last week, the Trump administration signed a deal with Ukraine that gives it privileged access to Ukraine’s natural resources.

    Some news outlets described the deal as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “caving” to US President Donald Trump’s demands.

    But we see the agreement as the result of clever bargaining on the part of Ukraine’s war-time president.

    So, what does the deal mean for Ukraine? And will this be help strengthen America’s mineral supply chains?

    Ukraine’s natural resource wealth

    Ukraine is home to 5% of the world’s critical mineral wealth, including 22 of the 34 minerals identified by the European Union as vital for defence, construction and high-tech manufacturing.

    However, there’s a big difference between resources (what’s in the ground) and reserves (what can be commercially exploited). Ukraine’s proven mineral reserves are limited.

    Further, Ukraine has an estimated mineral wealth of around US$14.8 trillion (A$23 trillion), but more than half of this is in territories currently occupied by Russia.

    What does the new deal mean for Ukraine?

    American support for overseas conflict is usually about securing US economic interests — often in the form of resource exploitation. From the Middle East to Asia, US interventions abroad have enabled access for American firms to other countries’ oil, gas and minerals.

    But the first iteration of the Ukraine mineral deal, which Zelensky rejected in February, had been an especially brazen resource grab by Trump’s government. It required Ukraine to cede sovereignty over its land and resources to one country (the US), in order to defend itself from attacks by another (Russia).

    These terms were highly exploitative of a country fighting against a years-long military occupation. In addition, they violated Ukraine’s constitution, which puts the ownership of Ukraine’s natural resources in the hands of the Ukrainian people. Were Zelensky to accept this, he would have faced a tremendous backlash from the public.

    In comparison, the new deal sounds like a strategic and (potentially) commercial win for Ukraine.

    First, this agreement is more just, and it’s aligned with Ukraine’s short- and medium-term interests. Zelenksy describes it as an “equal partnership” that will modernise Ukraine.

    Under the terms, Ukraine will set up a United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund for foreign investments into the country’s economy, which will be jointly governed by both countries.

    Ukraine will contribute 50% of the income from royalties and licenses to develop critical minerals, oil and gas reserves, while the US can make its contributions in-kind, such as through military assistance or technology transfers.

    Ukraine maintains ownership over its natural resources and state enterprises. And the licensing agreements will not require substantial changes to the country’s laws, or disrupt its future integration with Europe.

    Importantly, there is no mention of retroactive debts for the US military assistance already received by Ukraine. This would have created a dangerous precedent, allowing other nations to seek to claim similar debts from Ukraine.

    Finally, the deal also signals the Trump administration’s commitment to “a free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine” – albeit, still without any security guarantees.

    Profits may be a long time coming

    Unsurprisingly, the Trump administration and conservative media in the US are framing the deal as a win.

    For too long, Trump argues, Ukraine has enjoyed US taxpayer-funded military assistance, and such assistance now has a price tag. The administration has described the deal to Americans as a profit-making endeavour that can recoup monies spent defending Ukrainian interests.

    But in reality, profits are a long way off.

    The terms of the agreement clearly state the fund’s investment will be directed at new resource projects. Existing operations and state-owned projects will fall outside the terms of the agreement.

    Mining projects typically work within long time frames. The move from exploration to production is a slow, high-risk and enormously expensive process. It can often take over a decade.

    Add to this complexity the fact that some experts are sceptical Ukraine even has enormously valuable reserves. And to bring any promising deposits to market will require major investments.

    What’s perhaps more important

    It’s possible, however, that profits are a secondary calculation for the US. Boxing out China is likely to be as – if not more – important.

    Like other Western nations, the US is desperate to diversify its critical mineral supply chains.

    China controls not just a large proportion of the world’s known rare earths deposits, it also has a monopoly on the processing of most critical minerals used in green energy and defence technologies.

    The US fears China will weaponise its market dominance against strategic rivals. This is why Western governments increasingly make mineral supply chain resilience central to their foreign policy and defence strategies.

    Given Beijing’s closeness to Moscow and their deepening cooperation on natural resources, the US-Ukraine deal may prevent Russia — and, by extension, China — from accessing Ukrainian minerals. The terms of the agreement are explicit: “states and persons who have acted adversely towards Ukraine must not benefit from its reconstruction”.

    Finally, the performance of “the deal” matters just as much to Trump. Getting Zelensky to sign on the dotted line is progress in itself, plays well to Trump’s base at home, and puts pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the table.

    So, the deal is a win for Zelensky because it gives the US a stake in an independent Ukraine. But even if Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves turn out to be less valuable than expected, it may not matter to Trump.

    Eve Warburton receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Westpac Scholars Trust.

    Olga Boichak is a director of the Foundation of Ukrainian Studies in Australia. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Westpac Scholars Trust.

    – ref. Why Zelensky – not Trump – may have ‘won’ the US-Ukraine minerals deal – https://theconversation.com/why-zelensky-not-trump-may-have-won-the-us-ukraine-minerals-deal-255875

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks Issues Statement on Ukraine Minerals Deal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement on the economic agreement signed by the United States and Ukraine.  

    “With the signing of Donald Trump’s extortion of Ukraine deal, even as Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russia’s illegal invasion, I hope the administration can now turn to the real roadblock for peace: Vladimir Putin. President Zelenskyy has shown time and again that he is willing to negotiate to work towards a sustainable peace; now is the time for Trump to put the pressure on Putin where it belongs.  

    “President Trump should work with Congress to put pressure on Putin and make clear that unless Russia is willing to make real concessions and engage in a peace process, the U.S. will work with its partners and allies to impose significant consequences. That includes holding Russia accountable for its war crimes, additional security support to Ukraine, increased sanctions on Russia, and funding Ukraine’s reconstruction by leveraging gains from Russia’s frozen assets. Both the comprehensive Ukraine assistance bill I introduced last month and the Graham-Blumenthal bill in the Senate are avenues through which the U.S. can make clear that Russia cannot simply wait out international support for Ukraine, and push Putin to the negotiating table.  

    “Unfortunately, Donald Trump has so far demonstrated nothing but weakness by capitulating to Putin every step of the way, with nothing to show for it in return, while fixating his attacks on Zelensky and Ukraine. It should be news to no one that Vladimir Putin is a bully and will only respond to strength, not groveling.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks Opening Remarks at Full Committee Hearing on Authorizing the State Department

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered the following opening remarks – as prepared – before the full House Foreign Affairs Committee for a hearing on “The Need for an Authorized State Department”: 

    Thank you, Chairman Mast, and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today.  

    As members of this Committee, it is our duty to reauthorize the State Department regularly, just as Congress does with respect to the Department of Defense. As Chairman in the 117th Congress, I made it a priority to pass the first State Department reauthorization in 18 years, doing so in a bipartisan way with then-Chairman McCaul. That’s because both Democrats and Republicans believed that it was in the best interest of the American people and U.S. national security for Congress to ensure our diplomatic and development professionals have all the tools they need to succeed. 

    So, while I appreciate that this hearing was called and agree with the need for Congress to regularly authorize the State Department, Mr. Chairman, I am afraid this committee’s actions this Congress have run counter to that goal. Afterall, how can we engage in a serious, bipartisan conversation about strengthening the State Department and other agencies when Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Secretary Rubio have eviscerated the very Department and instruments of national security we’re supposed to support, while not being called even once for a hearing before this Committee?  

    You can’t remodel a home after burning it to the ground. And Congress’ legislative role should not be to simply rubber-stamp the arsonists’ work. 

    This is a profound moment of shame for the Republican party, as its Members sit silently while Secretary Rubio allows Elon Musk and his army of teenagers – who have no foreign policy or even government expertise – to dismantle the very agencies they have supported in the past. The United States Agency for International Development, the US Agency for Global Media, the Millenium Challenge Corporation, just to name a few, have all been met with a hatchet job FOR NO REASON. Meanwhile Secretary Rubio and my Republican colleagues – who’ve in the past understood their value – fail to speak up or, worse, contort themselves to justify this administration’s actions. There is no greater demonstration of this incredible cowardice than Marco Rubio, who knows this is wrong, but would rather sit atop a kingdom of ash than defend the work he once praised.  

    I had hoped that Secretary Rubio would at least try to protect the Department, USAID and their workforces who’ve dedicated their lives to serving the American people. Instead, he stood by while Musk, Pete Marocco, and DOGE illegally gutted USAID – a statutory agency – and condemned millions of people around the world to disease, starvation, and death by slashing foreign assistance, forfeiting U.S. global leadership in the process. 

    The wanton destruction didn’t end with USAID or Pete Marocco’s exit. Most recently, Secretary Rubio gave this Committee just 25-minutes’ notice before announcing a sweeping dismantling of our soft power tools in the name of a State “reorganization.”  

    This is not reform, it’s abandoning decades of bipartisan support for centering human rights and democracy in our foreign policy – without consultation, without engagement, and without any regard for Congress’ constitutional role as a co-equal branch of government.  

    To this day, Secretary Rubio refuses to follow the law and consult with Congress. And we have no reason to believe that will change. In the weeks ahead, we fully expect him to endorse the next chapter of Project 2025: closing hundreds of critical offices and potentially dozens of overseas posts, gutting the Department’s workforce, and slashing the budget –all of which will leave America weaker and more isolated. China and Russia will continue to celebrate, as they have done every day of Donald Trump’s first 100 days.   

    So, while I am grateful to our witnesses for joining us today and for their many years of dedicated service to our country, I have to ask: why are we talking to private witnesses instead of demanding Secretary Rubio come before this Committee to defend his reckless actions?   

    And how can we expect any meaningful authorization process when my Republican colleagues have refused to speak out—even as this Administration destroys programs and policies they once championed?   

    I have a long track record of working with any Administration that wants to strengthen our national security and works in good faith towards that end. But this is not business as usual. Donald Trump has taken a wrecking ball to our foreign policy, treated our allies as adversaries and our adversaries as allies, threatened to invade some of those allies, and launched a trade war that is hurting our economy and constituents.  

    And in placating their would-be-king, my colleagues have abandoned all they’ve held sacred, whether for political expedience, fear of Donald Trump, or both.  

    I would love nothing more than a good-faith effort to reauthorize the State Department and I welcome discussions to that end. But to my Republican colleagues, you all must choose. Will you—as an independent branch of government—stand up to Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio? Or will you enable and support the most rapid, intentional dismantling of American soft power and influence in the history of this country? 

    If it’s the latter, then I fear this entire endeavor is meaningless. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: KH Group Plc’s Business Review January–March 2025: Moderate growth and improving profitability

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KH Group Plc
    Stock Exchange Release 6 May 2025 at 8:00 am EEST

    KH Group Plc’s Business Review January–March 2025: Moderate growth and improving profitability

    This is the summary of the Business Review for January–March 2025. The full Half-Year Report is attached to this release and is also available on the company’s website at www.khgroup.com.

    KH Group, January–March 2025 IFRS

    • Net sales amounted to EUR 41.8 (40.4) million. HTJ and Indoor have been retrospectively classified as discontinued operations.
    • Comparable operating profit was EUR 0.2 (-0.1) million.
    • Operating profit was EUR -0.1 (-0.5) million.
    • Net profit for the period from continuing operations was EUR -0.4 (-1.7) million.
    • Earnings per share (undiluted and diluted) from continuing operations were EUR -0.01 (-0.03).
    • Equity per share at the end of the review period was EUR 0.85 (1.30).
    • Return on equity for rolling 12 months was -43.4% (-19.2%).
    • The Group’s cash and cash equivalents amounted to EUR 4.5 million at the end of the review period.
    • Gearing at the end of the review period was 291.3% (225.3%).
    • Gearing excluding lease liabilities was 187.9% (141.6%).

    CEO Ville Nikulainen:

    “The Group’s net sales and operating profit from continuing operations increased moderately year-on-year during the January–March review period. KH-Koneet’s net sales and operating profit increased in both Finland and Sweden in spite of the weakened market situation. Sales of heavy crawler excavators in Finland, in particular, grew significantly year-on-year. Nordic Rescue Group’s net sales declined, but operating profit for the first quarter was on a par with the comparison period. The financial situation of the wellbeing services counties became clearer after the turn of the year and, as a result, the order book for Nordic Rescue Group’s operations in Finland strengthened during the review period. In Sweden, the demand for rescue vehicles has remained at a good level.

    In Indoor Group, the general uncertainty in the market continued to have a negative impact on net sales and operating profit. The extensive operating model reform programme to improve Indoor Group’s profitability targets an annual improvement in operating profit of at least EUR 10 million by the end of 2026. A significant part of the targeted profitability improvement is estimated to be realised already during 2025. The change negotiations concluded in December 2024 will generate annual savings in wage costs of approximately EUR 6–7 million, which will improve the company’s result significantly already during the second quarter.

    As a strategic measure, KH Group announced in March 2024 that it had initiated a sale process for Indoor Group. KH Group has engaged a financial advisor to explore various options for its Indoor Group shareholding. No final decision has been made on the sale of Indoor Group holdings and there is no certainty as to the timing, terms or completion of any such transaction. KH Group aims to complete the process during 2025. Another strategic step was completed in March 2025 as KH Group acquired the remaining KH-Koneet Group Oy minority shares in accordance with the shareholder agreement and KH-Koneet is now a fully-owned subsidiary of KH Group. The purchase price of the shares was EUR 2.0 million.

    In 2025, the business areas will focus on securing net sales and operating profit as well as improving the efficiency of working capital. KH Group’s change in strategy is being advanced according to plan.”

    Events after the review period

    The Board of Directors of KH Group Plc decided to establish a performance-based share scheme for key employees of KH-Koneet. The plan replaces the performance-based matching share plan announced on 31 May 2024. The purpose of the new scheme is to align the goals of shareholders and key employees in order to increase the company’s shareholder value in the long term, guide the key employees to achieve the company’s strategic objectives, engage their commitment to the company and offer them a competitive incentive scheme based on the earning and accrual of KH Group shares. The performance-based share scheme has one (1) performance period of two (2) years, corresponding to the financial periods 2025–2026. The scheme provides key employees with the opportunity to earn KH Group shares based on performance

    Financial objectives and future outlook

    KH Group’s objective is to become an industrial group built around the KH-Koneet business and to divest other business areas in line with the Group’s strategy. At the same time, active developments will continue regarding other business areas. Exit planning and the assessment of exit opportunities for the other business areas will also continue.

    During the next few years, the aim is to invest in the growth of the core business and pay dividends after significant exits within the limits established by the balance sheet structure and financing agreements.

    The guidance with the current Group structure of continuing operations for 2025 is as follows: the company estimates that both the net sales (EUR 194.0 million) and the comparable operating profit (EUR 7.2 million) will remain approximately at the same level year-on-year.

    KH GROUP PLC

    Ville Nikulainen
    CEO

    FURTHER INFORMATION:
    CEO Ville Nikulainen, tel. +358 400 459 343

    DISTRIBUTION:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Major media
    www.khgroup.com

    KH Group Plc is a Nordic conglomerate operating in the business areas of KH-Koneet, Nordic Rescue Group and Indoor Group. We are a leading supplier of construction and earth-moving equipment, rescue vehicle manufacturer as well as furniture and interior decoration retailer. The objective of our strategy is to create an industrial group around the business of KH-Koneet. KH Group’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

    Attachment

    • KH Group Plc – Business Review Q1_2025

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: 26/2025・Trifork Group: Interim report for the quarter ending 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Trifork Group AG
    Company announcement no. 26/2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 6 May 2025
    Interim Financial Report for the first quarter ending 31 March 2025

    Trifork Group reports revenue growth of 14.1% and EBITDA growth of 29.4% in Q1 2025

    CEO Jørn Larsen comments on the first quarter:
    “Q1 showed good progress toward our strategic ambition of becoming a more product- and solutions-led business. To support this direction, we revamped Trifork.com in Q1 to highlight our full range of products and platforms, and I invite you to explore our current offering. AI continues to break new ground, and we now discuss AI with most of our customers in one form or another. Our platforms Corax and AI Assist are seeing strong interest as they bring significant value to our customers very fast, in a very flexible, scalable, and secure way without customers needing to employ large data science teams.

    In Q1, we began to see the impact of several larger deals initiated in 2024. In Denmark, the good trend from Q4 continued in Q1, with the activities in the public sector increasing the most. The US business doubled its revenue and became the second-largest in the Group in Q1, proving that our IP-anchored strategy, executed in close collaboration with our Labs companies and global tech partners, can unlock new avenues of growth in revenue and profits.

    We have now completed most of the organizational changes announced last year and have identified cost-saving measures expected to deliver annual savings of EUR 10 million based on 2024 activity levels. For the remainder of 2025, we will continue to focus on further optimization and cost-efficiency across the Group, and I am encouraged by the strong and constructive cost savings efforts of our entire organization.”

    First quarter 2025

    • Trifork Group
      • In Q1 2025, Trifork Group revenue amounted to EURm 57.5, a net increase of 14.1% from Q1 2024, the combined result of an organic growth of 10.8% and an inorganic growth of 3.5%. In the quarter, Trifork had EURm 4.2 more revenue from hardware and third-party licenses compared to Q1 2024. Excluding these revenues, Group revenue growth was 5.9% in Q1 2025.
      • Trifork Group adjusted EBITDA amounted to EURm 6.9, corresponding to growth of 29.4% compared to Q1 2024. The margin was 11.9% (Q1 2024: 10.5%). No special items were recorded.
      • Trifork Group EBIT amounted to EURm 2.8, corresponding to growth of 95.5% compared to Q1 2024. The margin was 4.9% (Q1 2024: 2.8%).
    • Trifork Segment
      • In Q1 2025, adjusted EBITDA in the Trifork Segment amounted to EURm 7.4 (Q1 2024: EURm 5.8), corresponding to growth of 26.3%. The margin was 12.8% (Q1 2024: 11.6%).
      • Sub-segments
        • Inspire revenue increased by 25.0% to EURm 0.7 and realized an adjusted EBITDA of EURm -0.8 (Q1 2024: EURm -1.0).
        • Build revenue declined by -1.2% to EURm 38.3 and realized an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.2% (Q1 2024: 15.7%).
        • Run revenue increased by 68.5% to EURm 18.5. Adjusted for hardware and third-party licenses, revenue growth was 33.9%. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.0% (Q1 2024: 13.1%).
    • Trifork Labs
      • In Q1 2025, fair value adjustment of Trifork Labs investments was EURm -0.1 (Q1 2024: EURm 2.0).
      • At 31 March 2025, the book value of active Labs investments amounted to EURm 82.7 (31 March 2024: EURm 73.4).

    The financial outlook for full-year 2025 provided on 28 February is maintained:

    • Revenue is expected to be in the range of EURm 215-225, equal to 4.4-9.3% total growth
    • Organic revenue growth is expected in the range of 2.9-7.8%
    • Adjusted EBITDA in Trifork Segment is expected in the range of EURm 32.0-37.0
    • EBIT in Trifork Group is expected to be in the range of EURm 14.5-19.5.

    The guidance does not include potential effects from new acquisitions or divestments.

    Main events in the first quarter of 2025

    • Inspire
      Q1 is seasonally a quarter with low conference activity. With more than 2 million views in Q1, the online GOTO universe have reached 83 million video views in total. At the end of the quarter, we had 1.1 million video subscribers. We are continuously sharpening our planning of events and have optimized our cost structure. Our business development efforts are anchored in technology partnerships, where workshop and conference presentations are central to the efforts. We hosted multiple events, including our Observability day in Copenhagen, and attended NVIDIA GTC together with Lenovo, who also co-attended an industrial conference in Germany with us. We held multiple events focusing on SAP.
    • Build
      Build revenue accounted for 66.6% of Group revenue in Q1 and declined by 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. We spent the quarter focusing our Build activities closer to our own product offerings so that focus is more on implementation, integration, and customization of these and building individual extensions on top. Generally, corporates continued to take a cautious approach to IT spending in light of the global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, but our business development efforts made up for some of the private market weakness. Our public sector customer base primarily consists of Danish engagements. Danish public revenue grew 23.4% in Q1 compared to the same quarter last year and accounted for 47% of revenue in Denmark. In Q1, we announced new engagements with SBSYS (41 municipalities and two regions) and Aalborg University, and a new partnership with Cognizant focused on testing-as-a-service for implementation with KOMBIT (all Danish municipalities).
    • Run
      Run revenue accounted for 32.2% of Group revenue in Q1 and increased by 68.5% in Q1 compared to the same quarter last year (33.9% growth excluding revenues from third-party licenses and hardware, which can be volatile on a quarterly basis). In Q1, we revamped our website Trifork.com to increase focus on our products and platforms, which are central to our growth strategy and which provide more stability to our revenues as the licenses are sold on a recurring basis. Our Cloud Operations business has built a good pipeline supported by our Contain product offering, and it seems that the interest in cloud hosting in our Danish data centers increased in Q1. This was driven by both public and private customers. Our managed services security business continues to be in discussion with potential strategic partners to accelerate growth and market share, and we look forward to updating the market on the progress. Any potential deconsolidation is not included in the current financial guidance for the year. Overall, revenue within Hosting and Security operations increased by 23.2% in Q1.
    • Trifork Labs
      No new investments or exits were completed in Trifork Labs in Q1. Activities in the quarter primarily included reviewing investment proposals from new or existing investors in individual Labs companies in relation to upcoming financing rounds, including the announced EURm 11.5 financing round in Dawn Health led by existing investors Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). We see this as a testament to continued strong belief in the company’s potential after showing significant progress with large pharma partners such as Merck and Novartis. The investment is aimed at supporting Dawn Health’s strategy to deliver its platform and product suite through a SaaS model, while continuing to invest in further offerings within the Dawn Product Suite.

    Results presentation
    Trifork will host a results presentation and Q&A session with CEO Jørn Larsen and CFO Kristian Wulf-Andersen today, 6 May 2025 at 11:00 CEST in a live webcast that can be accessed via the following link, or via the investor website:

    https://trifork.zoom.us/j/96719631909?pwd=sI6nAeNybYebaVXxyFn3Wp8tpU5BOL.1#success

    A recording will be made available on our investor website. More information can be found at https://investor.trifork.com/events/.

    Investor & Media contact
    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director
    frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 7317


    About Trifork Group

    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 also owns GOTO, which inspires the global tech community through conferences and an online video channel with over 1.1 million subscribers and 83 million views. Trifork Group AG is publicly listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachments

    • Trifork-25Q1-Interim-report
    • CA_26_25 Q1 report

    The MIL Network –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: May Day tourism boom shows China’s robust consumer activity

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese travelers made 314 million domestic tours during the five-day holiday to mark International Workers’ Day on May 1, up 6.4 percent year on year, data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed Tuesday.

    Overall domestic tourism spending by Chinese people during the period rose 8 percent year-on-year to 180.27 billion yuan (about $25 billion), reflecting robust consumer activity.

    The May Day holiday, which runs from May 1 to 5, is typically one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with millions of Chinese traveling to visit relatives, explore domestic attractions, or travel abroad. The surge in travel boosts industries such as transportation, tourism, and retail. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of this year, more than 2,000 freight trains have passed through Xi’an on China-Europe routes.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, has received and dispatched more than 2,000 freight trains running on China-Europe/Central Asia routes since the beginning of this year.

    Train number X9043, loaded with cars, household appliances and other goods, left the Xi’an International Port station on the morning of April 29 and headed to the Tajik city of Danghara, becoming the 2,000th freight train to pass through the Shaanxi city on the China-Europe/Central Asia route since the beginning of this year, the provincial people’s government press service reported.

    In the first four months, the number of trains running on the above-mentioned routes and passing through Xi’an, as well as the volume of freight traffic, increased by more than 30 percent year-on-year, statistics show.

    The stable development of regular railway transportation between China and Europe and China and Central Asia brings benefits to both foreign and domestic consumers.

    According to the deputy general director of the Shaanxi company “Aiju”, last year the company implemented a number of projects in the field of processing agricultural products in the North Kazakhstan region of Kazakhstan. On the way back, these freight trains delivered more grain, oils and food products to the country.

    “We plan to gradually increase the range of agricultural products and supply more high-quality food products produced in Kazakhstan to the domestic market,” the entrepreneur summed up. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 40 people killed in road accident in Uganda

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    KAMPALA, May 6 (Xinhua) — More than 40 people are believed to have been killed in a road accident in Uganda on Monday, local media reported.

    The accident occurred at around 5pm local time in the central Buikwe district of the country, when a passenger bus lost control, collided with a motorcycle and caught fire, leaving many dead, local police said in a statement.

    The victims were taken to nearby hospitals. Police and rescue services continue to work at the scene. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Trump administration has promised to pay illegal immigrants $1,000 to voluntarily leave the US

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    WASHINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) — The Donald Trump administration announced Monday that it will give illegal immigrants $1,000 and pay for their travel expenses if they leave the country voluntarily.

    “Today, the Department of Homeland Security announced a historic opportunity for undocumented immigrants to make it easier for them to return home by receiving assistance with funding and travel arrangements through the CBP/Customs app.

    “Any undocumented migrant who uses the CBP Home app to self-deport will also receive a one-time payment of $1,000. The payment will be made once their return to their home country is confirmed through the app,” the statement said.

    Even taking into account the payments, independent travel using the app should reduce deportation costs by about 70 percent, the ministry noted. Currently, the average cost of arresting, detaining, and deporting an illegal immigrant is $17,121.

    “If you are here illegally, self-deportation is the best, safest, and most cost-effective way to leave the United States and avoid arrest,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Trade turnover between Shanghai and ASEAN countries continues to grow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    SHANGHAI, May 6 (Xinhua) — In the first quarter of 2025, trade between Shanghai and ASEAN countries increased by 7.1 percent year on year, significantly exceeding the average foreign trade figures of the Chinese metropolis. By the end of 2024, the city’s foreign trade growth was 6.9 percent, according to Shanghai Customs.

    Customs officials attribute the continued growth in trade turnover between Shanghai and ASEAN not only to geographical proximity, but also to the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the work of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA).

    Customs statistics show growth in trade between Shanghai and ASEAN in all three main forms: regular, duty-free and tolling. In 2024, foreign-invested enterprises and private companies, actively relying on the opportunities of RCEP and CAFTA, played the leading role in the metropolis’s foreign trade.

    The complementary production structure and the fact that Shanghai and ASEAN differ in the division of labor have also had a positive impact on bilateral trade and have been recognized as the internal driving force behind its growth. For example, in 2024, Shanghai exported 162.63 billion yuan (US$1 is about 7.2 yuan) worth of machinery and electronics products to ASEAN countries, while importing 166.55 billion yuan worth of similar products. However, while the bulk of exports were microchips, mobile phones, and electrical control equipment, significant growth was observed in imports of semiconductor machinery equipment and flat-panel displays. Machinery and electronics products accounted for over 60 percent of the trade turnover between Shanghai and ASEAN.

    Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia were Shanghai’s largest trading partners among ASEAN countries. As of 2024, their share in trade turnover between the parties reached 62.5 percent.

    The total bilateral trade volume last year was 582.79 billion yuan, accounting for 13.7 percent of Shanghai’s total foreign trade, up 0.7 percentage points from 2023 and making ASEAN the city’s second-largest trading partner after the EU. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU hosted the first hackathon “Church’s Thesis” dedicated to the application of mathematical logic in IT

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The hackathon “Church’s Thesis” was held for the first time at Novosibirsk State University. It is aimed at everyone interested in mathematical logic and its application in information technology. Both students of all courses of the Faculty of Information Technology (FIT) and the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics (MMF) of NSU, as well as schoolchildren, took part in the pilot competition. In total, more than 20 teams registered.

    Welcoming remarks were given by Gulnara Erkinovna Yakhyaeva, Associate Professor of the Department of General Computer Science at the NSU Institute of Information Technologies, Lecturer of the course “Logical Foundations of Programming”, and Alexander Aleksandrovich Vlasov, Head of the Laboratory of Software Development and Systems on a Chip, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Systems at the NSU Institute of Information Technologies. They shared modern challenges faced by specialists in the field of logic and programming.

    The hackathon consisted of two stages: a theoretical one, which gave participants the opportunity to explore how logic is applied in everyday life; and a practical one, during which the guys solved applied problems: from program verification to optimizing compiler algorithms. The competition was high, and all teams demonstrated a high level of preparation.

    Anton Chumak, the hackathon organizer, “Mathematical Logic Lover,” a 3rd-year student at the NSU Faculty of Information Technology, told us how the idea of holding the hackathon came about:

    — When I was a first-year student, I heard my classmates complaining, “Why do we need mathematical logic?” or “Matlog is a subject that is disconnected from the rest of mathematics and any real-world problems.” In my second year, I taught additional classes on this subject and noticed that the general mood of first-year students was about the same. “An incomprehensible and useless subject,” some of them thought. And although the course in mathematical logic and the theory of algorithms is more abstract than linal or matan, it also has many practical applications, especially in IT. These areas include parsers, program verification, knowledge bases, artificial intelligence, expert systems, optimizing compilers, and much more. The problem is that first-year students do not see these applications when they need to study the proof of a model existence theorem (METH), and not many are motivated to complete the course well. Therefore, it seemed to me the right decision to introduce the students to problems that appear in leading companies and require knowledge of mathematical logic to solve. I hope this will change their attitude towards the course and the discipline in general.

    As the organizers note, the main difficulty in preparing the hackathon was in compiling the tasks. Since the competition format is limited to one day, a team, even one consisting of three people, has little time to solve a complex problem. At the same time, it was important to show the versatility of applications, so it was necessary to offer the teams as many different tasks as possible. The final list included theoretical and practical tasks. Theoretical tasks were devoted to the application of mathematical logic in the daily life of a programmer. In the practical round, teams were asked to write their own Turing machine, an optimization algorithm for a compiler, specifications for verifying algorithms in distributed systems, and even their own knowledge base.

    — I am pleased to note that almost all tasks were solved by at least one team! — added Anton Chumak.

    The finale was a ceremonial awarding of the best teams. The winners received memorable prizes thanks to the support of partners: the organizers expressed special gratitude to the Dean’s Office of the NSU FIT, the NSU Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work, as well as the partner companies of the Faculty of Information Technology – Postgres Professional, YADRO, Ledas and the School of Data Analysis – for their contribution to the organization and holding of the hackathon.

    The competition had 2 categories: for schoolchildren and first-year students, as well as a general category. There were 3 winning teams in each category.

    Bulat Nazarov, captain of the winning team “Barebushki”, a fourth-year student of the Faculty of Information Technology of NSU, shared his impressions:

    — Yes, we are so great — we won the hackathon! To be honest, we didn’t expect to perform so well, but we are very happy that we ended up taking 1st place. We were a little nervous at the start — we solved just enough in the theoretical part to not lose face. But then the practical part began, and everything went more fun: the first were tasks in C, then we switched to TLA (coding experience in this language: it was as if aliens were being taught human language, but in the end it worked). But the knowledge base is our pride! We beat everyone there in points. Our data search worked so clearly that even we ourselves are proud of it. It was especially nice to see how our solutions received a high rating. Many thanks to Anton for the recommendation, we are sincerely glad to have the opportunity to share our experience.

    Denis Yeldov, a first-year student at the Faculty of Information Technology and a member of the winning team “Hotdog Master” in the first-year competition, spoke about how the hackathon went:

    — At the first, theoretical stage, it was actually possible to solve almost all the tasks if we divided them between the team members, which is what we did. So it wasn’t that difficult. In the second round, there were practical tasks, some of which were created by FIT students, and some by leading IT companies. We again divided the tasks among the team, but when something didn’t work out, we asked each other for help. It was fun, the atmosphere was not tense. However, we were constantly encouraged to do the tasks faster, since the rating was displayed on the screen, which was updated online. The tasks were of medium difficulty, as well as complex, some of them had to be written in a completely new programming language, which was one of the main problems.

    Both the organizers and the participants noted that the competitions had a friendly atmosphere. In addition to the tournament itself, there were breaks during which the teams communicated in an informal setting.

    — I am extremely glad that students from the FIT and MMF, as well as schoolchildren, took part. The atmosphere at the competition was very kind and homely. I think that is how it should be when people who are close in spirit gather. I hope that next year even more participants and partners will join us, — Anton Chumak summed up.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: The ‘feminisation’ of Labor is a key reason Australians embraced it – and Anthony Albanese

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Strangio, Emeritus Professor of Politics, Monash University

    Watching elections over the decades, one thing that has struck me is that results are invariably hyperbolised in the first blush of the people’s verdict. The achievement of the winners is over-egged in the commentary, as is the scale of the calamity suffered by the losers.

    That caveat notwithstanding, I think we can credibly say that Saturday’s election result was the most momentous since John Howard’s totemic victory of 2001 — a win that set in train much of what has happened in Australian politics over the course of this century.

    As I suggested in my pre-election essay on Anthony Albanese’s prime ministership, the impending victory for Labor would in part be an endorsement, even if grudging, of his leadership of the nation. It would be a reward for the fact that, despite limitations, he had run an industrious, orderly, united and scandal-free government. His was a mature administration that the country had been bereft of for nearly two decades.

    But the magnitude of Labor’s triumph on Saturday was undoubtedly most of all a repudiation of Duttonism. It was an emphatic assertion of what Australia is not. Why that makes this election the most significant since 2001 is that Dutton was an ideological heir to Howard — as before him was Tony Abbott, notwithstanding the latter’s idiosyncratic influence by the philosophy of the post-war right-wing Catholic crusader, B.A. Santamaria.

    Dutton entered the House of Representatives at the 2001 election, and the early advance of his parliamentary career was nurtured by Howard. As he articulated during this campaign, Dutton regarded Howard as his political touchstone.

    Like Abbott’s, Dutton’s leadership of the Liberal Party represented a doubled down version of the conservative populism that Howard so effectively unleashed at the 2001 election.

    This was a point that Lech Blaine perceptively recognised in his chilling 2024 Quarterly Essay portrait of Dutton. In common with Abbott, Dutton’s rendition of Howardism was an aggressively crude variant. Moreover, both of these unequal proteges were wanting in their mentor’s masterful political dexterity. Antithetical to the heritage of the Liberal Party, they were also short of interest in, let alone aptitude for, economic policy.

    Howard’s conservative populism was directed at cleaving working-class voters off Labor, especially in outer suburban electorates of Australia. For some time, there has been an emerging expectation that Dutton was poised to fruitfully capitalise on an incipient revolt against the Albanese government in outer suburbia. That is, a belief that these seats were susceptible to swallowing whole Dutton’s Frankenstein version of Howardism.

    Dutton’s strategy for hunting after votes in the outer suburbs and the commentary that has attended to it did a disservice to those communities. Undoubtedly, their populations, fast growing and undergoing a tsunami of demographic change, are enduring severe economic duress and struggling with over-stretched infrastructure and services.

    But there has been too much of a readiness to extrapolate from this that they were ripe for embracing an angry, grievance-fuelled politics, that they were vulnerable to xenophobic dog whistling, that they were, in short, home to an uglier Australia.

    The rejection of Duttonism in outer suburbia Australia suggests that, to the contrary, because of their kaleidoscopic diversity of ethnicities and cultures, these communities shrink from a politics of divisiveness and nativism.

    In other words, the routing of the Liberals on Saturday ought to be the moment that finally closes the door on the direction that Howard orientated the party at the beginning of this century. It should be his last hurrah.

    The dilemma, of course, is that stripped of moderates (the idea of the vaunted “broad church” thriving under Howard was itself greatly exaggerated), there is a serious question of whether the Liberals can reverse their 25-year rightwards pivot.

    The new leader could begin the journey back towards the centre by never darkening the doors of Sky News after Dark. A folly of Abbott and Dutton was their tribal attitude to the media. They skewed their communications to reactionary sympathisers who, rather than providing a reality check, encouraged ideological amplification.




    Read more:
    In its soul-searching, the Coalition should examine its relationship with the media


    What of Albanese and his leadership? In my pre-election essay on him, I flagged a concern that victory would feed his self-narrative of always being under-estimated. That it would encourage him to stick fast to his first term modus operandi of cautious, dogged incrementalism at a point when the nation is overdue for a burst of expansive reformism. The scale of Saturday’s win arguably heightens that risk.

    Yet we do have to acknowledge that Albanese, fortunate though he has been with the incurably inauthentic Scott Morrison and then Dutton as opponents, has been under-estimated. He has insisted since 2022 that his was a two-term strategy in which the first would be about measured consolidation that would, in turn, open the path to a long-term Labor government whose legacy would be durable change. This result means the prime minister and his team now have the opportunity to achieve that.

    Watching the ABC’s election night broadcast, a chief takeaway was the conspicuous camaraderie among senior members of Albanese’s Labor cabinet. Treasurer Jim Chalmer’s sincerely generous words about the prime minister’s leadership exemplified that.

    During Labor’s first term, I wondered whether Chalmers, for all his virtues, was actually too much a patient team player and not enough of an agitator within the government. In other words, that he did not sufficiently ginger up Albanese for greater policy adventurism, as Paul Keating did Bob Hawke during the last great era of Labor reformism.

    But Saturday night spotlighted a different, but perhaps at least as equally valuable, dynamic at the top of the government. That is genuine respect, even affection, between its key personnel. Keating could never have been as laudable of Hawke as Chalmers was of Albanese as the votes were tallied.

    This says much about the character of Chalmers, as it does about other leading cabinet members who have exuded that spirit of camaraderie throughout the life of the government. Most notably, the prime minister’s brains trust: Richard Marles, Penny Wong, Tony Burke, Mark Butler and Katy Gallagher.

    But it must also reflect Albanese’s respect for his colleagues. It speaks to his ability to harmoniously manage a team, his gift for generating unity of purpose, and his willingness to afford ministers a self-empowering autonomy in contributing to Labor’s collective enterprise. These are no small things. Respect and decency in a government begins with the prime minister and filters down.

    Let us not get misty-eyed. Albanese is vulcanised by a lifetime in politics. He is tough and a ruthless foe. His political blooding was as a left faction functionary in the right-controlled New South Wales Labor Party. Intra-party knife fighting was an essential part of the skill set he developed.

    But, consistent with all prime ministers, to understand Albanese’s approach to leadership we need to return to his formative roots. He was fatherless, defined by being the only child of a single mum, disability pensioner. These circumstances, as former journalist Katharine Murphy identified, imbued him with a pronounced streak of self-sufficiency, a “lone wolf” aspect. Yet also discernible is a resulting “feminine” side to his character and his prime-ministerial style.

    Albanese readily exhibits empathy and emotion. A familiar sight of him is lips quivering as he struggles to suppress tears. He dares speak of kindness and compassion as positive leadership attributes — in this he evokes former New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. And he practices a collaborative, cooperative minded governing operating mode, which are behaviours conventionally associated with women leaders.

    Not coincidentally, a striking feature of Albanese’s prime ministership is that the “feminisation” of Labor has proceeded apace. For instance, policies such as the movement towards universal childcare support and government-backed wage increases in the care industries whose workforce is dominated by women employees. The record proportion of women appointed to cabinet. The continuing storming of the ramparts of caucus by women — they now comprise a majority of the party room — reinforced at the federal election most spectacularly in Brisbane, where six additional female Labor candidates prevailed, including Ali France, slayer of Dutton. And the consolidation of the pattern of women voters favouring Labor.

    It’s unfashionable these days to quote the post-war lion of the Labor left, Jim Cairns. However, when he retired in 1977, Cairns was asked who he would like to inherit his seat. He replied, “a woman, they feel the value of life”. Perhaps a sentiment by which Albanese abides.

    In the past, Paul Strangio received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. The ‘feminisation’ of Labor is a key reason Australians embraced it – and Anthony Albanese – https://theconversation.com/the-feminisation-of-labor-is-a-key-reason-australians-embraced-it-and-anthony-albanese-255883

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Germany’s CDU/CSU, SPD sign coalition deal for new gov’t

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

    The Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Markus Soeder (1st L), the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz (2nd L), the Social Democratic Party (SPD)’s co-leaders Lars Klingbeil (2nd R) and Saskia Esken attend the signing ceremony of a coalition agreement in Berlin, Germany, May 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Leaders of Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU and center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) signed a coalition agreement on Monday, paving the way for the formation of a new federal government.

    Under the coalition pact finalized in April after weeks of negotiations, the parties pledged to enhance Germany’s economic competitiveness, strengthen national defense, and tighten migration policies.

    The CDU/CSU, unofficially the Union parties or the Union, is a conservative political alliance of two political parties in Germany.

    The Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, is scheduled to elect Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, as chancellor on Tuesday. Once Merz is elected, his government will take office, ending the current administration led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and SPD’s co-leader Lars Klingbeil will take the post of vice chancellor.

    According to SPD’s announcement of key positions in the new cabinet on Monday, Klingbeil will also take the helm of the Finance Ministry. Boris Pistorius will be retaining his post as defense minister. Baerbel Bas, former president of the Bundestag, has been nominated as minister of Labor and Social Affairs.

    Other nominations include 35-year-old Reem Alabali-Radovan as minister for Economic Cooperation and Development.

    Speaking at a press conference before the signing, Merz said the coalition aims to advance Germany with reforms and investments. Highlighting the capabilities of the new government, Merz vowed to implement reform from day one, build essential infrastructure, and make a strong contribution to Europe.

    “I am very confident that starting tomorrow, we will succeed in governing our country with strength, planning, and trust,” Merz said.

    At the press conference, Klingbeil said the new government will start its work swiftly to stimulate growth in Germany and attract future-oriented industries to Germany.

    During coalition negotiations, the two parties agreed to establish a 500-billion-euro (about 567 billion U.S. dollars) fund dedicated to infrastructure and climate-neutrality investments.

    Klingbeil pledged to cut bureaucracy and streamline procedures to accelerate the realization of infrastructure projects.

    Though the new government plans to tighten migration policies, Klingbeil reaffirmed that Germany remains a country of immigration, stressing that the country will manage migration with clear rules. (1 euro = 1.14 U.S. dollar)

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Jorginho leaving Arsenal for reported deal with Flamengo

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

    Flamengo has reached an agreement to sign Arsenal and Italy international midfielder Jorginho on a free transfer, according to media reports in Brazil.

    Chelsea’s Jorginho (R) is challenged by Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka during the 23th round English Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London, Britain on Jan. 19, 2019. Arsenal won 2-0. (Xinhua/Matthew Impey)

    Jorginho is contracted to the Premier League side until June 30, and he is currently free to sign a pre-contract with another club under FIFA rules.

    Newspaper O Globo reported on Monday that the 33-year-old had agreed to personal terms of a deal that will tie him to Flamengo until 2028.

    It added that the former Chelsea and Napoli player would join the Brazilian Serie A outfit in early June, in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

    Flamengo will begin its campaign against Tunisian side ES Tunis on June 16 before also facing Chelsea and Leon in the group stage.

    Jorginho, who was born in Brazil before moving to Italy when he was 15, has made 78 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal since his 2023 move from London rival Chelsea.

    Negotiations between Flamengo and Jorginho’s representatives reportedly began in January, when the playmaker visited Rio de Janeiro with fiancee Catherine Harding. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: In January-March 2025, the volume of direct non-financial investments by Chinese companies in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 15.6 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — Non-financial direct investment by Chinese companies in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 15.6 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, data from the Ministry of Commerce shows.

    According to the agency, the volume of direct non-financial investments in the above-mentioned countries during the reporting period in dollar terms amounted to USD 8.87 billion.

    The volume of transactions under contracting projects implemented by Chinese companies in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative during the period amounted to US$27.52 billion, an increase of 4.1 percent year-on-year.

    In addition, domestic enterprises concluded new contracting contracts worth USD 47.14 billion in these countries. The increase in this indicator was 16.3 percent.

    Recall that last year, the volume of direct non-financial investments by Chinese companies in countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative increased by 5.4 percent year-on-year to USD 33.69 billion. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s rail passenger traffic exceeded 110 million person-times from April 29 to May 4

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — China’s railway passenger traffic totaled 112 million from April 29 to May 4, up 10.5 percent from a year earlier, state-owned China Railways Corp. (CRC) said.

    According to the company, the figure was 19.79 million person-times on May 4, and was expected to rise to 21.1 million person-times on May 5, the penultimate day of intensive operation due to the May Day holiday. The top three cities by number of outgoing passengers were Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu, and by number of arriving passengers were Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. The routes linking the capital with Shanghai, Shenyang, Hohhot and Taiyuan, as well as the Xi’an-Chengdu, Nanning-Guangzhou and Wuhan-Shanghai railways were recognized as the busiest.

    Residents of China had a holiday from May 1 to 5 in connection with International Workers’ Day. Given the surge in passenger traffic during this period, the KZhD switched to intensive operation for 8 days from April 29. Measures were developed to respond to the sharp increase in passenger traffic, including the allocation of additional trains on routes, increased efficiency of inspection, and other measures. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar strengthened by 6 basis points

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) — The central parity rate of the Chinese yuan against the U.S. dollar strengthened by 6 basis points to 7.2008 yuan per dollar on Thursday from the previous trading day, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trading Center.

    On the previous trading day, the yuan to dollar exchange rate was 7.2014 yuan per dollar.

    By order of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC, Central Bank), the China Foreign Exchange Center published data according to which the exchange rate of the yuan against other major currencies on the country’s interbank foreign exchange market was: 8.1535 yuan per euro, 5.0269 yuan per 100 yen, 0.92903 yuan per Hong Kong dollar, 9.5808 yuan per pound sterling, 11.1706 rubles per yuan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Romanian PM announces resignation

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

    Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu (C) speaks to the media at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party in Bucharest, Romania, on May 5, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced his resignation on Monday at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

    The announcement comes as Romania’s ruling PSD declared its decision to withdraw from the governing coalition.

    “One of the two objectives of the governing coalition was not achieved, which means that the governing coalition lacks legitimacy – at least in its current composition,” Ciolacu said, referencing the fallout after the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun on Sunday. Crin Antonescu, the presidential candidate representing the governing coalition, failed to secure a spot in the second-round runoff scheduled for May 18.

    While the transition is underway, PSD ministers will remain in their positions temporarily as discussions continue with coalition partners – the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) – to establish interim governance arrangements, according to Ciolacu.

    Interim President Ilie Bolojan formally acknowledged Ciolacu’s resignation. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, an interim prime minister will be appointed on Tuesday.

    The interim cabinet may remain in place for up to 45 days, during which a new government must be formed. During this period, the interim cabinet is authorized only to manage routine public affairs until the newly appointed government members are sworn in.

    The outgoing coalition, established in December 2024, comprised the PSD, PNL, UDMR, and representatives of Romania’s national minorities.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Cook Islands environment group calls on govt to condemn Trump’s seabed mining order

    By Losirene Lacanivalu, of the Cook Islands News

    A leading Cook Islands environmental lobby group is hoping that the Cook Islands government will speak out against the recent executive order from US President Donald Trump aimed at fast-tracking seabed mining.

    Te Ipukarea Society (TIS) says the arrogance of US president Trump to think that he could break international law by authorising deep seabed mining in international waters was “astounding”, and an action of a “bully”.

    Trump signed the America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources order late last month, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow deep sea mining permits.

    The order states: “It is the policy of the US to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development.”

    NOAA has been directed to, within 60 days, “expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.”

    It directs the US science and environmental agency to expedite permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in the US and international waters.

    In addition, a Canadian mining company — The Metals Company — has indicated that they have applied for a permit from Trump’s administration to start commercially mining in international waters.

    The mining company had been unsuccessful in gaining a commercial mining licence through the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

    ‘Arrogance of Trump’
    Te Ipukarea Society’s technical director Kelvin Passfield told Cook Islands News: “The arrogance of Donald Trump to think that he can break international law by authorising deep seabed mining in international waters is astounding.

    “The United States cannot pick and choose which aspects of the United Nations Law of the Sea it will follow, and which ones it will ignore. This is the action of a bully,” he said.

    “It is reckless and completely dismissive of the international rule of law. At the moment we have 169 countries, plus the European Union, all recognising international law under the International Seabed Authority.

    “For one country to start making new international rules for themselves is a dangerous notion, especially if it leads to other States thinking they too can also breach international law with no consequences,” he said.

    TIS president June Hosking said the fact that a part of the Pacific (CCZ) was carved up and shared between nations all over the world was yet another example of “blatantly disregarding or overriding indigenous rights”.

    “I can understand why something had to be done to protect the high seas from rogues having a ‘free for all’, but it should have been Pacific indigenous and first nations groups, within and bordering the Pacific, who decided what happened to the high seas.

    “That’s the first nations groups, not for example, the USA as it is today.”

    South American countries worried
    Hosking highlighted that at the March International Seabed Authority (ISA) assembly she attended it was obvious that South American countries were worried.

    “Many have called for a moratorium. Portugal rightly pointed out that we were all there, at great cost, just for a commercial activity. The delegate said, ‘We must ask ourselves how does this really benefit all of humankind?’

    Looking at The Metals Company’s interests to commercially mine in international waters, Hosking said, “I couldn’t help being annoyed that all this talk assumes mining will happen.

    “ISA was formed at a time when things were assumed about the deep sea e.g. it’s just a desert down there, nothing was known for sure, we didn’t speak of climate crisis, waste crisis and other crises now evident.

    “The ISA mandate is ‘to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from the harmful effects that may arise from deep seabed related activities.

    “We know much more (but still not enough) to consider that effective protection of the marine environment may require it to be declared a ‘no go zone’, to be left untouched for the good of humankind,” she added.

    Meanwhile, technical director Passfield also added, “The audacity of The Metals Company (TMC) to think they can flaunt international law in order to get an illegal mining licence from the United States to start seabed mining in international waters is a sad reflection of the morality of Gerard Barron and others in charge of TMC.

    ‘What stops other countries?’
    “If the USA is allowed to authorise mining in international waters under a domestic US law, what is stopping any other country in the world from enacting legislation and doing the same?”

    He said that while the Metals Company may be frustrated at the amount of time that the International Seabed Authority is taking to finalise mining rules for deep seabed mining, “we are sure they fully understand that this is for good reason. The potentially disastrous impacts of mining our deep ocean seabed need to be better understood, and this takes time.”

    He said that technology and infrastructure to mine is not in place yet.

    “We need to take as much time as we need to ensure that if mining proceeds, it does not cause serious damage to our ocean. Their attempts to rush the process are selfish, greedy, and driven purely by a desire to profit at any cost to the environment.

    “We hope that the Cook Islands Government speaks out against this abuse of international law by the United States.” Cook Islands News has reached out to the Office of the Prime Minister and Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) for comment.

    Republished from the Cook Islands News with permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia and North America have long fought fires together – but new research reveals that has to change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Doug Richardson, Research Associate in Climate Science, UNSW Sydney

    Climate change is lengthening fire seasons across much of the world. This means the potential for wildfires at any time of the year, in both hemispheres, is increasing.

    That poses a problem. Australia regularly shares firefighting resources with the United States and Canada. But these agreements rest on the principle that when North America needs these personnel and aircraft, Australia doesn’t, and vice versa. Climate change means this assumption no longer holds.

    The devastating Los Angeles wildfires in January, the United States winter, show how this principle is being tested. The US reportedly declined Australia’s public offer of assistance because Australia was in the midst of its traditional summer fire season. Instead, the US sought help from Canada and Mexico.

    But to what extent do fire seasons in Australia and North America actually overlap? Our new research examined this question.
    We found an alarming increase in the overlap of the fire seasons, suggesting both regions must invest far more in their own permanent firefighting capacity.

    What we did

    We investigated fire weather seasons – that is, the times of the year when atmospheric conditions such as temperature, humidity, rainfall and wind speed are conducive to fire.

    The central question we asked was: how many days each year do fire weather seasons in Australia and North America overlap?

    To determine this, we calculated the length of the fire weather seasons in the two regions in each year, and the number of days when the seasons occur at the same time. We then analysed reconstructed historical weather data to assess fire-season overlap for the past 45 years. We also analysed climate model data to assess changes out to the end of this century.

    And the result? On average, fire weather occurs in both regions simultaneously for about seven weeks each year. The greatest risk of overlap occurs in the Australian spring – when Australia’s season is beginning and North America’s is ending.

    The overlap has increased by an average of about one day per year since 1979. This might not sound like much. But it translates to nearly a month of extra overlap compared to the 1980s and 1990s.

    The increase is driven by eastern Australia, where the fire weather season has lengthened at nearly twice the rate of western North America. More research is needed to determine why this is happening.

    Longer, hotter, drier

    Alarmingly, as climate change worsens and the atmosphere dries and heats, the overlap is projected to increase.

    The extent of the overlap varied depending on which of the four climate models we used. Assuming an emissions scenario where global greenhouse gas emissions begin to stabilise, the models projected an increase in the overlap of between four and 29 days a year.

    What’s behind these differences? We think it’s rainfall. The models project quite different rainfall trends over Australia. Those projecting a dry future also project large increases in overlapping fire weather. What happens to ours and North America’s rainfall in the future will have a large bearing on how fire seasons might change.

    While climate change will dominate the trend towards longer overlapping fire seasons, El Niño and La Niña may also play a role.

    These climate drivers involve fluctuations every few years in sea surface temperature and air pressure in part of the Pacific Ocean. An El Niño event is associated with a higher risk of fire in Australia. A La Niña makes longer fire weather seasons more likely in North America.

    There’s another complication. When an El Niño occurs in the Central Pacific region, this increases the chance of overlap in fire seasons of North America and Australia. We think that’s because this type of El Niño is especially associated with dry conditions in Australia’s southeast, which can fuel fires.

    But how El Niño and La Niña will affect fire weather in future is unclear. What’s abundantly clear is that global warming will lead to more overlap in fire seasons between Australia and North America – and changes in Australia’s climate are largely driving this trend.

    Looking ahead

    Firefighters and their aircraft are likely to keep crossing the Pacific during fire emergencies.

    But it’s not difficult to imagine, for example, simultaneous fires occurring in multiple Australian states during spring, before any scheduled arrival of aircraft from the US or Canada. If North America is experiencing late fires that year and cannot spare resources, Australia’s capabilities may be exceeded.

    Likewise, even though California has the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world, the recent Los Angeles fires highlighted its reliance on leased equipment.

    Fire agencies are becoming increasingly aware of this clash. And a royal commission after the 2019–20 Black Summer fires recommended Australia develop its own fleet of firefighting aircraft.

    Long, severe fire seasons such as Black Summer prompted an expansion of Australia’s permanent aerial firefighting fleet, but more is needed.

    As climate change accelerates, proactive fire management, such as prescribed burning, is also important to reduce the risk of uncontrolled fire outbreaks.

    Doug Richardson receives funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CE170100023) and the Germany-Australia Joint Research Cooperation Scheme, funded by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) and Universities Australia (RG230014)

    Andreia Filipa Silva Ribeiro receives funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) – Project number 530175554, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and the Germany-Australia Joint Research Cooperation Scheme, funded by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) and Universities Australia (RG230014).

    – ref. Australia and North America have long fought fires together – but new research reveals that has to change – https://theconversation.com/australia-and-north-america-have-long-fought-fires-together-but-new-research-reveals-that-has-to-change-254790

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Why Zelensky – not Trump – may have ‘won’ the US-Ukraine minerals deal

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eve Warburton, Research Fellow, Department of Political and Social Change, and Director, Indonesia Institute, Australian National University

    Last week, the Trump administration signed a deal with Ukraine that gives it privileged access to Ukraine’s natural resources.

    Some news outlets described the deal as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “caving” to US President Donald Trump’s demands.

    But we see the agreement as the result of clever bargaining on the part of Ukraine’s war-time president.

    So, what does the deal mean for Ukraine? And will this be help strengthen America’s mineral supply chains?

    Ukraine’s natural resource wealth

    Ukraine is home to 5% of the world’s critical mineral wealth, including 22 of the 34 minerals identified by the European Union as vital for defence, construction and high-tech manufacturing.

    However, there’s a big difference between resources (what’s in the ground) and reserves (what can be commercially exploited). Ukraine’s proven mineral reserves are limited.

    Further, Ukraine has an estimated mineral wealth of around US$14.8 trillion (A$23 trillion), but more than half of this is in territories currently occupied by Russia.

    What does the new deal mean for Ukraine?

    American support for overseas conflict is usually about securing US economic interests — often in the form of resource exploitation. From the Middle East to Asia, US interventions abroad have enabled access for American firms to other countries’ oil, gas and minerals.

    But the first iteration of the Ukraine mineral deal, which Zelensky rejected in February, had been an especially brazen resource grab by Trump’s government. It required Ukraine to cede sovereignty over its land and resources to one country (the US), in order to defend itself from attacks by another (Russia).

    These terms were highly exploitative of a country fighting against a years-long military occupation. In addition, they violated Ukraine’s constitution, which puts the ownership of Ukraine’s natural resources in the hands of the Ukrainian people. Were Zelensky to accept this, he would have faced a tremendous backlash from the public.

    In comparison, the new deal sounds like a strategic and (potentially) commercial win for Ukraine.

    First, this agreement is more just, and it’s aligned with Ukraine’s short- and medium-term interests. Zelenksy describes it as an “equal partnership” that will modernise Ukraine.

    Under the terms, Ukraine will set up a United States–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund for foreign investments into the country’s economy, which will be jointly governed by both countries.

    Ukraine will contribute 50% of the income from royalties and licenses to develop critical minerals, oil and gas reserves, while the US can make its contributions in-kind, such as through military assistance or technology transfers.

    Ukraine maintains ownership over its natural resources and state enterprises. And the licensing agreements will not require substantial changes to the country’s laws, or disrupt its future integration with Europe.

    Importantly, there is no mention of retroactive debts for the US military assistance already received by Ukraine. This would have created a dangerous precedent, allowing other nations to seek to claim similar debts from Ukraine.

    Finally, the deal also signals the Trump administration’s commitment to “a free, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine” – albeit, still without any security guarantees.

    Profits may be a long time coming

    Unsurprisingly, the Trump administration and conservative media in the US are framing the deal as a win.

    For too long, Trump argues, Ukraine has enjoyed US taxpayer-funded military assistance, and such assistance now has a price tag. The administration has described the deal to Americans as a profit-making endeavour that can recoup monies spent defending Ukrainian interests.

    But in reality, profits are a long way off.

    The terms of the agreement clearly state the fund’s investment will be directed at new resource projects. Existing operations and state-owned projects will fall outside the terms of the agreement.

    Mining projects typically work within long time frames. The move from exploration to production is a slow, high-risk and enormously expensive process. It can often take over a decade.

    Add to this complexity the fact that some experts are sceptical Ukraine even has enormously valuable reserves. And to bring any promising deposits to market will require major investments.

    What’s perhaps more important

    It’s possible, however, that profits are a secondary calculation for the US. Boxing out China is likely to be as – if not more – important.

    Like other Western nations, the US is desperate to diversify its critical mineral supply chains.

    China controls not just a large proportion of the world’s known rare earths deposits, it also has a monopoly on the processing of most critical minerals used in green energy and defence technologies.

    The US fears China will weaponise its market dominance against strategic rivals. This is why Western governments increasingly make mineral supply chain resilience central to their foreign policy and defence strategies.

    Given Beijing’s closeness to Moscow and their deepening cooperation on natural resources, the US-Ukraine deal may prevent Russia — and, by extension, China — from accessing Ukrainian minerals. The terms of the agreement are explicit: “states and persons who have acted adversely towards Ukraine must not benefit from its reconstruction”.

    Finally, the performance of “the deal” matters just as much to Trump. Getting Zelensky to sign on the dotted line is progress in itself, plays well to Trump’s base at home, and puts pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the table.

    So, the deal is a win for Zelensky because it gives the US a stake in an independent Ukraine. But even if Ukraine’s critical mineral reserves turn out to be less valuable than expected, it may not matter to Trump.

    Eve Warburton receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Westpac Scholars Trust.

    Olga Boichak is a director of the Foundation of Ukrainian Studies in Australia. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Westpac Scholars Trust.

    – ref. Why Zelensky – not Trump – may have ‘won’ the US-Ukraine minerals deal – https://theconversation.com/why-zelensky-not-trump-may-have-won-the-us-ukraine-minerals-deal-255875

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU teachers win Kolba award for women in science and technology

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    On April 18, the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics hosted the third Kolba award ceremony for women in science and technology, as part of the annual forum of the same name. This year, 77 women scientists were recognized in 30 nominations in the following areas: natural, technological and exact, social and humanitarian, fundamental and applied sciences. Among them are two representatives of NSU: Olga Yarovaya, associate professor of the Department of Medical Chemistry of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU, and Anna Lysova, senior lecturer of the Department of Physical Chemistry. Faculty of Natural Sciences of NSU.

    The Kolba Prize was established by the Foundation for the Development of Professional Initiatives “Women of the Nuclear Industry” with the aim of popularizing science through the formation of role models among women and girls – future scientists, creating a modern image and enhancing media significance, uniting women into the largest scientific community for the exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as strengthening the human and intellectual capital in the country.

    Olga Yarovaya is a chemist specializing in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and the development of antiviral compounds. Olga spoke in more detail about her area of scientific interest:

    — I study terpenes and their derivatives (mono-, sesqui- and diterpenoids) to create antiviral drugs. My work covers the synthesis of compounds, analysis of their activity against influenza, Marburg and other pathogens, as well as the study of their mechanisms of action. In 2003, I defended my PhD thesis on the synthesis and antiviral activity of terpene compounds. And in 2023–2024, I published a number of articles in the journal Uspekhi Khimii, including studies of small molecules against hemorrhagic fever viruses and diterpenes.

    Anna Lysova is engaged in the synthesis of organometallic compounds, which, due to their porosity, are used as adsorbents for capturing and separating gases and various organic substances. Anna shared her opinion on why science is her life’s work and why such awards are important for scientists:

    — Science is what I do every day: my job, my hobby. I am lucky that I love my job and it gives me pleasure, that I do not get tired of it and it does not bore me. Science is what surrounds us: technology, smartphones, cars; what we use every day in our everyday life and what makes human life better, easier, more interesting. This award is important to me as recognition of the importance of scientific work of me and my team, as an opportunity to declare the results of my research to the whole country. I felt proud that our research was appreciated.

    The winners received the distinctive “Kolba” badge.

    This year, applications for the Kolba Prize are open from April 20 to December 31, 2025. by link

    Telegram 

    Vkontakte 

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Photo story: One-armed teacher has been teaching in a mountain village for 30 years

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Every chart, every hieroglyph and every lesson the teacher does flawlessly. For 30 years now, despite having only one healthy arm, he tirelessly continues to make the bright dreams and bright hopes of village children come true.

    Tang Guangfang is a rural primary school teacher in Beishan Village, Baibao Township, Quanzhou County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In 1995, he was injured by an electric shock and lost his right arm. Over the next six months, Tang learned to write with his left hand with great difficulty and continued teaching at the rural school. “Destiny deprived me of my right arm, but despite everything, I must pass on complete knowledge to children – not a single punctuation mark should be missed,” he says.

    It has been 30 years since Tang Guangfang lost his right arm. Yet, he still stands at the school lectern in the mountain village, doing his job faithfully. Tang Guangfang never thought about retiring, but in October 2025, his retirement time comes. Looking back on his 39 years of teaching in the village, he feels both sad and satisfied. “Because of my physical limitation, I may have tried harder than others. However, I am glad that I never got lazy, gave up, or changed my original intention to teach and educate,” he says.

    Photos by Xinhua News Agency correspondent Lu Boan

    1 2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   >  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 6, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: France and Spain launch Tiger MkIII programme

    Source: Airbus

    Headline: France and Spain launch Tiger MkIII programme

    OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation), on behalf of the French and Spanish Armament General Directorate, the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) and the DGAM (Dirección General de Armamento y Material) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters for the development, production, and initial in-service support of the Tiger MkIII.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    May 6, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 816 817 818 819 820 … 1,780
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress