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  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Donald Trump Is Ruining The Economy On Purpose, Everyone Will Pay More For Everything

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke out on the Senate floor today after President Donald Trump announced a new tariff plan that will levy the largest tax hike on middle-class families in a generation and force families to pay an average of $5,000 more each year.

    “Donald Trump is ruining the economy on purpose,” said Senator Schatz. “Starting tomorrow, we’ll be paying more for everything – groceries, food, cars, homes, toys, electronics, everything that you buy. This is about the ability for people to pay for college. This is about the ability for people to retire with dignity and comfort. Trillions of dollars of wealth are being demolished. These are everyday people panicked about how much more expensive their next trip to Walmart or Costco will be, or when they’ll lose their job.”

    The full text of Senator Schatz’s remarks can be found below. Video is available here.

    Donald Trump is ruining the economy on purpose. He is ruining the economy on purpose. I’m not sure if there’s ever been an American president, let alone a chief executive of any country that has ruined the economy on purpose. The stock market had its worst day in five years yesterday, and I just checked before I delivered these remarks. Just five minutes ago, 1600 down on the Dow Jones, the S&P down 5 percent, Nasdaq 4 percent, the Russell 5 percent. What does that mean as a practical matter? It means if you spent all your life working and saving and investing, and you are on the edge of retirement, and let’s say you’ve got $312,000 plus your Social Security income, you just lost 30 grand in two days because of Donald Trump. You lost 10 percent of what you earned over a lifetime. Now, for Howard Lutnick and Elon Musk and Donald Trump and everybody that surrounds him at Mar-a-Lago, they can ride this out. They can short it, they can buy crypto. They can do all kinds of wonderful things to make sure that they can ride this out. Regular people cannot ride this out.

    The dollar hit a six-month low. Layoffs have already started. Consumers are cutting back on spending. And by the way, the data is there. But also just talk to anybody. Just talk to anybody about how they feel about spending right now. And the likelihood of a recession went up 20 percent in a day. JPMorgan now says it’s more than 60 percent likely.

    So what is this even for? Why are people so freaked out? Why is the entire world, from friends and partners to adversaries and enemies, scrambling to retaliate against the United States, the indispensable nation? It’s so that Donald Trump can raise trillions of dollars in revenue to pay for the biggest tax cuts for billionaires in the history of the planet.

    Starting tomorrow, we’ll be paying more for everything – groceries, food, cars, homes, toys, electronics, everything that you buy. Estimates have home prices ballooning by almost $20,000 per unit. Cars will cost $6,000 more. An iPhone, 250 bucks more. Clothing prices will go up by roughly 20 percent. Also, what we’re going to be a textile manufacturer? That’s our goal as a country is to make t-shirts and socks?

    Workers will be laid off, but I guess it’ll all be worth it in the end because this is paid for. What does that mean? It means that in their big budget plan, they need to cut taxes for billionaires, but they don’t have enough money to finance that. And so they’re using tariff revenue to balance out the money that they’re going to shovel to a bunch of billionaires.

    Trump is very famous for having few firm, fixed political beliefs. He’s changed his mind about just about everything, but not on tariffs. He’s a self-proclaimed “tariff man.” He’s repeatedly said that the word tariff is the most beautiful word in the English language. And for years, he’s lavished praise on the 20th century tariffs, which, by the way, helped to deepen the Great Depression. So he’s very happy about all of this. Like there should be no mistaking this is what he intends to do. And this is one of the differences between Trump 1.0 and Trump 2.0. He’s doing all the things. He’s actually going through with it. This is not mean tweets and like normal behavior. This is all of the crazy stuff he’s saying is now being effectuated as public policy, as economic policy, as fiscal policy. He’s going through with it. You can no longer be dismissive of these resistance types, these Democrats, these shrill, these partisans, these people who can’t keep their head on straight. These people who just want to punish Donald Trump for saying: “man, that guy is kind of crazy. He’s going to crash the economy.” He’s literally crashing the economy on purpose.

    The idea that other countries will just graciously pay the tariffs is a fantasy. Much like Trump’s claim that Mexico would pay for the wall. In reality, it’s American importers who pay the tariffs, and then they pass it on to consumers, which is exactly what happened the last time Trump tried to do this. Economists who studied the tariffs that Trump imposed during the first term on certain goods from China found that it was consumers. It was you that paid the price. So here’s roughly how it worked this time around. There’s going to be math involved here. If these tariffs are expected to raise $6 trillion, as Trump says, that would mean collecting something like $600 billion every year over the next ten years. Broken out by household people are looking at $5,000 a year in added costs.

    I bet you Donald Trump doesn’t know anyone personally. Maybe he’s met people, but like in terms of the people he hangs out with that he spends time with, that he likes that he works with, he probably doesn’t know anyone for whom $5,000 is an unmanageable, increased cost. But I know a lot of people like that. In fact, a lot of people in my home state are like that.

    They cannot absorb a $5,000 increase in the cost of everything. And that is before you consider the hundreds of thousands of lost jobs and the devastation of small businesses and farmers and others. One small business owner in Iowa put it this way, “Trump’s calling it Liberation Day. Maybe something like Liberation Day liberated from reality.” Farmer in Kansas agreed.

    “These tariffs are just absolutely bad news that caused the prices for everything that we buy to go up and the prices for everything that we sell to go down.” Everything that we buy is more expensive. Everything that we sell is cheaper. Does that sound like a smart economic plan?

    It’s bad news any way you cut it. But even worse, more confusing, more idiotic, more infuriating is when you look at how they arrived at these rates. These are not actually reciprocal tariffs. Reciprocal tariffs being like essentially country X assesses tariffs in the amount of 15 percent so we reciprocate. We do 15 percent back. This is how they did it.

    They used a one size fits all formula to remake the global trading system. They took our trade surplus with any given country. So the way you do it to do reciprocal tariffs is country X says 10 percent, we go back at 10 percent. What they did is say let’s take our trade surplus, which means what we export minus what we import divided by total exports. And then cut it in half. Why they didn’t cut it in a third? Why they didn’t, you know, do some coefficient other than 50 percent?  I don’t know, but it’s purely arbitrary. So we have an $18 billion trade deficit with Indonesia. We import $28 billion worth of goods from them. 17.9 divided by 28 is 64. Divide that by two and you get 34, which is surprise, surprise, exactly the rate that Trump set for Indonesia. Half of the differential between export exports and imports literally makes no sense. Like you’ve got a bunch of economists right, left and center going WTF? I cannot believe this is bad policy. But also it’s like childish, childish math.

    The White House formula is so bonkers at the same economist that pointed that it pointed to as the basis for the rationale immediately were critical: “they pulled two numbers out of thin air that perfectly cancel each other out. This type of reductionist analysis is very troubling and scares me,” said economics professor Anson Soderbery, whose paper the White House cited even their sources are saying, don’t use my name to justify this nonsense.

    Another economist said that the White House had misunderstood his research, which specifically cautioned against excessively high tariff rates like Trump’s. “Making rates higher is a bad idea for the United States. We use supercomputers to find the optimal tariffs. The Trump administration seems to have taken a bit of a shortcut here. Also, our results suggest that the EU should not be tariffs and yet they set high tariffs against them. Finally, our range of optimal tariffs are substantially lower than the ones the administration just announced.” So if you can believe it, we’re in a situation where economists are using supercomputers to find optimal tariff rates. While the president of the United States is using a formula. And I’m not exaggerating that a fifth grader could solve. Now, whether it’s the Signal chat or this formula, this administration’s incompetence is on display every day.

    It’s why we now have tariffs in places like Herd Island and McDonald Island, where there are no living human beings, only penguins. Or, as the New York Times noted, “Trump’s decision to put a 32 percent tariff on Switzerland stunned politicians and business leaders in the alpine country. Switzerland has an open trade policy and recently abolished all industrial tariffs.” It’s not reciprocal. If they’re not tariffing us. For countries like Brazil, where we have a trade surplus, they still slap 10 percent. Israel reduced their tariffs to zero, still got the 10 percent. This is not a case of a bunch of Democrats crying wolf just to warn the Republicans. The markets are speaking. They are terrified. And this isn’t about a bunch of billionaire corporations and their profitability.

    This is about the ability for people to pay for college. This is about the ability for people to retire with dignity and comfort. Trillions of dollars of wealth are being demolished. These are everyday people panicked about how much more expensive their next trip to Walmart or Costco will be, or when they’ll lose their job. People are already stockpiling supplies. Shortly after Trump’s announcement, JPMorgan described the impact of the tariffs over the next few months like this. “On a static basis, today’s announcement would raise just under 400 billion in revenue, or about 1.3 percent of GDP, which would be the largest tax increase since 1968. The resulting hit to purchasing power could take real disposable personal income growth in the second and third quarters into negative territory, and with it, the risk that real consumer spending could also contract in these quarters. This impact alone could take the economy perilously close to slipping into a recession.”

    Now countries are already responding. So it’s not like this is a static situation which can’t get worse because the retaliations are going on. And this idea that all this is just a leverage play, look, there’s 200 countries that we have some sort of trading arrangement with and Donald Trump is very unpopular so asking a leader of a country or a parliament of a country to waive their tariffs at the end, at the end of a economic gun because Trump is bullying them. It’s like not good domestic politics for them. The best domestic politics for them is to stand up to Donald Trump’s bullying. And that’s bad for all of us. We’re not going to wave our way through 194 trading partners.

    China just imposed a 34 percent reciprocal tariff for our 54 percent tariff on Chinese goods. And in a truly bizarre turn of events, we forced our allies and adversaries to try to find ways to work together. Earlier this week, for the first time in years, China, Japan and South Korea discuss possible of working together on free trade as a response to Donald John Trump.

    This is the most shocking image. This red line continuing to go down precipitously, but among the other most shocking images, there’s a picture of high leaders from Korea… first of all, Korea and Japan are in a better place now. But they are, you know, there have been some diplomatic challenges over the decades and the generations, but they’re in a reasonably good place.

    So just to see them shaking hands is a big deal. But to see them shaking hands, literally holding hands with a high official from China to indicate they’re in this together against us. So it is true that Donald Trump is uniting the world. The problem is he’s uniting the world against us.

    Look, there is a. Real objective here that we’ve been working on for the last four, eight years. And whether it’s chips or it’s cars or it’s clean energy, we’ve actually increased the amount of domestic manufacturing in the United States of America with good industrial policy and targeted trade policy. But this is mayhem. This is mayhem. John Kennedy, the current senator from Louisiana, said it exactly right. He said tariffs are like whiskey. A little bit can be refreshing, can be useful too much – I’m paraphrasing – very bad things happen. Very bad things are happening.

    In the time I took to deliver these remarks, probably some number of tens of billions of dollars of additional wealth from working people was just wiped out. And I want to make one final point, and this is the most important point Republicans can and should stop this, with an exception of maybe 3 or 4 members, almost every Republican senator hates tariffs.

    The question is whether they will stand up to Donald Trump, who has taken this decidedly protectionist, anti-market, super harmful direction. But all we need Republicans are in charge of the Senate is for them to exert their constitutionally given authority over the assessing of tariffs. There is bipartisan momentum in that space. But we are not there because what I’m reading and what I’m hearing is they’re willing to give this a couple of months and let me give you a bunch of free advice to my Republican friends.

    If you’re going to stand up to him in two months, do it now.

    Your people are suffering. People are being laid off. People are about, by the way, most of people, most of what is happening in terms of Trump’s plummeting popularity is what they are seeing on their screens. But in the next week or so, it’s not what they’re seeing in their screens. It’s what they’re seeing when they try to buy something.

    It’s what they’re seeing amongst their friends who are being laid off. This is about to get very real, and I advise you against my own political interests, but in the country’s interests, if you’re going to stand up to him in June, my God, do it now. I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Sanders Call On Trump To Release Ozturk, Khalil, & All Those Targeted For Political Activities Protected By First Amendment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 04, 2025

    Durbin, Sanders to Trump: “Ideas are not illegal, and there is no controversial speech exception to the First Amendment. No president should be allowed to exclude or remove people from our country simply because they disagree with their political speech.”

    WASHINGTON – Following the arrests of Rumeysa Ozturk, Mahmoud Khalil, and reports of numerous other students, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today called on President Donald Trump to release all those targeted solely for political activities protected by the First Amendment and immediately terminate all removal proceedings against those individuals. 

    “We understand Ms. Ozturk’s case to be a part of a pattern of retaliatory action to punish lawful immigrant and foreign students for publicly expressing opinions that your Administration opposes.  This effort threatens the fundamental right to engage in free speech and expression under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution,” the Senators wrote in a letter to President Trump.

    On March 6, the State Department reportedly began a “Catch and Revoke” initiative to use artificial intelligence to review the social media accounts of lawful immigrant and foreign students and revoke their green cards or visas, giving immigration enforcement authorities a basis to detain and deport them. To justify the arrest and detention of Mr. Khalil, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used authority that allows him to deport a noncitizen for “beliefs, statements, or associations” if he “personally determines” that there is a “compelling foreign policy interest” for such deportation.  

    “Congress intended for this authority to ‘be used sparingly and not merely because there is a likelihood that [a noncitizen] will make critical remarks about the United States or its policies.’ Yet, federal agents have arrested noncitizens (including lawful permanent residents) around the country in retaliation for political affiliations or activity,” the Senators wrote. “Secretary Rubio admitted that he has revoked the visas of hundreds of students for First-Amendment protected speech that is disfavored by the current Administration.”   

    Their letter continues, “Ideas are not illegal, and there is no controversial speech exception to the First Amendment. No president should be allowed to exclude or remove people from our country simply because they disagree with their political speech.”

    Their letter concludes, “No one is above the law, and even you must uphold and respect the fundamental American values of free speech and political dissent.”

    Full text of today’s letter is available here and below:

    April 4, 2025

    Dear President Trump:

    Last week, Tufts University Ph.D. candidate Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested and placed in an unmarked car by unknown agents in plainclothes—some masked—claiming to be police.  The agents did not identify themselves or give Ms. Ozturk any information for her arrest and detention.   By the time a judge could issue an order to keep her in Massachusetts, she had been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana.  We understand Ms. Ozturk’s case to be a part of a pattern of retaliatory action to punish lawful immigrant and foreign students for publicly expressing opinions that your Administration opposes.  This effort threatens the fundamental right to engage in free speech and expression under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

    On March 6, the State Department reportedly began a “Catch and Revoke” initiative to use artificial intelligence to review the social media accounts of lawful immigrant and foreign students and revoke their green cards or visas, giving immigration enforcement authorities a basis to detain and deport them.   On March 8, federal authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and lawful permanent resident.   White House officials made clear that he broke no laws, and Mr. Khalil was not issued any official notice explaining why he was subject to removal until after his arrest.   To justify his arrest and detention, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a rarely used authority that allows him to deport a noncitizen for “beliefs, statements, or associations” if he “personally determines” that there is a “compelling foreign policy interest” for such deportation.  

    Congress intended for this authority to “be used sparingly and not merely because there is a likelihood that [a noncitizen] will make critical remarks about the United States or its policies.”   Yet, federal agents have arrested noncitizens (including lawful permanent residents) around the country in retaliation for political affiliations or activity. Secretary Rubio admitted that he has revoked the visas of hundreds of students for First-Amendment protected speech that is disfavored by the current Administration.   

    The First Amendment protects both citizens and noncitizens in the United States from being targeted by the government for their political speech, even if we strongly disagree with their views.   Noncitizens like Mr. Khalil and Ms. Ozturk have the constitutional right to freedom of expression, including taking part in demonstrations and publicly expressing opinions critical of government policy. 

    Ideas are not illegal, and there is no controversial speech exception to the First Amendment.  No president should be allowed to exclude or remove people from our country simply because they disagree with their political speech.  In the words of Justice Robert H. Jackson, “If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion […].”  

    We call on you to abandon this effort, release all those targeted solely for political activities protected by the First Amendment, and immediately terminate all removal proceedings against those individuals.  No one is above the law, and even you must uphold and respect the fundamental American values of free speech and political dissent.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On Senate Republicans Advancing Their Plan To Cut Medicaid & Social Security In Order To Pay For Tax Cuts For Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 05, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement regarding Senate Republicans advancing their budget resolution, which proposes cuts to Medicaid, the Social Security Administration (SSA), veterans’ benefits, and more to pay for tax cuts for billionaires:

    “Last night, Senate Democrats were on the Senate floor fighting for working families one amendment at a time while Republicans struck down each one. Their message was clear: Let’s give billionaires a tax break and have everyday Americans pay for it by slashing Medicaid, Social Security, veterans’ benefits, and more.

    “If Republicans continue to push forward with their cruel and unpopular budget resolution, working families will lose and billionaires will win. It is simple and devastating math.”

    House Republicans have proposed $880 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program in order to pay for President Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires, and Senate Republicans have similarly put this program in the crosshairs. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program provide health coverage to approximately 80 million people nationwide—including nearly 40 million kids, or nearly half of all children in America, as well as 60 percent of seniors in nursing homes. In addition, Medicaid is the largest funder of addiction and mental health treatment.

    In Illinois, 3.4 million people are enrolled in Medicaid, including 1.5 million children. In Illinois, Medicaid covers nearly half of all births, two-thirds of nursing home residents, the majority of patients with behavioral health needs, and is a lifeline for children’s and rural hospitals. Under Republican plans to slash Medicaid, 775,000 adults in Illinois who gained health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act could lose coverage almost overnight.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released.

    Image of a bumblebee collecting pollen from a bluebell.

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released today.  

    Developed by the Government Office for Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) outlines the research and innovation needed around climate adaptation. 

    CARIF is designed to make it easier for government, industry, and research communities to work together to tackle the challenges we face around adapting to climate change. The new framework is the first time the UK research needs across government and across sectors have been brought together in one place.   

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    We are already seeing the impact of climate change and extreme weather on people’s lives, from transport disruption to flooding in people’s homes.  

    This is why, alongside our research into climate adaptation, we are exploring how we can set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.

    Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said:

    We need new research to make the UK more resilient to climate change, and innovation to improve how effectively and affordably we ready systems for change. The UK has world-leading science capabilities which we can harness to ensure we are ready for future climate impacts.  

    We have spoken with academia, industry, UK government and the financial sector to produce this first Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework. It aims to drive use of our science capabilities to address the climate adaptation challenge.

    CARIF covers 11 sectors including nature, working land and seas, food security, water supply, energy, telecommunications and ICT, transport, town and cities and community preparedness/response, buildings, health, and business and finance.  

    Read the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former First Judicial District Employee Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding the District

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    A former employee of the First Judicial District of the State of Iowa who misused credit cards to steal money intended to be used for children in the Juvenile Court System was sentenced today to two months in federal prison.

    Nicole Foelske, age 41, from Jesup, Iowa, received the prison term after a November 14, 2024, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

    In information contained in a plea agreement and disclosed at the sentencing hearing, Foelske admitted she worked in the Juvenile Court Services section of the First Judicial District of the State of Iowa located in Waterloo.  In that position, she was provided with a credit card to purchase items and gift cards for juveniles in the Court system, including juveniles in Child in Need of Assistance cases.  Foelske, however, used the credit card to purchase household items for herself and gift cards from stores and then used the gift cards to either purchase items for herself or to transfer the value of the cards to her bank account.  All told, Foelske made over 200 improper purchases on the credit card totaling more than $100,000.  

    Foelske was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Foelske was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and fined $2,000.  Foelske was also sentenced to serve six months of home confinement following her imprisonment.  She was ordered to make $107,745.46 in restitution to the Iowa Judicial Branch, which Foelske has already paid.  She must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    Foelske was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office.

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-2026.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’

    Government and industry to train up ‘clean power army’ of apprentice engineers, welders, and technicians.

    • Clean energy sector to create thousands of new apprenticeships as part of Plan for Change
    • Energy Secretary tells industry forum that a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians will be required to deliver clean power by 2030, and that government will work with industry to build it, with Regional Skills Pilots in Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire, and Pembrokeshire
    • Work and Pensions Secretary says the government will “give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition”

    Young people will be trained to fill thousands of clean energy jobs and apprenticeships needed to deliver clean power by 2030 as part of the government’s Plan for Change to get Britain working and unlock growth.  

    The Energy Secretary has told industry, unions and trade bodies that the government will work with them to build a clean power army to hit ambitious targets for clean power by 2030 at a forum convened with the Work and Pensions Secretary today (Monday 7 April 2025).  

    The transition to clean power will create thousands of opportunities across the sector, from renewables to upgrading the UK’s grid infrastructure.  

    National Grid alone plans to support around 55,000 more jobs by the end of the decade and SSE Transmission plans are supporting a further 37,000 jobs, 17,500 of which would be in Scotland. Scottish Power’s SP Energy Networks plans to double its transmission workforce to create around 1,400 jobs and support a further 11,000 jobs across the UK – with all 3 plans subject to approvals by the regulator.    

    The government is driving forward with Regional Skills Pilot in the clean energy sector. Aberdeen, Cheshire, Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire have all been identified as key growth regions for clean energy. Local partners will receive funding to identify the skills support that is needed in their area to deliver clean power by 2030, which will protect households and businesses from unstable fossil fuel markets for good. 

    Funding could go towards new training centres, courses or career advisers – supporting local people into opportunities in industries such as welding, electrical engineering, and construction.    

    The government is wasting no time in investing in good jobs for British industries, including thousands of new, skilled jobs being supported in the North East of England as contracts for the first carbon capture, usage and storage were signed in December, following a £21.7 billion commitment from the government to ensure the UK’s vision for CCUS becomes a reality. The government has also invested £55 million for port of Cromarty, to transform it into a major hub for the UK’s world-leading floating offshore wind industry, creating hundreds of skilled jobs and generating growth.  

    The latest CBI Economics figures show jobs supported by net zero sectors increased by 10% last year, with the average annual wage across the sector at £43,000 – £5,600 higher than the national average.  

    The push to support more clean energy jobs comes as the government delivers the most ambitious reforms of the UK’s energy system in a generation and record investment into homegrown clean energy projects. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:  

    The energy sector has always been a source of good, skilled, and unionised jobs for young people across the UK, providing secure, well-paid employment for life.   

    To meet our target to reach clean power by 2030, we need a clean power army of engineers, welders and technicians – giving thousands of young people the opportunity to play a vital role in tackling the climate crisis, increasing our energy security and boosting the economy to deliver our Plan for Change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:    

    With almost a million young people neither earning nor learning it is vital that we give this generation the tools they need to seize the opportunity that is the clean energy transition.  

    Our plan to Get Britian Working will overhaul employment support, giving everyone the tools and skills they need to and build a stronger, more prosperous future for them and their families.

    The government launched its Get Britain Working white paper late last year, outlining the biggest employment reforms in a generation and boost employment including reforming Jobcentres to create a genuinely public employment service so everyone can get personalised skills and employment support, as well as a Youth Guarantee ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn. Alongside government work to drive up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    The government is working closely with employers to train up Britain’s young people to seize clean energy opportunities. Trade unions will also have an essential role in building the UK’s skilled energy workforce, with the government determined to drive world-class pay, terms, and conditions in the clean energy sector. The government is already driving better access and conditions for unions in the energy sector- since July EDF Renewables UK and Ireland have signed one of the first renewables industry recognition agreements with Prospect, Unite, GMB and UNISON.   

    The government has also launched Skills England and the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions.    

    Opportunities are already being created through a number of schemes and initiatives to deliver training and skills for apprentices and workers transitioning from the fossil fuel sector, including innovative schemes such as the:  

    • Skills Passport: This supports oil and gas workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance
    • Your Apprenticeship app: A new app designed by the government with extensive input from apprentices to provide easier access to essential tools, resources, and support to help apprentices to thrive in their qualification

    Whilst driving up employment and opportunities, the renewable sector will also continue to turbocharge the economy.  

    CBI Economics analysis commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit shows that the net zero sector already contributes £83 billion annually to the UK economy, with further investment into projects predicted to grow this even further.  

    Government research has also revealed the extent in which apprenticeships can help drive this growth, with apprentices in England across the economy estimated to create £25 billion of economic growth over their lifetime.  

    Through investment and initiatives, the government will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to deliver clean power by 2030, which will unlock £40 billion of investment a year and reindustrialise Britain with thousands of good jobs across the country. This underscores the government’s commitment to deliver a jobs-rich clean energy transition, putting communities and trade unions at the heart of the UK’s clean energy future.    

    Notes to editors

    Skills is a devolved policy area, and therefore the remit of Skills England and the Your Apprenticeship App will only cover England. However, Skills England will assess skills needs across the whole of the UK and DESNZ is working closely with the devolved governments on ensuring we have the skilled workforce for the clean energy transition, including through the Regional Skills Pilots.   

    The RIIO T3 business plans for the UK’s 3 electricity transmission companies are all subject to approval by the energy regulator Ofgem.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neag School Hosts Book Talk on ‘The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women’s Sports’

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On March 25, students and faculty gathered in the Austin Building at UConn Storrs for a book talk with Jane McManus. Her book “The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women’s Sports” details the progress and reluctance in women’s sports and media.  

    Risa Isard, assistant professor in sport management at the Neag School of Education, moderated the discussion with McManus, posing engaging questions, sparking thoughtful conversation, and keeping the dialogue flowing. She summed up McManus’ bio in one word: impressive.  

    Jane McManus, author of “The Fast Track,” spoke at UConn on March 25.

    McManus currently serves as an adjunct professor at NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport and is also the editor of “The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024.” She previously worked at ESPN as a sports columnist and as one of the founding writers for espnW. 

    One thing McManus reflected on was that UConn is a utopia when it comes to women’s sports. She explained that “it’s the oasis in the desert. Of course, people can care about women’s sports; look at what’s happening in Connecticut.”

    In reality, women’s sports still face significant disparities in funding, media coverage, and institutional support. Title IX, a federal law enacted in 1972, was designed to prohibit sex-based discrimination in educational institutions, including their athletic programs, that receive federal funding.  

    McManus’ book highlights how sponsorships, expanded broadcasts, and rising ratings debunk myths about disinterest in women’s sports. She examines resistance to women’s leagues, media coverage, and investment opportunities through interviews. She also addresses racial inclusivity, transgender participation, women’s health, and the fight for equal pay. 

    “I think sometimes we talk about things as though they’re inevitable and trajectories as though they’re straight lines up,” McManus said to students at the event. “And I think it’s really important to acknowledge that there are waves and waves dissipate. So really guard the gains that are coming now for your generation when it comes to sports and a lot of other rights, particularly in this country.” 

    McManus explores traditional coverage archetypes within this context, opening her book with the story of Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an official participant. A widely recognized photograph from the event depicts Switzer’s boyfriend intervening to “protect” her from the race director who attempted to physically remove Swizter from the course. 

    Both sport management and journalism students connected with McManus’ narrative, gaining insight into how sports media shape the industry. The event sparked conversations about the evolving landscape of sports coverage, opening students’ eyes to career opportunities in storytelling, marketing, athlete representation, and media strategy within the sports world.

    [UConn is] the oasis in the desert. Of course, people can care about women’s sports; look at what’s happening in Connecticut. &#8212 Jane McManus

    Laura Burton, professor and head of the Department of Educational Leadership, was initially contacted about hosting McManus to discuss the release of her book. She worked alongside Isard and assistant professor in residence Danielle DeRosa to organize the event.  

    “Jane McManus is one of the leading sports writers of our time,” Burton said. “She is an authority on women’s sports and has helped create media platforms to showcase all that is great about women’s sports. She has also used those platforms to put a spotlight on issues and challenges girls and women face in sports. We were thrilled to have Jane share her work with students and faculty at UConn.”  

    The Neag School’s Sport Management Program is designed to blend classroom learning, research, and hands-on experience to prepare students for success in the sports industry. Its mission is to develop leaders and researchers who use sport as a force for positive social change, and this book talk provided the opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to hear first-hand from an expert in the field.  

    “Jane’s talk was a really exciting opportunity for sport management students, and others across the University, to hear directly from a sport journalist and learn about the backstory of women’s sport,” Isard said. “This event came at the perfect time, with March Madness happening across the country during a time of great growth for women’s sport. Jane’s book helps tell the story of how we got here.” 

    To learn more about UConn’s Sport Management Program, visit sport.education.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn, URI, and General Dynamics Electric Boat Launch Workforce Development Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The University of Connecticut and University of Rhode Island (URI) were jointly awarded a 5-year contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to provide regional workforce development support to the Maritime Industrial Base.

    The ANCHOR (Advancing Naval Careers through Higher-ed Outreach and Research) grant was celebrated in a launch event at UConn Avery Point on April 3. Representatives from UConn, URI, GDEB, and local and state governments were present to support the extensive program.

    The contract will support ongoing activities and drastically expand the work of the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition, which, since 2017, has developed a K-16 pipeline across southern New England to encourage both the skilled trades and engineering careers needed to build submarines.

    The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition was established in 2017 through the leadership of Michael Accorsi at UConn and David Taggart at URI via funding from the Office of Naval Research. In 2021, the program was expanded under the current leadership of Alexandra Hain at UConn and Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi at URI, through a grant from the DoDSTEM National Defense Education Program. Hain and Maier-Speredelozzi will continue as the institutional leads of the contract.

    U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, whose Congressional district includes southeastern Connecticut, also attended Thursday.

    UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao addresses the audience. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    “There’s no question that shipyard workloads’ are going to continue well into the 2040s,” Courtney said. “That means the people that are going to be working the yards are in grade schools today… That’s really what is the genius about this whole initiative. It’s to get undergraduate engineering students into young classrooms, because that’s really where the magic is.”

    U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) was unable to attend the event, but sent his regards for the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition via a letter recited that evening.

    UConn and URI Engineering leadership were pleased by the partnership and the renewed contract.

    “By working alongside URI and General Dynamics Electric Boat, we are not only advancing naval engineering and skilled trades but also inspiring a pipeline of talent to meet the demands of this vital sector,” said UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao. “The coalition’s efforts will have a substantial impact on southern New England and beyond, ensuring that our students and workforce are equipped to lead in submarine production and innovation for decades to come.”

    “The Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island region – which includes two public flagship research universities, GDEB’s campuses in Groton and Quonset Point, and U.S. Navy operations in New London and Newport – is the undisputed global epicenter of submarine research, development and manufacturing,” said URI Engineering Dean Anthony Marchese. “For decades, UConn and URI have responded to the research and workforce development needs of our regional Maritime Industrial Base partners and we are proud to continue to fulfill that mission through the ANCHOR program.”

    In the last three years, the coalition has steadily increased its presence across southern New England, engaging over 13,000 students in the fundamentals of naval science and engineering. The Navy STEM Coalition’s staff and engineering university student members have taught Connecticut and Rhode Island students the fundamentals of buoyancy, additive manufacturing, and the core trades essential to submarine production through over 75 regional classroom visits and more than 20 large-scale outreach events nationwide. The coalition has also engaged and trained dozens of teachers through programs ranging from day-long workshops to year-long residencies.

    (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    Maier-Speredelozzi said, “Inspiring undergraduates and K-12 students to pursue STEM careers is always rewarding, and we are excited to expand our outreach with K-12 teachers. When we work with teachers, we magnify the impact to include not only the students in their classes today, but also for years to come.”

    Looking forward, the ANCHOR contract will enable the coalition to significantly increase activities in the region, including the development of multiple new summer programs at both campuses for K-12 students, undergraduate summer researchers, and pre-service teachers.

    Thursday’s event also included the recognition of several URI and UConn students. The UConn winners included: Adeline Smith for the Naval Engineering Achievement Award, Jada Veracosa for the Navy STEM Excellence in Engineering Education Award, and Oliver MacKinnon for the Naval STEM Rising Star Award.

    The URI winners included: Olivia Daniello for the Navy STEM Excellence in Education Award, Sam Miller for the Naval Engineering Achievement Award, Hope Kelley for the Naval STEM Rising Star Award, and Megan Gimple for the Naval STEM Graduate Student Award.

    Regarding the growth of K-12 summer programming, Hain said, “Through targeted summer programs in engineering and skilled trades, we are committed to preparing students for careers in the submarine industrial base. By offering partial and full scholarships, along with free options, we’re dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of talent, breaking down barriers to ensure that a skilled workforce is ready to meet the unique demands of submarine production and innovation.”

    The coalition will also offer significant funding for those already working within the industrial base to come back to either UConn or URI for graduate school in a partnership with the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, the premier fundamental research facility for submarine development in the region.

    In expanding to support GDEB and the wider industrial base, the coalition will establish a comprehensive pipeline for submarine production from elementary education to graduate school, ensuring students in southern New England are supported in their path to building the future of the underwater fleet.

    Leadership from UConn, URI, and GDEB with student award winners. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    “The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition recognizes the critical support from the ANCHOR contract, managed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and funded by the U.S. Navy through the Maritime Industrial Base Program, which enables continued investment in workforce development and STEM education,” said Erica Logan, the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Deputy Director of Workforce.

    With the United States Navy indicating that the Maritime Industrial Base will need over 150,000 new employees in the next decade to meet procurement demands, the submarine sector will be vibrant for decades to come. Once called “the Silicon Valley of undersea warfare” by former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, southern New England is set to see much of that growth, and thus is in vital need of the pipeline development GDEB and the coalition will be achieving through this partnership.

    “The ANCHOR program demonstrates the power of public institutions investing in their local communities and their student body by leveraging the private sector of the Maritime Industrial Base,” said Sean Morrone, Electric Boat’s Manager of Supplier and Workforce Development. “Partnerships like this create a sustainable impact on the economic growth and community well-being of our region.”

    Meeting the needs of the Maritime Industrial Base at this time requires innovative collaborations between industry, government, and academia, and the coalition is eager to continue inspiring the next generation to “build giants.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: Republicans are United in Delivering Trump’s Pro-Growth Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) discussed the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Resolution that lays the groundwork to make permanent and build on the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, ensuring American families can keep more of their hard-earned money and stop financing Washington’s spending problem.
    As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Crapo explained that the resolution’s instructions would unlock the ability for Congress to prevent a more-than $4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses, provide certainty and predictability by making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent, and deliver additional middle-class tax relief. 
    Crapo also emphasized Republicans’ commitment to restoring fiscal sanity by achieving deficit reduction, noting that spending reforms are the best way to achieve that goal, not imposing the largest tax hike in our country’s history. 

    Full remarks as delivered:
    “The problem that we have in America is not that our taxes are too low, but that our spending is too high.
    “Republicans are unified in delivering—as President Trump calls it—one big, beautiful bill for the American people. 
    “But what does this bill include?
    “The FY 2025 Budget Resolution fulfills promises to secure America’s borders, increase our national defense, unleash our energy potential and finally start to get our fiscal house in order. 
    “I agree completely with my colleague – we have got to reduce our spending and this bill contains a target with a minimum floor of $2 trillion in spending reduction in our federal budget. 
    “Importantly, it also lays the groundwork to make permanent and build on the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts so that American families can keep more of their hard-earned money and stop financing Washington’s spending problem.
    “Our conference is united in preventing an over-$4 trillion tax hike on American families and businesses and delivering additional tax relief to those who have suffered under four years of inflation.
    “We are united in making this proven tax policy permanent to provide the certainty that businesses need to make the long-term investments that drive growth, and the stability that families need as they save and plan for the future.
    “We are also unified in our resolve to restore fiscal sanity and know that the best way to do so isn’t to tax hardworking Americans more—it’s to spend less.
    “While many tend to focus on the policy disagreements that occur—as they should—in these halls, the reality is Republicans are completely unified in delivering on President Trump’s agenda, a major portion of which is to restore the economic prosperity experienced under his previous presidency.
    “Let’s just look back for a minute at the bill we’re trying to extend and make permanent now.
    “Most Americans don’t pay attention to the minutia of tax policy.  But if you ask them, the majority will tell you they’d rather keep more of their money than let the government spend it, and that’s exactly what the 2017 tax cuts did.
    “Those Trump Tax Cuts lowered tax rates for the overwhelming majority of Americans, simplified the tax code, and encouraged companies to do business in the United States instead of abroad.
    “In addition to lowering rates across the board, it provided targeted tax relief to middle-class working families by doubling the standard deduction and the child tax credit, and to small businesses by providing a new 20 percent deduction, enabling America’s entrepreneurs to create new jobs, increase workers’ wages and reinvest in their business.
    “The majority of benefits from the Trump Tax Cuts, contrary from what you’ve heard today from the other side, flowed to working middle-class families—the bottom 50 percent of earners received the largest reduction in average tax rates at 17.3 percent. 
    “Contrary to claims that the benefits were only for ‘billionaires and corporations,’ the Trump Tax Cuts actually made the tax code even more progressive.  Meaning that the highest income earners now pay a greater share of all income taxes than they did before, and if we can extend this tax cut, that will continue to be the case.
    “The generational reforms we made in 2017 were designed to strengthen investment, boost economic growth, increase take-home pay and reduce poverty, and it worked.
    “Not only did taxpayers keep more of their hard-earned money, but a growing economy powered median household income to an all-time high.
    “The labor market improved, workers saw record wage growth and the unemployment rate fell dramatically to 3.5 percent—the lowest in 50 years. 
    “And the lowest-income workers experienced the largest wage growth.
    “There was a capital formation explosion in the United States, and corporate inversions—corporations leaving America—became a thing of the past as companies came back home and America became the place to do business again.
    “All Americans reaped the benefits of a booming economy. 
    “Extending this current, proven tax policy—and building on it—is the best way to restore economic prosperity and opportunity for working families, many of whom are still struggling to recover from the historic inflation of the last four years.
    “Tonight, I expect we’ll hear once again the ‘politics of fear’ at work as my Democrat colleagues claim all sorts of dire things will happen so that Republicans can cut taxes for the wealthy. 
    “This attack has been used for nearly a decade, and it’s just as false now as it has been in the past.
    “Americans should not be scared by these falsehoods. 
    “What they should be alarmed by is what my colleagues and I are committed to preventing: the largest tax hike in history that will occur if we do not extend the current Trump’s Tax Cuts.
    “Middle-class Americans and small businesses will pay the highest price. 
    “If the tax cuts expire:
    There will be a $4+ trillion tax hike on all Americans.
    More than $2.6 trillion of that tax increase will hit people who earn less than $400,000 per year.
    The average American household will see a more-than $1,700 increase in their tax bill.
    An over $600 billion tax increase on more than 20 million small business owners, who could face rates as high as 43.4 percent. 
    Families would have their child tax credit slashed in half from $2,000 to $1,000.
    The standard deduction, claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers, would be cut in half.
    The economic cost has been estimated to be 6 million jobs; $540 billion in employee compensation, and $1.1 trillion of GDP.
    “Republicans are united in our efforts to prevent these damaging consequences.
    “Not only are we focused on extending these proven tax policies, but we are committed to making this growth in our economy permanent so that we don’t have to face these dire consequences in the future. 
    “Permanent tax policies promote stability and lead to more pronounced economic effects than temporary ones. 
    “Making the Trump Tax Cuts permanent will provide businesses the certainty and stability they need to make the long-term investments that drive growth, accelerate productivity and increase prosperity across all segments of the economy.
    “Studies find that a permanent extension of TCJA would increase long-run GDP by 1.1 percent and increase after-tax income for Americans of all income levels. 
    “Making the small-business deduction alone permanent is estimated to create 1.2 million jobs annually over the first ten years, increasing to 2.4 million in the long run.
    “The President’s Council of Economic Advisers just released an analysis that says extending the Trump Tax Cuts, combined with other pro-growth economic policies that we are pursuing, would:
    Boost the level of short-run real GDP by 3.3 to 3.8 percent and long-run real GDP by 2.6 to 3.2 percent;
    Raise annual real wages by $2,100 to $3,300 per worker;
    Increase real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by roughly $4,000 to $5,000;
    Save over 4 million full-time equivalent jobs from being destroyed; and
    Facilitate $100 billion of investment in distressed communities.
    “That analysis also projects that extending these tax cuts, ’together with the full suite of Trump Administration policies—such as deregulation, which the CEA previously estimated would add 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points to real GDP growth rates over a decade—is expected to result in 3.0 percent annual real GDP growth rates over the next 10 years.’ 
    “Now what does that mean?
    “According to CEA, that 3.0 percent annual real GDP growth will result in $4.1 trillion in additional revenue to the Treasury to help us deal with our national debt.
    “$4.1 trillion dollars.
    “To unleash that growth, the best way to make these tax cuts permanent is by using a current policy baseline: this is the scoring method that more accurately reflects reality. 
    “The average American easily understands there is a difference between a tax increase and a spending cut. 
    “However, there’s an inherent bias in Congress’s scoring process where tax policy is treated differently than spending policy. 
    “If tax rates are scheduled to increase, like they are right now if we don’t act, preventing that tax hike is counted as a ‘cost’ in uncollected future revenue. 
    “But many spending programs are assumed to be extended beyond their expiration, so the spending just continues and continues, unabated, which the budget rules say do not have any cost.  That’s what we’re trying to fix today in this bill.
    “In fact, there is $2.5 trillion in spending that is automatically extended by our budget rules over the next ten years under a current policy baseline.
    “Even the Obama White House has used a current policy baseline for tax policy. They recognized there’s a difference between increasing taxes and cutting spending.
    “In 2013, they argued that a ‘current policy baseline to be the appropriate reference point, since it measures changes relative to the status quo, rather than the mix of expiring provisions and policy changes that would likely never be implemented.’
    “Interpreted, what they said is exactly what I’ve been saying.  You can’t say that just keeping the tax rates where they are and not raising them is the same as spending more money.
    “We need to level the playing field and sever the connection that creates a tax-and-spend budgeting process in Congress.
    “And that’s another thing that we’re going to do today.
    “Critics—who have been strangely silent over the years as trillions of dollars in spending has been automatically extended under a current policy baseline—now take offense to correcting the bias toward forcing federal spending. 
    “As applied only to tax policy, those critics assert that we’ll be increasing the deficit by using a current policy baseline, or we’re using this baseline to ‘hide the cost.’
    “Let me be very clear: we are not hiding the score that JCT or CBO would assign the bill under a current law baseline.  In fact, I like to see that score – it shows the amount of the tax increase that my colleagues on the other side are trying to push onto the American people.
    “But let’s be fully transparent—both an estimate based on current policy and one based on current law will be released when we consider this bill on the Senate floor, and then Americans can see what kind of savings have been given to them by not raising their taxes.
    “Under our existing tax regime, the tax revenue to GDP ratio this year will be 17.1 percent, meaning we will raise taxes for the federal Treasury—under our current tax policy—at about 17.1 percent of GDP.  It will also be about the same next year if we don’t let the taxes go up, meaning that the revenue will not appreciably change.
    “Yet my colleagues on the other side say it’s going to spike a hole in the deficit—why? Because they won’t get their hands on that $4 trillion of new tax revenue out of the American people.
    “This would not increase the debt relative to GDP; it would simply prevent a tax increase. 
    “And we need to be honest about what those tax increases would and would not do. 
    “Those who say we should let taxes go back up say, ‘Wow, then we could use it to pay down the national debt some more.’
    “Every tax increase that Congress has adopted for as long as I can remember was not used to pay down the national debt; it was used by Congress to spend more money.
    “Congress does not have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem.
    “Senate Republicans are united in our desire to take concrete steps to address our deficit and get our fiscal house in order.
    “Because the bill we’re debating today is within the confines of reconciliation, the scores and numbers that we’ll be discussing don’t reflect the full fiscal picture.
    “In order to have an honest discussion, there needs to be an acknowledgment that there are other factors at play that can generate economic growth and reductions in spending.
    “What am I talking about?  Economic growth.  As I indicated in one of the charts that we had up, the estimates from the CEA are that if we make the tax policy permanent, the confidence that will give our economy and the boost it will give our economy through proper tax incentive policy will grow the economy by as much as $4 trillion to the federal treasury.
    “The President is also directly impacting government spending through his efforts with the Department of Government Efficiency, aggressively cutting waste, fraud and abuse from our government programs.
    “Spending on federal government programs has ballooned in recent years.  We have a responsibility to evaluate these spending increases to ensure these programs work efficiently and effectively for everyone.  
    “The President has also undertaken, and will likely pursue more, deregulation efforts, which have as big of an impact on revenues and economic growth as tax policy does, and we should recognize that.
    “The bottom line is, in addition to the actions that Congress can take, there are activities that the President is currently engaged in that will impact our fiscal policy by either reducing spending or increasing revenue, and we should take those into consideration.
    “Congress must begin the process of restoring fiscal sanity by achieving deficit reduction, and spending reforms are the best way to achieve that goal. 
    “In contrast, imposing the largest tax hike in our country’s history would be counterproductive by easing the glide path for even more spending.
    “We will be having a very robust debate in the weeks ahead about the best way to deliver on President Trump’s agenda, and I look forward to those discussions.
    “This budget resolution unlocks the process to allow us to strengthen our national security, secure our borders, permanently extend the Trump Tax Cuts and provide additional middle-class tax relief.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Notice of Annual General Meeting in Karolinska Development AB (publ)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The shareholders of Karolinska Development AB (publ), reg. no. 556707-5048, (“Karolinska Development” or the “Company”) are invited to the Annual General Meeting, on Thursday May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (CEST), at Nanna Svartz väg 2, 171 65 Solna, Sweden.

    The Board of Directors has resolved that shareholders shall have the right to exercise their voting rights in advance through postal voting pursuant to item 13 in the articles of association. Therefore, shareholders may choose to exercise their voting rights at the AGM by attending in person, by postal voting or through a proxy.

    Participation in person

    A shareholder who would like to participate at the AGM in person must:

    both be entered in the register of the shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB by Wednesday May 7, 2025,

    and give notice of his or her intention to participate to the Company no later than Friday May 9, 2025, at the address Karolinska Development, “AGM”, Nanna Svartz väg 6A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden, or through email eva.montgomerie@karolinskadevelopment.com. When giving notice to participate, please provide name, personal identity number or company registration number, telephone number and number of represented shares.

    Participation by postal voting

    Shareholders who wish to participate in the AGM by postal voting must:

    both be registered in the register of shareholders maintained by Euroclear Sweden AB as per Wednesday May 7, 2025,

    and notify their intention to participate by submitting their postal vote in accordance with the instructions below, so that the postal vote is received by Karolinska Development no later than Friday May 9, 2025.

    Shareholders may exercise their voting rights at the AGM by voting in advance through postal voting pursuant to item 13 in the articles of association, referring to Chapter 7, Section 4 a of the Swedish Companies Act.

    For advance voting, a special form must be used. Forms in Swedish and English are available for download on the Company’s website, www.karolinskadevelopment.com.The advance voting form is valid as notification of participation at the AGM.

    The completed advance voting form must be received by the Company no later than Friday May 9, 2025. The completed form shall be sent to Karolinska Development by e-mail to eva.montgomerie@karolinskadevelopment.com or by regular mail to Karolinska Development, “AGM”, Nanna Svartz väg 6A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden. The shareholder may not provide special instructions or conditions in the advance voting form. If so, the vote (i.e. the advance vote in its entirety) is invalid. Further instructions and conditions are provided in the form for advance voting.

    Those who wish to withdraw a submitted postal vote and instead exercise their voting rights by participating in the AGM in person or through a proxy must give notice thereof to the AGM’s secretariat prior to the opening of the AGM.

    Participation by proxy

    If the shareholders are represented by proxy, a written proxy must be issued and submitted to the Company at the above address well in advance of the AGM. The proxy is valid during the period set forth in the proxy, however, at most five years from the issuance. If a proxy is issued by a legal entity, a copy of the legal entity’s registration certificate or similar document evidencing signatory powers must be enclosed. Proxy forms in Swedish and English are available for download on the Company’s website, www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

    Nominee registered shares

    For shareholders who have their shares nominee-registered through a bank or other nominee, the following applies in order to be entitled to participate in the meeting. In addition to giving notice of participation, such shareholder must re-register its shares in its own name so that the shareholder is registered in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of the record date Wednesday May 7, 2025. Such re-registration may be temporary (so-called voting rights registration). Shareholders who wish to register their shares in their own names must, in accordance with the respective nominee’s routines, request that the nominee make such registration. Voting rights registration that have been requested by the shareholder at such time that the registration has been completed by the nominee no later than Friday May 9, 2025, will be taken into account in the preparation of the share register.

    Proposal for agenda

    1.    Election of chairman of the meeting
    2.    Preparation and approval of the voting list
    3.    Approval of the agenda
    4.    Election of one or two persons to verify the minutes
    5.    Determination of whether the meeting was duly convened
    6.    Presentation of the annual report and the auditor’s report and the group annual report and the auditor’s group report
    7.    Resolutions regarding
    a)   adoption of the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet, and consolidated profit and loss statement and consolidated balance sheet
    b)   appropriation of the Company’s result according to the adopted balance sheet
    c)   discharge from liability for the directors and the CEO
    8.    Resolution regarding the number of directors and auditors and deputy auditors to be appointed
    9.    Resolution in respect of the fees for the Board of Directors and for the auditors
    10.    Election of chairman of the Board of Directors, directors and auditors and deputy auditors
    11.    Principles for appointing members and instruction for the Nomination Committee
    12.    Resolution on approval of the Board of Directors’ Remuneration Report 2024
    13.    The Board of Directors’ proposal regarding authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on transfer of own shares
    14.    The Board of Directors’ proposal regarding authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues of shares
    15.    Closing of the meeting

    Items 1 and 8–11: The Nomination Committee’s proposal regarding chairman at the meeting; number of directors, auditors and deputy auditors to be appointed; fees for the Board of Directors and auditors; election of chairman of the Board of Directors, directors, auditors and deputy auditors and principles for appointing members and instruction for the Nomination Committee

    The Nomination Committee has consisted of Yan Cheng (chairman), appointed by Worldwide International Investments Ltd; Jack Li, appointed by invoX Pharma Ltd; Jan Dworsky, appointed by Swedbank Robur Microcap fond; Hans Wigzell, appointed by Insamlingsstiftelsen för främjande och utveckling av medicinsk forskning vid KI; Peter Markborn, appointed by Styviken Invest AS.

    The Nomination Committee proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves as follows:

    Lawyer Annika Andersson (Cirio Law Firm) is appointed to chair the Annual General Meeting.

    The number of directors will be five and no deputies will be appointed.

    The number of auditors will be one and no deputy auditor will be appointed.

    The chairman will be paid a fixed amount of SEK 400,000 to be paid out in proportion to board meetings attended. All other directors will be paid a fixed amount of SEK 200,000 to be paid out in proportion to board meetings attended. The fees to the directors remain unchanged compared to previous year.

    The auditors will be paid as per invoice.  

    Re-election of the directors Ben Toogood, Anna Lefevre Skjöldebrand, Philip Duong and Will Zeng, and election of Anders Härfstrand as director for the time until the end of the 2026 Annual General Meeting.

    Re-election of Ben Toogood as new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

    Anders Härfstrand was born 1956. He holds a M.D and Ph.D from the Karolinska Institute. His other appointments include work as founder of Härfstrand Consulting AG, Switzerland, co- founder of P4BIOS, USA and consultant to CIS Biopharma, Switzerland. Anders Härfstrand has many years of experience from the pharmaceutical industry with a global track record of success in building commercial operations, marketing and sales management, and product development. His previous assignments include member of the executive management of Pharmacia, Pfizer-Japan and Serono, CEO for various European biotech companies as well as chairman of the board and board member of public and private companies in the USA and Europe. He has also been a former board member of Karolinska Development. Anders Härfstrand holds no shares in Karolinska Development. He is independent in relation to the Company, its executive management and the Company’s major shareholders.

    The composition of the Board of Directors meets the independence requirement of the Swedish Corporate Governance Code.

    The Nomination Committee proposes that voting shall take place individually.

    Re-election of Ernst & Young Aktiebolag as auditor in accordance with the audit committee’s recommendation, currently with Oskar Wall as auditor in charge, for the time until the end of the 2026 Annual General Meeting. The audit committee has prior to the 2025 Annual General Meeting carried out a procurement process as procurement of audit in accordance with applicable legislation shall take place after the same accounting firm has been auditor for a ten-year period.  

    The Nomination Committee shall have five members. Every year, the five largest owners (voting power, as set forth in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB as of the last banking day in August) shall appoint one member each. The chairman of the Board of Directors shall convene the first meeting. If a shareholder does not exercise its right to appoint a member, the shareholder next in order of voting power, who has not already appointed a member or has a right to appoint a member, shall have the right to appoint a member to the Nominating Committee. The members of the Nomination Committee shall be made public as soon as the members have been appointed, and in no case later than six months prior to the Annual General Meeting. The members shall among themselves appoint the chairman of the committee. If a member resigns or is prevented from pursuing his/her assignment, the shareholder that has appointed such member shall appoint a new member. In the event that the shareholding in the Company is materially changed, before the Nomination Committee has completed its assignment, the Nomination Committee may decide to change the composition of the Nomination Committee, as determined by the Nomination Committee (considering the principles applicable for the appointment of the Nomination Committee). Any change in the composition of the Nomination Committee shall be announced as soon as possible. No fees shall be paid to the members of the Nomination Committee. Out of pocket expenses shall be reimbursed by the Company. The mandate of the committee shall be until the members of the succeeding committee have been announced.

    The Nomination Committee is to make proposals to the Annual General Meeting regarding the election of Chair of the Annual General Meeting, number of board members, Chair of the Board and other board members and remuneration to the board members. The Nomination Committee is also to make proposals regarding the Company’s auditor, remuneration to the Company’s auditor and election of members of the Nomination Committee or principles for the selection of a Nomination Committee. The Nomination Committee shall conduct an annual evaluation of this instruction and when necessary propose to amend it to the Annual General Meeting. The Nomination Committee shall otherwise carry out the tasks that, according to the Swedish Corporate Governance Code, are the responsibility of the Nomination Committee.

    Item 7 b: Appropriation of the Company’s result according to the adopted balance sheet

    The Board of Directors and the CEO propose that the amount at disposal of the Annual General Meeting, in total SEK 1,235,972,877, shall be carried forward.

    Item 12: Resolution on approval of the Board of Directors’ Remuneration Report 2024

    The Board of Directors proposes that the AGM approve the Board of Directors’ remuneration report for 2024 in accordance with Chapter 8, Section 53 a of the Swedish Companies Act.

    Item 13: The Board of Directors’ proposal regarding authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on transfer of own shares

    The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorize the Board of Directors, for the period until the next Annual General Meeting, on one or more occasions, with or without deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights, to resolve on transfer of all shares of series B held by the Company at any given time. The Company holds 244,285 shares of series B at the time of the publication of this notice. Transfer may take place on Nasdaq Stockholm or otherwise. Transfer on Nasdaq Stockholm shall be made at a price per share within the registered price interval at any given time, being the interval between the highest bid and lowest ask price. Otherwise, transfer shall be made on market terms. Payment for shares shall be made in cash, in kind or by set-off.

    The purpose of the authorization for transferring own shares and the reasons for potential deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights, is to give the Board of Directors the possibility to adjust the Company’s capital structure, to use repurchased shares as payment for, or financing of, acquisitions or investments in order to create increased value for the shareholders.

    A resolution in accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal requires support from shareholders with not less than 2/3 of votes cast as well as shares represented at the meeting.

    Item 14: The Board of Directors’ proposal regarding authorization for the Board of Directors to resolve on new issues of shares

    The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting resolves to authorize the Board of Directors, for the period until the next Annual General Meeting to resolve, on one or more occasions, with or without deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights, and for payment in cash, by set-off or in kind, to issue new shares of series B up to a number that, at the time of the first resolution under this authorization, corresponds to twenty (20) per cent of the total share capital; provided however that any such issue must not result in the Company’s share capital exceeding the Company’s maximum allowed share capital as set out in the articles of association.

    A resolution in accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal requires support from shareholders with not less than 2/3 of votes cast as well as shares represented at the meeting.

    Miscellaneous

    The annual report, auditor’s report, remuneration report and other documents that are to be made available in accordance with the Swedish Companies Act, are available at the Company on Nanna Svartz väg 2, 171 65, Solna, Sweden and at the Company’s website, www.karolinskadevelopment.com, no later than three weeks before the AGM, and will be sent to shareholders who so request and provide their postal address.

    The Board of Directors and the CEO shall, if requested by any shareholder and if the Board of Directors is of the opinion that it can be done without causing material harm to the Company, provide disclosures about conditions that may impact assessment of an item of business on the agenda, about conditions that may impact assessment of the Company’s or a subsidiary’s financial situation, and about the Company’s relationship with another group company.

    As per the date of this notice, there are 270,077,594 shares, representing a total of 293,074,943 votes outstanding in the Company, distributed among 2,555,261 shares of series A (with 25,552,610 votes) and 267,522,333 shares of series B (with 267,522,333 votes). As per the date of this notice, the Company holds 244,285 treasury shares of series B.

    Processing of personal data

    For information on how your personal data is processed in connection to the Annual General Meeting see the privacy policy available on Euroclear Sweden AB’s website: https://www.euroclear.com/dam/ESw/Legal/Privacy-notice-bolagsstammor-engelska.pdf

    Solna in April 2025
    Karolinska Development AB (publ)
    The Board of Directors

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Lánasjóður sveitarfélaga – Útboð LSS 39 0303 og LSS151155

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Lánasjóður sveitarfélaga hefur ákveðið að efna til útboðs á skuldabréfaflokkunum LSS 39 0303 og LSS151155 fimmtudaginn 10. apríl 2025. Lánasjóðurinn stefnir að því að taka tilboðum að fjárhæð 500 til 1.500 milljónir króna að nafnvirði í skuldabréfaflokknum LSS151155 og að fjárhæð 500 til 1.500 milljónir króna að nafnvirði í skuldabréfaflokknum LSS 39 0303. Lánasjóðurinn áskilur sér rétt til að hækka og lækka útboðsfjárhæð útboðsins, taka hvaða tilboði sem er eða hafna þeim öllum. Lánasjóðurinn hefur boðið aðalmiðlurum sjóðsins Arion banka, Íslandsbanka, Kviku banka, Landsbankanum og Fossum fjárfestingabanka að taka þátt í útboðinu.

    Óskað er eftir tilboðum í samræmi við eftirfarandi lýsingu:

    Fyrirkomulag: “Hollensk” uppboðsaðferð þar sem allir tilboðsgjafar fá sömu ávöxtunarkröfu og hæst er tekið. Heimilt er að afturkalla eða breyta tilboði með sama hætti og tilboðum er skilað inn, sé það gert fyrir lok útboðsfrests.

    Tilboð: Í tilboði skal taka fram ávöxtunarkröfu án þóknunar og tilboðsfjárhæð.  

    Að öðru leyti er vísað til skilmála skuldabréfanna á heimasíðu Lánasjóðs sveitarfélaga

    Tilboð skulu berast fyrir kl. 16:00, fimmtudaginn 10. apríl 2025 til Lánasjóðs sveitarfélaga á netfangið utbod@lanasjodur.is

    Öllum tilboðum verður svarað fyrir kl. 17:00 á útboðsdegi. Uppgjör sölu fer fram þriðjudaginn 15. apríl 2025.

    Nánari upplýsingar veitir Óttar Guðjónsson, framkvæmdastjóri, ottar@lanasjodur.is / s. 515 4949

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Carronade Capital Files Preliminary Proxy Statement for Cannae Holdings 2025 Annual Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Underscores Critical Need to Establish Accountability and Independence on the Board

    Outlines Attributes of Carronade’s Four Independent and Highly Qualified Director Nominees and Why They Are Best-Suited to Create Value

    DARIEN, Conn., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carronade Capital Master, LP (together with its affiliates, “Carronade Capital”, “our” or “we”), which beneficially owns approximately 3.1 million shares of Common Stock of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNNE) (“Cannae” or the “Company”) and is one of the Company’s top five shareholders, today filed a preliminary proxy statement in connection with its nomination of four independent and highly qualified candidates for election to the Cannae Board of Directors (the “Board”) at the upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).

    Carronade also commented on Cannae’s recent announcements:

    “Cannae’s recent actions following our engagement are too little, too late, and do not go nearly far enough to rectify chronic underperformance, egregious corporate governance, and in our view, unfair benefits and severance payouts granted to Bill Foley with the blessing of his handpicked and intertwined Board. Promising to return a portion of shareholder funds to their rightful owners over an undetermined period of time and transitioning to annual director elections over a multi-year period are woefully insufficient to rectify the serious issues that we believe are plaguing Cannae under the oversight (or lack thereof) of such an entrenched, crony Board. Notably, the Board outrageously bettered Foley’s already offensive exit package amidst settlement discussions, guaranteeing him a cash buyout for half his shares at a premium to market if he resigns for “good reason”, including if any director not supported by Foley is elected to the Board. Cannae shareholders deserve better.

    “We believe Cannae’s recent statements about its future plans are insufficient to unlock the value of the portfolio and eliminate the ongoing, significant discount to NAV. Cannae’s previous attempts to close the discount to NAV have failed because we believe the market lacks confidence that this beholden Board will safeguard shareholder assets instead of further enriching management and themselves. The Board’s continuing conduct is clear evidence that new, truly independent directors such as Carronade’s nominees are needed to address the many deficiencies on display and re-direct Cannae toward meaningful change, enabling value creation for all shareholders.”

    Carronade has nominated four highly qualified candidates – Mona Aboelnaga, Benjamin Duster, Dennis Prieto and Cherie Schaible – each of whom possess the specific expertise and knowhow to pursue achievable value creative initiatives, which we believe will facilitate Cannae’s strategic transformation, turn around Cannae’s chronic underperformance, and drive shareholder value. Importantly, all of Carronade’s nominees are truly independent and will bring a renewed sense of shareholder accountability to Cannae’s board, working not for Mr. Foley, but instead for the true owners of Cannae – the shareholders.

    If elected, we believe Carronade’s nominees will be instrumental in unlocking substantial value for shareholders and restoring shareholder confidence through several value creation initiatives, including:

    • Committing to a certain and timely return of meaningfully more capital to shareholders through spin outs or substantial buybacks and providing a clear investment narrative to shareholders;
    • Refreshing the leadership of the Affiliate Transaction Committee and the Nomination and Governance Committee with the four new nominees, and creating a Value Maximization committee tasked with the formulation and oversight of successful execution of a plan designed to improve shareholder returns; and
    • Implementing a corporate overhead cost reduction program and converting the Trasimene Capital Management termination fee into performance-based, vesting stock compensation.

    Carronade looks forward to engaging with shareholders and expects the 2025 Annual Meeting to occur around mid-June 2025 consistent with prior meetings. Shareholders do not need to take any action at this time.

    About Carronade Capital
    Carronade Capital is a multi-strategy investment firm based in Connecticut with over $2.2 billion in assets under management that focuses on process driven investments in catalyst-rich situations. Carronade Capital was founded in 2019 by industry veteran Dan Gropper and is based in Darien, Connecticut. The Funds managed by Carronade Capital were launched on July 1, 2020, and the firm employs 15 team members. Dan Gropper brings with him nearly three decades of special situations credit experience serving in senior roles at distinguished investment firms, including Elliott Management Corporation, Fortress Investment Group and Aurelius Capital Management, LP.

    Media Contact:
    Paul Caminiti / Jacqueline Zuhse
    Reevemark
    (212) 433-4600
    Carronade@reevemark.com

    Investor Contact:
    Andy Taylor / Win Rollins
    Carronade Capital Management, LP
    (203) 485-0880
    ir@carronade.com

    Pat McHugh
    Okapi Partners LLC
    (212) 297-0720
    info@okapipartners.com

    Disclaimers

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in any state to any person. This press release does not recommend the purchase or sale of a security. There is no assurance or guarantee with respect to the prices at which any securities of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) will trade, and such securities may not trade at prices that may be implied herein. In addition, this press release and the discussions and opinions herein are for general information only, and are not intended to provide financial, legal or investment advice. Each shareholder of the Company should independently evaluate the proxy materials and make a decision that aligns with their own financial interests, consulting with their own advisers, as necessary.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may include projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to future financial results, events, operations, services, product development and potential, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “plans”, “will be” and similar expressions. Although Carronade Capital and its affiliates believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties—many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of Carronade or the Company—that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. In addition, the foregoing considerations and any other publicly stated risks and uncertainties should be read in conjunction with the risks and cautionary statements discussed or identified in the Company’s public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q . The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, other than as required by applicable law, Carronade does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements. Certain information included in this press release is based on data obtained from sources considered to be reliable. Any analyses provided herein is intended to assist the reader in evaluating the matters described herein and may be based on subjective assessments and assumptions and may use one among alternative methodologies that produce different results. Accordingly, any analyses should not be viewed as factual and should not be relied upon as an accurate prediction of future results. All figures are estimates and, unless required by law, are subject to revision without notice.

    Certain of the funds(s) and/or account(s) (“Accounts”) managed by Carronade Capital Management, LP (“Carronade Capital Management”) currently beneficially own shares of the Company. Carronade Capital Management in the business of trading (i.e., buying and selling) securities and intends to continue trading in the securities of the Company. You should assume the Accounts will from time to time sell all or a portion of its holdings of the Company in open market transactions or otherwise, buy additional shares (in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise), or trade in options, puts, calls, swaps or other derivative instruments relating to such shares. Consequently, Carronade Capital Management’s beneficial ownership of shares of, and/or economic interest in, the Company may vary over time depending on various factors, with or without regard to Carronade Capital Management’s views of the Company’s business, prospects, or valuation (including the market price of the Company’s shares), including, without limitation, other investment opportunities available to Carronade Capital Management, concentration of positions in the portfolios managed by Carronade Capital Management, conditions in the securities markets, and general economic and industry conditions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a change in the Company’s share price on or following the date hereof, Carronade Capital Management may buy additional shares or sell all or a portion of its Account’s holdings of the Company (including, in each case, by trading in options, puts, calls, swaps, or other derivative instruments relating to the Company’s shares). Carronade Capital Management also reserves the right to change the opinions expressed herein and its intentions with respect to its investment in the Company, and to take any actions with respect to its investment in the Company as it may deem appropriate, and disclaims any obligation to notify the market or any other party of any such changes or actions, except as required by law.

    Certain Information Concerning the Participants

    Carronade Capital Master, LP, together with the other participants named herein (collectively, “Carronade Capital”), has filed a preliminary proxy statement and accompanying GOLD proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to be used to solicit votes for the election of Carronade Capital’s highly-qualified director nominees at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.

    CARRONADE CAPITAL STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. SUCH PROXY MATERIALS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SEC’S WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, THE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROXY SOLICITATION WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE PROXY STATEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE, WHEN AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS’ PROXY SOLICITOR.

    The participants in the proxy solicitation are anticipated to be Carronade Capital Master, LP (“Carronade”), Carronade Capital GP, LLC (“Carronade GP”), Carronade Capital Management, Carronade Capital Management GP, LLC (“Carronade Management GP”), Dan Gropper, Mona Aboelnaga, Benjamin C. Duster, IV, Dennis A. Prieto and Chérie L. Schaible.

    As of the date hereof, Carronade beneficially owns directly 2,874,116 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”). Carronade GP, as the general partner of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of the 2,874,116 shares of Common Stock owned by Carronade. As of the date hereof, 176,809 shares of Common Stock were held in a certain account managed by Carronade Capital Management (the “Managed Account”). Carronade Capital Management, as the investment manager of Carronade, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. Carronade Management GP, as the general partner of Carronade Capital Management, may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As the Managing Member of Carronade Management GP, Mr. Gropper may be deemed the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,050,925 shares of Common Stock directly owned by Carronade and held in the Managed Account. As of the date hereof, Ms. Aboelnaga directly beneficially owns 1,400 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Duster directly beneficially owns 1,338.329 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Mr. Prieto directly beneficially owns 820 shares of Common Stock. As of the date hereof, Ms. Schaible directly beneficially owns 1,360 shares of Common Stock.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inquiry into the Southport attack begins today

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Inquiry into the Southport attack begins today

    The Home Secretary announces the first phase of the Southport Inquiry starts today and appoints Rt Hon Sir Adrian Fulford as chair.

    The Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper has announced that the first phase of the Southport Inquiry will start today.

    The Home Secretary previously announced in January 2025 that an inquiry would be launched following the conviction of the perpetrator of the 2024 Southport attack, to examine what went wrong in this horrific case and how services should respond to fixated youth violence.

    Sir Adrian Fulford has been appointed as the chair following consultation with the victims and families of those killed or affected by the attacks and plans to travel to meet them as a first priority.

    This follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in uncovering how this attack happened and to not let any institution of the state deflect from their failure.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said:

    The brutal murder of three young girls: Bebe, Elsie and Alice in Southport was an unimaginable tragedy – we owe it to their families, and all those affected on that terrible day to quickly understand what went wrong, answer difficult questions and do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening again.

    The Southport Inquiry will provide insights into any failings that allowed a young man with a previous history of violence, to commit this horrendous attack. 

    Sir Adrian Fulford will bring a wealth of legal and criminal justice expertise to this role, and I am pleased he has agreed to chair the inquiry.

    The inquiry will be statutory. This follows representations made by families and victims of the attack and means the Inquiry has all the necessary legal powers to receive evidence and hear witness testimony effectively.

    It will take place in 2 phases. The first will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events leading up to it. This will include examining an overall timeline of the perpetrator’s history and interactions with various public bodies including criminal justice, education, social care, and healthcare, as well as decision-making and information-sharing by local services and agencies.

    The second is expected to examine the wider issues of children and young people being drawn into extreme violence.

    Sir Adrian Fulford will bring an impartial and extensive legal background, particularly on issues relating to policing and the criminal justice system.

    He is a retired Lord Justice of Appeal and former judge of the International Criminal Court 2003 to 2012. Previously, he was the Vice-President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in 2019 and was the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner between 2017 to 2019.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ponte Vedra Man Indicted For Conspiracy To Traffic Firearms And Controlled Substances

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs (27, Ponte Vedra) with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances—including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, law enforcement began investigating Hobbs when several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated search warrant executions by law enforcement agencies. These firearms were recovered in the homes of drug distributors and a convicted felon. Additionally, during a series of controlled purchase operations conducted in the summer of 2024, agents purchased 11 firearms from two co-conspirators. Hobbs was the original purchaser of multiple firearms purchased from these two co-conspirators. Cellphone records later showed that at least one of the co-conspirators regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

    Through further investigation, agents discovered that between March 2022 and June 2024, Hobbs had purchased more than 120 firearms from 3 different federally licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville, with 67 of those firearms being purchased between January and June 2024. Hobbs then sold those firearms to others. On multiple occasions, Hobbs advertised firearms for sale to potential customers before completing the purchase of the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealer.

    Customers typically paid Hobbs in cash for the firearms or traded drugs for the firearms. Hobbs was aware that some of his customers intended to resell the firearms and were drug users or drug distributors. Furthermore, Hobbs asked his co-conspirators to assist him in finding buyers for the firearms and the co-conspirators advertised Hobbs’s firearms for sale. Although he engaged in the business of dealing firearms, Hobbs is not a federally licensed firearms dealer, as required by federal law.

    When Hobbs purchased the firearms from the federally licensed firearms dealers, he indicated on the required ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms. In addition, Hobbs indicated that he was not a user of or addicted to controlled substances. Both statements were false. Hobbs was not the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms, and he was a habitual user of controlled substances.

    In addition, Hobbs was distributing controlled substances, including over 500 grams of cocaine and Adderall. He routinely advertised controlled substances for sale and coordinated deals. Hobbs often sold the controlled substances to the same customers to whom he was selling firearms. On June 26, 2024, Hobbs was arrested by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for driving under the influence and trafficking in cocaine. During a search of Hobbs’s car, officers located approximately 330 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of Adderall, as well as various items used to package and distribute controlled substances.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, the United States Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s Strategic Diplomacy Fuels Mining Sector Growth

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, April 7, 2025/APO Group/ —

    African nations are leveraging strategic partnerships to attract investment and strengthen their mining sectors. As competition between Western and Eastern powers intensifies over critical minerals, Africa has emerged as a key player in global supply chains, balancing geopolitical interests while maximizing economic benefits. With global markets racing to secure resources for the energy transition and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the upcoming African Mining Week will facilitate collaboration between African governments and international stakeholders.

    U.S.–DRC Partnership to Unlock Mineral Wealth

    In March 2025, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed (https://apo-opa.co/43JPLr8) its interest in engaging with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to unlock its estimated $1.2 trillion in untapped mineral resources. Cooperation between the two countries could yield a transformative impact on the sector, with U.S. financing and technical expertise unlocking the potential of the world’s largest cobalt producer and Africa’s largest copper producer. The U.S. has already played an active role in the financing and development of the Lobito Corridor, facilitating mineral transport and trade between the DRC, Angola, Zambia and international markets.

    EU Expands Mining, Green Energy Investments

    This month, the European Union (EU) pledged €4.7 billion (https://apo-opa.co/42q3265) to South Africa to support raw material value addition, the energy transition, local vaccine manufacturing and green hydrogen production. South Africa, home to the world’s largest deposits of platinum group metals (PGMs), will leverage this funding to enhance PGM production to meet growing demand for electrolysers used in green hydrogen applications. This follows South Africa’s $1 billion green hydrogen partnership with Denmark and the Netherlands established in 2023. Neighboring Namibia has also attracted European investment, with the EU committing €25 million to Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers in September 2024 to propel the country’s green hydrogen sector. Meanwhile, Uganda is taking steps to develop its mining sector with the support of the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, having launched the Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector project earlier this month. 

    China Strengthens its Position in African Mining

    China remains one of the largest investors in African mining, with both state-owned and private firms driving sector growth. In September 2024, China pledged $50 billion over three years for infrastructure and mineral development across the continent. Key projects in the DRC include CMOC’s $2.5 billion expansion of the Tenke Fungurume Mine and Sinohydro and China Railway’s $7 billion infrastructure-for-minerals deal in copper and cobalt mining. China has also invested heavily in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector and pledged $1 billion to upgrade the Tazara Railway, improving East Africa’s mineral exports.

    Growing Global Interest in Africa’s Mining Sector

    Beyond the U.S., EU and China, countries like Canada, Australia and the UAE are ramping up mining investments in Africa. Canadian firms are expanding their footprint in West Africa’s gold sector, Australian companies are backing lithium and rare earth projects in southern Africa and the UAE is securing stakes in critical mineral supply chains through strategic joint ventures. African Mining Week, taking place October 1-3 in Cape Town, will provide a platform for African nations to engage global investors, strengthen cooperation and accelerate resource development.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More funding for ACT community organisations

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Additional funding will help community organisations to continue assisting Canberrans.

    A new ACT Government funding package will give a one-off financial boost to non-government health sector organisations.

    This will help community organisations that face financial pressures. These may be because of increased costs or service demand.

    The extra funding will support these organisations to deliver vital services over the next year.

    Organisations receiving funding include:

    • Arthritis ACT
    • Asthma ACT
    • Australian Breastfeeding organisation
    • Capital Region Cancer Relief
    • Companion House
    • Diabetes Australia
    • Directions Health Care
    • Epilepsy ACT
    • Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation
    • Haemophilia Foundation
    • Interchange Health Co-op
    • KidSafe ACT
    • MSI Australia
    • Palliative Care ACT
    • RSI Overuse Foundation
    • Women’s Health Matters.

    Community Assistance and Temporary Supports program

    This package also includes more funding for the Community Assistance and Temporary Supports (CATS) program.

    The program provides support for people experiencing difficulties with daily living. These could be due to a short-term health issue, illness or injury.

    Organisations included in funding for CATS include:

    • ADACAS
    • Anglicare
    • Capital Region Community Services
    • Carers ACT
    • Community Services #1
    • Life without Barriers
    • Northside Community Services.

    Chifley Health and Wellbeing Centre

    More funding will help ensure gym services to continue at the Chifley Health and Wellbeing Centre.

    The gym closed in April 2024. Since then, the government has worked to find a new service provider to ensure this valued service can continue.

    The government is speaking with the preferred providers and expects to announce a new service provider soon.

    With this funding, the new provider will be able to re-establish the service as quickly as possible.

    The ACT Government will continue to engage with the wider sector on the findings of previous reports and recommendations.

    It continues to seek better understanding of community needs, the costs involved in delivering services to the community, and the cost pressures non-government organisations face in the ACT.

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Concrete firm fined by court

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    China Concrete Company Ltd today was today fined $212,000 after it carried out works at its two concrete batching plants in Yau Tong without a specified process licence and failed to comply with an air pollution abatement notice.

    The two plants, located at 20 and 22 Tung Yuen Street, were found to have contravened the Air Pollution Control Ordinance. The company pleaded guilty to 28 summonses at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court and was fined a total of $212,000.

    The Environmental Protection Department said it had made every effort to combat the plants’ illegal operations. To date, it has issued 39 summonses for criminal prosecution against the company.

    Thirty of those charges have now resulted in conviction, while the remaining nine cases of non-compliance are still in progress.

    Under new amendments to the Air Pollution Control Ordinance due to take effect on April 11, the Director of Environmental Protection will be empowered to issue closure notices to premises if the director has reasonable cause to believe that unlicensed SP operations are taking place.

    Stressing that the legal amendments have proved decisive in addressing the Tung Yuen Street plants’ illegal operations, the department said China Concrete Company Ltd had given notice that it would cease all concrete batching and related operations early this month.

    The department said that if the two plants are found to have continued conducting unlicensed operations after the legal amendments take effect, it will take stringent action in accordance with the law.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: 3D Systems Transforming Manufacturing with Application-specific Solutions at RAPID+TCT 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Reduce cost of high mix, low volume manufacturing by multiple orders of magnitude with high-throughput, precision Figure® 4 135 solution
    • Achieve up to 60% improved process efficiency for applications such as jigs and fixtures, tooling, & patterns using a new module for large-format EXT Titan Pellet Extrusion printers
    • Deliver easier to cast, complex master patterns more efficiently employing QuickCast® Diamond™ & PSLA 270

    ROCK HILL, S.C., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) is unveiling several new solutions designed to change the way industries innovate. At RAPID+TCT 2025, the Company will showcase its Figure 4® 135 3D printer and Figure 4 Tough 75C FR Black material that form the foundation of its cost-effective additive manufacturing solution for precision, high mix, low volume applications such as motorsports components, furniture hardware, and electrical connectors. Additionally, 3D Systems will debut its first-to-market new module for its EXT Titan Pellet printers which delivers greatly improved process efficiency for a breadth of applications that require machining during post-processing. Furthermore, bolstering its pioneering work in investment casting, 3D Systems is announcing availability of the QuickCast® Diamond build style, available in 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint® software, to be used with its PSLA 270 projector-based technology, accelerating time to part-in-hand. The Company’s continued investment in R&D enables this diverse suite of new technologies and reinforces its dedication to empowering its customers to achieve transformative results.

    High Throughput, Precision Manufacturing Solution for Plastics Parts
    The increasing need for specialized industrial components and the adoption of flexible manufacturing technologies are driving the growth of high mix, low volume (HMLV) production. Traditional manufacturing methods, while effective for high volume production, face significant challenges when applied to HMLV manufacturing such as high costs and long lead times.

    To address HMLV manufacturing needs, 3D Systems is introducing the Figure 4 135. Blending advanced material development with the power of its projector-based technology, this 3D printer provides the necessary agility and flexibility to efficiently meet the diverse and fluctuating demands of such manufacturing environments. By applying this solution, manufacturers can eliminate tooling and inventory management and reduce costs by multiple orders of magnitude. With extremely high out-of-the-box precision and very high stability, the Figure 4 135 solution is ideal for manufacturing industries where a process capability index (CpK) of at least 1.33 or above (depending on part geometry and feature size) is required for critical processes. The Figure 4 135 significantly exceeds these standards making it highly reliable for precision applications where a manufacturer is replacing or supplementing injection mold tooling including furniture components such as custom assemblies that require special design considerations for low volume furniture production, medical components requiring biocompatible material and precision, and low volume consumer electronics requiring accuracy and repeatability.

    Electrical connectors are another great example of traditionally manufactured plastic parts using injection molding which requires tooling and long lead times. Conversely, additive manufacturing enables direct 3D-printed production-grade precision connectors with high fidelity, high thermal stress resistance, and cost-efficiency at high volumes. When applying the Figure 4 135 solution to this application, manufacturers can potentially save millions of dollars when designing and manufacturing hundreds to thousands of connector SKUs per year.

    As part of this particular solution, 3D Systems is introducing Figure 4 Tough 75C FR Black. This tough, flame-retardant material is recognized by UL with a UL94 V0 rating at thin wall thickness (i.e., 0.4mm) and a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) for long-term electrical of 150°C and mechanical use of 130°C. This makes it ideally suited for applications such as appliances, consumer electronics and automotive that require accuracy, heat resistance, durability, flexibility, and electrical safety.

    The Figure 4 135 solution — both the printer and material — is available for immediate ordering.

    Novel Solution Drives Significant Improvements in Process Efficiency
    3D Systems’ EXT Titan Pellet systems are proven for production applications including patterns, molds, tooling, jigs, fixtures, end-use parts, and full-scale prototypes for industries such as foundry, automotive, aerospace and defense, and consumer products. Today, the Company announces a new module that is patent-pending scanning technology available for 3D Systems’ EXT 1070 Titan Pellet and EXT 1270 Titan Pellet printers which delivers greatly improved process efficiency for users.

    • Part Solidity Optimization: This new module optimizes the extrusion flow rate in real time, reducing the opportunity for voids to form. The improved solidity reduces post-processing time in machined printed parts by up to 50%.
    • Print Bed Mapping: Print bed leveling can be a critical step to avoid print failure when printing large format parts. This module scans the print bed in under 60 seconds and provides a numeric height map from which operators can determine if leveling is necessary and make precise adjustments where needed. This can reduce time spent on a single leveling operation by up to 60% as compared to the previous method of mapping and leveling. For manufacturers who run their printers in production environments, this capability can greatly reduce the amount of manual intervention required, thus mitigating potential risk of error.

    This new module will be standard on new EXT Titan Pellet systems equipped with the optional milling spindle toolhead and the hardware can be field installed on existing machines, integrating seamlessly with EXT Titan control software. The module is planned to be available in the third quarter of 2025.

    Produce Investment Casting Patterns Faster, with Higher Yield and Lower Cost
    Investment casting, a technique integral to the manufacturing of complex, high-reliability components such as aircraft turbine blades, involves pouring molten metal into ceramic molds formed from sacrificial patterns. However, traditional pattern creation is a lengthy and expensive process, often taking weeks and costing tens of thousands of dollars. In the mid-1990s, 3D Systems revolutionized casting pattern production with QuickCast®, a 3D printing innovation that set the industry standard for high-precision patterns, driving efficiency and cost reduction for manufacturers.

    Today, the Company is enhancing the performance of QuickCast, making the QuickCast Diamond build style available with 3D Systems’ PSLA 270. This projector-based Stereolithography (SLA) printer combines high-speed production with exceptional part quality and mechanical stability, rapidly delivering accurate mid-size components. It merges the precision of traditional SLA with the speed and material versatility of Figure 4 technology. When using the QuickCast Diamond build style in 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint® additive manufacturing software, manufacturers can rapidly design and create structured copies of parts to produce a tree. Employing the QuickCast Diamond build style on the PSLA 270 enables foundries to reliably deliver large, high precision investment casting at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional tooling and with no limitation on geometric complexity.

    The QuickCast Diamond build style is immediately available for 3D Systems’ PSLA 270.

    “Innovation is in our DNA,” said Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems. “Our historic R&D surge in 2024 yielded dozens of polymer and metal products, all driven by a rising demand to address an increasing number of applications using additive manufacturing. Now, we’re commercializing these advancements, such as the Figure 4 135, which dramatically reduces costs and boosts throughput for many high-mix, low-volume applications. These new product introductions underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering application-specific solutions that address our customers’ rapidly evolving needs. I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact that these newest additions to our portfolio will have on our customers’ businesses.”

    Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future at RAPID+TCT 2025
    3D Systems will showcase these innovations alongside its full application-centric solution portfolio in its booth (#3201) at RAPID+TCT 2025 to be held April 8-10 in Detroit, Michigan. Conference participants are also invited to hear from 3D Systems’ executives, application experts, and customers in the following sessions:

    • Dr. Jeffrey Graves, president & CEO, 3D Systems will be joined by Patrick Treacy, founder & CEO, Onkos Surgical – Executive Perspectives Keynote Series, April 9, 8:30 a.m. EDT, Main Stage
    • Dr. Michael Shepard, vice president, aerospace & defense, 3D Systems & Kevin Finn, engineering manager, Newport News Shipbuilding – Investigating Feasibility of Producing a Nickel Copper Alloy Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion, April 9, 10:30 a.m. EDT

    For more information or to schedule a meeting with one of the Company’s application experts, please visit the Company’s website.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “believes,” “belief,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “plans” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management’s beliefs, assumptions, and current expectations and may include comments as to the company’s beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as of the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.

    About 3D Systems
    More than 35 years ago, Chuck Hull’s curiosity and desire to improve the way products were designed and manufactured gave birth to 3D printing, 3D Systems, and the additive manufacturing industry. Since then, that same spark continues to ignite the 3D Systems team as we work side-by-side with our customers to change the way industries innovate. As a full-service solutions partner, we deliver industry-leading 3D printing technologies, materials and software to high-value markets such as medical and dental; aerospace, space and defense; transportation and motorsports; AI infrastructure; and durable goods. Each application-specific solution is powered by the expertise and passion of our employees who endeavor to achieve our shared goal of Transforming Manufacturing for a Better Future. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/058693f3-5d94-4b1b-a3c9-1f1ccc02ae03

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6887b0a2-9b19-434e-8bcb-4c3f5c1e8936

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df0d5521-98ac-48b3-a227-1693c87bd9f0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/685b6703-2b6b-47b9-bbb9-257da680097a

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Amid the chaos of the tariff crisis and the dark clouds internationally, there is a potential silver lining for Australian mortgage holders.

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Monday pointed out that the markets were expecting several cuts in Australia’s interest rates this year, including one next month. There has been one cut so far, in February.

    “Markets are now expecting around four interest rate cuts in Australia this calendar year”, Chalmers told a news conference. There was even a “more than 50% expectation in the markets that the next Reserve Bank interest rate cut in May might be as big as 50 basis points”.

    While saying he didn’t predict or pre-empt Reserve Bank decisions, Chalmers nevertheless highlighted what the markets are expecting.

    The next meeting of the Reserve Bank is on May 19-20, so a cut would be after the May 3 election.

    Chalmers said the “whole world” was trying to get their heads around the impacts of these “bad decisions” on tariffs.

    Releasing updated Treasury modelling of the impact, Chalmers said it expected big hits to American growth and to Chinese growth, as well as a spike in American inflation.

    “We expect more manageable impacts on the Australian economy but we still do expect Australian GDP to take a hit, and we expect there to be an impact on prices here as well”.

    Chalmers stressed the uncertainty around the modelling and about the economic impacts more generally. “Clearly, a series of decisions are still to be taken around the world when it comes to how countries may or may not retaliate to the decisions taken and announced by President Trump”.

    The Treasury modelling says: “The effects on the Australian economy are expected to be modest, however, some parts of the agriculture, energy, mining and durable manufacturing sectors will be more adversely affected than others”.

    “Australia’s real GDP is estimated to decline by 0.1 per cent and inflation to increase by 0.2 percentage points in 2025 relative to a baseline scenario with no tariffs. Over the medium-term Australia’s GDP is permanently lower; while the effect on inflation is temporary.

    “The direct effects of the United States tariff changes (from bilateral trade) are expected to be small.

    “Most of Australia’s exposure to US tariffs comes from reduced demand for Australian exports from major trading partners including China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

    “The indirect effects of US tariffs on Chinese demand accounts for almost 80 per cent of the total impact on Australian GDP.”

    Government to promise $1 billion for mental health, with emphasis on youth

    Returning to Labor’s core issue of health, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday will promise $1 billion for free mental health services that would fill gaps in the system.

    This includes

    • $225 million for 31 new and upgraded Medicare Mental Health Centres

    • More than $200 million for 58 new, upgraded or expanded headspace services

    • $500 million for 20 Youth Specialist Care Centres for young people with complex needs, and

    • $90 million for more than 1,200 training places for mental health professionals and peer workers.

    The government says the new network of Youth Specialist Care Centres would ensure young people in “the missing middle” received needed specialist help. It would mean those with complex mental health needs such as personality disorders, eating disorders and early psychosis would be able to ongoing and intensive care outside hospital.

    Dog day for Dutton

    Saying you got it wrong is never harder than in an election campaign. Peter Dutton bowed to the inevitable in dropping his plan to force Canberra public servants back into the office, but fronting the media for the mea culpa on Monday was painful.

    “I have apologised for the decision we took in relation to work from home,” he said. He added, with false optimism, “Labor’s run this scare campaign and I think we bring an end to that today.”

    It wasn’t the only pain of the day for the opposition leader, who needs – to borrow his own election slogan – to get his campaign “back on track”. The message from Newspoll, the poll many Liberals take most notice of, was bad. Labor had extended its lead in a week, from 51%-49% in two-party terms to 52%-48%. This is close to the result of the 2022 election, and can only alarm the Liberal campaigners.

    Some Liberals, disappointed with the Coalition campaign so far, are recalling John Howard’s mantra: you can’t fatten the pig on market day. “There’s not much evidence the work has been done,” one says.

    As of late Monday, Dutton had still not produced the modelling for his controversial gas reservation scheme, which has made it more difficult for candidates to explain the policy to voters.

    On another front, the Liberals have also failed to do their work properly in vetting candidates. They’ve had to disendorse their candidate for the Sydney Labor seat of Whitlam, Ben Britton.

    Previously Britton had said women should be removed from combat positions in the defence force. “Their hips are being destroyed because they can’t cope with the carrying of the heavy loads and the heavy impacts that’s required for doing combat-related jobs,” he said, among other comments attacking “diversity and equity quotas” for weakening Australia’s defence.

    In previous elections, parties have had to remove candidates after previous embarrassing comments have turned up. Surely the Liberals would have learned to be scrupulous in vetting. But in the New South Wales Liberal organisation, it seems to take a long time for the messages to get through.

    .

    Michelle Grattan 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. Election Diary: Jim Chalmers highlights expectations of May interest rate cut – after the election – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-jim-chalmers-highlights-expectations-of-may-interest-rate-cut-after-the-election-253733

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Department of Justice Commemorates 2025 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DES MOINES, Iowa – The Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa join federal, state, and local communities nationwide in observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and celebrating victims’ rights, protections, and services. This year’s observance takes place April 6 to 12, 2025, and features the theme, “KINSHIP,” which encourages people to recognize the shared humanity of crime survivors and victims. The 2025 theme is a call to action for all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals— to pursue these KINSHIP connections that foster the increased access to vital services, rights and healing.

    As part of this observance, the Southern District of Iowa recognizes the courage and bravery of victims, and the outstanding work of law enforcement, victim advocates, and community service partners throughout Iowa. Eleven individuals are recognized for outstanding service to victims:

    Awards for Excellence in Victim Services

    • Scott Crouch, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
    • Roberta Cruz, Victim/Witness Liaison at the Polk County Attorney’s Office
    • Molly Jansen, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

    Law Enforcement Victim Service Awards

    • Michael Banfield, Federal Bureau of Investigation
    • Luke Eblen, Des Moines Police Department
    • Kira Lazenby, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office
    • Blake Marshall, Ames Police Department
    • Aaron McConnell, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office
    • Brook McPherson, Ames Police Department
    • Caleb Mitchell, Ottumwa Police Department
    • Jeremy Tosh, Ottumwa Police Department

    “Everyday across Iowa law enforcement officers, agents and victim service providers offer a bridge between the criminal justice system and the shared humanity of victims and survivors. This KINSHIP is critical not only to the justice system, but more importantly to healing and hope for victims. During this week we are proud to honor all officers and service providers who, often 24 hours a day, are available as a resource and counsel to victims and survivors who bravely participate in the investigation and prosecution of violent offenders. These awards proudly recognize the exceptional efforts of a number of these individuals who provided assistance to federal and state victims in the Southern District of Iowa,” said United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal for the Southern District of Iowa.

    The 2025 Award for Excellence in Victim Services recognizes the performance of Investigators Scott Crouch and Molly Jansen. As members of the Polk County Attorney’s Office, both Crouch and Jansen are assigned to the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program. They aid children involved in criminal investigations and diligently act as a liaison with the children and Health and Human Services (HHS) to assure placements in a safe environment.

    The 2025 Award for Excellence in Victim Services recognizes the performance of Roberta Cruz. Cruz is a Victim/Witness liaison with the Polk County Attorney’s Office. Cruz has exhibited supreme dedication in providing a communication bridge between English and Spanish speaking individuals. Her helpful nature and humanity facilitate a valuable connection between victims, witnesses and the criminal justice system.

    The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Federal Bureau of Investigation, Special Agent Michael Banfield, Ames Police Department Sergeant Blake Marshall, and Ames Police Department Detective (former) Brook McPherson for their extraordinary investigation and prosecution of a serial sexual abuser. They showed tremendous compassion, support, and flexibility for the numerous victims and an unrivaled empathy for the shame and trauma the victims continue to endure. The dozens of victims that courageously participated in this investigation were a testament to the tireless effort and established relational kinship that is at the heart of this years’ National Crime Victims’ Rights awards.

    The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Detective Aaron McConnell, and Ottumwa Police Department Investigators Caleb Mitchell and Jeremy Tosh in the investigation and prosecution of a violent sexual trafficker. Through caring, listening, and showing empathy, they were able to develop relationships of trust with each of the victims. Their work on this investigation demonstrated their tremendous capacity to nurture relationships with victims in the pursuit of justice and in hopes of leaving the victims better having gone through the criminal-justice system.

    The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance Des Moines Police Department Investigator Luke Eblen in the investigation and prosecution of a dangerous sex trafficker. Investigator Eblen exemplified fortitude, determination, and a commitment to obtaining justice for victims by overcoming the challenges that arose. His abilities to interact with traumatized victims with respect, honesty and sincere compassion were critical to obtaining a conviction in this case.

    The 2025 Law Enforcement Victim Service Award recognizes the performance of Jasper County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Kira Lazenby and her unwavering commitment to ensuring victims receive immediate and comprehensive support. Sergeant Lazenby has investigated a wide range of victim-related cases, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes. She has displayed compassion, diligence, and professionalism in her work, ensuring that victims are heard, supported, and protected throughout the investigative and judicial process. In 2024, without direction, Sergeant Lazenby independently developed and implemented a county-wide victim information system to ensure that every law enforcement officer in Jasper County—across five separate agencies—had a standardized and easily accessible process for providing resources to victims.

    President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first Victims’ Rights Week in 1981, putting crime victims’ rights, needs, and concerns in a prominent spot on the American agenda. He also established the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime, which laid the groundwork for a national network of services and legal safeguards for crime victims.

    For more information on how to create your own public campaigns to raise awareness about crime victims’ rights online and at events throughout the year, please visit: NCVRW 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Holdings Issues Corporate Update Highlighting Recent Key Milestones and Strategic Growth Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Forged in Freedom, Fueled by Growth, Focused on the Future

    NASHVILLE, TN, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), the creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a leading provider of safes, personal security, and patriotic lifestyle apparel, today issued a corporate update summarizing several recent developments that have strengthened the Company’s foundation and accelerated its national growth strategy.

    CEO Andy Ross commented:

    “We’ve accomplished several key goals in the past 10 days alone, and we’re just getting started. From launching our national media marketing campaign to completing an equity-based capital raise, announcing $11.4M in 2024 revenue and engaging new investors, the American Rebel brand is gaining momentum on every front. I believe we are America’s next great success story, and we are committed to doing the right type of financings that fuel our growth over the next several years.

    “American Rebel Light Beer, a premium domestic light lager, is seizing a tremendous opportunity in the $110 billion annual beer market. Our rapid growth has exceeded all initial strategic forecasts, driven by patriotic Americans who love the unbeatable combination of great taste and low calories in our beer. With every sip, American beer drinkers enjoy a brew that not only satisfies their palate but also resonates with their core values – values proudly displayed on every can: America’s Patriotic, God Fearing, Constitution Loving, National Anthem Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.”

    • 1. Successful Private Placement by H.C. Wainwright & Co.

    American Rebel completed a strategic private placement led by H.C. Wainwright & Co. H.C. Wainwright is a full-service investment bank dedicated to providing corporate finance, strategic advisory and related services to public and private companies across multiple sectors and regions. H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/04/3056146/0/en/AMERICAN-REBEL-ANNOUNCES-UP-TO-11-MILLION-PRIVATE-PLACEMENT-PRICED-AT-THE-MARKET-UNDER-NASDAQ-RULES.html

    • 2. Strategic Media and Investor Relations Push in South Florida

    The Company engaged in a series of high-profile investor meetings and media appearances on NBC-TV Channel 5/West Palm Beach and 39 WSFL – Home of the Florida Panthers in South Florida, culminating with a meeting with strategic partners and potential investors at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club. These types of media engagements help generate valuable investor interest and media exposure.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/02/3054517/0/en/American-Rebel-CEO-Andy-Ross-to-Appear-on-South-Florida-Television-Morning-Shows-on-NBC-TV-Channel-5-West-Palm-Beach-and-39-WSFL-Home-of-the-Florida-Panthers.html

    • 3. FY2024 Revenue Disclosure – $11.4M

    In a recently filed Form 12b-25, American Rebel disclosed it expects to report $11.4 million in revenue for fiscal year 2024, to be detailed in its forthcoming Form 10-K.

    Read the full filing here: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1648087/000164117225001980/formnt10-k.htm

    • 4. Release of “The American Rebel Story” Video Featuring CEO Andy Ross

    American Rebel premiered “The American Rebel Story,” a compelling video featuring CEO Andy Ross narrating the Company’s vision, values, and journey to becoming America’s next great success story.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/03/3055126/0/en/American-Rebel-Holdings-Inc-NASDAQ-AREB-Invites-Patriotic-Investors-Fans-and-Beer-Enthusiasts-to-Celebrate-Freedom-with-a-New-Video-Release-Highlighting-the-American-Rebel-Story.html

    • 5. Expansion of Successful Sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing

    American Rebel continues to benefit from its existing sponsorship with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) as the racing connection has opened many doors and helped establish relationships with new distributors and key accounts. The expansion of the TSR sponsorship will continue to provide immeasurable value to American Rebel as it accelerates its growth initiatives throughout 2025.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/27/3050822/0/en/American-Rebel-Expands-its-Successful-Sponsorship-for-2025-with-Tony-Stewart-Racing-TSR-in-NHRA-Mission-Foods-Drag-Racing-Series.html

    • 6. Launch of National Media Marketing Campaign – TV and Digital

    American Rebel launched a full-scale national media campaign, including a 30-second commercial airing on major television networks and a coordinated digital campaign to strengthen consumer awareness and drive sales.

    Read the full release here: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/28/3051571/0/en/American-Rebel-Launches-Nationwide-Ad-Campaign-on-March-31-with-30-Second-TV-Spot-Complemented-by-Digital-Media-Across-Leading-Websites-to-Increase-Exposure-of-the-Company-and-its-.html

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Light Beer. Known for its premium quality and bold patriotic spirit, American Rebel Beer exemplifies what it means to celebrate freedom in every sip. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit www.americanrebel.com and www.americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit www.americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a premium domestic light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro

    As tenacious as Stewart is in the cockpit of a racecar, he’s proven equally adept at providing cars and equipment for racing’s elite. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion can also list 31 owners’ titles to his resume, from NASCAR to USAC to the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. In 2023 Stewart earned his 31st owner title when Matt Hagan and the TSR Funny Car team earned the championship on November 11. His team, Tony Stewart Racing, fields a powerhouse lineup in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with Tony in Top Fuel and Matt Hagan in Funny Car. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Stewart has embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit at more than 300 mph. For more information on TSR Nitro go to tsrnitro.com.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of marketing outreach efforts, actual placement timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and our recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    info@americanrebel.com

    Investor Relations:
    ir@americanrebel.com

    Media Contact:
    Matt Sheldon
    Matt@PrecisionPR.co

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China launches tip-off service to combat medical insurance fraud

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

    BEIJING, April 7 — China’s National Healthcare Security Administration announced on Monday the launch of a tip-off service via its official WeChat account, enabling social organizations and the public to report leads on medical insurance fraud.

    Eligible informants will be rewarded with a one-time payment ranging from 200 yuan (about 27.8 U.S. dollars) to 200,000 yuan, according to the administration.

    Noting that the misuse of medical insurance funds undermines public interests, it urged the whole society to make efforts in combating fraud.

    In 2024, China’s medical insurance watchdogs recovered 27.5 billion yuan of misused medical insurance funds, with a total of 10,741 suspects arrested.

    The Chinese government has vowed to continue strengthening oversight of medical insurance funds to ensure every penny is maximized for the benefit of public health.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met officers recover £50k of stolen tools in east London

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Around £50,000 worth of stolen tools were recovered during a Metropolitan Police operation at a car boot sale in Rainham, east London.

    In response to concerns from tradespeople about a rise in tool thefts, the Met worked with Essex Police and trading standards officers to carry out a large search of the Willow Farm Car Boot Sale on Sunday, 6 April.

    By using intelligence, and with the help of a dog that can sniff out items marked with forensic water, officers identified and seized around 1,000 suspected stolen tools.

    Four men, aged between 40 and 60, from Hackney and Southend-on-Sea were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

    A number of suspected stolen bikes, as well as cash, illegal vapes and other counterfeit goods were also seized.

    Inspector Mark Connolly, from the Met’s neighbourhood policing team in east London, said:

    “We’ve heard from hard-working Londoners about the financial and personal impact of tool theft and we’re working hard across the Met to tackle it.

    “As well as working with partners to target prolific offenders in proactive and intelligence-led operations such as this, we’re also carrying out tool marking events to make it harder for criminals to sell on stolen goods.”

    Inspector Daniel Selby, from Essex Police’s Grays Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

    “Trading stolen or counterfeit goods is illegal and inexcusable, so we are working with our partners to disrupt supply lines and arrest those who are profiting from crime.

    “Hard-working tradespeople rely on their tools to make a living and we appreciate how devastating the implications of a theft can be for victims and their families at a time when many people are struggling financially.

    “Purchasing illegitimate goods only serves to line the pockets of the criminals, creates a market that inevitably leads to more offending, and can land the buyer in serious trouble.”

    Officers will work over the coming weeks to identify the tools and trace their original owners.

    Any tradespeople or those in possession of power tools are advised to mark their property, take photographs, and record serial numbers so that, in the event of theft, officers have more chance of returning property.

    Marking tools with SelectaDNA forensic water also helps officers identify stolen goods. Met officers will be hosting a free tool marking event at the Toolstation in Ramac Way in Charlton between 07:30hrs and 14:00hrs on Tuesday, 8 April.

    We also advise reporting any thefts in a timely manner, providing as much detail as possible. Removing tools from your vehicles overnight will also help deter thieves.

    We urge the public not to buy goods you know or suspect to be stolen or counterfeit, as this feeds organised crime. If the price seems too good to be true, it could be the item is either stolen or fake. Buying goods you know or suspect to be stolen is a criminal offence.

    If you suspect anyone of selling stolen or counterfeit goods, you can report this to us online or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Libraries Offering Brain Exercises Can Become Centers for Brain Health

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Libraries have long been centers for knowledge and learning, but now that libraries frequently offer free access to online apps, many libraries are taking a further step to become centers for brain health. Posit Science, the developer of the BrainHQ brain training app, is helping libraries offer online brain training to patrons — without the library patron even needing to leave their home.

    “We first started working with libraries in 2015 at the invitation of one of the oldest and largest library suppliers,” noted Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, “however, they decided to exit from supplying software to libraries last year. We really value the library channel, so we have now enabled libraries to work directly with us and to integrate easily across most library management systems. We are pleased to announce this relaunch with libraries during National Library Week.”

    While there are scores of brain apps available, BrainHQ is unique because it has been shown effective in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published in science and medical journals, across varied populations, including older adults, people with a broad range of health conditions, and people engaged in peak performance activities. Library patrons seem to really appreciate this proven brain health app, and the libraries that offer it.

    “I think all of us 80 and over are concerned about memory, because we all have times in which we forget something,” observed Judy Russell, a retired gerontological nurse practitioner, who started using BrainHQ in 2020, through her library in Jefferson County, Colorado. “BrainHQ is appropriate for people of all ages; it’s not just for the elderly. It’s a real service for all populations that libraries should be offering… I love my library.”

    Librarians also report that offering BrainHQ can make patrons love their libraries even more.

    “We wanted to prioritize brain health for adults because we didn’t really have a similar service that we were already offering,” said Courtney Cosgriff, Director of Digital Services at the Schaumberg Township District Library in Schaumberg, Illinois. “BrainHQ fills those gaps for us and our patrons love it! We love to provide digital resources that are educational, but it’s also important that we offer services that are educational and … fun!”

    BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com.

    Libraries can get more information at https://www.brainhq.com/brainhq-for-libraries.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ONCAP Announces Final Close for ONCAP V

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    All amounts in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated

    TORONTO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Onex Corporation (TSX: ONEX) and its mid-market private equity platform ONCAP are pleased to announce the final close for ONCAP V, with $1.3 billion in total commitments, including $250 million from Onex. ONCAP V achieved several key objectives relative to its prior fund, including growing total commitments, increasing third-party capital by more than 50%, and welcoming many new investors to the ONCAP platform.

    The ONCAP team has already completed four investments in ONCAP V, and the Fund is 40% deployed. In 2024, ONCAP returned $530 million of capital to its Limited Partners, or over 20% of ONCAP’s total net asset value, and launched its first continuation vehicle for Wyse Meter Solutions.

    “I am immensely proud of the team for achieving such a positive outcome with ONCAP V and grateful to our investors for placing their confidence in us,” said Michael Lay, Managing Partner of ONCAP. “Across our 25-year history spanning 235 platform and follow-on investments, we have developed a unique market proposition and investing framework. I am excited by ONCAP’s potential to grow in the years ahead and to continue to deliver strong risk-adjusted returns to our investors.”

    “ONCAP’s successful fundraise is a testament to the team’s formidable track record and strong prospects,” said Bobby Le Blanc, Chief Executive Officer of Onex. “Across all our platforms, our teams are delivering against our objectives, driving fundraising momentum, generating significant return of capital for our investors, and continuing to source high-quality, differentiated investment opportunities.”

    Onex has also been successful in raising capital across its other investment platforms. Within Onex Partners, the Onex Partners Opportunities Fund achieved its final close in January, raising aggregate commitments of approximately $1.2 billion for a two-year investing period, including affiliated vehicles, exceeding its initial target. Onex Credit continues to build on its momentum and has priced or closed eight CLO transactions year-to-date, including three new issues. In total, the team has raised approximately $2.4 billion of fee-generating assets under management year-to-date across its tactical allocation and structured credit strategies.

    About ONCAP

    Founded in 2000, ONCAP is the dedicated lower mid-market private equity platform of Onex Corporation, committed to investing in and partnering with North American headquartered businesses and their management teams in our core sectors of emphasis. Today, ONCAP operates with a team of 39 employees managing $3.5 billion in assets across offices in Toronto and New York. For more information on ONCAP and Onex, visit www.oncap.com and www.onex.com.

    About Onex

    Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, banks, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has approximately $51.1 billion in assets under management, of which $8.3 billion is Onex’ own investing capital. With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex’ platforms.

    Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ONEX. For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.onex.com. Onex’ security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed future operations, performance or results preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “believes”, “expects”, “potential”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans” and words of similar connotation, which would constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve significant and diverse risks and uncertainties that may cause actual operations, performance or results to be materially different from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities law, Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or other factors. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward-looking statements in this press release.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures which have been calculated using methodologies that are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The presentation of financial measures in this manner does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Onex management believes these financial measures provide useful information to investors. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to information contained in the consolidated financial statements have been presented where practical.

    For Further Information:

    Jill Homenuk
    Managing Director – Shareholder
    Relations and Communications
    Tel: +1 416.362.7711    		 Zev Korman
    Vice President, Shareholder
    Relations and Communications
    Tel: +1 416.362.7711

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CareCloud to Present at the LD Micro Invitational XV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOMERSET, N.J., April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CareCloud, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CCLD, CCLDO), a leading provider of practice management, healthcare technology and AI-driven solutions to medical practices across the country, is pleased to announce its participation in the 15th Annual LD Micro Invitational at the Westin Grand Central Hotel in New York on April 9-10, 2025. The Company is scheduled to present on April 10, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

    CareCloud’s management team will deliver a corporate presentation highlighting the Company’s recent developments, innovative solutions, and strategic growth initiatives. Additionally, the team will participate in one-on-one meetings with institutional and individual investors to explore opportunities and discuss CareCloud’s roadmap for continued growth and value creation.

    “We are excited to highlight CareCloud’s recent milestones, including two recent acquisitions, the conversion of our Series A preferred stock, and our significant profitability growth throughout 2024,” said Stephen Snyder, Co-CEO of CareCloud.

    About LD Micro 

    LD Micro, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freedom US Markets, was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the micro-cap space. Through the LD Micro Index and annual investor conferences, LD has served as an invaluable asset to all those interested in discovering the next generation of great companies. For more information on LD Micro, visit www.ldmicro.com.

    About CareCloud 

    CareCloud brings disciplined innovation and generative AI to the business of healthcare. Our suite of technology-enabled solutions helps clients increase financial and operational performance, streamline clinical workflows and improve the patient experience. More than 40,000 providers count on CareCloud to help them improve patient care while reducing administrative burdens and operating costs. Learn more about our products and services including revenue cycle management (RCM), practice management (PM), electronic health records (EHR), business intelligence, patient experience management (PXM) and digital health at www.carecloud.com. 

    Follow CareCloud on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

    Disclaimer 

    This press release is for information purposes only, and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. 

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This press release contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to anticipated future events, future results of operations or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “could”, “intends,” “expects,” “plans,” “goals,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “possible,” “potential,” “target,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. 

    Our operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect our results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct.

    Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements reflecting management’s expectations for future financial performance and operating expenditures, expected growth, profitability and business outlook, the impact of pandemics on our financial performance and business activities, and the expected results from the integration of our acquisitions. 

    These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are only predictions, are uncertain and involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our (or our industry’s) actual results, levels of activity or performance to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity or performance expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of the risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s ability to manage growth, migrate newly acquired customers and retain new and existing customers, maintain cost-effective global operations, increase operational efficiency and reduce operating costs, predict and properly adjust to changes in reimbursement and other industry regulations and trends, retain the services of key personnel, develop new technologies, upgrade and adapt legacy and acquired technologies to work with evolving industry standards, compete with other companies’ products and services competitive with ours, and other important risks and uncertainties referenced and discussed under the heading titled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

    The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company does not assume any obligations to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. 

    SOURCE CareCloud 

    Company Contact: 
    Norman Roth 
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller 
    CareCloud, Inc.
    nroth@carecloud.com 

    Investor Contact:
    Stephen Snyder 
    Co-Chief Executive Officer 
    CareCloud, Inc. 
    ir@carecloud.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Diamond Equity Research Initiates Coverage on Almonty Industries, Inc. (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (FWB: ALI) (OTCQX: ALMTF)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diamond Equity Research, a leading equity research firm with a focus on small capitalization public companies has initiated coverage of Almonty Industries, Inc. (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (FWB: ALI) (OTCQX: ALMTF). The in-depth 49-page initiation report includes detailed information on the Almonty Industries’ business model, services, industry overview, financials, valuation, management profile, and risks. 

    The full research report is available below.

    Almonty Industries Inc. Initiation of Coverage

    Highlights from the report include:

    • Sangdong Mine Potentially Set to Become the World’s Largest Non-Chinese Tungsten Source: Almonty’s flagship Sangdong Mine in South Korea is poised to transform the global tungsten landscape, with projected output exceeding 40% of non-China supply and 5% of global supply by 2027. In our view, Sangdong is not just Almonty’s crown jewel, but also a cornerstone asset for rebuilding Western tungsten supply chains, given its expected 90+ year mine life and strong by-product upside potential from molybdenum.
    • High-Grade Molybdenum Asset Adds Material Upside from Late 2026: Located just below Sangdong’s skarn horizons, the AKM Molybdenum Project adds meaningful diversification. The project has a maiden inferred resource of 21.5 Mt @ 0.26% MoS₂ and is fully permitted within the existing Sangdong mining lease. A $19/lb floor-price offtake agreement with SeAH M&S de-risks the development and ensures predictable cash flows. Production is targeted for late 2026/early 2027, with an anticipated 60-year mine life based on historical government data.
    • Strong and Visible Cash Flow Backed by Long-Term Contracts: Almonty has secured a 15-year offtake agreement with a floor price of US$235 per MTU, equating to approximately US$580 million in guaranteed revenue over the contract life. This agreement, with no price cap, provides exceptional cash flow visibility and allows Almonty to benefit fully from market upside. The contract emphasizes the credibility of Sangdong as a reliable source of high-grade tungsten and reflects deep buyer confidence in Almonty’s long-term delivery capabilities and quality of asset.
    • Resilient Tungsten and Molybdenum Outlook Driven by Structural Supply Shortages and Rising Strategic Demand: Tungsten and molybdenum markets are experiencing sustained upward pricing pressure due to structural supply constraints, geopolitical export restrictions, and robust industrial demand. Tungsten prices have rebounded strongly, with APT reaching near-decade highs. Similarly, molybdenum prices surged to historical peaks ($40/lb in early 2023) due to critically low global inventories and supply disruptions. Given limited substitution possibilities, rising applications in defense, aerospace, infrastructure, and clean energy technologies, we believe these market dynamics could support elevated tungsten and molybdenum prices, benefiting producers like Almonty.
    • Critical Material Status, Export Bans, and NATO Mandates Drive Demand Shift: Tungsten has been designated a critical raw material by the U.S., EU, Australia, Canada, and South Korea due to its high economic importance and supply risk. The U.S. Department of Defense will ban Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian tungsten for military procurement starting in 2027, while the EU has extended anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese tungsten carbide. Almonty’s Portuguese material is already commanding premiums of over 15% as Western buyers prioritize ESG-aligned sources. China’s own export controls on tungsten and molybdenum, effective February 2025, further restrict global access. In our view, these developments create a powerful structural tailwind for Western-aligned producers like Almonty.
    • Proven Operational Track Record and Industry Trust Anchor the Business Model: Almonty has a 128-year history in tungsten mining and previously sold operations for 21x earnings during the 2007 supply squeeze. Its Panasqueira Mine in Portugal has been producing for over a century, while the Los Santos Mine is scheduled to restart in 2026. Management has consistently met all development milestones, raised AUD 18.45 million in 2024, and continues to co-invest alongside shareholders. We view this track record as a major differentiator, supporting the company’s ability to win contracts, secure financing, and execute on scale.
    • Valuation: Almonty Inc. presents a unique investment opportunity, offering exposure to a portfolio of high-grade tungsten and molybdenum assets with clear near-term production visibility. Key upcoming milestones, including the commencement of production at the Sangdong tungsten and molybdenum projects, downstream processing initiatives, and the Panasqueira expansion opportunity, are expected to potentially drive meaningful growth in revenues and profitability. Furthermore, the company operates in a low-risk, transparent jurisdiction and has secured long-term offtake agreements with global partners, providing additional stability and cash flow visibility. We have applied a Net Present Value (NPV) valuation using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) approach, incorporating expected production volumes, life-of-mine estimates, throughput capacities, ore grades, recovery rates, and commodity price forecasts. Using an 8% discount rate, we arrive at a valuation of C$4.00 per share, contingent on successful execution by the company.

    About Almonty Industries, Inc.  

    Almonty Industries Inc. is a global leader in tungsten mining, with strategically positioned assets in geopolitically stable regions including South Korea, Portugal, and Spain. The company is set to become the largest tungsten producer outside China upon the commissioning of its flagship Sangdong Mine. 

    About Diamond Equity Research

    Diamond Equity Research is a leading equity research and corporate access firm focused on small capitalization companies. Diamond Equity Research is an approved sell-side provider on major institutional investor platforms.

    For more information, visit https://www.diamondequityresearch.com.

    Disclosures:

    Diamond Equity Research LLC is being compensated by Almonty Industries, Inc. for producing research materials regarding Almonty Industries, Inc. and its securities, which is meant to subsidize the high cost of creating the report and monitoring the security, however the views in the report reflect that of Diamond Equity Research. All payments are received upfront and are billed for research engagement. As of 04/07/25 the issuer had paid us $50,000 for our company sponsored research services, which commenced 03/07/2025 and is billed annually. Diamond Equity Research LLC may be compensated for non-research related services, including presenting at Diamond Equity Research investment conferences, press releases and other additional services. The non-research related service cost is dependent on the company, but usually do not exceed $5,000. The issuer has not paid us for non-research related services as of 04/07/2025. Issuers are not required to engage us for these additional services. Additional fees may have accrued since then. Although Diamond Equity Research company sponsored reports are based on publicly available information and although no investment recommendations are made within our company sponsored research reports, given the small capitalization nature of the companies we cover we have adopted an internal trading procedure around the public companies by whom we are engaged, with investors able to find such policy on our website public disclosures page. This report and press release do not consider individual circumstances and does not take into consideration individual investor preferences. Statements within this report may constitute forward-looking statements, these statements involve many risk factors and general uncertainties around the business, industry, and macroeconomic environment. Investors need to be aware of the high degree of risk in small capitalization equities, including the complete loss of their investment. This report does not explicitly or implicitly affirm that the information contained within this document is accurate and/or comprehensive, and as such should not be relied on in such a capacity. All information contained within this report is subject to change without any formal or other notice provided. Investors can find various risk factors in the initiation report and in the respective financial filings for Almonty Industries, Inc. Please review initiation report attached for full disclosure page.  

    Contact:
    Diamond Equity Research
    research@diamondequityresearch.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC – 04 04 2025] – (CGWL)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY WEALTH LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ADVANCED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS GROUP PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 04 APRIL 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 5p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 11,896,771 5.4566    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 11,896,771 5.4566    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    5p ORDINARY PURCHASE 6,040 208.9235p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 07 APRIL 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes seized from city store by council’s Trading Standards team

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Acting on complaints, the council’s Trading Standards team and officers from Bilston Police targeted a premises in the city where the goods were believed to be on sale.

    Thousands of illegal items were found in the shop itself as well as in a storeroom and a concealed staircase.

    Officers found 13,680 illicit cigarettes, 3.1kg of banned hand rolling tobacco and 1,546 illicit disposable vapes. In addition, 12 banned novelty lighters were discovered along with 16 vials of an unidentified liquid, suspected to be nicotine.

    If genuine, the retail value of the vapes seized is an estimated £15,000, the value of the cigarettes seized is around £9,918 and the value of the hand rolling tobacco would be an estimated £1,890.

    Action is set to be taken against the owner of the premises where the material was seized while further investigations will be carried out to identify their suppliers.

    Once investigations have been completed, the illegal cigarettes and tobacco will be handed over to a recycling scheme to be dealt with in an environmentally friendly way.

    The seizures, which took place during an operation on 19 March, were carried out under 2 national Trading Standards initiatives, Operation CeCe and Operation Joseph.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We are determined to clamp down on the availability of illicit products and are particularly concerned with illegal sales made to our younger residents.

    “This operation forms part of our wider strategy in dealing with this issue and we will continue to carry out routine test purchases alongside targeted action days.

    “I’d like to congratulate all those involved in this successful partnership operation, including our Trading Standards team and Bilston Police.”

    Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.

    “Having removed 19 million illegal cigarettes and 5,103kg of hand rolling tobacco in 2023 to 2024, Operation CeCe (a National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC) has taken £27.2 million pounds worth of illicit tobacco off the market since the operation launched in 2021 and continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

    Officers from our Trading Standards team have issued some warning signs to look out for when buying cigarettes and tobacco or vapes.

    The telltale signs of illegal tobacco include unusual taste, cheap price, unusual packaging, spelling mistakes or incorrect logos. They may also have health warnings that may not be printed in English, might not display a picture, might not be printed on a white background and may have different sized lettering to usual.

    Residents are advised to look out for the following when buying vapes:

    • The product must have a ‘warning’ diamond of not less than 10mm x 10mm containing an exclamation mark/skull and crossbones and the words Warning/Danger clearly visible on the packaging.
    • There is a requirement for a batch number or other means to identify the specific production of the product, to permit the tracing of the product should a safety issue be raised.
    • 30% of the packaging must display the required warning “this product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance” on both the front and back surfaces of the unit pack.  
    • Illicit vapes are often produced in China. Many illicit vapes have packaging clearly meant for the American/Californian market.

    Anyone who thinks they may have been sold illegal goods or suspect someone is selling them, can email trading.standards@wolverhampton.gov.uk    

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Improvement project completed on Perth residential street

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    Perth and Kinross Council has completed an £800,000 streetscape improvement project in Perth, in response to concerns from residents.

    People living in Pullar Terrace contacted the Council about a number of issues that were affecting the street. The land is owned by the Council’s Housing Revenue Account, so the Housing Service carried out a range of improvements including:

    • Improvements to drainage, which prevents flooding to front gardens during heavy spells of rain
    • Removing overgrown shrubs and trees which blocked out satellite and aerial signals
    • The replacement of a set of old outdoor stairs
    • Replacing a retaining wall that had started to bow
    • Improvements to a greenspace embankment, which has enhanced the look of the area and made it maintenance-free

    Residents of Pullar Terrace were fully consulted before work began, and throughout the project.

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan visited the street to see the improvement work. He said: “The completion of the project at Pullar Terrace underlines our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our tenants and residents.

    “We listened to their concerns and invested a significant amount of money to address them. The positive feedback we’ve received from tenants and residents about how the work has improved the street shows the importance of the community engagement we carried out through the process.

    “The new drainage system, embankment and structural replacements have not only resolved immediate issues but also improved the overall look and functionality of the area. The project highlights how close partnership working between the Council and residents can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.”

    Last modified on 07 April 2025

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