NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nasa’s planned budget cuts could set back space science, but show how to future-proof the agency

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Loizos Heracleous, Professor of Strategy, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

    Illustration of the Orion spacecraft. Nasa

    The 2026 Nasa budget proposal would slash around US$6 billion (£4.4 billion) in funding. This is a huge reduction, amounting to around 25% of recent Nasa budgets. The savings would mainly come from Nasa science programmes, potentially devastating high profile missions and international collaborations.

    However, the budget proposal also represents an intentional redirection of Nasa’s focus by government through resource allocation. The state has long supported the development of a robust commercial space sector, and this budget is a further step in that direction.

    Congress will have the final say and the cost to science could be high if the budget goes through without major amendments. One casualty could be Mars Sample Return (MSR), a joint endeavour with the European Space Agency that is intended to retrieve Martian soil and rock collected by the Perseverance rover and deliver it to laboratories on Earth.

    An audit of MSR released in February 2024, suggested that the mission’s overall cost could exceed US$7.5 billion (£5.6 billion). The timescale for the mission was also slipping into the 2040s.

    Nasa agreed to look at quicker and cheaper ways of carrying out the mission, a process which is ongoing. But as a big ticket item under the agency’s Science Directorate, MSR could nevertheless be cancelled if the proposed budget were to be passed.

    Other projects likely to be affected include the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which aims to investigate dark energy and exoplanets, and the DaVinci mission to Venus, which seeks to study the planet’s dense atmosphere and surface composition. Since the James Webb Space Telescope is already constructed and operating, it is expected to continue doing so.

    However broader funding reductions for Nasa’s Science Mission Directorate, from US$7.3 billion (£5.4 billion) to US$3.9 billion (£2.9 billion), may limit the scope of future projects and the pipeline of early innovations.

    The Nancy Grace Roman telescope could be one casualty of the budget proposal.
    Nasa

    The proposed budget could also lead to an accelerated retirement for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule. These are the vehicles designed to carry US astronauts to the Moon under a Nasa programme called Artemis.

    This programme aims to establish a permanent US base on the Moon, allowing astronauts to carry out science and to learn how to make use of lunar resources –such as the abundant water ice sitting in craters at the poles.

    This ice could be turned into water for life support and chemically split to provide propellant for spacecraft. This could bring down the cost of space exploration because it would avoid having to transport supplies from Earth.

    The retirement of the SLS and Orion would happen after the Artemis III mission, which is planned to be the first to land astronauts on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. This decision suggests that the administration has heeded those who warn that if China gets to the Moon’s surface before the US, it could damage American space leadership.

    But it also implies that White House officials are in no hurry to build up a sustained presence on the lunar surface, as laid out under the Artemis plan, since finding replacements for Orion and the SLS will take time.

    With each SLS launch costing upwards of US$4 billion, the rocket’s longer term financial sustainability has been repeatedly called into question. Cancelling the SLS and Orion could also lead to thousands of job losses. These concerns are valid. However, in a robust industry, there is opportunity for people.

    Globally, the space industry is growing fast, with a value of US$570 billion (£427 billion) in 2023, having grown 7.4% from the previous year. A flexible and vibrant industrial sector could offer ample opportunity for displaced workers.

    Other commercial players such as Blue Origin, Rocket Lab and Sierra Space are developing their own launch systems, crewed vehicles, and – in some cases – space stations. This competitive ecosystem accelerates innovation and reduces costs, which ultimately benefits the broader economy and the country.

    Having said all that, critics say an extended hiatus in crewed lunar exploration while commercial companies develop these spacecraft may hand China the advantage when it comes to establishing a dominant presence on the Moon.

    Past precedent

    The White House budget proposals are a request and not law. Congress has the final say in whether these programs are retired and when. There are precedents: in 2010 the Obama administration proposed the wholesale cancellation of the second Bush administration’s Constellation program to return to the Moon. However, Congress intervened to rescue the Orion spacecraft.

    While Constellation’s two rockets – the Ares I and Ares V – were technically cancelled, the SLS (which in many ways resembles the Ares V) was conceived as a compromise.

    If approved, the proposed budget cuts would usher Nasa more strongly towards an orchestrator or “systems integrator” role. This would see the agency convening and coordinating a complex web of commercial, academic, and international participants. Nasa would therefore shift towards focusing on oversight, seeding innovation, and ensuring mission coherence.

    The agency already has experience of public-private partnerships such as the programs that resupply the International Space Station with cargo and crew. The Artemis programme also aims to involve private companies as partners rather than simply contractors.

    The proposed cuts would indeed disrupt the agency, but they are also emblematic of a shift in national priorities toward support for the development of space capabilities by private companies. Many Nasa programmes carry high symbolic or scientific value – sometimes both.

    But in some cases, their costs are difficult to defend when commercial alternatives could be developed for either the full mission or parts of the mission at a fraction of the cost.

    As Nasa shifts toward an orchestrator role and the commercial space sector matures, these changes, though painful in the short term, may serve the interests of US leadership in space over the long term.

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

    – ref. Nasa’s planned budget cuts could set back space science, but show how to future-proof the agency – https://theconversation.com/nasas-planned-budget-cuts-could-set-back-space-science-but-show-how-to-future-proof-the-agency-256103

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Germany’s new government wants to be a foreign policy power

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gabriele Abels, Jean Monnet Professor for Comparative Politics & European Integration, University of Tübingen

    When the CDU/CSU and the SPD sealed their coalition agreement to form the next German government, the would-be chancellor Friedrich Merz proudly announced: “Germany is back on track”. Against a backdrop of considerable geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, the partners wanted to send clear signal not only to the German public, but also to the European and international partners. After three years of intense government infighting, a new, stable administration was in charge in Germany.

    However, a very different message was ultimately sent when a routine vote to confirm Merz as chancellor became an unprecedented fiasco.

    Merz failed to gain enough support to be confirmed as chancellor, having lost votes from his own coalition. Merz did manage to secure the parliament’s nomination in a second round of voting, but there is now plenty of gossiping about who was responsible for this disaster. Who in his coalition was taking “revenge” by voting against him in this secret ballot – and on what grounds?



    Read more:
    Friedrich Merz confirmed as Germany’s chancellor – but betrayal by MPs in a secret ballot means he starts from a position of weakness

    Merz will have to work to move beyond this early blow to his authority and implications in the domestic and international arena. His first action was to embark on a multi-capital tour to meet his fellow European leaders. This is a strong sign of his intentions as chancellor – to look outward, emphasising foreign policy.

    Prioritising defence and consolidating power

    For a long time, continuity has prevailed when it comes to Germany’s policy towards Europe. However, relations with neighbours are currently undergoing a period of transition due to a changing international environment. A big step came under former social democratic chancellor Olaf Scholz, who overturned post-war policy by announcing a €100 million investment in the military in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Merz now wants Germany to become a “leading medium-size power”. The coalition agreement signed between Merz’s CDU/CSU and the social democratic SPD, grants the chancellor a stronger role in order to achieve this aim.

    The 144-page document, entitled “Responsibility for Germany” (Verantwortung für Deutschland), prioritises defence, deterrence and strengthening resilience — in military, economic, political and social terms.

    EU partners expect leadership from the new German government and a stronger commitment from Merz in particular, because of his first-hand experience as a member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994. Merz is certainly committed to European integration and to the EU, which is mentioned in the coalition agreement as “a guarantor of freedom, peace, security and prosperity”.

    The coalition agreement emphasises closing ranks with the European partners. Merz cemented this commitment by visiting Paris and Warsaw the day after taking office to announce a reboot of the “Weimar triangle” – a regional allegiance between France, Germany and Poland created in 1991 – as a commitment to what he sees as Germany’s two most important European partners.

    There are strong elements of continuity between this government’s approach to Europe and that of its predecessor. There remains an unwavering commitment to the EU and NATO and comprehensive support for Ukraine. What is, however, new, is the strong emphasis on defence in the coalition agreement.

    “We want to be able to defend ourselves, so that we don’t have to defend ourselves,” the document states.

    With this in mind, a long-held conservative ambition is being realised — the creation of a national security council (Bundessicherheitsrat) within the federal chancellery. This gives the chancellor a stronger role in foreign policy.

    In addition, the new minister for foreign affairs, Johann Wadephul, is a Merz loyalist from the CDU. Traditionally, this was a role held by the junior coalition partner. This new situation, in which the chancellor and minister for foreign affairs are from the same party, plus the new national security council, means that power is concentrated in the chancellery.

    Further afield

    Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, positioning Germany towards the US, China and Israel are high on the agenda. In line with the German “Staatsräson” – an element of foreign policy that recognises Israel’s right to exist and sees Israeli security as a German national interest.

    Merz announced in February 2025 that he is willing to find “means and ways” to welcome the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Berlin. This despite the the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him. Such a visit would be a breach with the strong German tradition of rule of law and the respect for multilateral institutions.

    Merz is also known to be a transatlanticist and his camp had already reached out to the US administration before taking office. Tariff wars are detrimental to the German economy given the strong dependence on exports to the US. It is similar for China, another important trading partner, but also a “systemic rival” which requires a sound “de-risking” strategy.

    Yet, given the destructive Trump presidency and the insecurity when it comes to the US commitment to European security, a policy towards the US will be paramount. Strengthening relations with the UK in cooperation with the EU partners is meant to go some way to balancing the lack of US support, especially in relation to Ukraine.

    Merz appears willing to take up these challenges and to focus his chancellorship on EU and foreign policy. It helps that the conservative European People’s Party (of which the CDU/CSU is a member) currently dominates the European Parliament and that the powerful position of European Commission president is currently held by a German, in the form of Ursula von der Leyen.

    Yet the ballot fiasco in the national parliament shows that Merz is more vulnerable at home than he would like to be. This may end up frustrating his ambition to lead change in Europe.

    Merz also still needs to win the trust of ordinary Germans, too. He is not a popular chancellor. Less than 40% Germans have trust in him and women especially dislike his style. In addition to efficient policymaking, he will need to improve on his pointed and polarising communicative style if he is to reach out to the people.

    Gabriele Abels is a member of the Europa-Union Deutschland which belongs to the Union of European Federalists.

    – ref. Germany’s new government wants to be a foreign policy power – https://theconversation.com/germanys-new-government-wants-to-be-a-foreign-policy-power-256190

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Major brands don’t need to kowtow to Trump: they have the power to bring people together

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Beverland, Professor of Brand Management, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex

    Whatever you think of his personality or politics, it’s impossible to deny the success of Donald Trump as a brand. Supporters and detractors across the world are transfixed by his second term as US president.

    And so far, many corporate brands appear keen to get alongside him. The leaders of Tesla, Amazon and Meta were all prominent guests at Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.

    By then, Mark Zuckerberg had already shifted company policy on fact checking to be more aligned with the political wind. Weeks later, retail giants Walmart and Target had rolled back diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

    Even the NFL, which had so infuriated Trump in his first term with its support for diversity, has come to heel.

    So now that Trump is back in town, is the only option available to big US organisations to swing to the right? Well, not necessarily.

    Our research suggests that the rise of populism actually represents an opportunity for brands to rebuild a sense of shared national identity.

    And the most well-known brands are the best placed to do this. Their familiar place in people’s everyday lives gives them huge power as non-political agents of collective identity which can cross divides of race, class, geography and age.

    A great example of this was during the presidential election campaign when Trump’s team wanted to organise a publicity stunt involving the Republican candidate “working” at a branch of McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

    Trump’s love of the golden arches is well known, but McDonald’s is a strongly non-political brand. So what should it do? Refuse and risk a backlash, or accept and be accused of taking sides?

    In the end, the company’s response was a masterclass in neutrality.

    McDonald’s told its employees that the company was neither red (Republican) nor blue (Democrat), but golden. Referring to both presidential candidates’ love of McDonald’s, the company made it clear that the permission granted to Trump illustrated one of their core values, stating: “We open our doors for everyone”.

    The plan worked. And this was partly down to McDonald’s being widely thought of as an authentic brand which connects people.

    Research has shown that people really value a company’s place in local communities. And McDonald’s is a place which hosts children’s birthday parties, where you can catch up with friends, where you might even have had your first ever job.

    This kind of power to unify is something other brands can do too. As something our earlier research shows, brands can benefit from bringing people together, by creating a sense of shared identity.

    Brand new

    In New Zealand for example, ANZ Bank was widely applauded for a campaign featuring Indian immigrants. The advert tells the story of a father and son and their mixed cricketing loyalties (the parent to India, the child to New Zealand).

    It is a tale of immigrants achieving their version of the national dream, through hard work and trademark Kiwi humour. This kind of narrative-driven campaign does not pitch one side against another, but instead highlights the things that bind people together.

    Similarly in the UK, the department store John Lewis has become a seasonal advertising staple as it reminds customers of their shared rituals over Christmas. And Kraft’s “How do you love your Vegemite” campaign allowed new immigrants to participate in local snacking rituals, helping them feel Australian.

    In the US, a 1971 Coca Cola commercial (one of the most lauded adverts ever) presented a united multi-cultural collection of young people as a response to the anti-Vietnam war counter-culture.

    So far, American brands have struggled to navigate the ever-shifting pronouncements coming from the White House in Trump’s second term. Amazon for example, quickly went back on its decision to list the cost of tariffs on products after it was branded a “hostile move”.

    But one brand does stand out. And that’s Ford.

    Perhaps it was inevitable that the car maker which came to symbolise successful 20th century American manufacturing would get this right. And the company’s decision to extend employee discounts to all consumers in what it describes as “unprecedented times” is a clever move.

    Some might call it a cynical tactic to embrace Trump’s tariffs and encourage Americans to buy American. But the firm (which will likely take a huge hit from more expensive imported parts and materials) is doing much more than that.

    Its new campaign (with the slogan “From America for America”) reminds US citizens that the brand is part of their lives, regardless of their political home. Supportive full-page print ads go further, setting out the firm’s long history spent backing the people of America.

    One Ford executive says that the campaign is about “authenticity” and Ford being a brand “that all consumers can rely on, especially in these uncertain times”.

    Authenticity is much prized when the political landscape is so polarised. And while divisions cannot be healed solely by brands, they can help to remind us of shared values and a sense of community. And in doing so, dial down those political tensions.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Major brands don’t need to kowtow to Trump: they have the power to bring people together – https://theconversation.com/major-brands-dont-need-to-kowtow-to-trump-they-have-the-power-to-bring-people-together-249401

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: To fend off Reform, mainstream parties must address the tangible decline of British towns

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thiemo Fetzer, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Warwick

    Reform UK’s surge in recent local elections is not an isolated incident but a culmination of long-term economic and social shifts that have reshaped British society. It is the latest chapter in a narrative that includes the 2016 Brexit referendum and reflects a broader disillusionment with mainstream politics.

    To respond to their losses in these elections and the wider trend, Labour and the Conservatives must not treat the Reform vote as a transient protest but as a symptom of systemic challenges.

    Structural forces, digital disruption, demographic shifts and austerity have all eroded trust in institutions and fuelled demands for radical change. Reform UK’s success lies in its ability to channel these grievances, often thanks to the crafty use of social media, into a political platform. It’s imperative for mainstream parties to address the root causes of discontent if they wish to fend off Reform as an electoral threat.

    The structural roots of discontent

    Reform’s rise is deeply tied to a series of interconnected crises that have left communities feeling abandoned. Digital disruption has transformed the economy, with e-commerce and automation eliminating jobs in local retail and manufacturing. This has led to the decline of high streets, which have become symbols of economic marginalisation.

    At the same time, demographic shifts have seen younger, more skilled workers move to major cities, leaving behind ageing populations in rural and smaller towns. This exodus has created a sense of neglect.

    The 2008–2009 financial crisis further exacerbated these trends, as economic downturns hit already vulnerable regions hard. Unemployment spiked, and austerity measures introduced in the aftermath of the crisis deepened the divide. Public services such as libraries, youth clubs and adult education centres faced severe budget cuts. The notable worsening of public service delivery made it very tempting for politicians to attribute blame for faltering services on pressures arising from immigration.

    Reform taps into this “geography of loss” and offers a political platform that promises to address the pain of marginalisation, albeit, never from a position of actual political responsibility.

    The daily experience of decline

    The erosion of community infrastructure has become a visceral experience for many. Closed community centres have reduced opportunities for social interaction, leading to increased isolation and, in some cases, rising gang activity. Shuttered shops and the decline of local businesses have weakened the sense of place in towns and cities, removing vital “third spaces” where people gather, connect, and build relationships. These spaces, once the heart of local life, have given way to empty storefronts and underused public areas.

    At the same time, shrinking council budgets have left local governments struggling to maintain basic services. Public spaces that once served as hubs for civic engagement are now in disrepair, becoming visible signs of institutional failure. This physical decay has become a metaphor for systemic neglect, reinforcing the perception that mainstream parties have abandoned these communities. The result is a deepening sense of disillusionment, as residents feel that their needs are not being met and their voices are not being heard.

    Possible healing shocks on the horizon

    Emerging trends may offer opportunities to reverse some of the damage caused by structural forces. Remote work, which gained momentum during the pandemic, has the potential to reshape regional economies. It enables skilled workers to relocate to smaller towns and rural areas, bringing with them spending power and civic capacity. If sustained, this shift could help revitalise peripheral communities by reducing the concentration of economic activity in major cities.

    The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) also presents both challenges and opportunities. While AI threatens some high-status cognitive and licensed roles, it may also compress the wage premiums that have favoured big-city professionals. This could slightly ease the sharpest edges of inequality, as the benefits of AI-driven productivity are more evenly distributed. However, the transition must be managed carefully to avoid exacerbating existing divides.

    Digitally enabled public services, such as chatbots for benefits and predictive maintenance for infrastructure, could improve service quality even under fiscal constraints. These tools could improve the performative state capacity, increase the state’s presence in areas where it has felt absent, rebuilding trust in institutions. Yet, it may also require a renegotiating of the informational boundaries of the state as AI thrives on interconnected data. By leveraging these shocks, mainstream parties could begin to address the spatial and skill gaps that populists exploit.

    To reclaim legitimacy and counter populist momentum, mainstream parties must adopt targeted, evidence-based policies. Protecting communities that have been left behind during economic transitions is critical.

    Workers displaced by retail automation need support to retrain, and funding is needed to repurpose high streets for new uses such as community workshops, health hubs and community centres. These initiatives would not only create new opportunities but also restore a sense of agency for those who have felt excluded from the economy.

    Planning reforms to convert empty retail spaces into co-working hubs and housing would further support this transition, creating vibrant, inclusive communities.

    Rebuilding social infrastructure is equally vital. Restoring per-capita funding for youth clubs, libraries and adult education centres would revive community spaces and foster social cohesion. Making grants conditional on measurable outcomes such as reducing crime rates and increasing volunteering participation would add an extra layer of benefit for local populations.

    Populism in Britain is not a cultural accident, but the political expression of decades of skill-biased, place-biased, and age-biased shocks, culminating in an austerity programme that localised pain. Reform UK surfs this wave, but the tide can turn. By cushioning ongoing transitions (remote work, AI), visibly reviving public spaces, and sharing new sources of economic value with smaller towns and younger generations, mainstream parties can reclaim legitimacy.

    The challenge is not only to respond to populist demands but to reimagine the role of the state in fostering social cohesion and economic opportunity. The path forward lies in proactive, inclusive policies that address the tangible, everyday experiences of decline and restore faith in the political system.

    Thiemo Fetzer has benefited from research funding from ESRC, CAGE, UKRI, and the European Research Council.

    – ref. To fend off Reform, mainstream parties must address the tangible decline of British towns – https://theconversation.com/to-fend-off-reform-mainstream-parties-must-address-the-tangible-decline-of-british-towns-256249

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes of the acceptance of the Roman Pontiff and his assumed name

    Source: The Holy See

    In nomine Domini. Amen.
    Ego Didacus Ioannes Ravelli, Archiepiscopus tit. Recinetensis,
    Celebrationum Liturgicarum Pontificalium Magister,
    munere notarii fungens, attestor et notum facio
    Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum
    Dominum Robertum Franciscum titulo Ecc. Sub. Albanensis
    Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Prevost
    acceptasse electionem canonice de Se factam in Summum Pontificem Sibique nomen imposuisse
    Leonem XIV
    ut de hoc publica quæcumque instrumenta confici possint.
    Acta sunt hæc in Conclavi in Palatio Apostolico Vaticano post obitum felicis recordationis
    Papæ Francisci, hac die VIII mensis Maii Anno Sancto MMXXV
    testibus adhibitis atque rogatis Excellentissimo Domino Ilson de Jesus Montanari,
    Archiepiscopo tit. Capitis Cillensis et Cardinalium Collegii Secretario,
    atque Reverendissimis Dominis Marco Agostini et Maximiliano Matthæo Boiardi,
    viris a Cæremoniis Pontificalibus.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Hertfordshire waste boss to pay £79,000 gained from illegal sites

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Hertfordshire waste boss to pay £79,000 gained from illegal sites

    Quarry director let waste mountains pile up way beyond legal amount. Enough waste at one site to nearly fill the Royal Albert Hall 3 times

    Codicote Quarry, near Stevenage, was one of three locations at the centre of this illegal waste operation

    A former teacher who filled 2 quarries in Hertfordshire with illegal waste has been ordered to pay thousands of pounds following an investigation into proceeds of crime.

    Liam Winters presided over the illegal disposal of assorted rubbish at Codicote Quarry, near Stevenage.

    An investigation by the Environment Agency found approximately 200,000 cubic metres of household, commercial and industrial waste, as well as electrical items, car parts, furniture, food packaging, wood and metal. It could have filled the Royal Albert Hall nearly 3 times over.

    An Environment Agency investigator inspects waste hidden in a futile attempt to avoid it being found

    Winters, of Warwickshire, also ignored the Environment Agency’s instructions to stop filling Anstey Quarry, at Buntingford, near Royston, with banned waste such as plastic, wood, metal and packaging, all broken into tiny pieces.

    The waste piled up at Anstey Quarry scaled the height of 5 double-decker buses

    He was given 17 months in prison in October 2023 for dumping the illegal waste at the 2 sites and a nearby shooting ground.

    The piles of waste at Anstey reached 20 metres into the sky, the height of 5 double-decker buses. 

    The Anstey Quarry Company Ltd, of which Winters was a director, leased the quarry, with a permit from the Environment Agency to treat and dispose of up to 10,000 cubic metres of clean soil waste a year.

    Investigators estimated as much as 250,000 cubic metres of harmful biodegradable materials was buried there.

    Soil was used at all 3 sites to cover some of the waste in an attempt to avoid detection.

    Judge Caroline Wigin, sitting at Luton crown court on 8 May, ordered Winters, to pay £78,835. This followed an proceeds of crime investigation by the Environment Agency’s national economic crime unit.

    The money will be split between His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service and the Environment Agency. Winters faces 2 more years in prison if he doesn’t pay within 3 months. The 48-year-old, of High Street, Hillmorton, Rugby, also has to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

    Barry Russell, environment manager for the Environment Agency in Hertfordshire, said:

    “We are determined that waste operators who break the law don’t benefit from their crimes

    “It was clear every time we visited the sites, there was no substantial change to the illegal way they were being run.

    “Operations like Anstey and Codicote are damaging in many ways, including the potential or actual harm caused to the environment by inappropriate and illegal storage of waste materials, and the financial impact on businesses who follow the rules, pay their way and protect the environment.

    “Despite warnings from the Environment Agency to stop, Winters and the other men carried on bringing in more illegal waste.”

    The Environment Agency served an enforcement notice, ordering the business to stop taking in material at Anstey that could do damage to the ground if left in landfill.

    Codicote Quarry had a permit to treat and store a small amount of soil waste, but not hold it in huge quantities. The quarry went far beyond what was authorised by the Environment Agency.   

    Nicholas Bramwell, now 45, of Shepherds Close, Royston, was fined £1,450 and told to pay £8,000 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to burying large quantities of potentially harmful waste at Anstey Quarry and a shooting ground at Nuthampstead.

    The Environment Agency found more plastic, wood and metal in sizable quantities at the firing range, where it was used to build a 10-metre high embankment.

    Both men admitted to 5 counts of breaching regulation 38 (2) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 in relation to Anstey Quarry and Nuthampstead shooting ground.

    Winters faced four more charges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to Codicote Quarry.

    Judge Wigin said no costs would be awarded against Winters because he had served a custodial prison sentence.

    Winters’ brother, Mark Winters, 50, of Bangor Erris, in County Mayo, received 12 months in prison in 2023, suspended for 2 years, and told to carry out 200 hours unpaid work over the waste at Codicote.

    The brothers were also banned from being company directors for 8 years.

    Luton crown court will sit on 9 July to decide on proceeds of crime payments and costs against Mark Winters and to sentence Codicote Quarry Ltd, of which the brothers were also directors.

    There is no suggestion the owners of the 3 locations played any part in the criminal activity.

    Contact us:

    Journalists only: 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In the Chinese city of Wuhan, the great feats of Soviet pilots were and are valued

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    WUHAN, May 9 (Xinhua) — “The Soviet volunteer pilots not only fought for China’s liberation, but also for peace and justice for all mankind,” Xu Ziyue, a graduate student at Jianghan University, said at a commemorative event for fallen Soviet volunteer pilots held in Jiefang Park (Liberation Park) in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, in early April.

    According to park administration employee Wang Bin, during the three-day weekend of the traditional Chinese holiday Qingming (All Souls’ Day), which lasted from April 4 to 6 this year, about 40,000 people came to the park to honor the memory of fallen Soviet volunteer pilots.

    “People regularly and voluntarily come to the monument to Soviet martyrs in our park. Many of them lay flowers there,” he noted.

    In Jiefang Park stands an 8-meter-tall marble obelisk with ten gilded Chinese characters carved into the front of its base: “Tomb of the Fallen Soviet Volunteer Pilots.” The inscription, engraved in Chinese and Russian on the back of the monument, reads: “Eternal glory to the Soviet volunteer pilots who died in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.” The front of the granite monument lists the names of the fallen heroes, the oldest of whom was 33 years old at the time of his death, and the youngest only 24.

    In 1938-1939, major air battles broke out over the city of Wuhan, during which Chinese and Soviet pilots fought shoulder to shoulder against the Japanese invaders. Many Soviet pilots died during these battles. Some of the fallen were buried in the local park “Wanguo” /”Ten Thousand States”/. In 1956, their remains were reburied in a new cemetery for fallen Soviet heroes, which was built according to the Soviet model. A marble slab with the names of 15 fallen Soviet aces was erected there.

    In 2015, 14 more Soviet volunteer pilots were confirmed to have lost their lives in the air battles over Wuhan. Their names also appeared on the tombstone, bringing the total number of fallen Soviet volunteer pilots buried there to 29.

    Wang Bin said the park administration is constantly working on the protection and restoration of the monument and organizing educational services for group visitors.

    Next to the obelisk there is also a permanent exhibition dedicated to Soviet volunteer pilots. Local military fan Yan Heng actively participated in the formation of the exhibit.

    According to him, as a child he often went to Jiefang Park, where he learned about the heroism of Soviet volunteer pilots in the fight against the Japanese invaders. “I was told that heroes from the USSR who died defending our city are buried here. Their lives were cut short at a very young age. This touched me very much,” he emphasized.

    He noted that in 2017, the local newspaper Changjiang Ribao published an article about collecting items from around the world for the exhibition collection. He decided to come to the rescue so that more people could learn about the stories of Soviet volunteer pilots.

    In 2018, Yang Heng visited Moscow and received a huge amount of information and historical materials. After returning to Wuhan, he began organizing the exhibition.

    To make the exhibition more rich, Yang Heng’s team decided to recreate the real life of Soviet volunteer pilots during those war years using a multimedia installation and decorations.

    “I hope that more people today will learn about this history and cherish peace,” Yang Heng explained.

    In addition to the efforts of ordinary people to preserve the memory of Soviet volunteer pilots, work in this direction in China is also being carried out at the legislative and governmental levels.

    In 2013, China issued the Regulations on the Protection and Management of War Memorial Sites. The document states that war memorial sites of national importance may include monuments to famous foreign citizens who died in the name of China’s revolutionary struggle. The document stipulates the need to protect and manage historical monuments within the war memorial sites.

    One such site is the grave of the commander of a squadron of Soviet bombers, Grigory Kulishenko, which is located in the Wanzhou district of the city of central subordination of Chongqing /Southwest China/. Grigory Kulishenko died on October 14, 1939, in a battle over Wuhan at the age of 36.

    According to the administration of the Wanzhou Martyrs’ Memorial Park, more than 100 memorial events are held here every year, and the grave of the fallen Soviet hero is visited by an average of 300,000 people a year.

    Chen Anmin, associate professor at the Institute of History and Culture at Southwest University, stressed that the Chinese people and government always appreciate the Soviet Union’s just assistance in resisting the Japanese invaders and remember the great deeds of Soviet heroes.

    “The restoration and careful protection of memorial structures to Soviet fallen heroes testify to the fact that the Chinese people correctly and soberly assess history and value justice and friendship. Such actions help educate people and cultivate in them a love for peace and respect for true history,” he concluded. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Science Committee Members Demand Answers from NSF on Award Terminations and Reckless Policy Actions

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    Washington, DC – Today, Members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology sent a letter to Brian Stone, Acting Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). In the letter, the Members detail the turmoil that has taken place at NSF since the Trump administration began, including the termination of awards that total over one billion dollars. The Members demand answers on how decisions are being made at NSF and call into question the legality of the actions the Trump administration has taken at the agency. 

    “Within 24 hours, from May 1 to May 2, 2025, NSF crossed the billion-dollar mark of terminated awards, froze all funding actions with no indication of duration, and announced the implementation of a 15% cap on indirect costs for new awards,” theMembers wrote in the letter. “Mere months ago, each of these individual decisions would have been an unprecedented shock. Today, President Trump has made this chaos and destruction commonplace. However, we refuse to accept this as our new reality, and we demand answers on how these decisions are being made at NSF.”

    The Members continued, “The accusation that these terminated awards lack merit is a lie, as most, if not all these awards, carry a statement from the agency declaring that ‘This award reflects NSF’s statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation’s intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.’ The cancelation of these awards suggests instead that NSF is willing to apply political censorship of awards under direction from President Trump and the DOGE teenagers, which is a clear violation of the statutory mission of the agency. Taking inspiration from Senator Ted Cruz’s approach to merit-review is nothing to crow about.”

    As the Members closed the letter, they wrote, “So, who is in charge here? How far does DOGE’s influence reach? How much is OMB dictating based on hard-right political ideology and not scientific or research expertise? The Science Committee has repeatedly requested transparency and accountability from NSF. This has rarely been provided. Yet again, we seek answers about actions NSF has taken that potentially break the law and certainly break the trust of the research community. Yet again, we implore NSF to stand up for its mission as it is under siege by anti-science politicians and uninformed DOGE hackers.”

    The letter can be found here.

    The letter was signed by Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-CA), Rep. Sarah McBride (DE At Large), Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA), Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA), and Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-MD).   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Joint statement on the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration

    Source: European Parliament 3

    Statement by the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission on the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

    Today, in Luxembourg, the birthplace of Robert Schuman, we celebrate the historic declaration of 9 May 1950, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today.

    Seventy-five years ago, in a continent that was re-emerging from the devastation of the Second World War, visionary leaders decided to pool the production and markets for coal and steel to ensure lasting peace in Europe. Their simple yet ground-breaking endeavour – to replace historic rivalry with shared sovereignty, through economic and political integration – paved the way for an era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe.

    Over time, more and more countries decided to join a common European project, testifying to the appeal of shared values, democracy and unity among the peoples of our continent.

    Today, our work towards peace in Europe, the very essence of the Schuman declaration, is not finished. Europe is once again facing major challenges. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has brought war to our doorstep. Global tensions are on the rise. Climate change is affecting the lives of millions of people in Europe and around the world.

    We reaffirm our deep commitment to a European project that unites our peoples, as well as to enlargement as the European Union’s best geopolitical investment. We are redoubling our efforts to ensure continued economic prosperity, enhanced economic competitiveness and social progress for European citizens. We are taking unprecedented steps to strengthen our security and defence and our strategic autonomy. We are determined to uphold a rules-based international order, to strengthen multilateralism and to act as a reliable global partner.

    Europe is master of its own destiny. We support Ukraine in all its efforts towards a just and lasting peace. The spirit of the Schuman Declaration lives on. It will continue guiding us as we join forces to ensure peace, prosperity, solidarity, and cooperation in Europe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to boost vocational training for professionals in domestic services

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

    BEIJING, May 9 — China plans to offer domestic service vocational training with an annual trainee attendance of 1.5 million from 2025 to 2027 to meet the growing market demand in the sector.

    The initiative will serve individuals interested in entering the sector and those already engaged in the field, covering a range of skills related to various occupations, according to a notice released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other five government organs.

    The extensive training is intended to make the domestic service sector more professional, promote high-quality employment and meet public demand for domestic service, according to the ministry.

    To improve the effectiveness of training, the notice specifies that a comprehensive assessment of jobseekers’ and workers’ training needs in the sector will be conducted to provide tailored programs for them.

    The number of domestic service professionals in China has exceeded 30 million, and there are over one million domestic service enterprises, with the sector’s market size exceeding 1.1 trillion yuan (about 152.58 billion U.S. dollars).

    As part of efforts to boost consumption, China in April issued a guideline focusing on expanding and improving the quality of domestic services, with steps to make related services more accessible to consumers, enhance policy support and optimize the consumption environment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Europe Day 2025 reception (English only) (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at Europe Day 2025 reception today (May 9):

    Ambassador Harvey Rouse (Head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao), Deputy Commissioner Li Yongsheng (Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), Consuls-General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    Good evening.

    It is a great pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate Europe Day — a day that honours the enduring commitment to unity and shared prosperity on the European continent.

    On this very day 75 years ago, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a visionary declaration, proposing the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community. It laid the foundation for the European Union (EU).

    From the ruins of post-war Europe, nations once divided by conflict came together to build mechanisms of co-operation that would avert future wars and ensure long-term peace. As Schuman memorably said, and I quote: “World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.” Those words remain as relevant today as they were in 1950.

    Today, we are once again confronted by rising geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation, now exacerbated by unilateral tariffs unseen for generations.

    History teaches us that protectionism and unilateralism were among the factors that led to some of the 20th century’s most devastating conflicts. We must never forget those lessons. Collaboration among nations is essential to ensuring lasting peace and prosperity.

    As the Confucian saying goes, “和而ä¸�å�Œ”, harmony in diversity. We may differ in our histories, cultures and systems, but we can still work together in pursuit of common goals.

    Ladies and gentlemen, the challenges we face today, from protracted conflicts and climate change to widening development gaps, are complex and inter-connected. They cannot be resolved by a divided world. That is why the global community must stand by its commitment to multilateralism, and support the institutions and efforts to address these and many other issues.

    These are values that China, our country, firmly embraces. We advocate for an equitable multipolar world and inclusive globalisation, striving to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    At a time of uncertainties in the global economy stemming from escalating tariff measures, our country’s message and actions are clear and consistent: China welcomes global business, remains committed to high-level opening-up, and will continue to be a source of stability and growth in the international system.

    Hong Kong, under the “one country, two systems” principle, has long served as a “super connector” between China and the rest of the world. This role demands that we remain what we have always been: an open, diverse and vibrant international city, a free port and a staunch supporter of free trade. No less important, we are committed to the rule of law backed by a judiciary exercising powers independently, firmly protecting the rights of our residents and businesses.

    I’m pleased to say that the international business community recognises our commitment, as reflected in numerous surveys and the growing number of companies choosing Hong Kong to establish their base.

    Allow me to highlight a few key areas where Hong Kong and Europe can work together to seize opportunities in today’s evolving global trade and financial landscape.

    First, as the Mainland continues to open its economy, Hong Kong serves as a strategic gateway for European companies to access the immense opportunities offered by the Greater Bay Area and the broader Chinese Mainland market. And with supply chains undergoing significant realignment, our deep ties with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) make Hong Kong an ideal connector to those markets as well.

    In the financial sector, there’s an increasing demand from global investors to diversify their asset allocation. Hong Kong’s capital market provides unparalleled access to investment opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions. Hong Kong is also a global leader in asset and wealth management, providing huge opportunities for European firms in the industry.

    Climate action is another area of promising collaboration. Hong Kong is firmly committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. But more than that, we are keen to work with the EU to contribute to global decarbonisation, in such areas as technology partnership, green finance, climate risk disclosures and green taxonomies.

    As Ambassador Rouse noted just now, the annual Green Way conference on sustainability, organised by the EU Office in Hong Kong, advances dialogue and co-operation. And we are happy to explore more partnerships with you in this connection.

    Beyond business and finance, we continue to treasure and welcome cultural co-operation. This includes longstanding partnerships in cultural exchange, like the annual French May Arts Festival, which is now on. Italy, let me add, is this year’s country partner for Business of Design Week.

    And, I’m glad to hear more good news: the first Europe Day Festival in Hong Kong will take place this Saturday at PMQ. The family-focused event will feature live performances. Plus plenty of fine food and drinks, dance workshops and all the cultural richness and diversity that the EU’s 27 member states offer. For that, and so much more, my thanks to the EU Office and all the EU member state Consulates General.

    Ladies and gentlemen, the opportunities for deeper co-operation between Hong Kong and the EU are long-term and far-reaching. Let us work together to seize that promise for our economies and our peoples.

    May our longstanding ties continue to flourish. Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ombudsman meets with Chief Secretary for Administration (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

    The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, was invited to meet with the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; and relevant senior officials, today (May 9) to deliberate on the findings and analyses of the investigation by the Office of The Ombudsman into the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health in the construction industry and exchange views on strengthening departmental management systems and reinforcing performance accountability.  
     
    The Ombudsman said, “I must, once again, express my gratitude to the Chief Executive for his recognition of our work.  I am also very grateful that he has announced earlier that the Chief Secretary for Administration will lead a working group to conduct in-depth reviews of recommendations in the direct investigation operation reports issued by the Office of The Ombudsman to ensure that government departments will actively follow up on the recommendations from these investigations.  I am also grateful for the Chief Secretary for Administration’s invitation to this meeting.  During our meeting today, we had an in-depth and focused deliberation on my Office’s investigation findings as regards the Government’s regulation of occupational safety and health in the construction industry, and a candid discussion on the bottlenecks and challenges.  We also had a thorough exchange of views on ways to strengthen departmental management systems and reinforce performance accountability.  I am pleased to learn that the working group led by the Chief Secretary for Administration will monitor relevant departments’ follow-up actions to ensure full implementation of our recommendations.  I am also pleased to note that the Labour Department and the Buildings Department have been actively following up the recommendations of our report and commenced various work including enhancing effectiveness of enforcement and expediting the processing of cases omitted earlier.  The current-term Government is committed and determined to strengthen departmental management systems, reinforce performance accountability among departmental managerial staff, and enhance public service management and efficiency, demonstrating its devotion and dedication to fostering good governance.  My Office will give full support and co-operation in enhancing the effectiveness of public administration to ensure high-quality and efficient public services.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DHSC appoints business leaders to manage strategic suppliers

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    DHSC appoints business leaders to manage strategic suppliers

    Four experienced executive business leaders have been appointed to strengthen partnerships with strategic suppliers to health.

    Four experienced executive business leaders have been appointed to strengthen partnerships with strategic suppliers to health.

    The four Health Crown Representatives will support the implementation of a new National Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SSRM) programme, with 15 strategic suppliers.

    The National SSRM programme is a joint undertaking between DHSC, NHS England and Cabinet Office and aims to use the NHS’s significant scale and influence to strengthen partnerships with the most strategic suppliers to deliver additional value and unlock opportunities.

    This programme represents a shift in the collaboration with suppliers across health organisations and supports the government’s mission objectives in healthcare and economic growth.

    Health Minister Karin Smyth said:

    “Our healthcare system can’t function without its suppliers. They play critical role in driving innovation, ensuring better value for taxpayers and putting more money in people’s pockets through long-term growth. The new Health Crown Representatives bring a wealth of experience from the private sector to the table, and they will help us work with our strategic suppliers in the best way.

    “As we bring forward our 10-year health plan, aligning the government’s objectives with our suppliers’ capabilities and innovations will be crucial to deliver the NHS fit for the future that we all want to see.”

    Building on the success of Crown Representatives across government, four part-time dedicated Health Crown Representatives have been recruited to work directly with the health strategic suppliers. Crown Representatives act as a conduit between government and the most strategic suppliers, supporting with challenges, opportunities and risks.

    The four new Health Crown Representatives are:

    Deb Steane

    Deb is an accomplished executive with 27 years of leadership experience in the MedTech sector at Johnson & Johnson, where she held a range of executive, statutory director, and board-level roles. She has led a global drug-device business, driving commercial growth across international markets while spearheading global supply chain strategies to support business expansion and ensure operational resilience. Deb has also worked closely with healthcare systems and suppliers to foster innovation, developing new services and solutions that add value across the healthcare ecosystem.

    A passionate advocate for the UK Life Sciences sector, Deb has led government-backed initiatives focused on skills development and apprenticeships and played a key role in securing investments in UK manufacturing and R&D. She also served for seven years as a trustee director of a major UK pension fund. Before her corporate career, Deb spent 10 years in the NHS as a medical microbiologist, working as part of the Pathology team at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

    Keith Nurcombe

    Keith has had a 30-year executive career in healthcare. He has played a key role in supporting and delivering NHS services, including founding Doctorlink in 2016 to enhance primary care. Specialising in digital transformation, Keith has led initiatives such as the roll-out of Shared Care Record systems and, more recently, Electronic Patient Record (EPR) programs within the NHS.

    He serves as a non-executive director for Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Trust, Humber Teaching Hospital NHS, and WM5G, part of the Combined Authority in the West Midlands. He is also the chair of The Avalon Group, which supports individuals with learning disabilities across Yorkshire and the North. More recently, he was appointed chair of Derbyshire Health United, a Community Interest Company (CIC) that delivers 111 and urgent and emergency care (UEC) services across the Midlands and Home Counties on behalf of the NHS.

    Oliver Cofler

    With an engineering background, Oliver began his career in manufacturing before moving into consultancy with PwC, where he worked across manufacturing, IT, and supply chain. In 2003, he joined Cadbury Schweppes, taking on various supply chain leadership roles across Europe before becoming Supply Chain Director for the UK, Ireland, and Nordics.

    He later held senior operational leadership positions at Alliance Healthcare and Millbrook Healthcare and has served in non-executive roles, including at the British Healthcare Trade Association and as Chair of the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Schools Trust. Oliver is currently a non-executive director at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust.

    Paul Richards

    Paul has built a successful career in international healthcare, bringing extensive experience in global board leadership, strategic partnerships, and commercial initiatives with both suppliers and customers. He has led businesses across healthcare, life sciences, health technology, and digital transformation, driving innovation and sustainable growth. Skilled in product and service development, Paul has played a key role in fostering international adoption and forging long term partnerships across industries, sectors, and geographies.

    He serves as a non-executive director and senior independent director at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, providing strategic guidance to improve outcomes. He also chairs the One Devon NHS EPR Implementation Board, leading collaboration across three NHS Trusts to advance digital transformation. Beyond healthcare, Paul is the Chair of the Board of Trustees for a charity dedicated to supporting victims of domestic abuse.

    15 strategic suppliers

    Following a comprehensive process to identify the most strategic suppliers to health, the NHS, DHSC and wider Health Family will work collaboratively with the 15 strategic suppliers to develop joint strategies that will deliver additional value, unlock opportunities and manage risks.

    The 15 strategic suppliers included in the programme are:

    • Abbott
    • AstraZeneca
    • Circle Health Group
    • GSK
    • ISS*
    • Johnson & Johnson
    • Olympus Keymed
    • Optum (formerly EMIS)
    • Medtronic
    • Pfizer
    • Roche
    • Sandoz
    • Sodexo*
    • Spire Healthcare
    • Teva

    *ISS and Sodexo will retain their Cabinet Office Crown Representatives but are also strategic to health

    Background on Cabinet Office Crown Representatives programme 

    The Cabinet Office introduced the ‘Crown Representative’ network to act as a focal point for particular groups of providers looking to supply to the public sector.

    Crown Representatives help the government to act as a single customer. They work across departments to:

    · ensure a single and strategic view of the government’s needs is communicated to the market.

    · identify areas for cost savings.

    · act as a point of focus for cross-cutting supplier-related issues.

    Find more information about Crown Representatives and the strategic suppliers they work with.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tensions remain as Pakistan-India flare-ups enter 3rd day

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

    Tensions have remained as flare-ups between Pakistan and India have entered the third day.

    Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected Indian media reports alleging cross-border attacks originating from Pakistani territory, calling them “baseless, fabricated, and aimed at creating a false pretext for escalation.”

    “The repeated pattern of leveling accusations against Pakistan without any credible investigation reflects a deliberate strategy to manufacture a pretext for aggression and to further destabilize the region,” the ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

    Separately, Pakistani security sources dismissed claims carried by Indian media alleging drone or missile attacks in the Indian-controlled Kashmir and the downing of a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet.

    “No drone or missile has been launched from Pakistan,” the sources told Xinhua. “These reports are outright fake, politically motivated, and part of a broader campaign of disinformation.”

    In India, the Indian army on Friday released a short video showing a strike hitting a target in Pakistan.

    In the short, low-resolution video, a projectile (apparently a missile) can be seen moving and hitting a structure.

    The army described it as a “befitting reply” to Pakistan’s shelling, but the exact location of the destroyed structure has not been disclosed.

    Meanwhile, authorities in the Indian capital region Delhi on Friday installed and tested air raid sirens.

    According to social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, the Indian government has asked it to block 8,000 accounts on the social media platform, including those belonging to international news organizations and prominent X users.

    On Wednesday, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani targets to avenge last month’s killing of 26 people by gunmen in Pahalgam town, about 89 km east of Srinagar, the summer capital of the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

    The situation along the Line of Control, dividing Kashmir, has been tense as troops of India and Pakistan deployed on both sides of the ceasefire line were engaged in an exchange of fire and artillery.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Standard Lithium Reports Fiscal First Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium company, today announced its financial and operating results for the three month fiscal period ended March 31, 2025.

    “2025 will be a pivotal year for us, marked by several key milestones that will shape the future of Standard Lithium, our joint venture, and impact the industry as a whole,” said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. “We started with a strong first quarter by finalizing our $225 million grant from the US Department of Energy, advancing our subsurface understanding through extensive reservoir testing, completing the derisking of our DLE technology with a final pilot field test at South West Arkansas, and continuing to expand our leasehold footprint in East Texas. Together with our South West Arkansas project’s recent designation as a priority transparency critical mineral project by the Trump administration and the approval of our first brine production unit, these achievements reinforce our conviction that our projects in the Smackover will deliver significant value to our shareholders, the communities that we work in, and will help secure critical mineral production in the United States. While much remains to be done ahead of a final investment decision at SWA, as well as further advancing East Texas, we are energized by the momentum we have built and we are focused on our next project development milestones.”

    Highlights Subsequent to the Three Month Fiscal Period Ended March 31, 2025

    All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated.

    • Smackover Lithium’s South West Arkansas Project receives special designation. Smackover Lithium announced that its South West Arkansas (“SWA”) Project had been selected as one of the first critical mineral production projects to be advanced under Executive Order 14241 – Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, announced by the U.S. Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council at the recommendation of the National Energy Dominance Council.
    • Approval of brine production unit for Phase I of the SWA Project. On April 24, Smackover Lithium announced the brine production unit, formally named the Reynolds Unit, for Phase I of it’s SWA Project was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission with no objections or opposition in a hearing that was open to all stakeholders from the community. Approval of the unit was a necessary statutory requirement as Smackover Lithium seeks to establish a royalty rate for the unit by the end of the second quarter.
    • Submission of royalty application to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission for the SWA Project. On May 6, Smackover Lithium announced that SWA Lithium LLC had submitted a royalty application to the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission to establish a lithium royalty for the Reynolds Unit for Phase I of its SWA Project.

    Highlights From Three Month Fiscal Period Ended March 31, 2025

    • Finalized $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) for the South West Arkansas Project. The grant will support construction of Phase 1 of the SWA Project. The SWA Project is expected to be one of the world’s first commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) facilities.
    • Undertook extensive field and reservoir testing program at the SWA Project.  Completed drilling of new well and multiple well re-entries into the Smackover Formation to conduct detailed reservoir testing and brine sampling work to further support front end engineering design and definitive feasibility studies.
    • Completed final test of field-pilot plant at the SWA Project.  In partnership with Koch Technology Solutions, successfully operated a field-pilot plant at the SWA Project as the final DLE derisking step prior to commercialization. Lithium recovery far exceeded design criteria, with over 99% recovery from brine sourced from the project’s International Paper Company well.
    • Launch of Smackover Lithium. On January 29, 2025, at a community townhall in Stamps, AR, the Company and Equinor announced Smackover Lithium as the new name for their joint venture developing DLE projects in Southwest Arkansas and East Texas.
    • Continued strategic additions to board of directors. The Company announced on March 19, 2025 the appointment of Karen G. Narwold, as an independent member of its board of directors.
    • Provided corporate update demonstrating continuous advancement and derisking of corporate objectives. Announcement made on March 26, 2025 provided highlights on certain developmental project milestones for the Smackover Lithium joint venture as well as updates on the Company’s progress at its demonstration plant and on the Lanxess Projects.
    • Cash and working capital of $31.6 million and $31.3 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2025.
    • The Company has no term or revolving debt obligations as of March 31, 2025.

    Consolidated Financial Statements

    This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A for the three month fiscal period ended March 31, 2025, which are available on the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

    Three-Month Fiscal Period Ended March 31, 2025 Call and Webcast

    The Company will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss its three-month fiscal period ended March 31, 2025 on Friday, May 16th at 3:30 p.m. ET. Access to the call is available via webcast or direct dial.

    Conference Call and Webcast Details
    Standard Lithium Fiscal Q1 2025 Earnings Call and Webcast
    May 16, 2025 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada)

    Participant Information:
    Conference ID: 6017900

    USA / International Toll +1 (646) 307-1963
    USA – Toll-Free (800) 715-9871
    Canada – Toronto (647) 932-3411
    Canada – Toll-Free (800) 715-9871

    Attendee Webcast Link:
    https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/929712112

    About Standard Lithium Ltd.

    Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by the highest quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated DLE and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California.

    Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com.

    Investor and Media Inquiries

    Chris Lang
    Standard Lithium Ltd.
    +1 604 409 8154
    investors@standardlithium.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can Trump strip Harvard of its charitable status? Scholars of nonprofit law and accounting describe the obstacles in his way

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Philip Hackney, Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh

    Getting into Harvard University is hard, and so is getting rid of its charitable status. Scott Eisen/Getty Images

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, and some media outlets have reported that the Internal Revenue Service is taking steps in that direction.

    Harvard President Alan Garber says this would be “highly illegal.” Several U.S. senators, all Democrats, have urged the IRS inspector general to see whether the IRS has begun auditing Harvard or any nonprofits in response to his administration’s requests or whether Trump has violated any laws with his pressure campaign.

    The Conversation U.S. asked Philip Hackney, a nonprofit law professor who previously worked in the office of the chief counsel of the IRS, and Brian Mittendorf, an expert on nonprofit accounting, to explain what it would take for the federal government to revoke a university’s tax-exempt status.

    Can Trump order the IRS to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status?

    No.

    First, the IRS rarely revokes an organization’s charitable tax-exempt status for failure to operate for a charitable purpose.

    Before the IRS can do that, tax law requires that it first audit that charity. And it’s illegal for U.S. presidents or other officials to force the IRS to conduct an audit or stop one that’s already begun. Even doing either of those things indirectly is a crime. The punishment can include fines and imprisonment.

    Congress strengthened constraints on presidential power after Richard Nixon resigned in the midst of the Watergate investigations. At the time, evidence indicated that he had used the IRS as a weapon to punish his perceived political enemies.

    Worried that future presidents or officials might abuse the IRS, a Republican-led Congress later passed Section 7217 of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

    That provision prohibits presidents and vice presidents, as well as other officials and their staff, from instructing, “directly or indirectly, any officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service to conduct or terminate an audit or other investigation of any particular taxpayer with respect to the tax liability of such taxpayer.”

    President Richard M. Nixon holds a tax bill he signed into law in 1970, four years before he resigned. Part of his legacy is that it’s now more clearly illegal for presidents to use the IRS as a political weapon.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    What does it take for a nonprofit’s tax-exempt status to be revoked?

    This can’t happen on a whim. The IRS first has to audit the nonprofit. If it obtains evidence of wrongdoing – and a court upholds that finding – the IRS can proceed.

    The government has to find that the nonprofit’s operations have a “substantial nonexempt purpose.” That’s because these tax exemptions are provided only to organizations that are organized and operated primarily for charitable purposes, such as education, religion or scientific research.

    Any audit of Harvard would involve a large team of IRS agents familiar with higher education, which would work on this probe for months. The process could take years.

    If, after completing that audit, that team were to determine that Harvard violated the rules, the IRS would have to send Harvard a proposed revocation letter. Harvard then would have 30 days to file an appeal with the IRS. Were the IRS to propose such a revocation, we would be shocked if Harvard didn’t take that step.

    If the IRS Office of Appeals were to uphold the revocation, the IRS would send a revocation letter to Harvard. But Harvard would have the right to challenge that official revocation in court under Section 7428 of the tax code.

    How often does this happen?

    Very rarely. Almost never for private schools. The only legal precedent the Trump administration could perhaps invoke is Bob Jones University v. United States.

    That litigation got underway in the 1970s after the IRS had, following years of civil rights litigation, stopped allowing private schools to have charitable status if they discriminated on the basis of race.

    That policy put the small Christian university on the spot because it barred the admission of Black students until 1971. At that point, it began to accept Black students but only if they were married to another Black person. The school justified this restriction by voicing its belief that the Bible forbids interracial marriage and dating. In 1970, the IRS had notified the university that it intended to cancel Bob Jones’ tax-exempt status.

    The IRS issued a final revocation in 1976 after determining that Bob Jones University continued to discriminate with the ban on interracial dating and marriage. And in 1983, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the IRS’ action in an 8-1 decision.

    The court’s majority wrote that an institution should be denied charitable status “only where there can be no doubt that the activity involved is contrary to a fundamental public policy.”

    Harvard President Alan Garber responds to Trump’s threats in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

    What’s the Trump administration’s rationale?

    Many signs indicate the Trump administration would try to use the fundamental policy limitation to revoke Harvard’s status. We’re unaware, though, of what alleged violation of a “fundamental public policy” the IRS might invoke if it were to carry through on Trump’s threat to strip Harvard of its charitable status. The Trump administration has signaled that it might rest its case on Harvard’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

    In a related case, a majority found in a 2023 ruling that affirmative action admissions programs violated the Constitution. The case, known as Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, also considered the University of North Carolina’s policies.

    Harvard subsequently enrolled fewer new Black students, indicating that it had changed its admissions policies. Regardless, there are many precedents finding elements of diversity, equity and inclusion to be activities that do further a charitable purpose.

    We believe the Trump administration would be unlikely to prevail in the courts with an anti-DEI argument should it try to use one to justify stripping Harvard of its tax-exempt status.

    What happens if a big nonprofit loses its charity status?

    Losing nonprofit status can do a lot of damage.

    An organization that loses its status, whether it’s a university like Harvard, a food bank, a homeless shelter or any other kind of charity, is suddenly subject to federal income tax. It also loses the ability to receive tax-deductible gifts from donors who are eligible to make them.

    Because many state and municipal tax breaks are tied to federal tax status, losing tax-exempt status can also lead to local tax penalties. One compelling local tax break afforded to many charities is an exemption from property tax. Universities with large amounts of buildings and land – as Harvard has – would especially feel the pain.

    Without charity status, organizations that rely on grants from local, state and federal government sources, as well as private sources such as other charities, will find many of those sources of funding largely cut off. This is because many grant providers require all recipients to have tax-exempt status.

    The Internal Revenue Manual, which guides IRS agents in carrying out their work, indicates a number of other problems that would arise after revocation. For instance, an agent is required to consider the impact on the organization’s deferred compensation plans and tax-exempt bonds.

    Does the government appear to have a strong case against Harvard?

    There’s been little concrete information about the basis for Harvard losing its status. Most of what we know comes from social media posts and media interviews.

    The Trump administration has attacked Harvard for its efforts to increase its diversity and its response to antisemitism on its campus. In response to concerns about these issues, Harvard has retooled its DEI office and begun to roll out reforms to combat both antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias.

    But it is hard to argue that these issues would be central to Harvard and its educational mission, let alone warrant it losing its tax-exempt status.

    What’s the impact then?

    Given the steep climb it would be to prove that the organization has strayed from its educational mission, and not just taken some actions the White House dislikes, we find it hard to imagine a viable path toward the IRS revoking Harvard’s charitable status.

    That doesn’t mean there will not be any consequences from the administration’s campaign against Harvard.

    The daily onslaught of public attacks coupled with the ongoing legal battles are a drain on Harvard officials’ time and energy.

    The administration has put Harvard and other universities on the defensive in many other ways too. It has cut federal funding for scientific research, sought to revoke international student visas, expressed an interest in reducing federally funded student loans and grants, and floated proposals to increase what is today a small tax on the income some higher education endowments earn.

    If there’s a silver lining for Harvard, we think it’s that Trump’s attacks could spur giving to the nation’s wealthiest university, at least in the short run. Harvard’s supporters stepped up their donations after the administration’s initial efforts to punish Harvard. And giving-as-activism has been a frequent theme in both of Trump’s terms.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Can Trump strip Harvard of its charitable status? Scholars of nonprofit law and accounting describe the obstacles in his way – https://theconversation.com/can-trump-strip-harvard-of-its-charitable-status-scholars-of-nonprofit-law-and-accounting-describe-the-obstacles-in-his-way-255072

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How William Howard Taft’s approach to government efficiency differed from Elon Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Laura Ellyn Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor of History, Arizona State University

    Elon Musk and his son board Air Force One in West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 13, 2025. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

    For four months, the world’s richest man has played an unprecedented role in U.S. government. At the start of his 2025 term, President Donald Trump asked Elon Musk to cut government “waste and fraud.” That translated into the Musk-driven firing of 121,000 federal workers, essentially closing entire government programs and departments.

    Many Americans protested Musk’s work. His unsupervised access to sensitive government materials and unchecked influence over the firing of federal employees represents an unprecedented moment in the United States. An unelected billionaire sought to overhaul the federal government, empowered and legitimized not by Congress but only by the president.

    There are two individuals intrinsic to any presidential effort to restructure government: the president himself and the person he entrusts with the task.

    In 2025, Musk has been the person designated to carry out the president’s aims.

    In 1910, it was Frederick Cleveland, an academic, who was President William H. Taft’s designated head of his effort to streamline government.

    Both presidents, Taft and Trump, have said they wanted to improve how government functioned.

    But while Taft worked with Congress to launch his effort, Trump hasn’t followed that route. And the men each president asked to lead their efforts were vastly different in the responsibility given to them, and different in values as well as temperament.

    Power on Pennsylvania Avenue

    Among the many historic attempts by presidents to streamline federal government, Taft’s administration provides a distinct parallel to an administration attempting to make government more efficient.

    The Taft administration’s early 20th-century equivalent to the Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, was called the Commission on Economy and Efficiency.

    Unlike DOGE, created by presidential fiat via an executive order, Taft’s efficiency commission was funded by Congress.

    Taft also delegated the work of this reorganization to trusted Cabinet subordinates, rather than an outsider who was not confirmed by Congress. Other presidents of Taft’s generation would have found it unthinkable to delegate such consequential work to someone outside of the bureaucracy to the extent that Trump has empowered Musk.

    The work of Taft’s commission took place during a time of turmoil for the role and power of the president, as the country itself became more powerful and its governance more complex, calling for increased efficiency through streamlining.

    Studying and streamlining government

    Taft organized his commission in 1910, a year into his presidency. It lasted until his divided party led to his election defeat in 1912.

    The commission’s aims were tied to economy and efficiency – as the commission itself was named. Indeed, Secretary of the Navy George von Lengerke Meyer, one of Taft’s trusted Cabinet members, concisely explained how the “main object was the establishment of a system which would enable the Secretary to administer his office efficiently and economically, with the advice of responsible expert advisers, ensuring continuity of policy for the future.”

    Taft came to the presidency in 1909 with clear concepts of how the nation’s top office needed to become more powerful to meet the growing country’s burgeoning needs.

    The presidency, he believed, also needed to expand its power to meet the modernizing demands of the Progressive Era in early 20th-century America. This era put new demands on government to be responsive to the country’s expanding needs, from grassroots demands by voters for greater government activism to professionals seeking more efficient support for their businesses from the government.

    Taft was critically aware of existing inefficiency, with bureaucratic work overlapping at expense to the government, without any clear mandate, job description or hierarchy. The vision of the commission is clear in a diagram for the War Department that sought to streamline the bureaucracy, conglomerating the existing 18 divisions into eight.

    A chart of the Taft commission’s proposed streamlining of what was then called the ‘War Department.’
    archive.org

    The Commission on Economy and Efficiency focused on providing solutions for this clearly defined problem of government inefficiency. At the time of Taft’s final message to Congress in 1913, the commission had submitted 85 reports to Taft encouraging the reorganization of executive departments, including new and specifically defined roles for government employees.

    One of the reports from Taft’s commission, which he delivered to Congress.
    Google Books

    Long-term, targeted changes

    Unlike the radical unilateral actions taken by DOGE, the Taft commission recommended action to Congress for the long term, while making more targeted changes to the executive bureaucracy behind the scenes.

    Despite Taft’s pleas stressing the need to sustain these changes beyond his tenure, Congress was tired of the empowerment of the executive by Republican presidents Theodore Roosevelt, followed by Taft, and had no incentive to support reorganization.

    This is in direct contrast to Trump and Musk’s less substantiated concerns over “fraud and abuse” or ongoing vague concerns over the size and cost of the federal government. That phrasing may inspire more consensus over the problem, but not necessarily the solution.

    President William Howard Taft at a desk in the Oval Office in 1909.
    Corbis Historical/Getty Images

    Empowering the executive

    Taft’s choice to head his commission, Frederick Cleveland, was a kindred spirit who believed in a strengthened presidency. Cleveland was an academic with past affiliations with the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. Congress accepted Cleveland’s nomination, seeing him as a pioneer in the realm of public administration.

    Cleveland fit the Progressive Era’s mantra of employing experts. As a professional but not a member of the wealthy elite, and having been considered by Congress, Cleveland represents a clear distinction from Musk, who appears to have little understanding of what an average American may need from an operative federal bureaucracy.

    Cleveland reflected the Taft administration’s approach of wanting to remold the government without animosity toward federal workers specifically or the government more broadly. He embraced the Progressive Era ethos in seeking to rectify inefficiency.

    Streamlining did not equate to big cuts. The priority remained ensuring the American government could meet the increased demands of the new century.

    Similar to DOGE, the White House was the command center for the Commission on Economy and Efficiency. That enabled Taft to manage reorganization of the executive branch from the Oval Office.

    Not all of the modernizing and streamlining of the federal government would come at the behest of Taft’s commission.

    Impatient to implement change while awaiting the commission’s reports, and with the commission hampered by a decrease in congressional funding in 1912, Taft had immediately sought improvement within his own administration.

    But when the commission’s reports were finally available, Taft was in the unfortunate position of being a lame duck and could do little besides emphasize the need for further action.

    While limited in the short term, the commission’s reports were later credited for major changes: “Although the report fell on deaf ears in Congress, it would become an essential roadmap for the budget reforms of 1921. The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 addressed and mirrored the concerns and proposals of the Commission’s Report,” as described by the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation.

    Unlike DOGE, the approach of Taft and his commission focused on streamlining rather than gutting federal bureaucracy.

    That approach was reflective of an era when experts were revered and sought after rather than maligned. As an experienced bureaucrat, Taft characteristically directed that the problem of government inefficiency be studied. This secured his legacy, as his agenda was eventually put into practice and embraced, proving his reflective approach to be ahead of its time.

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

    – ref. How William Howard Taft’s approach to government efficiency differed from Elon Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics – https://theconversation.com/how-william-howard-tafts-approach-to-government-efficiency-differed-from-elon-musks-slash-and-burn-tactics-249891

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Science requires ethical oversight – without federal dollars, society’s health and safety are at risk

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christine Coughlin, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

    Brain organoids, pictured here, raise both many medical possibilities and ethical questions. NIAID/Flickr, CC BY-SA

    As the Trump administration continues to make significant cuts to NIH budgets and personnel and to freeze billions of dollars of funding to major research universities – citing ideological concerns – there’s more being threatened than just progress in science and medicine. Something valuable but often overlooked is also being hit hard: preventing research abuse.

    The National Institutes of Health has been the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research. Its support helps translate basic science into biomedical therapies and technologies, providing funding for nearly all treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration from 2010 to 2019. This enables the U.S. to lead global research while maintaining transparency and preventing research misconduct.

    While the legality of directives to shrink the NIH is unclear, the Trump administration’s actions have already led to suspended clinical trials, institutional hiring freezes and layoffs, rescinded graduate student admissions, and canceled federal grant review meetings. Researchers at affected universities say that funding will delay or possibly eliminate ongoing studies on critical conditions like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

    The Trump administration has deeply culled U.S. science across agencies and institutions.

    It is clear to us, as legal and bioethics scholars whose research often focuses on the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging biotechnologies, that these directives will have profoundly negative consequences for medical research and human health, with ripple effects that will last decades. Our scholarship demonstrates that in order to contribute to knowledge and, ultimately, to biomedical treatments, medical research at every stage depends on significant infrastructure support and ethical oversight.

    Our recent focus on brain organoid research – 3D lab models grown from human stem cells that simulate brain structure and function – shows how federal support for research is key to not only promote innovation, but to protect participants and future patients.

    History of NIH and research ethics

    The National Institutes of Health began as a one-room laboratory within the Marine Hospital Service in 1887. After World War I, chemists involved in the war effort sought to apply their knowledge to medicine. They partnered with Louisiana Sen. Joseph E. Ransdell who, motivated by the devastation of malaria, yellow fever and the 1928 influenza pandemic, introduced federal legislation to support basic research and fund fellowships focusing on solving medical problems.

    By World War II, biomedical advances like surgical techniques and antibiotics had proved vital on the battlefield. Survival rates increased from 4% during World War I to 50% in World War II. Congress passed the 1944 Public Health Services Act to expand NIH’s authority to fund biomedical research at public and private institutions. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “as sound an investment as any Government can make; the dividends are payable in human life and health.”

    As science advanced, so did the need for guardrails. After World War II, among the top Nazi leaders prosecuted for war crimes were physicians who conducted experiments on people without consent, such as exposure to hypothermia and infectious disease. The verdicts of these Doctors’ Trials included 10 points about ethical human research that became the Nuremberg Code, emphasizing voluntary consent to participation, societal benefit as the goal of human research, and significant limitations on permissible risks of harm. The World Medical Association established complementary international guidelines for physician-researchers in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki.

    At least 100 participants died in the Tuskegee Untreated Syphilis Study.
    National Archives

    In the 1970s, information about the Tuskegee study – a deceptive and unethical 40-year study of untreated syphilis in Black men – came to light. The researchers told study participants they would be given treatment but did not give them medication. They also prevented participants from accessing a cure when it became available in order to study the disease as it progressed. The men enrolled in the study experienced significant health problems, including blindness, mental impairment and death.

    The public outrage that followed starkly demonstrated that the U.S. couldn’t simply rely on international guidelines but needed federal standards on research ethics. As a result, the National Research Act of 1974 led to the Belmont Report, which identified ethical principles essential to human research: respect for persons, beneficence and justice.

    Federal regulations reinforced these principles by requiring all federally funded research to comply with rigorous ethical standards for human research. By prohibiting financial conflicts of interest and by implementing an independent ethics review process, new policies helped ensure that federally supported research has scientific and social value, is scientifically valid, fairly selects and adequately protects participants.

    These standards and recommendations guide both federally and nonfederally funded research today. The breadth of NIH’s mandate and budget has provided not only the essential structure for research oversight, but also key resources for ethics consultation and advice.

    Brain organoids and the need for ethical inquiry

    Biomedical research on cell and animal models requires extensive ethics oversight systems that complement those for human research. Our research on the ethical and policy issues of human brain organoid research provides a good example of the complexities of biomedical research and the infrastructure and oversight mechanisms necessary to support it.

    Organoid research is increasing in importance, as the FDA wants to expand its use as an alternative to using animals to test new drugs before administering them to humans. Because these models can simulate brain structure and function, brain organoid research is integral to developing and testing potential treatments for brain diseases and conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and cancer. Brain organoids are also useful for personalized and regenerative medicine, artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and other biotechnologies.

    Brain organoids are built on knowledge about the fundamentals of biology that was developed primarily in universities receiving federal funding. Organoid technology began in 1907 with research on sponge cells, and continued in the 1980s with advances in stem cell research. Since researchers generated the first human organoid in 2009, the field has rapidly expanded.

    Brain organoids have come a long way since their beginnings over a century ago.
    Madeline Andrews, Arnold Kriegstein’s lab, UCSF, CC BY-ND

    These advances were only possible through federally supported research infrastructure, which helps ensure the quality of all biomedical research. Indirect costs cover operational expenses necessary to maintain research safety and ethics, including utilities, administrative support, biohazard handling and regulatory compliance. In these ways, federally supported research infrastructure protects and promotes the scientific and ethical value of biotechnologies like brain organoids.

    Brain organoid research requires significant scientific and ethical inquiry to safely reach its future potential. It raises potential moral and legal questions about donor consent, the extent to which organoids should be grown and how they should be disposed, and consciousness and personhood. As science progresses, infrastructure for oversight can help ensure these ethical and societal issues are addressed.

    New frontiers in scientific research

    Since World War II, there has been bipartisan support for scientific innovation, in part because it is an economic and national security imperative. As Harvard University President Alan Garber recently wrote, “[n]ew frontiers beckon us with the prospect of life-changing advances. … For the government to retreat from these partnerships now risks not only the health and well-being of millions of individuals but also the economic security and vitality of our nation.”

    Cuts to research overhead may seem like easy savings, but it fails to account for the infrastructure that provides essential support for scientific innovation. The investment the NIH has put into academic research is significantly paid forward, adding nearly US$95 billion to local economies in fiscal year 2024, or $2.46 for every $1 of grant funding. NIH funding had also supported over 407,700 jobs that year.

    President Donald Trump pledged to “unleash the power of American innovation” to battle brain-based diseases when he accepted his second Republican nomination for president. Around 6.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and over a million more suffer from Parkinson’s. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with aggressive brain cancers each year, and 20% of the population experiences varying forms of mental illness at any one time. These numbers are expected to grow considerably, possibly doubling by 2050.

    Organoid research is just one of the essential components in the process of learning about the brain and using that knowledge to find better treatment for diseases affecting the brain.

    Science benefits society only if it is rigorous, ethically conducted and fairly funded. Current NIH policy directives and steep cuts to the agency’s size and budget, along with attacks on universities, undermine globally shared goals of increasing understanding and improving human health.

    The federal system of overseeing and funding biomedical science may need a scalpel, but to defund efforts based on “efficiency” is to wield a chainsaw.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Science requires ethical oversight – without federal dollars, society’s health and safety are at risk – https://theconversation.com/science-requires-ethical-oversight-without-federal-dollars-societys-health-and-safety-are-at-risk-252794

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NPC Standing Committee Launches Inspection of Implementation of Food Safety Law

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) — The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, on Friday launched a new round of inspection on the implementation of the Food Safety Law, aiming to strengthen supervision over food safety and further intensify overall efforts to ensure food safety.

    The Food Safety Law was promulgated and put into effect in 2009, and underwent a comprehensive revision in 2015. The NPC Standing Committee previously conducted inspections on the law’s implementation in 2009, 2011 and 2016.

    During this latest round of inspection, the inspection team will conduct on-site assessments in provincial-level regions such as Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangxi, Henan, Guangxi and Gansu.

    In addition, the standing committees of the people’s congresses of Tianjin, Liaoning, Anhui, Hubei, Guizhou and Qinghai will be instructed to inspect the law enforcement situation in their respective administrative regions.

    The inspection teams will focus on eight key areas, including the establishment of a food safety risk monitoring and assessment system, supervision of food safety in schools and supervision of food imports and exports.

    NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Cai Dafeng stressed the importance of strictly implementing the basic principles of food safety, enhancing the efficiency of food safety supervision, and further promoting the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Food Safety Law to provide a strong legal guarantee for public health and safety. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Radio Davos | “Pause reality” – Platon on photography, power and AI

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

    World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
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    #WorldEconomicForum

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mE9ZKR9vBU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New mayor takes the oath of office Councillor Margaret Pattison has officially been sworn in as the new Mayor of Lancaster, proudly donning the mayoral robes in a centuries-old civic tradition.

    Source: City of Lancaster

    Councillor Margaret Pattison has officially been sworn in as the new Mayor of Lancaster, proudly donning the mayoral robes in a centuries-old civic tradition.

    New mayor Councillor Margaret Pattison with her deputy, Councillor John Hanson

    Born in Morecambe, her journey into public service began during her early career as a hairdressing apprentice where she found inspiration from her employer, a local councillor and school governor.

    This sparked an interest in community involvement that would later define her career. Her first direct step into politics came when her son Ian volunteered in the office of former MP Geraldine Smith.

    After he left for university, Margaret was invited to take over the role – an experience that cemented her commitment to public service. She soon stood for election driven by a strong desire to support local residents with casework and community issues.

    Over the years, she has served as a “triple hat” councillor on Morecambe Town Council, Lancaster City Council, and Lancashire County Council. She has championed grassroots initiatives including the local Alley Champions group, and continued to support local education as a school governor.

    Now, as she takes up the ceremonial role of Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Pattison is keen to continue her hands-on approach to community leadership.

    As her mayoral charities she has chosen St John’s Hospice in memory of her twin sister’s partner, Paul Bolton, who sadly passed away from cancer last November, and ‘Making Space’, which supports those with mental health conditions or a learning disability.

    Councillor John Hanson will act as deputy mayor, with daughter Charlotte performing the role of mayor’s consort.

    Speaking on her appointment, Councillor Pattison said: “I am honoured to serve as Mayor of Lancaster. “I’m deeply committed to our community and will carry out this role with the same dedication and compassion I’ve shown throughout my years of service.

    “Supporting St John’s Hospice is particularly close to my heart and I look forward to raising awareness and vital funds for the incredible work they do.”

    Last updated: 09 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson asks SCOTUS to uphold Maine legislator’s right to vote and speak freelyRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that his office has joined a friend-of-the-court brief filed in the United States Supreme Court supporting Maine Representative Laurel Libby, who was stripped of her ability to vote and speak on the State House floor by Democratic legislative leadership.  

    The Supreme Court is being asked to restore Representative Libby’s voting rights while her case continues through the courts, as such actions likely violate the foundational principles of representative democracy and the U.S. Constitution. 

    “This is not a partisan issue, it’s a constitutional one,” said Attorney General Alan Wilson. “In our system of government, every citizen deserves to have their voice heard through their elected officials. Blocking a legislator from voting silences not just one voice, but the voice of every constituent they represent. That’s not how our republic is supposed to work. The ability of lawmakers to speak and vote freely on behalf of their districts is a foundational part of American democracy, and I am standing up to ensure that principle is protected.” 

    The case involves Representative Libby being barred from voting and speaking on the Maine House floor after she posted on social media about a biologically male student-athlete who won a girls’ pole-vaulting competition. The brief argues that stripping a duly elected lawmaker of their right to vote undermines democratic representation and violates the constitutional rights of both the representative and their constituents. 

    The coalition of attorneys general asserts that legislative immunity, which generally shields lawmakers from lawsuits related to legislative actions, does not protect actions that directly undermine democratic processes, like removing a legislator’s voting rights. 

    In addition to South Carolina, attorneys general from the following states joined the brief: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. 

    You can read the brief here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sharc Energy Featured in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Redevelopment District Energy Project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) (“SHARC Energy” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that two SHARC 880 Wastewater Energy Transfer (“WET”) systems will be used to power a district energy system (also referred to as thermal energy network), in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario, serving the LeBreton Flats redevelopment.

    A new era of sustainable energy is dawning in Ottawa with the formation of the LeBreton Community Utility Partnership, a joint venture between Envari Holding Inc. (a subsidiary of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.) and Theia Partners. Together with the City of Ottawa, the partners have formalized a landmark agreement to implement an advanced WET system.

    “The formation of the LeBreton Community Utility partnership marks a significant step in realizing a truly sustainable energy model for urban development. Our WET technology, powered by SHARC Energy’s Canadian innovation, will provide reliable, efficient, and environmentally responsible thermal energy to the LeBreton community, starting with DREAM’s Odenak development,“ stated Scott Demark, Partner at Theia Partners.

    “This is more than just a project; it’s a testament to Ottawa’s dedication to leading the way in sustainable energy solutions. Hydro Ottawa is proud to be at the forefront of this innovation, demonstrating the power of collaboration and forward-thinking technology, including the highly efficient and Canadian-made SHARC Energy WET System, in building a sustainable future for the community we serve. We are especially pleased that this project supports vital affordable housing and aligns with our commitment to ensuring all customers can participate in a smart and equitable energy future,” says Bryce Conrad, President and CEO of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.

    This groundbreaking energy project will harness the untapped thermal potential of wastewater to provide 9 Megawatts (MW) of sustainable and efficient building heating and cooling to the LeBreton Flats redevelopment including DREAM’s Odenak development at 665 Albert Street, the inaugural customer for LeBreton Community Utility’s WET system. Odenak is a 600-unit, two-tower project adjacent to the Pimisi light rail transit (LRT) station. It features a mix of market-rate and affordable residential units as well as retail spaces. The WET system utilizes highly efficient heat pumps and operates entirely without fossil fuel, marking a significant step towards a cleaner energy future for the city.

    “HTS is incredibly proud to be involved in this monumental project, which sets a new standard in sustainability. We are honored to contribute to such an innovative solution that not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also fosters a more sustainable future. This project reflects our commitment to advancing environmentally responsible practices and delivering the most advanced HVAC solutions,” said Wael Khalaf, P.Eng. HTS, SHARC Energy’s Ontario representative.

    By utilizing SHARC Energy’s WET system, the LeBreton Community Utility estimates a reduction of approximately 5,066 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually compared to traditional buildings relying on boilers and chillers. To visualize 5,066 tonnes, it is the equivalent of the electricity used by 3,387 homes for a full year (as calculated by the Natural Resources Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator).

    “Almost 95 per cent of Ottawa’s greenhouse gases emissions are not within the City’s direct control. Instead, they require community action and commitment to achieve our reduction targets. In partnering on this innovative sewage energy project at LeBreton Flats, the City is supporting other local businesses and organizations to help us achieve a clean energy future for all of Ottawa,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, City of Ottawa

    Construction to connect to the City’s sewer infrastructure is slated to begin later this year, following a collaborative design phase between the City of Ottawa and the LeBreton Community Utility partners. SHARC Energy anticipates commencing submittals for the SHARC WET systems in 2025 with equipment build and delivery expected during 2026.

    The LeBreton Community Utility Partnership is also engaged in discussions with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to explore the potential for the WET network to serve additional land parcels at the LeBreton Flats redevelopment, to take advantage of economies of scale. This forward-thinking approach positions the site as a model for sustainable community energy infrastructure in Canada. Moreover, this presents additional opportunities for the implementation of SHARC WET equipment.

    About SHARC Energy

    SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in energy transfer with the wastewater we send down the drain every day. SHARC Energy’s systems exchange thermal energy with wastewater, generating one of the most energy-efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water production for commercial, residential and industrial buildings along with thermal energy networks, commonly referred to as “District Energy”.

    SHARC Energy is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA) and you can find out more on our SEDAR profile.

    Learn more about SHARC Energy: Website | Investor Page | LinkedIn | YouTube | PIRANHA | SHARC

    About HTS

    HTS is North America’s largest independent distributor of built-to-order, full-service commercial and industrial HVAC solutions. HTS is dedicated to driving shared success by collaborating with all those involved in the design, selection, installation, and maintenance of the ideal HVAC solution for each project.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

    Freid Andriano
    Chairman

    The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as “anticipate”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC Energy’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC Energy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company’s expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8dbc469-7d83-4929-8402-906d4e192f12

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NextNav Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Results and Operational Highlights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FCC releases Notice of Inquiry (NOI) with bipartisan 4-0 vote

    NextNav Announces Appointment of Rear Admirals H. Wyman Howard and Lorin Selby to its Board of Directors

    RESTON, Va., May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNav Inc. (NASDAQ: NN) a leader in next generation positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and 3D geolocation, today reported its financial results and operational updates for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    “During the quarter we saw continued FCC momentum with a unanimous vote in March to further explore PNT solutions, specifically including NextNav’s,” said NextNav’s CEO, Mariam Sorond. “We remain focused on executing against our goals and addressing an urgent national security need for a terrestrial complement and backup to GPS. We look forward to working with the FCC and the rest of the industry to enable PNT resiliency.”

    Recent Operational Highlights

    • Announced Appointment of Two New Members to Board of Directors: On April 16, 2025, NextNav announced the appointment of Retired Rear Admirals H. Wyman Howard and Lorin Selby to its Board of Directors, effective May 1, 2025.
    • FCC Releases Notice of Inquiry (NOI): On March 27, 2025, the FCC unanimously voted to approve the NOI titled Promoting the Development of PNT Technologies and Solutions to explore how the Commission may foster GPS backups and alternatives, underscoring the FCC’s focus on this issue. On April 28, 2025, NextNav filed comments with the FCC emphasizing the importance of at least one future-proof solution that relies on market forces to deliver a terrestrial, widescale PNT solution that is broadly available to critical infrastructure, public safety, and consumers, and has a clear path to incorporation in end-user devices.

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Revenue: was $1.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $1.0 million in the prior year period. The increase was driven by an increase in service revenue from technology and services contracts with government and commercial customers.
    • Operating Loss: was $17.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to an operating loss of $16.2 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher professional fees and outside consulting expenses, partially offset by reductions in software license costs and payroll-related expenses.
    • Net Loss: was $58.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025, including a loss on change in the fair value of derivative liability of $24.5 million and debt extinguishment loss of $14.4 million, as compared to a net loss of $31.6 million in the prior year period, including a loss on the fair value of the warrants of $13.2 million.
    • Balance Sheet: as of March 31, 2025, the Company had $150.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $38.0 million in short term investments.  Net long term debt of $213.1 million includes derivative liability of $56.5 million, and is net of unamortized discount of $33.4 million, with a face value of $190.0 million.

    Conference Call Information

    NextNav will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 9:00 am ET on Friday, May 9, 2025.

    Registration for the conference call can be completed by visiting the following website prior to, or on the day of, the conference call: https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I6293672417. After registering, each participant will be provided with call details and a registrant ID. Reminders will also be sent to registered participants via email. Alternatively, the conference call will be available via a live webcast.

    To access the live webcast or a replay, visit the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.nextnav.com/.

    A replay will be available through March 16, 2025. To receive replay details, please register through the link above. After registering for replay details, each participant will be provided with call details and access codes to listen to the call playback.

    About NextNav Inc.

    NextNav Inc. (Nasdaq: NN) is a leader in next generation positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), enabling a whole new ecosystem of applications and services that rely upon 3D geolocation and PNT technology. Powered by low-band licensed spectrum, NextNav’s positioning and timing technologies deliver accurate, reliable, and resilient 3D PNT solutions for critical infrastructure, GPS resiliency and commercial use cases.

    For more information, please visit https://nextnav.com/ or follow NextNav on Twitter or LinkedIn.

    Source: NN-FIN

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and may also relate to NextNav’s future prospects, developments and business strategies. In particular, such forward-looking statements include the achievement of certain FCC-related milestones and FCC approvals, the ability to realize the broader spectrum capacity and the advancement of NextNav’s terrestrial 3D PNT services, NextNav’s position to drive growth in its 3D geolocation business and expansion of its next generation terrestrial 3D PNT technologies, the business plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of NextNav, and NextNav’s estimated and future business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, revenue, expenses, and profitability. These statements are based on NextNav’s management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside NextNav’s control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors include, but are not limited to, those included in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the NextNav’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as those otherwise described or updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and NextNav undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Sloane & Company
    nextnav@sloanepr.com

    NEXTNAV INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
     
        March 31, 2025 (unaudited)     December 31, 2024  
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 150,422     $ 39,330  
    Short term investments     37,986       40,785  
    Accounts receivable     1,645       3,301  
    Other current assets     3,413       2,629  
    Total current assets   $ 193,466     $ 86,045  
    Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $14,725 and $13,716 at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     16,972       17,974  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets     17,329       17,368  
    Goodwill     17,641       16,966  
    Intangible assets     9,454       9,589  
    Other assets     13,744       13,798  
    Total assets   $ 268,606     $ 161,740  
                     
    Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                
    Current liabilities:                
    Accounts payable   $ 1,131     $ 858  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     7,312       8,536  
    Operating lease current liabilities     2,795       2,462  
    Deferred revenue     310       288  
    Total current liabilities   $ 11,548     $ 12,144  
                     
    Warrants     21,425       28,707  
    Operating lease noncurrent liabilities     14,198       14,352  
    Other long-term liabilities     1,761       1,795  
    Long term debt, net     213,101       54,621  
    Total liabilities   $ 262,033     $ 111,619  
                     
    Stockholders’ equity:                
    Common stock, authorized 500,000,000 shares; 132,413,938 and 131,268,940 shares issued and 132,281,710 and 131,136,712 shares outstanding at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively     14       14  
    Additional paid-in capital     926,280       912,241  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income     1,657       665  
    Accumulated deficit     (920,685 )     (862,106 )
    Common stock in treasury, at cost; 132,228 shares at both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024     (693 )     (693 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 6,573     $ 50,121  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 268,606     $ 161,740  
     
    NEXTNAV INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
    (UNAUDITED)
    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
     
        Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Revenue   $ 1,539     $ 1,046  
    Operating expenses:                
    Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)     2,533       2,761  
    Research and development     4,038       4,670  
    Selling, general and administrative     10,520       8,446  
    Depreciation and amortization     1,452       1,319  
    Total operating expenses   $ 18,543     $ 17,196  
    Operating loss   $ (17,004 )   $ (16,150 )
    Other income (expense):                
    Interest expense, net     (2,738 )     (2,168 )
    Debt extinguishment loss     (14,434 )     —  
    Change in fair value of warrants     6,041       (13,176 )
    Change in fair value of derivative liability     (24,523 )     —  
    Other loss, net     (5,863 )     (72 )
    Loss before income taxes   $ (58,521 )   $ (31,566 )
    Provision for income taxes     58       44  
    Net loss   $ (58,579 )   $ (31,610 )
    Foreign currency translation adjustment     993       (522 )
    Comprehensive loss   $ (57,586 )   $ (32,132 )
    Net loss     (58,579 )     (31,610 )
    Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (58,579 )   $ (31,610 )
    Weighted average of shares outstanding – basic and diluted     131,104       111,061  
    Net loss attributable to common stockholders per share – basic and diluted   $ (0.45 )   $ (0.28 )
     
    NEXTNAV INC.
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
    (UNAUDITED)
    (IN THOUSANDS)
     
        Three Months Ended March 31,  
        2025     2024  
    Operating activities            
    Net loss   $ (58,579 )   $ (31,610 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:                
    Depreciation and amortization     1,452       1,319  
    Equity-based compensation     4,324       4,244  
    Change in fair value of warrants     (6,041 )     13,176  
    Debt extinguishment loss     13,734       —  
    Issuance of common warrants     5,766       —  
    Change in fair value of derivative liability     24,523       —  
    Realized and unrealized gain on short term investments     (338 )     (50 )
    Equity method investment loss     39       40  
    Asset retirement obligation accretion     26       16  
    Amortization of debt discount     1,739       1,442  
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
    Accounts receivable     1,656       836  
    Other current assets     (749 )     (434 )
    Other assets     16       (107 )
    Accounts payable     273       878  
    Deferred revenue     22       (10 )
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities     (254 )     3,022  
    Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities     212       253  
    Net cash used in operating activities   $ (12,179 )   $ (6,985 )
                     
    Investing activities                
    Purchases of network assets, property, and equipment     (30 )     (32 )
    Purchase of internal use software     (101 )     (163 )
    Purchase of marketable securities     (31,463 )     (5,918 )
    Sale and maturity of marketable securities     34,600       4,000  
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   $ 3,006     $ (2,113 )
                     
    Financing activities                
    Proceeds from 2028 senior convertible notes     190,000       —  
    Repayment of 2026 senior secured notes     (70,000 )     —  
    Payments towards debt issuance cost     (550 )     —  
    Payments towards debt     (27 )     (28 )
    Proceeds from exercise of common warrants     517       —  
    Proceeds from exercise of common stock options     232       544  
    Net cash provided by financing activities   $ 120,172     $ 516  
    Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents     93       21  
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     111,092       (8,561 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     39,330       81,878  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 150,422     $ 73,317  
                     
    Non-cash investing and financing information                
    Capital expenditure included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   $ 22     $ 278  
     

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Another boost for British car industry as £1 billion secured for new Sunderland gigafactory

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Another boost for British car industry as £1 billion secured for new Sunderland gigafactory

    New state-of-the-art gigafactory ignites growth in industrial heartlands, supporting 1,000 jobs and powering up 100,000 electric vehicles a year

    • Chancellor visited Sunderland today following landmark economic deal with the US that saved thousands of auto jobs and slashed tariffs on car exports
    • Latest action in the Government’s Plan for Change to strengthen our industrial heartlands, make Britain a clean energy superpower and put more money in people’s pockets through good jobs

    Working people will benefit from 1,000 jobs at a new state-of-the-art gigafactory in Sunderland in a £1 billion auto deal to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and boost growth.

    This investment is another boost for the British car industry after yesterday’s landmark economic deal with the United States saved thousands of jobs by slashing tariffs on British exports.

    The new AESC gigafactory will manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, powering up to 100,000 EVs each year – a six-fold increase on the country’s current capacity – making the UK globally competitive selling more British EVs at home and abroad and helping to achieve our net zero target.

    In the landmark transaction, the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance will provide financial guarantees which unlock £680 million in financing from banks including Standard Chartered, HSBC, SMBC Group, Societe Generale and BBVA. This will cover construction and operation of the new plant. The remaining £320 million has been secured through private financing in addition to new equity provided by AESC.

    In addition to this £1 billion investment, the Government’s Automotive Transformation Fund is also investing £150 million in grant funding.

    This is the Government’s Plan for Change in action, making us more competitive on the world stage, helping Britain on its way to becoming a clean energy superpower through innovation in the automotive sector, and delivering economic growth that puts more money in people’s pockets through high skilled jobs.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

    We are going further and faster to boost our industries’ resilience and encourage their growth as part of our Plan for Change, and this investment follows hot on the heels of yesterday’s landmark economic deal with the US which will save thousands of jobs in the industry.

    This investment in Sunderland will not only further innovation and accelerate our move to more sustainable transport, but it will also deliver much-needed high quality, well-paid jobs to the North East, putting more money in people’s pockets.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said:

    We’re backing our world-class car industry, and this investment is yet another vote of confidence in the North East’s thriving auto manufacturing hub which will secure a thousand well-paid jobs and boost prosperity across the region.

    Our modern Industrial Strategy will drive this growth even further, powering our high-potential sectors like advanced manufacturing so we can deliver jobs and investment in every corner of the UK and make our Plan for Change a reality.

    The Chancellor visited AESC in Sunderland today (Friday 9 May) where she met staff and local leaders to discuss how the investment will bring jobs and prosperity to the North East, and how the landmark economic deal secured with the US will secure the industry for years to come.

    The deal slashes car export tariffs from 27.5% to 10% and will apply to a quota of 100,000 UK cars – almost the total exported last year.

    This will save some car companies hundreds of millions of pounds, making high skilled jobs in industrial heartlands like Sunderland more secure.

    Shoichi Matsumoto, CEO of Japanese headquartered AESC, said:

    This investment marks a key milestone in AESC’s ongoing efforts to support the UK’s path towards decarbonisation and the expansion of its EV market.

    Through close collaboration with strategic partners, we strive to accelerate this transition while creating high-quality local jobs and building resilient, sustainable supply chain.

    We are honoured to contribute to the development of low-carbon economy with our advanced battery technologies.

    John Flint, National Wealth Fund CEO, said:

    AESC’s gigafactory will not only help to retool our car industry for net zero it will also support jobs, growth, and prosperity in the Northeast.

    This investment further demonstrates the significant role NWF is playing to crowd private capital into the industries and regions where its most needed, boosting government’s growth and clean energy missions.

    UKEF CEO, Tim Reid, said:

    This hugely exciting project is a prime example of how export financing is a powerful tool for unlocking growth opportunities for British exporters and strengthening local economies.

    We’re proud to join forces with partners to back this pioneering gigafactory that will help cement the UK’s prowess as an EV battery-making force for years to come.

    More information

    • The government continues to unlock private investment in UK automotive design, development, and manufacturing as the sector transitions to zero emission technology.
    • To date, the Automotive Transformation Fund and Advanced Propulsion Centre funding programmes have leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector.
    • Last year’s Autumn Budget also confirmed over £2 billion for capital and research and development funding over five years for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and their supply chains – a vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, supporting investment and productivity growth.

    Additional quotes

    Ian Stuart, UK CEO for HSBC who were joint ECA Coordinator & Structuring Bank (alongside SCB) as well as Underwriting Bank and Mandated Lead Arranger, said:

    We’re extremely proud to have played a leading role in this complex and significant deal, including as underwriter, structuring bank and joint ECA co-ordinator.

    Once operational, the gigafactory will unlock a huge increase in the UK’s EV battery production, supporting the electrification of vehicles and the wider green transition. The inward investment involved in the project will also deliver highly-skilled jobs and economic growth to North East England.

    Hideo Kawafune, CEO, Head of EMEA, SMBC Banking International plc said:

    SMBC Group is delighted to participate in the successful financing of this landmark Gigafactory project. As a lending partner we’re proud to work alongside partners such as National Wealth Fund, UK Export Finance and Sinosure, as well as existing client AESC, in order to support projects which power the energy transition.” 

    Saif Malik, CEO, UK and Head, Client Coverage, UK, Standard Chartered said:

    We are proud to support this transformative UK project. The development of AESC’s new gigafactory will deliver significant economic benefits locally while supporting the development of zero-emission technology. This is more than an investment in infrastructure, it’s a commitment to innovation, UK economic growth and sustainability. Supporting the transition to net zero is deeply embedded in how we operate as a Bank, and this project reflects how we bring that to life by supporting clients on their own sustainability journeys.

    Lenaig Trenaux, Societe Generale’s Global Head of Batteries, Mining and Industries, said:

    We are proud to have worked with AESC to deliver the first gigafactory project financing in the UK, which has benefitted from strong support from the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance.

    Societe Generale’s deep understanding of the EV value chain, coupled with our experience working with AESC, were instrumental in delivering the project financing.

    This is another demonstration of SG’s commitment to the green mobility and another step towards the energy transition.

    Beatriz Roa, Global Sectoral Head of Industrials at BBVA, states:

    BBVA is proudly supporting AESC in this landmark project in the UK. This gigafactory will help foster the transition to electric vehicles while supporting the buildup of an entire ecosystem around battery manufacturing in Sunderland. These are key objectives in BBVA’s efforts to support the transition to a more sustainable economy and to the auto and energy industries in particular.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Mikhail Mishustin and members of the Government attended the military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory.

    Military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Red Square in Moscow at the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on Red Square in Moscow at the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Mikhail Mishustin, Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Red Square in Moscow at the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Denis Manturov on Red Square in Moscow at the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Tatyana Golikova on Red Square in Moscow before the start of the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko on Red Square in Moscow before the start of the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Marat Khusnullin on Red Square in Moscow before the start of the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Alexey Overchuk on Red Square in Moscow before the start of the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

    May 9, 2025

    Su-25 attack aircraft at the military parade on Red Square in Moscow, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Vladimir Astapkovich

    May 9, 2025

    Parade units of military personnel on Red Square in Moscow during the military parade dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Evgeny Biyatov

    May 9, 2025

    Military parade in honor of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War Photo: RIA Novosti Photohost Agency, Ilya Pitalev

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Evolving threat of chemical weapons calls for united front

    Source: Interpol (news and events)

    AMMAN, Jordan – The Fifth Plenary Meeting of the Global Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats has concluded with recommendations to boost global action against chemical security threats. These include strengthening regional networks, developing a centralized chemical database, and addressing challenges posed by emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).

     

    Chemical weapon threats continue to undermine the security landscape, with technological advancements increasing accessibility to chemicals of concern and advanced chemical dispersal mechanisms.

    Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, pose significant concerns. Non-state actors are already using AI to create propaganda and plan attacks. Chemical synthesis and cyberattacks against chemical facilities are potential AI-facilitated threats.

    The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, with non-state actors exploiting vulnerabilities and trafficking hazardous materials, poses a significant threat. Fragmented regulatory controls exacerbate the illegitimate diversion of chemical precursors, and new technologies, including uncrewed systems such as drones, increase their range and threat potential.

    Major General Al-Maaytah of Jordan’s Public Security Directorate emphasized the global nature of chemical security:

    “Chemical security is no longer only a national or regional responsibility, but rather a global priority requiring significant cooperation between governments and institutions.”

    Gathering 300 delegates from over 100 countries and six international organizations to forge a united front against these evolving threats, the four-day meeting (5 – 8 May) underscored the need for enhanced cooperation, public-private partnerships, and information sharing through a unified global platform coordinated by INTERPOL.

    INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi highlighted the importance of collective strength and partnerships:

    “Chemical security is a global responsibility that demands our collective attention and action. We must commit to fostering a culture of shared responsibility and strengthen partnerships across borders, sectors, and disciplines to create a safer, more secure future for all.”

    The Global Congress, co-implemented by INTERPOL, Global Affairs Canada, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the FBI, aims to cultivate a global and multi-sectoral culture of chemical security. Launched in 2018, it brings together international stakeholders to share expertise, develop innovative strategies, and promote cooperation and information sharing against chemical security threats.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: illumin Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First Quarter Revenue of $29.1 Million up 17% YoY
    Exchange Service Revenue up 148% YoY

    (All monetary figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated)

    TORONTO, May 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — illumin Holdings Inc. (TSX: ILLM and OTCQB: ILLMF) (“illumin” or the “Company”), the advertising technology platform that enables you to win your next customer, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Highlights

    • First quarter 2025 revenue rose 17% year-over-year to $29.1 million, driven by higher Exchange service revenue, partially offset by lower Managed service revenue.
    • Self-service revenue was $8.4 million, up slightly compared with the year ago period and represented 29% of total revenue.
    • The Company on-boarded 18 net new Self-service clients during the quarter, reflecting sales initiatives targeting higher-spend clients and positioning the Company for continued long-term Self service revenue growth.
    • Managed service revenue was $8.7 million compared to $11.8 million in the prior year, primarily reflecting more cautious marketing spend related to geo-political and macro-economic uncertainty.
    • Exchange service revenue increased by 148% from the prior year to $12.0 million, resulting from increased demand from new customers, an enhanced supplier network, and platform improvements.
    • Gross margin was 45% compared to 47% for the same period in 2024, reflecting the change in mix to service lines with lower margins, such as Exchange service.
    • Net revenue, or gross profit (revenue less media-related costs), was $13.1 million, up 13% compared with $11.6 million in the prior year period.
    • Adjusted EBITDA loss was $0.4 million, compared to $0.0 million in the prior year period, primarily attributable to higher operating costs due to higher sales, sales support functions, and marketing costs, partly offset by higher revenue.
    • Net loss was $(1.9) million, compared to $(1.1) million in Q1 2024. The increase in the net loss was primarily a result of higher operating costs due to increased sales and marketing costs and a lower net foreign exchange gain compared to the prior year period, partially offset by higher revenue.
    • On December 23, 2024, the Company commenced a new normal course issuer bid (“2024 NCIB”) for its common shares that will remain open until December 22, 2025, or such earlier time as the 2024 NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of the Company. Under the 2024 NCIB, the Company may purchase for cancellation up to 3,914,167 common shares, representing approximately 10% of the Company’s public float as of December 10, 2024. Daily purchases are limited to 12,518 common shares. For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the company purchased nil common shares pursuant to the 2024 NCIB.

    Simon Cairns, illumin’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our first quarter revenue rose 17% even after a slower start to the period than we anticipated. We responded by adjusting our marketing tests week to week and made several advances in our selling process and sales team, which enabled us to exit the quarter with solid growth, led by a 148% rise in our Exchange service revenue and supported by solid performance in Self-service.”

    “In Exchange service, we continue to create and capture both new and recurring demand at surprising levels, as a result of product and selling investments that have given us some differentiation in a very crowded market. As for Self-service, we successfully added 18 new customers in the quarter, which is in line with our key goal of adding targeted, higher-spend clients in this growth area. Self-service revenue, while up slightly year-over-year, exhibited several solid underlying trends, such as increased customer adoption, spend performance and conversion.”

    “We continue to employ the more customer-centric portfolio platform approach that we launched in the second half of 2024, where customers can pick and choose how they want to be supported. Our efforts to market and sell more effectively continue to yield initial positive results, assisted by our ability to offer our clients a broad range of solutions that fit their needs. We continue to invest in our Self-service platform and Exchange service offering, while balancing this with a focus on maintaining liquidity and cost management across our organization.”

    “We remain focused on our plan – being aggressive in generating better marketing and sales performance, removing friction from our selling processes and furthering our product stickiness as a Self-first platform supported by complimentary Managed and Exchange services,” concluded Mr. Cairns.

    Elliot Muchnik, illumin’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “For what is typically a seasonally slower quarter, our strong year-over-year increase in total revenue reflects exceptional growth in Exchange service due to our initiatives to drive increased demand in this area. Adjusted EBITDA declined slightly despite higher revenues as we continued to make strategic investments in sales and marketing to bolster our long-term growth. As we look ahead, operational discipline continues to be a priority as we aim to grow our Adjusted EBITDA while preserving our substantial net cash position.”

    The following table presents a reconciliation of Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods ended:

          Three months ended
          March 31, March 31,
            2025     2024  
    Net loss for the period     $ (1,854 ) $ (1,138 )
    Adjustments:        
    Finance income, net       (337 )   (506 )
    Foreign exchange gain       (311 )   (1,386 )
    Depreciation and amortization       1,382     1,365  
    Income tax expense (benefit)       (63 )   378  
    Share-based compensation       737     699  
    Severance expenses       34     90  
    Nasdaq-related costs1       –     423  
    Other non-recurring expenses       1     89  
    Total adjustments       1,443     1,152  
    Adjusted EBITDA     $ (411 ) $ 14  

    (1) Nasdaq-related costs are listing fees and directors’ and officers’ insurance specific to the Company’s Nasdaq listing and have been reclassed below Adjusted EBITDA as they are not recurring.

    Conference Call Details:

    Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
    Time: 8:30AM Eastern Time

    To register for the conference call webcast and presentation, please visit:

    https://events.illumin.com/q1-2025-earnings-call

    Please connect 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast.

    A recording of the conference call webcast will be available after the call by visiting the Company’s website at https://illumin.com/investor-information/.

    Non-IFRS Measures

    This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS Accounting Standard measures (“non-IFRS measures”). These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS Accounting Standards (“IFRS”), do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management’s perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We use non-IFRS measures including “revenue less media-related costs”, “Gross margin”, and “Adjusted EBITDA” (as well as other measures discussed elsewhere in this press release).

    The term “Gross margin” refers to the amount that “revenue less media-related costs” represents as a percentage of total revenue for a given period. Gross margin is used for internal management purposes as an indicator of the performance of the Company’s solution in balancing the goals of delivering excellent results to advertisers while meeting the Company’s margin objectives and, accordingly, the Company believes it is useful supplemental information.

    “Adjusted EBITDA” refers to net income (loss) after adjusting for finance costs (income), impairment loss, fair value gain, income taxes, foreign exchange loss (gain), depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, acquisition and related integration costs, severance expenses and adjustments to the carrying value of investment tax credits receivable. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is useful supplemental information as it provides an indication of the results generated by the Company’s main business activities before taking into consideration how those activities are financed and taxed and prior to taking into consideration depreciation of property and equipment and certain other items listed above. It is a key measure used by the Company’s management and board of directors to understand and evaluate the Company’s operating performance, to prepare annual budgets and to help develop operating plans.

    These non-IFRS measures are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We believe that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers, and that these non-IFRS measures are relevant to their analysis of the Company.

    About illumin:

    illumin is evolving the digital advertising landscape by empowering marketers to achieve transformative results through its customer-centric approach. Featuring a unified canvas built around the open web, illumin lets brands and agencies seamlessly plan, build, and execute campaigns across the entire marketing funnel—connecting programmatic channels, email, and social media within a single platform. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, illumin serves clients across North America, Latin America, and Europe. For more information, visit illumin.com.

    Disclaimer with regard to forward looking statements

    Certain statements included herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

    For further information, please contact:

    Steve Hosein
    Investor Relations
    illumin Holdings Inc.
    416-218-9888 ext. 5313
    investors@illumin.com    		   David Hanover
    Investor Relations – U.S.
    KCSA Strategic Communications
    212-896-1220
    dhanover@kcsa.com


    Please note that the following financial information is an extract from the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 (the “Financial Statements”) provided for readers’ convenience and should be viewed in conjunction with the Notes to the Financial Statements, which are an integral part of the statements. The full Financial Statements and MD&A for the period may be found by accessing SEDAR+ at     www.sedarplus.com.

    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
    For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024
    Assets        
             
    Current assets        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 54,013   $ 55,952
    Accounts receivable     27,663     44,650
    Income tax receivable     417     613
    Prepaid expenses and other     3,439     2,864
             
          85,532     104,079
    Non-current assets        
    Other assets     117     115
    Property and equipment     7,102     7,406
    Intangible assets     11,099     9,352
    Goodwill     4,870     4,870
             
          108,720     125,822
             
    Liabilities        
             
    Current liabilities        
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     24,534     39,148
    Income tax payable     80     137
    Borrowings     15     48
    Lease obligations     1,212     1,513
             
          25,841     40,846
    Non-current liabilities        
    Deferred tax liability     661     1,241
    Lease obligations     4,553     4,702
             
          31,055     46,789
             
    Shareholders’ equity     77,283     79,033
             
          108,720     125,822
             

    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share amounts)
    For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

            2025     2024  
             
    Revenue     $ 29,081   $ 24,952  
             
    Media-related costs       15,935     13,327  
             
    Gross profit       13,146     11,625  
             
    Operating expenses        
    Sales and marketing       7,348     5,753  
    Technology       4,338     4,086  
    General and administrative       1,906     2,374  
    Share-based compensation       737     699  
    Depreciation and amortization       1,382     1,365  
             
            15,711     14,277  
             
    Loss from operations       (2,565 )   (2,652 )
             
    Finance income, net       (337 )   (506 )
    Foreign exchange gain       (311 )   (1,386 )
             
            (648 )   (1,892 )
             
    Net loss before income taxes       (1,917 )   (760 )
             
    Income tax expense (benefit)       (63 )   378  
             
    Net loss for the period       (1,854 )   (1,138 )
             
             
    Basic and diluted net loss per share       (0.04 )   (0.02 )
             
    Other Comprehensive Loss        
             
    Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net loss:        
    Exchange loss on translating foreign operations       (389 )   (164 )
             
    Comprehensive loss for the period       (2,243 )   (1,302 )

    illumin Holdings Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
    For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024

          2025       2024  
    Cash provided by (used in)        
             
    Operating activities        
    Net loss for the period   $ (1,854 )   $ (1,138 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows        
    Depreciation and amortization     1,382       1,365  
    Finance income, net     (337 )     (506 )
    Share-based compensation     737       699  
    Foreign exchange gain     (311 )     (1,386 )
    Severance expense     34       90  
    Income tax expense (benefit)     (63 )     378  
    Change in non-cash operating working capital        
    Accounts receivable     16,769       10,447  
    Prepaid expenses and other     (522 )     427  
    Other assets     –       (1 )
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (14,759 )     (6,151 )
    Income taxes paid, net     (349 )     (52 )
    Interest received     363       495  
             
          1,090       4,667  
             
    Investing activities        
    Additions to property and equipment     (47 )     (775 )
    Additions to intangible assets     (2,465 )     (1,761 )
             
          (2,512 )     (2,536 )
             
    Financing activities        
    Repayment of international loans     (33 )     (33 )
    Payment of leases     (533 )     (510 )
    Repurchase of common shares for cancellation     –       (1,912 )
    Proceeds from the exercise of stock options     138       4  
             
          (428 )     (2,451 )
             
    Decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (1,850 )     (320 )
             
    Impact of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents     (89 )     405  
             
    Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period     55,952       55,455  
             
    Cash and cash equivalents – end of period     54,013       55,540  
             
    Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions        
    Unpaid additions (reversals) to property and equipment, net     313       (734 )
             

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free Speech and Scrutiny Vindicated: Gaston Welcomes Standards Commissioner Ruling

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston:

    “I welcome the decision of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Commissioner for Standards to dismiss the complaint lodged against me in relation to questions I asked during a committee session last October.

    “The complaint, submitted by Dr Paschal McKeown of Age NI, concerned my questioning of her colleague, Dr Kelly Turtle. I asked whether Age NI would regard it as transphobic if an elderly person in a care home requested to be assisted by someone of the same biological sex. This is a legitimate and relevant concern, especially in the context of public policy and safeguarding.

    “Rather than receiving an answer, I was subjected to a formal investigation — simply for raising the question and referring to Dr Turtle’s publicly available statements on social media. That investigation has now concluded, and the findings are clear.

    “The Commissioner found that:

    • My questions were consistent with the TUV manifesto, which clearly sets out our stance on transgenderism (Paragraph 42);

    • Restricting MLAs from raising such questions in committee would constitute “an obvious interference with political expression” (Paragraph 45);

    • There was no improper interference with the work of the Assembly (Paragraph 29) and

    • It was not unreasonable for me to have read and referenced Dr Turtle’s public posts (Paragraph 40).

    “This ruling is a welcome affirmation of the essential role that MLAs play in scrutinising public policy—particularly on sensitive and contested matters. As the Commissioner noted:

    “It is Mr Gaston’s role, as a member of that committee, to ask questions of witnesses that appear before it.” (Paragraph 29)

    “That is a basic democratic principle, and I trust the Chair of the Committee, Paula Bradshaw, will reflect carefully on the report’s findings.

    “It is also important to note that the transcript of Ms Bradshaw’s interview with the Commissioner raises troubling suggestions:

    • She claims that witnesses “weren’t there for scrutiny” (page 43) —a fundamental misunderstanding of committee proceedings as illustrated by the Commissioner’s findings;

    • She attempts, without evidence, to suggest that I have acted in a sectarian manner (page 43) – something she couldn’t defend when challenged (see here );

    • She complains that I come “prepared” each week with a list of questions and argues that this goes “against the convention of committees” where, by her own admission in the same interview, MLAs sometimes appear without having even read the papers or even understanding the role of the department (page 45);

    • She even accuses me of “persistent foul play,” citing my appearances on the Nolan Show or articles published in the News Letter (page 46).

    “Scrutiny is not only permitted in the Assembly —it is essential. Attempting to silence MLAs for raising legitimate concerns undermines the integrity of our democracy. All who value freedom of speech and proper scrutiny should welcome this report.

    “I will continue to represent the people who elected me with honesty, conviction, and a determination to speak plainly on issues that matter – including transgender madness.

    “I welcome the fact that since the meeting took place in October the Supreme Court has ruled that single sex spaces should be respected and that elderly people in care homes have a legal right to demand that they receive intimate care from those of the same biological sex. I trust that all charities – including Age NI – have taken note of this and will not have difficulty answering such simple questions going forward.”

    You can read the full report vindicating Mr Gaston and clearing him of all alleged wrongdoing here .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – The first homily of Pope Leo XIV: “Move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 9 May 2025

    Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Below is the full text of Pope Leo XIV’s first homily during his first Mass as Pope. The celebration took place in the Sistine Chapel, the day after his election. The Cardinals who participated in the Conclave and the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, concelebrated with the newly elected Bishop of Rome.I begin with a word in English, the rest is in Italian, but I want to repeat the words from the Responsorial Psalm: “I will sing a new song to the Lord, because he has done marvels”, not just with me but with all of us. My brother Cardinals, as we celebrate mass this morning, I invite you to recognize the marvels that the Lord has done, the blessings that the Lord continues to pour out upon all of us. To the Ministry of Peter you have called me to carry the cross and to be blessed with that mission and I know I can rely on each and everyone of you to walk with me as we continue as a church, as a community of friends of Jesus, as believers to announce the Good News, to announce the Gospel to say: [beginning of the homily in Italian…]”You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). In these words, Peter, asked by the Master, together with the other disciples, about his faith in him, expressed the patrimony that the Church, through the apostolic succession, has preserved, deepened and handed on for two thousand years. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God: the one Saviour, who alone reveals the face of the Father.In him, God, in order to make himself close and accessible to men and women, revealed himself to us in the trusting eyes of a child, in the lively mind of a young person and in the mature features of a man (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22), finally appearing to his disciples after the resurrection with his glorious body. He thus showed us a model of human holiness that we can all imitate, together with the promise of an eternal destiny that transcends all our limits and abilities.Peter, in his response, understands both of these things: the gift of God and the path to follow in order to allow himself to be changed by that gift. They are two inseparable aspects of salvation entrusted to the Church to be proclaimed for the good of the human race. Indeed, they are entrusted to us, who were chosen by him before we were formed in our mothers’ wombs (cf. Jer 1:5), reborn in the waters of Baptism and, surpassing our limitations and with no merit of our own, brought here and sent forth from here, so that the Gospel might be proclaimed to every creature (cf. Mk 16:15).In a particular way, God has called me by your election to succeed the Prince of the Apostles, and has entrusted this treasure to me so that, with his help, I may be its faithful administrator (cf. 1 Cor 4:2) for the sake of the entire mystical Body of the Church. He has done so in order that she may be ever more fully a city set on a hill (cf. Rev 21:10), an ark of salvation sailing through the waters of history and a beacon that illumines the dark nights of this world. And this, not so much through the magnificence of her structures or the grandeur of her buildings – like the monuments among which we find ourselves – but rather through the holiness of her members. For we are the people whom God has chosen as his own, so that we may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light (cf. 1 Pet 2:9).Peter, however, makes his profession of faith in reply to a specific question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (Mt 16:13). The question is not insignificant. It concerns an essential aspect of our ministry, namely, the world in which we live, with its limitations and its potential, its questions and its convictions.“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” If we reflect on the scene we are considering, we might find two possible answers, which characterize two different attitudes. First, there is the world’s response. Matthew tells us that this conversation between Jesus and his disciples takes place in the beautiful town of Caesarea Philippi, filled with luxurious palaces, set in a magnificent natural landscape at the foot of Mount Hermon, but also a place of cruel power plays and the scene of betrayals and infidelity.This setting speaks to us of a world that considers Jesus a completely insignificant person, at best someone with an unusual and striking way of speaking and acting. And so, once his presence becomes irksome because of his demands for honesty and his stern moral requirements, this “world” will not hesitate to reject and eliminate him.Then there is the other possible response to Jesus’ question: that of ordinary people. For them, the Nazarene is not a charlatan, but an upright man, one who has courage, who speaks well and says the right things, like other great prophets in the history of Israel. That is why they follow him, at least for as long as they can do so without too much risk or inconvenience. Yet to them he is only a man, and therefore, in times of danger, during his passion, they too abandon him and depart disappointed.What is striking about these two attitudes is their relevance today. They embody notions that we could easily find on the lips of many men and women in our own time, even if, while essentially identical, they are expressed in different language.Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent. Settings where other securities are preferred, like technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed. A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.Today, too, there are many settings in which Jesus, although appreciated as a man, is reduced to a kind of charismatic leader or superman. This is true not only among non-believers but also among many baptized Christians, who thus end up living, at this level, in a state of practical atheism.This is the world that has been entrusted to us, a world in which, as Pope Francis taught us so many times, we are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Saviour. Therefore, it is essential that we too repeat, with Peter: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16).It is essential to do this, first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion. Then, to do so as a Church, experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the Good News to all (cf. Lumen Gentium, 1).I say this first of all to myself, as the Successor of Peter, as I begin my mission as Bishop of Rome and, according to the well-known expression of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, am called to preside in charity over the universal Church (cf. Letter to the Romans, Prologue). Saint Ignatius, who was led in chains to this city, the place of his impending sacrifice, wrote to the Christians there: “Then I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world no longer sees my body” (Letter to the Romans, IV, 1).Ignatius was speaking about being devoured by wild beasts in the arena – and so it happened – but his words apply more generally to an indispensable commitment for all those in the Church who exercise a ministry of authority. It is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified (cf. Jn 3:30), to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him.May God grant me this grace, today and always, through the loving intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church. (Agenzia Fides, 9/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –