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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: OPINION: Trump unleashes US nuclear renaissance with bold executive orders

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    class=”has-text-align-center”>Trump Unleashes US Nuclear Renaissance with Bold Executive Orders
    By Michael Kratsios
    Fox News
    May 24, 2025
    In his famed 1953 “Atoms for Peace” speech, President Eisenhower proclaimed that “the United States knows that peaceful power from atomic energy is no dream of the future.” That dream was soon realized, as America built more than one hundred reactors over the next twenty-five years. But today, the promise of nuclear energy and innovation does indeed seem like a dream of the future.
    Through a series of executive orders signed this week, President Trump is taking action to usher in an American nuclear renaissance. For the first time in many years, America has a path forward for quickly and safely testing advanced nuclear reactor designs, constructing new nuclear reactors at scale, and building a strong domestic nuclear industrial base.
    Our stagnation was not for a lack of ingenuity or desire to innovate among America’s great scientists and technologists. By the end of the 1970s, dozens of nuclear reactors were planned or under construction. In the past 30 years, however, only three commercial nuclear reactors have been built, and many more have been shuttered. We know America can accomplish great feats in nuclear energy, so what happened?
    In the wake of the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, public opinion began to sour on nuclear energy, and the effects of a decade of new federal bureaucracies began to set in. Overly burdensome regulations stifled our ability to even test, let alone deploy, new nuclear technologies. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) set the gold standard for safety regulation when it was established in 1975, but it soon transformed into a lead curtain for innovation. Onerous environmental requirements and long, uncertain regulatory timelines have killed industry’s willingness to fund new technologies.
    Similarly, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Labs—which once led the world in the development and demonstration of advanced nuclear technologies—shuttered nuclear development programs, shifting focus to other priorities.  All but three of fifty-two reactors at Idaho National Laboratory have been decommissioned, and it has been almost half a century since the Army Nuclear Power Program was shut down. These decisions eroded our domestic nuclear supply chain, undermined our national security, and left us having to relearn what we once pioneered.
    President Trump wisely recognizes that the time is ripe for an American nuclear renaissance and is acting to deliver on the promise of nuclear energy for the American people. Across the country, American entrepreneurs and engineers are launching a new generation of nuclear companies featuring innovative reactor designs and scalable manufacturing techniques that can make nuclear safe, efficient, and economic. The Trump Administration will clear their path by dismantling outdated barriers that previous administrations had put up in their way.
    Today, nuclear power plants provide approximately 19% of the electricity generated in the United States, more than solar and wind combined. That is reliable and affordable electricity for the American people, and it could and should be even more. The Trump Administration is setting the goal of expanding American nuclear energy capacity from 100 GW today to 400 GW by 2050. This week’s executive actions will help us reach that goal in four ways.
    First, we are going to fully leverage our DOE national laboratories to increase the speed with which we test new nuclear reactor designs. There is a big difference between a paper reactor and a practical reactor. The only way to bridge that gap—understanding the challenges that must be surmounted to bring reactors to the market, and building public trust in their deployment—is to test and evaluate demonstration reactors. 
    Second, for our national and economic security, we are going to leverage the Departments of Defense and Energy to build nuclear reactors on federally owned land. This will support critical national security needs which require reliable, high-density power sources that are invulnerable to external threats or grid failures.
    Third, to lower regulatory burdens and shorten licensing timelines, we are asking the NRC to undergo broad cultural change and regulatory reform, requiring a decision on a reactor license to be issued within 18 months. This will reduce regulatory uncertainty while maintaining nuclear safety. We will also reconsider the use of radiation limits that are not science based, impossible to achieve, and do not increase the safety of the American people. 
    Fourth, we will be supporting our domestic nuclear industrial base across the nuclear fuel cycle.  The President has called for industry to start mining and enriching uranium in America again, as well as an expansion of domestic uranium conversion capacity as well as enrichment capabilities to meet projected civilian and defense reactor needs.
    When President Eisenhower spoke about nuclear potential over 70 years ago, he expressed no doubt that the world’s best scientists and engineers, if empowered to “test and develop their ideas,” could turn nuclear energy into a “universal, efficient, and economic” source of power. In 2025, we have only to believe in American technologists, and give them the chance to build, to turn nuclear power into energy dominance and national security for all.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Fly-By: May 23, 2025

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Post navigation

    Pfluger Fly-By: May 23, 2025

    Washington, May 23, 2025

    May 23, 2025

    Friend,

    Welcome back to the weekly Pfluger Fly-By, a roundup of events and updates to keep you informed on everything I am doing week by week to represent you in Congress.

    I am thrilled to report that after months of hard work, we officially passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week to advance President Trump’s America First Agenda. This bill is headed to the Senate and includes historic tax cuts for American families, funding to reimburse Texas for the border crisis, support for our farmers and ranchers, and much more.

    In addition to passing this historic legislation this week, I attended the signing of the TAKE IT DOWN Act at the White House, hosted the National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett at this week’s RSC members meeting, participated in an Energy & Commerce hearing with EPA Administrator Zeldin, spoke with Midland Classical Academy students, and more.

    I have included some photos and highlights from the week. You’ll also find information on how my office can assist you with any federal issues you may be facing. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can ever be of assistance.

    Best,

    One Big Beautiful Bill Act Passes Out of the U.S. House

    I am proud that House Republicans united to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this week. In November, 77 million Americans demanded change, and this vote will go down in history as promises made, promises kept. This legislation reverses four years of failed Democrat policies – restoring American energy dominance, delivering vital support to our farmers and ranchers, securing historic tax cuts for hardworking families, reining in wasteful government spending, and making the strongest investment in border security in decades. This legislation delivers all that – and more – for every American.

    It also includes $12 billion to reimburse the great state of Texas for costs it should never have had to bear during the previous administration’s border crisis. For four years, Texas was forced to protect its border when the federal government failed to. Those days are now over, and I was proud to spearhead this effort. You can read about my efforts to secure this win in San Angelo LIVE HERE.

    Immediately following its passage, I joined ‘Wake Up America’ on Newsmax. Watch my full interview HERE.

    RSC Members Meeting with National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett

    As Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), I had the pleasure of hosting National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett at this week’s RSC members meeting. Hearing from Director Hassett was critical and timely as Republicans worked tirelessly to finalize negotiations on the One Big Beautiful Bill.

    E&C Hearing With EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin

    This week, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin appeared before the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee for a hearing titled, “The Fiscal Year 2026 Environmental Protection Agency Budget.” During the hearing, I thanked Administrator Zeldin for coming to West Texas, commended his efforts to rein in the EPA’s regulatory overreach, and asked about the status of several key policies.

    Under the previous administration, the EPA was weaponized against American energy producers in the Permian Basin and across the country. In stark contrast, the Trump Administration and Administrator Zeldin are rolling back burdensome regulations and ensuring that the EPA works with Congress and industry leaders to advance commonsense policies. These policies aim to protect our environment while supporting robust energy production.

    Watch my full exchange with Administrator Zeldin here or by clicking the image below.

    TAKE IT DOWN Act Signed into Law

    I was honored to join President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the White House this week to witness the TAKE IT DOWN Act signed into law. As a father to three young girls, I join many parents in being deeply concerned about the rise of deepfakes and nonconsensual intimate images.

    I was proud to co-lead this legislation in the U.S. House to protect victims of this harmful act while restoring online accountability. You can read more about the TAKE IT DOWN Act here.

    Discussing the One Big Beautiful Bill and the Golden Dome on Fox Business

    I joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business this week to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act before its passage in the House, and President Trump’s push for the “Golden Dome.”

    Watch my full interview HERE or by clicking the image below.

    2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner

    This week, I was also proud to announce Korbin Jastrow, a Senior at San Angelo Central High School, as the winner of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for her piece titled ‘The Exception.’ Her winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.

    For yet another year, I was completely blown away by the incredible talent of students across Texas’s 11th Congressional District. In a blind selection process, the committee selected Korbin’s piece for its unique take on Texas agriculture.

    In her submission, Korbin explained how she created the piece, stating, “The cow was drawn with pencil, then stamped with handmade stamps representing the Indian paintbrush and bluebonnets. The background was done with acrylic paint, and the shadows behind the cow were done with tissue paper.”

    Congratulations, Korbin!

    2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner: Korbin Jastrow’s ‘The Exception’

    Midland Classical Academy Students in Washington

    I had a fantastic time speaking with students from Midland Classical Academy during their trip to Washington, D.C. this week. Gaining an understanding of our legislative process is invaluable for students, which is why visiting with them when they come to D.C. is a top priority of mine. I am always inspired by the next generation of leaders, and want to thank the chaperones, parents, and teachers who made their visit possible.

    If you are visiting Washington, D.C. this summer, my office would be thrilled to book a tour of the U.S. Capitol building for you and your group. My office can also assist in requesting White House tours and tours of other iconic buildings around DC.

    Visit https://pfluger.house.gov/forms/tourrequest/to book your tour today. The earlier you can get your request in the better.

    REMINDER: If you are in need of assistance with a federal agency, my office is here to help. For more information, please visit our website HERE.

    Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Flood protection levelled up in Calgary

    Flood maps play a critical role in helping Alberta’s communities prepare for flooding and respond more effectively when it happens by guiding land-use planning, supporting emergency preparedness, and protecting people, property and infrastructure.

    Alberta’s government has released new Bow and Elbow River flood maps showing that Calgary’s flood risk along the Elbow River has been drastically reduced thanks to the recently completed Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir and other projects. More projects are already underway to keep strengthening flood protections in the city.

    The Calgary flood map shows the substantial reduction of the flood hazard area due to the new flood mitigation provided by the Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1).

    “We committed to protect Calgary and other communities from floods and we are seeing the results. These new flood maps are good news for families and businesses, but we are also going to keep investing in reservoirs, berms, updated flood maps and the critical infrastructure needed to keep people and their property safe.”

    Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

    “The new Bow and Elbow River flood maps are very important for Calgary. Since 2013, understanding of our rivers has grown and a range of resilience measures have been put in place, which substantially lowers risk in many of our communities. It’s critical, while facing housing and affordability concerns, that the best, up-to-date flood hazard information is available, so we can keep building an informed, flood-resilient Calgary. We gratefully acknowledge the expertise and collaboration of the province in the updated river modelling and mapping.”

    Frank Frigo, manager, environmental management, climate and environment, The City of Calgary

    Knowing where the water will flow during a flood is critical to understanding where it is safe to farm, safe to build, and how to best prepare for emergency situations. These maps will help the City of Calgary design and build for the future.

    While flood risks will vary at any given location, the newly released maps show significant decreases in major flood risks in many areas of Calgary. That is because, in the future, if water in the Elbow River rises to dangerous levels, the flow will be diverted into the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir and further reduced by the Glenmore Dam. This not only reduces the risk of flooding along the Elbow River in Calgary and other downstream communities, it also helps prevent future disasters like the devastating 2013 flood.

    Alberta’s government has finalized more flood maps in the past five years than in the previous thirty-five years combined, with many more studies now underway. The relocated Ghost Dam project continues to advance on the Bow River, and the province has launched the five-year $125-million Drought and Flood Protection Program to help protect families, businesses and communities across the province.

    Quick facts

    • Alberta has also finalized new flood mapping for Fort McMurray and multiple communities along the Highwood, Red Deer and Sheep Rivers.
    • All finalized and draft flood maps can be found on the Government of Alberta floods website (see link below).
    • Flood studies provide flood maps that are used to support emergency response, help build up long-term flood resiliency and show Albertans what flood protections are in place today.
    • Since 2020, the Alberta government has released new or updated flood mapping spanning more than 1,600 kilometres and has committed to creating more than 3,000 kilometres of new and updated flood mapping by 2028.

    Related information

    • Flood Awareness Maps
    • Flood Hazard Identification Program
    • Flood Mapping Basics
    • Canada Flood Map Inventory

    Related news

    • Alberta finalizing flood maps at lightning speed (April 9, 2025)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Innovation Saskatchewan Awards Over $177,000 to Startups Developing Public Sector Solutions Through Mist Program

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 27, 2025

    Innovation Saskatchewan is pleased to announce six Made In Saskatchewan Technology (MIST) partnerships between public sector organizations and tech startups looking to pilot technologies. 

    The province’s innovation agency invested $88,829 which was matched by public sector partners, for a total of $177,658 to help startups test their market-ready solutions in ways that benefit Saskatchewan citizens. 

    Through the MIST program, startups can receive up to $30,000 from Innovation Saskatchewan to develop real-world solutions for the public sector. In return, they gain valuable exposure, feedback and validation that can help them grow their customer bases and unlock future opportunities. Public sector partners collaborate with these startups to tackle service delivery challenges advancing their own initiatives while contributing to Saskatchewan’s broader technology landscape. 

    “Saskatchewan is home to highly skilled people committed to working collaboratively to develop solutions and establish new pathways for a brighter future,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. “The MIST program provides a unique opportunity for the province to grow the tech sector and advance our commitment to innovation through strategic partnerships that drive economic growth across our communities.” 

    MIST funding is supporting six pilot projects identified in the 2024-25 annual intake: 

    “Connecting the province’s startups with public and community-based organizations utilizes Saskatchewan’s natural capacity for collaboration to drive meaningful innovation,” Innovation Saskatchewan CEO Kari Harvey said. “MIST provides a built-in customer base and financial support that helps reduce barriers and increase growth during early stages that are traditionally high risk for startups.” 

    MIST is among the few programs in Canada that directly supports early-stage tech companies as they work to solve public sector and community challenges. Since 2018, Innovation Saskatchewan has committed more than $162,500 in MIST funding to 12 technology pilot projects by Saskatchewan startups, including SolusGuard, SuperGeoAI, memoryKPR and drOPs. 

    For information on how to apply for the MIST program, please visit innovationsask.ca/initiatives/mist or email mist@innovationsask.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: SEALSQ Corp, a member of the WISeKey Group, Signs a Share Purchase Agreement to Acquire 100% of IC’ALPS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEALSQ Corp, a member of the WISeKey Group, Signs a Share Purchase Agreement to Acquire 100% of IC’ALPS

    Geneva, Switzerland – May 27, 2025 – Ad-Hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 of SIX Listing Rules – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (NASDAQ: WKEY / SIX: WIHN) (“WISeKey” or “the Company”), a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT technologies, today announced the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) between SEALSQ Corp (“SEALSQ”), , a leading developer and provider of Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software solutions, a member of the WISeKey Group of Companies, and the shareholders of IC’ALPS SAS (the “Sellers”)1, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) design and supply specialist based in Grenoble, France (“IC’ALPS”) for the acquisition of 100% of the share capital and voting rights of IC’ALPS(“the Acquisition”).

    The SPA is the result of a period of exclusive negotiations between SEALSQ CORP and the Sellers, announced by SEALSQ on February 27, 2025. The main terms and conditions of the SPA announced by WISeKey on May 22, 2025 remain applicable. The proposed strategic Acquisition is now solely subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions including among others, approval of the Acquisition by the French Ministry of the Economy in accordance with articles L.151-3 and R.151-1 et seq of the French Financial and Monetary Code (code monétaire et financier).

    The Transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025, subject to satisfying the conditions to closing, including the necessary regulatory approval by the French Ministry of the Economy.

    About IC’ALPS:
    IC’ALPS is your one-stop-shop ASIC partner. Based in France (HQ in Grenoble, two design centers in Grenoble and Toulouse), the company provides customers with a complete offering for Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) and Systems on Chip (SoC) development from circuit specification, mastering design in-house, up to the management of the entire production supply chain. Its 100+ engineers’ areas of expertise include analog, digital and mixed-signal circuits (sensor/MEMS interfaces, ultra-low power consumption, power management, high-resolution converters, high voltage, signal processing, ARM and RISC-V based multiprocessors architectures, hardware accelerators) on technologies from 0.18 µm down to 1.8 nm, and from multiple foundries (TSMC, Global Foundries, Tower Semiconductor, X-FAB, STMicroelectronics, Intel Foundry, etc.). The company is active worldwide in medical, industrial, automotive, IoT, IA, mil-aero, and digital identity & security sectors. IC’ALPS is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, EN 9100:2018, Common Criteria certified, IATF16949-ready, member of TSMC Design Center Alliance (DCA), Intel Foundry Accelerator Design Services Alliance and Value Chain Alliance (DSA & VCA), ams Osram Preferred Partner and X-FAB’s partner network.
    More information: www.icalps.com and  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ic-alps

    About SEALSQ:
    SEALSQ is a leading innovator in Post-Quantum Technology hardware and software solutions. Our technology seamlessly integrates Semiconductors, PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and Provisioning Services, with a strategic emphasis on developing state-of-the-art Quantum Resistant Cryptography and Semiconductors designed to address the urgent security challenges posed by quantum computing. As quantum computers advance, traditional cryptographic methods like RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are increasingly vulnerable.

    SEALSQ is pioneering the development of Post-Quantum Semiconductors that provide robust, future-proof protection for sensitive data across a wide range of applications, including Multi-Factor Authentication tokens, Smart Energy, Medical and Healthcare Systems, Defense, IT Network Infrastructure, Automotive, and Industrial Automation and Control Systems. By embedding Post-Quantum Cryptography into our semiconductor solutions, SEALSQ ensures that organizations stay protected against quantum threats. Our products are engineered to safeguard critical systems, enhancing resilience and security across diverse industries.

    For more information on our Post-Quantum Semiconductors and security solutions, please visit www.sealsq.com.

    About WISeKey
    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our business strategy, financial performance, results of operations, market data, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, as well as any other statements which are not historical facts and can be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or similar words. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the actual adjustments that arise upon conversion of the financial information of IC’ALPS to US GAAP in relation to net sales, operating expenses and income tax income in the income statement for twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, and in relation to intangible assets, current liabilities, and pension and debt liabilities in the balance sheet as at December 31, 2024 and 2023, in comparison with the French GAAP ; the entering into of definitive documents, the authorization by French regulatory authorities and the successful closing of the Acquisition; and the risks discussed in WISeKey’s filings with the SEC. Risks and uncertainties are further described in reports filed by WISeKey with the SEC.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact:  Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com
    WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@theequitygroup.com

    1 The Sellers are Doliam SA, Mrs. Lucille Engels and Mr. Jean-Luc Triouleyre.

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Maduro consolidates hold on power as Venezuela’s opposition boycotts elections

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Begum Zorlu, ESRC Research Fellow in the Department of International Politics, City St George’s, University of London

    Venezuela’s ruling party romped to victory in regional and legislative elections on May 25, winning over 82% of votes cast for the national assembly. The government-controlled national electoral council said candidates for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) won the race for governor in 23 out of the country’s 24 states.

    These elections saw a turnout possibly as low as 25% amid a partial opposition boycott. They were the first held since July 2024, when Nicolás Maduro secured a third consecutive term as Venezuela’s president in a vote that was condemned internationally as fraudulent.

    One thing that stood out in that 2024 election was the ability of the opposition to mount a credible challenge. Their unified backing of Edmundo González as the presidential candidate, and the systematic gathering of evidence of electoral fraud from polling stations, reflected organisational strength and a coherent strategy.

    However, that unity has since eroded. Protests against the 2024 result were met with a harsh government crackdown which included killings and mass detentions. Subsequently, Venezuela’s opposition became deeply divided over whether to participate in the most recent elections.

    Veteran opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was barred from running for the presidency and has been in hiding since July, called on her supporters to boycott them. She said that participating would only serve to legitimise Maduro’s electoral fraud.

    In contrast, a faction led by two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles viewed participation as an opportunity to reclaim political space. Capriles framed electoral participation as a form of protest, arguing that abstention only serves to strengthen Maduro.

    Capriles claimed that victory in the 2015 parliamentary elections, which saw opposition parties win two-thirds of the seats in the national assembly, had been made possible by unity – whereas the decision by most of the opposition not to participate in the 2018 presidential election had effectively handed Maduro power.

    In the May 2025 elections, Capriles and his supporters actively campaigned to encourage voter turnout – while the Machado camp accused those participating of cooperating with the Maduro regime. The debate was marked by accusations of betrayal and a lack of dialogue.

    Learning from failures

    Venezuela’s opposition parties have boycotted elections on several occasions over the past 25 years, as the government has tightened its authoritarian grip. But the decision has often had damaging consequences.

    The most consequential boycott was in 2005, when a broad coalition of opposition parties withdrew from elections to the national assembly, citing concerns about voting irregularities and media bias. The move backfired.

    The government, then led by Maduro’s PSUV predecessor Hugo Chávez, did not face international backlash. It won every seat and gained a supermajority that enabled constitutional changes, including expanded executive powers. The opposition lost its institutional foothold to challenge legislation.

    The boycott also deepened internal rifts within Venezuela’s opposition. It entrenched the divide between moderates who favoured political engagement and hardliners who were sceptical of participation. These divisions have persisted to this day.

    Opposition movements elsewhere have boycotted elections too, and the consequences have been similar. In 2014, the main opposition party in Bangladesh abstained from general elections in an attempt to delegitimise the ruling Awami League’s hold on power and prompt an international response.

    In fact, this handed the Awami League near-total control of parliament. With no sustained international pressure, it contributed to the country’s authoritarian consolidation.

    Such cases demonstrate that electoral boycotts pose a dilemma for opposition movements. By refusing to participate, they may unintentionally strengthen authoritarian rule by ceding space to incumbents and weakening their own unity.

    Research shows that an electoral boycott is likely to be most effective when three conditions align: the ruling regime is vulnerable, the opposition is united, and the international context is favourable. These conditions have consistently been absent in Venezuela.

    Its slide towards authoritarianism has been underpinned by the stability of the Maduro regime since 2013. His government has been able to rely on sustained military support and has used repression strategically to tighten its grip on power.

    A lack of unity within the opposition has also worked to the regime’s advantage. In their work on Venezuela’s authoritarian trajectory, researchers Maryhen Jiménez and Antulio Rosales demonstrate that partial electoral boycotts have repeatedly failed to produce meaningful change. This is, in their view, due to the absence of a coordinated opposition strategy.

    An uncoordinated strategy also risks fostering a sense of “defeatism” among regime critics. This can hamper people’s willingness to take collective action in the future.

    Participation in authoritarian elections, even though they are not fair, can still expose underlying vulnerabilities within a ruling regime. Opposition mobilisation ahead of Venezuela’s 2024 election placed the Maduro government under significant pressure. It responded with electoral manipulation.

    Evidence of voter fraud provoked international condemnation, including from Brazil and Colombia. These two countries had previously been more cautious in their criticism of the Maduro government.

    This further isolated Maduro on the international stage. But condemnation was not accompanied by a sustained or coordinated international strategy to support mediation or political transition in Venezuela.

    The road ahead

    Whether the opposition can regain coherence and unity remains to be seen. But even if it can, authoritarianism in Venezuela appears firmly entrenched.

    The national electoral council’s refusal to release vote tallies following the 2024 election, alongside an intensified crackdown on dissent, reflects a deepening consolidation of power. It is also evidence of Maduro’s declining concern with maintaining even a facade of democratic legitimacy.

    In the absence of internal cohesion within Venezuela’s opposition, this authoritarian consolidation is likely to deepen. This will leave even fewer institutional footholds from which the opposition can mount a credible democratic challenge.

    Begum Zorlu receives funding for her ESRC-funded South and East Network for Social Sciences Fellowship.

    – ref. Maduro consolidates hold on power as Venezuela’s opposition boycotts elections – https://theconversation.com/maduro-consolidates-hold-on-power-as-venezuelas-opposition-boycotts-elections-256953

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: European monetary policy in times of high uncertainty | Lecture at ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research

    Source: Deutsche Bundesbank in English

    Check against delivery.

    1 Certain uncertainty
    Ladies and gentlemen, 
    Thank you very much for your invitation and kind welcome. I am delighted to be with you here in Mannheim today.
    With this series of events, the ZEW has been providing a forum for political, economic and academic exchange for more than three decades now. You have set out your expectations very clearly: Pressing economic policy issues and recent developments are the focus. 
    At present, pressing issues and developments are indeed coming thick and fast. Take, for example, the numerous pivots in trade policy by the US Administration. Sometimes the issues are already outdated before you have even had a chance to address them. In any case, one thing is clear: we have a lot to discuss today. 
    Ladies and gentlemen,
    When the ZEW proposed a topic to me just over two months ago, I had no doubt in my mind: there was no chance that the chosen topic would already be outdated. And why not? As Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, once said: “Uncertainty is not just an important feature of the monetary policy landscape; it is the defining characteristic of that landscape.”[1]
    Greenspan said this in 2003. The term “the Great Moderation” had just been coined to describe a period of exceptional macroeconomic stability.[2] Uncertainty seemed to be relatively low at that time. Nevertheless, Greenspan stressed the factor of uncertainty. And he is not alone in this. I would imagine that none of you have ever heard a central banker say that uncertainty is currently negligible. 
    From my own experience, I can confirm that, when making monetary policy decisions, we are always faced with uncertainty. It is, after all, in the nature of the matter: the decisions impact a future that cannot be precisely predicted. Dealing with uncertainty is therefore part of the job description of monetary policymakers. What is constantly changing are the causes and degree of uncertainty. And that brings us to the heart of today’s topic: European monetary policy in times of high uncertainty. 
    In my lecture today, I will address three key questions: How should monetary policy deal with uncertainty in general? What are the main causes of uncertainty at present and in the future? How is monetary policy in the euro area navigating the current period of high uncertainty?
    2 Monetary policy under uncertainty
    Let us start with the subject that we have just touched upon: the impact of monetary policy unfolds only gradually. The decisions of today affect the inflation of tomorrow. The gap between decisions and their impact necessitates a forward-looking approach. Or, to put it another way: when we are out in the monetary policy landscape, we are also looking to our more distant surroundings. 
    This means that a core part of preparing for monetary policy meetings is to assess future developments. And, unlike with the weather, for example, the current situation is not entirely clear, either. A broad set of data and diverse economic models are therefore helpful for us. Like a magnifying glass and a pair of binoculars, they make it easier for us to examine our environment as closely as possible. Following on from this, we can differentiate between two types of uncertainty: data uncertainty and model uncertainty.
    Data uncertainty arises because not all of the information is available to obtain a picture of the “true” state of the economy. There are a number of reasons for this: not all of the data that would be of interest are recorded statistically or can be recorded in their entirety. Some data are only available with a considerable time delay. Some are subject to measurement issues, so the data need to be revised later. 
    To give one example: for economic activity in the euro area, Eurostat provides a preliminary flash estimate around four weeks after the end of a quarter. This is based on a very limited dataset, and especially the figures for the third month of the quarter need to be estimated. The actual flash estimate is released two weeks later. But even this does not yet include any details or nominal data. Another two to three weeks later, it is followed by an initial estimate with a more detailed breakdown by components. However, even then, changes should still be expected, and these can sometimes be considerable. 
    This demonstrates how we have only incomplete knowledge of the present in real time. The description and assessment of the current situation are therefore already subject to uncertainty. 
    In addition to this, there is model uncertainty. In order to be able to examine macroeconomic processes, complex realities must be simplified. This simplification is achieved through models. They are confined to a small number of interrelationships that are as relevant as possible. All others are disregarded. In monetary policy, we use models, for example, to predict the development of inflation or to estimate the effects of our monetary policy measures. However, there is plenty of room for discussion on whether the simplifications in each model are always adequate. 
    But even if we were all in agreement on the model framework, other sources of uncertainty still remain. This concerns, for one thing, the parameters. These reflect the assumed strength and dynamics of the relationships within a given model. The parameters are usually estimated on the basis of past observations. The estimation results therefore also depend on the selected investigation period. Furthermore, parameters can evolve over time, for example as a result of structural change. Particularly if this happens abruptly and the structural breaks are not detected immediately, the model results can then be misleading. 
    For another thing, models often make use of variables that cannot be observed directly, such as potential output or natural interest rates. These must themselves be estimated, which entails considerable uncertainty.[3] This also shows how closely data uncertainty and model uncertainty are intertwined.
    To summarise: models arrive at different results due to uncertainties in their structure, parameters and estimation variables, which may lead us to different conclusions. Assessment by experts then often determines the final forecast picture. 
    In practice, data uncertainty and model uncertainty are especially relevant when unexpected events occur. At these times, monetary policymakers’ need for comprehensive information is, of course, particularly great. This is because the appropriate monetary policy response depends on the nature of the unexpected events in question. However, data uncertainty and model uncertainty make it difficult to definitively ascertain the exact nature and magnitude of a shock that is currently taking place. There is a relatively high risk of being wrong. What can monetary policymakers do against this?
    First of all, we draw on many different sources of information to obtain as complete a picture of the current situation as possible. For example, in 2019 and 2020, we at the Bundesbank began to regularly survey households and firms about their assessments and expectations. Since 2020, we have been measuring the activity of the German economy using a weekly index. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, models have been developed that explicitly take gas price shocks into account. 
    In addition, we are continually working on improving our forecast models even further. Artificial intelligence now offers new possibilities, such as capturing non-linear relationships, analysing large sets of data, and automating and accelerating analytical processes. We are intensively examining all of these possibilities at the Bundesbank. And we have already achieved some promising successes in this regard. I will come back to touch upon one specific prototype later on.
    Given the data uncertainty and model uncertainty, we in monetary policy are well advised to pursue a strategy that is as robust as possible. To stick with the image of Alan Greenspan: in the monetary policy landscape, you should best avoid flip-flops. Sturdy footwear is needed here. A robust strategy produces good results under various assumptions and prevents particularly costly mistakes.
    The more uncertain the setting, the greater the risk of policy errors. That is why, when uncertainty is high, monetary policymakers are also in demand as risk managers. We have to consider various scenarios, assess the likelihood that they will materialise as well as their implications, and also weigh up the costs and benefits of different monetary policy paths that lead to the inflation destination. How do these considerations affect our decisions? The short answer is: it depends.
    A gradual approach might make sense when uncertainty is high.[4] It is human nature: when the room you are entering is dark, you do not simply rush in. You proceed slowly, taking small steps. Applying this analogy to monetary policy, the costs of reversing policy following an error could outweigh the costs of acting too late. “Flip-flopping” could itself add to the uncertainty and destabilise expectations. Moreover, abruptly changing direction can precipitate greater volatility in financial markets and pose risks to financial stability. 
    That said, it will not always be the case that cautious monetary policymaking is a good response to high uncertainty. I am talking about situations in which a “wait-and-see” attitude increases the risk that the outcome will be particularly unfavourable. Going back to the dark room I mentioned just now: if the flames are right behind you, you should not edge your way forwards in small steps. A scenario where inflation expectations risk drifting off might be just such a case. Then, a vigorous response would be appropriate to protect yourself from this worst-case scenario. As you can see, it may be necessary to respond swiftly and comprehensively, precisely because uncertainty is high. 
    Clearly, monetary policymakers acting as risk managers would be well advised to take robust control approaches into account when making decisions in particularly uncertain times.[5]
    3 Drivers of uncertainty
    3.1 Trade policy flip-flopping
    Ladies and gentlemen,
    Right now, these considerations are anything but mere theory. And that is due, not least, to the White House. Since the change of administration in the United States, no little uncertainty has been rippling across the Atlantic. The waves caused by US trade policy have been particularly huge. 
    Since April, the United States has been imposing additional tariffs of at least 10 % on all its trading partners. Tariffs that are higher still apply to imports of steel and aluminium as well as to cars and automotive parts. Tit-for-tat tariff hikes by the United States and China drove tariff rates to more than 100 % at times. In mid-May, the two countries agreed to lower them significantly for a time.[6] Even so, the average effective US tariff rate has climbed by more than 13 percentage points in the year to date, reaching its highest level since the 1930s.[7] In addition, there is a risk of tariffs going higher still as of July if bilateral negotiations fail. 
    The shock waves unleashed by US trade policy are not only having an impact via the actual tariff burden. Their unpredictability and the doubts they have raised about US economic and fiscal policy are also leaving a mark, as reflected by the sometimes severe fluctuations in financial markets. The tariff hikes announced on 2 April, for example, caused implied stock market volatility to spike significantly higher. This points to a high degree of uncertainty among market participants – in the United States especially, but also in the euro area.
    Measured in terms of the number of mentions in newspaper articles, trade policy uncertainty peaked this spring.[8] And that is hardly surprising given how many questions this topic is raising: which tariffs will be put into effect, temporarily suspended or withdrawn – and when? What retaliatory measures will follow in each case? To what degree will goods flows in global trade be diverted? What will be the fallout from this? Will action be taken to curb these diversions? And, if so, by whom? You could keep going like this ad infinitum. 
    Even in times when trade policy moves in straight lines, forecasts of the economic impact of upheavals in the tariff regime would be no more than rough approximations. But we are dealing with an almost unpredictable cycle of events: tariffs are threatened, put into force, partially withdrawn, and then threatened again. 
    One example of this is the US tariff policy imposed on the EU. First, on 12 March, the United States imposed general tariffs of 25 % on steel and aluminium. A little time later, additional blanket tariffs of 25 % were imposed on cars and automotive parts as well. On 2 April 2025, President Trump also announced what he called “reciprocal” tariffs for a host of trading partners depending on the bilateral trade deficit and amounting to at least 10 %, and, in the case of the EU, 20 %. But then, with turmoil raging in financial markets, President Trump, on 9 April, suspended the tariffs for 90 days, initially in order to reach “deals”. The minimum 10 % tariff and the additional 25 % tariff on cars, steel and aluminium were left in place, though. On 23 May, President Trump threatened the EU with 50 % tariffs, starting on 1 June – a threat he withdrew two days later. This means that forecasts are based on a footing that is less stable than usual.
    As far as economic growth is concerned, at least the direction of travel seems to be clear: Germany, like the euro area as a whole, is likely to suffer marked losses as a result of US tariff policy. First, the higher tariffs will make European goods less competitive in the US market. This will probably shrink exports to the United States. Second, sluggish economic activity in the United States and other trading-partner countries will dampen demand for products from Europe. Third, the high degree of uncertainty makes longer-term planning more difficult. Enterprises could therefore postpone investment decisions in the hope of quieter times.[9] 
    The Bundesbank has simulated the impact of US tariff policy effective in mid-April, China’s retaliatory measures, and the immediate exchange rate response. The results suggest that economic output in the euro area could be just under half a percentage point lower over the medium term. 
    The direction in which the trade dispute will move inflation in the euro area, however, remains unclear. On the one hand, weaker growth tends to dampen prices. Potential diversion effects resulting from more goods from China in the European market might also leave inflation somewhat lower. On the other hand, any retaliatory tariffs imposed by the EU would fuel inflation. 
    How the exchange rate will evolve going forward remains to be seen. In theory, the expected response to the US tariffs would be a stronger dollar. If anything, this would tend to drive prices higher in the euro area. But things have played out differently so far. In the wake of the tariff discussions, trust in the US dollar has declined, at least temporarily, causing the currency to depreciate markedly since 2 April. In the euro area, this has dampened inflation.
    Thinking beyond day-to-day terms, it is conceivable that longer-term effects will materialise as well. For example, tariffs can have a particularly negative impact on trade in intermediate goods.[10] This is because they shake the calculations upon which global production networks are based. 
    Enterprises have fine-tuned their supply chains to forge highly cost-efficient production structures. However, the trade barriers are putting a spanner in the works of global value chains. Enterprises will have no option but to recalculate their supply chains and tweak some of their relationships with suppliers. They will build up new partnerships and no doubt pay particular attention to strengthening their resilience. This will not happen overnight, especially with political conditions as unsettled as they are right now.[11] In the process, they may well relinquish some of the efficiency gains they have reaped. Over the medium term, this could generally drive up their costs and, as a result, their prices as well.
    3.2 Structural change is progressing
    The reconfiguration of global value chains is working in tandem with other structural changes: among them, first and foremost, climate change and the transition to a climate-neutral economy. The ageing of society is also playing a role, with more people entering retirement and fewer people still in the workforce. And let us not forget digitalisation, which brings with it great opportunities for increased productivity but also considerable change in many professional fields, as well as the risk of giving individual big players more market power.
    All of these factors could influence the inflation environment. It is often unclear in which direction inflation is heading, and it may change over time. Overall, these structural drivers make it difficult to assess medium-term inflation developments.
    3.3 New geopolitical realities
    Alongside structural change and the almost fully unpredictable developments in the tariff dispute, there is a third factor of uncertainty. Old security policy certainties have given way to new geopolitical realities. This is creating new challenges for Europe: we will thus need to invest significantly more in our own security.
    In order to sufficiently bolster our defence capabilities, considerably greater funds are required. There is a strong case against financing such ad hoc needs in the short term solely by rebalancing budgets. The European Commission, for instance, proposes activating the national escape clause in the EU fiscal rules in order to temporarily allow countries greater scope for borrowing.[12] 
    I think this is a justifiable approach. It would allow countries to gradually adjust to higher defence spending. However, it must be clear that this would only be a transitional period. Increased deficits cannot become a permanent state of affairs. A resilient Europe that is capable of action rests on a stable foundation. This includes sound public finances whereby key items are funded in the core budget and through current revenue.
    Overall, there are signs of a more expansionary fiscal policy stance for the euro area. Whether or not greater debt also leads to greater price pressures in the euro area depends on many factors, such as what the additional money is spent on, how quickly it flows out, and how much money flows in from abroad. These uncertainties make it more difficult to forecast developments. In any case, the ECB Governing Council is keeping a close eye on risk. As stated in the account of our April meeting: A boost in defence and infrastructure spending could also lift inflation over the medium term.
    4 Monetary policy stance in the euro area
    The current high level of uncertainty is a slight dampener on the gratification brought about by positive developments: since the beginning of the year, the euro area inflation rate has fallen from 2.5 % to 2.2 % in April. This has finally brought the target within reach. We are on the right path, even if it remains rocky. The core rate has recently risen again. At 4 %, prices for services, in particular, have seen surprisingly steep growth. 
    The ECB Governing Council will continue to steer the monetary policy stance in such a way that the inflation rate stabilises at 2 % over the medium-term. You may now be asking yourselves: What exactly does that mean for the next meeting in June? Will there be another interest rate cut? Pressing as these questions are, I unfortunately cannot answer them today.
    Since July 2022, we on the ECB Governing Council have been following a data-dependent approach, making decisions on a meeting-by-meeting basis. This approach has proved successful when dealing with the heightened uncertainty of recent years, such as during the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We have stayed flexible and have continuously assessed how the incoming data change the medium-term inflation outlook. Here, we supplemented our baseline – which is the most likely outcome – with scenario analyses. This also allowed us to assess the probability of less likely but still conceivable outcomes. 
    Using this approach, I believe that we are well equipped to deal with the current high level of uncertainty, too. As I explained earlier, inflation could be higher or lower than the latest expectations, depending on how the tariff dispute develops as well as other influencing factors like the exchange rate, services prices and fiscal packages. In light of this, it seems to me more advisable than ever to make decisions meeting by meeting on the basis of the latest data. If we had not already been operating so flexibly, we would have had to start doing so now, at the latest. It would be impossible to reliably commit to a specific interest rate path at the current juncture.
    In June, the ECB Governing Council will have a fresh set of data and an up-to-date forecast. These will help us to align the monetary policy stance in a way that will bring us another step closer to our goal. Our destination is clear: we want the inflation rate to reach the target of 2 % soon and to stabilise there on a sustainable basis. Of that, there is no doubt. In doing so, we are thus providing a stable anchor for inflation expectations. 
    Anchored inflation expectations make it easier for monetary policymakers to bring inflation back to target after unexpected events. The successes in the fight against the far too high inflation rates of the past few years were achieved at relatively low economic cost.[13] This was partly attributable to the fact that inflation expectations were better anchored than before. But we cannot rest on our laurels with regard to the future, because the starting position has changed. We no longer have decades of moderate inflation rates behind us. For many people, the experience of such strong price surges was new and dramatic. The memory of this is unlikely to fade quickly.[14]
    Inflation expectations, as well the associated price and wage setting, may now respond more quickly or more strongly to future inflation shocks. We therefore need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to the evolution of inflation expectations. For instance, medium-term inflation expectations amongst euro area households and firms were recently on the rise again. Concerns about rising prices caused by tariff policy are not only on American minds, then. We will keep a close eye on this development.
    Ensuring that inflation expectations are firmly anchored is a permanent task for monetary policymakers. This can be achieved by ensuring that our commitment to stability is highly credible and that our communication is clear.
    To further improve clarity, we have since implemented AI-assisted text analysis methods, too. In this vein, the Bundesbank has developed a novel AI model that can produce detailed and transparent evaluations of monetary policy texts.[15] This allows us to assess, for example, whether certain statements are likely to send the desired signals. After all, we do not want our communication to trigger undesirable market reactions or create additional uncertainty. AI analysis does not replace human expertise. But it can help us to further improve our understanding of monetary policy communication and its impact.
    5 Conclusion
    Ladies and gentlemen, 
    If you are currently wondering whether this speech was generated by AI, or, indeed, if it will ever end, I can assure you that real people were involved in the speech-writing process, and I have now come to my closing remarks. Our AI model is currently used to evaluate texts. Incidentally, this speech was classified as “neutral” in monetary policy terms.
    Alan Greenspan would probably have pushed the model to its limits. His statements were often so cryptic that the media and financial markets took to seeking out other clues: for example, when it came to monetary policy decisions, they looked at the thickness of his briefcase. A slim briefcase was thought to indicate an uneventful meeting without interest rate changes, whilst a bulging briefcase signalled a need for discussion and an adjustment to the policy rate.[16] During his term in office, Mr Greenspan was once asked whether there was any truth to this theory. His answer: “The thickness of my briefcase depended on whether or not I had packed a sandwich.”[17] 
    Unfortunately, not all uncertainties can be so easily erased from the monetary policy landscape. But, as we can see, asking direct questions and talking to each other often contributes to greater clarity. Which makes me all the more excited for our discussion!
    Thank you very much. 
    Footnotes:

    Greenspan, A. (2003), Monetary Policy under Uncertainty, Remarks at a symposium sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 29 August 2003.
    Stock, J. H. and M. W. Watson (2002), Has the Business Cycle Changed and Why?, NBER Working Paper No 9127.
    Nagel, J. (2025), r* in the monetary policy universe: Navigational star or dark matter?, Lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science, London, 12 February 2025.
    Brainard, W. (1967), Uncertainty and the Effectiveness of Policy, American Economic Review, Vol. 57, No 2, pp. 411‑425.
    Hansen, L. P. and T. J. Sargent (2001), Robust Control and Model Uncertainty, American Economic Review, Vol. 91, No 2.
    See Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), The potential impact of the current trade dispute between the United States and China, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    The Budget Lab at Yale (2025), State of U.S. tariffs: May 12, 2025, Yale University.
    A description of the trade policy uncertainty index can be found in Caldara, D., M. Iacoviello, P. Molligo, A. Prestipino and A. Raffo (2020), The economic effects of trade policy uncertainty, Journal of Monetary Economics, Vol. 109. See also Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), The macroeconomic effects of heightened uncertainty, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2018), The macroeconomic impact of uncertainty, Monthly Report, October 2018, pp. 49‑64.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2020), Domestic economic effects of import tariffs with regard to global value chains, Monthly Report, January 2020.
    Bayoumi, T., J. Barkema and D. A. Cerdeiro (2019), The Inflexible Structure of Global Supply Chains, IMF Working Paper, No 19/193.
    See Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), EU fiscal rules: proposed activation of national escape clauses, Monthly Report, May 2025.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2024), The global disinflation process and its costs, Monthly Report, July 2024.
    D’Acunto, F., U. Malmendier and M. Weber (2022), What Do the Data Tell Us About Inflation Expectations? NBER Working Papers, No 29825, March 2022.
    Deutsche Bundesbank (2025), Monetary policy communication according to artificial intelligence, Monthly Report, March 2025.
    Gavin, W. T. and R. J. Mandal (2000), Inside the briefcase: The art of predicting the Federal Reserve, The Regional Economist, July 2000.
    Alan Greenspan in an interview with “Stern”: “In der Badewanne hatte ich viele gute Ideen”, 30 September 2007. 

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Special Session to Address Disaster Relief for Missourians, Tax Incentives for Economic Development, and Budget Appropriations

    Source: US State of Missouri

    MAY 27, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, during a press conference at the Missouri State Capitol, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that he has issued an official call for a special session aimed at providing resources to families affected by recent severe storm systems, driving economic development through a tax incentive program, and making critical budget appropriations that will impact Missourians across the state.

    The General Assembly will convene for the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session in Jefferson City on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. to begin considering Governor Kehoe’s priorities.

    “We are proud of all that the General Assembly accomplished during the regular legislative session, but there is still work left to be done,” said Governor Kehoe. “We call on legislators to use this special session as a rare opportunity to support our vulnerable neighbors in their time of need, drive economic development, and make transformative investments in our state. This work is too important to leave unfinished.”

    Several severe storm systems have impacted the State of Missouri over the recent months, resulting in loss of life as well as significant damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. Governor Kehoe’s call for a special session includes legislation to assist Missouri families impacted by recent severe storm systems in areas included in a request for presidential disaster declaration filed by the Governor. The call includes:

    • Legislation establishing an income tax deduction for insurance policy deductibles incurred by homeowners and renters due to damages caused by severe weather.
      • Deductions shall not exceed $5000 per household per disaster in any calendar year.
    • Legislation enhancing the utility of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, administered by the Missouri Housing Development Commission, by expanding eligibility and removing administrative burdens and costs to expedite aid for Missouri families with Disaster Housing Response Grants.
    • Appropriating $25 million to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for for general administration of affordable housing activities and to expand income eligibility for emergency aid.

    To help retain major sports teams in Missouri, Governor Kehoe is calling on the General Assembly to enact legislation establishing economic development tools for athletic and entertainment facility projects of professional sports franchises through the Show Me Sports Investment Act. The Kansas City Chiefs and Royals are Missouri’s teams that drive billions of dollars in economic activity through tourism, job creation, and small businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and retail. The impact of retaining these teams includes:

    • The Kansas City Chiefs contribute $575 million annually in economic value and over 4,500 jobs in Jackson County alone, bringing the State of Missouri nearly $30 million in annual tax revenue.
    • A new Royals ballpark district is expected to support 8,400 jobs and generate $1.2 billion in economic output annually.  

    Governor Kehoe’s call also includes:

    • Enacting legislation to extend the sunset date on tax credits for amateur sporting events.
    • Appropriating $25 million for the University of Missouri for the planning, design, and construction of the Radioisotope Science Center at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR).
    • Appropriating funding from funds other than the General Revenue Fund for purposes provided for in the Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 19 in the 2025 regular legislative session.

    The special session proclamation will be uploaded to the Governor’s website once it is available.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Israeli displacement orders in Gaza are psychological warfare News May 27, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    Israeli forces continue to systematically use last-minute displacement orders as a violent tool, turning the Gaza Strip into hell on earth for Palestinians, said Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) today. Along with the continued incessant bombing and a near-total blockade of aid, the constant state of alert people are living in and the unpredictability of displacement orders are having devastating consequences on people’s mental health.

    “Israeli forces are destroying all means of life for Palestinians in Gaza through psychological and physical warfare,” said Claire Manera, MSF emergency coordinator. “Forced displacements are part of Israeli forces and authorities’ campaign of ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. They have nowhere else to go.”

    I don’t know how to answer when colleagues ask me where they can go with their children in the middle of the night. We are running out of options to stay alive.

    Omar Alsaqqa, MSF logistics manager

    “Our colleagues are desperate,” said Omar Alsaqqa, MSF logistics manager. “There are no tents left and no space for people to set up. I don’t know how to answer when colleagues ask me where they can go with their children in the middle of the night. We are running out of options to stay alive.”

    “The Israeli army is coming” reads a displacement order leaflet that also quotea a verse from the Quran: “Then We revealed to Moses, (commanding him): ‘Strike the sea with your rod.’” | Palestine 2025 © MSF

    Fleeing with nowhere to go 

    Since the start of the war, Palestinians have been forced to evacuate repeatedly, many fleeing for their lives multiple times, as experienced by a number of MSF staff. With 31 displacement orders issued since Israel broke the ceasefire on March 18, the relentless forced displacements have trapped Palestinians in an endless cycle of suffering. On May 19, a single large-scale displacement order in Khan Younis covered 22 percent of the Strip, affecting more than 70 MSF staff members, while another order on May 26 covered 40 percent of central and south Gaza.

    This time I don’t want to pack. No bags, no papers, nothing … Maybe my mindset is wrong, but I just cannot mentally process the idea of leaving home again.

    Sabreen Al-Massani, MSF psychotherapist

    These displacement orders and established no-go military zones now cover around 80 percent of Gaza, and not a single area of the Strip has been spared from attacks. About  600,000 people have been displaced again since March 18, according to the Site Management Cluster, a coalition of NGOs and the UN that monitors and supports displaced people in Gaza. Many have evacuated areas only to be bombed again in their new “safe refuge.” For example, on May 26, MSF teams treated 17 patients following an attack very close to to its Khan Younis health care center in central Gaza—an area to which people are supposed to move.

    “I woke up my children and told them we were just going out for a little bit,” said Asmaa Abu Asaker, MSF liaison officer, after a displacement order was issued in her neighborhood. “They started crying. They grabbed their bags. I was terrified but tried to act calm, even though my heart was pounding with fear.”

    Destruction in Rafah, photographed in January 2025. Over 90 percent of housing units in Gaza have been destroyed, according to OCHA, forcing many to live in camps or in makeshift tents on the rubble. | Palestine 2025 © MSF

    Unpredictable and last-minute orders create an impossible situation

    The displacement orders are unpredictable and come with ridiculously short deadlines, putting people in an impossible situation. People receive leaflets, social media posts, or phone calls about an imminent attack, leaving them limited time to collect their belongings and seek shelter. The very act of forcing people to repeatedly flee—often in the middle of the night without having anywhere to go—is taking both an immense physical and psychological toll.

    “This time I don’t want to pack,” said Sabreen Al-Massani, an MSF psychotherapist who has been displaced multiple times. “No bags, no papers, nothing. I don’t know why—maybe my mindset is wrong, but I just cannot mentally process the idea of leaving home again.”

    A leaflet reading “Rafah is only the beginning.” Once a place of refuge, Rafah has since been reduced to rubble since it was invaded by Israeli forces in May 2024. | Palestine 2025 © MSF

    While displacement orders are forcing Palestinians to ever-shrinking areas, Israeli forces also regularly carry out attacks without issuing displacement orders. On April 9, more than 20 people were killed in a strike that targeted a residential block of seven buildings in Gaza City. Among those killed were the families of two MSF staff members who were at work when the strike occurred and later learned their loved ones had been buried under the rubble.

    “We are in a constant state of alert; we can receive a notification to flee at any time,” Al-Massani said, describing how the displacement orders are severely affecting Palestinian’s mental health and state of anxiety. “We cannot sleep at night thinking we might be the next.”

    MSF calls on Israeli forces to immediately halt the forced displacement of people and its ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s allies must also halt their support and complicity.

    Palestine 2025 © Motassem Abu Aser/MSF

    Displaced lives

    The struggle for survival in Gaza

    Read more

    We speak out. Get updates.

    MIL OSI NGO –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: Illegal Crossings Plummet in San Diego Sector

    Source: US Whitehouse

    As illegal border crossings plummet, U.S. Border Patrol announced a soft-sided “migrant processing facility” in the San Diego Sector constructed under the Biden Administration has been dismantled after a 96%+ decline in illegal crossings along the sector.

    The increased border enforcement is accompanied by the Trump Administration’s efforts to arrest criminal illegal immigrants throughout the nation.

    Meet a few of the sick criminal illegal immigrants arrested just over the past weekend:

    • Kevin Estuarde Hernandez, an 18-year-old illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested in Boston. He is a suspected 18th Street Gang Member who was involved in a shooting between his gang and MS-13.
    • Jose Antonio Deras, a 45-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested in Denver. He has pending charges for four felony counts of sexual assault on a child with a pattern of abuse. A judge ordered him removed from the country in 2009.
    • Eduardo Sanchez-Hernandez, a 32-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Newark. He has pending charges for sexual assault of a minor under 13-years-old.
    • Litzy Janel Saavedra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in New York City. He has a conviction for third-degree felony rape.
    • Carlos Torres Valdovinos, a 46-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in San Francisco. He has a conviction for felony oral copulation of a child.
    • Jose Barrios-Bello, a 35-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Salt Lake City. He has a conviction for distribution of meth and has previously been removed from the country.
    • Misael Delgado-Carlos, a 35-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Houston. She has a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and has previously been removed from the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Soitec Reports Fourth Quarter Revenue and Full-Year Results of Fiscal Year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOITEC REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER REVENUE AND
    FULL-YEAR RESULTS OF FISCAL YEAR 2025

    • Q4’25 revenue reached €327m, stable at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24
    • FY’25 revenue amounted to €891m, down 9% both on a reported basis and at constant exchange rates and perimeter, in line with revised guidance
    • Soitec accelerated diversification confirmed with POI becoming Soitec’s fourth product to generate annual revenue of around $100m or more
    • Robust FY’25 EBITDA1margin2at 33.5%, current EBIT margin at 15.2%
    • Positive FY’25 Free Cash Flow, at €26m, while maintaining strong R&D and industrial investments
    • Q1’26 revenue, impacted by the anticipated phase-out of Imager-SOI, is expected down around 20% year-on-year at constant exchange rates and perimeter (Imager-SOI Q1’25 revenue: $25m)
    • FY’26 Capex cash-out expected around €150m, down from €230m in FY’25
    • Strong technology megatrends and Soitec’s innovative engineered substrates continue to sustain Soitec addressable market growth from ~5m wafers (200mm equivalent) in 2024 to ~12m in 2030
    • Given the current reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group withdraws any guidance, whether related to all or part of its activities. This includes the projection of a quite limited growth for FY’26, as well as the medium-term ambition to reach a revenue target of $2bn with an EBITDA margin of approximately 40%. Going forward, the Group will only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis

    Bernin (Grenoble), France, May 27th, 2025 – Soitec (Euronext Paris), a world leader in designing and manufacturing innovative semiconductor materials, today announced its revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 and its full-year results of fiscal year 2025 (ended on March 31st, 2025). The financial statements3 were approved by the Board of Directors during its meeting today.

    Pierre Barnabé, Soitec’s CEO, commented: “On the back of strong sales in the fourth quarter, we closed fiscal year 2025 in line with our revised guidance, with a high-single digit decline in full-year revenue. In this context, strict cost management enabled us to deliver a robust EBITDA margin, generate positive free cash flow, and continue investing both in innovation and in our industrial capacity – all while maintaining a very healthy balance sheet.

    In a volatile and uncertain economic environment, we are focusing on parameters within our control to strengthen our fundamentals and accelerate our diversification beyond RF-SOI and beyond Mobile Communications. With the growing adoption of our new products by industry leaders – POI becoming an industry standard for innovative smartphones and Photonics-SOI gaining traction among industry leaders to equip the next generation of AI Datacenters – we have been able to partially offset the ongoing RF-SOI inventory correction and mitigate the impact of the weakness in the automotive industry. While RF-SOI remains by far the first contributor to our revenue, three other products – FD-SOI, Power-SOI and POI – are now each generating around or above 100 million US dollars in revenue.

    This environment however provides limited visibility. We have therefore decided to suspend all previously issued guidance and to only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis. We expect Q1’26 to reflect the impact of the Imager-SOI phase out, which we had already anticipated and prepared for. Q1’26 revenue is hence expected to be down around 20% year on year, Imager-SOI contributing 25 million dollars in Q1’25.

    We remain confident in our solid fundamentals and in our ability to accelerate growth as soon as our end markets begin to recover. Our strong technology megatrends – 5G, Energy Efficiency and Artificial Intelligence – and our unique expertise in engineered substrates continue to support the expansion of our Addressable Market from around 5 million wafers (200-mm equivalent) in 2024 to around 12 million in 2030”, added Pierre Barnabé.

    Fourth quarter FY’25 consolidated revenue

      Q4’25 Q4’24 Q4’25/Q4’24
             
             
    (Euros millions)     change reported chg. at const. exch. rates & perimeter
             
    Mobile Communications 220 222 -1% -2%
    Automotive & Industrial 45 44 +1% 0%
    Edge & Cloud AI 63 70 -11% +2%
             
    Revenue 327 337 -3% -1%

    Soitec revenue reached 327 million Euros in Q4’25, down 3% on a reported basis compared with revenue of 337 million Euros achieved in Q4’24. This reflects a 1% year-on-year decline at constant exchange rates and perimeter, a negative scope4 effect of 3% related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses, and a positive currency impact of 1%.

    Each one of Soitec’s three divisions recorded an almost stable organic change in revenue in Q4’25 compared to the high base achieved in Q4’24. The slight organic decline in Mobile Communications revenue was partly offset by a small increase in Edge & Cloud AI revenue, while Automotive & Industrial was stable. This is however reflecting different dynamics per product, with further strong traction in POI wafers for smartphone filters and in Photonics-SOI wafers for data centers.

    Mobile Communications

    In the context of a moderately recovering smartphone market and with a progressively improving inventory situation across the supply chain, Mobile Communications revenue reached 220 million Euros in Q4’25, down 2% at constant exchange rates and perimeter year-on-year.

    On RF-SOI wafers, Soitec benefited, as expected, from a usually strong seasonal stock rebuilding at the beginning of the calendar year. Volumes of RF-SOI wafers sold were higher in Q4’25 than in Q4’24, with a slightly negative price / mix effect, thus partly mitigating a significant decrease in 200-mm RF-SOI volumes.

    Sales of POI (Piezoelectric-on-Insulator) wafers dedicated to RF filters continued to grow sequentially from one quarter to another, translating into a sharp year-on-year increase in Q4’25. The adoption of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filters on POI continued to accelerate. Ten customers are in volume production, and thirteen others in qualification phase.

    Sales of FD-SOI wafers, the only solution for fully integrated 5G mmWave system-on-chip, have been slightly growing in Q4’25 compared to Q4’24.

    Automotive & Industrial

    Automotive & Industrial revenue reached 45 million Euros in Q4’25, flat at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24, despite the ongoing difficulties of the automotive market.

    After the particularly low level reached in Q3’25, volumes of Power-SOI wafers were significantly higher in Q4’25 than in Q4’24, although with a slightly negative price effect. Sales benefited from customer restocking at the beginning of their calendar year. Despite very low visibility, OEMs were keen to avoid stockouts in the event of a market rebound, but this most likely came at the expense of volumes in H1’26. As the Automotive market recovers, the outlook for Battery Management Systems remains strong and supports Soitec’s product roadmap towards 300-mm, further strengthening its positioning.

    Conversely, after a very strong performance in Q3’25, FD-SOI wafer sales recorded a slight year-on-year decline in Q4’25 compared to Q4’24. Automotive FD-SOI continues to be mostly driven by adoption for microcontrollers, radar and wireless connectivity, delivering superior performance and greater power efficiency compared to other existing technologies.

    Regarding SmartSiCTM, while Soitec initiated a sixth customer qualification process early Q4’25, the slower-than-expected growth of the electric vehicle market, combined with the longer than initially anticipated customers’ qualification cycles confirm the previously mentioned delay in the initially expected wafer production ramp-up.

    Edge & Cloud AI

    Edge & Cloud AI revenue reached 63 million Euros in Q4’25, up 2% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to Q4’24. On a reported basis revenue went down 11% as a result of the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses.

    Sales of Photonics-SOI wafers recorded another high sequential increase in Q4’25, as Soitec continues to benefit from a strong momentum in Cloud infrastructure investments across the Big Tech and Artificial Intelligence supply chains. On a year-on-year basis, sales were much higher than in Q4’24. As the exponential growth of AI-related computing power capabilities drives the need for more powerful and more energy-efficient data centers, Photonics-SOI has become a standard technology platform for high-speed and high bandwidth optical interconnections in data centers. Photonics-SOI are adopted in pluggable optical transceivers and used for the development of Co-Packaged Optics.

    In Q4’25 sales of FD-SOI wafers were above the level reached in Q3’25 but slightly down year-on-year compared to the high level recorded in Q4’24. This is mainly the consequence of deliveries requests put on hold by a couple of customers. FD-SOI technology is a key enabler for AI-driven consumer and industrial IoT applications due to its unique power efficiency, performance, thermal management and reliability advantages.

    Sales of Imager-SOI wafers for 3D imaging applications tapered off in Q4’25 due to the phase out of this product, as expected.

    FY’25 consolidated revenue

      FY’25 FY’24 FY’25/FY’24
             
    (Euros millions)     change reported chg. at const. exch. rates & perimeter
             
    Mobile Communications 546 611 -11% -12%
    Automotive & Industrial 129 163 -21% -22%
    Edge & Cloud AI 216 204 +6% +11%
             
    Revenue 891 978 -9% -9%

    Consolidated revenue reached 891 million Euros in FY’25, down 9% on a reported basis compared to 978 million Euros in FY’24. This reflects a 9% decline at constant exchange rates and perimeter, in line with Soitec’s latest guidance, a negative scope4 effect of 1% and a slightly positive currency impact of 1%.

    Overall, the sharp increase in sales of Photonics-SOI and POI wafers partly offset the drop in revenue recorded both in RF-SOI and in Power-SOI.

    • Mobile Communications revenue reached 546 million Euros in FY’25, down 11% on a reported basis and down 12% at constant exchange rates and perimeter year-on-year. Revenue was impacted by weaker RF-SOI volumes in connection with further inventory adjustment at customer level, especially in H1’25. RF-SOI performance was partly offset by a strong growth in POI wafer sales throughout the fiscal year and by slightly higher FD-SOI wafer sales. Mobile communications represented 61% of total revenue, almost stable vs FY’24.
    • Automotive & Industrial revenue amounted to 129 million Euros in FY’25, down 21% on a reported basis and down 22% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to FY’24. This revenue decline was primarily driven by lower Power-SOI volumes, reflecting weakness in the automotive market. Revenue from SmartSiC™ technology in connection with the initial phase of Soitec’s cooperation agreement with STMicroelectronics have also decreased year-on-year. This was partially offset by higher FD-SOI wafer sales. Automotive & Industrial represented 15% of total revenue against 17% in FY’24.
    • Edge & Cloud AI revenue reached 216 million Euros in FY’25, up 6% on a reported basis and up 11% at constant exchange rates and perimeter compared to FY’24. The organic increase in revenue was driven by higher sales of Photonics-SOI wafers, which benefit from sustained investment in Cloud infrastructure. Sales of FD-SOI went slightly down but remained at a high level, supported by the need for low-power computing devices and edge-AI applications. Imager-SOI sales were almost flat year-on-year despite the phase out of this product from early H2’25 onward. Edge & Cloud AI represented 24% of total revenue against 21% in FY’24.

    EBITDA1margin2maintained at a robust level

    Consolidated income statement (part 1)

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24 % change
           
    Revenue 891 978 -9%
           
           
    Gross profit 286 332 -14%
    As a % of revenue 32.1% 34.0%  
           
    Net research and development expenses (85) (61) +39%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (65) (63) +4%
           
           
    Current operating income 136 208 -35%
    As a % of revenue 15.2% 21.3%  
           
           
    EBITDA1,5 298 332 -10%
    As a % of revenue 33.5% 34.0%  

    Current operating income went down from 208 million Euros in FY’24 (21.3% of revenue) to 136 million Euros in FY’25 (15.2% of revenue). This reflects the weaker activity recorded in FY’25, but also higher R&D investment and higher depreciation expenses, as Soitec continues to invest to secure its competitiveness.

    • Gross profit reached 286 million Euros, down from 332 million Euros in FY’24. Gross margin declined by 1.9 points to 32.1% of revenue. This was essentially due to the lower sales volumes, of RF-SOI in particular, leading to a lower utilization of some of the industrial capacities, combined with an overall slightly negative price / mix effect. In addition, depreciation costs went up, reflecting the Group’s investment profile. These factors were mitigated by strong discipline in cost management, including lower purchase prices, by some agility in resource allocation between plants, and by higher subsidies.
    • Net R&D expenses increased from 61 million Euros in FY’24 (6.3% of revenue) to 85 million Euros in FY’25 (9.5% of revenue). Gross R&D expenses before capitalization went up 11% to 152°million Euros, as part of Soitec’s innovation strategy aimed at further investing in the next generation of SOI products, in compound semiconductors, as well as in new engineered substrates. In addition, Soitec booked a much lower amount of capitalized development costs in FY’25 (12 million Euros against 31 million Euros in FY’24). This was only partly offset by the recognition of higher R&D subsidies and higher prototype sales.
    • Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses amounted to 65 million Euros in FY’25 (7.3% of revenue), up from 63 million Euros in FY’24. This slight increase is essentially due to non-recurring positive effects on labor costs recorded in FY’24 and higher depreciation expenses, notably related to recent IT investments in cybersecurity. On the other hand, lower share-based compensation and the divestment of Dolphin Design both had positive effects.

    EBITDA1,5 amounted to 298 million Euros in FY’25 compared to 332 million Euros in FY’24. EBITDA1,5 margin2 remained at a robust level, reaching 33.5%, only 50 basis points below the level of 34.0% recorded in FY’24. The combination of a lesser absorption of fixed costs due to lower volumes and higher level of R&D investments was offset by higher non-cash items, notably depreciation and amortization expenses and inventory valuation effects.

    Consolidated income statement (part 2)

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24 % change
           
           
       
    Current operating income 136 208 -35%
           
           
    Other operating income / (expenses) (16) (3)  
           
           
    Operating income 119 205 -42%
           
    Net financial expense (9) (5)  
    Income tax (19) (23)  
           
           
    Net profit from continuing operations 91 178 -49%
           
    Net profit from discontinued operations 1 0  
           
           
    Net profit, Group share 92 178 -48%
           
           
    Basic earnings per share (in €) 2.57 5.00 -49%
           
    Diluted earnings per share (in €) 2.56 4.88 -48%
           
           
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares 35,670,651 35,655,679  
           
    Weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares 35,868,688 37,710,587  

    Other operating expenses amounted to 16 million Euros in FY’25, mainly reflecting a 13 million Euros loss on the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses.

    Consequently, the operating income stood at 119 million Euros, down from 205 million Euros in FY’24.

    The net financial result came as an expense of 9 million Euros in FY’25 compared to an expense of 5 million Euros in FY’24. Net financial expenses were 2 million Euros higher than in FY’24, reflecting new financing arrangements, while a net foreign exchange loss of 2 million Euros was recorded in FY’25 against a gain of 1 million Euros in FY’24.

    The income tax expense amounted to 19 million Euros in FY’25, down from 23 million Euros in FY’24. The effective tax rate, however, increased from 11% in FY’24 to 17% in FY’25, as a result of specific one-off items.

    In line with the decline in operating income, the net profit amounted to 92 million Euros in FY’25 (10.3% of revenue), down from 178 million Euros in FY’24 (18.2% of revenue).

    Positive Free Cash Flow generation

    Consolidated cash-flows

    (Euros millions) FY’25 FY’24
         
    Continuing operations    
         
    EBITDA1,6 298 332
         
    Inventories (38) (19)
    Trade receivables (30) (94)
    Trade payables (15) (45)
    Other receivables and liabilities 4 17
    Change in working capital requirement (79) (142)
    Tax paid (17) (25)
         
         
    Net cash generated by operating activities 202 165
         
    Net cash used in investing activities (176) (208)
         
         
    Free Cash Flow 26 (43)
         
    New loans and debt repayment (including finance leases), drawing on credit lines (36) (15)
    Financial expenses (14) (12)
    Liquidity contract and other items (1) (7)
         
         
    Net cash used in financing activities (50) (33)
         
    Impact of exchange rate fluctuations 4 (3)
         
    Net change in cash (21) (80)

    The Group generated a positive Free Cash Flow of 26 million Euros in FY’25, which represents a 69 million Euros improvement compared to the 43 million Euros negative Free Cash Flow recorded in FY’24. Despite a lower EBITDA1,5, this strong increase essentially comes as a result of a better change in working capital. It also benefited from lower tax paid and from reduced capital expenditure.

    Change in working capital remained under control with a cash outflow at 79 million Euros in FY’25, compared to a cash outflow of 142 million Euros in FY’24. FY’25 cash outflow is essentially reflecting:

    • a 38 million Euros increase in inventories as a couple of customers requested to put some deliveries on hold while some late changes in product mix also resulted in an increase in bulk material inventories,
    • a 30 million Euros increase in trade receivables, explained by a different customer mix,
      • a 15 million Euros decrease in trade payables.

    The net cash used in investing activities amounted to 176 million Euros in FY’25, compared to 209 million Euros in FY’24. It takes into account financial income from cash investment of 19 million Euros (17 million Euros in FY’24). Including new production equipment under leases (31 million Euros in FY’25 vs. 51 million Euros in FY’24), total cash out related to capital expenditure amounted to 230 million Euros as expected. It compares with 276 million Euros spent in FY’24. Capital expenditure was essentially related to industrial investments, including:

    • additional POI manufacturing tools in Bernin to increase capacity,
    • production capacity for new SOI products (RF-SOI and Photonics-SOI) in Singapore and 300-mm SOI refresh capacity in Bernin,
    • the ongoing extension of Singapore 300-mm facility (for the part already started),
    • completion of the 200-mm SmartSiCTM pilot line in Bernin.

    Capital expenditure also included IT investments as well as investments supporting the Group’s innovation strategy and its environmental policy.

    Net cash used in financing activities amounted to 50 million Euros in FY’25 (33 million Euros in FY’24) essentially reflecting a net decrease in borrowings and related interest paid.

    In total, including a 4 million Euros positive impact of exchange rate fluctuations (3 million Euros negative impact in FY’24), the net cash outflow reached 21 million Euros in FY’25 (80 million Euros in FY’24) resulting in a steady strong cash position of 688 million Euros on March 31st, 2025.

    Strong balance sheet maintained

    Soitec maintained a strong balance sheet as of March 31st, 2025.

    Shareholders’ equity stood at 1.6 billion Euros on March 31st, 2025, up 100 million Euros from March 31st, 2024.

    Financial debt on March 31st, 2025, was slightly up, at 782 million Euros against 747 million Euros on March 31st, 2024. Taking into account the 21 million Euros cash outflow recorded in FY’25, the net debt position6 was kept at a moderate level, at 94 million Euros on March 31st, 2025, up from 39 million Euros on March 31st, 2024.

    FY’26 outlook

    Given the current reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group withdraws any guidance, whether related to all or part of its activities. This includes the projection of a quite limited growth for FY’26, as well as the medium-term ambition to reach a revenue target of $2bn with an EBITDA margin of approximately 40%. Going forward, the Group will only provide revenue guidance on a quarterly basis.

    Q1’26 revenue, impacted by the anticipated phase-out of Imager-SOI, is expected down around 20% year-on-year (Imager-SOI Q1’25 revenue: $25m). FY’26 Capex cash-out is expected around €150m, down from €230m in FY’25.

    Operating model at scale

    Soitec continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy, supported by structural trends in its end markets and the accelerated diversification of its product portfolio.

    In this context, Soitec has defined an operating model at scale, representing the financial profile the Group could achieve when operating at a higher volume level. This model reflects the Group’s internal assessment of the efficiencies and profitability enabled by its current industrial and technological platform.

    Based on its market assessment and competitive positioning, Soitec continues to grow its manufacturing capacity, in line with market growth and customer demand. The Group anticipates investing ~€770m to scale its production capacity to enable a $2bn revenue run-rate, which should yield significant operating leverage and cash generation improvement. Given ongoing reduced visibility and market uncertainties, the Group will not guide on a specific timing, which will be influenced by external factors beyond its control.

    This operating model and the associated ambitions and financial information are not guidance and should not be interpreted as a financial objective or forecast. Actual results will depend on market dynamics, customer adoption, and execution.

    Key events of Q4 FY’25

    Divestment of Dolphin Design’s main businesses

    Dolphin Design’s mixed-signal IP activities have been acquired on October 31st, 2024, by Jolt Capital, a private equity firm specializing in European deeptech investments. Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities were sold to NanoXplore, a major player in SoC and FPGA semiconductor design, on December 30th, 2024.

    Dolphin Design, acquired by Soitec in 2018, has long been at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge semiconductor design solutions in mixed-signal IP and ASICs. The sale of Dolphin Design’s two main business activities will support Soitec’s focus on strategic development and growth opportunities in its core advanced semiconductor materials business.

    A 13 million Euros loss on the divestment of Dolphin Design’s businesses was recorded in other operating expenses in FY’25. There will be no further impact on Soitec financial statements from FY’26.

    Soitec contributes to accelerated development of integrated optical connectivity solutions for AI data centers with its silicon photonics SOI technology

    On March 19th, 2025, Soitec welcomed recent industry steps to accelerate development and commercialization of co-packaged optics (CPO) solutions for data centers. The rapidly rising data requirements of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving demand for silicon photonics-based CPO architectures. For data centers, CPO adoption enables energy savings of around 30% compared with current optical transceiver-based solutions. The momentum for widespread CPO adoption is building up. Following the earlier introduction of groundbreaking CPO products and demonstrators by Broadcom, Intel, and Marvell, NVIDIA unveiled its first CPO products, Spectrum-X and Quantum-X. Soitec is at the forefront of the transition from electrical to optical interconnects. CPO components are reliant on specialist silicon-on-insulator (Photonics-SOI) substrates, in which Soitec is a leader. The coming shift to CPO-based data center architectures is a major opportunity for Soitec.

    Soitec joins the SEMI Silicon Photonics industry alliance

    Soitec also announced on March 19th, 2025, that it has joined the SEMI Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance (SEMI SiPhIA), a group of more than 100 semiconductor industry partners, with TSMC and ASE serving as the alliance’s advocates. The alliance’s mission is to drive silicon photonics innovation and applications, advance industry standards, and foster knowledge-sharing, resource integration, and technical exchange. Through its membership, Soitec will contribute to strengthening supply chain partnerships and fostering international collaboration on the deployment of key next-generation technologies, including CPO.

    Soitec confirms its excellence in innovation with progress up 2024 INPI patent ranking

    On March 31st, 2025, Soitec once again demonstrated its excellence in innovation through its rise in the 2024 ranking of patent filers published by the INPI (the French National Institute of Industrial Property). This recognition highlights Soitec’s unwavering commitment to innovation and confirms its central role in the development of disruptive technologies, driven by a global strategy and a network of research centers spread across several continents. With 76 patents filed in France in 2024, compared to 62 the previous year, Soitec confirms its 1st place among the most innovative mid-sized companies, for the second consecutive year, and rises to 22nd place nationally, up three places. With approximately 400 patents filed worldwide each year, Soitec has established itself as an essential technology leader.

    # # #

    FY’25 results will be commented during an analyst and investor meeting in Paris on May 28th, 2025, at 2pm CET. The meeting will be held in English.

    The live webcast will be available on: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/soitec/20250528_1/

    The investor presentation is available for download on:
    https://www.soitec.com/home/investors/full-year-results-of-fiscal-year-2024—2025

    # # #

    Annual General Meeting

    At its meeting today, the Board of Directors decided to convene the Annual General Meeting of shareholders on July 22nd, 2025. On this occasion, it decided to renew three of the four directors’ terms of office due to expire (Bpifrance Participations, CEA Investissement and Fonds Stratégique de Participations). Regarding Kai Seikku, the latter did not wish to be re-elected.

    Q1’26 revenue

    Q1’26 revenue is due to be published on July 22nd, 2025, after market close.

    # # #

    Disclaimer

    This document is provided by Soitec (the “Company”) for information purposes only.

    The Company’s business operations and financial position are described in the Company’s 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document (which notably includes the Annual Financial Report) which was filed on June 5th, 2024, with the French stock market authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers, or AMF) under number D.24-0462, as well as in the Company’s 2024-2025 half-year financial report released on November 20th, 2024. The French versions of the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document and the 2024-2025 half-year financial report, together with English courtesy translations for information purposes of both documents, are available for consultation on the Company’s website (www.soitec.com), in the section Company – Investors – Financial Reports.

    Your attention is drawn to the risk factors described in Chapter 2.1 (Risk factors and controls mechanism) of the Company’s 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document.

    This document contains summary information and should be read in conjunction with the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document and the 2024-2025 half-year financial report.

    This document contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company’s future prospects, developments and strategy and are based on analyses of earnings forecasts and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties as they relate to future events and are dependent on circumstances that may or may not materialize in the future. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of the Company’s future performance. The occurrence of any of the risks described in Chapter 2.1 (Risk factors and controls mechanism) of the 2023-2024 Universal Registration Document may have an impact on these forward-looking statements.

    The Company’s actual financial position, results and cash flows, as well as the trends in the sector in which the Company operates may differ materially from those contained in this document. Furthermore, even if the Company’s financial position, results, cash-flows and the developments in the sector in which the Company operates were to conform to the forward-looking statements contained in this document, such elements cannot be construed as a reliable indication of the Company’s future results or developments.

    The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or make any correction to any forward-looking statement in order to reflect an event or circumstance that may occur after the date of this document.

    This document does not constitute or form part of an offer or a solicitation to purchase, subscribe for, or sell the Company’s securities in any country whatsoever. This document, or any part thereof, shall not form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract, commitment or investment decision.

    Notably, this document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase, subscribe for or to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company’s shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act. Neither the Company nor any other person intends to conduct a public offering of the Company’s securities in the United States.

    # # #

    About Soitec

    Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 0.9 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024-2025. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge & Cloud AI (previously Smart Devices). The company relies on the talent and diversity of its 2,200 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Soitec has registered over 4,200 patents.

    Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.

    For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on X: @Soitec_Official

    # # #

    # # #

    Financial information and consolidated financial statements in appendix include:

    – Consolidated revenue per quarter

    – FY’25 consolidated income statement

    – Balance sheet at March 31st, 2025

    – FY’25 consolidated cashflows

    Consolidated revenue per quarter

    Quarterly revenue Q1’24 Q2’24 Q3’24 Q4’24 Q1’25 Q2’25 Q3’25 Q4’25   FY’24 FY’25
    (Euros millions)                      
    Mobile Communications 89   169   130   222 48   124   154   220   611 546  
    Automotive & Industrial 37 38 44 44 26 33 25 45   163 129
    Edge & Cloud AI 31 37 65 70 46 61 47 63   204 216
                           
    Revenue 157   245   240   337 121   217   226   327   978   891  
    Change in quarterly revenue Q1’25/Q1’24 Q2’25/Q2’24 Q3’25/Q3’24 Q4’25/Q4’24   FY’25/FY’24
    (vs. previous year) Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1 Reported
    change
    Organic change1   Reported
    Change
    Organic change1
                           
    Mobile Communications -45% -46% -27% -25% +18% +11% -1% -2%   -11% -12%
    Automotive & Industrial -29% -31% -13% -11% -43% -47% +1% 0%   -21% -22%
    Edge & Cloud AI +49% +47% +62% +66% -28% -30% -11% +2%   +6% +11%
                           
    Revenue -23% -24% -11% -9% -6% -10% -3% -1%   -9% -9%

    1         At constant exchange rates and comparable scope of consolidation:

    • there was no scope effect in Q1’25 and Q2’25 vs. Q1’24 and Q2’24
    • in Q3’25 there is a negative scope effect related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s mixed signal IP activities (completed on October 31st, 2024)
    • in Q4’25, in addition to Dolphin Design’s mixed signal IP activities, the negative scope effect also includes the divestment of Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities (completed on December 30th, 2024).

    Consolidated financial statements for FY’25

    As previously reported, Soitec’s refocus on Electronics operations decided in January 2015 was nearly completed on March 31st, 2016. Consequently, the FY’25 residual income and expenses relating to Solar and Other activities are reported under ‘Net result from discontinued operations’, below the ‘Operating income’ line, meaning that down to the line ‘Net result after tax from continuing operations’, the consolidated income statement fully and exclusively reflects the Electronics activity as well as the Group’s corporate functions expenses. This was already the case in FY’24 financial statements.

    Consolidated income statement

      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended

    March 31st, 2025)

    (ended

    March 31st, 2024)

    Revenue 891 978
    Cost of sales (605) (646)
         
    Gross profit 286 332
    Research and development expenses (85) (61)
    General, sales and administrative expenses (65) (63)
    Current operating income 136 208
    Other operating expenses (16) (3)
    Operating income 119 205
    Financial income 19 21
    Financial expenses (28) (25)
    Net financial expense (9) (5)
    Profit before tax 110 201
    Income tax (19) (23)
    Net profit from continuing operations 91 178
    Net profit from discontinued operations 1 0
    Consolidated net profit 92 178
    Net profit, Group share 92 178
    Basic earnings per share (in €) 2.57 5.00
    Diluted earnings per share (in €) 2.56 4.88
    Weighted average number of ordinary shares 35,670,651 35,655,679
    Weighted average number of diluted ordinary shares 35,868,688 37,710,587

    Balance sheet

    Assets March 31st, 2025 March 31st, 2024
    (Euros millions)    
         
    Non-current assets    
    Intangible assets 130 156
    Property, plant and equipment 1,003 913
    Non-current financial assets 30 19
    Other non-current assets 73 70
    Deferred tax assets 59 62
    Total non-current assets 1,295 1,220
         
    Current assets    
    Inventories 231 209
    Trade receivables 463 448
    Other current assets 124 101
    Current financial assets 7 7
    Cash and cash equivalents 688 708
    Total current assets 1,512 1,472
         
    Total assets 2,807 2,692
    Equity and liabilities March 31st, 2025 March 31st, 2024
    (Euros millions)    
         
    Equity    
    Share capital 71 71
    Share premium 228 228
    Reserves and retained earnings 1,280 1,180
    Other reserves 15 15
    Equity-Group share 1,595 1,495
    Total equity 1,595 1,495
         
    Non-current liabilities    
    Non-current financial debt 375 669
    Provisions and other non-current liabilities 94 79
    Total non-current liabilities 469 748
         
    Current liabilities    
    Current financial debt 406 78
    Trade payables 153 169
    Provisions and other current liabilities 185 202
         
    Total current liabilities 743 449
         
    Total equity and liabilities 2,807 2,692

    Consolidated cash flows

      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended
    March 31st, 2025)
    (ended
    March 31st, 2024)
    Consolidated net profit 92 178
    of which continuing operations 91 178
    Depreciation and amortization expense 140 126
    Provision expense/(reversals), net 6 4
    Provisions expense / (reversals) for retirement benefit obligations, net 0 0
    (Gains)/losses on disposals of assets 15 0
    Income tax 19 23
    Net financial expense 9 5
    Share-based payments 11 14
    Other non-cash items 7 (17)
    Non-cash items related to discontinued operations (1) (1)
    EBITDA1 298 332
    of which continuing operations 298 332
    Inventories (38) (19)
    Trade receivables (30) (94)
    Trade payables (15) (45)
    Other receivables and payables 4 17
    Income tax paid (17) (25)
    Changes in working capital requirement and income tax paid related to discontinued operations (0) (0)
    Change in working capital requirement and income tax paid (96) (167)
    of which continuing operations (96) (167)
    Net cash generated by operating activities 201 165
    of which continuing operations 202 166
      FY’25 FY’24
    (Euros millions) (ended
    March 31st, 2025)
    (ended
    March 31st, 2024)
    Net cash generated by operating activities 201 165
    of which continuing operations 202 166
    Purchases of intangible assets (27) (48)
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment (172) (177)
    Interest received 19 17
    Disposals/(acquisitions) of financial assets 4 (1)
    Divestment flows related to discontinued operations 1 0
    Net cash used in investing activities (1) (176) (208)
    of which continuing operations (1) (176) (209)
    Loans and drawdowns on credit lines 45 55
    Repayment of borrowings and lease liabilities (81) (70)
    Interest paid (14) (12)
    Liquidity agreement – (8)
    Change in interest in subsidiaries without change of control (1) (0)
    Other financing flows – 2
    Financing flows related to discontinued operations (0) (0)
    Net cash used in financing activities (50) (33)
    of which continuing operations (50) (33)
    Effects of exchange rate fluctuations 4 (3)
    Net change in cash (21) (80)
    of which continuing operations (21) (80)
    Cash at beginning of the period 708 788
    Cash at end of the period 688 708

    (1) Net cash used in investing activities is net of leases and interest received. Total cash out related to capital expenditure amounted to 230 million Euros in FY’25 compared to 276 million Euros in FY’24.


    1 The EBITDA represents operating income before depreciation, amortization, impairment of non-current assets, non-cash items relating to share-based payments, provisions for impairment of current assets and for contingencies and expenses, and disposals gains and losses. EBITDA is not a financial indicator defined by IFRS and may not be comparable to EBITDA as reported by other groups. It represents additional information and should not be considered as a substitute for operating income or net cash generated by operating activities.

    2 EBITDA margin = EBITDA from continuing operations / Revenue.

    3 Audit procedures were completed and the audit report is in the process of being issued.

    4 The scope effect is related to the divestment of Dolphin Design’s mixed-signal IP activities (completed on October 31st, 2024) and that of Dolphin Design’s ASIC activities (completed on December 30th, 2024)

    5 EBITDA from continuing operations.
    6 Financial debt less cash and cash equivalents

    Attachment

    • Soitec FY’25 Results VUK V27052025

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Legislation to Expand Medicare Drug Price Negotiation and Lower Costs for Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    May 23, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Peter Welch (D-VT) in reintroducing legislation to expand Medicare negotiation of drug prices. The Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act would help lower drug costs for consumers, reduce federal spending and give the Department of Health and Human Services stronger tools to negotiate lower drug prices in Medicare Part B and Part D. 

    “No one should have to choose between paying for their lifesaving prescription or paying the rent—that’s why three years ago the Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act, to empower Medicare to directly negotiate with drug manufacturers,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin and our Democratic colleagues in reintroducing the SMART Prices Act to help build on the progress we’ve made to lower the cost of prescription drugs and improve health care for hardworking Americans.”

    “People in the United States are paying four times more than people in similar countries pay for life-saving medications,” said Durbin. “Democrats took the first step to address this issue three years ago by passing the Inflation Reduction Act, to enable Medicare to negotiate with Big Pharma to lower costs for seniors—while every Republican opposed these savings. Now, instead of focusing on lowering prices for Americans, Republicans in Congress are focused on cutting Medicaid to give tax breaks to billionaires. Senate Democrats are introducing the SMART Prices Act to help lower the outrageous cost of prescription drugs, expand on the progress we have made, and improve health care for Americans.” 

    According to preliminary estimates from a model by West Health and Verdant Research, if the SMART Prices Act was enacted in 2026, it would save 33 percent more by 2030 than current law. It would also allow Medicare to begin negotiations earlier and bring down the price of more expensive drugs. 

    This legislation builds on Klobuchar and Welch’s provision, which was passed into law in 2022, that has empowered Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices for the first time, unleashing the power of 53 million seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D Drug Coverage. The SMART Prices Act would extend this progress by more than doubling the number of prescription drugs Medicare must negotiate to a minimum of 50 per year, allowing the most costly prescription drugs and biologics to have negotiated prices five years after approval by the Food and Drug Administration, and by increasing the discount that Medicare is allowed to negotiate. 

    Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Klobuchar and Welch, the SMART Prices Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

    The bill is endorsed by Center for American Progress, FamiliesUSA, Patients For Affordable Drugs NOW, Protect Our Care and Public Citizen.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • India highlights textile and handicraft capabilities at INDEX Dubai 2025 amid rising UAE demand

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ndia has made a significant impact at INDEX Dubai 2025, the Middle East and North Africa’s leading interior design and furniture exhibition, with 55 companies showcasing their products to tap into the region’s expanding $25 billion interior design market, projected to grow to $35 billion by 2031.

    The three-day exhibition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 27 to 29, has long served as a vital platform connecting international brands with buyers from across the Middle East. This year’s Indian presence was coordinated by key export promotion councils, including the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (Texprocil), which brought 10 companies; the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), which facilitated 12 participants under The Hotel Show segment; and Gram Vikas Seva Sansthan, representing 11 companies.

    The 250-square-meter India Pavilion was established to spotlight India’s diverse offerings in home textiles and handicrafts—ranging from bed linen, towels, and bathrobes to rugs, kitchen linen, and decorative items. The pavilion was inaugurated by Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, who interacted with exhibitors and emphasized India’s growing role in the region’s interior and hospitality supply chains.

    The Hotel Show, running parallel to INDEX, attracted buyers from across the GCC including Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Jordan. Indian participants received encouraging feedback and strong interest in products such as duvets, curtains, and pillows, driven by rising demand from the UAE’s expanding residential, hospitality, and healthcare sectors.

    India’s robust participation is supported by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement ,which came into effect in May 2022. The agreement provides Indian textile exporters, especially in the cotton segment, with zero-duty market access to the UAE, enhancing competitiveness.

    Textiles and clothing imports into the UAE stand at around $2.5 billion annually. Notably, the textile share has increased to 40%– up from a previous average of 20–25% with cotton textiles alone accounting for $95–110 million annually over the past three years. Indian companies noted that UAE hotels generally source through wholesalers due to smaller order sizes, creating specific opportunities for Indian SMEs offering bundled solutions in smaller quantities.

    INDEX Dubai 2025 features over 530 exhibitors and expects more than 30,000 trade visitors, including architects, designers, developers, and retailers. The event also hosts the “INDEX Design Talks” conference series, where industry leaders explore trends such as sustainable design, AI integration, client engagement, and redefining luxury. Nearly half of the speakers are making their INDEX debut, reflecting the show’s focus on innovation and fresh perspectives.

    Running alongside The Hotel Show and WORKSPACE, INDEX Dubai continues to strengthen Dubai’s role as a global center for interior design, with the city’s dynamic real estate and hospitality sectors driving demand for high-quality, sustainable interior solutions. For Indian exporters, the exhibition reaffirms the growing potential of the UAE market, particularly under the CEPA framework.

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British Ambassador opens the residence for Luxembourg Urban Garden

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    British Ambassador opens the residence for Luxembourg Urban Garden

    As part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition, Ambassador Olivier is opening the garden of her official residence to the public for a one-day event.

    As part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition, British Ambassador Joanne Olivier is opening the garden of her official residence to the public for a one-day event.

    On Thursday 5 June, visitors will have the rare chance to explore a garden that offers one of the most beautiful and unique views over the Pétrusse valley, home to several LUGA installations.

    The visit will focus on sustainability and biodiversity, with guided tours led by the eco agents from St George’s International School. These students, from both Primary and Secondary, will highlight the garden’s green features and showcase their own sustainability projects.

    Entry is free but places are limited, and each guest must register individually here: https://bit.ly/BritishEmbassyLUGA

    Don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover a peaceful, tucked-away corner of Luxembourg City and see it through the eyes of the next generation of environmental leaders.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 27 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting homegrown policing solutions

    [. That’s why the province is supporting the City of Grande Prairie with an additional $7 million in funding as it transitions to a municipal police service, helping to advance a homegrown solution that meets the needs of the community.

    This new funding reinforces and builds on the province’s initial $9.7 million two-year commitment to help the City of Grande Prairie meet its policing and public safety needs, following the city council’s decision in March 2023 to transition from the RCMP to a municipal police service.

    “Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe. The City of Grande Prairie is pursuing a policing solution that’s right for the community and its residents, and Alberta’s government is behind them throughout the transition process. Albertans, regardless of where they live, deserve fast and reliable law enforcement where and when they need it. Our government remains committed to ensuring Alberta municipalities have their choice of policing provider.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    Since 2023, Grande Prairie has made significant progress in hiring officers and civilian staff, procuring equipment, and beginning the development of essential IT infrastructure for a municipal police service. This support from the province ensures that the city can keep the momentum of its transition going as it lays critical groundwork for the Grande Prairie Police Service (GPPS).

    The funding will support the projected start-up costs associated with building and implementing the new service, including salaries, benefits, recruitment, equipment and training. The GPPS is expected to become the primary police service of jurisdiction for Grande Prairie in 2026.

    Once provincial startup funding through the Grande Prairie Police Service Grant agreement ends, the city will absorb all operational costs associated with its new police service. The annual operating budget of the GPPS is projected to be less than those associated with policing services contracted through the RCMP.

    “The City of Grande Prairie is thankful for this announcement and the ongoing funding and support from the provincial government as we transition to a municipal police service. The transition is on budget and on schedule and has already provided a positive impact on our community safety and valuable insights on the modernizations that will be achieved with a stand-alone municipal police service model.”

    Jackie Clayton, mayor, City of Grande Prairie

    “With the ongoing support and funding from the Alberta government, we are creating a modern, community-oriented police service that reflects the unique needs of Grande Prairie. The Grande Prairie Police Service is quickly proving that a policing transition can be both effective and efficient.”

    Dwayne Lakusta, chief, Grande Prairie Police Service

    Key facts

    • The projected total cost of establishing and implementing the GPPS is $19 million.
    • The GPPS is expected to become the primary police of jurisdiction for Grande Prairie in 2026.
    • Through the Indigenous and Municipal Police Transition Study Grant program, Alberta’s government delivered more than $2.2 million in funding to help 35 municipalities, 23 First Nations and eight Metis Settlements to explore ways to enhance their existing policing models as well as alternate options such as self-administered First Nations policing or standalone police services.
    • Under Alberta’s Police Act, towns and cities with populations greater than 5,000 are responsible for their own policing and can form their own municipal police service, be part of a regional policing arrangement or contract with the federal government for RCMP policing services to meet their public safety needs.

    Related news

    • Alberta funds community policing in Grande Prairie (Feb 22, 2023)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on the Release of American Hostage

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    Chairwoman McClain’s Statement on the Release of American Hostage

    Washington, May 12, 2025

    WASHINGTON —House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) issued the following statement after Edan Alexander was released from Hamas’ captivity. He is the last living American held captive.

    “Another American family has been reunited. We remain in awe of the strength demonstrated by the families and victims who have faced the unthinkable,” Chairwoman McClain said. “President Trump vowed to bring home hostages, and he has kept that promise. I am optimistic this will get us closer to the end of the Israel-Hamas war.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Proclaims May 25-31 North Carolina Heat Awareness Week

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Proclaims May 25-31 North Carolina Heat Awareness Week

    Governor Stein Proclaims May 25-31 North Carolina Heat Awareness Week
    lsaito
    Tue, 05/27/2025 – 11:12

    Raleigh, NC

    Earlier this month, Governor Josh Stein proclaimed May 25-31 as North Carolina Heat Awareness Week to bring attention to key programs that keep North Carolinians safe and to bring awareness to ongoing climate warming trends.

    “North Carolina state agencies and community partners are working to make sure North Carolinians have the resources they need to stay safe when temperatures soar,” said Governor Josh Stein. “North Carolina is preparing for another summer of record heat. While you are outside this summer, please take the necessary steps to prevent heat exhaustion and illness.”

    Communities across the state are encouraged to prepare for high summer temperatures. Several communities across North Carolina experienced their hottest days ever recorded in 2024, and 2025 is likely to continue this trend. There were 4,688 heat-related illness emergency department visits in the summer of 2024, a nearly 20% increase from 2023.

    The state Resiliency Program has provided critical support to North Carolina communities as they prepare and develop plans for reducing local impacts of extreme heat. Last year, the program launched the Heat Action Plan Toolkit in collaboration with NCDHHS, North Carolina State Climate Office, and Duke University Heat Policy Innovation Hub. The toolkit includes a template for creating a heat action plan, public outreach resources, checklists, and protocols that can be customized in advance of and during heat wave events. In December 2024, the Resiliency Program and North Carolina State Climate Office partnered to launch the Planning for Extreme Heat Cohort to help North Carolina communities develop local heat action plans. In addition, the NC Resilience Exchange website provides a complete collection of resources to help local and state leaders easily find climate resilience information relevant to their area.

    Budget and staffing cuts at federal agencies like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have put programs that support heat safety at risk, including the state heat health alert system, the Heat-Related Illness Surveillance System, and a farmworker health training program. 

    “Our environmental health and epidemiology teams conduct critical work every day to inform North Carolinians of potential health effects of extreme heat, as well as ensure resources are available for those who experience heat-related illness,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Cuts to these services would be detrimental to the health and well-being of the more than 11 million people who call North Carolina home.”

    Among weather-related hazards, extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of deaths each year. Recognizing the symptoms of heat illness is key to preventing serious complications, including death. Some signs and symptoms include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, racing or weak pulse, dizziness, headache, fainting, and nausea or vomiting. 

    While heat-related illnesses can affect anyone regardless of age or physical condition, outdoor workers, infants and children, older adults, pregnant people, athletes, low-income individuals and people with underlying health conditions are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing adverse health effects.

    Additionally, NCDHHS Operation Fan Heat Relief is underway through Oct. 31, 2025. Visit DHHS’s website to see if you qualify for a free fan for the hot summer months.  

    Read Governor Stein’s full proclamation designating Heat Awareness Week. 

    May 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Returns for Failing to Report Business Earnings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio − Sidney L. Glover, Jr., 36, of Warren, Ohio, has pleaded guilty to failing to report three years’ worth of business earnings to the IRS.

    According to court documents, Glover was the sole owner of Teaching Excellence, LLC, a business dedicated to providing home healthcare services for individuals with disabilities. Because it specialized in serving clients with special needs, most of the company’s income was generated from the Ohio Department of Disabilities, which receives its funding through Ohio Medicaid.

    IRS records analysis confirmed that the defendant did not file income tax returns for calendar years 2015 and 2016, but he eventually prepared and filed those documents two years later in April 2018. At that time, he also submitted the filing for the 2017 tax year. During the investigation, authorities learned that Glover’s Teaching Excellence business, in fact, generated more than $1 million in gross receipts for 2015, 2016, and 2017 combined, and that he did not report those earnings in his tax filings for those years. Investigators also found that Glover had spent some of the unreported business earnings on various personal expenses.

    In total, the defendant’s failure to report business income resulted in a loss of approximately $155,000 in unpaid taxes owed to the United States Treasury.

    On May 21, 2025, Glover pleaded guilty to making and subscribing false tax returns for which he faces a maximum of up to three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is yet to be scheduled.

    The investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI). IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code, obtaining a 90% federal conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S. and 14 attaché posts abroad.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Brenna L. Fasko prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Earth’s heartbeat’ being monitored by sensor in Aberdeenshire field Thunder and lightning strikes that create electromagnetic waves dubbed ‘Earth’s heartbeat’ are being monitored by a sensor inside a box in a rural Aberdeenshire field.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Researchers from the Dept of Planetary Sciences visit the site of their Schumann Resonance detector in rural Aberdeenshire

    Thunder and lightning strikes that create electromagnetic waves dubbed ‘Earth’s heartbeat’ are being monitored by a sensor inside a box in a rural Aberdeenshire field.
    The University of Aberdeen device is only one of two in the UK that measure Schumann Resonance – extremely low frequency waves that can be used to study our weather and – some believe – possibly predict earthquakes and may even be linked to our health, sleep and emotions.
    Flashes of lightning strike the Earth around 50 times every second sending out tiny waves of energy that bounce back and forth between the ground and the sky in the space known as Earth’s ionosphere – this is called Schumann’s Resonance.
    [embedded content]
    These electromagnetic waves make a steady hum as they circle around the Earth at very low frequencies that humans cannot hear. Some refer to this natural rhythmic pattern of electromagnetic waves as Earth’s heartbeat.
    Studying Schumann Resonance helps scientists to monitor climate change and weather patterns on Earth and also what impact solar storms have on the planet.
    Research has also been carried out into examining whether Schumann Resonance fluctuates in relation to major seismic events such as earthquakes.
    There are even hypotheses that suggest Schumann Resonance could affect human brain activity and potentially impact mood and sleep patterns. This theory, some say, is supported by the fact that the primary frequency of Schumann resonance, which is in the order of 7.83Hz, with its harmonics extending to higher frequences, overlaps with the human brain’s alpha wave range of 8-13Hz.

    Something we are really interested to study is weather events and also because we have the only other one of these instruments in the UK in Eskdalemuir in the Scottish borders, so we want to see how the data from each detector correlates.” Dr Thasshwin Mathanlal

    The University of Aberdeen team have placed a Schumann Resonance detector in a field in Aberdeenshire near Stonehaven in order to study the frequency.
    The electromagnetic frequency detector has to be far away from the interference you would get in built up areas such as electricity cables, phone and broadband signals, as these can interfere with their readings.
    The detector is tuned to pick up waves in the range of 0-30Hz and while not particularly elaborate to the eye, housed as it is in a plastic box, they actually consist of miles of cable would inside which are required to detect such low frequencies.
    Whenever there is a small electromagnetic field, such as a lightning strike, it induces a very small amount of voltage into the wires. A very high-resolution detector records these electromagnetic frequencies onto an onboard computer and the Aberdeen team retrieve the data periodically.
    Dr Thasshwin Mathanlal, from the University of Aberdeen’s Planetary Sciences department said: “Something we are really interested to study is weather events and also because we have the only other one of these instruments in the UK in Eskdalemuir in the Scottish borders, so we want to see how the data from each detector correlates.
    “In addition to Schumann Resonance, we are interested in studying something called Alfvén waves which happen whenever there is a solar storm. Solar storms happen when there is a burst of energy and particles from the sun that reach Earth. Since in Aberdeenshire we are at a higher latitude, it is also interesting to study these waves too.”
    Interested in space research or planetary sciences? Study with us at the University of Aberdeen.

    Related Content

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Fusion Fuel Green PLC Signs Non-Binding Heads of Terms for Strategic UK Energy Distribution Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO) (“Fusion Fuel” or the “Company”), a provider of integrated energy solutions, today announced that it has executed non-binding Heads of Terms (“Heads of Terms”) with a privately-held United Kingdom-based fuel distribution business (“Target”) to acquire 100% of the equity of Target and certain related companies from their existing shareholders. The signing of the Heads of Terms follows the signing of a non-binding Letter of Intent between the parties, which was previously announced by the Company on April 9, 2025.

    For the fiscal year ending April 30, 2024, Target generated revenues of approximately $50 million and net income of approximately $5 million. Target showed strong growth in the following fiscal year ending April 30, 2025, achieving revenues of approximately $58 million and net income of approximately $7 million. As of April 30, 2025, Target had no debt except for approximately $1 million under a revolving credit line. 1

    Under the Heads of Terms, subject to execution of one or more definitive agreements with the existing shareholders of Target, Fusion Fuel will acquire the entire share capital of Target for total consideration of £50 million, consisting of £40 million in debt-financed cash and £10 million in Fusion Fuel ordinary shares in accordance with certain shareholder approval and securities registration requirements.

    The Heads of Terms include equity value protection provisions with respect to the equity portion of the purchase price, consisting of certain downside price protection terms for the sellers, a buy-back option, and an upside cap provision.

    It is anticipated that the definitive agreements will contain customary representations, warranties and covenants made by Fusion Fuel, Target, and Target’s shareholders, including covenants relating to the parties using their commercially reasonably efforts to cause the transactions contemplated by the agreement to be satisfied, covenants regarding obtaining the requisite approvals of directors and shareholders, indemnification of directors and officers, and Fusion Fuel and Target’s conduct of their respective businesses between the date of signing of definitive agreements and the closing, and other customary conditions to closing. It is anticipated that definitive agreements will also contain certain termination rights for both Fusion Fuel and Target, and, in connection with the termination of any such definitive agreements under certain circumstances, Fusion Fuel and Target may be required to pay the other party a termination fee. Entry into definitive agreements will also be subject to: (i) legal, tax and accounting structuring advice, (ii) the satisfactory completion of due diligence investigation by the parties on all aspects of business, operations, financial condition and other assets and liabilities appropriate for a transaction of this nature, and (iii) the satisfaction of the conditions described in the Heads of Terms. 

    Although generally non-binding, the Heads of Terms contain certain binding exclusivity and confidentiality terms and other binding terms and provisions. The Heads of Terms provides that Target will not solicit or negotiate with other parties for 90 days from signing of the Heads of Terms.

    John-Paul Backwell, CEO of Fusion Fuel, commented: “The Heads of Terms mark another significant step in our growth journey. Target represents a strong and profitable business that complements our strategy of building a synergistic, diversified portfolio across the energy value chain. In particular, Target has a complimentary business to our Al Shola Gas brand, and has the potential to support and expand its service offerings.”

    About Fusion Fuel Green PLC

    Fusion Fuel Green PLC (NASDAQ: HTOO) is a growing energy company providing engineering, advisory, and fuel distribution solutions through its brands Al Shola Gas and BrightHy. The Company services clients across commercial, residential, and industrial sectors and is actively expanding into new verticals and geographies to support energy transition and infrastructure resilience.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target”, “may”, “intend”, “predict”, “should”, “would”, “predict”, “potential”, “seem”, “future”, “outlook” or other similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions) that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the Company’s ability to enter into a definitive share purchase agreement with the shareholders of Target, the ability of the parties to complete their due diligence and all other closing conditions, the Company’s ability to complete the proposed acquisition and integrate Target’s business, the parties’ ability to obtain all necessary regulatory and other consents and approvals in connection with the transaction, the ability of Target to complete the audit process and the possibility that the reported results of its operations for its fiscal years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024 will change materially upon completion of the audit process, and those set forth in Fusion Fuel’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2025, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are, in some cases, beyond the parties’ control and could materially affect results. If one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors become applicable, or if these underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual events or results may vary significantly from those implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the Company or other matters and attributable to the Company or any person acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

    Investor Relations Contact
    ir@fusion-fuel.eu
    www.fusion-fuel.eu

    Wire Service Contact:
    IBN
    Austin, Texas
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    512.354.7000 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    ____________________

    1 Target’s financial results for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2025 and 2024 are subject to audit or re-audit, and actual results are subject to adjustment following completion of the audit process. There is no assurance that the audited or re-audited results of Target will not differ materially from those stated herein.

    The MIL Network –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Why carrying spuds and playing sudoku could be good measures of your overall health

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catherine Norton, Associate Professor Sport & Exercise Nutrition, University of Limerick

    simona pilolla 2/Shutterstock

    While ageing is inevitable, ageing well is something we can influence. It’s not just about the number of candles on your birthday cake – it’s whether you’ve got the puff to blow them out, the balance to carry the cake and the memory to remember why you’re celebrating.

    As we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks, bones weaken, reaction times slow. But that doesn’t mean we’re all destined for a future of walking frames and daytime TV.

    Ageing well isn’t about staying wrinkle-free – it’s about staying independent, mobile, mentally sharp and socially connected. In gerontology, there’s a saying: we want to add life to years, not just years to life. That means focusing on quality – being able to do what you love, move freely, think clearly and enjoy time with others.

    There’s no one-size-fits-all definition, but some simple home tests can give you a good idea. No fancy lab required – just a toothbrush, a stopwatch and a sense of humour.


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


    Balance

    One fun (and surprisingly useful) way to test your balance is to stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. If you can do this for 30 seconds or more (eyes open), that’s a great sign of lower-body strength, coordination, and postural stability.

    A 2022 study found that people who couldn’t balance on one leg for ten seconds had an 84% higher risk of death over a median follow-up of seven years compared than those who could. As such, balance is like a superpower for healthy ageing — it reduces falls, supports mobility, and can be improved at any age.

    Grip

    Grip strength is more than just opening jars. It’s a powerful indicator of overall health, predicting heart health, cognitive function and even mortality risk.

    Research shows that for every 5kg decrease in grip strength, the risk of death from all causes rose by 16%.

    You can test grip strength using a hand-dynamometer (many gyms or clinics have them), or simply take note of everyday tasks – is opening bottles, carrying groceries, or using tools becoming harder?

    Floor-to-feet feat

    Can you sit on the floor and stand up without using your hands? This test is a true measure of your lower-body strength and flexibility, which are essential for daily activities and reducing the risk of falls. If you can do it, you’re in great shape.




    Read more:
    Why sitting down – and getting back up – might be the most important health test you do today


    If it’s too tough, try the sit-to-stand test. Using a chair (no arms),see how many sit-to-stand transitions you can do in 30 seconds. This task is a good measure of lower limb function, balance and muscle strength, it can also predict people at risk of falls and cardiovascular issues.

    Mental sharpness

    Cognitive function can be measured in all sorts of complex ways, but some basic home tests are surprisingly telling. Try naming as many animals as you can in 30 seconds. Fewer than 12 might indicate concern; more than 18 is a good sign.

    Try spelling “world” backwards or recalling a short list of three items after a few minutes. This skill is an important strategy to enhance memory in older adults. Challenge yourself with puzzles, Sudoku, or learning a new skill. These kinds of “verbal fluency” and memory recall tests are simple ways to spot early changes in brain health – but don’t panic if you blank occasionally. Everyone forgets where they left their keys sometimes.

    Lifestyle matters

    There’s no magic bullet to ageing well – but, if one existed, it would probably be a combination of exercise, diet, sleep and social connections.

    Some of the best-studied strategies include:

    Daily movement: walking, resistance training, swimming or tai chi keep your muscles and bones strong and support balance and heart health.

    Healthy eating: a Mediterranean-style diet — rich in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts – is linked to better brain and heart health.

    Sleep: seven to nine hours of quality sleep support memory, immunity and mood.

    Connection: some research suggests that loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Stay engaged, join a club, volunteer, or just pick up the phone to a friend.

    If you can balance on one leg while brushing your teeth, carry a bag of potatoes up the stairs, and name 20 animals under pressure, then you’re doing very well. If not (yet), that’s OK, these are skills you can build over time. Ageing well means taking a proactive approach to health: making small, consistent choices that lead to better mobility, clearer thinking and richer social connections down the line.

    So tonight, give the one-leg toothbrush challenge a go. Your future self might thank you, especially if they still have all their teeth.

    Catherine Norton has received funding from external organisations for related research.

    Grainne Hayes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Why carrying spuds and playing sudoku could be good measures of your overall health – https://theconversation.com/why-carrying-spuds-and-playing-sudoku-could-be-good-measures-of-your-overall-health-256380

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: How to create a thriving forest, not box-checking ‘tree cover’

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thomas Murphy, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth

    A Chinese proverb says that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second best time is today. But it’s not easy to ensure the trees of today actually become the healthy, functioning forests of tomorrow.

    This is a key issue in the UK, which recently announced it will plant 20 million trees to create a new “national forest” in the west of England. Given the UK is one of the least forested countries in Europe, and one of the most nature-depleted in the world, more trees are definitely needed.

    But I know from years of trying to research and restore native forest on Dartmoor in the south west of England, that creating healthy forests requires attention to detail. Unless we are careful, these new woodlands might damage rather than improve the environment: 20 million non-native conifers (or any single tree species), densely planted row on row is not a recipe for a healthy or resilient forest.

    So what could a successful forest expansion look like – and how could the UK get there?

    Forests for the future

    When planting a sapling, we are starting a journey not reaching a destination.
    The aim isn’t to just grow dense forests everywhere, but to create a diverse “treescape” that includes woodland, pasture, orchards and hedgerows. Including glades and clearings allow plants and animals from the surrounding landscape to move in, helping to create a richer, more complex forest over time.

    A wild pony hangs out in a glade in the New Forest in southern England.
    Helen Hotson / shutterstock

    In this ideal future, Britain’s bigger, more diverse, and better joined-up forests would have a higher chance of coping with the hotter summers, wetter winters and other climate changes including extreme weather. That’s because these larger more connected forests limit whats is known as the “edge effect” where the benefits of the forest’s microclimate is reduced. Having more different tree species – mostly native but not always – would help these woodlands cope with, and adapt to, the projected increase in pests, disease and other environmental stresses.

    These larger more biodiverse woodlands would also store more carbon in trees, soils and decaying wood. Research I published with colleagues showed new native forests can alleviate flood risk rather quickly too. Over time, many could also provide timber for low-carbon construction, and charcoal-like “biochar”.

    Where to grow a forest – and how

    Creating woodland for biodiversity and these wider benefits requires planning and management. This can be done by studying the land beforehand – looking at habitats, soils and the animals that graze there, but importantly considering the wider landscape. Digital tools can model a combination of land features, climate and other data to help planners decide where trees should be targeted for the biggest wins, especially as the climate changes.

    The idea is to support, not replace, Britain’s many existing ancient trees. Some new forests would help buffer woodlands from damage at their edges, while others help connect isolated forest fragments and lone trees.

    For example, in Britain’s wet valleys where temperate rainforests could grow, saplings planted in the 2020s might provide new homes for rare lichens and mosses. This will help shield highly vulnerable sites such as Wistmans Wood on Dartmoor from changes in climate.

    Restoring these rainforests will usually require active control of grazing animals. One promising solution is to plant small, carefully chosen patches of diverse tree species and protect them at first from the sheep, cattle, ponies and deer that eat young trees. Over time, through a process known as “applied nucleation”, these patches could help trees naturally spread, creating a mix of woodland and pasture.

    On Britain’s moorlands, hungry animals eat saplings before they can turn into fully-grown (and less tasty) trees.
    Digital Wildlife Scotland / shutterstock

    It’s true that sapling-munching deer have surged to unsustainable levels, and many uplands areas in particular are overgrazed by sheep. However, when moderated and managed carefully, these animals are essential ingredients for dynamic forests. Grazing, browsing and rootling (pigs and wild boar) animals create glades and clearings, and support natural processes. Trees and forests in return provide animals with forage, shade, shelter and more.

    We should embrace the potential for mutual benefit between animals and forests. By integrating more trees and forests into agricultural areas we may even make both our forests more dynamic and our agricultural areas more resilient.

    Local leadership and community roots

    The public generally considers tree planting a positive thing, but local people often feel left out of the process and its benefits. Getting them onboard and involved is critical. That’s particularly the case in Britain’s northern and western uplands, where few trees are left and many people feel threatened by national woodland policies that might affect how they use the land.

    Moor Trees community tree nurseries on Dartmoor, or collectively owned and community forests in 15 regions of England show there are ways to get locals involved and empowered.

    Larger forests near towns and cities would offer more space for recreation and education, taking pressure off smaller and more fragile woodlands. In the urban areas themselves, we could grow more micro “Miyawacki” forests. These are tennis court-sized areas of diverse and densely packed native trees, which allow children to connect with nature every day in their school grounds (the UK already has more than 280 such forests).

    Tree planting is only a start

    This is a rather optimistic vision for the future, of course. To get there, we’ll have to learn from experience. That means tracking what works and involving local people in citizen science. These projects not only help gather valuable data, they also give volunteers a meaningful experience and support their appreciation of the natural world.

    There are plenty of recommended guidelines for forest restoration, but turning young trees into healthy resilient woodlands isn’t about following a strict rulebook. Instead, success will come from using a range of strategies – working with local communities, supporting natural processes and adapting over time based on what is shown to work.

    Thomas Murphy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How to create a thriving forest, not box-checking ‘tree cover’ – https://theconversation.com/how-to-create-a-thriving-forest-not-box-checking-tree-cover-254160

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sobyanin met with entrepreneurs participating in the Made in Moscow project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The flagship site of the Green Market program is operating on Bolotnaya Square “Made in Moscow”. Sergei Sobyanin met there with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses – participants in the capital’s “Made in Moscow” program.

    According to the Mayor of Moscow, the departure of foreign brands from the Russian market has given the capital’s entrepreneurs additional opportunities to promote their brands and products. The city, in turn, provides businesses with a wide range of various support measures that allow companies to actively develop, improve their products and present them to a wide audience, including abroad.

    “It’s not just about Western brands, but about the fact that Moscow as a whole has a lot of competition. There are about a million small and medium-sized businesses registered in Moscow, imagine the volume – millions of workers, trillions of turnover. And this is, in fact, such a powerful competitive environment, from which the best ones grow, who not only trade in Moscow, not only in Russia, but also throughout the world. It is, of course, wonderful that we have survived all the difficulties, the difficulties with Covid, with sanctions. You have not only survived, but are developing, demonstrating a high level of your work. This is, of course, great. I thank you and wish you success,” said the Mayor of Moscow.

    The head of the press service of the capital’s cosmetics company, Tasha Rydvanova, in turn thanked Sergei Sobyanin for the opportunities provided. According to her, thanks to the support of the Moscow Export Center, they supply their products to more than 20 countries around the world. The company also takes part in the city program “Made in Moscow”.

    According to Irina Amosova, co-founder of one of the capital’s companies, over the past two years, capital entrepreneurs have created 33 thousand new brands. Currently, the top 10 cosmetics brands are Russian. This became possible, among other things, thanks to the city’s support, in particular grants to reimburse the costs of purchasing equipment. Now their company exports its products to 13 countries, including Vietnam and Türkiye.

    “The Made in Moscow program, which was launched in 2022 and has already become a flagship in the field of supporting Moscow manufacturers, helps promote our brands. The program unites companies producing goods in more than 35 categories. Their products and services are in demand both in the capital and far beyond its borders,” the Moscow Mayor wrote in

    on your telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    Currently, more than seven thousand companies are participants in the program — representatives of small, medium and large businesses. The main objectives of the program are to promote the growth of Moscow consumer product brands, increase customer loyalty and enter new markets.

    “Green Market” on Bolotnaya Square

    May 25, 2025 as part of the project “Summer in Moscow” The Green Market of the Made in Moscow program has opened. A total of 12 art pavilions with products from local brands will be presented at the tourist sites.

    The Green Market of the Made in Moscow project has opened on Bolotnaya Square

    The flagship site is located on Bolotnaya Square. In its main pavilion, the greenhouse, more than 500 brands demonstrate what they produce: clothing, accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, children’s and sports goods, furniture, household goods, food, souvenirs. In total, over 30 thousand products are presented there.

     

    An important task of the market is to support participants of the special military operation (SVO) and residents of new regions. Part of the proceeds from the sale of goods will be sent to the charity fund “People’s Front. Everything for Victory!”

    The meeting with the Mayor of Moscow was attended by entrepreneurs representing such Moscow brands as:

    — Veter Sport (founded by Anton Ivanov) — produces custom-designed equipment for the local cycling sports community. With the city’s support, the company was able to purchase equipment and launch a new production line. The product catalog has three main areas: cycling, running, and triathlon equipment;

    — Silver Spoon (founder — Tamara Pularia) — produces stylish and high-quality clothing for children and teenagers. Thanks to a preferential loan provided by the city, they were able to scale their own retail network;

    — Maneken Brand (founded by Sergey Alimov) — produces designer clothing and accessories. In 2025, the company became one of the first participants in the preferential lending program secured by intellectual property rights and was able to scale up production;

    — Icon Skin (founder — Irina Amosova) — produces highly effective medical cosmetics that are used in beauty salons and clinics. Thanks to grants for the development of export activities and the acquisition of equipment, they increased the number of employees and expanded their own production;

    — Mere (founded by Maria Rafikova) — produces designer clothing, the concept of which is based on pure geometry, simple forms and the spirit of the metropolis. A preferential loan received with the support of the city allowed to increase the staff and production in 2024;

    — Como Casa (founder — Mikhail Grachev) — produces designer furniture at its own production facility in Moscow. The company opened after the departure of major foreign brands in 2022. Participation in city events, including Moscow Interior and Design Week, allowed it to increase its revenue several times;

    — Climtcosmetics (founder — Alexander Soshilov) — produces decorative cosmetics. In 2024, the company actively participated in the Made in Moscow programs. Thanks to the city’s support, the brand strengthened its position on the market and from a startup started by four participants, it turned into a company with 25 employees;

    — “Akademiya T” (CEO — Enver Tokayev) — an innovative research and production company, whose main activity is the release of new high-tech sports and therapeutic nutrition products, as well as research and development in the field of nutrition and biotechnology. The brand’s catalog includes vitamins, concentrates, and useful supplements. The company is the official supplier of products for the Russian national teams, and is implementing its project in the special economic zone “Technopolis Moscow”;

    — SportDots (founded by Kirill Orlov) — produces smart clothing for professional and amateur athletes. The items have integrated flat elastic elements — dots — that help increase endurance, thereby improving the effectiveness of training. The company participated in the Made in Moscow market at the 2025 Moscow Half Marathon in the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, which increased brand awareness;

    — Ecolatier (owner — Daria Ostromenskaya) — produces everyday care cosmetics based on natural and organic components. The company regularly participates in Beauty Week and other major specialized exhibitions. With the support of the Moscow Government, the brand has increased sales of its products;

    — Vitmins (CEO — Andrey Garmashov) — produces vitamins for sports and life. Thanks to the programs of the Moscow Venture Fund, the company attracted additional financing, which allowed it to increase its staff and establish production.

    Moscow brands are increasing production and creating new lines of clothing and accessories

    The main pavilion has a master class area where Moscow entrepreneurs conduct training sessions with children and adults. Market guests can use the fitting rooms and relax in the food court on the second floor.

    In addition, the flagship site has a stage for educational and leisure events, including lectures, performances by artists and musicians, prize draws from local brands and presentations of new products. There is a rollerdrome for young visitors. The decoration of the Green Market on Bolotnaya Square is a miracle tree, which attracts attention in the evenings with a bright light show.

    The work of the “Green Market” “Made in Moscow” will last until September 7, 2025. Details can be found on the website.

    Development of small and medium-sized businesses in Moscow

    Entrepreneurship is one of the key sectors of the Moscow economy. Small and medium-sized businesses today are more than 927 thousand enterprises, which is 14 percent of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Russia. In 2024, they provided 1.2 trillion rubles in tax revenues (27 percent) to the city budget and more than a third of the capital’s employment (almost 40 percent – 3.4 million people).

    The stable growth of SMEs is indicated by the indicators of transition to larger categories. Thus, last year about 11 thousand Moscow companies exceeded the threshold values of their category and moved from microenterprises to small, from small to medium, from medium to large enterprises. This is 40 percent more than the year before (7.9 thousand).

    The largest sectors in terms of the number of SMEs are trade, professional activities (science, research), real estate transactions and construction.

    To accommodate small and medium-sized innovative businesses, 47 technology parks have been created in Moscow, in which 2.2 thousand companies work – this is 74.2 thousand jobs. In terms of the level of development of innovative infrastructure, the Russian capital ranks first in Europe.

    The Moscow Innovation Cluster (MIC) provides cooperation with the main participants of the innovation ecosystem. The cluster’s digital platform i.moscow https://i.moscow/ has more than 50 electronic services for business development and scaling. Enterprises from 87 regions of Russia are registered on the platform, and the number of services they have received has exceeded 125 thousand. Thanks to i.moscow services, companies have received support from the city in the amount of more than 19.3 billion rubles and attracted over 46.6 billion rubles in investments. With the participation of MIC, every second transaction on the venture market of the capital is carried out and 37 percent of Moscow patents are registered. With its help, businesses have implemented 18.4 thousand innovative projects, including six thousand in cooperation with other participants and partners of the cluster.

    In 2024, on the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, a strategy for the development of entrepreneurship in the capital was developed. The key objectives are to increase the share of the technology sector in the city’s economy and support the growth and efficiency of the capital’s business. These priorities reflect the main goals of national projects in the economic sphere.

    As part of the implementation of the strategy, the Moscow Government provides comprehensive support to small and medium-sized businesses.

    According to the results of 2024, every 11th business was covered by various support measures – more than 80 thousand entrepreneurs received over 300 thousand services.

    Moscow is the first region of Russia to launch regional preferential lending programs in 2020, which are the most popular measure of financial support for SMEs. Over the past period, Moscow entrepreneurs have concluded over 37 thousand loan agreements, which allowed them to attract more than 380 billion rubles in additional funding for business development.

    Another effective measure of financial support is guaranteeing credit obligations, which solves the problem of a lack of own collateral.

    The guarantees of the Moscow Fund for Assistance to Lending cover up to 70 percent of the loan amount, in total – up to 100 million rubles. Moscow entrepreneurs have been provided with over 20 thousand guarantees, under which they attracted financing in the amount of more than 392 billion rubles.

    In total, more than 15 financial support measures are available to entrepreneurs.

    Non-financial support measures are also in high demand. They are aimed at increasing entrepreneurial literacy: free consultations, educational and business events, as well as electronic services.

    Every year, SME representatives receive more than 130 thousand consultations. More than 140 thousand entrepreneurs use educational programs. The number of requests for online products exceeds 160 thousand.

    The city helps capital producers enter foreign markets. The Moscow Export Center (MEC) plays a key role in this, providing a wide range of support measures.

    Among them are educational and acceleration programs that help companies improve their export competence and formulate a step-by-step plan for entering foreign markets. In addition, the MEC promotes Moscow brands abroad and assists in establishing sales on international platforms.

    In addition, it helps businesses obtain financial support from the city – in particular, to obtain preferential loans for the implementation of export contracts and to apply for an export grant.

    Thanks to the comprehensive support provided by the MEC, Moscow companies have concluded export contracts worth over 120 billion rubles with partners from more than 60 friendly countries.

    50 companies received support in the competition “Grant for registration of 100 first”The Made in Moscow project will present new art pavilions for businesses this summer

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12856050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The future of the film industry was discussed at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    At the State University of Management, as part of the All-Russian Student Film Festival “KinoSfera”, a round table was organized on the topic: “Problems of the modern Russian film industry: practice and prospects for the application of artificial intelligence”.

    The participants discussed current issues in the Russian film industry, the possibility of using AI in film production, as well as the problems and prospects of its application, and shared practical experience.

    The participants came to the conclusion that at the moment AI is far from always able to help optimize the use of resources. Although in a number of areas AI is actively used and minimizes costs (editing, restoration of AVP, etc.). The experts agreed that in the near future the situation will most likely change, and the scope of application of AI and technologies in the Russian film industry will significantly expand.

    The round table was attended by:

    Lecturers of the Department of Management in the Sphere of Culture, Cinema, TV and Entertainment Industry of the State University of Management: Anna Akopyan, Marina Kosinova, Artur Arakelyan, Viktor Krysov; Viktor Alisov – producer, actor and screenwriter; Ekaterina Kozhushanaya — screenwriter, director, artist and editor Irina Borovskaya — director, screenwriter, teacher (acting, pantomime, clowning) Tatyana Efimova — AI artist, prompt director Roman Isaev — producer, one of the members of the Council of the Association of Cinema Owners Vasily Solovyov — film producer, general producer of the Visual Story company Timur Sitnikov — founder and CEO of the posthouse Sitnikov.Pro, computer graphics director, post-production producer, VFX and onset supervisor Kornei Dravi — managing partner of the post-production studio Sitnikov.Pro, editing director, post-production producer, DIT and CG supervisor Artem Vitkin — screenwriter, director and producer Svetlana Buharaeva — film producer, teacher

    Let us recall that the All-Russian Student Film Festival “KinoSfera” is being held at the State University of Management for the sixth time. This year, students learned how to break into cinema from director Alexander Zhigalkin and talked to actress Vasilina Yuskovets.

    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 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Idaho Man Indicted After Allegedly Assaulting U.S. Park Rangers in Southern Utah

    Source: US FBI

    SAINT GEORGE, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging an Idaho man after he allegedly assaulted federal officers with his vehicle at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah.  

    Gregory Aaron Farley, 51, of Hazelton, Idaho, was charged by complaint on May 3, 2025.  
        
    According to court documents, on May 3, 2025, two U.S. Park Rangers working at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area responded to a dispatch call that reported an erratic driver in a white pick-up truck near Lake Powell. At 7:47 p.m., the rangers conducted a traffic stop on Highway 89 on a pick-up truck matching the vehicle description. Farley was the driver and while one of the rangers was speaking to him, Farley fled the scene at a high rate of speed, nearly hitting one of the rangers. The rangers returned to their patrol vehicle and pursued Farley. During the pursuit, Farley turned around and collided into the driver’s side of the rangers’ vehicle. As a result, the rangers were pushed into the shoulder of the road, the airbags deployed, and the driver’s side door was rendered inoperable. After Farley hit the rangers’ truck, he reversed his truck and was still facing the rangers’ truck. In response, both rangers fired their weapons at Farley. Additional officers arrived on the scene, Farley exited his truck, and received medical aid. He was then taken into custody.  

    Farley is charged with assault on an employee of the United States with a Dangerous Weapon. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. before a U.S. Magistrate judge in Room 2B of the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.

    Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah made the announcement.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen P. Dent and Joseph M. Hood of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.

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

    An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 
     

    Attachments:

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Made Bomb Threat on a Flight to Seattle Sentenced to Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Brandon L. Scott, age 40, to 22 months in prison for making a bomb threat onboard a flight to Seattle. Judge Rice also imposed 3 years of supervised release and $79,449.47 in restitution to Alaska Airlines and the Spokane International Airport.

    According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, On July 5, 2023, Scott was a passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle. During the flight, Scott handed a flight attendant a note that said in part:

    “There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board. You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.”

    The note included instructions to reroute the plane from its destination in Seattle and land at another airport. The flight attendant alerted the captain and co-pilot to the threat who then alerted Air Traffic Control. Air Traffic Control diverted the flight to the Spokane International Airport. The airport placed a ground stop on all aircraft, resulting in significant delays to other departing and arriving aircraft and passengers.

    The plane landed at Spokane International Airport and Scott was taken into custody and admitted to what he had done. No explosive materials or devices were found on the plane.

    “Threatening the safety of a commercial flight is a serious federal crime that puts lives at risk, disrupts national air travel, and drains emergency resources,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Mr. Scott’s actions caused widespread disruption and alarm, and this case underscores our commitment to protecting the safety of passengers and airline personnel in Eastern Washington and across the country.”

    “The threat made by Mr. Scott ended up being a hoax, but he is finding it had real-life consequences,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office.  “Fortunately, his actions did not result in anyone being hurt. I am grateful that the flight landed without incident in this case and applaud the flight crew for the professional manner in which they handled a potentially dangerous situation.”

    This case was investigated the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Patrick J. Cashman. 

    2:23-cr-00084-TOR

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Peters’ Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) to bolster American semiconductor manufacturing. Peters’ Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would strengthen federal efforts to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains. The legislation aims to build on the CHIPS and Science Act, which Peters helped craft and pass into law to expand U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, bring home good-paying jobs, and strengthen U.S. national security. 
    “In order to remain a global economic powerhouse, we need to build on the investments we made in the CHIPS and Science Act to continue expanding our vital semiconductor industry,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill would help drive further investment in American manufacturers and supply chains to reduce our dependence on foreign competitors for these critical technologies and create more good-paying jobs in Michigan. I’m pleased the bill passed the Senate and I’ll continue working to see it enacted into law.”
    The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program to collaborate with federal agencies and state economic development organizations to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains. Peters’ bill – which passed the Senate last Congress – would help to address the ongoing global shortage of semiconductor technologies that has disrupted a range of industries in recent years – including manufacturers and automakers in Michigan. Peters reintroduced the bill with U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). 
    The SelectUSA program, established in 2011, focuses on attracting job-creating business investments to the United States. This legislation would enhance SelectUSA’s role in strengthening private sector investments across the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain.
    The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would also require SelectUSA to engage with state-level economic development organizations to identify strategies and address challenges in attracting foreign direct investment for semiconductor manufacturing. The goal is to develop comprehensive strategies to increase investments in this critical sector.
    Peters has worked to address the semiconductor shortage crisis that has stymied automotive innovation in recent years and impacted consumers, workers, and industries across the country – including the Michigan auto industry. Peters secured multiple provisions in the CHIPS and Science Act that was signed into law to bolster U.S. semiconductor production, including a provision he championed with former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI) to create a $2 billion supplemental incentive fund to support the domestic production of mature semiconductor technologies and ensure that projects supporting critical manufacturing industries are given priority status, which would include the automotive sector. This is in addition to $50 billion already in the bill to incentivize the production of semiconductors of all kinds in the U.S. – for a total of $52 billion.
    The CHIPS and Science Act also included Peters’ bipartisan Investing in Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing Act, which will ensure federal incentives to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing include U.S. suppliers that produce the materials and manufacturing equipment that enable semiconductor manufacturing – bolstering semiconductors supply chains and Michigan manufacturers. Peters’ provision directly supports Michigan manufacturers like Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC) in Hemlock, Michigan which was recently awarded up to $325 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding to build a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The project will allow the company to expand production of hyper-pure polysilicon needed to manufacture semiconductor chips and is expected to create 180 good-paying manufacturing jobs, as well as thousands of construction jobs, in Michigan.        

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Peters, Blackburn, Scott Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 05.27.2025
    Legislation Aims to Bolster Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing, Create Good-Paying American Jobs

    WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) aimed at bolstering domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would strengthen federal efforts to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains.
    “In order to remain a global economic powerhouse, we need to build on the investments we made in the CHIPS and Science Act to continue expanding our vital semiconductor industry,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill would help drive further investment in American manufacturers and supply chains to reduce our dependence on foreign competitors for these critical technologies and create more good-paying jobs in Michigan. I’m pleased the bill passed the Senate and I’ll continue working to see it enacted into law.”
    “The United States must end its dependence on Communist China for semiconductor production,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Senate’s passage of our bipartisan Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act is a win for Tennessee manufacturers who rely on semiconductors to support local and global supply chains. We need to work with local leaders to encourage domestic semiconductor production to protect our supply chain, economy, and national security. This legislation does exactly that.”
    The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would direct the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA program to collaborate with federal agencies and state economic development organizations to attract investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and supply chains. The bill – which previously passed in the Senate – would help to address the ongoing global shortage of semiconductor technologies that has disrupted a range of industries in recent years.
    The SelectUSA program, established in 2011, focuses on attracting job-creating business investments to the United States. This legislation would enhance SelectUSA’s role in strengthening private sector investments across the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain.
    The Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act would also require SelectUSA to engage with state-level economic development organizations to identify strategies and address challenges in attracting foreign direct investment for semiconductor manufacturing. The goal is to develop comprehensive strategies to increase investments in this critical sector.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Golden Dome: An aerospace engineer explains the proposed US-wide missile defense system

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Iain Boyd, Director of the Center for National Security Initiatives and Professor of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder

    Posters that President Donald Trump used to announce Golden Dome depict missile defense as a shield. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

    President Donald Trump announced a plan to build a missile defense system, called the Golden Dome, on May 20, 2025. The system is intended to protect the United States from ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, and missiles launched from space.

    Trump is calling for the current budget to allocate US$25 billion to launch the initiative, which the government projected will cost $175 billion. He said Golden Dome will be fully operational before the end of his term in three years and will provide close to 100% protection.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Iain Boyd, an aerospace engineer and director of the Center for National Security Initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder, about the Golden Dome plan and the feasibility of Trump’s claims. Boyd receives funding for research unrelated to Golden Dome from defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

    Why does the United States need a missile shield?

    Several countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, have been developing missiles over the past few years that challenge the United States’ current missile defense systems.

    These weapons include updated ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, and new hypersonic missiles. They have been specifically developed to counter America’s highly advanced missile defense systems such as the Patriot and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

    For example, the new hypersonic missiles are very high speed, operate in a region of the atmosphere where nothing else flies and are maneuverable. All of these aspects combined create a new challenge that requires a new, updated defensive approach.

    Russia has fired hypersonic missiles against Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. China parades its new hypersonic missiles in Tiananmen Square.

    So it’s reasonable to think that, to ensure the protection of its homeland and to aid its allies, the U.S. may need a new missile defense capability.

    Ukrainian forces are using the U.S.-made Patriot missile defense system against Russian ballistic missiles.

    What are the components of a national missile defense system?

    Such a defense system requires a global array of geographically distributed sensors that cover all phases of all missile trajectories.

    First, it is essential for the system to detect the missile threats as early as possible after launch, so some of the sensors must be located close to regions where adversaries may fire them, such as by China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. Then, it has to track the missiles along their trajectories as they travel hundreds or thousands of miles.

    These requirements are met by deploying a variety of sensors on a number of different platforms on the ground, at sea, in the air and in space. Interceptors are placed in locations that protect vital U.S. assets and usually aim to engage threats during the middle portion of the trajectory between launch and the terminal dive.

    The U.S. already has a broad array of sensors and interceptors in place around the world and in space primarily to protect the U.S. and its allies from ballistic missiles. The sensors would need to be expanded, including with more space-based sensors, to detect new missiles such as hypersonic missiles. The interceptors would need to be enhanced to enable them to address hypersonic weapons and other missiles and warheads that can maneuver.

    Does this technology exist?

    Intercepting hypersonic missiles specifically involves several steps.

    First, as explained above, a hostile missile must be detected and identified as a threat. Second, the threat must be tracked along all of its trajectory due to the ability of hypersonic missiles to maneuver. Third, an interceptor missile must be able to follow the threat and get close enough to it to disable or destroy it.

    The main new challenge here is the ability to track the hypersonic missile continuously. This requires new types of sensors to detect hypersonic vehicles and new sensor platforms that are able to provide a complete picture of the hypersonic trajectory. As described, Golden Dome would use the sensors in a layered approach in which they are installed on a variety of platforms in multiple domains, including ground, sea, air and space.

    These various platforms would need to have different types of sensors that are specifically designed to track hypersonic threats in different phases of their flight paths. These defensive systems will also be designed to address weapons fired from space. Much of the infrastructure will be multipurpose and able to defend against a variety of missile types.

    In terms of time frame for deployment, it is important to note that Golden Dome will build from the long legacy of existing U.S. missile defense systems. Another important aspect of Golden Dome is that some of the new capabilities have been under active development for years. In some ways, Golden Dome represents the commitment to actually deploy systems for which considerable progress has already been made.

    Is near 100% protection a realistic claim?

    Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system has been described as the most effective system of its kind anywhere in the world.

    But even Iron Dome is not 100% effective, and it has also been overwhelmed on occasion by Hamas and others who fire very large numbers of inexpensive missiles and rockets at it. So it is unlikely that any missile defense system will ever provide 100% protection.

    The more important goal here is to achieve deterrence, similar to the stalemate in the Cold War with the Soviet Union that was based on nuclear weapons. All of the new weapons that Golden Dome will defend against are very expensive. The U.S. is trying to change the calculus in an opponent’s thinking to the point where they will consider it not worth shooting their precious high-value missiles at the U.S. when they know there is a high probability of them not reaching their targets.

    CBS News covered President Donald Trump’s announcement.

    Is three years a feasible time frame?

    That seems to me like a very aggressive timeline, but with multiple countries now operating hypersonic missiles, there is a real sense of urgency.

    Existing missile defense systems on the ground, at sea and in the air can be expanded to include new, more capable sensors. Satellite systems are beginning to be put in place for the space layer. Sensors have been developed to track the new missile threats.

    Putting all of this highly complex system together, however, is likely to take more than three years. At the same time, if the U.S. fully commits to Golden Dome, a significant amount of progress can be made in this time.

    What does the president’s funding request tell you?

    President Trump is requesting a total budget for all defense spending of about $1 trillion in 2026. So, $25 billion to launch Golden Dome would represent only 2.5% of the total requested defense budget.

    Of course, that is still a lot of money, and a lot of other programs will need to be terminated to make it possible. But it is certainly financially achievable.

    How will Golden Dome differ from Iron Dome?

    Similar to Iron Dome, Golden Dome will consist of sensors and interceptor missiles but will be deployed over a much wider geographical region and for defense against a broader variety of threats in comparison with Iron Dome.

    A second-generation Golden Dome system in the future would likely use directed energy weapons such as high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves to destroy missiles. This approach would significantly increase the number of shots that defenders can take against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles.

    Iain Boyd receives funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and Lockheed-Martin Corporation, a defense contractor that sells missile defense systems and could potentially benefit from the implementation of Golden Dome.

    – ref. Golden Dome: An aerospace engineer explains the proposed US-wide missile defense system – https://theconversation.com/golden-dome-an-aerospace-engineer-explains-the-proposed-us-wide-missile-defense-system-257408

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 28, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: GenAI VC funding in early 2025 highlights widening gap between US and China, finds GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    GenAI VC funding in early 2025 highlights widening gap between US and China, finds GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to capture the venture capital (VC) investors’ attention, with funding in the US soaring past $50 billion in the first five months of 2025 alone. Despite a rebound in early 2025, China still trails significantly due to regulatory headwinds, highlighting a widening gap between the two markets in their pursuit of dominance in GenAI innovation, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that the US has emerged as a clear leader. Although China has also garnered investors’ attention but lagged significantly compared to the US.

    In the US, the number of VC deals announced in the GenAI space has surged from around 50 deals in 2020 to more than 600 deals in 2024 while 2025 (January to 26 May) so far has already seen the announcement of more than 200 deals. Similarly, the total VC deal value in the US skyrocketed from around $800 million in 2020 to a staggering $39 billion in 2024. Notably, it has already surpassed $50 billion in just the first five months of 2025. This explosive growth underscores the robust appetite for innovation and investment in the GenAI space.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “This growth trajectory positions the US as a powerhouse in GenAI investment, showcasing a strong commitment to fostering technological advancement. The underlying factors contributing to the US’ dominance in the GenAI space include a well-established venture capital ecosystem, a culture of innovation, and a regulatory environment that encourages investment in emerging technologies.”

    Meanwhile, China’s VC funding activity in the GenAI space has also shown growth but lags far behind the US. Starting with just one deal in 2020 and peaking at 39 deals in 2024, the country has seen the announcement of 14 deals in 2025 so far.

    China’s VC deal value has also remained relatively lower, from around $40 million in 2020 to peaking at around $400 million in 2023 followed by a decline to around $140 million in 2024. However, VC funding value rebounded strongly in early 2025 with the first five months of the year itself seeing around $250 million worth of deals announcement.

    Bose concludes: “The US has positioned itself as a global leader in the GenAI space driven by substantial investments from venture capitalists eager to capitalize on the transformative potential of this technology. In contrast, China’s challenges in attracting similar levels of investment reflect broader issues within its tech ecosystem, including regulatory constraints. Nevertheless, China’s ability to adapt and create a more favorable environment for GenAI development will be crucial for its long-term competitiveness in the global tech landscape.”

    Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    May 28, 2025
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