Source: United States Department of Defense
Senior military and senior defense officials will hold an off-camera, on-background press briefing today, June 26, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EDT, in the Pentagon Briefing room and via Zoom. The officials will discuss the President’s FY26 National Defense budget request.
Source: European Union 2
The EU has co-hosted with the Gates Foundation the Gavi 6.0 Pledging Summit, dedicated to securing investments in vaccination programmes. Donors pledged over €7.7 billion towards a target budget of €10.2 billion for 2026-2030. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines is a global priority.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Dubai Chapter marked International Yoga Day with a celebration focused on holistic well-being, mindful living, and the transformative power of yoga. The event brought together members of the accounting fraternity to emphasize the importance of physical and mental health through simple, sustainable habits.
CA Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman of ICAI Dubai Chapter, said, “Yoga is a journey of self-discovery that fosters balance, joy, and connection with oneself and others, empowering true health and well-being beyond physical postures.” He encouraged members to remain active, practice yoga regularly, and monitor their health proactively, stressing that “if earning money is important, enjoying it in the long run is impossible without good health.”
The session featured Chartered Accountant Surabhi Gandhi who introduced a unique form of chair yoga tailored for professionals. She advocated for practical routines like the “9 to 1 rule” to improve work-life balance and performance.Shivani Shah, a six-time kettlebell world champion, also shared her personal transformation through fitness and faith. Her journey highlighted the “four wheels of life,” focusing on self-awareness and resilience.
Health experts including Dr. Nidhi Kumar from Aster DM Healthcare addressed the psychological toll of modern stress, urging attendees to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical illnesses. Dr. Brijesh Mittal of Medcare underscored that while death is inevitable, premature death is not. He emphasized preventive care, balanced diets, and stress management over reliance on gadgets or extreme diets.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday launched proceedings to delist 345 Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) that have failed to contest a single election since 2019 and whose offices could not be physically located. These parties, spread across various States and Union Territories, are part of a nationwide cleanup effort to streamline the political system.
The ECI, which oversees the registration of over 2,800 RUPPs under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, noted that many of these parties have not met the essential requirement of participating in elections. Registered political parties enjoy privileges such as tax exemptions, making compliance with these conditions critical. To ensure fairness, the ECI has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the respective States and UTs to issue show-cause notices to the identified RUPPs. These parties will be given an opportunity to present their case in hearings before the CEOs, with the final decision on delisting resting with the ECI.
This initiative, the first phase of a broader exercise, aims to remove parties that have neither contested Lok Sabha, State/UT Legislative Assembly elections, nor bye-elections since 2019, and those that could not be traced physically. .
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)
U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) reintroduced their bipartisan Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act. The legislation would strengthen workplace protections for railroad yardmasters by giving them the same protections as other railroad yard workers. Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of our country’s rail yards and terminals.
“Yardmasters are the traffic controllers of our country’s railroad network. Like their counterparts in aviation, they play a vital role in ensuring the safety of everyone traveling by train,” said Rep. Carbajal. “My bipartisan legislation will improve working conditions and support the professionals who keep America’s railroads running safely and efficiently.”
“I’m proud to join Rep. Carbajal in reintroducing the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act, a commonsense, bipartisan bill that closes a long-overdue gap in rail safety policy. Yardmasters are essential to the safe and smooth operation of our freight rail system, and it’s only right that they receive the same duty hour protections as other rail employees. This legislation is about protecting workers, improving safety, and ensuring our rail network continues to serve communities and commerce across the country effectively,” said Rep. Lawler.
The bipartisan Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act would include railroad yardmasters under federal hours of service requirements which currently cover safety-sensitive rail workers such as locomotive engineers, conductors, switchmen, dispatchers, and signal employees.
The bill ensures that a yardmaster may not be required or allowed to remain on duty for more than a total of 12 hours, and then must receive a minimum of 10 hours off duty.
First introduced in 2019, the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act passed the House in 2020 as part of the INVEST in America Act.
The bill has also been endorsed by SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Last Month, After Pressure from Pressley, Treasury and Trump Said Exemption Was “Under Consideration”
Text of Letter (PDF)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) led 25 of her colleagues on a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent demanding an immediate exemption for essential infant and toddler products—including car seats, strollers, cribs, and highchairs—from current and future tariffs. Last month, after sharp questioning from Congresswoman Pressley in the House Financial Services Committee, Secretary Bessent conceded that such an exemption was “under consideration,” which was later reaffirmed by President Trump.
“There have been more than thirty days since your testimony and no exemptions on baby products have been announced. Hence, we urge you to relieve families of the high tariffs on products they need to care for their children,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter. “As you are aware, baby products are not optional luxury goods. They are necessities for millions of American families to ensure a safe environment for infants.”
Car seats are legally required in all fifty seats, but more than 90% of them are made in China. Under the current on-again, off-again tariff regime, many of these products have seen price increases of up to 30%, placing a significant and unnecessary burden on working families. With approximately 3.5 million babies born each year in the United States, this means millions of families face steep cost increases to care for their newborns and comply with basic child safety laws. Further, according to BabyCenter, new parents now spend an estimated $20,000 during their child’s first year—including nearly $1,000 on baby safety gear alone.
According to the Joint Economic Committee, new parents are at risk of paying an additional $875 million overall in 2025 on baby goods, including bouncers, activity centers, carriers, diaper bags, and other types of car seats, as a result of Trump’s tariffs. In Massachusetts, new parents could pay an additional $20.6 million.
“At a time when families are already struggling with the rising costs of food, housing, and healthcare, trade policies that further inflate essential childcare expenses are both counterproductive and deeply concerning,” the lawmakers continued. “We therefore urge you to immediately work with the President to exempt baby and toddler products from current and future tariffs, particularly those involving imports from China.”
The lawmakers noted that during the first Trump Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative created exclusions for baby safety products, an acknowledgement that the health and safety of infants should not be collateral damage in trade policy. They requested a response to their letter by July 10, 2025.
Joining Rep. Pressley in sending the letter are Representatives Becca Balint, Greg Casar, Sharice Davids, Cleo Fields, Bill Foster, Josh Gottheimer, Al Green, Jonathan Jackson, Julie Johnson, Stephen F. Lynch, Betty McCollum, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chris Pappas, Delia Ramírez, Deborah K. Ross, Andrea Salinas, Brad Sherman, Eric Swalwell, Emilia Strong Sykes, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Ritchie Torres, Eugene Simon Vindman, and Frederica S. Wilson.
To view a copy of the letter, click here.
Last month, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley pressed Secretary Bessent about the harmful impact of Trump’s tariffs on families with young children and asked if he would support an exemption to tariffs on baby products and other items that parents need to care for their kids, such as car seats. In response to her questioning, Secretary Bessent conceded that such an exemption was “under consideration.”
In April, Congresswoman Pressley joined 45 colleagues in sending a Congressional letter to the Trump Administration imploring them to end tariffs on essential baby goods.
###
Source: US State Government of Utah
Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport
Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.
“By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”
“The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”
According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.
According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.
The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.
The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth.
Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
Detectives investigating a fatal shooting in south London are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Shortly before 17:05hrs on Thursday, 19 June officers were called to reports of a shooting in Imperial Way, Croydon.
Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and found 41-year-old Anthony Morrison suffering gunshot injuries. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Anthony was pronounced dead at the scene.
His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.
A murder investigation was launched by detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command.
On Sunday, 22 June detectives arrested a 41-year-old man [A] on suspicion of murder and 37-year old woman [B] on suspicion of assisting an offender. [A] was subsequently charged on Monday, 23 June while [B] was bailed pending further enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Dan Whitten from the Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts continue to be with Anthony’s family and friends at this difficult time. This charge marks significant progress in the investigation into Anthony’s death. However, it is vital that we further develop our understanding of what happened that day.
“We understand that Anthony was attending a wake at the time of the shooting, and we would implore anyone who was present in Imperial Way that evening, whether at the wake or otherwise, to contact us.
“Similarly we are keen to speak with anyone who attended a funeral service at New Testament Assembly in Tooting Bec and/or London Road Cemetery, Mitcham, earlier on Thursday, 19 June and might have seen the victim.
“We are determined to get justice for Anthony’s family and friends, and we would ask for the public’s help in doing that by speaking to us or, if they’d prefer, anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Nick Blackburn, in charge of policing for Croydon, said: “I am very grateful to my Specialist Crime colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to investigate this matter professionally, securing charges. I’d now appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the team to help them with their investigation.
“I would like to reassure local communities and the wider public that firearm-enabled murders remain very rare in London.
“Our policing teams will continue to engage with communities across Croydon, providing extra support as required.”
Anyone who has video footage or any other relevant information is asked to contact us by visiting the Public Portal.
Alternatively, you can call 101 quoting CAD 6530/19Jun. To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VANCOUVER, B.C., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BGX – Black Gold Exploration Corp. (the “Company” or “BGX”) (CSE: BGX) (OTCQB: BGXCF) (FRA: BLGX) is pleased to announce another significant development in its strategic partnership (the “JV”) with LGX Energy Corp. (“LGX”). Through the Company’s 10% interest in the Fritz 2-30 well and surrounding 210-acre Area of Mutual Interest (“AMI”), the Company will be able to participate up to 10% in the drilling and development of an estimated 20 to 25 additional wells in the prolific Illinois Basin.
A Blueprint for Scalable Development
The AMI encompasses a strategically defined corridor of oil-bearing leases and prospects within the Illinois Basin. Utilizing 3D seismic technology, the JV has accurately mapped subsurface structures, leading to the successful identification and targeting of high-potential drilling locations. This analysis, combined with the analysis of new data from the now producing Fritz 2-30 well, has led to the expectation of the development of another estimated 20 to 25 wells within the AMI. The Fritz 2-30 will serve as a template for this multi-well development strategy, having validated the seismic analysis.
From Exploration to Production
The Fritz 2-30 well produced over 500 barrels within the first 10 days of production. Normalized production of the well has not yet been established as production is temporarily brought offline for further drilling to access the additional pay zones that have been identified. The Company expects to provide a more detailed update once it receives its first payout from this well, which is expected next quarter.
From Production to Scaled Field Development
Per the terms of the JV, BGX is able to participate in up to 10% of each new well developed in the AMI. Based on current estimates, the Company anticipates that the drilling and development of each new well will cost the Company between $25,000 and $45,000 (USD) depending on the formation and depths required. The Company and LGX are aiming to bring the 20+ wells online by the end of 2026. The Company expects to fund its portion of the developments through additional capital raises.
On behalf of the Company,
Francisco Gulisano
236-266-5174
Chief Executive Officer
About BGX
BGX is an oil and gas exploration and production company dedicated to creating shareholder value in the Illinois Basin. For more information visit https://www.bgxcorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management’s view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. It should be noted that there are inherent risks and uncertainties in oil and gas exploration. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to statements respecting: (i) the Company’s expectation that it will be able to participate in the drilling and development of 20+ additional wells in the prolific Illinois Basin; (ii) the Fritz 2-30 well serving as a template for the Company’s multi-well development strategy; (iii) the Company’s plan to use existing infrastructure to create a very capital-efficient multi-well development; (iv) the stacked pay architecture at the Fritz 2-30 well providing the basis for a repeatable, full-cycle development program with minimal geological risk and high operational confidence; (v) the Company and LGX putting together the framework for a full field development program; (vi) the Company’s strategy being not only a scalable and capital efficient, but also being a template for value creation for shareholders; (vii) the Company’s ability to receive payment next quarter; and (viii) the Company’s ability to raise the capital required to participate in the development of future wells. The Company notes that the development of each additional well will be based on the analysis of the JV partner, the success of the drilling campaigns and subject to the normal permitting requirements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise. For a comprehensive overview of all risks that may impact the Company, please see the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+.
Neither the CSE nor the CSE’s Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accept responsibility for the accuracy of this release.
SUITE 2400 | 1055 WEST GEORGIA STREET | VANCOUVER, BC | V6E 3P3 | TEL. +1 (236) 266-5174 | info@bgxcorp.com | bgxcorp.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
VANCOUVER, B.C., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BGX – Black Gold Exploration Corp. (the “Company” or “BGX”) (CSE: BGX) (OTCQB: BGXCF) (FRA: BLGX) is pleased to announce another significant development in its strategic partnership (the “JV”) with LGX Energy Corp. (“LGX”). Through the Company’s 10% interest in the Fritz 2-30 well and surrounding 210-acre Area of Mutual Interest (“AMI”), the Company will be able to participate up to 10% in the drilling and development of an estimated 20 to 25 additional wells in the prolific Illinois Basin.
A Blueprint for Scalable Development
The AMI encompasses a strategically defined corridor of oil-bearing leases and prospects within the Illinois Basin. Utilizing 3D seismic technology, the JV has accurately mapped subsurface structures, leading to the successful identification and targeting of high-potential drilling locations. This analysis, combined with the analysis of new data from the now producing Fritz 2-30 well, has led to the expectation of the development of another estimated 20 to 25 wells within the AMI. The Fritz 2-30 will serve as a template for this multi-well development strategy, having validated the seismic analysis.
From Exploration to Production
The Fritz 2-30 well produced over 500 barrels within the first 10 days of production. Normalized production of the well has not yet been established as production is temporarily brought offline for further drilling to access the additional pay zones that have been identified. The Company expects to provide a more detailed update once it receives its first payout from this well, which is expected next quarter.
From Production to Scaled Field Development
Per the terms of the JV, BGX is able to participate in up to 10% of each new well developed in the AMI. Based on current estimates, the Company anticipates that the drilling and development of each new well will cost the Company between $25,000 and $45,000 (USD) depending on the formation and depths required. The Company and LGX are aiming to bring the 20+ wells online by the end of 2026. The Company expects to fund its portion of the developments through additional capital raises.
On behalf of the Company,
Francisco Gulisano
236-266-5174
Chief Executive Officer
About BGX
BGX is an oil and gas exploration and production company dedicated to creating shareholder value in the Illinois Basin. For more information visit https://www.bgxcorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management’s view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. It should be noted that there are inherent risks and uncertainties in oil and gas exploration. Forward- looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to statements respecting: (i) the Company’s expectation that it will be able to participate in the drilling and development of 20+ additional wells in the prolific Illinois Basin; (ii) the Fritz 2-30 well serving as a template for the Company’s multi-well development strategy; (iii) the Company’s plan to use existing infrastructure to create a very capital-efficient multi-well development; (iv) the stacked pay architecture at the Fritz 2-30 well providing the basis for a repeatable, full-cycle development program with minimal geological risk and high operational confidence; (v) the Company and LGX putting together the framework for a full field development program; (vi) the Company’s strategy being not only a scalable and capital efficient, but also being a template for value creation for shareholders; (vii) the Company’s ability to receive payment next quarter; and (viii) the Company’s ability to raise the capital required to participate in the development of future wells. The Company notes that the development of each additional well will be based on the analysis of the JV partner, the success of the drilling campaigns and subject to the normal permitting requirements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements, or otherwise. For a comprehensive overview of all risks that may impact the Company, please see the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+.
Neither the CSE nor the CSE’s Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accept responsibility for the accuracy of this release.
SUITE 2400 | 1055 WEST GEORGIA STREET | VANCOUVER, BC | V6E 3P3 | TEL. +1 (236) 266-5174 | info@bgxcorp.com | bgxcorp.com
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Adriana Costa, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Bioproducts, Mississippi State University
People dedicated to the art of grilling often choose lump charcoal – actual pieces of wood that have been turned into charcoal – over briquettes, which are compressed charcoal dust with other ingredients to keep the dust together and help it burn better.
The kinds of wood used to make lump charcoal affect how it burns and how the food tastes when grilled. Dedicated grillers are often willing to pay a premium for higher heat, no additives, particular flavors and the cleaner burn they get from particular wood species in lump charcoal.
Buyers probably expect the label to accurately report how much charcoal they are getting, what kind of wood it is, and where the wood was grown.
A spot-check I helped conduct on lump charcoal for sale in the U.S. has revealed that the information on the label does not always match what is inside the bag. Customers might not know what they are actually buying, potentially affecting their purchasing choices and even their grilling experience.
Charcoal is made from wood heated in a low-oxygen environment to remove water and volatile compounds. This process leaves behind a carbon-rich material that burns hotter and more cleanly than raw wood, making it ideal for grilling.
The origin of the trees used affects charcoal’s ecological sustainability. Some charcoal produced in Mexico, Paraguay and Brazil has been linked to deforestation and unsustainable logging practices. Charcoal from hardwood trees harvested in the U.S. is generally considered to be more sustainable.
We decided to investigate more deeply what consumers are actually getting when they buy a bag of lump charcoal.
We looked at a range of products, some of which were labeled as from the U.S., some from other countries and others that did not specify a country of origin.
We purchased one bag each of 15 major U.S. lump charcoal brands online. We did not identify the specific producers. Instead, we wanted to give an overall sense of the products available on the market and evaluate how closely product claims on the packaging matched what was actually in the bags.
We determined the type of wood the charcoal was made from by examining each lump under a microscope or handheld magnifying lens and matching the patterns in the wood structure with the ones in our collection.
Identifying the species allowed us to broadly infer the origin of the charcoal based on where those kinds of trees typically grow.
Nearly half of all the lump charcoal we examined was oak or mesquite, which are both hardwoods that grow in North America, including in the U.S. and Mexico.
In two out of five bags claiming their charcoal had come from the U.S., 15% or more of the material was actually tropical woods, such as ipe, which are not native to the U.S. These woods may have been harvested unsustainably. Other species we found included pine and sweet gum, which perform poorly as grilling woods.
Much of the tropical wood was in small fragments, which made us think it might have been intentionally used as cheap filler.
We found one bag that was labeled “One ingredient: Oak hardwood” that contained no oak at all. Instead, it was a mix of at least six tropical woods.
We also discovered concerns related to product weight and the quantity of extraneous material in the bags. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act is a U.S. law that requires product containers to carry labels that accurately describe the contents. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has specific methods for measuring and characterizing contents of packaged goods.
These requirements do allow some variations in weight, but nearly half the bags we examined were underfilled, and one-third were far enough underweight that their label claims fell outside what is legally acceptable.
Also, in every bag we found bark and tiny charcoal fragments, which burn quickly and unevenly. Six bags had rocks in them. Without those extra materials, all 15 bags were underweight, and none gave buyers as much effective grilling fuel as they promised.
So when consumers pay more for what they think is a premium charcoal product, they may, in fact, be getting nothing of the sort.
Adriana Costa has received funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, McIntire Stennis, USDA Agricultural Research Service, and the USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
– ref. Grilling with lump charcoal: Is US-grown hardwood really in that bag? – https://theconversation.com/grilling-with-lump-charcoal-is-us-grown-hardwood-really-in-that-bag-258157
Source: Government of Canada News
MONTRÉAL, June 26, 2025
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, today announced funding for the 45th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
Totalling $700,000, the funding will enable the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal—one of the world’s largest musical events—to once again present a lineup full of exciting discoveries, showcasing both established and emerging talented artists.
Through its impressive lineup of shows—most of them free and presented in the Quartier des spectacles—the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal attracts more than 1.2 million participants each year for unique performances.
The federal government is proud to support our country’s cultural scene, which makes Canada strong and our communities vibrant, and to help our artists and culture shine at home and internationally.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
QINGDAO, June 26 — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday convened in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province.
It is necessary for the SCO to serve as an anchor of stability amid the current complex global situation, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said while addressing the meeting.
China is willing to work with all SCO member states to adhere to the original aspiration of the organization, carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit,” firmly safeguard international fairness and justice, jointly address security challenges, and promote steady and far-reaching defense and security cooperation, Dong noted.
All parties participating in the meeting agreed to enhance strategic communication, promote practical cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 26 — Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) President Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi in Beijing on Thursday, urging both sides to step up cooperation to enhance universal security.
Wang said China highly appreciates Interpol’s firm adherence to the one-China principle. He called on both sides to enhance communication and coordination on important affairs, improve their strategic cooperation, deepen cooperation on law enforcement capacity-building, and ensure the success of the 94th Interpol General Assembly.
Expressing gratitude for China’s long-standing support, Al-Raisi said that Interpol is willing to continue high-level cooperation with China.
Al-Raisi was also awarded the Gold Great Wall Commemorative Medal on Thursday.
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Committee on Education, Technology & Talents (CETT), led by Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki met the presidents of eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities today to exchange views on the work of promoting integrated development of education, technology and talent.
At the meeting, Mr Chan introduced the CETT’s work plan to the university presidents.
He noted that the Government attracts quality talent from around the world and nurtures local talent through various measures, such as scholarship programmes and increasing the non-local student quota.
Starting from the 2024-25 academic year (AY), the non-local student quota for UGC-funded institutions has been doubled from 20% to 40%, while non-local undergraduate enrolment has increased from 19.9% in 2023-24 AY to 23.2% in 2024-25 AY.
In light of the sudden policy changes regarding higher education overseas, Mr Chan thanked the UGC-funded universities for providing comprehensive support measures for affected students in a holistic approach as well as seizing the opportunity to attract more top talent to pursue their studies in Hong Kong so as to give full play to Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub.
Mr Chan stressed that the Government will do its utmost to provide assistance and convenience for overseas talent interested in studying or conducting research in Hong Kong’s higher education institutions, including striving to further expand the non-local student quota based on actual needs.
As at the date of the meeting, the UGC-funded universities have received about 850 transfer enquiries related to the sudden policy changes regarding higher education overseas. In addition, many UGC-funded universities have recorded a double-digit year-on-year increase in the number of applications from non-local students for the new AY.
The meeting also introduced to the presidents the scheme – which will be officially launched in mid-July – jointly implemented by the Education Bureau and the Development Bureau to facilitate the market to increase the supply of student hostels on a self-financing and privately-funded basis.
The presidents of the eight UGC-funded universities expressed their continued full support for the CETT’s work, and will work closely with the Government to attract talent from all over the world and nurture local talent to build a quality talent pool for the future development of Hong Kong and the country.
Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong and Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun also attended the meeting.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
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A Utah entrepreneur was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after he fraudulently obtained $628,307 from a COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan in 2021 by submitting a fraudulent loan application in the name of his business.
The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.
Marcelo Federico Torre, 42, of Draper, Utah, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and possession of stolen mail on April 10, 2025. In addition to his sentence, and credit for time served, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups sentenced Torre to three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay $628,307 in restitution. Torre also forfeited a money judgement in the amount of $628,307.
According to court documents and statements made at Torre’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from April 27, 2021 to May 5, 2021, Torre fraudulently submitted a PPP Loan application through U.S. Bank for approximately $628,307 on behalf of his company, Offerworks Inc., a company he owned and controlled. By fraudulently submitting the Loan application, he lied to U.S. Bank and the United States government in order to be approved for the PPP Loan. Some of the false statements Torre made on the PPP Loan application included that his company, Offerworks Inc., had been in operation as of February 15, 2020, when it had not; his company had 37 employees, when it did not; and that Offerworks Inc., had an average monthly payroll of $251,323 in 2020, when it did not.
“The amount of money Mr. Torre stole from the U.S. government and taxpayers, which was intended to keep businesses open and provide salaries for employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, is significant and his fraud and will not go unpunished,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “It is our hope Mr. Torre’s sentence will deter him and others who seek to take criminal advantage of government programs meant to help honest and hardworking business owners and their employees during a crisis.”
The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service, Draper City Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Salt Lake City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
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Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release
A Utah entrepreneur was sentenced today to 18 months’ imprisonment after he fraudulently obtained $628,307 from a COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan in 2021 by submitting a fraudulent loan application in the name of his business.
The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.
Marcelo Federico Torre, 42, of Draper, Utah, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, and possession of stolen mail on April 10, 2025. In addition to his sentence, and credit for time served, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups sentenced Torre to three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay $628,307 in restitution. Torre also forfeited a money judgement in the amount of $628,307.
According to court documents and statements made at Torre’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from April 27, 2021 to May 5, 2021, Torre fraudulently submitted a PPP Loan application through U.S. Bank for approximately $628,307 on behalf of his company, Offerworks Inc., a company he owned and controlled. By fraudulently submitting the Loan application, he lied to U.S. Bank and the United States government in order to be approved for the PPP Loan. Some of the false statements Torre made on the PPP Loan application included that his company, Offerworks Inc., had been in operation as of February 15, 2020, when it had not; his company had 37 employees, when it did not; and that Offerworks Inc., had an average monthly payroll of $251,323 in 2020, when it did not.
“The amount of money Mr. Torre stole from the U.S. government and taxpayers, which was intended to keep businesses open and provide salaries for employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, is significant and his fraud and will not go unpunished,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “It is our hope Mr. Torre’s sentence will deter him and others who seek to take criminal advantage of government programs meant to help honest and hardworking business owners and their employees during a crisis.”
The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Investigation Service, Draper City Police Department, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, Salt Lake City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
Source: United States Attorneys General
Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport
Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.
“By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”
“The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”
According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.
According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.
The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.
The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth.
Source: United States Attorneys General
Defendant Unlawfully Exported American-Made Firearms Through JFK International Airport
Yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn, Sergei Zharnovnikov, 46, of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit export violations. The defendant exported firearms and ammunition worth over $1.5 million from the United States to Russia, in violation of U.S. law. When sentenced, Zharnovnikov faces up to 20 years in prison.
“By his own admission, Zharnovnikov willfully violated U.S. export controls to smuggle American-made firearms into Russia,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The National Security Division will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to disrupt illicit arms networks and prosecute those who illegally transfer U.S. weaponry abroad.”
“The defendant admitted that he purchased American-made, military-grade firearms and re-exported them to Russia,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea is the culmination of extensive investigative work, showing that this office will not allow merchants of lethal weapons and Russia to flout U.S. sanctions.”
According to court filings and statements made during the plea proceeding, the defendant is the owner of an arms dealer located in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan Company-1). Since at least March 2020, the defendant, together with others, has conspired to export firearms controlled by the U.S. Department of Commerce from the United States to Russia. The defendant exported $1,582,836.52 worth of U.S.-manufactured firearms and ammunition from the United States to Russia without the required licenses from the Department of Commerce. In one transaction, he entered into a five‑year, $900,000 contract with a company in the United States (U.S. Company‑1) to purchase and export U.S. Company-1 firearms to Kyrgyzstan. DOC issued a license for U.S. Company-1 to export firearms to Kyrgyzstan Company-1. The license, however, explicitly prohibited the export or re-export of the firearms to Russia. Nevertheless, the defendant exported and re-exported U.S. Company‑1 firearms, including semi‑automatic hybrid rifle-pistols, to Russia via Kyrgyzstan without the necessary approvals.
According to an export filing, in connection with the defendant’s contract with U.S. Company-1, U.S. Company-1 exported semi-automatic rifles from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kyrgyzstan Company-1 on or about July 10, 2022. On or about Nov. 14, 2022, the General Director of a Russian company that is a client of the defendant executed a tax form listing the same semi‑automatic rifle‑pistols that U.S. Company‑1 had exported to Kyrgyzstan Company‑1, the defendant’s company. The defendant did not apply for, obtain, or possess a license to export or re-export the semi‑automatic pistol-rifles to Russia.
The defendant traveled from Kyrgyzstan to the United States on or about Jan. 18, 2025. The defendant traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he attended the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to meet with U.S. arms dealers.
The FBI New York Field Office and U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Office of Export Enforcement are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Litigation Analyst Rebecca Roth.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
IRVINE, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EtherWAN is excited to announce the launch of the IG5 SV series. These switches offer enhanced performance with versatile port combinations, including 8 optional PoE ports delivering up to 30W each. The compact, front-facing interface design with a shorter depth ensures easy access and installation in tight cabinet spaces, while PoE capabilities reduce the need for extra switches.
The IG5 SV series provides advanced features and a ruggedized design, making it ideal for critical environments and outdoor installations. Whether you need to support critical infrastructure, intelligent transportation, industrial IoT, or smart energy networks, the IG5 SV series delivers high bandwidth 24 1G ports and 4 10G ports running at full switching capacity. The switches also feature rich Layer 2 and Layer 3 management functionalities and digital I/O to support diverse network applications.
“Space can be a valuable commodity in cabinets out in the field” says David Choi, EtherWAN’s Sr. Product Manager. “The IG5 SV series provides high bandwidth connectivity at up to 10-gigabit along with flexible RJ45 and SFP port combinations in a compact package, allowing for installations in tight cabinet spaces.”
Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the IG5 SV series can resist thermal shock and electrical noise, with a wide operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F), being able to operate at up to 85°C (185°F) ambient for 16 hours additionally. They comply with IEC and IEEE standards for network time synchronization, ensuring rapid response and high reliability
The products are backed by a long warranty and complimentary US-based tech support. Networking training courses are also available, providing general technical knowledge for network design and planning.
Visit EtherWAN’s website for more details and engage with the team to learn how EtherWAN can help design your network and integrate the range of IG5 SV Series products into the network.
About EtherWAN Systems, Inc.
EtherWAN Systems, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of Ethernet, PoE, Wireless, Media Converters and Fiber connectivity products for demanding environments. Founded in 1996 by NASA Engineers, EtherWAN’s expertise lies in Urban Infrastructure connectivity solutions that make communities safe and secure. From in-house designed and manufactured products to the implementation and support for customers of all sizes, EtherWAN achieves unparalleled levels of reliability and quality.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
IRVINE, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EtherWAN is excited to announce the launch of the IG5 SV series. These switches offer enhanced performance with versatile port combinations, including 8 optional PoE ports delivering up to 30W each. The compact, front-facing interface design with a shorter depth ensures easy access and installation in tight cabinet spaces, while PoE capabilities reduce the need for extra switches.
The IG5 SV series provides advanced features and a ruggedized design, making it ideal for critical environments and outdoor installations. Whether you need to support critical infrastructure, intelligent transportation, industrial IoT, or smart energy networks, the IG5 SV series delivers high bandwidth 24 1G ports and 4 10G ports running at full switching capacity. The switches also feature rich Layer 2 and Layer 3 management functionalities and digital I/O to support diverse network applications.
“Space can be a valuable commodity in cabinets out in the field” says David Choi, EtherWAN’s Sr. Product Manager. “The IG5 SV series provides high bandwidth connectivity at up to 10-gigabit along with flexible RJ45 and SFP port combinations in a compact package, allowing for installations in tight cabinet spaces.”
Designed to withstand extreme conditions, the IG5 SV series can resist thermal shock and electrical noise, with a wide operating temperature range of -40 to 75°C (-40 to 167°F), being able to operate at up to 85°C (185°F) ambient for 16 hours additionally. They comply with IEC and IEEE standards for network time synchronization, ensuring rapid response and high reliability
The products are backed by a long warranty and complimentary US-based tech support. Networking training courses are also available, providing general technical knowledge for network design and planning.
Visit EtherWAN’s website for more details and engage with the team to learn how EtherWAN can help design your network and integrate the range of IG5 SV Series products into the network.
About EtherWAN Systems, Inc.
EtherWAN Systems, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of Ethernet, PoE, Wireless, Media Converters and Fiber connectivity products for demanding environments. Founded in 1996 by NASA Engineers, EtherWAN’s expertise lies in Urban Infrastructure connectivity solutions that make communities safe and secure. From in-house designed and manufactured products to the implementation and support for customers of all sizes, EtherWAN achieves unparalleled levels of reliability and quality.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Chief Technology Officer Dr Viktor Chikan is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion alongside other leading enrichment executives.
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LIS Technologies Inc. (“LIST” or “the Company”), a proprietary developer of advanced laser technology and the only USA-origin and patented laser uranium enrichment company, today announced that it is the Nuclear Luminary sponsor of the upcoming Nuclear Opportunuties Workshop (NOW) 2025 Conference, to be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, on July 22-23, 2025.
CTO Dr Viktor Chikan will take part in a panel discussion titled, “Nuclear Fuels – Enrichment and Fabrication,” which is scheduled to take place at 1:15pm on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025.
Figure 1 – LIS Technologies Inc. Announces Top Sponsorship of the East Tennessee Economic Council’s Nuclear Opportunities Workshop 2025 Conference.
“Following a successful and informative experience at the NOW 2024 conference, I’m pleased that Viktor is returning for this year’s conference and join a panel focused on strengthening America’s nuclear-fuel supply chain,” said Christo Liebenberg, CEO and Co-Founder of LIS Technologies Inc. “Establishing our headquarters in Tennessee has shown us the depth of nuclear talent within the state, and I look forward to Viktor updating attendees on LIST’s progress in revitalizing the nation’s only patented laser-uranium-enrichment process to support the existing nuclear energy industry and help usher in the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors.”
About LIS Technologies Inc.
LIS Technologies Inc. (LIST) is a USA based, proprietary developer of a patented advanced laser technology, making use of infrared lasers to selectively excite the molecules of desired isotopes to separate them from other isotopes. The Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T) has a huge range of applications, including being the only USA-origin (and patented) laser uranium enrichment company, and several major advantages over traditional methods such as gas diffusion, centrifuges, and prior art laser enrichment. The LIST proprietary laser-based process is more energy-efficient and has the potential to be deployed with highly competitive capital and operational costs. L.I.S.T is optimized for LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) for existing civilian nuclear power plants, High-Assay LEU (HALEU) for the next generation of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Microreactors, the production of stable isotopes for medical and scientific research, and applications in quantum computing manufacturing for semiconductor technologies. The Company employs a world class nuclear technical team working alongside leading nuclear entrepreneurs and industry professionals, possessing strong relationships with government and private nuclear industries.
In Dec 2024, LIS Technologies Inc. was selected as one of six domestic companies to participate in the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program. This initiative allocates up to $3.4 billion overall, with contracts lasting for up to 10 years. Each awardee is slated to receive a minimum contract of $2 million.
For more information please visit: LaserIsTech.com
For further information, please contact:
Email: info@laseristech.com
Telephone: 800-388-5492
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Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For LIS Technologies Inc., particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following which are, and will be, exacerbated by any worsening of global business and economic environment: (i) risks related to the development of new or advanced technology, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, development of competitive technology, loss of key individuals and uncertainty of success of patent filing, (ii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations and (iii) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to commercially deploy a competitive laser enrichment technology, (iv) risks related to the impact of government regulation and policies including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in this and our other filings with the SEC. Only after successful completion of our Phase 2 Pilot Plant demonstration will LIS Technologies be able to make realistic economic predictions for a Commercial Facility. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.
Attachment
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today announced that it has achieved a Moderate Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) for its Cloudera Government Solutions offering at the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP®). Cloudera is now one of only 38 Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions to earn FedRAMP Moderate status, placing it in an exclusive group of platforms approved to handle sensitive federal data in a public cloud environment and enabling reciprocity with Department of Defense Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) at Impact Level 2. This designation, now officially listed on the FedRAMP Marketplace, marks the first step in the journey to bring Cloudera’s secure data platform to the federal government cloud community.
As federal agencies accelerate digital transformation, the ability to manage large-scale datasets in cloud environments has become essential to mission delivery. With the FedRAMP Moderate Authorization designation, Cloudera enables agencies to confidently adopt a data architecture that delivers cloud-native analytics on AWS GovCloud. Building on existing agency-specific ATOs, this designation allows any federal agency to use Cloudera for mission-critical workloads while meeting FedRAMP Moderate and Department of Defense IL2 requirements.
“Federal agencies rely on trusted platforms to manage vast volumes of sensitive data – from health records and benefits systems to emergency response operations,” said Leo Brunnick, Chief Product Officer, Cloudera. “This FedRAMP Moderate Authorization validates the trust our customers have placed in Cloudera to meet strict federal security controls while enabling the agility they need to modernize. We’ve built Cloudera to help agencies confidently evolve – whether they’re delivering real-time insights during a crisis, building AI models to detect fraud, or informing policy with trusted analytics. This designation ensures they can do so securely, at scale, in the cloud.”
Cloudera is now FedRAMP Authorized for the following components:
To learn more about Cloudera Government Solutions, visit https://www.cloudera.com/solutions/public-sector.html
About Cloudera
Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future.
To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Contact
Jess Hohn-Cabana
cloudera@v2comms.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SOMERSET, N.J., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO) (“CareCloud” or the “Company”), a leader in AI-driven healthcare technology solutions for medical practices and health systems nationwide, today announced that its current independent registered public accounting firm may resign if an ICFR auditor attestation of the Company’s Internal Control over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”) under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is required for fiscal year 2025.
Our audit firm has informed the Company that it does not have the capacity to perform an ICFR attestation. Under SEC rules, the same audit firm must conduct both the financial statement audit and the ICFR attestation. Therefore, if an ICFR attestation becomes necessary, the audit firm would be unable to fulfill the full scope of the required audit services, and CareCloud would need to engage a new independent registered public accounting firm.
The requirement for an ICFR attestation will be determined based on CareCloud’s public float amount as of the close of trading on June 30, 2025. If the public float equals or exceeds $75 million, CareCloud would be classified as an accelerated filer, triggering the ICFR attestation requirement under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
CareCloud will provide an update on July 1, 2025, following the determination of its public float and any resulting impact on its audit arrangements.
About CareCloud
CareCloud (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO) brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of AI and technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health, at carecloud.com.
Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.
For additional information, please visit our website at carecloud.com. To listen to video presentations by CareCloud’s management team, read recent press releases and view the latest investor presentation, please visit ir.carecloud.com.
Disclaimer
This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.
These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
SOURCE: CareCloud
Company Contact:
Norman Roth
Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
CareCloud, Inc.
nroth@carecloud.com
Investor Contact:
Stephen Snyder
Co-Chief Executive Officer
CareCloud, Inc.
ir@carecloud.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
SOMERSET, N.J., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO) (“CareCloud” or the “Company”), a leader in AI-driven healthcare technology solutions for medical practices and health systems nationwide, today announced that its current independent registered public accounting firm may resign if an ICFR auditor attestation of the Company’s Internal Control over Financial Reporting (“ICFR”) under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is required for fiscal year 2025.
Our audit firm has informed the Company that it does not have the capacity to perform an ICFR attestation. Under SEC rules, the same audit firm must conduct both the financial statement audit and the ICFR attestation. Therefore, if an ICFR attestation becomes necessary, the audit firm would be unable to fulfill the full scope of the required audit services, and CareCloud would need to engage a new independent registered public accounting firm.
The requirement for an ICFR attestation will be determined based on CareCloud’s public float amount as of the close of trading on June 30, 2025. If the public float equals or exceeds $75 million, CareCloud would be classified as an accelerated filer, triggering the ICFR attestation requirement under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
CareCloud will provide an update on July 1, 2025, following the determination of its public float and any resulting impact on its audit arrangements.
About CareCloud
CareCloud (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO) brings disciplined innovation to the business of healthcare. Our suite of AI and technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care, while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services, including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health, at carecloud.com.
Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.
For additional information, please visit our website at carecloud.com. To listen to video presentations by CareCloud’s management team, read recent press releases and view the latest investor presentation, please visit ir.carecloud.com.
Disclaimer
This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions.
These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.
SOURCE: CareCloud
Company Contact:
Norman Roth
Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller
CareCloud, Inc.
nroth@carecloud.com
Investor Contact:
Stephen Snyder
Co-Chief Executive Officer
CareCloud, Inc.
ir@carecloud.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
PALM BEACH, Fla., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery service providers have been offering innovative opportunities for businesses in the construction & agriculture industries and widening their potential application base to enable predictive and actuation capabilities. These capabilities offer significant advantages, such as quality improvements, risk mitigation, and cost reduction, thereby providing a competitive advantage to adopters. Drones and their sensors provide companies with significant data, multiplying applications and capabilities within their business processes. Analyzing the obtained information improves predictive/preventive maintenance and operational intelligence. Companies increasingly adopt data management platforms to process and analyze information for detecting and classifying notable events and creating reports. A report from Grand View Research said that the global drone data services market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 39.0% through 2030. The market growth is attributed to the increasing need for drone information analysis amongst businesses worldwide to perform various critical tasks remotely, such as automated mapping, cadastral surveying, corridor surveying, volumetric calculations, and LiDAR mapping. Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRO), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH).
The Grand View Research report said: “Drone data service providers are expected to gain prominence by empowering companies globally to utilize UAV imagery better. This can be achieved by converting it into actionable information in simple 3D models, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and orthomosaic maps. An increasing number of companies are now seeking to enter the UAV software space and develop software to provide aerial imagery analysis and mapping solutions for the commercial sector. Businesses worldwide are increasingly using drones across a wide range of industries. Farmers are utilizing maps generated with drone software to identify areas of damage & crop variation, diagnose the potential causes for damages, such as pests, equipment malfunctioning, and irrigation problems, and prescribe solutions such as variable-rate nitrogen applications. The 3D modeling & DEM segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 40.5% during the forecast period. The advancements in drone technology have enabled the collection of high-resolution aerial data, which can be processed to create detailed and precise 3D models and DEMs. It has significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis and decision-making processes in industries that rely on geospatial information.”
ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs Offer to Acquire North Carolina Land Surveying Company to Expand State Operations and Government Customers – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, announces it has signed an offer to acquire a well-established North Carolina-based land surveying company with a strong government customer base. The proposed acquisition expands operations in the state when combined with a previously announced proposed land survey acquisition with operations in North Carolina. With over three decades of success serving government agencies, municipal governments, construction companies, and real estate developers, this strategic acquisition would significantly advance the company’s regional market penetration as well as growth in the US Southeast.
“This proposed acquisition aligns with our strategy to build a robust, scalable, national Drone as a Service business while empowering strong regional and local hubs and recurring revenue opportunities,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We plan to embed AI-powered drone technology into critical land survey workflows providing unparalleled speed and precision. Land surveys are a first step to innovating multiple legacy businesses and inefficient processes with our DaaS model and our drones.”
The land survey company offers comprehensive services include boundary surveys, topographic and site planning surveys, ALTA (American Land Title Association) / ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) surveys, construction staking, and other essential survey solutions for permitting, financing, and construction across city, county, and commercial sectors.
ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) business model offers both business and government customers reduced costs and convenience to utilize drones to streamline legacy processes and manual tasks such as inspections, surveying, maintenance, precision agriculture and inventory management ─ there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and utilizes ZenaDrone’s multifunction AI autonomous drones.
The company has closed five acquisitions across the US to date as part of its DaaS business model and strategy and has announced it plans to complete 20 more acquisitions in the next 12 months. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/
Other recent developments in the markets include:
Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, recently announced that its subsidiary, American Robotics Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with Mistral Inc. (“Mistral”), a Maryland-based business development and defense contracting firm. The agreement focuses on joint marketing, sales, and integration of the Optimus drone system and Iron Drone Raider into the United States defense and homeland security markets.
Under the agreement, Mistral will support American Robotics’ business development by opening sales channels through its well-established relationships with U.S. governmental buyers, including federal, state, local law enforcement, military, and homeland security entities. The initial term of the agreement is three years, with an automatic renewal option and a structured success fee model based on realized sales.
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) recently reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended April 30, 2025.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Highlights Were: Record fourth quarter revenue of $275.1 million and fiscal year revenue of $820.6, up 40% and 14% year-over-year, respectively; Fourth quarter and fiscal year net income of $16.7 million and $43.6 million, respectively and record fourth quarter and fiscal year non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $61.6 million and $146.4 million, respectively; and Record fiscal year bookings of $1.2 billion
“AeroVironment finished out fiscal year 2025 with a remarkable fourth quarter, which included record revenue, significantly higher profits and a robust backlog nearly double that from fiscal year 2024,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The investments we’ve consistently made in our multi-generational Uncrewed Systems and Loitering Munition Systems products coupled with our strong execution, continue to pay off, as evidenced by significantly higher demand and key strategic wins leading to a record $1.2 billion in total bookings throughout this fiscal year.”
Nawabi continued, “Our acquisition of BlueHalo further advances our leadership position within the defense-technology sector by adding a complementary portfolio of innovative products and capabilities aligned to our customers’ highest priorities. With integrated solutions across every domain of modern warfare, enhanced innovation and domestic manufacturing scale, we believe we are well positioned to meet the rising demand across the globe and drive strong growth and value creation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.”
AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRO) recently announced that Company executives, including Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria and CEO and Co-Founder Joe Burns, attended the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, which took place from June 16 to June 22, 2025, in Paris, France.
Shares of AIRO common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “AIRO” on June 13, 2025. AIRO’s market debut comes amid strong historical financial performance for the Company and underscores its commitment to an integrated portfolio of cutting-edge technologies, including the development of fully autonomous AI-enabled surveillance drones, eVTOL hybrid and electric cargo aircraft, advanced avionics systems and comprehensive flight operations training solutions. In 2024, AIRO achieved over $86 million in revenue, reflecting growth of more than 100% from the previous year. This increase is attributed to an increase in drone shipments and support revenue driven by market entry strategies to target NATO member countries.
“The strength of AIRO lies in its diversified yet complementary portfolio of products and services, all centered around a unified aerospace and defense ecosystem,” said Executive Chairman, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria. “AIRO’s complementary business segments, with strategic locations in the US, Canada, and Europe, provide unparalleled access for our global client base. With significant year-over-year revenue and EBITDA growth, we believe our offerings are essential for both current and future operational landscapes.”
EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Gotion High-Tech Co., Ltd. (“Gotion”), a leading innovator in power battery solutions. Building on a power system framework agreement signed in December 2023, this enhanced collaboration marks a significant step forward in powering the electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft. Under the upgraded partnership, the two companies will jointly advance the development of power systems for EHang’s flagship EH216 series of pilotless eVTOL aircraft, with plans to extend their collaboration to future aircraft models. By leveraging cutting-edge battery technologies, the partnership aims to accelerate the advancement of a safe, intelligent, and sustainable low-altitude transportation ecosystem and contribute to the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.
As part of the agreement, Gotion will deliver a customized battery solution tailored to the EH216 series. At the core of the solution is Gotion’s newly developed 46-series cylindrical battery cell, which offers high energy density and robust power output. The next-generation battery system is expected to significantly enhance the EH216 series aircraft in flight range, thrust performance, and operational safety — further improving the aircraft’s efficiency across a variety of use cases and strengthening its readiness for future scaled commercial deployment.
About FN Media Group:
At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases
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DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Contact Information:
Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757
SOURCE: FN Media Group
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
PALM BEACH, Fla., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery service providers have been offering innovative opportunities for businesses in the construction & agriculture industries and widening their potential application base to enable predictive and actuation capabilities. These capabilities offer significant advantages, such as quality improvements, risk mitigation, and cost reduction, thereby providing a competitive advantage to adopters. Drones and their sensors provide companies with significant data, multiplying applications and capabilities within their business processes. Analyzing the obtained information improves predictive/preventive maintenance and operational intelligence. Companies increasingly adopt data management platforms to process and analyze information for detecting and classifying notable events and creating reports. A report from Grand View Research said that the global drone data services market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 39.0% through 2030. The market growth is attributed to the increasing need for drone information analysis amongst businesses worldwide to perform various critical tasks remotely, such as automated mapping, cadastral surveying, corridor surveying, volumetric calculations, and LiDAR mapping. Active Companies in the markets today include ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA), Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRO), EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH).
The Grand View Research report said: “Drone data service providers are expected to gain prominence by empowering companies globally to utilize UAV imagery better. This can be achieved by converting it into actionable information in simple 3D models, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and orthomosaic maps. An increasing number of companies are now seeking to enter the UAV software space and develop software to provide aerial imagery analysis and mapping solutions for the commercial sector. Businesses worldwide are increasingly using drones across a wide range of industries. Farmers are utilizing maps generated with drone software to identify areas of damage & crop variation, diagnose the potential causes for damages, such as pests, equipment malfunctioning, and irrigation problems, and prescribe solutions such as variable-rate nitrogen applications. The 3D modeling & DEM segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 40.5% during the forecast period. The advancements in drone technology have enabled the collection of high-resolution aerial data, which can be processed to create detailed and precise 3D models and DEMs. It has significantly enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of data analysis and decision-making processes in industries that rely on geospatial information.”
ZenaTech (NASDAQ:ZENA) Signs Offer to Acquire North Carolina Land Surveying Company to Expand State Operations and Government Customers – ZenaTech, Inc. (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, announces it has signed an offer to acquire a well-established North Carolina-based land surveying company with a strong government customer base. The proposed acquisition expands operations in the state when combined with a previously announced proposed land survey acquisition with operations in North Carolina. With over three decades of success serving government agencies, municipal governments, construction companies, and real estate developers, this strategic acquisition would significantly advance the company’s regional market penetration as well as growth in the US Southeast.
“This proposed acquisition aligns with our strategy to build a robust, scalable, national Drone as a Service business while empowering strong regional and local hubs and recurring revenue opportunities,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We plan to embed AI-powered drone technology into critical land survey workflows providing unparalleled speed and precision. Land surveys are a first step to innovating multiple legacy businesses and inefficient processes with our DaaS model and our drones.”
The land survey company offers comprehensive services include boundary surveys, topographic and site planning surveys, ALTA (American Land Title Association) / ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) surveys, construction staking, and other essential survey solutions for permitting, financing, and construction across city, county, and commercial sectors.
ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) business model offers both business and government customers reduced costs and convenience to utilize drones to streamline legacy processes and manual tasks such as inspections, surveying, maintenance, precision agriculture and inventory management ─ there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and utilizes ZenaDrone’s multifunction AI autonomous drones.
The company has closed five acquisitions across the US to date as part of its DaaS business model and strategy and has announced it plans to complete 20 more acquisitions in the next 12 months. Continued… Read this full release by visiting: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-zena/
Other recent developments in the markets include:
Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, recently announced that its subsidiary, American Robotics Inc., has entered into a strategic partnership with Mistral Inc. (“Mistral”), a Maryland-based business development and defense contracting firm. The agreement focuses on joint marketing, sales, and integration of the Optimus drone system and Iron Drone Raider into the United States defense and homeland security markets.
Under the agreement, Mistral will support American Robotics’ business development by opening sales channels through its well-established relationships with U.S. governmental buyers, including federal, state, local law enforcement, military, and homeland security entities. The initial term of the agreement is three years, with an automatic renewal option and a structured success fee model based on realized sales.
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) recently reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended April 30, 2025.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Highlights Were: Record fourth quarter revenue of $275.1 million and fiscal year revenue of $820.6, up 40% and 14% year-over-year, respectively; Fourth quarter and fiscal year net income of $16.7 million and $43.6 million, respectively and record fourth quarter and fiscal year non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $61.6 million and $146.4 million, respectively; and Record fiscal year bookings of $1.2 billion
“AeroVironment finished out fiscal year 2025 with a remarkable fourth quarter, which included record revenue, significantly higher profits and a robust backlog nearly double that from fiscal year 2024,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The investments we’ve consistently made in our multi-generational Uncrewed Systems and Loitering Munition Systems products coupled with our strong execution, continue to pay off, as evidenced by significantly higher demand and key strategic wins leading to a record $1.2 billion in total bookings throughout this fiscal year.”
Nawabi continued, “Our acquisition of BlueHalo further advances our leadership position within the defense-technology sector by adding a complementary portfolio of innovative products and capabilities aligned to our customers’ highest priorities. With integrated solutions across every domain of modern warfare, enhanced innovation and domestic manufacturing scale, we believe we are well positioned to meet the rising demand across the globe and drive strong growth and value creation in fiscal year 2026 and beyond.”
AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRO) recently announced that Company executives, including Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria and CEO and Co-Founder Joe Burns, attended the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show, which took place from June 16 to June 22, 2025, in Paris, France.
Shares of AIRO common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “AIRO” on June 13, 2025. AIRO’s market debut comes amid strong historical financial performance for the Company and underscores its commitment to an integrated portfolio of cutting-edge technologies, including the development of fully autonomous AI-enabled surveillance drones, eVTOL hybrid and electric cargo aircraft, advanced avionics systems and comprehensive flight operations training solutions. In 2024, AIRO achieved over $86 million in revenue, reflecting growth of more than 100% from the previous year. This increase is attributed to an increase in drone shipments and support revenue driven by market entry strategies to target NATO member countries.
“The strength of AIRO lies in its diversified yet complementary portfolio of products and services, all centered around a unified aerospace and defense ecosystem,” said Executive Chairman, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria. “AIRO’s complementary business segments, with strategic locations in the US, Canada, and Europe, provide unparalleled access for our global client base. With significant year-over-year revenue and EBITDA growth, we believe our offerings are essential for both current and future operational landscapes.”
EHang Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: EH), the world’s leading Urban Air Mobility (“UAM”) technology platform company, recently announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with Gotion High-Tech Co., Ltd. (“Gotion”), a leading innovator in power battery solutions. Building on a power system framework agreement signed in December 2023, this enhanced collaboration marks a significant step forward in powering the electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft. Under the upgraded partnership, the two companies will jointly advance the development of power systems for EHang’s flagship EH216 series of pilotless eVTOL aircraft, with plans to extend their collaboration to future aircraft models. By leveraging cutting-edge battery technologies, the partnership aims to accelerate the advancement of a safe, intelligent, and sustainable low-altitude transportation ecosystem and contribute to the high-quality development of the low-altitude economy.
As part of the agreement, Gotion will deliver a customized battery solution tailored to the EH216 series. At the core of the solution is Gotion’s newly developed 46-series cylindrical battery cell, which offers high energy density and robust power output. The next-generation battery system is expected to significantly enhance the EH216 series aircraft in flight range, thrust performance, and operational safety — further improving the aircraft’s efficiency across a variety of use cases and strengthening its readiness for future scaled commercial deployment.
About FN Media Group:
At FN Media Group, via our top-rated online news portal at www.financialnewsmedia.com, we are one of the very few select firms providing top tier one syndicated news distribution, targeted ticker tag press releases and stock market news coverage for today’s emerging companies. #tickertagpressreleases #pressreleases
Follow us on Facebook to receive the latest news updates: https://www.facebook.com/financialnewsmedia
Follow us on Twitter for real time Market News: https://twitter.com/FNMgroup
Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialnewsmedia/
DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated fifty one hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by ZenaTech, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.
This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Contact Information:
Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com – +1(561)325-8757
SOURCE: FN Media Group
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ibex (NASDAQ: IBEX), a leading global provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) and AI-powered customer engagement technology solutions, today announced it has been ranked as a Leader in the Frost Radar™ Customer Experience Management Outsourcing 2025 report for both North America and Latin America.
“We are proud to be named a Leader by Frost & Sullivan in its highly respected Frost Radar™ report for CX management outsourcing, which accurately reflects ibex’s position as one of the most dynamic and visionary BPOs in the industry,” said Bob Dechant, CEO of ibex. “ibex has been disrupting the CX industry with innovative agent assist technology and raising the bar on world-class CX for more than a decade, and we are at it again today. From award-winning AI-assisted live agent support to lifelike autonomous customer interactions, we automate the routine and empower human agents to solve the complex.”
The Frost Radar™ is a proprietary, data-driven benchmarking tool that evaluates companies based on their focus on continuous innovation and their ability to convert that innovation into sustained growth. ibex outperformed in both innovation and growth, reflecting its winning AI strategy and market-leading performance.
“ibex earned a leadership position in this year’s Frost Radar™ because of its unique innovation capabilities, elevated adoption rates, nimbleness, and unusually high growth rates in non-traditional businesses,” said Sebastian Menutti, Industry Director at Frost & Sullivan. “A key aspect of ibex’s success is its investment in advanced technology and proprietary platforms. The company’s Wave iX AI solutions platform is a game-changer and underscores its commitment to technology-driven CX management.”
The report noted that ibex’s cutting-edge Wave iX platform serves as the cornerstone of the company’s AI-powered CX strategy, enhancing CX through predictive analytics, automation, and real-time business intelligence. The report further noted that by embedding AI and automation into daily operations, ibex ensures seamless technology integration, enabling real-time performance tracking and efficiency analysis.
The report also stated that a major success driver for ibex is its commitment to employee development and career progression. A remarkable 95% of leaders started out as agents before advancing into management positions, helping to foster experienced leadership and strengthen employee loyalty and engagement.
“Next-generation CX takes more than just technology; it takes deep understanding of the customer journey, unparalleled business analytics, a remarkable workforce, and a proven track record of flawless execution and rapid deployment,” added Dechant. “We design and implement bespoke solutions that meet our clients’ unique needs in weeks, not months, ensuring exceptional customer outcomes at scale. ibex brings it all together!”
About ibex
ibex delivers innovative business process outsourcing (BPO), smart digital marketing, online acquisition technology, and end-to-end customer engagement solutions to help companies acquire, engage and retain valuable customers. Today, ibex operates a global CX delivery center model consisting of approximately 30 operations facilities around the world, while deploying next generation technology to drive superior customer experiences for many of the world’s leading companies across retail, e-commerce, healthcare, fintech, utilities and logistics.
ibex leverages its diverse global team of more than 31,000 employees together with industry-leading technology, including its AI-powered ibex Wave iX solutions suite, to manage nearly 175 million critical customer interactions, adding over $2.2B in lifetime customer revenue each year and driving a truly differentiated customer experience. To learn more, visit our website at ibex.co and connect with us on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Dan Burris
ibex
Daniel.Burris@ibex.co
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8058762e-db5d-4bd3-8a99-ee4349da15d1
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
CHICAGO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rate, a leading fintech company, proudly announces that Chad Barris, one of the country’s top-producing mortgage originators, has returned to the company.
A 20-year industry veteran and Scotsman Guide Top 1% Mortgage Originator, Barris rejoins Rate after a seven-year tenure at CrossCountry Mortgage, reaffirming the company’s unmatched ability to support top-tier loan officers in delivering excellent service to homebuyers.
Barris brings decades of experience, consistently ranking among the nation’s highest performers thanks to his commitment to client service, market insight, and relationship-first approach. With a proven history of helping individuals and families achieve homeownership, his return signals Rate’s continued draw for elite talent seeking long-term growth and results.
“After a meaningful seven-year chapter with my previous group, I’m excited to take the next step in my career—one that aligns with my goals for growth and development,” said Barris. “I’m deeply grateful for the experiences and relationships I’ve built along the way. Change is never easy, but it often leads to breakthroughs. I’m ready to grow in new ways and thrilled to begin this next chapter at Rate.”
“We are thrilled to announce that Chad has rejoined Rate!” said Jeff Nelson, Chief Production Officer, East at Rate. “As a Scotsman Guide Top 1% Originator with over 20 years of mortgage experience, Chad brings unparalleled expertise. His success is rooted in exceptional customer service and helping clients achieve their dreams of homeownership. Welcome back to the Rate family, Chad!”
Rate continues to attract and retain the industry’s best by offering a platform purpose-built for originator success, combining AI technology, streamlined operations, and an unmatched support system. The company’s national footprint and infrastructure enable loan officers to scale their business and provide borrowers with a modern, efficient lending experience.
About Rate
Rate Companies is a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services. Headquartered in Chicago, Rate has over 850 branches across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Since its launch in 2000, Rate has helped more than 2 million homeowners with home purchase loans, refinances, and home equity loans. The company has cemented itself as an industry leader by introducing innovative technology, offering low rates, and delivering unparalleled customer service. Recent honors and awards include: a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 by Fortune; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for First-Time Homebuyers by Forbes; a Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for FHA Loans, Home Equity Loans, and Lower Credit Scores by NerdWallet; Best Mortgage Lender of 2025 for Digital Experience and Down Payment Assistance by Motley Fool; Chicago Agent Magazine’s Lender of the Year for seven consecutive years. Visit rate.com for more information.
Media Contact:
press@rate.com
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
WINTER PARK, Fla., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crown of Life Advisors proudly announces its affiliation with NFL wide receiver Jaylin Lane. Crown of Life is a division of Financial Harvest Wealth Advisors, dedicated to providing personalized wealth management and financial planning services to collegiate and professional athletes. With firsthand insights into the unique demands and decisions athletes face, from NIL to contracts to post-career asset management, Crown of Life takes athletes beyond what is thought possible with their wealth.
Lane, a former wide receiver at Virginia Tech, was the 26th pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As part of the Washington Commanders, Lane is projected to start immediately as a punter/kick returner and will compete for playing time his first year, most likely as a Slot Receiver or “WR3”. The National Football League Players Association recognized Lane as a Premier Rookie for 2025.
Kellen H. Williams, Principal and Wealth Advisor at Financial Harvest and co-founder of Crown of Life Advisors, said, “Most advisors see dollar signs when an athlete walks in. I see someone juggling 5 a.m. workouts, game film, memorizing a playbook, and family obligations while attempting to make sense of a signing bonus. By working with our team, Jaylin is well-positioned to focus on this important next step in his life. He can devote his energy to his career, confident that Crown of Life is working in partnership with him now, and for decades ahead.”
Kellen is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and holds FINRA Series 7, 66, 9 and 10. He played four years of Division I NCAA football at Vanderbilt University. He is the son of Reggie Williams, an NFL legend, and the brother of state and national championship winners in track and field and wrestling. His older brother is a professional mixed martial artist and coach. “I have an understanding of the athlete’s experience because I have personally witnessed or lived the challenges of elite athletes at every level.”
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About Financial Harvest Wealth Advisors
David Witter, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and a Certified Succession Planner™ in partnership with his wife, Katie M. Witter, licensed fiduciary Investment Advisor, Certified Succession Planner™, Wealth Advisor and Strategist, and their carefully curated team of financial industry professionals provide customized, fee-based financial planning and wealth advisory services. Clients typically hold at least $1 million in assets for investment purposes. Financial Harvest is majority owned by women and minorities.
