In a moment of crisis, the world must “reorient the UN away from the preferences of a minority and towards better serving all states”, urge Ban Ki-moon and Helen Clark. The organisation “does not have to be held hostage by a few countries”, they argue https://t.co/nNfxm6Lkq9 ...

中国商务部：伦敦会谈后，中美双方团队保持着密切沟通。近日，经批准，双方进一步确认了框架细节。中方将依法审批符合条件的管制物项出口申请。美方将相应取消对华采取的一系列限制性措施。 ...

India refuses to sign joint statement at the SCO summit https://t.co/3um12fyPY6 ...

Today, the conservative majority on the United States Supreme Court ruled that states can effectively defund Planned Parenthood, the country's largest provider of reproductive health care. In a 63 ruling, the court changed federal law allowing states to unilaterally cut off all Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood simply on the basis that it provides abortion care. Now, to be clear, abortion makes up only 3%. Abortion care only makes up 3% of Planned Parenthood services.It is a crucial 3% but it's 3%. T ...

SIKA ACQUIRES RENOWNED CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS COMPANY IN QATAR Sika has acquired Gulf Additive Factory LLC in the State of Qatar. The company manufactures a wide range of construction chemical products and has a strong standing in the fast-growing Qatar construction market. The acquisition strengthens Sika’s foothold in the country and provides exciting opportunities for further expansion. Gulf Additive Factory LLC (GAF) is renowned for its high-quality solutions and profound technical expertise. An extensi ...

Event Overview - Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are holding a three-day wedding celebration in Venice [1] - The wedding is attracting significant media attention and a large number of high-profile guests [1][2][3] - The welcome party is being held at the cloisters behind the Madonna Delorto [4] Guests and Attendees - Notable guests include Bill Gates, the Kardashians, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brady, Usher, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Oprah Winfrey, Gail King, and Orlando Bloom [3] - President Trump was invited but is not attending due to scheduling conflicts [3] - Approximately 200 of Bezos and Sanchez's closest friends are expected to attend [2] Protests and Public Sentiment - Small protests have occurred, with protesters criticizing Bezos and wealth inequality [6][7] - Protesters displayed banners and an inflatable Jeff Bezos in an Amazon box [6][7] - Some Venetians are not bothered by the event, especially given Bezos's donation to the city [7] Economic Impact and Philanthropy - Bezos and Sanchez are making a "hefty investment" in Venice through hotels, venues, and local vendors [8] - Bezos has donated €3 million (approximately $3.2 million USD based on current exchange rates) to three local institutions [8] - The donations will benefit a lagoon ecosystem research organization, UNESCO's local office, and the Venice International University [9] City Preparedness - Venice is experienced in managing large events, including papal visits and G20/G7 summits [5] - The city is accustomed to handling complex events with large crowds [5] - The deputy mayor views the protests as opportunistic attempts to gain attention [6]

Canada passes law fast-tracking 'nation building' projects to counter Trump https://t.co/1CIafwruVV ...

From @WSJopinion: Trump is imposing tariffs in the name of national security, but they will undercut his proposed defense buildup by reducing supply of the materials most critical to building the weapons, write Phil Gramm and Donald J. Boudreaux https://t.co/pVSYl9PkWa ...

Transaction Overview - DNOW 将以全股票合并交易方式收购 MRC[28] - MRC 股东每股 MRC 股份将获得 0.9489 股 DNOW 股份[28] - 合并后的企业价值约为 30 亿美元，包括 MRC 的净债务[28] Financial Synergies and Accretion - 预计在交易完成后三年内实现 7000 万美元的年度成本协同效应[28] - 预计交易完成后第一年调整后的每股收益将实现两位数的增长[28] - 预计交易完成后的 Pro Forma 净杠杆率低于 0.5 倍，并在交易完成后的第一年实现净现金头寸[28] Combined Company Profile - 合并后的公司预计年收入约为 53 亿美元[37, 58, 71] - 调整后的 EBITDA 约为 4.3 亿美元[37] - 调整后的 EBITDA 利润率约为 8.0%[37] - 运营产生的现金流约为 5 亿美元[37] Geographic Reach - DNOW 在美国拥有 165 个分支机构，MRC 在美国拥有 197 个分支机构[32] - 合并后的公司在超过 20 个国家/地区拥有业务[53] - 合并后的公司收入的 82% 来自美国，14% 来自加拿大，4% 来自国际市场[51] Cost Synergies Breakdown - 预计 2026 年实现 1700 万美元的税前运行率协同效应[81] - 预计 2027 年实现 4200 万美元的税前运行率协同效应[81] - 预计 2028 年实现 7000 万美元的税前运行率协同效应[81]

Summary of MRC Global and DNOW Merger Conference Call Company and Industry Overview - **Companies Involved**: MRC Global (MRC) and DNOW - **Industry**: Energy and Industrial Solutions Key Points and Arguments 1. **Merger Announcement**: The merger between DNOW and MRC Global is described as a transformational combination aimed at creating a premier energy and industrial solutions provider, enhancing long-term sustainable growth and shareholder value [4][5][6] 2. **Transaction Structure**: The merger is structured as an all-stock transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $3 billion. MRC Global shareholders will receive 0.9489 shares of DNOW common stock for each share of MRC Global common stock [7][8] 3. **Ownership Post-Merger**: Upon closing, DNOW and MRC Global shareholders will own approximately 56.5% of the combined company on a fully diluted basis [7] 4. **Expected Synergies**: The merger is expected to generate annual run rate pretax synergies of $70 million within three years, primarily from public company costs, corporate and IT systems, and operational efficiencies [7][23] 5. **Financial Strength**: The combined company anticipates starting with revenues of approximately $5.3 billion and expects the transaction to be accretive to adjusted EPS in the first year following the close [13][22] 6. **Geographic and Product Expansion**: The merger will enhance the geographic footprint and product offerings, allowing the combined company to serve customers globally across more than 350 service and distribution locations [14][15] 7. **Customer-Centric Approach**: Both companies emphasize a customer-first mindset, aiming to leverage their combined strengths to better serve existing customers and attract new ones [29][30] 8. **Capital Structure and Liquidity**: The combined entity will have over $200 million in cash and a $500 million revolving credit facility, with additional commitments to expand the credit facility by $250 million at the close of the merger [8][27] 9. **Integration Strategy**: The focus will be on retaining top talent and driving revenue growth through cross-selling opportunities, with branch network efficiencies evaluated as integration progresses [58][60] Additional Important Content 1. **Regulatory Approval**: The companies do not anticipate regulatory issues, believing the merger will enhance customer choice and service capabilities [49] 2. **Cost Savings**: The expected cost savings will come from systems consolidation, distribution network optimization, and operational efficiencies, although specific integration costs have not yet been estimated [23][50] 3. **Long-Term Value Creation**: The merger is positioned to create long-term value through disciplined capital allocation, including organic growth investments, share repurchases, and potential future M&A [58][27] 4. **Market Opportunities**: The combined company aims to penetrate growing sectors such as alternative energy, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and mining, leveraging each company's strengths [20][19] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the conference call regarding the merger between MRC Global and DNOW, highlighting the strategic rationale, expected benefits, and future outlook for the combined entity.