MIL-OSI: SHELL PLC – REPORT ON PAYMENTS TO GOVERNMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2024

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shell plc – Report on Payments to Governments for the year 2024

Basis for preparation – Report on Payments to Governments for the year 2024
This Report provides a consolidated overview of the payments to governments made by Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings (hereinafter referred to as “Shell”) for the year 2024 as required under the UK’s Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 (as amended in December 2015). These UK Regulations enact domestic rules in line with Directive 2013/34/EU (the EU Accounting Directive (2013)) and apply to large UK incorporated companies like Shell that are involved in the exploration, prospection, discovery, development and extraction of minerals, oil, natural gas deposits or other materials. This Report is also filed with the National Storage Mechanism (https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) intended to satisfy the requirements of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. This Report is also published pursuant to article 5:25e of the Dutch FMSA (Wft) and is furnished with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) according to Section 13(q) under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

This Report is available for download from www.shell.com/payments.

Legislation
This Report is prepared in accordance with The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 as enacted in the UK in December 2014 and as amended in December 2015.

Reporting entities
This Report includes payments to governments made by Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings (Shell). Payments made by entities where Shell has joint control are excluded from this Report.

Activities
Payments made by Shell to governments arising from activities involving the exploration, prospection, discovery, development and extraction of minerals, oil and natural gas deposits or other materials (extractive activities) are disclosed in this Report. It excludes payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to-liquids activities. For a fully integrated project, which does not have an interim contractual cut-off point where a value can be attached or ascribed separately to the extractive activities and to other processing activities, payments to governments are not artificially split but are disclosed in full.

Government
Government includes any national, regional or local authority of a country, and includes a department, agency or entity that is a subsidiary of a government, including a national oil company.

Project
Payments are reported at project level, except those payments that are not attributable to a specific project which are reported at entity level. Project is defined as operational activities which are governed by a single contract, licence, lease, concession or similar legal agreement, and form the basis for payment liabilities with a government. If such agreements are substantially interconnected, those agreements are to be treated as a single project.

“Substantially interconnected” means forming a set of operationally and geographically integrated contracts, licences, leases or concessions or related agreements with substantially similar terms that are signed with a government giving rise to payment liabilities. Such agreements can be governed by a single contract, joint venture, production sharing agreement or other overarching legal agreement. Indicators of integration include, but are not limited to, geographic proximity, the use of shared infrastructure and common operational management.

Payment
The information is reported under the following payment types:

Production entitlements
These are the host government’s share of production in the reporting period derived from projects operated by Shell. This includes the government’s share as a sovereign entity or through its participation as an equity or interest holder in projects within its sovereign jurisdiction (home country). Production entitlements arising from activities or interests outside of its home country are excluded.

In certain contractual arrangements, typically a production sharing contract, a government through its participation interest may contribute funding of capital and operating expenditure to projects, from which it derives production entitlement to cover such funding (cost recovery). Such cost recovery production entitlement is included.

In situations where a government settles Shell’s income tax obligation on behalf of Shell by utilising its share of production entitlements (typically under a tax-paid concession), such amount will be deducted from the reported production entitlement.

Taxes
These are taxes paid by Shell on its income, profits or production (which include resource severance tax and petroleum resource rent tax), including those settled by a government on behalf of Shell under a tax-paid concession. Payments are reported net of refunds. Consumption taxes, personal income taxes, sales taxes, property and environmental taxes are excluded.

Royalties
These are payments for the rights to extract oil and gas resources, typically at a set percentage of revenue less any deductions that may be taken.

Dividends
These are dividend payments other than dividends paid to a government as an ordinary shareholder of an entity unless paid in lieu of production entitlements or royalties. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no reportable dividend payments to a government.

Bonuses
These are payments for bonuses. These are usually paid upon signing an agreement or a contract, or when a commercial discovery is declared, or production has commenced, or production has reached a milestone.

Licence fees, rental fees, entry fees and other considerations for licences and/or concessions
These are fees and other sums paid as consideration for acquiring a licence for gaining access to an area where extractive activities are performed. Administrative government fees that are not specifically related to the extractive sector, or to access to extractive resources, are excluded. Also excluded are payments made in return for services provided by a government.

Infrastructure improvements
These are payments which relate to the construction of infrastructure (road, bridge or rail) not substantially dedicated for the use of extractive activities. Payments which are a social investment in nature, for example building of a school or hospital, are excluded.

Other
Operatorship
When Shell makes a payment directly to a government arising from a project, regardless of whether Shell is the operator, the full amount paid is disclosed even where Shell as the operator is proportionally reimbursed by its non-operating venture partners through a partner billing process (cash-call).

When a national oil company is the operator of a project to whom Shell makes a reportable payment, which is distinguishable in the cash-call, it is included in this Report.

Cash and in-kind payments
Payments are reported on a cash basis. In-kind payments are converted to an equivalent cash value based on the most appropriate and relevant valuation method for each payment, which can be at cost or market value, or such value as stated in the contract. In-kind payments are reported in both volumes and the equivalent cash value.

Materiality level
For each payment type, total payments below £86,000 to a government are excluded from this Report.

Exchange rate
Payments made in currencies other than US dollars are translated for this Report based on the foreign exchange rate at the relevant quarterly average rate.

Report on Payments to Governments [1]

Summary report (in USD)
Countries	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Europe
Germany	–	243,935,441	–	–	–	–	243,935,441
Italy	–	4,128,063	74,213,782	–	80,220,786	–	158,562,631
Norway	2,083,221,642	1,300,962,023	–	–	122,391	–	3,384,306,056
United Kingdom	–	-16,649,747	–	–	11,483,529	–	-5,166,218
Asia
Brunei	3,983,642	44,229,620	8,660,091	–	–	–	56,873,353
China	–	10,343,616	–	–	–	–	10,343,616
India	–	-17,715,638	–	–	–	–	-17,715,638
Kazakhstan	–	242,741,780	–	–	–	–	242,741,780
Malaysia	2,317,002,807	305,924,901	500,008,822	–	–	–	3,122,936,530
Middle East
Oman	633,711,368	3,954,062,451	–	–	900,000	–	4,588,673,819
Qatar	1,801,453,896	1,507,244,066	–	–	30,538,723	–	3,339,236,685
Oceania
Australia	–	1,277,737,693	468,579,450	–	13,412,457	266,428	1,759,996,028
Africa
Egypt	–	41,164,348	–	1,836,435	–	–	43,000,783
Nigeria	3,804,949,166	648,734,398	780,231,463	–	102,925,166	–	5,336,840,193
Sao Tome and Principe	–	–	–	1,300,000	–	–	1,300,000
Tanzania	–	–	–	–	140,000	–	140,000
Tunisia	–	24,904,580	4,941,633	–	–	–	29,846,213
North America
Canada	–	172,567,072	4,697,991	–	1,423,783	–	178,688,846
Mexico	–	–	–	–	21,527,002	–	21,527,002
USA	–	53,238,500	1,187,594,021	–	80,678,527	860,822	1,322,371,870
South America
Argentina	53,082,051	1,984,309	143,969,668	–	123,276	–	199,159,304
Brazil	327,688,819	656,740,954	1,147,687,680	9,540,351	1,556,282,443	–	3,697,940,247
Colombia	–	–	–	–	489,880	–	489,880
Trinidad and Tobago	362,690,585	561,771	2,210,566	300,000	13,719,070	–	379,481,992
Total	11,387,783,976	10,456,840,201	4,322,795,167	12,976,786	1,913,987,033	1,127,250	28,095,510,413

[1] The figures in this Report are rounded.

Germany

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
FEDERAL CENTRAL TAX OFFICE	–	294,891,077	–	–	–	–	294,891,077
MUNICIPALITY OF COLOGNE	–	-2,763,591	–	–	–	–	-2,763,591
MUNICIPALITY OF DINSLAKEN	–	-386,534	–	–	–	–	-386,534
MUNICIPALITY OF GELSENKIRCHEN	–	-483,145	–	–	–	–	-483,145
MUNICIPALITY OF OSTSTEINBEK	–	584,685	–	–	–	–	584,685
MUNICIPALITY OF WESSELING	–	-3,943,262	–	–	–	–	-3,943,262
TAX AUTHORITY HAMBURG	–	-43,963,789	–	–	–	–	-43,963,789
Total	–	243,935,441	–	–	–	–	243,935,441

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Entity level payment
DEUTSCHE SHELL HOLDING GmbH	–	243,935,441	–	–	–	–	243,935,441
Total	–	243,935,441	–	–	–	–	243,935,441

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Italy

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
CALVELLO MUNICIPALITY	–	–	884,083	–	–	–	884,083
CORLETO PERTICARA MUNICIPALITY	–	–	1,964,671	–	–	–	1,964,671
GORGOGLIONE MUNICIPALITY	–	–	302,257	–	–	–	302,257
GRUMENTO NOVA MUNICIPALITY	–	–	505,190	–	–	–	505,190
MARSICO NUOVO MUNICIPALITY	–	–	378,893	–	–	–	378,893
MARSICOVETERE MUNICIPALITY	–	–	126,298	–	–	–	126,298
MONTEMURRO MUNICIPALITY	–	–	126,298	–	–	–	126,298
REGIONE BASILICATA	–	–	44,157,199	–	79,302,465	–	123,459,664
TESORERIA PROVINICIALE DELLO STATO	–	4,128,063	22,264,135	–	718,305	–	27,110,503
VIGGIANO MUNICIPALITY	–	–	3,504,758	–	200,016	–	3,704,774
Total	–	4,128,063	74,213,782	–	80,220,786	–	158,562,631

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
ITALY UPSTREAM ASSET	–	4,128,063	74,213,782	–	80,220,786	–	158,562,631
Total	–	4,128,063	74,213,782	–	80,220,786	–	158,562,631

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Norway

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
EQUINOR ASA	853,946,278	[A]	–	–	–	–	–	853,946,278
PETORO AS	1,229,275,364	[B]	–	–	–	–	–	1,229,275,364
SKATTEETATEN	–		1,300,962,023	–	–	–	–	1,300,962,023
SOKKELDIREKTORATET	–		–	–	–	122,391	–	122,391
Total	2,083,221,642		1,300,962,023	–	–	122,391	–	3,384,306,056

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
ORMEN LANGE	2,083,221,642	[C]	–	–	–	–	–	2,083,221,642
Entity level payment
A/S NORSKE SHELL	—		1,300,962,023	–	–	122,391	–	1,301,084,414
Total	2,083,221,642		1,300,962,023	–	–	122,391	–	3,384,306,056

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $853,946,278 for 12,291 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) valuated at market price.

[B] Includes payment in kind of $1,229,275,364 for 17,693 kboe valuated at market price.

[C] Includes payment in kind of $2,083,221,642 for 29,984 kboe valuated at market price.

United Kingdom

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS	–	-16,649,747	–	–	–	–	-16,649,747
NORTH SEA TRANSITION AUTHORITY	–	–	–	–	11,355,210	–	11,355,210
THE CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND	–	–	–	–	128,319	–	128,319
Total	–	-16,649,747	–	–	11,483,529	–	-5,166,218

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
BRENT AND OTHER NORTHERN NORTH SEA PROJECTS	–	-32,113,820	–	–	563,325	–	-31,550,495
ONEGAS WEST	–	–	–	–	3,232,597	–	3,232,597
UK EXPLORATION PROJECTS	–	–	–	–	1,117,783	–	1,117,783
UK OFFSHORE OPERATED	–	–	–	–	2,119,313	–	2,119,313
WEST OF SHETLAND NON-OPERATED	–	–	–	–	1,076,456	–	1,076,456
Entity level payment
SHELL U.K. LIMITED	–	15,464,073	–	–	3,374,055	–	18,838,128
Total	–	-16,649,747	–	–	11,483,529	–	-5,166,218

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Brunei

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMY	–	44,229,620	–	–	–	–	44,229,620
PETROLEUM AUTHORITY OF BRUNEI DARUSSALEM	3,983,642	–	8,660,091	–	–	–	12,643,733
Total	3,983,642	44,229,620	8,660,091	–	–	–	56,873,353

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Entity level payment
SHELL DEEPWATER BORNEO B.V.	–	39,001,133	–	–	–	–	39,001,133
SHELL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION BRUNEI B.V.	3,983,642	5,228,487	8,660,091	–	–	–	17,872,220
Total	3,983,642	44,229,620	8,660,091	–	–	–	56,873,353

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

China

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
TIANJIN MUNICIPAL TAXATION BUREAU	–	5,911,867	–	–	–	–	5,911,867
YULIN MUNICIPAL TAXATION BUREAU	–	4,431,749	–	–	–	–	4,431,749
Total	–	10,343,616	–	–	–	–	10,343,616

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Entity level payment
SHELL CHINA EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LIMITED	–	10,343,616	–	–	–	–	10,343,616
Total	–	10,343,616	–	–	–	–	10,343,616

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

India

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT	–	-17,715,638	–	–	–	–	-17,715,638
Total	–	-17,715,638	–	–	–	–	-17,715,638

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Entity level payment
BG EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INDIA LIMITED	–	-17,715,638	–	–	–	–	-17,715,638
Total	–	-17,715,638	–	–	–	–	-17,715,638

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Kazakhstan

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
WEST KAZAKHSTAN TAX COMMITTEE	–	242,741,780	–	–	–	–	242,741,780
Total	–	242,741,780	–	–	–	–	242,741,780

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
KARACHAGANAK	–	242,741,780	–	–	–	–	242,741,780
Total	–	242,741,780	–	–	–	–	242,741,780

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Malaysia

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
BRUNEI NATIONAL PETROLEUM COMPANY SENDIRIAN BERHAD	301,048,915	[A]	–	–		–	–	–	301,048,915
LEMBAGA HASIL DALAM NEGERI	–		305,924,901	–		–	–	–	305,924,901
MALAYSIA FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS	–		–	469,060,363	[B]	–	–	–	469,060,363
PETROLEUM SARAWAK EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION SDN. BHD.	74,656,856	[C]	–	–		–	–	–	74,656,856
PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD	990,078,563	[D]	–	30,948,459		–	–	–	1,021,027,022
PETRONAS CARIGALI SDN. BHD.	951,218,473	[E]	–	–		–	–	–	951,218,473
Total	2,317,002,807		305,924,901	500,008,822		–	–	–	3,122,936,530

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
SABAH GAS (NON-OPERATED)	–		16,208,714	3,017,327		–	–	–	19,226,041
SABAH INBOARD AND DEEPWATER OIL	1,435,194,825	[F]	158,435,164	303,452,674	[G]	–	–	–	1,897,082,663
SARAWAK OIL AND GAS	881,807,982	[H]	116,047,586	193,538,821	[I]	–	–	–	1,191,394,389
Entity level payment
SABAH SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED	–		4,502,043	–		–	–	–	4,502,043
SARAWAK SHELL BERHAD	–		3,394,907	–		–	–	–	3,394,907
SHELL ENERGY ASIA LIMITED	–		2,616,753	–		–	–	–	2,616,753
SHELL OIL AND GAS (MALAYSIA) LLC	–		595,653	–		–	–	–	595,653
SHELL SABAH SELATAN SENDRIAN BERHAD	–		4,124,081	–		–	–	–	4,124,081
Total	2,317,002,807		305,924,901	500,008,822		–	–	–	3,122,936,530

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $301,048,915 for 3,355 thousand barrels of oil equivalent (kboe) valuated at market price.

[B] Includes payment in kind of $342,702,511 for 3,909 kboe valuated at market price and $126,357,852 for 6,336 kboe valuated at fixed price.

[C] Includes payment in kind of $59,554,178 for 3,011 kboe valuated at fixed price and $15,102,678 for 201 kboe valuated at market price.

[D] Includes payment in kind of $783,520,240 for 8,933 kboe valuated at market price and $209,732,743 for 10,921 kboe valuated at fixed price.

[E] Includes payment in kind of $624,146,940 for 7,163 kboe valuated at market price and $327,071,533 for 16,397 kboe valuated at fixed price.

[F] Includes payment in kind of $1,435,194,825 for 15,977 kboe valuated at market price.

[G] Includes payment in kind of $297,371,578 for 3,339 kboe valuated at market price.

[H] Includes payment in kind of $596,358,454 for 30,329 kboe valuated at fixed price and $288,623,948 for 3,675 kboe valuated at market price.

[I] Includes payment in kind of $126,357,852 for 6,336 kboe valuated at fixed price and $45,330,933 for 570 kboe valuated at market price.

Oman

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERALS	633,711,368	[A]	–	–	–	–	–	633,711,368
MINISTRY OF FINANCE	–		3,954,062,451	–	–	900,000	–	3,954,962,451
Total	633,711,368		3,954,062,451	–	–	900,000	–	4,588,673,819

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
BLOCK 6 CONCESSION	–		3,954,062,451	–	–	–	–	3,954,062,451
BLOCK 10 CONCESSION	633,711,368	[A]	–	–	–	400,000	–	634,111,368
BLOCK 11 CONCESSION	–		–	–	–	250,000	–	250,000
BLOCK 55 CONCESSION	–		–	–	–	250,000	–	250,000
Total	633,711,368		3,954,062,451	–	–	900,000	–	4,588,673,819

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $60,839,756 for 4,551 kboe valuated at fixed price and of $572,871,612 for 7,095 kboe valuated at the government’s selling price.

Qatar

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
QATARENERGY	1,801,453,896	1,507,244,066	–	–	30,538,723	–	3,339,236,685
Total	1,801,453,896	1,507,244,066	–	–	30,538,723	–	3,339,236,685

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
PEARL GTL	1,801,453,896	1,507,244,066	–	–	30,538,723	–	3,339,236,685
Total	1,801,453,896	1,507,244,066	–	–	30,538,723	–	3,339,236,685

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Australia

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE	–	1,277,737,693	–	–	–	–	1,277,737,693
BANANA SHIRE COUNCIL	–	–	–	–	217,920	–	217,920
FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, SCIENCE AND RESOURCES	–	–	111,989,284	–	–	–	111,989,284
QUEENSLAND REVENUE OFFICE	–	–	356,590,166	–	–	–	356,590,166
QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE	–	–	–	–	935,554	–	935,554
QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND MINES	–	–	–	–	581,472	–	581,472
RESOURCES SAFETY AND HEALTH QUEENSLAND	–	–	–	–	1,359,992	–	1,359,992
WESTERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL	–	–	–	–	10,317,519	266,428	10,583,947
Total	–	1,277,737,693	468,579,450	–	13,412,457	266,428	1,759,996,028

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
NORTH WEST SHELF	–	–	111,989,284	–	–	–	111,989,284
QGC	–	583,570,540	356,590,166	–	13,412,457	266,428	953,839,591
Entity level payment
SHELL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD	–	694,167,153	–	–	–	–	694,167,153
Total	–	1,277,737,693	468,579,450	–	13,412,457	266,428	1,759,996,028

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Egypt

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
EGYPTIAN GENERAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION	–	41,164,348	–	1,836,435	–	–	43,000,783
Total	–	41,164,348	–	1,836,435	–	–	43,000,783

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
EGYPT OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT	–	41,164,348	–	540,000	–	–	41,704,348
Entity level payment
SHELL EGYPT N.V.	–	–	–	1,296,435	–	–	1,296,435
Total	–	41,164,348	–	1,836,435	–	–	43,000,783

[I] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Nigeria

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes		Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE	–		648,734,398	[A]	–		–	–	–	648,734,398
NATIONAL AGENCY FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INFRASTRUCTURE	–		–		–		–	3,931,917	–	3,931,917
NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION	–		–		–		–	97,260,899	–	97,260,899
NIGERIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION	3,804,949,166	[B]	–		–		–	–	–	3,804,949,166
NIGERIAN UPSTREAM PETROLEUM REGULATORY COMMISSION	–		–		780,231,463	[C]	–	1,732,350	–	781,963,813
Total	3,804,949,166		648,734,398		780,231,463		–	102,925,166	–	5,336,840,193

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes		Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
EAST ASSET	1,300,681,939	[D]	–		–		–	–	–	1,300,681,939
PSC 1993 (OML 133)	–		136,652,153	[E]	–		–	–	–	136,652,153
PSC 1993 (OPL 212/OML 118, OPL 219/OML 135)	649,948,707	[F]	303,125,852	[G]	452,170,096	[H]	–	32,015,797	–	1,437,260,452
WEST ASSET	1,854,318,520	[I]	–		–		–	–	–	1,854,318,520
Entity level payment
SHELL NIGERIA EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY LIMITED			–		–		–	440,468	–	440,468
THE SHELL PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED			208,956,393		328,061,367			70,468,901		607,486,661
Total	3,804,949,166		648,734,398		780,231,463		–	102,925,166	–	5,336,840,193

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $439,778,005 for 5,293 kboe valuated at market price.

[B] Includes payment in kind of $3,804,949,166 for 80,289 kboe valuated at market price.

[C] Includes payment in kind of $452,170,096 for 5,432 kboe valuated at market price.

[D] Includes payment in kind of $1,300,681,939 for 49,766 kboe valuated at market price.

[E] Includes payment in kind of $136,652,153 for 1,654 kboe valuated at market price.

[F] Includes payment in kind of $649,948,707 for 7,916 kboe valuated at market price.

[G] Includes payment in kind of $303,125,852 for 3,639 kboe valuated at market price.

[H] Includes payment in kind of $452,170,096 for 5,432 kboe valuated at market price.

[I] Includes payment in kind of $1,854,318,520 for 22,607 kboe valuated at market price.

Sao Tome and Principe

	Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO PETRÓLEO DE SÃO TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE	–	–	–	1,300,000	–	–	1,300,000
Total	–	–	–	1,300,000	–	–	1,300,000

	Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
DW BLOCK 4	–	–	–	1,300,000	–	–	1,300,000
Total	–	–	–	1,300,000	–	–	1,300,000

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Tanzania

	Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
PETROLEUM UPSTREAM REGULATORY AUTHORITY	–	–	–	–	140,000	–	140,000
Total	–	–	–	–	140,000	–	140,000

	Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
BLOCK 1 AND 4	–	–	–	–	140,000	–	140,000
Total	–	–	–	–	140,000	–	140,000

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Tunisia

	Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
ENTREPRISE TUNISIENNE D’ACTIVITÉS PÉTROLIÈRES	–	–	2,140,627	[A]	–	–	–	2,140,627
LE RECEVEUR DES FINANCES DU LAC	–	24,904,580	2,801,006		–	–	–	27,705,586
Total	–	24,904,580	4,941,633		–	–	–	29,846,213

	Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties		Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
HASDRUBAL CONCESSION	–	24,904,580	4,941,633	[A]	–	–	–	29,846,213
Total	–	24,904,580	4,941,633		–	–	–	29,846,213

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $2,140,627 for 37 kboe valuated at market price.

Canada

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA	–	–	656,638	–	119,099	–	775,737
MINISTRY OF FINANCE (BRITISH COLUMBIA)	–	–	2,915,313	–	625,526	–	3,540,839
MINISTRY OF JOBS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (BRITISH COLUMBIA)	–	–	–	–	679,158	–	679,158
PROVINCIAL TREASURER OF ALBERTA	–	60,864,405	–	–	–	–	60,864,405
RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA	–	111,702,667	1,126,040	–	–	–	112,828,707
Total	–	172,567,072	4,697,991	–	1,423,783	–	178,688,846

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
ATHABASCA OIL SANDS	–	172,567,072	–	–	–	–	172,567,072
FOOTHILLS	–	–	1,126,040	–	–	–	1,126,040
GREATER DEEP BASIN	–	–	656,638	–	119,099	–	775,737
GROUNDBIRCH	–	–	2,915,313	–	1,304,684	–	4,219,997
Total	–	172,567,072	4,697,991	–	1,423,783	–	178,688,846

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Mexico

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
FONDO MEXICANO DEL PETRÓLEO PARA LA ESTABILIZACIÓN Y EL DESARROLLO	–	–	–	–	17,154,483	–	17,154,483
SERVICIO DE ADMINISTRACIÓN TRIBUTARIA	–	–	–	–	4,372,519	–	4,372,519
Total	–	–	–	–	21,527,002	–	21,527,002

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Entity level payment
MEXICO EXPLORATION DEEPWATER	–	–	–	–	21,527,002	–	21,527,002
Total	–	–	–	–	21,527,002	–	21,527,002

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

USA

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES	–	–	–	–	243,408	–	243,408
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA	–	-400,000	–	–	–	–	-400,000
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE	–	53,638,500	–	–	–	–	53,638,500
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT	–	–	–	–	–	860,822	860,822
OFFICE OF NATURAL RESOURCES REVENUE	–	–	1,187,594,021	–	80,435,119	–	1,268,029,140
Total	–	53,238,500	1,187,594,021	–	80,678,527	860,822	1,322,371,870

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
ALASKA EXPLORATION	–	–	–	–	243,408	–	243,408
GULF OF AMERICA (CENTRAL)	–	–	1,076,187,269	–	282,312	–	1,076,469,581
GULF OF AMERICA (WEST)	–	–	111,406,752	–	126,720	–	111,533,472
GULF OF AMERICA EXPLORATION	–	–	–	–	80,026,087	–	80,026,087
Entity level payment
SHELL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY	–	-400,000	–	–	–	–	-400,000
SHELL OFFSHORE INC.	–	–	–	–	–	860,822	860,822
SHELL PETROLEUM INC.	–	53,638,500	–	–	–	–	53,638,500
Total	–	53,238,500	1,187,594,021	–	80,678,527	860,822	1,322,371,870

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Argentina

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
AGENCIA DE RECAUDACIÓN Y CONTROL ADUANERO	–		1,984,309	–	–	–	–	1,984,309
GAS Y PETRÓLEO DEL NEUQUÉN S.A.	53,082,051	[A]	–	–	–	–	–	53,082,051
PROVINCIA DE SALTA	–		–	2,475,819	–	–	–	2,475,819
PROVINCIA DEL NEUQUÉN	–		–	141,493,849	–	123,276	–	141,617,125
Total	53,082,051		1,984,309	143,969,668	–	123,276	–	199,159,304

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
ACAMBUCO	–		–	2,475,819	–	–	–	2,475,819
ARGENTINA UNCONVENTIONAL PROJECTS	53,082,051	[A]	1,984,309	141,493,849	–	123,276	–	196,683,485
Total	53,082,051		1,984,309	143,969,668	–	123,276	–	199,159,304

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $53,082,051 for 785 kboe valuated at market price.

Brazil

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
AGÊNCIA NACIONAL DO PETRÓLEO GÁS NATURAL E BIOCOMBUSTÍVEIS	–		–	–	9,540,351	–	–	9,540,351
MINISTÉRIO DA FAZENDA	–		–	1,147,687,680	–	1,556,282,443	–	2,703,970,123
PRÉ-SAL PETRÓLEO S.A.	327,688,819	[A]	–	–	–	–	–	327,688,819
RECEITA FEDERAL DO BRASIL	–		656,740,954	–	–	–	–	656,740,954
Total	327,688,819		656,740,954	1,147,687,680	9,540,351	1,556,282,443	–	3,697,940,247

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements		Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
BASIN EXPLORATION PROJECTS	–		–	–	9,540,351	3,244,993	–	12,785,344
BC-10	–		–	31,254,519	–	1,251,598	–	32,506,117
BIJUPIRA AND SALEMA	–		–	–	–	501,608	–	501,608
BM-S-9, BM-S-9A, BM-S-11, BM-S-11A AND ENTORNO DE SAPINHOÁ	29,716,011	[B]	–	882,483,636	–	1,551,284,244	–	2,463,483,891
LIBRA PSC	297,972,808	[C]	–	233,949,525	–	–	–	531,922,333
Entity level payment
SHELL BRASIL PETROLEO LTDA.	–		656,740,954	–	–	–	–	656,740,954
Total	327,688,819		656,740,954	1,147,687,680	9,540,351	1,556,282,443	–	3,697,940,247

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

[A] Includes payment in kind of $327,688,819 for 4,585 kboe valuated at market price.

[B] Includes payment in kind of $29,716,011 for 410 kboe valuated at market price.

[C] Includes payment in kind of $297,972,808 for 4,175 kboe valuated at market price.

Colombia

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
AGENCIA NACIONAL DE HIDROCARBUROS	–	–	–	–	489,880	–	489,880
Total	–	–	–	–	489,880	–	489,880

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
COLOMBIA EXPLORATION (OPERATED)	–	–	–	–	489,880	–	489,880
Total	–	–	–	–	489,880	–	489,880

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Trinidad and Tobago

Government report (in USD) [1]
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Governments
MINISTRY OF FINANCE	–	561,771	–	–	–	–	561,771
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND ENERGY INDUSTRIES	362,690,585	–	2,210,566	300,000	13,719,070	–	378,920,221
Total	362,690,585	561,771	2,210,566	300,000	13,719,070	–	379,481,992

Project report (in USD)
	Production entitlements	Taxes	Royalties	Bonuses	Fees	Infrastructure improvements	Total
Projects
BLOCK 5C	84,428,910	–	–	–	1,714,071	–	86,142,981
CENTRAL BLOCK	–	561,771	2,210,566	–	900,921	–	3,673,258
COLIBRI	120,876,414	–	–	–	3,332,208	–	124,208,622
DEEPWATER ATLANTIC AREA	–	–	–	–	537,570	–	537,570
EAST COAST MARINE AREA	99,098,428	–	–	–	2,100,156	–	101,198,584
EXPLORATION	–	–	–	300,000	2,017,530	–	2,317,530
MANATEE	–	–	–	–	847,999	–	847,999
NORTH COAST MARINE AREA 1	58,286,833	–	–	–	2,268,615	–	60,555,448
Total	362,690,585	561,771	2,210,566	300,000	13,719,070	–	379,481,992

[1] For the definitions of any terms used in this chart (e.g. activities and payment types), please refer to pages 1-2 of this Report.

Cautionary note
The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this Report “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this Report refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Katapult Delivers 15.4% Gross Originations and 10.6% Revenue Growth in the First Quarter, Above Outlook

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Expects Growth to Accelerate In Second Quarter
Reiterates 2025 Guidance

PLANO, Texas, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Katapult Holdings, Inc. (“Katapult” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: KPLT), an e-commerce-focused financial technology company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

“2025 is off to a strong start and we are well positioned to achieve our full year targets,” said Orlando Zayas, CEO of Katapult. “We achieved double-digit gross originations and revenue growth, driven by increasing engagement with the Katapult app marketplace, including 57% growth in KPay originations. Our marketplace is thriving – from application growth to repeat purchase rates, to high Net Promoter scores and beyond, we believe we have all the hallmarks of a healthy ecosystem and we intend to lean into opportunities to accelerate our growth. We are excited about the future and as we continue to execute on our consumer and merchant initiatives, we feel confident that we can create value for all of our stakeholders.”

Operating Progress: Recent Highlights

Increased activity within the Katapult app marketplace
- ~59% of first quarter gross originations started in the Katapult app marketplace, making it the single largest customer referral source. Total app originations grew 42% year-over-year.
- Applications grew ~59% year-over-year in the first quarter
- Customer satisfaction remained high and Katapult had a Net Promoter Score of 66 as of March 31, 2025
- 57.4% of gross originations for the first quarter of 2025 came from repeat customers¹
Grew consumer engagement by adding app functionality and features and executing targeted marketing campaigns
- KPay conversion rate increased during the first quarter leading to unique customer count growth of more than 65% year-over-year
- KPay gross originations grew approximately 57% year-over-year in the first quarter; 35% of total gross originations were transacted using KPay
- Launched Ashley and Bed Bath & Beyond in the Katapult app marketplace, bringing the total number of merchants in our KPay ecosystem to 35
Made strong progress against merchant engagement initiatives
- Direct and waterfall gross originations, which represented 65% of total first quarter originations, grew approximately 40%, excluding the home furnishings and mattress category
- Continued to expand our waterfall partnerships by kicking off a new partnership with Finti, a modern waterfall financing platform that connects consumers with a curated network of lenders and financing providers
- Together with several merchant-partners, we launched targeted co-branded, co-promoted marketing campaigns that delivered year-over-year gross originations growth ranging from 7% to more than 75% depending on the campaign

First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

(All comparisons are year-over-year unless stated otherwise.)

Gross originations were $64.2 million, an increase of 15.4%. Excluding the home furnishings and mattress category, gross originations grew 51% year-over-year.
Total revenue was $71.9 million, an increase of 10.6%
Total operating expenses in the first quarter increased 17.3%. Our fixed cash operating expenses², which exclude litigation settlement and other non-cash and variable expenses, increased approximately 10.8%.
Net loss was $5.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared with net loss of $0.6 million reported for the first quarter of 2024. The higher net loss was mainly due to higher cost of sales and higher operating expenses.
Adjusted net loss² was $3.4 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to adjusted net income of $1.0 million reported for the first quarter of 2024
Adjusted EBITDA² was $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2025 compared to Adjusted EBITDA² of $5.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The year-over-year performance was impacted by higher cost of sales related to rapid, faster-than-expected gross originations growth during the first quarter of 2025 and the end of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Katapult ended the quarter with total cash and cash equivalents of $14.3 million, which includes $8.3 million of restricted cash. The Company ended the quarter with $77.8 million of outstanding debt on its credit facility.
Write-offs as a percentage of revenue were 9.0% in the first quarter of 2025 and are within the Company’s 8% to 10% long-term target range. This compares with 8.4% in the first quarter of 2024.

[1] Repeat customer rate is defined as the percentage of in-quarter originations from existing customers.
[2] Please refer to the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measure and Certain Other Data” section and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation tables below for more information.

Second Quarter and Full Year 2025 Business Outlook

The Company is continuing to navigate a challenging macro environment particularly within the home furnishings category. Given the current breadth of our merchant selection as well as our plans to introduce new merchants to the Katapult App Marketplace during 2025, our strategic marketing and our strong consumer offering, we believe we are well positioned to deliver continued growth in 2025. We continue to believe that we have a large addressable market of underserved, non-prime consumers, and it’s important to note that lease-to-own solutions have historically benefited when prime credit options become less available.

Given our quarter-to-date progress, Katapult expects the following results for the second quarter of 2025:

25% to 30% year-over-year increase in gross originations
17% to 20% year-over-year increase in revenue
Approximately breakeven Adjusted EBITDA

Based on the macroeconomic assumptions above and the operating plan in place for the full year 2025, Katapult is reiterating its expectations for full year 2025:

We expect gross originations to grow at least 20%

This outlook does not include any material impact from prime creditors tightening or loosening above us and assumes that there are no significant changes to the macro environment.

Both our second quarter and full year outlooks assume that the gross originations for the home furnishings and mattress category do not improve materially from our 2024 performance.

We also expect to maintain strong credit quality in our portfolio. This will be driven by ongoing enhancements to our risk modeling, onboarding high quality new merchants through integrations, and repeat customers engaging with Katapult Pay

Revenue growth is expected to be at least 20%

Finally, with the continued execution of our disciplined expense management strategy combined with our growing top-line, we expect to deliver at least $10 million in positive Adjusted EBITDA

“The first quarter came in stronger than our outlook, and we are continuing to successfully grow our top-line without meaningfully increasing our expense base,” said Nancy Walsh, CFO of Katapult. “The second quarter is off to a great start and we believe we can continue to scale our business by offering a transparent and fair LTO product to consumers and a growth engine to our partners. Our team’s hard work and agile execution is fueling our growth and we are looking forward to a great 2025.”

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 AM ET on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to discuss the Company’s financial results. Related presentation materials will be available before the call on the Company’s Investor Relations page at https://ir.katapultholdings.com. The conference call will be broadcast live in listen-only mode and an archive of the webcast will be available for one year.

About Katapult

Katapult is a technology driven lease-to-own platform that integrates with omnichannel retailers and e-commerce platforms to power the purchasing of everyday durable goods for underserved U.S. non-prime consumers. Through our point-of-sale (POS) integrations and innovative mobile app featuring Katapult Pay(R), consumers who may be unable to access traditional financing can shop a growing network of merchant partners. Our process is simple, fast, and transparent. We believe that seeing the good in people is good for business, humanizing the way underserved consumers get the things they need with payment solutions based on fairness and dignity.

Contact

Jennifer Kull
VP of Investor Relations
ir@katapult.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this Press Release and on our quarterly earnings call that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potentially,” “predict,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: in this Press Release and on our associated earnings call, statements regarding our second quarter of 2025 and full year 2025 business outlook and underlying expectations and assumptions and statements regarding our ability to obtain a comprehensive maturity extension amendment to our credit facility. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this Press Release, and on the current expectations of our management and are not predictions of actual performance.

These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our ability to refinance our indebtedness and continue as a going concern, the execution of our business strategy and expanding information and technology capabilities; our market opportunity and our ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; adoption and success of our mobile application featuring Katapult Pay; the timing and impact of our growth initiatives on our future financial performance; anticipated occurrence and timing of prime lending tightening and impact on our results of operations; general economic conditions in the markets where we operate, the cyclical nature of customer spending, and seasonal sales and spending patterns of customers; risks relating to factors affecting consumer spending that are not under our control, including, among others, levels of employment, disposable consumer income, inflation, prevailing interest rates, consumer debt and availability of credit, consumer confidence in future economic conditions, political conditions, and consumer perceptions of personal well-being and security and willingness and ability of customers to pay for the goods they lease through us when due; risks relating to uncertainty of our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; risks related to the concentration of a significant portion of our transaction volume with a single merchant partner, or type of merchant or industry; the effects of competition on our future business; meet future liquidity requirements and complying with restrictive covenants related to our long-term indebtedness; the impact of unstable market and economic conditions such as rising inflation and interest rates; reliability of our platform and effectiveness of our risk model; data security breaches or other information technology incidents or disruptions, including cyber-attacks, and the protection of confidential, proprietary, personal and other information, including personal data of customers; ability to attract and retain employees, executive officers or directors; effectively respond to general economic and business conditions; obtain additional capital, including equity or debt financing and servicing our indebtedness; enhance future operating and financial results; anticipate rapid technological changes, including generative artificial intelligence and other new technologies; comply with laws and regulations applicable to our business, including laws and regulations related to rental purchase transactions; stay abreast of modified or new laws and regulations applying to our business, including with respect to rental purchase transactions and privacy regulations; maintain and grow relationships with merchants and partners; respond to uncertainties associated with product and service developments and market acceptance; the impacts of new U.S. federal income tax laws; material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not identified and remediated, could affect the reliability of our financial statements; successfully defend litigation; litigation, regulatory matters, complaints, adverse publicity and/or misconduct by employees, vendors and/or service providers; and other events or factors, including those resulting from civil unrest, war, foreign invasions (including the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict), terrorism, public health crises and pandemics (such as COVID-19), trade wars, or responses to such events; our ability to meet the minimum requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market; and those factors discussed in greater detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that we filed with the SEC.

If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this Press Release or on our quarterly earnings call. All forward-looking statements contained herein or expressed on our quarterly earnings call are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Key Performance Metrics

Katapult regularly reviews several metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate its business, measure its performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate financial projections and make strategic decisions, which may also be useful to an investor: gross originations, total revenue, gross profit, adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA.

Gross originations are defined as the retail price of the merchandise associated with lease-purchase agreements entered into during the period through the Katapult platform. Gross originations do not represent revenue earned. However, we believe this is a useful operating metric for both Katapult’s management and investors to use in assessing the volume of transactions that take place on Katapult’s platform.

Total revenue represents the summation of rental revenue and other revenue. Katapult measures this metric to assess the total view of pay through performance of its customers. Management believes looking at these components is useful to an investor as it helps to understand the total payment performance of customers.

Gross profit represents total revenue less cost of revenue, and is a measure presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below for a description and presentation of adjusted gross profit and adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures utilized by management.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement the financial measures presented in this press release and related conference call or webcast in accordance with GAAP, the Company also presents the following non-GAAP and other measures of financial performance: adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income/(loss) and fixed cash operating expenses. The Company believes that for management and investors to more effectively compare core performance from period to period, the non-GAAP measures should exclude items that are not indicative of our results from ongoing business operations.The Company urges investors to consider non-GAAP measures only in conjunction with its GAAP financials and to review the reconciliation of the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to its comparable GAAP financial measures, which are included in this press release.

Adjusted gross profit represents gross profit less variable operating expenses, which are servicing costs, and underwriting fees. Management believes that adjusted gross profit provides a meaningful understanding of one aspect of its performance specifically attributable to total revenue and the variable costs associated with total revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before interest expense and other fees, interest income, change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, provision of impairment of leased assets, loss on partial extinguishment of debt, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, and debt refinancing costs.

Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net loss before change in fair value of warrants and loss on issuance of shares, stock-based compensation expense and litigation settlement and other related expenses and debt refinancing costs.

Fixed cash operating expenses is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as operating expenses less depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software, stock-based compensation expense, litigation settlement and other related expenses, debt refinancing costs, and variable lease costs such as servicing costs and underwriting fees. Management believes that fixed cash operating expenses provides a meaningful understanding of non-variable ongoing expenses.

Adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss are useful to an investor in evaluating the Company’s performance because these measures:

Are widely used to measure a company’s operating performance;
Are financial measurements that are used by rating agencies, lenders and other parties to evaluate the Company’s credit worthiness; and
Are used by the Company’s management for various purposes, including as measures of performance and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

Management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures, as a supplement to GAAP measures, is useful to investors in that they eliminate items that are not part of our core operations, highly variable or do not require a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures when evaluating operating performance and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help indicate underlying trends in the business, are important in comparing current results with prior period results and are useful to investors and financial analysts in assessing operating performance. However, these non-GAAP measures exclude items that are significant in understanding and assessing Katapult’s financial results. Therefore, these measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to revenue, net loss, gross profit, cash flows from operations or other measures of profitability, liquidity or performance under GAAP. You should be aware that Katapult’s presentation of these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.


KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (amounts in thousands, except per share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024

Revenue
Rental revenue	$	71,078		$	64,142
Other revenue		868			919
Total revenue		71,946			65,061
Cost of revenue		57,597			48,573
Gross profit		14,349			16,488
Operating expenses		14,885			12,688
Income (loss) from operations		(536	)		3,800
Interest expense and other fees		(5,144	)		(4,527	)
Interest income		57			324
Change in fair value of warrant liability		(36	)		(162	)
Loss before income taxes		(5,659	)		(565	)
Provision for income taxes		(29	)		(5	)
Net loss	$	(5,688	)	$	(570	)

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted		4,618			4,242

Net loss per common share – basic and diluted	$	(1.23	)	$	(0.13	)


KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	March 31,			December 31,
		2025			2024
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,965		$	3,465
Restricted cash		8,346			13,087
Property held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation and impairment		66,913			67,085
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,445			6,731
Total current assets		85,669			90,368
Property and equipment, net		244			253
Capitalized software and intangible assets, net		2,155			2,076
Right-of-use assets, non-current		376			383
Security deposits		91			91
Total assets	$	88,535		$	93,171
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,040		$	1,491
Accrued liabilities		18,945			17,372
Accrued litigation settlement		2,199			2,199
Unearned revenue		5,711			4,823
Revolving line of credit, net		77,663			82,582
Term loan, net, current		31,490			30,047
Lease liabilities		129			179
Total current liabilities		139,177			138,693
Lease liabilities, non-current		431			444
Other liabilities		614			828
Total liabilities		140,222			139,965
STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Common stock, $.0001 par value– 250,000,000 shares authorized; 4,483,544 and 4,446,540 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		102,452			101,657
Accumulated deficit		(154,139	)		(148,451	)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(51,687	)		(46,794	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	88,535		$	93,171


KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (dollars in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(5,688	)	$	(570	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		39,392			34,026
Depreciation for early lease purchase options (buyouts)		9,664			7,613
Depreciation for impaired leases		6,632			5,636
Change in fair value of warrants and other non-cash items		36			162
Stock-based compensation		1,066			1,391
Amortization of debt discount		963			669
Amortization of debt issuance costs, net		88			66
Accrued PIK interest expense		480			347
Amortization of right-of-use assets		76			76
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Property held for lease		(55,185	)		(45,249	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,217			1,029
Accounts payable		1,549			754
Accrued liabilities		1,573			(4,123	)
Accrued litigation		(250	)		—
Lease liabilities		(63	)		(55	)
Unearned revenues		888			208
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,438			1,980
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(24	)		—
Additions to capitalized software		(377	)		(126	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(401	)		(126	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit		5,128			10,058
Principal repayments on revolving line of credit		(10,135	)		(2,840	)
Repurchases of restricted stock		(271	)		(312	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(5,278	)		6,906
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(2,241	)		8,760
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		16,552			28,811
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	14,311		$	37,571
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	3,661		$	3,382
Cash paid for income taxes	$	—		$	112
Cash paid for operating leases	$	111		$	82


KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES AND CERTAIN OTHER DATA (UNAUDITED) (amounts in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024

Net loss	$	(5,688	)	$	(570	)
Add back:
Interest expense and other fees		5,144			4,527
Interest income		(57	)		(324	)
Change in fair value of warrants		36			162
Provision for income taxes		29			5
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software		330			266
Provision for impairment of leased assets		150			173
Stock-based compensation expense		1,066			1,391
Litigation settlement and other related expenses		259		$	—
Debt refinancing costs	$	971			—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	2,240		$	5,630


	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025			2024

Net loss	$	(5,688	)	$	(570	)
Add back:
Change in fair value of warrants		36			162
Stock-based compensation expense		1,066			1,391
Litigation settlement and other related expenses		259			—
Debt refinancing costs		971			—
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	(3,356	)	$	983


	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025		2024

Operating expenses	$	14,885	$	12,688
Less:
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment and capitalized software		330		266
Stock-based compensation expense		1,066		1,391
Servicing costs		1,085		1,132
Underwriting fees		772		509
Litigation settlement and other related expenses		259		—
Debt refinancing costs		971	$	—
Fixed cash operating expenses	$	10,402	$	9,390

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025		2024

Total revenue	$	71,946	$	65,061
Cost of revenue		57,597		48,573
Gross profit		14,349		16,488
Less:
Servicing costs		1,085		1,132
Underwriting fees		772		509
Adjusted gross profit	$	12,492	$	14,847


CERTAIN KEY PERFORMANCE METRICS

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2025		2024
Total revenue	$	71,946	$	65,061


KATAPULT HOLDINGS, INC. GROSS ORIGINATIONS BY QUARTER
	Gross Originations by Quarter
($ millions)	Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
FY 2025	$	64.2	$	—	$	—	$	—
FY 2024	$	55.6	$	55.3	$	51.2	$	64.2
FY 2023	$	54.7	$	54.7	$	49.6	$	67.5
FY 2022	$	46.7	$	46.4	$	44.1	$	59.8
FY 2021	$	63.8	$	64.4	$	61.0	$	58.9

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Calfrac Reports First Quarter 2025 Results with Record Financial Performance in Argentina

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CALGARY, Alberta, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calfrac Well Services Ltd. (“Calfrac” or “the Company”) (TSX: CFW) announces its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The following press release should be read in conjunction with the management’s discussion and analysis and interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as at March 31, 2025. Readers should also refer to the “Forward-looking statements” legal advisory and the section regarding “Non-GAAP Measures” at the end of this press release. All financial amounts and measures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Additional information about Calfrac is available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca, including the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024.

CFO’S MESSAGE

Calfrac achieved revenue of $370.1 million during the first quarter in 2025, a 3 percent decline from the fourth quarter in 2024, primarily due to a normal seasonal slowdown in activity in the Rockies region of North America. As experienced over the last couple of years, activity in the Rockies region continues to be very challenging during the first quarter due to limited customer activity, resulting from the higher costs of operating in extreme cold weather. However, the Company’s Argentina operations delivered a sequential increase in revenue of 56 percent as it operated two unconventional fracturing spreads in the Vaca Muerta shale play for a portion of the first quarter.

Calfrac’s Chief Financial Officer, Mike Olinek commented: “I am very pleased with the strong operating and financial performance demonstrated by Calfrac’s team in Argentina during the first quarter and look forward to building on this positive momentum throughout the remainder of the year. I am also confident that the Company’s North American DGB fracturing fleets will remain in high demand and allow us to successfully navigate any potential slowdown in North America and deliver on our strategic priorities.”

SELECT FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

	Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
	2025		2024		Change
(C$000s, except per share amounts)	*($)*		($)		(%)
(unaudited)
Revenue	370,057		330,096		12
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	55,317		26,057		112
Cash flows provided by operating activities	(7,050	)	11,958		NM
Capital expenditures	42,132		48,072		(12	)
Net income (loss)	7,796		(2,903	)	NM
Per share – basic	0.09		(0.03	)	NM
Per share – diluted	0.09		(0.03	)	NM

As at	Mar. 31,	Dec. 31,	Change
	2025	2024
(C$000s)	*($)*	($)	(%)
(unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents	15,463	44,045	(65	)
Working capital, end of period⁽²⁾	266,087	229,856	16
Total assets, end of period	1,254,979	1,234,840	2
Long-term debt, end of period	341,095	320,908	6
Net debt⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾	348,674	300,347	16
Total consolidated equity, end of period	660,262	653,330	1

⁽¹⁾Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
⁽²⁾Working capital excludes cash and cash equivalents and the current portion of long-term debt of $341.1 million.
⁽³⁾Refer to note 10 of the consolidated interim financial statements for further information.

FIRST QUARTER OVERVIEW

In the first quarter of 2025, the Company:

generated revenue of $370.1 million, an increase of 12 percent from the first quarter in 2024 resulting primarily from higher pricing and activity in Argentina, offset partially by lower pricing in North America;
reported Adjusted EBITDA of $55.3 million versus $26.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 due to record quarterly financial results in Argentina with the commencement of a second large fracturing fleet in the Vaca Muerta shale play during a portion of the first quarter;
had cash flow from operating activities of negative $7.1 million, which included $12.7 million of interest paid and cash used for working capital purposes of $35.0 million, as compared to $12.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, which was net of $9.7 million of interest paid and cash used for working capital purposes of $1.6 million;
reported net income from continuing operations of $7.8 million or $0.09 per share diluted compared to a net loss of $2.9 million or $0.03 per share diluted during the first quarter in 2024;
had a cash position of $15.5 million of which approximately 70 percent was held in Argentina. The Argentina cash balance includes an investment of US$6.1 million in Argentinean government bonds (BOPREAL Bonds) that will be repatriated to Canada before the end of the third quarter in 2025;
reported an increase in period-end working capital to $266.1 million from $229.9 million at December 31, 2024, primarily due to an increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2025 with a greater proportion generated from Argentina, which has longer lead times to collection than North America; and
incurred capital expenditures of $42.1 million, which included approximately $22.3 million of expansion capital in Argentina and $9.3 million related to the Company’s fracturing fleet modernization program in North America, including auxiliary support equipment.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – CONTINUING OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS AND YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 VERSUS 2024

NORTH AMERICA

	Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
	2025	2024	Change
(C$000s, except operational and exchange rate information)	*($)*	($)	(%)
(unaudited)
Revenue	227,902	248,959	(8	)
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	6,131	14,872	(59	)
Adjusted EBITDA (%)⁽¹⁾	2.7	6.0	(55	)
Fracturing revenue per job ($)	25,060	33,518	(25	)
Number of fracturing jobs	8,709	7,176	21
Active pumping horsepower, end of year (000s)	898	951	(6	)
US$/C$ average exchange rate⁽²⁾	1.4352	1.3486	6

⁽¹⁾Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
⁽²⁾Source: Bank of Canada.

OUTLOOK

The uncertainty caused by geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ supply increases, and changes to the United States trade and tariff regimes, have affected the economic outlook for the global economy and triggered a recent decline in near-term crude oil prices. While activity in North America has not been significantly impacted as yet, oil-weighted completion activity is expected to be lower year-over-year, but more resilient than past cycles as a focus on capital discipline by the E&P sector has resulted in activity that only supports the maintenance of current production levels. However, completions activity within the Company’s natural gas producing regions in North America is anticipated to be slightly higher than the previous year given the relative strength in natural gas prices.

The Company has been evaluating the implication of tariffs across its North American operations over the last few months and has commenced with mitigation efforts, wherever possible, including seeking applicable tariff exemptions for critical items that are sourced from the United States.

Calfrac’s previously announced Tier IV modernization program is nearing completion. These strategic investments in next-generation Dynamic Gas Blending (“DGB”) pumping technology have resulted in the Company exiting the quarter with the equivalent of five Tier IV DGB fleets operating in the field. Calfrac’s dual-fuel capable fracturing fleets in North America are expected to remain in high demand during the second quarter, despite the current headwinds, and fleet utilization is expected to increase sequentially from the first quarter as certain clients in the Rockies region commence with their 2025 programs.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

REVENUE

Revenue from Calfrac’s North American operations decreased to $227.9 million during the first quarter of 2025 from $249.0 million in the comparable quarter of 2024. The Company’s North American activity was impacted by extreme cold weather and was significantly lower than the comparable quarter in 2024 despite the 21 percent increase in the number of jobs completed. The Company’s client mix was different than the comparable period in 2024 with the completion of a larger quantity of smaller jobs, which also impacted the fracturing revenue per job. The Company reduced its operating footprint to 11 active fracturing fleets to begin the first quarter to address the seasonal challenges experienced in the Rockies region. The Company recommenced operations in the Appalachian basin in January with an additional fracturing crew, which helped offset the lower revenue experienced in the Rockies. Pricing in North America was lower relative to the comparable quarter in 2024, which contributed to the 8 percent reduction in revenue. Coiled tubing revenue was consistent with the first quarter in 2024 as slightly lower activity was offset by the completion of larger jobs.

ADJUSTED EBITDA

The Company’s operations in North America generated Adjusted EBITDA of $6.1 million or 3 percent of revenue during the first quarter of 2025 compared to $14.9 million or 6 percent of revenue in the same period in 2024. This decrease was primarily due to the decline in fracturing fleet utilization and lower pricing.

ARGENTINA

	Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
	2025	2024	Change
(C$000s, except operational and exchange rate information)	*($)*	($)	(%)
(unaudited)
Revenue	142,155	81,137	75
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	53,265	16,100	231
Adjusted EBITDA (%)⁽¹⁾	37.5	19.8	89
Fracturing revenue per job ($)	124,874	74,354	68
Number of fracturing jobs	741	672	10
Active pumping horsepower, end of period (000s)	153	139	10
US$/C$ average exchange rate⁽²⁾	1.4352	1.3486	6

⁽¹⁾Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.
⁽²⁾Source: Bank of Canada.

OUTLOOK

Argentina continued to demonstrate year-over-year operational and financial improvement by achieving record quarterly financial performance during the first quarter of 2025. Calfrac expects its full-year financial results in Argentina will be very strong, building on the significant momentum generated during the first quarter. The Company benefited from spot work for its second large fracturing fleet in the Vaca Muerta shale play during the first quarter at operating margins that are not expected to be maintained during the remainder of the year. The Company’s 2025 capital program also contemplates the addition of in-house wireline capabilities in Argentina during the fourth quarter which will further bolster its service offering in Neuquén. Recent Argentina government announcements related to the cash repatriation regime in that country reaffirm the Company’s expectations of a greater ability to repatriate excess cash flow following the completion of its significant 2025 capital program.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2025 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

REVENUE

Calfrac’s Argentinean operations generated revenue of $142.2 million during the first quarter of 2025 versus $81.1 million in the comparable quarter in 2024. The 75 percent increase in revenue was driven by improved pricing for spot work and an increase in the number of fracturing jobs completed during the quarter. The Company operated two unconventional fracturing fleets in the Vaca Muerta shale play for a portion of the first quarter. The Company also demonstrated growth in activity across its other service lines as the Company permanently transferred equipment from Las Heras to Neuquén following the completion of a long-term contract. The Company’s offshore coiled tubing unit also contributed to the increase in revenue versus the comparable quarter in 2024.

ADJUSTED EBITDA

The Company’s operations in Argentina generated Adjusted EBITDA of $53.3 million during the first quarter of 2025 compared to $16.1 million in the same quarter of 2024, while the Company’s Adjusted EBITDA margins increased to 37 percent from 20 percent. This increase was primarily due to the significant revenue growth and efficiencies resulting from operating two unconventional fracturing fleets simultaneously during parts of the quarter and higher pricing for spot work. In addition, the Company received an early termination fee related to the closure of its operations in Las Heras following the completion of a long-term contract with a major client in that region. This revenue offset costs that were incurred in 2024 to permanently close this district.

SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended	Jun. 30,	Sep. 30,	Dec. 31,	Mar. 31,		Jun. 30,	Sep. 30,		Dec. 31,		Mar. 31,
	2023	2023	2023	2024		2024	2024		2024		2025
(C$000s, except per share and operating data)	($)	($)	($)	($)		($)	($)		($)		*($)*
(unaudited)
Financial
Revenue	466,463	483,093	421,402	330,096		426,047	430,109		381,230		370,057
Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾	87,785	91,286	62,591	26,057		65,386	65,039		34,512		55,317
Net income (loss)	50,531	97,523	13,202	(2,903	)	24,549	(6,687	)	(6,424	)	7,796
Per share – basic	0.62	1.20	0.16	(0.03	)	0.29	(0.08	)	(0.07	)	0.09
Per share – diluted	0.58	1.09	0.15	(0.03	)	0.29	(0.08	)	(0.07	)	0.09
Capital expenditures	30,718	50,825	49,397	48,072		66,753	22,509		32,955		42,132

⁽¹⁾Refer to “Non-GAAP Measures” on page 6 for further information.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES – CONTINUING OPERATIONS

	Three Months Ended Mar. 31,
	2025	2024	Change
(C$000s)	*($)*	($)	(%)
North America	12,941	37,174	(65	)
Argentina	29,191	10,898	168
Continuing Operations	42,132	48,072	(12	)

Capital expenditures were $42.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, which included approximately $22.3 million of expansion capital in Argentina and $9.3 million related to the Company’s fracturing fleet modernization program in North America, including auxiliary support equipment versus $48.1 million in the comparable period in 2024.

Calfrac’s Board of Directors approved a 2025 capital budget totalling approximately $135.0 million. The program includes approximately $50.0 million to facilitate the expansion of the Company’s fracturing operations in the Vaca Muerta shale play in Argentina that will be funded locally from cash flow. The 2025 Argentina capital program includes additional fracturing pumping units, an expansion of the Company’s deep coiled tubing capabilities and the introduction of in-house wireline services. The balance of the 2025 program will fund maintenance capital for all operating divisions as well as additional investments in the North American Tier IV fleet modernization program and coiled tubing fleet. Due to a delay in spending related to the Company’s 2024 capital program, approximately $30.0 million of 2024 capital commitments will be funded in 2025, mainly related to the expansion in Argentina, of which approximately $20.0 million occurred during the first quarter.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Certain supplementary measures presented in this press release, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA percentage and Net Debt do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and, because IFRS have been incorporated as Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), these supplementary measures are also non-GAAP measures. These measures have been described and presented to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding the Company’s financial results, liquidity and ability to generate funds to finance its operations. These measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities, and are explained below.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income or loss for the period less interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange losses (gains), non-cash stock-based compensation, and gains and losses that are extraordinary or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it gives an indication of the results from the Company’s principal business activities prior to consideration of how its activities are financed and the impact of foreign exchange, taxation and depreciation and amortization charges. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate the performance of the Company and is also used as a basis for monitoring the Company’s compliance with covenants under the revolving credit facility. Adjusted EBITDA for the period was calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
(C$000s)	*($)*		($)

Net income (loss) from continuing operations	7,796		(2,903	)
Add back (deduct):
Depreciation	31,922		27,995
Foreign exchange losses (gains)	1,693		(1,049	)
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	124		(6,241	)
Restructuring charges	516		—
Stock-based compensation	(925	)	2,185
Interest, net	7,944		6,032
Income taxes	6,247		38
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	55,317		26,057
Less: IFRS 16 lease payments	(3,679	)	(3,235	)
Less: Argentina EBITDA threshold adjustment⁽¹⁾	(45,397	)	(5,428	)
Bank EBITDA for covenant purposes	6,241		17,394

⁽¹⁾Refer to note 4 of the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Adjusted EBITDA percentage is a non-GAAP financial ratio that is determined by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the corresponding period.

Net Debt is defined as long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs plus lease obligations, less cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations. The calculation of net debt is disclosed in note 10 to the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the corresponding period.

OTHER NON-STANDARD FINANCIAL TERMS

MAINTENANCE AND EXPANSION CAPITAL

Maintenance capital refers to expenditures in respect of capital additions, replacements or improvements required to maintain ongoing business operations. Expansion capital refers to expenditures primarily for new items, upgrades and/or equipment that will expand the Company’s revenue and/or reduce its expenditures through operating efficiencies. The determination of what constitutes maintenance capital expenditures versus expansion capital involves judgement by management.

BUSINESS RISKS

The business of Calfrac is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Prior to making any investment decision regarding Calfrac, investors should carefully consider, among other things, the risk factors set forth in the Company’s most recently filed Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors” which is available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile. Copies of the Annual Information Form may also be obtained on request without charge from Calfrac at Suite 500, 407 – 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1E5, or at www.calfrac.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Calfrac’s common shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CFW”.

Calfrac provides specialized oilfield services to exploration and production companies designed to increase the production of hydrocarbons from wells with continuing operations focused throughout western Canada, the United States and Argentina. During the first quarter of 2022, management committed to a plan to sell the Company’s Russian division, resulting in the associated assets and liabilities being classified as held for sale and presented in the Company’s financial statements as discontinued operations. The results of the Company’s discontinued operations are excluded from the discussion and figures presented above unless otherwise noted. See Note 4 to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 for additional information on the Company’s discontinued operations.

Further information regarding Calfrac Well Services Ltd., including the most recently filed Annual Information Form, can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.calfrac.com or under the Company’s public filings found at www.sedarplus.ca.

FIRST QUARTER CONFERENCE CALL AND AGM UPDATE

Calfrac will no longer be conducting the previously announced conference call to review its 2025 first-quarter results on Thursday, May 15, 2025. Any interested parties can reach out to Mike Olinek, Chief Financial Officer at the contact information below should they wish to ask any questions regarding the Company’s quarterly financial results.

The Company will be holding its Annual General Meeting at 1:30 pm on Thursday May 15, 2025 in the Viking Room of the Calgary Petroleum Club.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	March 31,		December 31,
	2025		2024
(C$000s)	*($)*		($)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	15,463		44,045
Accounts receivable	306,957		251,108
Inventories	130,596		145,506
Prepaid expenses and deposits	21,797		26,452
	474,813		467,111
Assets classified as held for sale	47,053		45,335
	521,866		512,446
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment	684,123		673,381
Right-of-use assets	19,990		20,013
Deferred income tax assets	29,000		29,000
	733,113		722,394
Total assets	1,254,979		1,234,840
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	160,129		173,974
Income taxes payable	23,301		9,700
Current portion of long-term debt	341,095		150,000
Current portion of lease obligations	9,833		9,536
	534,358		343,210
Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale	32,677		30,945
	567,035		374,155
Non-current liabilities
Long-term debt	—		170,908
Lease obligations	13,209		13,948
Deferred income tax liabilities	14,473		22,499
	27,682		207,355
Total liabilities	594,717		581,510
Capital stock	911,900		911,785
Contributed surplus	76,190		77,159
Accumulated deficit	(373,875	)	(379,490	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	46,047		43,876
Total equity	660,262		653,330
Total liabilities and equity	1,254,979		1,234,840

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
(C$000s, except per share data)	*($)*		($)

Revenue	370,057		330,096
Cost of sales	330,576		316,208
Gross profit	39,481		13,888
Expenses
Selling, general and administrative	15,677		18,011
Foreign exchange losses (gains)	1,693		(1,049	)
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	124		(6,241	)
Interest, net	7,944		6,032
	25,438		16,753
Income (loss) before income tax	14,043		(2,865	)
Income tax expense (recovery)
Current	14,240		6,414
Deferred	(7,993	)	(6,376	)
	6,247		38
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	7,796		(2,903	)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations	(2,181	)	750
Net income (loss)	5,615		(2,153	)

Earnings (loss) per share – basic
Continuing operations	0.09		(0.03	)
Discontinued operations	(0.03	)	0.01
	0.07		(0.02	)

Earnings (loss) per share – diluted
Continuing operations	0.09		(0.03	)
Discontinued operations	(0.03	)	0.01
	0.07		(0.02	)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
(C$000s)	*($)*		($)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN)			Restated
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	7,796		(2,903	)
Adjusted for the following:
Depreciation	31,922		27,995
Stock-based compensation	(925	)	2,185
Unrealized foreign exchange losses	1,846		2,627
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	124		(6,241	)
Interest	7,944		6,032
Interest paid	(12,716	)	(9,717	)
Deferred income taxes	(7,993	)	(6,376	)
Changes in items of working capital	(35,048	)	(1,644	)
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities from continuing operations	(7,050	)	11,958
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations	10,231		(8,185	)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	3,181		3,773
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(38,498	)	(55,727	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment	1,553		11,508
Proceeds on disposal of right-of-use assets	206		227
Cash flows used in investing activities from continuing operations	(36,739	)	(43,992	)
Cash flows used in investing activities from discontinued operations	(1,457	)	(678	)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(38,196	)	(44,670	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs	30,000		60,000
Long-term debt repayments	(10,000	)	—
Lease obligation principal repayments	(3,244	)	(2,840	)
Proceeds on issuance of common shares from the exercise of stock options	71		—
Cash flows provided by financing activities from continuing operations	16,827		57,160
Cash flows provided by financing activities from discontinued operations	—		—
Net cash flows provided by financing activities	16,827		57,160
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	550		(1,464	)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(17,638	)	14,799
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	50,776		45,190
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	33,138		59,989
Included in the cash and cash equivalents per the balance sheet	15,463		58,239
Included in the assets held for sale/discontinued operations	17,675		1,750

ADVISORIES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In order to provide Calfrac shareholders and potential investors with information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries, including management’s assessment of Calfrac’s plans and future operations, certain statements contained in this press release, including statements that contain words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “forecast” or similar words suggesting future outcomes, are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”).

In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations regarding trends in, and prospects of, the global oil and gas industry; activity, demand, utilization and outlook for the Company’s continuing operations, including the potential impacts of, and mitigation strategies for, the trade tariffs implemented by the U.S. and Canada on the Company’s North American segment and the strong activity and profitability outlook for the Argentina segment; the supply and demand fundamentals of the pressure pumping industry; input costs, margin and service pricing trends and strategies; operating and financing strategies, performance, priorities, metrics and estimates, including the Company’s ability to repatriate cash from Argentina and the timing thereof; the Company’s Russian segment, including the planned sale of the Russian division; the Company’s service quality and competitive position; capital investment plans, including the progress of the Company’s fleet modernization plan in North America and planned wireline investments to bolster the Company’s service offering in Argentina; and the Company’s expectations and intentions with respect to the foregoing.

These statements are derived from certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors that it believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but not limited to, the economic and political environment in which the Company operates, including the continued implementation of Argentina economic reforms and liberalization of its oil and gas industry as well as the current state of the trade war between Canada and the U.S. and its expected impact on the pressure pumping market in North America; the Company’s expectations for its customers’ capital budgets, demand for services and geographical areas of focus; the level of merger and acquisition activity among oil and gas producers and its impact on the demand for well completion services; the anticipated effects of artificial intelligence power requirements and the commissioning of liquified natural gas terminals on supply and demand fundamentals for oil and natural gas; the ability of newly deployed Tier IV DGB pumping units to achieve manufacturer claims with respect to operational performance, diesel displacement and costs savings in the field; the effect of environmental, social and governance factors on customer and investor preferences and capital deployment; the status of the military conflict in the Ukraine and related Canadian, United States and international sanctions and restrictions involving Russia and counter-sanctions, restrictions, and political measures that may be undertaken in respect of the Company’s ownership and planned sale of the Russian division; industry equipment levels including the number of active fracturing fleets marketed by the Company’s competitors and the timing of deployment of the Company’s fleet upgrades; the continued effectiveness of cost reduction measures instituted by the Company; the Company’s existing contracts and the status of current negotiations with key customers and suppliers; and the likelihood that the current tax and regulatory regime will remain substantially unchanged.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations. Such risk factors include but are not limited to: (A) industry risks, including but not limited to, global economic conditions and the level of exploration, development and production for oil and natural gas in North America and Argentina; a shift in strategy by exploration and production companies prioritizing shareholders returns over production growth; excess equipment levels; impacts of conservation measures and technological advances on the demand for the Company’s services; an intensely competitive oilfield services industry; and hazards inherent in the industry; (B) geopolitical risks, including but not limited to, the impacts of the trade war between Canada and United States; foreign operations exposure, including risks relating to repatriation of cash from foreign jurisdictions, unsettled political conditions, war, foreign exchange rates and controls; and risks that the sale of the discontinued operations in Russia may not occur or may be delayed; (C) financial risks, including but not limited to, restrictions on the Company’s access to capital, including the impacts of covenants under the Company’s lending documents; direct and indirect exposure to volatile credit markets, including interest rate risk; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; price escalation and availability of raw materials, diesel fuel and component parts; actual results which are materially different from management estimates and assumptions; the Company’s access to capital and common share price given a significant number of common shares are controlled by two directors of the Company; possible dilution from outstanding stock-based compensation, additional equity or debt securities; and changes in tax rates or reassessment risk by tax authorities; (D) business operations risks, including but not limited to, fleet reinvestment risk, including the ability of the Company to finance the capital necessary for equipment upgrades to support its operational needs while meeting government and customer requirements and preferences; risks of delays and quality of equipment due to Company’s reliance on equipment manufacturers, suppliers and fabricators; seasonal volatility; constrained demand for the Company’s services due to merger and acquisition activity; a concentrated customer base; cybersecurity risks; difficulty retaining, replacing or adding personnel; failure to continuously improve equipment, proprietary fluid chemistries and other products and services; climate change; failure to maintain safety standards and records; improper access to confidential information; failure to effectively and timely address the energy transition; risks of various types of activism; and failure to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; (E) legal and regulatory risks, including but not limited to, federal, provincial and state legislative and regulatory initiatives and laws; health, safety and environmental laws and regulations; the direct and indirect costs of various existing and proposed climate change regulations; and legal and administrative proceedings. Further information about these and other risks and uncertainties may be found under the heading “Business Risks” above.

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized, or that they will have the expected consequences or effects on the Company or its business or operations. These statements speak only as of the respective date of this press release or the documents incorporated by reference herein. The Company assumes no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws.

For further information, please contact:

Mike Olinek, Chief Financial Officer

Telephone: 403-266-6000
www.calfrac.com

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: KE Holdings Inc. Announces First Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

BEIJING, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KE Holdings Inc. (“Beike” or the “Company”) (NYSE: BEKE; HKEX: 2423), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

Business and Financial Highlights for the First Quarter 2025

Gross transaction value (GTV)¹ was RMB843.7 billion (US$116.3 billion), an increase of 34.0% year-over-year. GTV of existing home transactions was RMB580.3 billion (US$80.0 billion), an increase of 28.1% year-over-year. GTV of new home transactions was RMB232.2 billion (US$32.0 billion), an increase of 53.0% year-over-year.
Net revenues were RMB23.3 billion (US$3.2 billion), an increase of 42.4% year-over-year.
Net income was RMB855 million (US$118 million), an increase of 97.9% year-over-year. Adjusted net income² was RMB1,393 million (US$192 million), relatively flat year-over-year.
Number of stores was 56,849 as of March 31, 2025, a 28.6% increase from one year ago. Number of active stores³ was 55,210 as of March 31, 2025, a 29.6% increase from one year ago.
Number of agents was 550,290 as of March 31, 2025, a 24.3% increase from one year ago. Number of active agents⁴ was 490,862 as of March 31, 2025, a 23.0% increase from one year ago.
Mobile monthly active users (MAU)⁵ averaged 44.5 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 47.7 million in the same period of 2024.

Mr. Stanley Yongdong Peng, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Beike, commented, “Building on the stable market performance and the continued effectiveness of our growth strategy, our business maintained strong growth in the first quarter, with our total transaction value increasing by 34.0% year-over-year and net revenues rising by 42.4%. Our housing transaction services continue to significantly outperform the market. Our platform continually empowers more industry partners, with the numbers of active stores and agents increasing notably by 29.6% and 23.0% year-over-year, respectively, and with improvements in both agent and store efficiency. Our home renovation and furnishing services saw steady revenue growth, achieving a record high in contribution margin, with initial progress in improving customer experience and operational efficiency. The home rental services managed over 500,000 units by the end of the first quarter, with ongoing improvements in operational capabilities. We are also advancing our AI applications, deploying multiple intelligent tools on both the C-end and B-end, enhancing customer experience and boosting service efficiency.”

“Looking ahead, we are confident in the long-term development of our Company under the ‘One Body, Three Wings’ strategy and will continue to invest firmly in AI applications. At the same time, we will be more prudent in other types of investments this year, focusing on the return on investment to strengthen the foundation for safe operations and ensure that shareholders who support the Company’s long-term vision can benefit from our sustainable development,” concluded Mr. Peng.

Mr. Tao Xu, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Beike, added, “In the first quarter, the market performance was very stable, continuing the positive impact resulting from the policies implemented in September last year. National new home sales remained relatively flat year-over-year in the first quarter, better than the substantial year-over-year decline in the same period last year, and the existing home market remained at a high level in activity.

For performance in the first quarter, our net revenues reached RMB23.3 billion, up 42.4% year-over-year. Net revenues from existing home transaction services reached RMB6.9 billion in Q1, up 20.0% year-over-year. Net revenues from new home transaction services reached RMB8.1 billion in Q1, up 64.2% year-over-year. Net revenues from non-housing transaction services grew by 46.2% year-over-year, accounted for 35.9% of total net revenues. Among these, net revenues from home rental services reached a record high of RMB5.1 billion, up 93.8% year-over-year. Our operational efficiency further improved. The operating expenses in the first quarter were RMB4.2 billion, down 31.3% quarter-over-quarter. The profitability also improved. The net income in the first quarter reached RMB855 million, up 97.9% year-on-year. The adjusted net income reached RMB1,393 million.

With robust cash reserves, we continued to reward our shareholders who have grown with us. In the first quarter, we allocated approximately US$139 million to share repurchases, and the repurchased shares accounted for approximately 0.6% of the Company’s total issued shares at the end of 2024.

We will continue to support long-term business development by fully backing our ‘One Body, Three Wings’ strategic initiatives and actively exploring the AI technology.”

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Net Revenues

Net revenues increased by 42.4% to RMB23.3 billion (US$3.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB16.4 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the increase of total GTV and the expansion of home rental business. Total GTV increased by 34.0% to RMB843.7 billion (US$116.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB629.9 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the sustained growth of existing home transaction market and the Company’s enhanced capabilities in market coverage.

Net revenues from existing home transaction services were RMB6.9 billion (US$0.9 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, increased by 20.0% from RMB5.7 billion in the same period of 2024. GTV of existing home transactions increased by 28.1% to RMB580.3 billion (US$80.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB453.2 billion in the same period of 2024. The higher growth rate in GTV compared to net revenues in existing home transaction services was primarily attributable to a) a higher contribution from GTV of existing home transaction services served by connected agents on the Company’s platform, for which revenue is recorded on a net basis from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, while for GTV served by Lianjia brand, the revenue is recorded on a gross commission revenue basis, and b) a lower proportion of GTV from existing home rental transaction services as of total existing home transaction services, which has a higher commission rate than existing home sales transaction services.
Among that, (i) commission revenue was RMB5.6 billion (US$0.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, increased by 20.5% from RMB4.6 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the increase of GTV of existing home transactions served by Lianjia stores of 23.6% to RMB221.4 billion (US$30.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB179.2 billion in the same period of 2024; and

(ii) revenues derived from platform service, franchise service and other value-added services, which are mostly charged to connected stores and agents on the Company’s platform increased by 17.6% to RMB1.3 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB1.1 billion in the same period of 2024, mainly due to an increase of GTV of existing home transactions served by connected agents on the Company’s platform of 31.0% to RMB358.9 billion (US$49.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB274.0 billion in the same period of 2024, partially offset by incentive-based reductions in platform service and franchise service fees for connected stores.

Net revenues from new home transaction services increased by 64.2% to RMB8.1 billion (US$1.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB4.9 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the increase of GTV of new home transactions of 53.0% to RMB232.2 billion (US$32.0 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB151.8 billion in the same period of 2024. Among that, the GTV of new home transactions facilitated on Beike platform through connected agents, dedicated sales team with the expertise on new home transaction services and other sales channels increased by 58.3% to RMB192.0 billion (US$26.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB121.3 billion in the same period of 2024, and the GTV of new home transactions served by Lianjia brand increased by 32.1% to RMB40.3 billion (US$5.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB30.5 billion in the same period of 2024.

Net revenues from home renovation and furnishing increased by 22.3% to RMB2.9 billion (US$0.4 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB2.4 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the increase in home renovation orders referred by home transaction services.

Net revenues from home rental services increased by 93.8% to RMB5.1 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB2.6 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the increase of the number of rental units under the Carefree Rent model.

Net revenues from emerging and other services were RMB350 million (US$48 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB700 million in the same period of 2024.

Cost of Revenues

Total cost of revenues increased by 51.0% to RMB18.5 billion (US$2.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB12.3 billion in the same period of 2024.

Commission – split. The Company’s cost of revenues for commissions to connected agents and other sales channels increased by 66.6% to RMB5.7 billion (US$0.8 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, from RMB3.4 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the increase in net revenues from new home transaction services derived from transactions facilitated through connected agents and other sales channels.

Commission and compensation – internal. The Company’s cost of revenues for internal commission and compensation increased by 33.1% to RMB4.8 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB3.6 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily due to an increase in the net revenues from existing and new home transactions derived from transactions facilitated through Lianjia agents and the increase in fixed compensation costs mainly driven by the increased number of Lianjia agents and improved benefits for them.

Cost of home renovation and furnishing. The Company’s cost of revenues for home renovation and furnishing increased by 18.8% to RMB2.0 billion (US$0.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB1.7 billion in the same period of 2024, which was in line with the growth of net revenues from home renovation and furnishing.

Cost of home rental services. The Company’s cost of revenues for home rental services increased by 91.3% to RMB4.7 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB2.5 billion in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the growth of net revenues from home rental services.

Cost related to stores. The Company’s cost related to stores increased by 4.6% to RMB717 million (US$99 million) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB685 million in the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to the increased number of Lianjia stores.

Other costs. The Company’s other costs increased to RMB0.5 billion (US$0.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB0.4 billion in the same period of 2024, mainly due to the increased tax and surcharges in line with the increased net revenues and an increase in provision and funding costs of financial services.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 17.0% to RMB4.8 billion (US$0.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB4.1 billion in the same period of 2024. Gross margin decreased to 20.7% in the first quarter of 2025 from 25.2% in the same period of 2024, primarily due to a) a lower proportion of net revenues from existing home transaction services with a relatively higher contribution margin than other revenues streams, and b) a lower contribution margin of existing home transaction services led by the increased fix compensation costs as percentage of net revenues from existing home transaction services.

Income from Operations

Total operating expenses were RMB4.2 billion (US$0.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB4.1 billion in the same period of 2024.

General and administrative expenses were RMB1.9 billion (US$0.3 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, compared with RMB2.0 billion in the same period of 2024, mainly due to the decrease in share-based compensation expenses.

Sales and marketing expenses increased by 9.2% to RMB1.8 billion (US$0.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB1.6 billion in the same period of 2024, mainly due to the increase in sales and marketing expenses for home renovation and furnishing business.

Research and development expenses increased by 24.9% to RMB584 million (US$80 million) in the first quarter of 2025 from RMB467 million in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the increased headcount of research and development personnel and the increased technical service costs.

Income from operations was RMB591 million (US$81million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB12 million in the same period of 2024. Operating margin was 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 0.1% in the same period of 2024, primarily due to the improved operating leverage, compared to the same period of 2024.

Adjusted income from operations⁶ was RMB1,148 million (US$158 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB960 million in the same period of 2024. Adjusted operating margin⁷ was 4.9% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 5.9% in the same period of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA⁸ was RMB1,842 million (US$254 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB1,666 million in the same period of 2024.

Net Income

Net income was RMB855 million (US$118 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB432 million in the same period of 2024.

Adjusted net income was RMB1,393 million (US$192 million) in the first quarter of 2025, relatively flat compared to RMB1,392 million in the same period of 2024.

Net Income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s Ordinary Shareholders

Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB856 million (US$118 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB432 million in the same period of 2024.

Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders⁹ was RMB1,393 million (US$192 million) in the first quarter of 2025, compared to RMB1,392 million in the same period of 2024.

Net Income per ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders¹⁰ were RMB0.76 (US$0.10) and RMB0.73 (US$0.10) in the first quarter of 2025, respectively, compared to RMB0.38 and RMB0.37 in the same period of 2024, respectively.

Adjusted basic and diluted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders¹¹ were RMB1.24 (US$0.17) and RMB1.19 (US$0.16) in the first quarter of 2025, respectively, compared to RMB1.21 and RMB1.18 in the same period of 2024, respectively.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Short-Term Investments

As of March 31, 2025, the combined balance of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments amounted to RMB54.8 billion (US$7.6 billion).

Share Repurchase Program

As previously disclosed, the Company established a share repurchase program in August 2022 and upsized and extended it in August 2023 and August 2024, under which the Company may purchase up to US$3 billion of its Class A ordinary shares and/or ADSs until August 31, 2025, subject to obtaining another general unconditional mandate for the repurchase from the shareholders of the Company at the next annual general meeting to continue its share repurchase after the expiry of the existing share repurchase mandate granted by the annual general meeting held on June 14, 2024. As of March 31, 2025, the Company in aggregate has purchased approximately 116.6 million ADSs (representing approximately 349.9 million Class A ordinary shares) on the New York Stock Exchange with a total consideration of approximately US$1,764.8 million under this share repurchase program since its launch.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 15, 2025 (8:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Thursday, May 15, 2025) to discuss the financial results.

For participants who wish to join the conference call using dial-in numbers, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Dial-in numbers, passcode and unique access PIN would be provided upon registering.

Participant Online Registration:

English Line: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10046740-j8h7g6.html

Chinese Simultaneous Interpretation Line (listen-only mode): https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10046741-h6g53.html

A replay of the conference call will be accessible through May 22, 2025, by dialing the following numbers:

United States:	+1-855-883-1031
Mainland, China:	400-1209-216
Hong Kong, China:	800-930-639
International:	+61-7-3107-6325
Replay PIN (English line):	10046740
Replay PIN (Chinese simultaneous interpretation line):	10046741

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.ke.com.

Exchange Rate

This press release contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars (“US$”) at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB7.2567 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on March 31, 2025, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial information contained in this earnings release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted income (loss) from operations, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, each a non-GAAP financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and formulating its business plan. Beike believes that these non-GAAP financial measures help identify underlying trends in the Company’s business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its net income (loss). Beike also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its results of operations, enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in formulating its business plan. A limitation of using these non-GAAP financial measures is that these non-GAAP financial measures exclude share-based compensation expenses that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, a significant recurring expense in the Company’s business.

The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to gross profit, net income (loss) or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company’s data. Beike encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure. Adjusted income (loss) from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Adjusted operating margin is defined as adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues. Adjusted net income (loss) is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, and (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vi) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (vii) impairment of investments. Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.

Please see the “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” included in this press release for a full reconciliation of each non-GAAP measure to its respective comparable GAAP measure.

About KE Holdings Inc.

KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building infrastructure and standards to reinvent how service providers and customers efficiently navigate and complete housing transactions and services in China, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation and furnishing, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China’s leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With more than 23 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build its infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release, as well as Beike’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Beike may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about KE Holdings Inc.’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Beike’s goals and strategies; Beike’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; expected changes in the Company’s revenues, costs or expenditures; Beike’s ability to empower services and facilitate transactions on Beike platform; competition in the industry in which Beike operates; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the industry; Beike’s ability to protect the Company’s systems and infrastructures from cyber-attacks; Beike’s dependence on the integrity of brokerage brands, stores and agents on the Company’s platform; general economic and business conditions in China and globally; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in KE Holdings Inc.’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and KE Holdings Inc. does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please visit: https://investors.ke.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

In China:
KE Holdings Inc.
Investor Relations
Siting Li
E-mail: ir@ke.com

Piacente Financial Communications
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com

In the United States:
Piacente Financial Communications
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: ke@tpg-ir.com

Source: KE Holdings Inc.

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)

	As of December 31,	As of March 31,
	2024	2025
	RMB	RMB	US$

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	11,442,965	12,772,700	1,760,125
Restricted cash	8,858,449	10,145,685	1,398,113
Short-term investments	41,317,700	31,876,941	4,392,760
Financing receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB147,330 and RMB162,302 as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively	2,835,527	2,073,051	285,674
Accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of RMB1,636,163 and RMB1,643,867 as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively	5,497,989	5,139,299	708,214
Amounts due from and prepayments to related parties	379,218	390,196	53,770
Loan receivables from related parties	18,797	194,086	26,746
Prepayments, receivables and other assets	6,252,700	7,573,610	1,043,672
Total current assets	76,603,345	70,165,568	9,669,074
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,400,211	2,427,395	334,504
Right-of-use assets	23,366,879	23,536,212	3,243,377
Long-term investments, net	23,790,106	27,618,510	3,805,932
Intangible assets, net	857,635	823,140	113,432
Goodwill	4,777,420	4,777,420	658,346
Long-term loan receivables from related parties	131,410	19,360	2,668
Other non-current assets	1,222,277	1,244,856	171,546
Total non-current assets	56,545,938	60,446,893	8,329,805
TOTAL ASSETS	133,149,283	130,612,461	17,998,879

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)

	As of December 31,	As of March 31,
	2024	2025
	RMB	RMB	US$

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	9,492,629	7,868,788	1,084,348
Amounts due to related parties	391,446	427,753	58,946
Employee compensation and welfare payable	8,414,472	5,226,229	720,194
Customer deposits payable	6,078,623	7,452,000	1,026,913
Income taxes payable	1,028,735	823,746	113,515
Short-term borrowings	288,280	182,010	25,082
Lease liabilities current portion	13,729,701	13,579,265	1,871,273
Contract liabilities and deferred revenue	6,051,867	6,583,215	907,191
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,268,505	10,618,658	1,463,290
Total current liabilities	52,744,258	52,761,664	7,270,752
Non-current liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities	317,697	317,697	43,780
Lease liabilities non-current portion	8,636,770	8,579,296	1,182,259
Other non-current liabilities	2,563	2,465	340
Total non-current liabilities	8,957,030	8,899,458	1,226,379
TOTAL LIABILITIES	61,701,288	61,661,122	8,497,131

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data)

	As of December 31,		As of March 31,
	2024		2025
	RMB		RMB		US$

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
KE Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity
Ordinary shares (US$0.00002 par value; 25,000,000,000 ordinary shares authorized, comprising of 24,114,698,720 Class A ordinary shares and 885,301,280 Class B ordinary shares. 3,479,616,986 Class A ordinary shares issued and 3,337,567,403 Class A ordinary shares outstanding⁽¹⁾ as of December 31, 2024; 3,477,710,889 Class A ordinary shares issued and 3,346,161,732 Class A ordinary shares outstanding⁽¹⁾ as of March 31, 2025; and 145,413,446 and 144,042,476 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, respectively)	461		460		63
Treasury shares	(949,410	)	(462,581	)	(63,745	)
Additional paid-in capital	72,460,562		68,618,103		9,455,827
Statutory reserves	926,972		926,972		127,740
Accumulated other comprehensive income	609,112		616,892		85,010
Accumulated deficit	(1,723,881	)	(868,114	)	(119,629	)
Total KE Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity	71,323,816		68,831,732		9,485,266
Non-controlling interests	124,179		119,607		16,482
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	71,447,995		68,951,339		9,501,748
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	133,149,283		130,612,461		17,998,879

(1) Excluding the Class A ordinary shares registered in the name of the depositary bank for future issuance of ADSs upon the exercise or vesting of awards granted under our share incentive plans and the Class A ordinary shares repurchased but not cancelled in the form of ADSs.

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$

Net revenues
Existing home transaction services	5,727,030		6,870,407		946,767
New home transaction services	4,916,515		8,074,995		1,112,764
Home renovation and furnishing	2,408,848		2,945,443		405,893
Home rental services	2,625,203		5,087,776		701,114
Emerging and other services	699,718		349,726		48,194
Total net revenues	16,377,314		23,328,347		3,214,732
Cost of revenues
Commission-split	(3,418,179	)	(5,693,140	)	(784,536	)
Commission and compensation-internal	(3,620,949	)	(4,818,277	)	(663,976	)
Cost of home renovation and furnishing	(1,671,718	)	(1,985,956	)	(273,672	)
Cost of home rental services	(2,480,497	)	(4,746,056	)	(654,024	)
Cost related to stores	(685,047	)	(716,809	)	(98,779	)
Others	(378,838	)	(547,217	)	(75,408	)
Total cost of revenues⁽¹⁾	(12,255,228	)	(18,507,455	)	(2,550,395	)
Gross profit	4,122,086		4,820,892		664,337
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing expenses⁽¹⁾	(1,623,737	)	(1,772,957	)	(244,320	)
General and administrative expenses⁽¹⁾	(2,019,195	)	(1,873,760	)	(258,211	)
Research and development expenses⁽¹⁾	(467,300	)	(583,610	)	(80,424	)
Total operating expenses	(4,110,232	)	(4,230,327	)	(582,955	)
Income from operations	11,854		590,565		81,382
Interest income, net	309,675		268,568		37,010
Share of results of equity investees	(4,086	)	7,345		1,012
Fair value changes in investments, net	7,765		110,486		15,225
Impairment loss for equity investments accounted for using measurement alternative	(6,147	)	–		–
Foreign currency exchange loss	(17,748	)	(39,633	)	(5,462	)
Other income, net	537,638		445,447		61,384
Income before income tax expense	838,951		1,382,778		190,551
Income tax expense	(406,829	)	(527,455	)	(72,685	)
Net income	432,122		855,323		117,866

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$

Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders	(348	)	444		61
Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.	431,774		855,767		117,927
Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders	431,774		855,767		117,927

Net income	432,122		855,323		117,866
Currency translation adjustments	36,335		(23,695	)	(3,265	)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments, net of reclassification	25,331		31,475		4,337
Total comprehensive income	493,788		863,103		118,938
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders	(348	)	444		61
Comprehensive income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.	493,440		863,547		118,999
Comprehensive income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders	493,440		863,547		118,999

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025
	RMB	RMB	US$

Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in computing net income per share, basic and diluted
—Basic	3,439,606,429	3,362,716,016	3,362,716,016
—Diluted	3,541,861,506	3,522,002,071	3,522,002,071

Weighted average number of ADS used in computing net income per ADS, basic and diluted
—Basic	1,146,535,476	1,120,905,339	1,120,905,339
—Diluted	1,180,620,502	1,174,000,690	1,174,000,690

Net income per share attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
—Basic	0.13	0.25	0.03
—Diluted	0.12	0.24	0.03

Net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
—Basic	0.38	0.76	0.10
—Diluted	0.37	0.73	0.10

(1) Includes share-based compensation expenses as follows:
Cost of revenues	124,433	109,558	15,097
Sales and marketing expenses	47,303	45,295	6,242
General and administrative expenses	577,134	331,203	45,641
Research and development expenses	44,510	41,113	5,666

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$

Income from operations	11,854		590,565		81,382
Share-based compensation expenses	793,380		527,169		72,646
Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement	154,293		29,883		4,118
Adjusted income from operations	959,527		1,147,617		158,146

Net income	432,122		855,323		117,866
Share-based compensation expenses	793,380		527,169		72,646
Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement	154,293		29,883		4,118
Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration	13,191		(13,084	)	(1,803	)
Impairment of investments	6,147		–		–
Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments	(6,916	)	(6,494	)	(895	)
Adjusted net income	1,392,217		1,392,797		191,932

Net income	432,122		855,323		117,866
Income tax expense	406,829		527,455		72,685
Share-based compensation expenses	793,380		527,169		72,646
Amortization of intangible assets	158,506		35,171		4,847
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	165,169		178,254		24,564
Interest income, net	(309,675	)	(268,568	)	(37,010	)
Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration	13,191		(13,084	)	(1,803	)
Impairment of investments	6,147		–		–
Adjusted EBITDA	1,665,669		1,841,720		253,795

Net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders	431,774		855,767		117,927
Share-based compensation expenses	793,380		527,169		72,646
Amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement	154,293		29,883		4,118
Changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration	13,191		(13,084	)	(1,803	)
Impairment of investments	6,147		–		–
Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments	(6,916	)	(6,494	)	(895	)
Effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders	(7	)	(7	)	(1	)
Adjusted net income attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders	1,391,862		1,393,234		191,992

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS (Continued) (All amounts in thousands, except for share, per share data, ADS and per ADS data)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024	March 31, 2025	March 31, 2025
	RMB	RMB	US$

Weighted average number of ADS used in computing net income per ADS, basic and diluted
—Basic	1,146,535,476	1,120,905,339	1,120,905,339
—Diluted	1,180,620,502	1,174,000,690	1,174,000,690

Weighted average number of ADS used in calculating adjusted net income per ADS, basic and diluted
—Basic	1,146,535,476	1,120,905,339	1,120,905,339
—Diluted	1,180,620,502	1,174,000,690	1,174,000,690

Net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
—Basic	0.38	0.76	0.10
—Diluted	0.37	0.73	0.10

Non-GAAP adjustments to net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
—Basic	0.83	0.48	0.07
—Diluted	0.81	0.46	0.06

Adjusted net income per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders
—Basic	1.21	1.24	0.17
—Diluted	1.18	1.19	0.16

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (All amounts in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$

Net cash used in operating activities	(2,108,532	)	(3,965,271	)	(546,429	)
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,290,426		6,285,669		866,188
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(252,538	)	261,073		35,977
Effect of exchange rate change on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,505	)	35,500		4,892
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,074,149	)	2,616,971		360,628
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the period	25,857,461		20,301,414		2,797,610
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period	24,783,312		22,918,385		3,158,238

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED SEGMENT CONTRIBUTION MEASURE (All amounts in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$
Existing home transaction services
Net revenues	5,727,030		6,870,407		946,767
Commission and compensation	(3,180,925	)	(4,252,291	)	(585,981	)
Contribution	2,546,105		2,618,116		360,786
New home transaction services
Net revenues	4,916,515		8,074,995		1,112,764
Commission and compensation	(3,821,103	)	(6,185,772	)	(852,422	)
Contribution	1,095,412		1,889,223		260,342
Home renovation and furnishing
Net revenues	2,408,848		2,945,443		405,893
Material costs, commission and compensation	(1,671,718	)	(1,985,956	)	(273,672	)
Contribution	737,130		959,487		132,221
Home rental services
Net revenues	2,625,203		5,087,776		701,114
Property leasing costs, commission and compensation	(2,480,497	)	(4,746,056	)	(654,024	)
Contribution	144,706		341,720		47,090
Emerging and other services
Net revenues	699,718		349,726		48,194
Commission and compensation	(37,100	)	(73,354	)	(10,109	)
Contribution	662,618		276,372		38,085

KE Holdings Inc. UNAUDITED SEGMENT CONTRIBUTION MEASURE (Continued) (All amounts in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2025		March 31, 2025
	RMB		RMB		US$
Reconciliation of profit
Cost related to stores	(685,047	)	(716,809	)	(98,779	)
Other costs	(378,838	)	(547,217	)	(75,408	)
Amounts not allocated to segment:
Sales and marketing expenses	(1,623,737	)	(1,772,957	)	(244,320	)
General and administrative expenses	(2,019,195	)	(1,873,760	)	(258,211	)
Research and development expenses	(467,300	)	(583,610	)	(80,424	)
Total operating expenses	(4,110,232	)	(4,230,327	)	(582,955	)
Income from operations	11,854		590,565		81,382

¹ GTV for a given period is calculated as the total value of all transactions which the Company facilitated on the Company’s platform and evidenced by signed contracts as of the end of the period, including the value of the existing home transactions, new home transactions, home renovation and furnishing and emerging and other services (excluding home rental services), and including transactions that are contracted but pending closing at the end of the relevant period. For the avoidance of doubt, for transactions that failed to close afterwards, the corresponding GTV represented by these transactions will be deducted accordingly.
² Adjusted net income (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, and (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
³ Based on our accumulated operational experience, we have introduced the operating metrics of number of active stores and number of active agents on our platform, which can better reflect the operational activeness of stores and agents on our platform.
“Active stores” as of a given date is defined as stores on our platform excluding the stores which (i) have not facilitated any housing transaction during the preceding 60 days, (ii) do not have any agent who has engaged in any critical steps in housing transactions (including but not limited to introducing new properties, attracting new customers and conducting property showings) during the preceding seven days, or (iii) have not been visited by any agent during the preceding 14 days. The number of active stores was 42,593 as of March 31, 2024.
⁴ “Active agents” as of a given date is defined as agents on our platform excluding the agents who (i) delivered notice to leave but have not yet completed the exit procedures, (ii) have not engaged in any critical steps in housing transactions (including but not limited to introducing new properties, attracting new customers and conducting property showings) during the preceding 30 days, or (iii) have not participated in facilitating any housing transaction during the preceding three months. The number of active agents was 399,159 as of March 31, 2024.
⁵ “Mobile monthly active users” or “mobile MAU” are to the sum of (i) the number of accounts that have accessed our platform through our Beike or Lianjia mobile app (with duplication eliminated) at least once during a month, and (ii) the number of Weixin users that have accessed our platform through our Weixin Mini Programs at least once during a month. Average mobile MAU for any period is calculated by dividing (i) the sum of the Company’s mobile MAUs for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in such period.
⁶ Adjusted income (loss) from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as income (loss) from operations, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, and (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
⁷ Adjusted operating margin is adjusted income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net revenues.
⁸ Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss), excluding (i) income tax expense, (ii) share-based compensation expenses, (iii) amortization of intangible assets, (iv) depreciation of property, plant and equipment, (v) interest income, net, (vi) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, and (vii) impairment of investments. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
⁹ Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders, excluding (i) share-based compensation expenses, (ii) amortization of intangible assets resulting from acquisitions and business cooperation agreement, (iii) changes in fair value from long-term investments, loan receivables measured at fair value and contingent consideration, (iv) impairment of investments, (v) tax effects of the above non-GAAP adjustments, and (vi) effects of non-GAAP adjustments on net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests shareholders. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.
¹⁰ ADS refers to American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted.
¹¹ Adjusted net income (loss) per ADS attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as adjusted net income (loss) attributable to KE Holdings Inc.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS outstanding during the periods used in calculating adjusted net income (loss) per ADS, basic and diluted. Please refer to the section titled “Unaudited reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results” for details.

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: BEN Expands into Hospitality with AI Concierge

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WILMINGTON, Del., May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — What happens when an AI innovator enters one of the world’s most service-driven industries? For BEN, it enters a new vertical—reimagining hospitality with personalized, intelligent AI. That journey begins at one of Eastern Europe’s top luxury hotels, delivering a next-generation guest experience that blends high-touch service with human-like intelligence.

Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI), an innovator in AI-powered customer engagement, announced it has entered into a formal agreement with Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin (The Dvin), to develop and deploy BEN’s expert Concierge AI Agent at the iconic Yerevan destination. This collaboration signifies BEN’s entry into the hospitality sector, which the parties believe will establish a new standard for AI-enhanced luxury guest experiences on a larger scale.

A Two-Phase Pilot Initiative Designed for Impact

The collaboration will begin with a two-phase pilot initiative, starting with a 24/7 Concierge AI Agent and following with a Reservation AI Agent. Both are powered by BEN’s modular iSKYE platform, allowing clients to deploy high-impact use cases quickly and scale across the guest journey.

With this initiative, BEN enters the hospitality industry, offering secure, guest-first AI tailored for high-touch customer experience, marking a strategic expansion into a new vertical.

A Setting Built for Innovation

“Introducing AI at this level isn’t just about adopting new technology—it’s about redefining luxury,” said Dvin owner Artak Tovmasyan, who also holds a 30% stake in a cybersecurity firm serving over 85% of Dubai’s hotels. “We chose BEN for their secure, guest-first platform—designed with trust, speed, and world-class execution in mind.”

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate the versatility of BEN’s AI platform in a setting where service excellence is paramount,” said Paul Chang, CEO of Brand Engagement Network.

For more information about BEN, visit www.beninc.ai.

About Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin
Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin stands as Armenia’s crown jewel — a historical and cultural entertainment destination where timeless heritage meets bold innovation. Globally recognized with 15 international awards and several Guinness nominations, it stands as a symbol of excellence on the world stage — including titles such as World’s Leading Hotel Dining & Entertainment Experience 2023 and 2024, World’s Best New MICE Hotel 2023, as well as multiple awards as Europe’s and Armenia’s Leading Hotel. Seven Visions plays a key role in making Armenia a top MICE destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions worldwide. Its mission is clear: to place Armenia on the global touristic map. The resort features 153 artfully appointed rooms and suites, providing guests with unparalleled comfort and an immersive stay. At the heart of Seven Visions Resort & Places lies The Dvin Music Hall — the largest ceremony venue in the region, having hosted weddings, prestigious events, and prominent guests. The One & Only Theatre, home to the world’s only ceiling-stage, redefines live entertainment with an immersive experience. Hayrik Restaurant by Seven Visions elevates Armenian cuisine, blending tradition with modern techniques and global influences in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For a unique entertainment experience, the Stage Gastro Show Club pairs fine cuisine with live acrobatic performances, creating a memorable sensory experience. Relaxation flows seamlessly at The Pool, a breathtaking infinity pool designed for inspiration and serenity. Guests can also focus on wellness at Body & Soul Fitness Center, featuring advanced training equipment, a tennis court, and a Cross Fit zone. For business meetings, Hartak Meeting Places offers 12 high-tech venues ideal for conferences, networking events, expos, summits, and exclusive gatherings. The resort also houses ARTaments in Future Tower, a premium business center where only market-leading companies rent exclusive office spaces. Finally, N7 Beach Club, located 1,111 meters above sea level and enclosed by a one-glass facade, boasts the 4th biggest infinity pool of its kind in the world, making it one of the most iconic aquatic experiences globally. And this is just the beginning — with visionary new projects on the horizon, including a world-class casino and an opulent, internationally acclaimed spa, Seven Visions Resort & Places, The Dvin continues to shape the future of hospitality, culture, and global tourism.
Learn more at 7visionshotels.com.

About Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN)
Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (Nasdaq: BNAI) innovates in AI-powered customer engagement by delivering safe, intelligent, scalable solutions. Its proprietary Enterprise Language Model (ELM™) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG™) architecture enable highly personalized interactions supported by customers’ curated data in closed-loop environments. BEN develops AI-driven engagement solutions for the life sciences, automotive, and retail industries, featuring AI-powered avatars for outbound campaigns, inbound customer service, and real-time recommendations. With a global AI research and development team, BEN provides secure cloud-based and on-premises deployments, granting complete control of the technology stack and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 1 standards. The company holds 21 patents, with 28 pending, demonstrating its commitment to advancing AI-driven consumer engagement.
Learn more at www.beninc.ai.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. They are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, BEN’s current expectations, assumptions, plans, strategies, and anticipated results. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause BEN’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Risk Factors in BEN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the other risk factors identified from time to time in the BEN’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Filings with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Many of these circumstances are beyond BEN’s ability to control or predict. These forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on BEN’s part. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “would,” or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on BEN’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to the Company and speak only as of the date they are made. BEN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
Amy Rouyer
P: 503-367-7596
E: amy@beninc.ai

Investor Relations
Susan Xu
P: 778-323-0959
E: sxu@allianceadvisors.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4acfcc4-228d-4129-803b-0a67ff1bf6b6

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news Record increase in offshore wind capacity critical to Clean Power 2030 goal, says OEUK report 15 May 2025

Source: Offshore Energy UK

Headline: OEUK news

Record increase in offshore wind capacity critical to Clean Power 2030 goal, says OEUK report

15 May 2025

In its 2025 Offshore Wind Insight, Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) warns that without action to address price inflation, capital cost and UK supply chain competitiveness, the UK will fail to meet the government’s Clean Power 2030 (CP30) target of between 43 and 51 GW of installed offshore wind capacity.

The UK has the capacity to become a major exporter of wind energy, but if it is to meet CP2030 objectives the September wind allocation round (AR7) will have to be the biggest ever with more than 8GW of new licences awarded.

As the halt to Hornsea 4 wind farm last week shows, cost inflation, finance costs and market outlook make investment in offshore wind all the more challenging, putting additional pressure on CP30 delivery.

North Sea oil and gas have provided the primary source of energy for more than 50 years and the UK will continue to need homegrown oil and gas as part of an integrated energy mix for years to come alongside the build out of renewables. As the focus on decarbonising the economy gains momentum, electricity is expected to dominate the future low carbon energy mix. Much of this will be generated by offshore wind installations fixed to the seabed as well as floating offshore wind (FOW) structures but unless the pace of change quickens, the UK stands to achieve only 35GW by 2030, short of the CP30 target.

In 2024, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) published the Clean Power 2030 (CP30) report, setting out recommendations to the UK government on the design of a clean power grid by 2030. With a goal to accelerate progress to net zero by eliminating emissions that currently come from electricity generation, CP30 also aims to ensure that heating, transport and industry sectors are powered by electricity.

The plan sees a huge build out of renewables including 43-50 Gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind, 27-29 GW of onshore wind, and 45-47 GW of solar power. Noting all renewables play important roles in delivering a clean power grid, whereby Britain will generate enough clean power to meet 95% of total annual electricity demand by 2030, NESO highlighted the critical role of offshore wind.

OEUK’s Wind & Renewables Manager, Thibaut Cheret says:

“Meeting the government’s 2030 target of 43 and 51 GW of installed offshore wind capacity means securing £15bn of private investment in offshore wind each and every year between now and 2030. The government’s next Contract for Difference auction in Allocation Round 7 (AR7), which incentivises new low carbon electricity generating projects, will need to secure historic levels of renewable energy procurement. AR7 needs to clear a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity to maintain the course toward CP30.”

“With the flexibility to supply oil and gas installations or the national grid, Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) will become a critical tool for delivering CP30 and beyond. Offshore wind leasing rounds released by Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas (INTOG) under the auspices of Crown Estate Scotland are helping decarbonise offshore oil and gas production whilst accelerating deployment of the first floating offshore wind project at commercial scale.

“As Floating Offshore Wind projects will have access to windier areas in deeper waters around the UK, it is set to become the growth engine beyond 2030 with investment in FOW likely to overtake fixed-bottom wind in 2033. More than 50 years oil and gas experience means that our UK supply chain is well equipped to capture a sizeable stake of the floating wind market, but a significant portion of the spend required is beyond the reach of many UK companies, which highlights the need for strategic investment in innovation, skills and infrastructure. Getting this right means the UK can become a market leader in wind power generation and play a major part in delivering a homegrown energy transition.”

Wind power remains a key component of the UK’s energy system, its share for UK’s electricity amounting to 29.5% in 2024. Of that, offshore wind contributed 17.2% of total electricity generation. Its ability to outperform onshore wind generation relative to installed capacity is down to newer, larger turbines installed off the coast of Britain, where wind speeds are often stronger for longer and efficiency is likely to be higher. This makes offshore wind one of the most attractive of the renewable energy technologies.

Key report recommendations:

Development plans should be front-loaded to meet CP 2030 – The UK is not on track to meet CP 2030 target so Allocation Round 7 (AR7) needs to be the most ambitious auction round yet. It will need to secure 8.4 GW of new offshore wind capacity if the UK is to stay on course for CP30.
Timely delivery of transmission infrastructure will be essential– Rebuilding the National Grid electricity transmission grid will be a massive task. A grid investment programme of £58bn will be required to support 50 GW offshore wind by 2030.
Investment in UK energy should be to the long-term benefit of the UK economy– £65bn will be invested in UK offshore wind over the next five years – this has the potential to transform the growth outlook for the UK. The forthcoming UK industrial strategy should make developing a competitive homegrown energy supply chain equipped to make the most of these opportunities one of its key objectives.
Energy security is as important as a predominantly renewables-based power system-There should be a focus on homegrown energy, making the most of UK resources. There will be a continued role for gas-fired power generation to balance the grid. This should see the progressive deployment of gas with CCS and in due course hydrogen-fuelled power generation. Interconnectivity will help. A North Sea integrated grid can save £37bn/yr and cut wholesale prices by a fifth and would avoid system duplication.

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MIL OSI Economics –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Thales inaugurates GenF, a first step towards nuclear fusion energy

Source: Thales Group

Headline: Thales inaugurates GenF, a first step towards nuclear fusion energy

15 May 2025

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Thales, a global leader in high-power lasers, will inaugurate GenF on Thursday 15 May 2025 in Le Barp (Bordeaux). GenF aims to take a major step toward in developing a new energy source that is safe, abundant, competitive and low-carbon, through inertial confinement nuclear fusion.
GenF is working in collaboration with the CEA, CNRS, École polytechnique and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region to design a first inertial confinement fusion reactor.
Thales is contributing its expertise in high-power lasers, developed at its Élancourt site, which enabled the company to build the world’s most powerful laser system, currently in operation in Romania.

Energy production through nuclear fusion is now identified as one of the solutions to address two crucial challenges: the need to reduce global carbon emissions and the ever-increasing energy demand across various sectors of the economy, such as transport, construction, agriculture and the digital industry. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), electricity consumption by data centres is expected to more than double by 2030, particularly due to the rise of AI.

Nuclear fusion is therefore regarded as a tremendous opportunity to create a new energy source that is safe (it carries no risk of runaway reactions), abundant (its resources are widely available in nature), competitive and low-carbon (it emits no greenhouse gases). Furthermore, nuclear fusion generates one million times less radioactive waste than fission, and this waste can be eliminated more quickly.

To achieve nuclear fusion, extensive research is being carried out on two methods: magnetic confinement and inertial confinement. The inertial confinement method requires the use of high-energy lasers to compress matter and reach the thermonuclear conditions required for fusion. Significant scientific progress is still needed for this method of energy production to be deployed.

To ensure that France remains one of the pioneering countries in this field, the government, via BPI France, launched a call for projects on “innovative nuclear reactors” in June 2023, under the France 2030 initiative. Drawing on its expertise in high-power lasers, Thales submitted the TARANIS project, in partnership with the CEA, the CNRS and École polytechnique, to demonstrate the feasibility of designing a first inertial confinement nuclear fusion reactor. The project was selected in February 2024, giving it access to a €18,5 million budget for its initial development phase. To bring together the essential complementary expertise, Thales created the company GenF, officially launched in January 2025, and signed a first contract worth several million euros for the development of its fusion laser.

GenF will progress through three development phases:

By 2027, GenF plans a first phase of modelling and simulation, calibrated through experiments on existing facilities such as LMJ;
From 2027 to 2035, a second phase will focus on the maturation of fusion technologies such as multiple laser synchronisation, the production of cryogenic targets and the development of new materials for the reactor wall;
From 2035, a third phase could lead to the scaling-up of the reactor, with the construction of a first prototype.

GenF currently brings together around ten scientists, engineers and industrial experts and involves about forty people from all the institutions combined. The company will inaugurate its premises in Le Barp (Bordeaux) on Thursday 15 May 2025, with support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Council—region that already brings together many areas of expertise in nuclear fusion, including the Centre Lasers Intenses et Applications (CELIA – CNRS/University of Bordeaux/CEA) and the Centre d’Études Scientifiques et Techniques d’Aquitaine (CESTA – CEA).

Thales has 40 years of experience in high-power lasers. From design and development to installation, team training and operational support, Thales masters the entire high-power laser expertise chain, which includes laser sources from 10 TW to 10 petawatts, beam transport lines, target focusing optics and quality control systems. Thales has also been active in nuclear fusion for over 25 years, particularly as a lead contractor for subassemblies as part of the Laser Mégajoule programme, a research initiative on inertial confinement fusion developed by the CEA. In addition, at its Vélizy and Thonon sites, Thales develops high-power electronic tubes for magnetic confinement fusion reactors, including for the international ITER demonstrator.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Piero Cipollone: Harnessing the digital future of payments: Europe’s path to sovereignty and innovation

Source: European Central Bank

Speech by Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the France Payments Forum event “Digital euro and the future of payments in Europe”

Paris, 15 May 2025

Thank you for inviting me to discuss the future of payments and the digital euro.

Most people associate the adoption of the euro with the launch of euro banknotes and coins. While the euro was introduced for accounting purposes in 1999, we tend to feel it only became our money three years later once we started paying in euro cash around Europe. Euro banknotes and coins made the currency the tangible symbol of a united Europe.

A strong currency also comes in tandem with strong payment systems. We offer payment infrastructures that form the plumbing of the financial system. Though less visible than banknotes and coins, these infrastructures are key to our monetary and financial integration.

Retail and wholesale payments are hence an integral part of our tasks at the central bank. We issue cash, supply reserves – the ultimate liquid asset – to banks and operate payment systems, thereby supporting our economy by enabling euro area transactions that are secure, risk-free and European. This is what preserves our economic stability and our monetary sovereignty.

Building on this reliable base, private sector firms can then offer their own solutions, without their customers having to worry about the money they use. One euro is one euro, because private money can be converted to cash at all times and because financial transactions can be settled in central bank money – the only risk-free asset there is.

So today, I want to focus on how we can make our currency future-proof and enhance the integration, competitiveness and resilience of European payments in the digital era.

As people increasingly prefer to pay digitally and online commerce expands, the role of cash as a universal payment solution is declining. We thus risk being left without a European solution that allows us to pay throughout the euro area in all situations. To restore the central role of cash, we need to complement physical cash with its digital equivalent, a digital euro. Making central bank money available in digital form might seem like a small and obvious step, but it is in fact an essential one for overcoming the entrenched and longstanding fragmentation of our payment market. The digital euro will achieve this directly by modernising the supply of public money and indirectly through its infrastructure and acceptance network, which private payment service providers can leverage to expand and innovate on a European scale. Ultimately, a digital euro will enhance the competitiveness of European providers and their ability to offer all types of digital payments to European consumers.

The situation is different for wholesale financial transactions as we already offer settlement in digital central bank money and do not face the same dependencies. However, market participants increasingly expect that tokenisation and distributed ledger technology (DLT) will transform financial transactions by enabling assets to be issued or represented as digital tokens. We are currently expanding our initiative to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money. By making central bank money available, we avoid the risk of other settlement assets being used, such as US dollar stablecoins, which would reintroduce credit risk, fragmentation and a dependency on non-European solutions.

We are progressing on the retail and wholesale fronts in parallel. In both cases, Europe needs its own, sovereign money for the digital era, so that it can harness the benefits of integration, innovation and independence. In the words of the late French economist Michel Aglietta, money is not just a technical device, it is an essential institution.^[1]

A digital euro for everyday payments

Let me first discuss the rationale for the digital euro and the benefits it will bring.

Currently, cash is the sole sovereign payment method across the euro area. It offers Europeans a convenient, secure and universally accepted way to pay and store value, ensuring financial inclusion. Cash also upholds the resilience of our payment systems and economies, acting as a reliable fallback during crises such as cyberattacks or power outages. This is why we remain strongly committed to cash.^[2]

However, digital payments have gained popularity, with online shopping accounting for more than a third of our retail transactions. This means that acceptance of and access to cash are no longer sufficient to cover a growing share of payment situations. In value terms, cash payments made up only 24% of day-to-day payments in the euro area last year.^[3]

Lacking a genuine European payment solution that works across the euro area, we are left critically dependent on foreign payment providers.^[4] Currently, nearly two-thirds of euro area card-based transactions are processed by non-European companies while 13 euro area countries depend entirely on international card schemes or mobile solutions for in-store payments.^[5] And even where national card schemes are available, they require co-badging with international card schemes to facilitate cross-border payments within the euro area or online shopping. Moreover, mobile apps and e-payment solutions are dominated by foreign solutions like PayPal, Apple Pay or Alipay. And they partner with international card schemes to further reinforce their position and expand their reach: PayPal has just announced that it will start enabling contactless payments in Germany, using Mastercard technology.^[6] Looking ahead, our dependency could soon extend to foreign stablecoins, 99% of which are dollar-denominated in terms of total value.^[7]

As a result, European payments face three significant challenges.

First, we need to ensure our strategic autonomy and monetary sovereignty. Our overreliance on foreign payment providers makes us dependent on the kindness of strangers at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. I trust that this risk is well understood in the country of De Gaulle. There is no true sovereignty without sovereign money.^[8] As my dear colleague Banque de France governor François Villeroy de Galhau has remarked, this is as true in the 21st century as it was in the past.^[9]

Second, we should simply ask ourselves why there is no Europe-based international card scheme. I would say it’s because we suffer from a lack of competitiveness and innovation. European payment service providers focus on their home country and struggle to compete on a European level, let alone on a global one, limiting their ability to drive large-scale innovation. The cost of investing in a European-wide acceptance network has often discouraged European payment service providers from offering a European card payment solution.

These failures come at a high price: the dominance of non-European providers stifles competition, leading to higher costs for merchants and consumers. And when transactions are conducted through international card schemes, European banks lose fees. When transactions are made on apps such as Apple Pay or PayPal, they lose fees and data. And if the use of US dollar stablecoins becomes more widespread, the banks could lose, fees, data and deposits.

Third, user experience is still poor for Europeans, who juggle multiple payment solutions to meet various needs. Despite the euro’s 25-year legacy, we still lack a digital payment solution that can be used across all euro area countries.

By introducing the digital euro, we aim to tackle these challenges head-on.

Importantly, the digital euro would make payments more convenient. It would provide a digital payment method that complements cash, extending its benefits into the digital realm. For instance, it would have legal tender status, meaning that it would be accepted wherever one can pay digitally. And it would also be available offline, offering users similar privacy to paying with cash and allowing them to pay even in the absence of a network connection. A digital euro would give European consumers a simple and safe digital payment option, free for basic use, that covers all their payment needs everywhere in the euro area.

In fact, one simple reason for introducing the digital euro is that people want it. Even at this early stage, surveys show that close to half of respondents would be likely to use the digital euro – a number that has significantly increased over time.^[10] This trend is confirmed by several surveys^[11] conducted by national central banks which suggest that many Europeans are open to the idea of using a digital euro.

Launching the digital euro would also ensure that the euro area retains control over its financial future. By offering a secure and universally accepted digital payment option which would be suitable for all use cases – and, crucially, under European governance – it would reduce our dependence on foreign providers. This would protect European merchants from excessive charges, strengthening their bargaining power with those providers and offering an attractive alternative.^[12] At the same time, European banks would be able to retain their customer relationship and be remunerated for their role in distributing the digital euro. And the digital euro would limit the likelihood of foreign currency stablecoins becoming widely used for retail payments within the euro area.

Moreover, the digital euro would be based on a core public-private partnership that would leverage synergies, enabling private initiatives to scale up across the euro area. For instance, domestic card payment solutions could co-badge with the digital euro to cover transactions currently beyond their reach. At the same time, banks’ wallets and internet banking solutions could integrate the digital euro as an alternative way to pay that is accepted throughout the euro area and supports both contactless and QR-based payments.^[13] The open digital euro standards – which can be finalised as soon as the regulation on the digital euro is adopted and can start being used even before the digital euro is issued – would facilitate cost-effective standardisation, allowing private providers to launch new products and functionalities on a European scale. This would unlock innovation and create new business opportunities. In fact, research shows that stock prices of European payment firms increase in response to positive announcements on the digital euro, whereas those of US payment firms decrease.^[14]

Last October we issued a call for expressions of interest in innovation partnerships for the digital euro. Some 70 merchants, fintech companies, start-ups, banks and other payment service providers – including four from France^[15] – have now joined us in exploring the potential of the digital euro to drive innovation.^[16] Our innovation platform simulates the envisaged digital euro ecosystem, in which the ECB provides the technical support and infrastructure for European intermediaries to develop digital payment features and services at European level. One of the areas we are exploring is broadening the set of possible conditional payments, such as making payments dependent on successful delivery of goods or services.

In July we will release a report on these innovation partnerships. It will include the technical information shared with the participants, enabling the entire market to replicate these activities, thereby further supporting innovation by the private sector. Additionally, based on the positive feedback from the pioneers, we will extend the exercise until the end of June, which will allow us to test new functionalities of conditional payments, incorporating fresh ideas and suggestions from our private sector counterparts.

The digital euro’s success in reclaiming our autonomy in the retail payment space and boosting innovation capacity hinges on collaboration. In recent years we have engaged extensively with market stakeholders, gathering input from consumers, merchants, banks and payment service providers. We have also started working with market participants on the digital euro rulebook – a single set of rules, standards and procedures for digital euro payments.^[17]

This inclusive approach helps us to address everyone’s needs and perspectives, crafting a robust payment solution and platform that will benefit all Europeans, support private sector innovation and preserve the future of our money – the euro.

The role of central bank money in shaping a European market for digital assets

Let me now turn to wholesale transactions, a domain where technology holds tremendous potential for transformation.

Currently, we facilitate transactions between financial institutions through our TARGET Services: T2 processes over 90% of large payments, while T2S handles securities transactions.

These services have significantly enhanced the efficiency and integration of post-trade platforms in Europe. And we plan to continue improving them: in 2023 we extended T2 operating times to 22.5 hours on weekdays and we are about to launch a consultation paper investigating stakeholder needs and their interest in a further extension of operating hours. In a month’s time we will also launch the European Collateral Management System, which will provide a single, harmonised framework for handling collateral in the 20 euro area countries.^[18] And in October 2027 we will move to T+1, shortening the settlement cycle from two days to one. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as DLT and tokenisation have the potential to bring about a step change in wholesale markets.

These technologies are no incremental improvement: they represent a fundamentally new way of operating by allowing assets to be issued or represented in digital token form. This innovation would enable market participants to manage trading, settlement and custody on a single platform, available 24/7, 365 days a year. It would also synchronise trading and settlement. And it would enable new business models, as tokenised money can be used to automate conditional transactions. DLT and tokenisation could also reduce the cost and barriers to access capital markets, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In fact, the emergence of these new technologies is an opportunity to establish an integrated European capital market for digital assets from the outset – a digital capital markets union – which would contribute to better channelling our savings into productive uses and boosting Europe’s innovation potential.^[19] It could help European capital markets to become a hub for DLT-based financial services.

European banks are active in this space, with over 60% exploring or using DLT and 22% already implementing DLT applications. On the securities front, there is a growing number of high-profile issuances on DLT.

The availability of central bank money for settling transactions using these new technologies is crucial for two reasons. First, without central bank money, other settlement assets like stablecoins or tokenised deposits may be used, reintroducing credit risks and fragmentation into the financial system. Second, the market views the ability to settle in central bank money as a key factor in adopting new technologies.

Last year the Eurosystem conducted exploratory work with DLT for settling wholesale transactions in central bank money, using three different solutions to ensure interoperability between our infrastructures and market DLT platforms.^[20] The results were highly promising, with 60 industry participants settling real transactions in central bank money or conducting experiments with mock transactions. A wide range of securities and payments use cases were covered, including the first issuance of an EU sovereign bond using DLT. A total of €1.6 billion was settled over a six-month period, exceeding values settled in comparable initiatives in other parts of the world.

As the next step, we have already announced plans to provide a solution to settle DLT-based transactions in central bank money in the short term.^[21] Looking further ahead, the Eurosystem will explore a more integrated, long-term solution. A critical risk is indeed that DLT application fragmentation and a lack of interoperability could hinder the development of liquid DLT-based markets in Europe, imposing high costs on investors and issuers connecting to multiple platforms. So we need to create a more harmonised and integrated ecosystem.

One way to achieve this would be to move towards a shared ledger: a programmable platform bringing together token versions of central bank money, commercial bank money and other assets, on which market players can provide their services. Another option could be the coordinated development of an ecosystem of fully interoperable technical solutions, which might better serve specific use cases and enable the coexistence of both legacy and new solutions.

This approach will help us enhance the efficiency of European financial markets through innovation, aligning with the Eurosystem’s goal of achieving a more harmonised and integrated European financial system.

However, we cannot do this alone. As we enter this new exploration phase, collaboration with public and market stakeholders will be crucial.

Conclusion

Let me conclude.

The journey toward a digital euro and the integration of new technologies in wholesale transactions represents a pivotal moment for Europe. By embracing these innovations, we can strengthen our monetary sovereignty, enhance our competitiveness and pave the way for a more integrated and resilient financial system.

The digital euro will ensure that Europeans have access to a secure, reliable and universally accepted digital payment solution that complements cash while reducing our reliance on foreign providers. Meanwhile, leveraging central bank money in DLT-based transactions will foster a dynamic and unified digital asset market, driving innovation and unlocking new business opportunities across the continent.

In this transformative era, collaboration is key. We must bring together all stakeholders – public and private, national and European – to craft solutions that reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of all Europeans. Together, we can harness these technological advancements to build a financial ecosystem that is not only more efficient and innovative but also more inclusive and secure.

We have inherited a united Europe and a currency embodying this unity. Our legacy should be European sovereignty and a euro that is fit for the future. This is our collective responsibility, in the public and private sector alike.

Thank you for your attention.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Emergency fund injects over £3m into the city’s third sector

Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

Charities losing funding from the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) are to receive urgent support from the City of Edinburgh Council.

One-off funding of £2.037m will be provided to 46 organisations and projects across Edinburgh which are working to prevent poverty and support vulnerable residents.

An additional £1m will help six third sector advice providers to support residents to maximise their income through accessing welfare benefits, reducing everyday living costs including debt management and improving access to work. A grant has also been provided to support the continued development of the Edinburgh Advice Network.

The decision by the Policy and Sustainability Committee this week (Monday 12 May) will allow funds to be released to prevent the closure of a number of organisations and avert the redundancies of many employees.

Decisions on how to allocate an outstanding £423,400 will be made when Councillors meet again later this month (Tuesday 27 May).

The emergency package of support is provided ahead of a long-term review of the relationship between the Edinburgh Partnership, public sector and third sector in Edinburgh, with the aim of improving funding certainty in future years.

As part of this review, the Edinburgh Partnership is asking voluntary organisations, social enterprises and charities to participate in an online consultation. Workshops will also take place in the coming weeks.

Council Leader and Chair of the Edinburgh Partnership, Jane Meagher, said:

“The third sector provides vital support to our local communities, and we need to provide stability to projects which have been put at risk of closure. Our funding will quickly and directly prevent many charities from redundancies and from reducing the very important services they provide.

“While I’m pleased that we’ve reached a decision to prioritise this work – and to make sure we protect more people from entering poverty – we cannot become complacent. We need longer-term change so that organisations like these, and the many residents who rely on them, are at less risk and have greater stability.

“We want to hear about how we can make helping vulnerable people simpler. Please take part in the consultation we’ve recently launched, as the Edinburgh Partnership seeks views on strengthening our city’s third sector.”

In a deputation to Policy and Sustainability Committee, Bruce Crawford, CEO of EVOC and speaking on behalf of the Third Sector Reference Group said:

“The decisions made by Councillors to support these third sector organisations shows a real understanding of the role that the third sector play in communities across Edinburgh.

“The impact that these Resilience Fund payments will make cannot be underestimated in the way that they will support some of the most vulnerable people in our city. These grants will provide stability to the organisations in receipt of them and allow them to continue to serve their local communities. Longer term solutions need to be developed, and we are prepared to work with the council in planning for the future, beyond the current financial year.”

Visit the Council’s website for more information about the Third Sector Support Review, the one-off Third Sector Resilience Fund and to access cost-of-living support.

Full list of organisations and projects confirmed to receive urgent funding from the Third Sector Transitional Fund:

1. ACE IT Scotland
2. Art in Healthcare
3. B Healthy Together
4. Bridgend Farmhouse
5. Calton Welfare Services
6. Care for Carers
7. Caring in Craigmillar
8. Community Renewal Trust
9. Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
10. Drake Music Scotland
11. Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust
12. Edinburgh Community Food
13. Edinburgh Community Health Forum
14. Edinburgh Headway Group
15. Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
16. Eric Liddell Community
17. Feniks
18. Fresh Start
19. Health All Round
20. Home-Start Edinburgh West and South West (HSEW)
21. LGBT Health and Wellbeing
22. Libertus Services
23. MECOPP
24. Murrayfield Dementia Project
25. Pilmeny Development Project
26. Pilton Equalities Project – Mental Health
27. Pilton Equalities Project – Day Care
28. Portobello Monday Centre
29. Portobello Older People’s Project
30. Positive Help
31. Queensferry Churches Care in the Community
32. Rowan Alba Limited
33. Scottish Huntington’s Association
34. Sikh Sanjog
35. South Edinburgh Amenities Group (SEAG)
36. The Broomhouse Centre (The Beacon Club)
37. Vintage Vibes Consortium
38. The Dove Centre
39. The Health Agency
40. The Living Memory Association
41. The Open Door
42. The Ripple Project
43. The Welcoming Association
44. Venture Scotland
45. VOCAL
46. Waverley Care.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Eclipses, Auroras, and the Spark of Becoming: NASA Inspires Future Scientists

Source: NASA

In the heart of Alaska’s winter, where the night sky stretches endlessly and the aurora dances across the sky in a display of ethereal beauty, nine undergraduate students from across the United States were about to embark on a transformative journey. These students had been active ‘NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassadors’ in their home communities, nine of more than 700 volunteers who shared the science and awe of the 2024 eclipse with hundreds of thousands of people across the country as part of the NASA Science Activation program’s Eclipse Ambassadors project. Now, these nine were chosen to participate in a once-in a lifetime experience as a part of the “Eclipses to Aurora” Winter Field School at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Organized by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific and NASA’s Aurorasaurus Citizen Science project, supported by NASA, this program offered more than just lectures—it was an immersive experience into the wonders of heliophysics and the profound connections between the Sun and Earth.
From January 4 to 11, 2025, the students explored the science behind the aurora through seminars on solar and space physics, hands-on experiments, and tours of cutting-edge research facilities like the Poker Flat Research Range. They also gained invaluable insight from Athabaskan elders, who shared local stories and star knowledge passed down through generations. As Feras recalled, “We attended multiple panels on solar and space physics, spoke to local elders on their connection to the auroras, and visited the Poker Flat Research Range to observe the stunning northern lights.”
For many students, witnessing the aurora was not only a scientific milestone, but a deeply personal and emotional experience. One participant, Andrea, described it vividly: “I looked to the darkest horizon I could find to see my only constant dream fulfilled before my eyes, so slowly dancing and bending to cradle the stars. All I could do, with my hands frozen and tears falling, I began to dream again with my eyes wide open.” Another student, Kalid, reflected on the shared human moment: “Standing there under the vast Alaskan sky… we were all just people, looking up, waiting for something magical. The auroras didn’t care about our majors or our knowledge—they brought us together under the same sky.”
These moments of wonder were mirrored by a deeper sense of purpose and transformation. “Over the course of the week, I had the incredible opportunity to explore auroras through lectures on solar physics, planetary auroras, and Indigenous star knowledge… and to reflect on these experiences through essays and presentations,” said Sophia. The Winter Field School was more than an academic endeavor—it was a celebration of science, culture, and shared human experience. It fostered not only understanding but unity and awe, reminding everyone involved of the profound interconnectedness of our universe.
The impact of the program continues to resonate. For many students, that one aurora-lit week in Alaska became a turning point in the focus of their careers. Sophia has since been accepted into graduate school to pursue heliophysics. Vishvi, inspired by the intersection of science and society, will begin a program in medical physics at the University of Pennsylvania this fall. And Christy, moved by her time at the epicenter of aurora research, has applied to the Ph.D. program in Space Physics at the University of Alaska Fairbanks—the very institution that helped spark her journey. Their stories are powerful proof that the Winter Field School didn’t just teach—it awakened purpose, lit new paths, and left footprints on futures still unfolding.
Eclipse Ambassadors is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSS22M0007 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/

MIL OSI USA News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Victims and escalation of urban violence due to the misuse and spread of illegal weapons in European cities – E-001789/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer E-001789/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Giuseppe Antoci (The Left)

The recent shootings in European cities, such as those in Sicily[1], Brussels[2] and elsewhere in the continent, have caused civilian casualties and confirm an upsurge in urban violence linked to the spread of illegal firearms. There are, it is estimated, over 35 million unregistered weapons in circulation in Europe[3]many held by young people and criminal groups.

The new ‘Protect EU’ strategy cites firearms as a key factor in the rise of violence and commits to proposing common criminal law standards on illicit gun running[4]. The EU Council has also adopted new rules to improve traceability, enhance customs cooperation and make the weapons trade safer³.

Law enforcement go hand-in -hand with a strategy to promote a cultural shift towards civilian disarmament and combat the subculture of armed violence.

As part of the Internal Security Fund, the Commission has launched a specific call for projects to combat illicit weapons trafficking[5].

Can the Commission therefore say:

1.Whether it can it provide updated data on the illegal circulation of firearms in Europe?
2.Whether it plans to allocate new resources to improve preventive measures and law enforcement, particularly in the most vulnerable urban areas[6], by supporting local authorities and law enforcement agencies in disarmament and youth prevention programmes?

Submitted: 2.5.2025

[1] https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/cronaca/2025/04/27/sparatoria-a-monreale-tre-morti-fermato-un-19enne_315f73cd-3cab-4fdb-b123-bb84ccc5b403.html.
[2] https://www.ansa.it/europa/notizie/rubriche/altrenews/2025/04/17/nuova-sparatoria-a-bruxelles-in-area-segnata-da-guerra-tra-gang_62a9f373-4fbf-4984-be53-ff74a0ae2317.html.
[3] These figures are for 2017.
[4] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/trafficking-firearms_en.
[5] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/isf/wp-call/2023-2025/call-fiche_isf-2024-tf2-ag-protect_en.pdf.
[6] Siap, the Italian police union, recently stated that there are actual lawless urban ‘no-go zones’ where the availability of weapons is both a symptom and a cause of a deep-rooted social crisis.

Last updated: 15 May 2025

MIL OSI Europe News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: ICF, EIB and CEB join forces to mobilise up to €400 million investment in social infrastructure in Catalonia

Source: European Investment Bank

Institut Català de Finances (ICF) has signed a €100 million loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and a €50 million loan with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB).
The loans will support projects to develop care homes, day centres and assisted living facilities for the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in the region.
These agreements will allow ICF to finance non-profit social organisations, foundations, local administrations, public and private companies, unlocking up to €400 million in investment for social infrastructure projects.
The EIB loan is backed by InvestEU, an EU flagship programme to mobilise public and private sector investment to support EU policy goals.

ICF, the public development bank of the Government of Catalonia, has signed a €100 million loan with the EIB to promote the construction and rehabilitation of social infrastructures in Catalonia, Spain. This is the first tranche of a loan approved for a total value of €150 million. ICF has also signed a €50 million loan with the CEB with the same aim. These agreements will allow ICF to finance non-profit social organisations, foundations, local administrations, public and private companies, unlocking up to €400 million investment for social infrastructure projects in the region.

The loans will support the construction, refurbishment and improvement of care homes, day centres and assisted living facilities supporting the elderly, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across Catalonia. The financing provided by the three financial institutions is expected to support the creation of approximately 7.500 new residential care places in Catalonia. All funded projects must meet European sustainable building standards, specifically nearly-zero energy building (NZEB) requirements.

María Serrano, EIB’s Head of Division Public Sector in Spain, remarked, “The EIB continues to strengthen its commitment to social infrastructure to meet the most pressing needs of Europe’s people. This financing agreement with the ICF will help to strengthen and expand the range of care facilities for elderly and dependent individuals in line with the highest standards of quality and sustainability, for the benefit of all”.

As emphasised by Maria Sigüenza, the CEB’s Country Manager for Spain, “We are pleased to expand our ongoing partnership with ICF. This new loan reflects the CEB’s strong commitment to social inclusion and the reduction of inequality in Spain. Moreover, it exemplifies the importance of cooperation and joint action among multilateral development banks, such as the CEB and EIB, in building stronger communities and delivering high-impact social projects.”

Vanessa Servera, CEO of the ICF, described the agreement as “a new success story in public-private cooperation,” emphasising that “the EIB and the CEB are providing the financial resources, we are taking on the management and financial risk, and it will be public entities and other actors that will launch the projects and investments the Catalan social services network needs to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.”

The agreement with ICF contributes to the EIB Group’s strategic priority of reinforcing Europe’s social infrastructure. This is one of the Group’s eight priorities set out in its Strategic Roadmap for the years 2024-2027.

The EIB loan is guaranteed by InvestEU, the flagship EU programme to mobilise over €372 billion of additional public and private sector investment to support EU policy goals from 2021 to 2027.

As the social development bank for Europe, investing in social infrastructure is the CEB’s main mission, as emphasised by its Strategic Framework 2023-2027. By signing the agreement with ICF, the CEB continues to respond flexibly to evolving social development and inclusion challenges in Spain.

Background information

ICF

ICF has been the public promotional bank in Catalonia for 40 years, and in that period it has financed 37,000 clients for a total of €16 billion. Its main mission is to promote the financing of companies and entities in order to contribute to the growth, innovation and sustainability of the Catalan economy. ICF acts as a complement to the private sector, offering a wide range of financing solutions focused on loans, guarantees and investment in venture capital. Since 2014 it has been a member of the European Association of Public Banks (EAPB), which brings together a large number of the public promotional banks and financial entities operating in Europe.

EIB

The ElB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by the Member States. Built around eight core priorities, it finances investments that pursue EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund, signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as pledged in the group’s Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects that contribute directly to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a healthier environment.

In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024, helping power the country’s green and digital transition and promote economic growth, competitiveness and better services for inhabitants.

High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

InvestEU

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable recovery. It also helps mobilise private investment for EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. InvestEU brings together under one roof the multitude of EU financial instruments available to support investment in the European Union, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners that invest in projects, leveraging on the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. The entire budget guarantee will back the investment projects of the implementing partners, increasing their risk-bearing capacity and mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

CEB

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank, whose unique mission is to promote social cohesion in its 43 member states across Europe. The CEB finances investment in social sectors, including education, health and affordable housing, with a focus on the needs of vulnerable people. Borrowers include governments, local and regional authorities, public and private banks, non-profit organisations and others. As a multilateral bank with an excellent credit rating, the CEB funds itself on the international capital markets. It approves projects according to strict social, environmental and governance criteria, and provides technical assistance. In addition, the CEB receives funds from donors to complement its activities.

MIL OSI Europe News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New energy upgrades for public buildings to save taxpayers money

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

New energy upgrades for public buildings to save taxpayers money

Schools, community centres and care homes receive new awards to upgrade their buildings and save money off bills in the long term.

Local community buildings will benefit from cheaper energy bills in the years to come, thanks to funding allocated by the government
schools, community centres and care homes will benefit from upgrades, contributing to an estimated £650 million in savings for taxpayers per year on average to 2037

Pupils at schools, residents at care homes, and users of community centres will all be given a boost today, as the government allocates funding to help cut energy bills for public buildings in the years to come.

The social institutions that allow local communities to thrive, such as schools, hospitals, and care homes, will be given extra help to make energy saving upgrades and tackle costs, allowing more money to be spent on the services that people care about.

More than £630 million has been awarded for measures including heat pumps, solar panels, insulation and double glazing, helping to make Britain energy secure as part of the Plan for Change while contributing to an estimated £650 million in savings for taxpayers per year on average over the next 12 years.

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has been awarded over £30 million to install heat pumps at Queens Park Leisure Centre, Birkenhead Central Library and Chase Heys Home for the Elderly, while the Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust will receive more than £14 million to replace fossil fuel heating at two sites, helping power these pillars of the local community with cleaner, homegrown energy.

The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands will benefit from £1 million to install heat pumps and solar panels at one of its aircraft hangars, and Worcester City Council will receive £90,000 to upgrade the King George V Community Centre, which is used for employability training and youth activities, with new heat pumps, solar panels and double glazing.

The University of York has been awarded £35 million to capture energy from beneath the Earth’s surface to help deliver low-carbon heat to buildings on campus, while the National Portrait Gallery has been awarded over £5 million to switch to heat pumps in its main public gallery and Orange Street building, which houses the historic archives of the library.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said:

Today we are providing even more support for Britain’s buildings – from schools to museums and galleries – helping to rebuild vital public services as part of the Plan for Change.

This investment will see local communities benefit from our sprint to clean power, with warm public buildings, run more affordably.

An extra £102 million from the Green Heat Network Fund will help to develop new and existing heat networks in England, including the Hemiko South Westminster Area Network (SWAN), which could help to decarbonise iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament using waste heat from the River Thames.

This follows Great British Energy’s first major project to put solar panels on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites, helping them to reinvest savings on their energy bills in teaching and healthcare.

Vice-Chancellor Professor at the University of York Charlie Jeffery said:

Our geothermal project will be a powerful catalyst in our journey towards net zero, offering a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a greener future.

Beyond its crucial environmental impact, the site will serve as a living laboratory that will drive research, educate our students and bring benefits beyond our campus.

The support from the government is a vital catalyst for this transformative endeavour, which we believe will empower the next generation of sustainability leaders and deepen community understanding of renewable energy technologies.

Policy Manager at Energy UK Louise Shooter said:

High energy bills have been a big headache for schools, hospitals, leisure centres and other community facilities in recent years – so it’s great to see them being helped to install energy saving measures and other green technology that will cut energy costs permanently while also enabling them to do their bit to reduce emissions. Energy UK’s members have been helping schools and hospitals across the country do the same and save money which means more funding for the essential services they provide. It’s a very tangible example of the benefits that come from investing in the switch to cleaner energy.

Head of External Affairs at ADE: Heat Networks Pablo John said:

Today’s investment in heat networks like the University of York’s geothermal project is a blueprint for Britain’s clean heat revolution. These networks capture every kilowatt of renewable energy and waste heat we produce, turning it into affordable warmth for consumers. York’s 78% cut in fossil fuels proves that when we back heat networks now – even outside of zones – we secure energy independence for good. Let’s build on this momentum by supporting heat network innovation everywhere and stop wasting the heat under our feet.

Director of Content and Programmes at the RAF Museum Karen Whitting said:

Warm thanks to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for their investment through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. This will enable us to introduce new, low/no-carbon technologies to a historic 1938 Type-C aircraft hangar as part of our Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme. The re-developed hangar will be used as a Learning Centre and exhibition gallery which will welcome and inspire around 500,000 visitors a year, sharing the nationally important Royal Air Force story. The project will make a major contribution to the RAF Museum’s Strategy including our commitment to achieving Carbon Net Zero.

Notes to editors

Decarbonising the public sector with low carbon heating and energy efficiency measures will save the public sector an estimated £650 million per year on average to 2037. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is contributing towards delivering these savings for public sector organisations.

Applications for Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme opened in October 2024. Funding for this phase is worth approximately £940 million and will run until financial year 2027/2028. Some remaining funding awards will be issued in the coming weeks.

As of May 2025, the regional breakdown for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 4 funding is as follows:

North East: £65,191,456
Yorkshire and the Humber: £81,262,778
North West: £116,815,617
East Midlands: £73,405,602
West Midlands: £84,306,700
East of England: £29,149,553
South East: £35,720,404
South West: £30,002,246
Greater London: £113,914,685
Wales: £2,500,000
Across Regions: £1,325,000

The Green Heat Network Fund supports new and existing heat networks in England to adopt low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, recovered heat, geothermal and energy from waste. A total of over £484 million in awards to 40 projects has been made public since the launch of the scheme in 2022.

The projects included in this announcement, which have been awarded a total of over £102 million in grant funding are:

Derby Energy Network (Derby Energy Ltd): £23,240,000
Bristol City Centre (Bristol Heat Networks/Vattenfall): £21,300,000
SWAN (Hemiko): £21,000,000
Lincoln (Hemiko): £15,508,000
East London Energy (Bring Energy): £8,813,120
Trafford Civic Quarter Heat Networks (Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council): £5,750,000
West Bromwich Heat Network (Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council): £4,939,421
Mersey Biochar Heat Network (Severn Wye Energy Agency Ltd): £1,728,890

Published 15 May 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TRA recommendation for new duties on Chinese excavators accepted

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

TRA recommendation for new duties on Chinese excavators accepted

The Government has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to impose new anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of excavators from China to the UK.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has accepted the TRA’s recommendation to impose new anti-dumping and countervailing measures on imports of excavators from China to the UK.

The anti-dumping duties range from 18.81% for a sampled exporter to 40.08% for the residual rate; while the countervailing duties range from 0% to 2.98%. The TRA has estimated that the measures could benefit UK excavator producers by up to £26 million per year.

The measures will be imposed on imports of excavators from China weighing 11 tonnes or more, but less than 80 tonnes as the TRA found that there is no UK industry for the production of excavators weighing 80 tonnes or above. The TRA has therefore determined that the UK industry would not be injured by these products.

The TRA opened its investigation in November 2023 in response to an application from JCB, a Staffordshire-based multinational business. It found that Chinese exporters were able to use reduced production costs to price their exports below UK competitors who did not benefit from an artificially low-cost base.

Legal challenge

In February, Caterpillar (Xuzhou) Ltd. (CXL) launched a judicial review against the TRA and the Department of Business and Trade’s decision to impose provisional anti-dumping measures on imports of Chinese excavators.

The judgment in the judicial review was handed down on 9 May, with the claims against both the TRA and Secretary of State for Business and Trade ruled as unarguable. The judge in the case concluded that the TRA, in its decisions surrounding the provisional anti-dumping measures, had acted lawfully, rationally and in a procedurally fair manner. The judgement did not affect the decision to apply definitive anti-dumping or countervailing measures.

Background information:

The periods of investigation for both the anti-dumping and countervailing cases were 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023.
The TRA is the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges of imports.
Anti-dumping duties allow a country or union to act against goods which are being sold at less than their normal value – this is defined as the price for ‘like goods’ sold in the exporter’s home market.
Countervailing duties are designed to counteract government subsidies that cause material injury to domestic industries.
The judgement in the judicial review can be read in full here.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Isle of Wight Council set to build new homes for veterans 15 May 2025 Isle of Wight Council set to build new homes for veterans

Source: Aisle of Wight

The Isle of Wight Council is set to build its own housing for the first time in many years, thanks to a £500,000 grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

The funding, awarded under the trust’s Veterans’ Capital Housing Fund, will increase the availability of affordable or social rented housing for veterans in the Island’s county town.

The grant will be used to construct four one-bedroom flats on New Street, a site already under council ownership.

This location is strategically located on a residential street with convenient access to local amenities, bus routes, and the bus station.

The land has been prepared for development under the Brownfield Land Release Fund, and positive discussions have been held with planners regarding consent for homes, in advance of a planning application being submitted.

The initiative represents a pivotal effort to alleviate the housing challenges faced by veterans on the Isle of Wight.

With a notable increase in housing applications from veterans between 2022 and 2024, the necessity for dedicated housing solutions has become increasingly apparent.

This project will offer long-term secure tenancies at affordable rents, providing veterans with a stable and dignified living environment.

Monthly Veterans’ Outreach Support meetings and regular social drop-ins, which already take place on the Island, will further enhance community integration, fostering a sense of camaraderie among residents.

Councillor Ian Stephens, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for housing, said: “This project transcends mere construction; it is about forging futures.

“By providing secure, affordable housing, veterans will gain the stability necessary to thrive, reconnect, and feel valued within their community.

“The project underscores the council’s dedication to supporting those who have served, offering them the dignity and respect they rightfully deserve.”

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, the local ward member, added: “This site is being put to great use by helping house our veterans.

“Tucked away in the centre of the county town, they will be welcomed into our central Newport community and have easy access to all the fabulous local amenities we have. Definitely a project to celebrate, this is a brilliant example of partnership working.”

The council is a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which pledges to support all those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

World Test Championship winners to get $3.6 million as ICC bumps up prize money

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The winners of next month’s World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will take home $3.6 million following a significant increase in the prize money by the governing International Cricket Council on Thursday.

Holders Australia pocketed $1.6 million for winning the 2023 WTC final against India, who claimed $800,000 as runners-up.

The losers of the June 11-15 test at Lord’s will get $2.1 million – more than the winners’ purse in the last two WTC finals.

“The increase in prize money exhibits the ICC’s efforts to prioritise test cricket as it looks to build on the momentum of the first three cycles of the nine-team competition,” the ICC said in a statement.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said they were ready to overcome any challenge to retain their WTC title.

“We are enormously proud to have the opportunity to defend the World Test Championship, especially at Lord’s,” the paceman said.

“It’s a testament to all those involved across the past two years who have worked incredibly hard to reach the final, which is a great honour for all of us.”

Counterpart Temba Bavuma said South Africa were determined to win their maiden ICC title.

“Everyone understands the importance of test cricket and the World Test Championship lends context to this vital format of the game.

“Lord’s is a fitting venue for this mega fixture and all of us will be out there trying to give our best against Australia,” Bavuma said.

-Reuters

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom unveils proposal to cut red tape and fast-track housing and development

Source: US State of California 2

May 14, 2025

“We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.”

What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes proposals to streamline permitting and accelerate development —- clearing the path for more housing and economic opportunity.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom is announcing a new legislative proposal as part of the May Budget Revision to remove regulatory barriers that have stood in the way of the state’s progress. The proposal reinforces the state’s commitment to building more homes faster, while creating greater economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for California families. It speeds up permitting timelines, removes key regulatory barriers, and introduces innovative financing tools that support infill and transit-oriented development.

The Governor is also proposing to partner with the Legislature to incorporate related measures into the budget to accelerate infill and economic development, including Assembly Bill 609 (Wicks) and Senate Bill 607 (Wiener). These measures aim to streamline CEQA to provide greater regulatory certainty and faster project delivery.

“To meet California’s housing goals, we need certainty, accountability, and smarter land use — not the endless regulatory delays that have held us back for decades. This proposal delivers lasting reforms to align our systems for long-term impact: more housing, stronger communities, and sustainable growth that reflects the bold, forward-thinking spirit of California. The Golden State was built on boldness and innovation, not red tape — we can’t continue to block our own economic success. We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Removing barriers to progress

This proposal builds on Governor Newsom’s ongoing efforts to expand housing access and end the decades-long homelessness crisis — an issue that continues to impact communities across the country. Governor Newsom took on this challenge by committing to plan for more than 2.5 million homes over the current housing planning cycle, including at least one million affordable homes for lower-income households, helping to provide every Californian a place to call home. This target is more than double the number of homes planned for in the previous cycle.

Since taking office, the Governor has championed and signed an unprecedented amount of housing legislation, including 42 housing-related CEQA reforms, stronger accountability measures, and historic levels of state support to help local governments meet their housing goals. While these foundational changes have laid the groundwork for long-term progress, decades of complex, overlapping regulations continue to slow needed housing development.

Today, the Governor is taking the next step toward meeting California’s housing goals by targeting entrenched regulatory barriers that continue to cause costly delays. These proposals are designed to cut through bureaucracy, accelerate progress, and deliver lasting reforms that will shape a more affordable, inclusive, and resilient California for generations to come.

More housing, faster

The Governor’s May Revision prioritizes climate-smart housing reforms that deliver more homes, faster, in places that reduce pollution and improve quality of life. A key part of this effort is ensuring a level playing field by aligning Coastal Commission permitting timelines to those that apply to other agencies, so that communities in the Coastal Zone are not left behind when it comes to urgently needed housing.

The May Revision also introduces an innovative financing strategy for developers that links vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions with infill and transit-oriented housing production, further aligning the state’s climate goals with housing needs. This proposal helps move forward the state’s commitment to faster, smarter infill development as outlined in the Governor’s July 2024 executive order. These reforms protect the environment, support working families, create good-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunity across California.

The Governor’s May Revision helps cut red tape and remove barriers, helping propel the Golden State forward by:

Streamlining Coastal Commission permits — Creating fairer, faster housing approvals where homes are urgently needed by aligning Coastal Commission permitting timelines with those of other permitting agencies. The proposal will increase accountability and regulatory certainty for urgently needed housing in coastal communities.
Doubling down on smart housing policies — Promoting infill and transit-oriented development that reduces emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
Unlocking economic opportunity — Advancing policies that create jobs, attract private investment, and accelerate housing and economic development.

These proposals are intended to quickly implement and reinforce existing policy and budget investments by streamlining approvals, reducing regulatory delays, and aligning land use decisions. They build on recent administrative efforts and respond to continued legislative interest in advancing practical, lasting reforms.

Press releases, Recent news

Recent news

May 14, 2025

News Tax cut for military retireesUniversal pre-kindergarten for all Expanded before school, after school, & summer schoolFree school meals for all kids Boosting literacy & readingBuilding more housing, ASAPMore water for CaliforniansLowering drug…

May 14, 2025

News Reducción de impuestos para jubilados militares Pre-kinder universal para todos Ampliación de programas antes y después de clases y cursos de verano Alimentación escolar gratuita para todos los niños Impulso de la alfabetización y la lectura Construyendo más…

May 14, 2025

News “We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.” What you need to know: Governor Newsom today, as part of the May Revise, is announcing a significant proposal to fast-track infrastructure improvements to the State Water Project — saving the state billions…

May 14, 2025

“We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.”

What you need to know: Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes proposals to streamline permitting and accelerate development —- clearing the path for more housing and economic opportunity.

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom is announcing a new legislative proposal as part of the May Budget Revision to remove regulatory barriers that have stood in the way of the state’s progress. The proposal reinforces the state’s commitment to building more homes faster, while creating greater economic stability, affordability, and opportunity for California families. It speeds up permitting timelines, removes key regulatory barriers, and introduces innovative financing tools that support infill and transit-oriented development.

The Governor is also proposing to partner with the Legislature to incorporate related measures into the budget to accelerate infill and economic development, including Assembly Bill 609 (Wicks) and Senate Bill 607 (Wiener). These measures aim to streamline CEQA to provide greater regulatory certainty and faster project delivery.

“To meet California’s housing goals, we need certainty, accountability, and smarter land use — not the endless regulatory delays that have held us back for decades. This proposal delivers lasting reforms to align our systems for long-term impact: more housing, stronger communities, and sustainable growth that reflects the bold, forward-thinking spirit of California. The Golden State was built on boldness and innovation, not red tape — we can’t continue to block our own economic success. We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.”

Governor Gavin Newsom

Removing barriers to progress

This proposal builds on Governor Newsom’s ongoing efforts to expand housing access and end the decades-long homelessness crisis — an issue that continues to impact communities across the country. Governor Newsom took on this challenge by committing to plan for more than 2.5 million homes over the current housing planning cycle, including at least one million affordable homes for lower-income households, helping to provide every Californian a place to call home. This target is more than double the number of homes planned for in the previous cycle.

Since taking office, the Governor has championed and signed an unprecedented amount of housing legislation, including 42 housing-related CEQA reforms, stronger accountability measures, and historic levels of state support to help local governments meet their housing goals. While these foundational changes have laid the groundwork for long-term progress, decades of complex, overlapping regulations continue to slow needed housing development.

Today, the Governor is taking the next step toward meeting California’s housing goals by targeting entrenched regulatory barriers that continue to cause costly delays. These proposals are designed to cut through bureaucracy, accelerate progress, and deliver lasting reforms that will shape a more affordable, inclusive, and resilient California for generations to come.

More housing, faster

The Governor’s May Revision prioritizes climate-smart housing reforms that deliver more homes, faster, in places that reduce pollution and improve quality of life. A key part of this effort is ensuring a level playing field by aligning Coastal Commission permitting timelines to those that apply to other agencies, so that communities in the Coastal Zone are not left behind when it comes to urgently needed housing.

The May Revision also introduces an innovative financing strategy for developers that links vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reductions with infill and transit-oriented housing production, further aligning the state’s climate goals with housing needs. This proposal helps move forward the state’s commitment to faster, smarter infill development as outlined in the Governor’s July 2024 executive order. These reforms protect the environment, support working families, create good-paying jobs, and expand economic opportunity across California.

The Governor’s May Revision helps cut red tape and remove barriers, helping propel the Golden State forward by:

Streamlining Coastal Commission permits — Creating fairer, faster housing approvals where homes are urgently needed by aligning Coastal Commission permitting timelines with those of other permitting agencies. The proposal will increase accountability and regulatory certainty for urgently needed housing in coastal communities.
Doubling down on smart housing policies — Promoting infill and transit-oriented development that reduces emissions and vehicle miles traveled.
Unlocking economic opportunity — Advancing policies that create jobs, attract private investment, and accelerate housing and economic development.

These proposals are intended to quickly implement and reinforce existing policy and budget investments by streamlining approvals, reducing regulatory delays, and aligning land use decisions. They build on recent administrative efforts and respond to continued legislative interest in advancing practical, lasting reforms.

Press releases, Recent news

Recent news

May 14, 2025

News Tax cut for military retireesUniversal pre-kindergarten for all Expanded before school, after school, & summer schoolFree school meals for all kids Boosting literacy & readingBuilding more housing, ASAPMore water for CaliforniansLowering drug…

May 14, 2025

News Reducción de impuestos para jubilados militares Pre-kinder universal para todos Ampliación de programas antes y después de clases y cursos de verano Alimentación escolar gratuita para todos los niños Impulso de la alfabetización y la lectura Construyendo más…

May 14, 2025

News “We’re done with barriers. Let’s get this built.” What you need to know: Governor Newsom today, as part of the May Revise, is announcing a significant proposal to fast-track infrastructure improvements to the State Water Project — saving the state billions…

MIL OSI USA News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

New 2,000 km “deep precision strike” weapon to be developed by UK and Germany as Trinity House Agreement delivers first major milestones

The UK and Germany will confirm for the first time that they will work together to develop a new long-range strike capability with a range of over 2,000 km

The United Kingdom and Germany will today (Thursday 15th May) confirm for the first time that they will work together to develop a new long-range strike capability with a range of over 2,000 km, as both countries step up on European security and drive economic growth at home.

This comes following the signing of the landmark Trinity House Agreement on Defence Co-operation in October in London – the first-of-its-kind bilateral defence agreement between the UK and Germany.

German Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, will host his counterpart Defence Secretary John Healey MP in the first Trinity House Defence Ministerial Council today in Berlin, where they will discuss how the agreement is already delivering real benefits, from deterring threats on NATO’s eastern flank, to creating skilled jobs and driving investment at home.

The new 2,000 km precision deep strike capability will be among the most advanced systems ever designed by the UK, to safeguard the British public and reinforce NATO deterrence, while boosting the UK and European defence sectors.

Discussions will focus on a joint procurement programme for Sting Ray torpedoes for P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, enhancing the UK and Germany’s ability to counter the latest underwater threats, boosting national security for both nations.

A new commitment will also see Germany procure advanced British military bridges, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by supporting jobs in the North-west.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

The UK and Germany have never been closer, and the Trinity House Agreement is already making a positive impact on our security and economy. This partnership is helping us make defence an engine for growth – creating jobs, boosting skills, and driving investment across the UK and Germany.

In a more dangerous world, NATO and European allies stand united. Together with Germany, we’re leading the way in supporting Ukraine, defending NATO’s eastern flank, and jointly investing in next-generation capabilities.

It follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, recognising the critical importance of military readiness in an era of heightened global uncertainty. 

Since the Trinity House Agreement was signed in October, German crews have joined RAF personnel in two flights on UK P-8 Poseidon aircraft. The UK’s Poseidon fleet play a crucial role tracking Russian vessels near UK waters.

The Defence Ministers will meet again tomorrow (Friday 16th May) alongside their Polish, Italian and French counterparts in a meeting of the European Group of Five (E5) Defence ministers in Rome.

The UK and Germany will meet again in June alongside more than 50 nations and partners, when they jointly host the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Since the UK took the chair, nearly £23bn has been pledged in military support for Ukraine.

The Trinity House Agreement is delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by stepping up national security whilst strengthening our industrial base and boosting skilled jobs at home.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Scientists from Akademgorodok have proven that terahertz radiation can become an effective method for diagnosing cancer and eye diseases

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

Researchers from the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine of Novosibirsk State University, together with specialists from the Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology (NIIKEL, a branch of the ICG SB RAS), the Novosibirsk branch of the S.N. Fedorov National Medical Research Center for Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the N.N. Vorozhtsov Novosibirsk Institute of Organic Chemistry SB RAS (NIOC SB RAS), and the G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP SB RAS) conducted a series of experiments to study the effects of various protocols for irradiating rabbit eyes with terahertz radiation. The results of the study were published in the article “Assessment of the general clinical condition and functional properties of the eyes of rabbits after THz irradiation” published in the journal Biomedical Optics Express.

The studies were conducted on a unique source of terahertz radiation of the biological user station of the Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NFEL) of the Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS with a frequency of 2.3 THz and an intensity of 0.012–0.024 mW/cm2. Irradiation durations of 15 and 30 minutes with different intensities were used.

The scientists specified that all observed changes in the cornea of the laboratory animals were subclinical, i.e. asymptomatic, and did not lead to significant pathological changes. These scientific studies are aimed at developing future instructions and recommendations for working with THz radiation and have been approved by the Ethics Committee.

— In the process of preparing and conducting the experiment, it was necessary to generate a lot of know-how and life hacks related to both purely practical issues, for example, with the delivery of rabbits to the INP for irradiation in winter, and with the organization of their ophthalmological examination. Some of the diagnostic studies were carried out on equipment provided to us by the Interra veterinary network and its director Elena Drobot, which greatly simplified our logistics. And in general, this is a very large-scale experiment in terms of the number of participants, which was conceived by NSU and which was completely impossible to implement without the INP, namely without the unique FEL installation and this user station. The task that we set for ourselves — to see how terahertz radiation affects the tissues of a healthy organism of a large model animal — we accomplished. And it is rabbits as an object of research that are good because the data obtained on them are most extrapolated to humans, — said the head of the Laboratory of Nuclear and Innovative Medicine Physics Department of NSU Vladimir Kanygin.

The collaboration of scientists approached the preparation and setting up of the experiment very carefully, performing each stage as thoroughly as possible. This was necessary to cut off any external factors affecting living organisms, such as a change in the usual temperature regime, stress from transportation, etc. Before the experiment, the laboratory animals underwent a 14-day quarantine in the vivarium of the NIOC SB RAS. Before the start of the experiments, the veterinarians participating in the work conducted a full examination of the animals to exclude possible eye diseases, such as cataracts.

Diagnostic examinations of rabbits were conducted on day zero, i.e. on the day of irradiation, the next day, a week later and a month later by specialists of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye”. Veterinarians monitored the condition of the rabbits at each stage of irradiation and after it.

— Ophthalmologists conducted diagnostic studies of the rabbits’ eyes using optical computed tomography and endothelial microscopy. Our study confirms the fact of the dose-dependent effect of terahertz radiation at high frequencies on the structures of the anterior segment of the eye, in particular, on the endothelial layer of the cornea, which is a unique “pump” for maintaining optimal hydration and homeostasis of the cornea, — explained Kristina Krasner, assistant of the Department of Surgical Diseases of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU, ophthalmologist of the Novosibirsk branch of the Scientific and Technical Complex “Microsurgery of the Eye”, junior researcher of the laboratory of cell technologies of the Research Institute of Cellular and Electron Microsurgery.

On the day of irradiation, the animals’ blood was tested, which showed that a systemic inflammatory process was occurring in the body. However, scientists came to the conclusion that this was the body’s reaction to stress, since living organisms have no mechanisms of protection against terahertz radiation.

Further studies have shown that terahertz radiation with parameters of 2.3 THz and intensity of 0.012–0.024 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes is conditionally safe for the structures of the rabbit eye. However, the detected changes in the cornea require further study to determine safe exposure limits. It was noted that irradiation of the rabbit cornea led to a decrease in the density of endothelial cells. The detected changes were reversible and did not lead to pathological changes in the cornea.

— Terahertz radiation and terahertz spectroscopy based on it can really enter clinical practice as an effective method for diagnosing oncological diseases or for possible diagnostics of diseases of the organ of vision. Despite the fact that this type of diagnostics is currently experimental and is at the development stage, it is already necessary to start thinking about safety recommendations when working with sources of terahertz radiation. In the course of this study, we studied the effect of various terahertz radiation protocols in time and intensity on the cornea of the eyes of eight laboratory animals – rabbits. We assessed only changes in the anterior segment of the eyeball. Based on the data we obtained, it is premature to draw final conclusions, but the study is a good foundation for drawing up such recommendations in the future, — commented Ekaterina Butikova, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Cell Technologies, Research Institute of Cellular and Electron Chemistry, Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Scientists involved in the experiments emphasize that the generation of terahertz radiation with the parameters required to conduct the study is only possible at the biological user station of the Novosibirsk Free Electron Laser (NFEL) of the INP SB RAS.

— In terms of average power, NLSE exceeds any existing sources in the world by many orders of magnitude, which allows us to conduct absolutely unique experiments in a very wide range of wavelengths with various biological objects. If we affect living systems with terahertz radiation, we can quite strongly influence the work of their cells, the processes occurring inside them. Such experiments are of interest from the point of view that no living organism has developed any protective mechanisms against intense THz radiation, since it is completely absorbed by the atmosphere, which means that by affecting biological objects, we can study how they adapt, what protective mechanisms they activate. For such biological experiments, a special user station was created at NLSE, which implemented the technology for regulating the average and peak radiation power, as well as the intensity of exposure. For the purity of the experiments, the station was equipped with a shutter and a thermal imager — these devices maintain and control the desired temperature. Thanks to this, we understand that we are receiving the system’s reaction specifically to the effect of radiation, and not to an increase or decrease in temperature, explained Vasily Popik, a senior researcher at the INP SB RAS and a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences.

Experiments on laboratory animals are widely used all over the world to obtain fundamental knowledge, as well as to identify the root causes of various diseases in humans and animals, to study treatment options. All such experiments are conducted in accordance with ethical standards for the treatment of laboratory animals and are approved by the ethics committee before they begin. The Bioethics Committee of the ICG SB RAS approved the experimental work with animals on the topic: “Clinical changes in the rabbit cornea after exposure to THz radiation.”

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 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes the 2025 Article IV Mission to Singapore

Source: IMF – News in Russian

May 15, 2025

End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

Singapore’s economy recovered in 2024 but is forecast to slow down in 2025 due to the recent escalation of global trade tensions. Inflation is expected to stay muted.
Fiscal and monetary policies are appropriately supporting the economy. Singapore has ample fiscal space to provide additional temporary and targeted support in case downside growth risks materialize.
Singapore’s financial sector remains sound and resilient, underpinned by well-capitalized and liquid banks. Potential financial sector risks from tightening global financial conditions should continue to be closely monitored.

Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Masahiro Nozaki, conducted discussions on the 2025 Article IV Consultation with the Singaporean authorities and other stakeholders from May 5 to May 15, 2025. At the conclusion of the discussions, Mr. Nozaki issued the following statement:

“Singapore’s economy recovered strongly in 2024 and disinflation advanced. Growth increased to 4.4 percent in 2024, from 1.8 percent in 2023, supported by an upturn in the global technology cycle. Headline inflation decreased to 1.5 percent in end-2024 and further to 0.9 percent in March 2025, reflecting disinflation in both tradable and non-tradable prices.

“However, the recent escalation of trade tensions and an associated spike in global policy uncertainty—as highlighted in the April 2025 World Economic Outlook—have sharply weakened Singapore’s economic outlook. Growth is projected to slow to 1.7 percent in 2025. Inflation is expected to stay muted, with headline inflation and Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Core Inflation forecast at 1.1 percent and 1.0 percent in 2025, respectively, due to emerging slack in the economy and projected declines in commodity and other tradables prices from slower global growth.

“There is a high degree of uncertainty around this forecast, reflecting elevated global economic and policy uncertainty. Risks to growth are firmly tilted to the downside, stemming from a possible further escalation of global trade tensions and a sharp tightening of global financial conditions. While risks to inflation are tilted to the downside due to weaker-than-expected global and domestic growth, potential upside inflation risks, including from possible supply chain disruptions, should also be monitored.

“Against this backdrop, MAS appropriately loosened monetary policy in January and April 2025. In view of weak inflation, slowing growth, and emerging slack in the economy, staff sees scope for further monetary policy easing in the near term. However, MAS should remain vigilant and data dependent with respect to the speed and magnitude of easing in light of the large uncertainty, as well as both upside and downside risks around the inflation outlook.

“The expansionary fiscal stance for FY2025 (April 2025-March 2026) is appropriate against the backdrop of slowing growth, increasing economic slack, and elevated downside risks. Continued support to households and firms will provide ongoing relief, while enhanced infrastructure spending will support domestic demand and help promote long-term growth. Singapore has ample fiscal space that can be deployed to provide targeted and temporary fiscal support in the event of downside risks materializing. Over the medium term, currently untargeted transfers should be phased out or better targeted to vulnerable households and firms. With strong fiscal institutions and buffers, Singapore is well positioned to meet its medium-term fiscal spending needs, including for rising healthcare costs due to an aging population, scaling up high-quality public infrastructure, and strengthening social safety nets.

“Singapore’s financial sector is resilient. Banks are well capitalized, have ample liquidity, and are profitable. The authorities’ regulatory and supervisory efforts have contained existing financial sector vulnerabilities, including from cross-border exposure, reliance on foreign exchange funding, residential and commercial real estate exposures, interconnectedness between banks and nonbank financial institutions (NBFIs), and exposures to relatively small segments of highly leveraged corporates and households. Nonetheless, in view of the risk of a sharp tightening of global financial conditions, continued vigilance is warranted against these vulnerabilities.

“We welcome the steady implementation of the authorities’ Forward Singapore initiative, including enhanced paid parental leave to support young families; enhanced grants for low-income first-time home buyers to improve housing affordability; and additional transfers to improve the retirement adequacy for low-income workers and retirees. The introduction of temporary financial support for involuntarily unemployed individuals has helped strengthen Singapore’s social safety nets. The government continues to make progress with helping workers to reskill and firms to adopt AI technologies.

“The IMF team would like to thank the authorities and other counterparts for their close collaboration and productive discussions.”

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Pavis Devahasadin

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/15/pr25147-singapore-imf-completes-2025-aiv-mission

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Marks Global Accessibility Awareness Day with a Unique Sound Experience At St Paul’s Cathedral

Source: Samsung

LONDON, U.K. – May 15, 2025: Samsung Electronics celebrated Global Accessibility Awareness Day this year with a week of accessibility events and workshops in the U.K. The company’s third edition of Accessibility Festival Week was brought to a close with a groundbreaking event at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, aimed at bringing customers, partners and employees together, through a unique sound experience.

In collaboration with hearing-aid provider, GN, and Ampetronic, Samsung showcased Auracast technology to attendees wearing Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, which allows a single device to broadcast to multiple receivers, to embark on a unique journey of shared listening.

Attendees experienced the famous London Cathedral through a guided tour and choir performances. Audio of this experience was broadcasted using Auracast microphones and transmitters directly into participants’ Galaxy Buds3 Pro or GN hearing aids, eliminating background noise to enhance clarity.

Auracast & LE Audio
Introduced in 2022 by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Low Energy (LE) Audio is an updated standard for Bluetooth technology. It enables more power-efficient and higher-quality wireless transmission of audio from a broadcasting device such as a smartphone, to a receiver such as earbuds.

Auracast is a feature of LE Audio that allows broadcasting from an audio source to multiple audio receivers, including earbuds and hearing aids, turning phones or TV’s into a radio station. It revolutionises audio experiences by enabling multiple devices to connect to a single audio source, fostering an inclusive listening environment. It also enhances audio clarity by reducing background noise, making it ideal for echo-prone venues like cathedrals and museums. Additionally, Auracast offers personalised sound settings, ensuring that users can tailor audio to their preferences and hearing needs, whether enjoying an audio tour or watching TV at home.

Samsung has led efforts to ensure LE Audio compatibility for mobile devices and hearing aids. Since 2022, the company has been pushing for the expansion of LE Audio, introducing 360 Audio Recording and later adopting Auracast through the Buds2 Pro software update.

Samsung’s commitment to hearing accessibility
Among other areas, Samsung’s mission to redefine hearing accessibility has led to an unprecedented collaboration between mobile technology and hearing-aid innovation. With Auracast, Samsung bridges the gap between consumer audio and hearing devices, crafting a seamless, intelligent, and connected listening experience.

Beyond Personal Audio: Now, both Galaxy Buds and hearing-aid users can tune into the same audio simultaneously, without limitations.
Beyond Phones: When moving from your smartphone to TV, or from public to private spaces, sound stays with you—with no need to manually pair your device to each new transmitter. Anyone nearby can tune in freely to a shared audio stream, just like joining a public Wi-Fi.
Beyond Boundaries: Whether at a stadium, airport or cafe, personalised audio is accessible in any setting.

Accessibility Festival Week
Ahead of bringing this vision to life at St Paul’s Cathedral, Samsung hosted its third annual Accessibility Festival Week (AFW) in London. The festival aims to reinforce the company’s commitment to accessibility and foster collaboration across departments and regions. Participants joined a host of activities, including ‘Inspiration Tours’ exploring inclusive design practices at Samsung KX and Google’s Discovery Centre. Staff were invited to attend a number of accessibility workshops, and this was followed by a keynote session led by Simon Sung, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, and Jinsoo Kim, Head of the Samsung Accessibility Committee, who shared the company’s accessibility strategy and vision for inclusive innovation.

A recent study by Samsung UK and OnePoll revealed that over two-thirds (68%) of UK adults with disabilities feel excluded from products and services due to accessibility issues, highlighting a significant gap in mainstream brands’ efforts to cater to diverse needs. 80% of respondents believe brands are missing out by neglecting inclusive design, while 72% have abandoned purchases due to inaccessible design.

Speaking on this week’s activity of events, Charlotte Grant, Head of People Experience, Samsung UK, said: “At Samsung, we are proud of our ongoing commitment to increasing the accessibility of experiences through our innovation and we were delighted to partner with GN and Ampetronic to showcase Auracast at St Paul’s Cathedral. It was fantastic to take people through a innovative experience with inclusive technology and a great way to end our Accessibility Festival Week in the UK. We are committed to directly involving our customers and employees in our decision-making by taking on their feedback to improve our products and services, and help support our mission to inspire a culture of inclusive design across our organisation, into our products and beyond.”

To read more about Samsung’s commitment to accessibility, please visit: Accessibility | Samsung UK

About GN 

GN brings people closer through our leading intelligent hearing, audio, video, and gaming solutions. Inspired by people and driven by innovation, we deliver technologies that enhance the senses of hearing and sight. We help people with hearing loss overcome real-life challenges, improve communication and collaboration for businesses, and provide great experiences for audio and gaming enthusiasts.

GN was founded more than 150 years ago with a vision to connect the world. Today, inspired by our strong heritage, GN touches more lives than ever with our unique expertise and the broadest portfolio of products and services in our history – bringing people closer to what is important to them.
We market our solutions with the brands Jabra, ReSound, SteelSeries, Beltone, Interton, BlueParrott, Danavox, and FalCom in 100 countries. Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO).

Visit GN.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and  X.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK welcomes talks in Istanbul and calls on Kremlin to end the bloodshed: UK statement to the OSCE

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

UK welcomes talks in Istanbul and calls on Kremlin to end the bloodshed: UK statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Holland welcomes talks in Istanbul and urges Russia to end the bloodshed in Ukraine and show it is serious about peace or face further sanctions.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Ukraine has agreed, in-principle, to a full and unconditional ceasefire. Because only when missiles and drones stop, and the deaths of innocent civilians end, can discussions towards a just and lasting peace begin.

Last weekend the UK, the US and our European partners reiterated our call on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire now, as Ukraine has done, and create the space for talks.

Rather than seize this opportunity, Russia continues to stall. Instead of an unconditional ceasefire, they have again moved the goal posts, calling for talks to resolve the conflict’s so-called ‘root causes’. This is code for maximalist demands which would deny Ukraine its sovereignty and territorial integrity and do not meaningfully shift the dial.

We welcome today’s talks and thank Türkiye for agreeing to host them. We call on Russia to engage in good faith in the US-led peace efforts. In keeping with his commitment to ending this war, President Zelenskyy has agreed to direct talks with President Putin, an offer which we now know has been rebuffed. We commend President Zelenskyy for this decision.

Mr Chair, last week we saw another supposed three-day ‘ceasefire’ from Russia. Just like the truce at Easter, this was a smokescreen intended to portray Russia as the party of peace.

In reality, Russia’s death and destruction continued. According to the Ukrainian authorities, there were over 700 Russian violations between midnight and midday last Thursday alone. Aerial bombings killed at least three civilians in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy.

And Russia ramped up its attacks in the days after this ‘ceasefire’ just as it did at Easter. At least six civilians have been killed and dozens more injured. Civilian infrastructure has been destroyed in Odesa and elsewhere in Ukraine.

The gulf between the Russian state’s words and its actions could not be wider. But the urgency is real. April was the deadliest month in Ukraine for child casualties since June 2022. Normal lives, homes and families destroyed.

We will not stand by while the Kremlin delays and denies. The UK and our allies are prepared to impose further sanctions if Russia fails to demonstrate that it is serious about peace. And we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Now, more than ever, Russia must heed the world’s call and agree to end the bloodshed.

Published 15 May 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Feature: U.S. Builders Suffer Tariffs as Costs Continue to Rise

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

LOS ANGELES, May 15 (Xinhua) — Just over a month after the U.S. administration imposed massive tariffs on its trading partners, David Truong, a manager at DuiDui Construction in Los Angeles, California, is already facing rising costs.

“The prices of almost all construction materials have continued to rise in recent months,” D. Truong told Xinhua. “Construction of new houses is becoming more expensive every day.”

D. Truong showed a construction site in Temple City, Los Angeles County, where the effects of the tariffs are visible to the naked eye. For example, a faucet used to cost about $160; now it costs at least $200. A steel-framed window that used to cost just over $300 now sells for more than $370.

The biggest increase is in lighting fixtures. “A recessed LED light that used to cost $12 to $15 is now about $30,” he explained. “This house needs over 20 of them, so we’re spending an extra $300 to $400 just on lighting.”

The sharp rise in tariffs is adding nearly $11,000 to the cost of building a new home in the U.S., according to April data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), one of the nation’s largest trade associations.

“The disruptions caused by tariffs make it difficult for developers to accurately price and make important business decisions,” NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said in an April press release.

According to Anirban Basu, chief economist at the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), building materials prices rose 9.7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.

“While contractors are currently busy, this rate of price increases and the associated uncertainty will lead to delays and project cancellations if the situation continues for a long time,” he said.

Rising costs have cut into D. Truong’s company’s profits, forcing him to raise his rates. In Temple City, his company’s cost to build a new home has risen from $220 to $250 per square foot. In more challenging locations in other cities, the price can reach $280 per square foot.

Truong’s company is not alone in facing difficulties. Many contractors are experiencing similar problems: The prices of materials such as wiring, PVC pipes and cabinets have skyrocketed. As a result, many are having to renegotiate contracts with clients to share the financial burden.

But rising prices aren’t the only thing that worries D. Truong and other developers. The biggest concern, he said, is a potential shortage of materials. “Our biggest fear is that some materials will soon disappear from the market, no matter how much we are willing to pay for them,” he said. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: Annual inflation in Mongolia in April 2025 was 8.6 percent.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

ULAN BATOR, May 15 (Xinhua) — Mongolia’s annual inflation rate stood at 8.6 percent in April 2025, local media reported on Thursday, citing data from the country’s National Statistical Committee.

The rise in inflation in Mongolia is due to the increase in real estate prices and tariffs for housing and communal services, water, electricity, gas and other types of fuel /21.7 percent/, educational services /18.2 percent/, catering services, accommodation in hostels and hotels /16.7 percent/, food products, soft drinks and mineral water /10.5 percent/ and clothing, textiles and footwear /9.1 percent/, the official statement says.

Currently, the Central Bank of Mongolia is working to maintain the inflation rate within 5 percent (plus or minus 2 percentage points) in order to ensure macroeconomic and financial stability in the medium term.

According to the Central Bank, in March 2025, annual inflation in Mongolia was 9.1 percent. At the same time, in the capital Ulaanbaatar, where more than half of the country’s 3.5 million population lives, this figure rose to 10.1 percent.

Mongolia’s economy is expected to grow by 6.6 percent in 2025. According to experts from the Asian Development Bank, the country’s economic growth will be mainly supported by an increase in mining, in particular an increase in copper concentrate production at the Oyu Tolgoi deposit, as well as by robust domestic demand, investment in infrastructure and a gradual recovery in agriculture. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Russia: 50 Afghan citizens return home after being released from Pakistani prisons

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

KABUL, May 15 (Xinhua) — A total of 50 Afghan nationals released from Pakistani jails returned to their homeland on Wednesday, state-run Radio Television of Afghanistan (RTA) reported on Thursday.

All returnees will be sent to their home provinces after receiving necessary assistance at the checkpoint.

Over the past couple of weeks, nearly 400 Afghan citizens have been released from Pakistani prisons and returned home.

Meanwhile, a total of 3,465 Afghan refugee families, comprising 16,376 members, have returned home from Pakistan and Iran over the past week. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI China: China’s financial policy package injects cash and confidence to economy

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

BEIJING, May 15 — A 0.5 percentage-point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) for eligible financial institutions takes effect Thursday, with the move expected to inject roughly 1 trillion yuan (about 139 billion U.S. dollars) of long-term liquidity into China’s financial market.

The RRR cut, the first such move since the start of this year, came after the seven-day reverse repos rate cut by 0.1 percentage point by the Chinese central bank, which already took effect on May 8.

The reduction in RRR and reverse repos rate, along with expanding re-lending facilities and sci-tech innovation bonds issuance, were among a raft of supportive measures announced last week by monetary and financial regulatory bodies, as the world’s second-largest economy steps up efforts to stabilize markets and sustain economic recovery amid external headwinds.

Analysts believe this package of supportive financial policies, by boosting liquidity supplies and reducing borrowing costs for both businesses and residents, will create a favorable financial environment for stabilizing market expectations and make an impact on consumption growth and economic restructuring.

GROWING LIQUIDITY SUPPORT

These supportive policies are in line with the guiding principles unveiled at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in April, which called for efforts to accelerate the implementation of more proactive and effective macro policies and make full use of a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy.

Maintaining ample liquidity through measures such as the RRR cut can provide sufficient resources for financial institutions and support lending to the real economy, while the reduction in interest rates and innovation in structural monetary policy tools will help stimulate effective domestic demand, a view broadly shared by experts.

“A 0.5 percentage-point cut in the RRR will effectively meet the market’s demand for long-term liquidity,” said Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance Company Limited.

Also starting Thursday, the RRR for auto financing and financial leasing companies is slashed by 5 percentage points to zero percent, with the cut expected to increase the credit supply capacity of these two types of institutions in their respective fields.

Dong said that this notable RRR cut targeting auto financing and financial leasing companies has drawn much market attention because of their anticipated impact on boosting car consumption and equipment upgrade investment.

REDUCED BORROWING COSTS

China’s central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said last week that the seven-day reverse repos rate cut is expected to result in the loan prime rate (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate, dropping by 0.1 percentage point.

Effective on May 8, the interest rates on personal housing provident fund loans were also lowered by 0.25 percentage points. Meanwhile, the rate of re-lending, a structural monetary tool via which the central bank provides loans to financial institutions, was also lowered by 0.25 percentage points starting from May 7, with the cut aiming to guide financial institutions to enhance financial support for the nation’s key strategies and development fields as well as weak links.

Chen Wenjing, director of policy research at the China Index Academy, said that the reduction in the interest rate for personal housing provident fund loans is expected to further alleviate the pressure on residents to purchase houses and boost home purchase demand. “With more supporting policies gradually being implemented, housing demand is expected to be further strengthened, which will help shore up the real estate market.”

Based on the central bank’s announcements last week, the total re-lending facility quota, including increased quota and newly established quota, will reach 1.1 trillion yuan for the areas spanning agriculture, private firms, sci-tech innovation, services consumption and elderly care.

Analysts say the adjustment and optimization of the structural monetary policy tools are in line with the nation’s economic restructuring efforts and are geared toward promoting consumption and sci-tech innovation, with all these recent supportive policies helping boost market confidence amid external uncertainties.

Wang Qing, chief macro analyst of Golden Credit Rating, believed that there is still room for further easing in China’s moderately loose monetary policy going forward, which will continue to provide key support for effectively hedging against external shocks and maintaining the economy’s stable growth.

MIL OSI China News –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI: Best Automatic Blinds (2025): SelectBlinds Smart Window Treatments Awarded by Software Experts

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK CITY, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Software Experts has recognized SelectBlinds’ automatic blinds as a leading smart window treatment solution for 2025. This highlights SelectBlinds as one of the leaders in combining home automation with functional and stylish window solutions.

Best Automatic Blinds

SelectBlinds – an online retailer offering customizable, DIY-friendly window treatments including blinds, shades, and curtains.

SelectBlinds, a direct-to-consumer window treatment brand, has steadily expanded its portfolio to meet the growing demand for connected home products. Its automatic blinds are known for their blend of motorized convenience, customizable options, and compatibility with smart home ecosystems. As consumers continue to look for integrated solutions for comfort, energy efficiency, and privacy, smart blinds are gaining traction as a key component in modern home design.

Software Experts’ recognition was based on several criteria, including automation capabilities, user interface design, installation accessibility, energy efficiency, and system compatibility. SelectBlinds’ automatic window solutions performed well across all categories, offering a range of motorized products that can be controlled via remote, smartphone, or smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit.

One of the notable features of SelectBlinds’ smart window treatments is the user-friendly customization process. Customers can select from a wide array of styles, fabrics, and lift systems, including rechargeable motors that do not require hardwiring. This accessibility makes the company’s products suitable for both homeowners and renters, an important factor as automation becomes more mainstream beyond luxury home markets.

An increase in demand for smart blinds is due to the rising popularity of home automation and energy management technology. Automated window treatments can help regulate indoor temperatures by responding to preset schedules or environmental triggers such as sunlight, contributing to lower heating and cooling costs. For consumers who want to make their homes more energy-efficient, SelectBlinds’ solutions offer a practical start into smart home living.

Founded in 2003, SelectBlinds has grown from a startup into a recognized leader in window treatment. The company operates entirely online, allowing it to offer made-to-order products without the markups associated with traditional retailers. Over the years, it has introduced innovations such as no-drill blinds and sustainable materials.

Its smart blinds build on this legacy, shifting toward more intuitive and automated living spaces. As remote work, urban living, and smart home adoption continue to change consumer preferences, products like SelectBlinds’ automatic shades provide practical benefits ranging from hands-free operation to enhanced light control for home offices and entertainment areas.

Software Experts also took note of SelectBlinds’ focus on customer empowerment through self-guided measuring and installation tools. By simplifying the traditionally complex process of ordering custom window treatments, the company makes the entire process beginner-friendly for consumers interested in smart home upgrades.

As smart home products continue to become popular, window automation is no longer a niche luxury but an expected feature of well-integrated living environments. SelectBlinds’ automatic blinds represent a balance between technology and usability, offering functionality that supports energy goals, daily routines, and personalized comfort.

With this recognition, Software Experts underscores the importance of smart blinds in smart home ecosystems and highlights SelectBlinds as a key contributor to this evolution. As interest in connected living continues to rise, solutions like these play an important role in how consumers experience and manage their homes.

To browse SelectBlinds’ selection of automatic blinds and other window solutions, click here. For a more detailed review, please visit the Software Experts website.

About SelectBlinds

SelectBlinds is a U.S.-based online retailer specializing in custom window coverings, including blinds, shades, curtains, and drapes. Founded in 2003, the company has grown to become one of the most reviewed online window treatment providers in the country, with over 300,000 customer reviews. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, SelectBlinds offers a wide range of products designed for DIY installation, catering to customers looking for both style and functionality in their home decor. Focusing on innovation and user-friendly designs, SelectBlinds continues to be one of the leaders in online home improvement retail.

About Software Experts: Software Experts provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Software Experts may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided.

The MIL Network –

May 15, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: Likely final House seat outcome: 94 Labor, 44 Coalition, 12 Others

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

The ABC has called Labor wins in 93 of the 150 House of Representatives seats. The Coalition has won 43 seats, the Greens one and all Others 11, with two seats (Bradfield and Calwell) remaining undecided.

The Poll Bludger
has documented the changes in the close seats. In Goldstein, Teal incumbent Zoe Daniel has surged back from a peak deficit of 1,472 votes to now trail Liberal Tim Wilson by just 292 votes on strong absents and declaration pre-polls after she lost postals by 61–39. But only about 800 votes remain, so Wilson will still win.

On Tuesday, the Liberal lead in Liberal-held Bradfield over a Teal candidate closed to just 59 votes, and the ABC uncalled a race they had called for the Liberal the previous day. On Wednesday the Liberal lead increased to 80 votes, but it’s now fallen back to 43 votes. About 420 votes remain to be counted. The Liberals will probably lead when all votes are counted, but there will be a recount.

The Liberal National Party has held Longman after declaration pre-polls failed to follow the trend to the left in other close seats. They now have an unassailable 335-vote lead over Labor.

In Australia’s preferential voting system, the top two candidates on primary votes are not necessarily the final two. The bottom candidate is excluded, and their votes are distributed to remaining candidates, and this continues until only two are left. During this process, the third candidate can pass the second, therefore making the final two.

So far the only interesting seat where this has occurred is Flinders, where Teal candidate Ben Smith passed Labor despite trailing in third on primary votes by 22.3% to 21.3%, with the Liberals well ahead with 41.2%. The Liberals defeated Smith in the final count by 52.3–47.7 to hold Flinders.

Calwell has 13 candidates. Primary votes are 30.5% Labor (down 14.3% since the 2022 election), 15.7% Liberals (down 8.1%), 12.0% for independent Carly Moore, 10.9% for independent Joseph Youhana, 8.1% for the Greens (down 1.6%) and 6.9% for yet another independent.

The danger for Labor is that either Moore or Youhana overtake the Liberals on the distribution of preferences, then beat Labor at the final count on Liberal preferences. Friday is the last day for receipt of late postals. Once all votes are counted, the distribution of preferences can start. We should know the result in Calwell next week.

If Labor wins Calwell and the Liberals win Bradfield, the final seat totals will be 94 Labor out of 150 (up 17 from 77 out of 151 in 2022), 44 Coalition (down 14), one Green (down three), nine independents (down one) and two others (steady). By the UK’s method, this would be a Labor majority of 38 (25% in percentage terms).

Bad as this result is for the Coalition, they would be lucky to win three seats (Longman, Bradfield and Goldstein) by less than a 50.2–49.8 margin. The narrowest Labor win was in Bean (by 50.3–49.7 against an independent).

Turnout for the election is now 89.1%, and is likely to be over 90% once all votes are counted. National primary votes are 34.6% Labor (up 2.0%), 31.9% Coalition (down 3.8%), 12.1% Greens (down 0.2%), 6.4% One Nation (up 1.4%), 1.9% Trumpet of Patriots (down 2.1% from United Australia Party in 2022), 7.4% independents (up 2.1%) and 5.7% others (up 0.7%).

I explained previously that the electoral commission’s national two-party preferred count does not currently include “non-classic” seats where the major party candidates were not the final two. There will be a special count later in these seats between Labor and Coalition candidates.

The ABC’s two-party estimate is currently a Labor win by 54.9–45.1, while The Poll Bludger has Labor winning by 54.4–45.6. We’ll need to wait for two-party counts in the non-classic seats to resolve this difference.

In the Senate, nationally 86.8% of enrolled voters have been counted, only 2.3% behind the House count. There have only been minor changes to primary votes since last Friday’s article on the Senate, so my assessment is unchanged from that article.

Albanese’s ratings jump in Essential poll

Essential is the first pollster to return since the election, but it hasn’t done a voting intentions poll. In this national poll, conducted May 7–11 from a sample of 1,137, Anthony Albanese’s net approval jumped 14 points since the pre-election Essential poll to +11 (50% approve, 39% disapprove).

Former Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who lost his seat of Dickson at the election, slumped 18 points on net approval to -30. Voters still thought Australia was on the wrong track by 42–37 (52–31 before the election).

In this poll, the Greens and all Others did well with late deciders (those who decided who to vote for in the last few days of the election campaign). Cost of living was rated one of the top three issues by 87% on what decided their vote, including 53% who said it was the top issue.

Sussan Ley, who was elected Liberal leader on Tuesday, was preferred by 16% as Coalition leader, with Angus Taylor on 12% and Dan Tehan on 7%, with 45% unsure and 20% “none of the above”. Among those who voted for the Coalition, Taylor led Ley by 23–20.

By 58–42, voters thought Labor should stick to the policies it took to the election, rather than be more ambitious now that it has a strong majority.

Adrian Beaumont 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. Likely final House seat outcome: 94 Labor, 44 Coalition, 12 Others – https://theconversation.com/likely-final-house-seat-outcome-94-labor-44-coalition-12-others-256568

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: ‘I will not eat the bugs’: examining a right-wing narrative about scarcity and insect consumption

Source: The Conversation – France – By D. D. Moore, Visiting Fellow, Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies, European University Institute

Noor Bin Ladin, a right-wing influencer, stridently declares “I don’t want to eat the bugs” on a talk show hosted by a former adviser to US President Donald Trump. Laurent Duplomb, a senator from the conservative Les Républicains party in France, informs his colleagues that the French would be eating “insects without their knowledge”. Bartosz Kownacki, an MP from the nationalist Law and Justice party in Poland, suggests that opposition politicians write “instead of chicken, eat a worm” on their election materials, arguing that “this is their real election programme”. Thierry Baudet, a leader of the far-right Forum for Democracy party in the Netherlands, shouts “No way! No way!” while holding up a bag of mealworms in front of protesting farmers. Politicians in Lega, a far-right party in Italy, warn that the European Union is planning to “impose” the eating of insects on citizens in the bloc – and a Lega electoral campaign includes a billboard-sized image of a person popping an enormous cricket into their mouth, next to the caption, “Let’s change Europe before it changes us.”

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During the 2020s, commentators and politicians across the right-wing political spectrum have amplified an Internet-based conspiracy theory that elite forces are conspiring to make us all eat insects. Often rallying under the slogan “I will not eat the bugs,” right-wing and far-right figures have come out in force against human consumption of insects. Many of these people assert that the EU is planning to force bug-eating on the general public while devastating traditional agriculture and meat consumption under the guise of the European Green Deal, the bloc’s plan to eliminate greenhouse gases by 2050 and decouple economic growth from resource use. Opposing insect-eating has become a symbolic way to protest EU environmental policies, express scepticism of and hostility toward Brussels, and villainize political opponents. Closer inspection reveals that the conspiracy theory underlying such opposition has much older and more sinister resonances.

“Spreading disinformation”

Insect eating (entomophagy) remains a minor practice in Europe and North America, although alternative protein sources do play a role in the EU’s move toward a sustainable future. So far, the European Commission has approved frozen, dried and powdered forms of Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm larva), Locusta migratoria (migratory locust), Acheta domesticus (house cricket) and Alphitobius diaperinus (the lesser mealworm larva) for human consumption. But the market for insect powder in foods like bread, pasta and sports bars remains small. Although insects are common food in many parts of the world, consumers in the West, where insects are more commonly used to provide protein in animal feed, are reluctant to eat bugs for historical reasons based in ideas of uncleanliness and primitiveness. So, based on the facts, there seems to be little to no reason for statements such as those made by Rumen Petkov of Bulgaria’s ABV party, who said that EU approval of insect consumption is a “crime against Europe” and that the European Commission is “prepared to kill our European children”.

What led to the rapid spread of this conspiracy theory? Noor Bin Ladin’s remarks give us a clue. During her talk show appearance, Bin Ladin described her words as a message for Klaus Schwab to take to his “masters”. Schwab is the founder and executive chair of the World Economic Forum. Early in the Covid pandemic, Schwab and the WEF produced a set of proposals titled “the Great Reset”, which called for an overhaul of various world systems to produce a stakeholder-driven capitalism that would lead to a more socially and environmentally responsible future. Conspiracists seized on and branded “the Great Reset” as a new iteration of a conspiracy theory known as the New World Order – an imagined global governance system meant to control the lives of everyone. Both the Great Reset and the New World Order lead back to much older and broader antisemitic conspiracy theories that hold that elite Jewish financiers run the world with their hands on invisible levers of power. All these narratives tap into feelings of futility and hopelessness about the future.

US right-wing media personality Tucker Carlson called a 2023 episode of his show, which included a heavy focus on Schwab and the WEF, “Let Them Eat Bugs”, a title that gestures at the remark allegedly made by Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France, when she heard about people suffering from a lack of bread before the French Revolution: “Let them eat cake”. With this title, Carlson is aiming to emphasize that the elite are hopelessly out of touch and have contempt for farmers and the average man, whom they want to force to eat bugs. Like the French bedbug scare in late 2023, right-wing alarm around insect-eating has connections to the spread of anti-EU Russian propaganda. Russian news outlets have suggested that Europeans are so poor and food deprived as a result of sanctions connected to the war in Ukraine that they have been reduced to eating insects. As the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) writes, insects are “delicious treats for actors with interest in spreading disinformation against the EU”.

Symbols for dehumanization

The desire to stir up fear about the minor level of European and US insect consumption is not based on the risk of rapid growth in the insect market, but on the power to arouse disgust and fear itself. Insects have long been used as symbols to stir revulsion and paint opponents as objects of physical and moral disgust. During times of political extremism, insects have featured repeatedly in efforts to distance, devalue and dehumanize minorities. Armenians were called locusts during the Armenian genocide, and Jews were compared to lice in Nazi Germany. In the period prior to the ethnic genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, some Hutus repeatedly called Tutsis “cockroaches” on public radio. The right wing’s current fetishization of insect-eating serves as a narrative to cast political opponents as morally repulsive, even if not labelling them as bugs themselves.

For some figures on the right, insect consumption symbolizes the worst of Eurocentric liberalism – seen as a movement so void of a positive political vision that the only possible future it offers is one of impoverishment and bug-eating. They point to an elite who they claim will go on feasting on meat while forcing mealworms and fly larvae on the rest of us. It’s a potent image. At a moment in which people on the right and the left seem unable to imagine a better political future together, it becomes easier to demonize climate policy-minded leaders as a group of disgusting hypocrites plotting to create a society of contrived scarcity where the general population is reduced to eating bugs.

Meanwhile, since 2015, scientists have been releasing papers warning that the global food system shows risks of genuine structural problems. In a future of environmental disruption, trade wars and real risks of food shortages and famine, we may need all the calories we can get – insect-based or otherwise.

Out of curiosity, I bought a bag of cricket flour last fall. The crickets resulted in a delicious, nutty-flavoured cecina, well… crickcina. So far, none of my friends will try it. They’re missing out.

D. D. Moore ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d’une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n’a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

– ref. ‘I will not eat the bugs’: examining a right-wing narrative about scarcity and insect consumption – https://theconversation.com/i-will-not-eat-the-bugs-examining-a-right-wing-narrative-about-scarcity-and-insect-consumption-254112

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 15, 2025

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New action to expand Scottish exports

Source: Scottish Government

US Export Plan among steps to boost business.

A bespoke plan to help Scottish companies export to the United States will be drawn up as part of new measures aimed at boosting trade.

It is one of six actions announced in the First Minister’s Programme for Government to assist exporters and address global trade challenges.

Other steps include increased funding for product development, market research and attendance at international trade shows.

Within the current financial year, the Six Point Export Plan will:

produce a US Export Plan to identify states offering the best markets for Scottish products, as part of wider support for trade with North America

use the International Growth Support Programme to unlock opportunities through trade shows, distributor visits, market research and product development

bring more global buyers to Scotland to showcase what companies have to offer

expand funding for overseas trade missions through the International Trade Partnership with Scottish Chambers of Commerce

increase funding for exporters in the technology, life sciences, renewables and hydrogen sectors

widen support for businesses through Scottish Enterprise’s international team, Scottish Development International, including more overseas trade missions and exporter showcase events

During a visit to Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh, which exports to more than a dozen countries including the US, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

“In the face of global uncertainty, I am determined to protect and grow Scotland’s business interests around the world.

“As the USA remains the single largest destination for Scottish exports outside the European Union, action to maintain and grow the market share while recognising the changing dynamics of US export opportunities is an important focus of our Programme for Government.

“These steps will build on the significant support we already provide through Scottish Development International and its network of 34 offices across the world, including four in the US.

“We must grasp all opportunities to strengthen Scotland’s reputation in world markets. Demand for Scottish products and services around the world is high and global customers recognise the innovation, quality and ambition of our businesses.”

Commercial Director of Summerhall Distillery Dave Quinnell said:

“We export around the world, including the US where we recently signed a new contract to sell more than 100,000 bottles a year.

“Without Scottish Development International, we would not have been able to access the majority of our international markets.

“We received help to draw up our initial export plan, to access specialist advice and to fund trade visits overseas. All of this has been vital to our business as we grow and continue to explore markets across the world.”

Background

Programme for Government 2025 to 2026 – gov.scot

Summerhall Distillery was opened as the first exclusive gin distillery established in Edinburgh for over 150 years, producing Pickering’s Gin. It has since become home to The Broody Hen Scotch Whisky and Coldsnap Vodka. The business has diversified into private and own label products, culminating in the formation of Edinburgh Bottlers & Co-Pack, specialising in premium private label spirits services.

In the last financial year Scottish Enterprise, whose overseas brand is Scottish Development International, reported £2.15 billion in planned international sales from the Scottish companies it has helped – among the highest results ever achieved.

The International Trade Partnership Programme is run with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and will expand access to business membership organisations to provide support for trade missions to established and emerging markets.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

May 15, 2025

Category: housing

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