Category: Artificial Intelligence

MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia must step up reforms

Source: European Parliament 3

Three reports adopted on Wednesday highlight the urgent need for EU-related reforms, effective use of the Growth Plan and a decisive stance against foreign interference.

Albania

MEPs highlight Albania’s broad political consensus and strong public support for joining the EU, alongside full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. While welcoming Albania’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made, MEPs stress the urgent need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. Enhancing media pluralism and transparency remains crucial to build public trust, say MEPs.

The report notes ongoing political polarisation marked by confrontational rhetoric and calls for more constructive and inclusive political dialogue. It also urges authorities to continue their efforts to safeguard judicial independence and increase accountability.

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Rapporteur Andreas Schieder (S&D, AT) said: “In this term’s first report on Albania, we welcome the rapid progress the ‘accession front-runner’ has made over the past years. Albania is a strong and reliable partner in foreign policy, and has taken remarkable steps in all areas such as justice, anti-corruption and environmental protection. To reach its goal of full EU membership by 2030, it is crucial to keep up the good work by broadening the economic model, creating jobs and improving the social welfare model, as well as implementing a comprehensive and inclusive electoral reform. Albania’s future lies within the EU.”

The report was adopted by 502 votes in favour,120against, and 64 abstentions.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Parliament reaffirms its strong support for BiH’s EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, MEPs acknowledge key reforms but express concern over stalled progress and weak implementation. The report calls for implementation of the necessary constitutional and electoral reforms, and for efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, and to fight corruption and organised crime.

MEPs strongly condemn divisive rhetoric and secessionist policies, particularly those promoted by Milorad Dodik and the Republika Srpska leadership, calling on the EU to take decisive action, including targeted sanctions, to counter destabilising forces threatening the country’s stability and European security. The report also stresses concerns about malign foreign interference and disinformation campaigns by foreign actors, notably Russia and China, that erode public trust in the EU.

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Rapporteur Ondřej Kolář (EPP, CS) said: “The future of the Balkans lies within Europe, not under Russian domination. Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the most difficult situation in Europe after Ukraine, and we must find a way to help it achieve full integration into Western structures. Developments in BiH demonstrate every day that we must strive for peace, stability, and development, because if we let up, we may once again face war and destruction.”

The report was adopted by 459 votes in favour, 130 against, and 63 abstentions.

North Macedonia

The report underlines that enlargement should be a merit-based process based on the Copenhagen Criteria and calls on North Macedonia to enact the necessary reforms

MEPs welcome the new €750 million Reform and Growth Facility, commending North Macedonia’s ambitious agenda. They urge it to adopt a strong focus on reform implementation, particularly in public administration, governance, the rule of law, and anti-corruption policy. Noting worsening trends in high-level corruption and low public trust in the judiciary, they call for stronger judicial independence, more accountability, and adequate resources for oversight bodies.

The Parliament is deeply concerned that North Macedonia and other EU accession countries in the Western Balkans are being particularly hard hit by foreign interference and disinformation campaigns. It is also alarmed by the roles of the Hungarian Government and the Serbian Government in advancing China’s and Russia’s geopolitical objectives, states the resolution.

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The rapporteur Thomas Waitz (The Greens, AT) said: „Today we adopted the first North Macedonia country report since 2022. As rapporteur, I worked tirelessly for a well-balanced and impartial report on the democratic progress of this country. North Macedonia has been a frontrunner in the region, showing real commitment to EU values, including a historic name change and bold reforms. But its accession has been unfairly blocked for too long due to bilateral disputes, fuelling public frustration and disillusionment with the EU. I call on all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to reach the required consensus, which would strengthen the country’s multi-ethnic character and accelerate EU progress.“

The report was adopted by 461 votes in favour, 121 against, and with 107 abstentions.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Mondelēz Global LLC Conducts U.S. Voluntary Recall of Four Carton Sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Due to Labeling Error

Source: US Food and Drug Administration

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
July 08, 2025
FDA Publish Date:
July 08, 2025
Product Type:
Food & BeveragesAllergens
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Undeclared Allergen – Peanut

Company Name:
Mondelez Global LLC
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
Ritz

Product Description:

Product Description
Peanut butter cracker sandwiches

Company Announcement
EAST HANOVER, N.J., July 8, 2025 – Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall of four carton sizes of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches (8-pack, 20-pack, and 40pack cartons of RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches, as well as the 20-pack RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich Variety Pack carton) manufactured in the United States and sold nationwide. The affected cartons include individually wrapped packs that may be incorrectly labeled as Cheese variety even though the product may be a Peanut Butter variety. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts may risk serious or life-threatening allergic reactions by consuming this product.
All outer cartons affected are labeled correctly and provide an allergen advisory statement indicating that the product “contains peanuts.”
This recall is exclusively for the 8-pack, 20-pack, and 40-pack RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwich cartons and the 20-pack RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich Variety Pack carton, with Best When Used By Dates listed in the grid below, available at retail stores nationwide. No other RITZ products or Mondelēz Global LLC products are included in, or affected by, this recall.

Product Description

Retail UPC

Best When Used By Dates

Product Images

11.4 oz. RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches- 8 Count (8 x 1.38-oz. 6-pack carton)

0 44000 88210 5

1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25“AE” Plant Code Only (located on top of package)

See Image Below

27.6 oz. RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches- 20 Count (20 x 1.38-oz. 6-pack carton)

0 44000 07584 2

1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 252 JAN 26 – 22 JAN 26“AE” Plant Code Only (located on top of package)

See Image Below

55.2 oz. RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches– 40 Count (40 x 1.38-oz. 6-pack carton)

0 44000 07819 5

1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 252 JAN 26 – 22 JAN 26“AM” Plant Code Only (located on top of package)

See Image Below

27.3 oz. RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich20-Count Variety Pack(20 packs of 10 Cheese 1.38-oz. packsand 10 Peanut Butter 1.38-oz. packs)

0 44000 08095 2

2 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 25“RJ” Plant Code Only (located on top of package)

See Image Below

The individually wrapped package incorrectly labeled as Cheese variety inside the cartons identified in the grid above may look like this:

Product Description

Retail UPC

Best When Used By Dates

Product Images

RITZ Cheese Cracker Sandwiches (1.38oz. pack)

0 44000 00211 4

1 NOV 25 – 9 NOV 252 JAN 26 – 22 JAN 26“AE” Plant Code Only (located on side of package)

See Image Below

Cartons containing only RITZ Cheese Cracker Sandwiches are not affected by this recall. In addition, cartons containing either RITZ Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches or RITZ Filled Cracker Sandwich Variety Pack with different Best When Used By Dates and Plant Codes than those listed in the above grid are also not affected by this recall.
There have been no reports of injury or illness reported to Mondelēz Global LLC to date related to this product, and we are issuing this recall as a precaution.
The recall was initiated after Mondelēz Global LLC discovered that film packaging rolls used to package individually wrapped products containing peanut butter may contain defects due to a supplier error. Corrective actions are being taken to help ensure this issue does not recur.
Consumers who have a peanut allergy should not eat these products and should discard any product identified in the grid above. Consumers can contact the company at 1-844-366-1171, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week to get more information about the recall. Consumer Relations specialists are also available Monday–Friday, 9 am to 6 pm ET.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2024 net revenues of approximately $36.4 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, RITZ, LU, CLIF BAR and TATE’S BAKE SHOP biscuits and baked snacks, as well as CADBURY DAIRY MILK, MILKA and TOBLERONE chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on X at www.x.com/MDLZ.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Consumer Relations
1-844-366-1171

Product Photos

Content current as of:
07/08/2025

Regulated Product(s)

Topic(s)

Follow FDA

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: YieldMax® ETFs Announces Distributions on ULTY, TSLY, LFGY, CRSH, YMAX, and Others

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax® today announced distributions for the YieldMax® Weekly Payers and Group A ETFs listed in the table below.

ETF Ticker¹	ETF Name	Distribution Frequency	Distribution per Share	Distribution Rate^2,⁴	30-Day SEC Yield³	ROC⁵	Ex-Date & Record Date	Payment Date
CHPY	YieldMax® Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF	*Weekly*	$0.3488	32.97%	0.04%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
GPTY	YieldMax® AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF	*Weekly*	$0.2952	32.61%	0.00%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
LFGY	YieldMax® Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF	*Weekly*	$0.4817	63.13%	0.00%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
QDTY	YieldMax® Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF	*Weekly*	$0.1909	22.51%	0.00%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
RDTY	YieldMax® R2000 0DTE Covered Call ETF	*Weekly*	$0.3040	34.13%	1.65%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
SDTY	YieldMax® S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF	*Weekly*	$0.1398	16.22%	0.07%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
ULTY	YieldMax® Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF	*Weekly*	$0.0960	80.35%	0.00%	100.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
YMAG	YieldMax® Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs	*Weekly*	$0.1263	43.26%	63.17%	90.54%	7/10/25	7/11/25
YMAX	YieldMax® Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs	*Weekly*	$0.1347	51.13%	82.40%	95.41%	7/10/25	7/11/25
BRKC	YieldMax® BRK.B Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.5029	–	–	35.53%	7/10/25	7/11/25
CRSH	YieldMax® Short TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.2156	56.91%	3.08%	91.57%	7/10/25	7/11/25
FEAT	YieldMax® Dorsey Wright Featured 5 Income ETF	Every 4 weeks	$1.4445	50.97%	52.99%	0.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
FIVY	YieldMax® Dorsey Wright Hybrid 5 Income ETF	Every 4 weeks	$1.0277	33.52%	35.26%	0.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
GOOY	YieldMax® GOOGL Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.3077	33.16%	3.29%	0.00%	7/10/25	7/11/25
OARK	YieldMax® Innovation Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.3439	50.21%	2.88%	95.16%	7/10/25	7/11/25
SNOY	YieldMax® SNOW Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.4710	35.69%	2.27%	62.42%	7/10/25	7/11/25
TSLY	YieldMax® TSLA Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.3873	65.00%	2.76%	82.33%	7/10/25	7/11/25
TSMY	YieldMax® TSM Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.6378	50.37%	2.87%	95.76%	7/10/25	7/11/25
XOMO	YieldMax® XOM Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.3649	36.44%	3.62%	92.57%	7/10/25	7/11/25
YBIT	YieldMax® Bitcoin Option Income Strategy ETF	Every 4 weeks	$0.3812	46.36%	1.54%	87.99%	7/10/25	7/11/25
Weekly Payers & Group B ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY ULTY YMAG YMAX BABO DIPS FBY GDXY JPMO MARO MRNY NVDY PLTY

Standardized Performance and Fund details can be obtained by clicking the ETF Ticker in the table above or by visiting us at www.yieldmaxetfs.com

Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling (866) 864-3968.

Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH, YQQQ and WNTR are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs.”

Distributions are not guaranteed. The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from period to period and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

¹All YieldMax® ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. YMAG has a management fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.83% for a gross expense ratio of 1.12%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are on fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax® ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.40%, and a net expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026.
²The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on July 8, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.
³The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended June 30, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.
⁴Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.
⁵ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes

Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

Important Information

This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. For all prospectuses, click here.

Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax® ETFs.

THE FUND, TRUST, AND ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERENCE ASSET.

Risk Disclosures (applicable to all YieldMax ETFs referenced above, except the Short ETFs)

YMAX, YMAG, FEAT and FIVY generally invest in other YieldMax® ETFs. As such, these Funds are subject to the risks listed in this section, which apply to all the YieldMax® ETFs they may hold from time to time.

Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

Referenced Index Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Index (or the Index ETFs). This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of companies that comprised the Index or an ETF that tracks the Index, even though it does not.

Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way. Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the companies that comprise the Index but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Index.

Russell 2000 Index Risks. The Index, which consists of small-cap U.S. companies, is particularly susceptible to economic changes, as these firms often have less financial resilience than larger companies. Market volatility can disproportionately affect these smaller businesses, leading to significant price swings. Additionally, these companies are often more exposed to specific industry risks and have less diverse revenue streams. They can also be more vulnerable to changes in domestic regulatory or policy environments.

Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer periods.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR, MARA, CVNA, HOOD, BRK.B), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory, and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

Technology Sector Risk. The Fund will invest substantially in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.

Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

Digital Assets Risk: The Fund does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than the Fund. Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer periods.

Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

Semiconductor Industry Risk. Semiconductor companies may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, and such competition may have an adverse effect on their profit margins. Semiconductor companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Semiconductor companies’ supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide components and services.

The products of semiconductor companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Capital equipment expenditures could be substantial, and equipment generally suffers from rapid obsolescence. Companies in the semiconductor industry are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights would adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

YieldMax® ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, or YieldMax® ETFs.

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: BTCS Inc. Further Increases Target Funding to $225 Million for Strategic Ethereum Purchases Using DeFi/TradFi Flywheel

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Silver Spring, MD, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (“BTCS” or the “Company”) short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions, a blockchain technology-focused company, today announced a funding target increase to $225 million to accelerate the Company’s Ethereum accumulation strategy.

The Company’s vertically integrated operations, including solo staking through validator nodes and block building, are central to this approach. These activities not only generate recurring, crypto-native revenue but also enhance long-term value per share by compounding ETH-denominated returns.

“This is about scaling ETH per share, not just raising capital,” said Charles Allen, CEO of BTCS. “With a maturing crypto regulatory environment and increased institutional focus on Ethereum, now is the time to double down on our unique model—accumulating ETH through a capital-efficient strategy that avoids unnecessary dilution and strengthens shareholder alignment.”

The Company plans to issue a detailed update on recent Ethereum purchases later this week or next as it continues to execute its DeFi/TradFi flywheel.

About BTCS:

BTCS Inc. (Nasdaq: BTCS) (short for Blockchain Technology Consensus Solutions) is a U.S.-based blockchain infrastructure technology company currently focused on driving scalable revenue growth through its blockchain infrastructure operations. BTCS has honed its expertise in blockchain network operations, particularly in block building and validator node management. Its branded block-building operation, Builder+, leverages advanced algorithms to optimize block construction for on-chain validation, thus maximizing gas fee revenues. BTCS also supports other blockchain networks by operating validator nodes and staking its crypto assets across multiple proof-of-stake networks, allowing crypto holders to delegate assets to BTCS-managed nodes. In addition, the Company has developed ChainQ, an AI-powered blockchain data analytics platform, which enhances user access and engagement within the blockchain ecosystem. Committed to innovation and adaptability, BTCS is strategically positioned to expand its blockchain operations and infrastructure beyond Ethereum as the ecosystem evolves. Explore how BTCS is revolutionizing blockchain infrastructure in the public markets by visiting www.btcs.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute “forward-looking statements” within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 including statements regarding plans to raise $225 million. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation market conditions, regulatory issues and requirements, as well as risks set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 which was filed on March 20, 2025. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For more information follow us on:
Twitter: https://x.com/NasdaqBTCS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nasdaq-btcs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NasdaqBTCS

Investor Relations:
Charles Allen – CEO
X (formerly Twitter): @Charles_BTCS
Email: ir@btcs.com

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: HRCI Launches HRCI CHAT: AI-Powered Assistant to Revolutionize HR Workflows
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HRCI, the premier credentialing and learning community for the human resource profession, today announced its newest AI-powered resource, HRCI CHAT. Available on a complimentary basis to HRCI account holders, HRCI CHAT is a 24/7 virtual assistant able to transform everyday HR operations into strategic, high-impact work.

According to research from Deloitte, HR professionals spend up to 57 percent of their work week on administrative tasks. HRCI CHAT changes that, empowering HR professionals to regain valuable time and focus on strategic leadership. As such, HRCI CHAT supports a variety of HR workflows and use cases, including:
- Talent Acquisition: Create job descriptions, structured interview guides and offer letters.
- Employee Development: Build growth plans, feedback templates and training communications.
- Compliance Assistance: Summarize labor laws and draft compliant HR policies and procedures.
- Strategic Forecasting: Model potential business scenarios to inform workforce planning and decision-making.
- Data Analysis & Insights: Analyze key workforce metrics around compensation, engagement, turnover and more.
- Reporting Capabilities: Generate polished, leadership-ready reports with ease.
“In today’s world, time is in short supply for busy HR professionals. Given myriad other factors, from fluctuating hiring demands to a rapidly evolving legislative climate, there’s an increased need for up-to-date resources,” said Dr. Amy Dufrane, SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI. “With the introduction of HRCI CHAT, we’re changing how HR works—delivering instant support, smarter solutions and the ability to focus on what matters: people.”

To learn more about the complimentary HRCI CHAT tool, visit https://hrci.org/chat.

About HRCI^®

HRCI is the premier credentialing and learning community for the human resource profession. For 50 years, HRCI has set the global standard for HR expertise and excellence through its commitment to developing and advancing those in the people business. HRCI helps HR professionals achieve new competencies that drive results by creating and offering world-class learning and administering eight global certifications. To learn more about HRCI, visit www.hrci.org.

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Peter Kyle’s speech at Google Cloud Summit London

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

Peter Kyle’s speech at Google Cloud Summit London

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, delivered a speech at Google Cloud Summit London on Wednesday 9 July 2025.

Thank you for having me, and thanks also for acknowledging the GOV.UK App, which I’m sure you’ve all downloaded.

If you haven’t already, then you should be doing so now. And I don’t if you’re looking down at your phones while I’m speaking, if what you’re doing is downloading the GOV.UK App – which is already outselling the Bible on the app store, I’m reliably told.

When I came into office a year ago, I was told to deliver an App, with a digital wallet, with a chatbot, and with a digital driving licence attached to it, I was told it couldn’t be done in one parliament, that it couldn’t be done in one 5 year period.

My response was I’m sure Google and others don’t take that long to design and deploy their technology. Let me see a timeline.

The timeline came back to me a week later, and it was now 3 years.

We did all of this, the start of the deployment of GOV.UK App, within one year of government.

Within 15 months, all of those services I’ve just outlined will be deployed and put to the benefit of citizens right around the country.

And that for me is a source of huge pride, because we’ve used technology to wrap services around individual citizens needs.

Right now, as all of you know, too often citizens are being wrapped around the needs of services themselves.

And this is a profound change as we go forward.

Now, sometimes I’m accused of being “too close to big tech”.

And I could have no better place to have this argument out on the table with you now.

In May, The Guardian criticised me for meeting with the sector 70% more than my predecessor. Now, to this crime, I plead guilty.

In truth that was just 28 times over the course of a 6-month period, that equates to around twice a week over that time.

As Technology Secretary I simply will not apologise for meeting with technology companies – that is the job.

Just as meeting with the families of victims of social media, regulators, founders, overseas governments and the creative sector, it’s all part and parcel of what I’m paid to do on behalf of the people’s government.

But I don’t do these meetings just because I’m paid to do it.

I do them because they matter:

keeping children safe or from social media – it matters;

making sure Britain is the best prepared for developments at the frontier of AI – that matters;

and securing better deals for the taxpayer for the billions of pounds spent every year on software, cloud services, devices and information technology – that matters.

So today, I’m here to acknowledge our agreement for an entirely new way of working with Google – and how that will impact our public services.

It’s an agreement that recognises our value as the UK government as a huge client to their organisation.

And how important their technology is to help us deliver the changes to public services to make them more in-touch and more in-tune with citizens. And better value for money for taxpayers.

The agreement signals and signifies our determination to exploit the full potential of a partnership between government and Google, with much more collaboration between their UK AI lab, DeepMind, and my own AI developers in my department, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology with a new digital centre of government.

We’ve already used Gemini to build “Extract”, a specialist AI tool to help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes.

It could be pivotal in our plans to stop bureaucracy from holding up the construction and ultimately help us build 1.5 million homes that we’ve pledged over this parliament.

We know that tools using the same technology are capable of transforming Whitehall itself, the NHS, and other essential services that millions of people across our country rely on.

So, with more hands-on support, I can’t wait to see what our 2 teams deliver together.

Google are also aiming to train up 100,000 public sector professionals with the skills that they need to use this technology by 2030.

That’s going to help us hit the target the Prime Minister set earlier this year, where we’ve committed to double the number of digital experts across government…

…essential to shaking up decades old processes and making public services work in the way people expect services to work in the 2020s – whether that’s in the NHS, policing, benefits or tax.

And, perhaps most importantly, we are looking to the sector to help shake off the legacy technology that costs the taxpayer an absolute fortune and leaves us vulnerable to outages and to cyberattacks.

More than one in 4 public sector systems run on this “ball and chain” tech – rising to 70% in some police forces and NHS trusts.

With contracts signed decades ago, and a high costs of exit, we’ve seen a few tech companies really taking liberties with the public sector.

In the worst cases, contracts have made it impossible for public sector organisations to move on. They’ve locked up their data up in vulnerable, archaic servers…

…only to have the price of maintaining the tech hiked up, year-on- year, with no sign of light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, as Technology Secretary, I am determined to break free from these costly chains once and for all.

Through agreements like this we can transition public sector organisations trapped by the ball and chain of legacy products and services, and to migrate to the cloud.

That move alone will liberate public service organisations and use the latest technology, and more freely explore the wider market moving forward. That is what I am determined to do.

All in all, this partnership could see Google invest hundreds of millions of pounds in Britain’s public sector technology.

Helping to deliver my ambition to bring the public services people use every day, drag it into the 21st century.

Without deals like this in place, we had hundreds of public sector organisations…

…police forces, NHS trusts, local councils, government departments and many, many more…

They were simply just going it alone in negotiations with big tech companies.

And they just don’t have the experience and market clout they need to drive the best deal for taxpayers.

They end up paying the full shop-front rate or even being entirely mis-sold tech that doesn’t work for them in the first place.

But they’re all buying on behalf of the same client: you, the British taxpayer.

And that taxpayer is footing the bill for an annual £21 billion for buying the same technology time and time again.

That’s why I’m determined to secure a new deal for buying tech for the British taxpayer.

For too long, too many governments haven’t done enough to build the positive business relationships that Britain needs to prevent the taxpayer being short changed when it comes to procuring tech – from healthcare services, policing systems right through to benefits processes, and bin collections, right down to street sweeping.

Just as with Google on this strategy, when I negotiate with Tech companies, I am negotiating on behalf of the British taxpayer.

Britain will be using technology in more areas and more than ever before.

So, my message to big technology companies is clear: bring us your best ideas, bring us your best tech, and bring it at the best price.

In return, you’ll get access to the biggest client in the country, one that will be increasingly intelligent and increasingly digital.

And as we start to operate as a more intelligent buyer of technology, new opportunities are going to emerge.

The first one that I’m pushing for, is to make sure that, whenever possible, UK technology companies- large and small – get a fair shot at winning a contract.

Our upcoming marketplace – the national digital exchange – will make sure more and more UK tech companies can get their slice of the £21 billion pie.

That means more money for companies operating here in the UK, workers and founders.

It will help us to achieve the economic growth upon which Britain’s future prosperity lies. And it will improve the public services on which British citizens depend.

Now I want to acknowledge the foresight of Google in signing this key agreement, and I want more to follow. I want it to stimulate many similar co-operation agreements with the full range of international and domestic technology companies.

That is in the interests of higher economic growth, more jobs, better public services and greater value for taxpayers.

Thank you very much for having me along today.

Updates to this page

Published 9 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Hong Kong elderly people spending retirement years in the Mainland

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Erik Yim and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):

Question:

     The 2024 Policy Address proposes to strengthen elderly services and foster an elderly-friendly building environment. There are views pointing out that the choice of Hong Kong elderly persons to spend their retirement years in the Mainland, particularly other Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), can not only improve elderly persons’ quality of life, but also free up valuable living space in Hong Kong and ease the burden of public welfare on the Government. Moreover, amid the recent significant adjustments in property prices in the Mainland, such as areas like Huidong County in Huizhou and Shaxi Town in Zhongshan, some members of the public have proposed that the SAR Government may study the construction or purchase of buildings in the Mainland with better views, affordable rents, and more spacious and brighter interiors at lower costs for use as public rental housing (PRH), so as to provide Hong Kong elderly people with new opportunities to spend their retirement years in the Mainland. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will consider acquiring vacant properties pending sale in the Mainland cities of GBA for use as PRH flats with which the elderly people can replace their existing PRH flats in Hong Kong, thereby encouraging them to spend their retirement years in the Mainland cities of GBA; if so, of the details;

(2) given that at present, under the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area, arrangements can be made for patients to be transferred directly from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong in a point-to-point mode, whether the Government will further deepen the collaboration mechanism concerned by expanding the scope of the pilot scheme this year to cover other major cities in GBA and include emergency cases, so that emergency transport to Hong Kong can be arranged when necessary for elderly patients retiring in such cities, with a view to increasing the incentive for them to go north for retirement; and

(3) whether it will strengthen collaboration with the Mainland cities of GBA, such as jointly promoting remote diagnosis and AI medical consultation, to enhance healthcare service efficiency, as well as driving the development of gerontechnology and relevant industries, thereby better supporting Hong Kong people in spending their retirement years in such Mainland cities?

Reply:

President,

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been following the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits to enhance co-operation with Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), on the premise of benefitting the development of Hong Kong and the Mainland, so as to provide more options and convenience for Hong Kong residents who choose to work, reside or retire on the Mainland.

     Having consulted the Housing Bureau, the Labour and Welfare Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority (HA), the reply to the question raised by the Hon Erik Yim is as follows:

(1) The Housing Bureau has all along been supporting the implementation of various strategies and policies to cope with an ageing population. In order to strengthen the support to those who choose to retire on the Mainland, the Housing Bureau makes flexible arrangement for elderly public rental housing (PRH) residents who are required to surrender their PRH flats or delete their names from the tenancies upon receiving portable cash assistance. Considering Hong Kong elderly persons may encounter adaptation issues after moving to the Mainland, the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society allow elderly persons to retain their PRH flats or their names in the tenancies for no more than six months, with the grace period starting from the date of the elderly persons’ departure from Hong Kong. The above measure could address elderly persons’ concern about moving to the Mainland and help release PRH flats for turnover.

(2) The study on the provision of land-based cross-boundary transfer for non-emergency and non-critically ill patients and the exploration of rolling out a pilot co-operation scheme for cross-boundary referral of patients between designated hospitals were put forward in the Outline Development Plan for the GBA. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR also put forward in his 2023 Policy Address the initiative to explore cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements between hospitals in the GBA. With the support of various national ministries, the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government, the Shenzhen Municipal Government and the Macao SAR Government, officially launched the one-year Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme) on November 30, 2024.

     The Pilot Scheme starts by arranging direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer of patients from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen and Macao (i.e. the University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) and the Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong. Upon assessment and agreement by the teams of designated cross-boundary collaborating hospitals, arrangements can be made for patients with specific clinical needs and suitable clinical conditions (including that the conditions are relatively stable) to be transferred directly to Hong Kong between designated hospitals in a point-to-point mode without the handover of patients between ambulances at boundary control points, thus minimising risks posed to patients during transfer. Indeed, persons with urgent medical needs should receive treatment at the nearest medical facility. Therefore, the Pilot Scheme does not cover emergency cases.

     Subject to the effectiveness and operational experience of the Pilot Scheme, the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao will consider how to extend the Pilot Scheme, such as including more designated hospitals (including those in GBA Mainland cities other than Shenzhen) and/or extending the Pilot Scheme to a two-way arrangement.

(3) As mentioned above, the HKSAR Government will follow the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits to strengthen the collaboration with Mainland cities of the GBA. Indeed, the resources, needs, relevant laws and regulations, and regulatory regimes differ between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The HKSAR Government will explore cross-boundary facilitation measures on the premise that these cross-boundary measures are feasible and mutually beneficial.

     Specifically, the Government has been implementing various measures to facilitate the retirement of Hong Kong elderly persons in Mainland cities of the GBA, including providing subsidised residential care services and portable cash assistance. Among them, the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong provides an additional choice for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons to receive subsidised residential care services. The Labour and Welfare Bureau signed a “Letter of Intent on Collaboration to Expand the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong” with the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province in November 2023 to co-operate in selecting suitable residential care homes for the elderly operated by Mainland organisations in Mainland cities of the GBA for joining the Scheme. With the assistance of the relevant authorities, the number of residential care homes for the elderly in Guangdong joining the Scheme has increased to 15, scattering in six Mainland cities within the GBA. The Government has, starting from this May, commissioned a non-governmental organisation to provide Social and Care Support Service for the elderly participants of the Scheme and their families, and will launch a two-year pilot arrangement by the end of this year to share part of the medical expenses that the elderly participants of the Scheme need to bear on their own under the National Basic Medical Insurance Policy.

     In terms of healthcare services, the public or subsidised healthcare services provided by the HKSAR Government are based on catering for the needs of local Hong Kong residents, rather than the healthcare needs of Hong Kong residents on the Mainland or overseas. Nevertheless, the Government has been actively promoting GBA healthcare collaboration in recent years to provide Hong Kong residents, who regularly travel to and from Mainland cities in the GBA for work or living, with additional choices of subsidised healthcare services comparable to those in Hong Kong at designated service points on the Mainland. Such measures, however, are not intended to fully cater for the healthcare services required by Hong Kong residents who choose to settle on the Mainland. Examples include:

(i) The Government launched the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme in 2024 to extend the coverage of the Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs) to seven integrated medical/dental institutions in Mainland cities of the GBA, offering more convenience and flexibility for eligible Hong Kong elderly persons by providing more service points in the GBA for them to better use their EHCVs on primary healthcare services to improve health conditions. The Government announced this May to extend the said Pilot Scheme and to increase 12 additional pilot medical institutions to cover all nine Mainland cities in the GBA. Among the 12 additional pilot medical institutions, four (viz. two located in Zhuhai and one each in Zhongshan and Guangzhou) launched the service on June 26 and July 9 respectively, while another two new service points in Foshan will launch the service on July 17. It is expected that the remaining six pilot medical institutions will launch the service gradually in the second half of this year. By then, together with the two existing service points operated by the HKU-SZH, eligible Hong Kong elderly persons can use the EHCVs at a total of 21 service points in Mainland cities of the GBA.

(ii) The Government announced this March the extension of the Pilot Scheme for Supporting Patients of the HA in the GBA till March 31, 2026, with a view to enabling eligible patients of the HA to choose to receive subsidised consultation services at the designated collaborating healthcare institution in the GBA. The Scheme aims to provide Hong Kong people with more choices when receiving HA’s services, and is currently applicable to the HKU-SZH. The Government and the HA will evaluate the effectiveness and the scope of services of this Pilot Scheme each year and make necessary adjustments in a timely manner.

(iii) In order to enhance the continuity of medical care for elderly persons through facilitating their secure use of electronic health records across the boundary, the Government has progressively launched the new functions of “Cross-boundary Health Record” and “Personal Folder” of the eHealth mobile application (eHealth App) at the HKU-SZH and the seven medical institutions under the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme since July 2024. The two functions have will be progressively extended to the new medical institutions under the said Pilot Scheme this year. In addition, elderly persons and their carers can also use the eHealth App to check their EHCV balance and usage record, as well as access at any time important information stored in the eHealth App, such as their medications, allergies and adverse drug reactions.

     Separately, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Healthcare Security Administration promulgated the Interim Measures for Participation in Social Insurance by Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents on the Mainland in 2019, allowing eligible Hong Kong residents to participate in the national health insurance schemes on the Mainland.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2025 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter opens for enrolment

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

â€‹The 2025 Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest – Hong Kong Chapter (MiCHK) opens for enrolment today (July 9). Hong Kong start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are welcome to join the contest, seizing the opportunity to expand into the Mainland market. The deadline for enrolment is August 20.

The contest focuses on frontier innovation and technology (I&T) fields that drive the development of new quality productive forces, including fintech, AI and big data, intelligent devices and robotics, smart living and smart mobility, third generation Internet and metaverse, semiconductors and integrated circuits, biomedicine and health, low-altitude economy and aerospace, new energy and green technology, as well as new materials.

The contest serves as a vital bridge for Hong Kong start-ups and SMEs to tap into the Mainland market, while also allowing Mainland investors and enterprises to know more about the local industry’s I&T products and solutions. The MiCHK 2025 Final will be held on September 25 this year, during which one-on-one business matching sessions will be arranged for the top 10 finalists to meet with investors and representatives of enterprises from the Mainland to promote financing and interfacing of businesses. In addition, the contesting teams will have the opportunity to receive support to participate in various start-up programmes and exhibition activities, and to showcase their potential innovative projects to different regions through multiple platforms. The champion, first runner-up and second runner-up will represent the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to compete in the national-level Maker in China SME Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Contest Final to be held in Guangzhou in the fourth quarter of this year, when they will compete with the winning teams of other regional chapters for the championship and opportunities to gain multifaceted support in connecting with Mainland investors, setting up businesses in Mainland entrepreneurial parks, and receiving guidance on outcome transformation.

The MiCHK 2025 is jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office of the HKSAR Government, the China Centre for Promotion of SME Development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and the China International Cooperation Association of SMEs. It is formulated by the Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Angel Investment Foundation and the Guangzhou SME’s Promotion Association For Specialization Refinement Differentiation Innovation Development. For more details about the contest, please visit makerinchina.hk/.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Application of legal technology and artificial intelligence

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is a question by the Hon Maggie Chan and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):

Question:

     It is learnt that the Department of Justice has been actively promoting the application of legal technology (lawtech) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal sector. There are views that the Government should actively develop AI tools (e.g. large language model developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Center) for application in areas of the common law, so as to enhance the operational efficiency and competitiveness of the legal sector. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it has currently developed large language models for application in areas of the common law; if so, of the specific details and the implementation timetable; if not, the reasons for that;

(2) whether it has plans to organise lawtech and AI summits or international exhibitions with the Mainland on a regular basis, so as to promote exchanges and co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in lawtech; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; whether it has plans to introduce lawtech from the Mainland and apply it in areas of Hong Kong common law, as well as promote the Mainland’s AI legal service products to Hong Kong and overseas; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) of the measures in place to ensure that small and medium-sized law firms in Hong Kong can benefit from the development of lawtech and AI, such as providing technical support, introducing a tax allowance for “lawtech equipment” and subsidising their procurement of lawtech-related equipment?

Reply:

President,

(1) The Hong Kong Generative Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Center (HKGAI), an inter-school co-operative research centre led by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, has developed the first local large language model (LLM) based on DeepSeek technology with full parameter fine-tuning – “HKGAI V1”. The HKGAI has developed multiple vertical applications for various public service sectors based on this local LLM, including the generative artificial intelligence (AI) document assistance application “HKPilot” and the legal-related “LexiHK”. The Department of Justice (DoJ) is currently participating in the pilot use of “HKPilot” and is considering participating in the trial of “LexiHK” after reviewing its effectiveness. At the same time, the Faculty of Law of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has recently collaborated with an AI software company to develop a legal information AI model based on the Cantonese LLM to facilitate the digital transformation of the legal system and industry. WiseLaw Digital Technology, a company incubated by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has also recently announced its innovation achievement in legal AI products. The DoJ will collaborate with the HKGAI and other relevant government departments or institutions based on the trial results, market technology development, the needs of the legal sector and the community, and related resource considerations to examine and promote the further application of AI in the legal sector, especially LLMs related to Hong Kong law.

(2) The DoJ attaches great importance on the development of areas of lawtech and AI, and believes that forums and exhibitions provides an important platform for fostering exchange and co-operation. Currently, the DoJ is actively preparing related activities, aiming to hold the first large-scale activity open to global participants, creating a diverse and open exchange platform to promote the sharing of wisdom and experience from various regions.

     We note that there are currently a number of well-developed lawtech enterprises in Mainland China. Since Mainland lawtech is now primarily designed for the Mainland legal system, it may not be directly applicable to Hong Kong’s common law market. However, we strongly encourage Mainland lawtech enterprises to set up in Hong Kong to explore the local legal market, develop AI products suitable for the Hong Kong common law market, and use Hong Kong as a springboard to develop markets in other common law jurisdictions overseas.

(3) To promote the development of lawtech, the DoJ established the Consultation Group on Lawtech Development (Consultation Group) in January 2025, and invited the industry and various stakeholders to jointly study and formulate policy measures related to lawtech. The Consultation Group members include representatives from the legal and dispute resolution sectors, law schools, and the lawtech industry, including representatives from small and medium-sized law firms, ensuring that the policies will suit the needs of practitioners.

     The Consultation Group notes in particular the challenges faced by small and medium-sized law firms in promoting the use of lawtech. In addition to economic factors, we understand that small and medium-sized law firms often have limited understanding of lawtech, and traditional practice models tend to rely less on technology, which affects their willingness to adopt new technologies.

     In response to this situation, the DoJ has accepted the suggestion of the Consultation Group and plans to promote the use of technology in the legal industry progressively in three stages:

(1) Phase 1: Lawtech awareness and education

     The aim of the first stage of the policy on promoting lawtech is to change certain ingrained mindsets and practices within the legal profession by raising their awareness of lawtech, and helping them to understand the benefits of the use of lawtech that can bring to the profession and the risk management awareness that the profession should have. To this end, the DoJ is organising a series of lawtech-related roundtables and events to raise the profession’s understanding of lawtech and to facilitate the exchange and sharing of information between the profession and lawtech experts to enable them to plan for viable adoption of lawtech.

     The DoJ is also aware of the importance of educating law students about lawtech, and will work with stakeholders in legal education and training to strengthen training related to lawtech in legal education curricula through the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training platform. The DoJ plans to draft and publish a roadmap to assist the legal profession in embarking on their path to technology applications. The DoJ also plans to issue ethical and security guidelines for the legal profession to follow when using lawtech.

(2) Phase 2: Promoting the profession’s engagement with lawtech products

     The DoJ intends to organise an exhibition of lawtech products to enable the legal profession to access and experience a variety of lawtech products available in the market and to identify lawtech solutions suitable for their business development.

     In addition, we are considering conducting a market survey to consolidate a list of lawtech products available in the market in order to provide more comprehensive information to the legal sector for reference.

(3) Phase 3: Promoting the use of lawtech in the legal profession

     The DoJ will encourage local and overseas lawtech enterprises to establish and grow in the local market, thereby fostering Hong Kong’s lawtech ecosystem. The DoJ will review the effectiveness of the above strategies and take policy measures to promote the use of lawtech in the legal profession as appropriate. The DoJ will also review the existing legal framework from time to time in order to better support and regulate the development of innovative and emerging legal technologies.

     Through these strategies, we hope to effectively enhance the awareness and use of lawtech by the legal profession, thereby enhancing the efficiency and quality of professional services and strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an international legal services and dispute resolution centre in the Asia-Pacific region.

     Thank you, President.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Korea-Hong Kong Business Luncheon (English only) (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Korea–Hong Kong Business Luncheon held in Seoul, Korea, today (July 9):

Mr Joo Yong-tae (Deputy Mayor for Economy, Seoul), Mr Kevin Lee (Director of the International Trade Division of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     Annyeonghaseyo. Good afternoon. It is both a pleasure and honour to be here with you today in Seoul.

     Let me begin by extending my warmest greetings and heartfelt appreciation to the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our ETO (Economic and Trade Office) colleagues for organising this luncheon.

Hong Kong: good for business

     Allow me to start by offering a brief snapshot of where Hong Kong stands today.

     Hong Kong has been back on a path of growth following the global challenges of the pandemic. In 2024, we recorded a GDP growth of 2.5 per cent. This year, despite continued global uncertainties from tariff war to geopolitical tensions, our economy recorded a 3.1 per cent growth in the first quarter. Our merchandise exports continued to register strong double-digit growth.

     Foreign businesses continue to cast a vote of confidence in our city. In 2024, the number of overseas and Mainland companies operating in Hong Kong reached an all-time high at nearly 10 000. American and European companies rose by around 10 per cent, while Korean companies rose by 9 per cent year on year.

     Hong Kong continues to shine in international rankings. We are among the world’s top three global financial centres. The latest IMD (International Institute for Management Development) World Competitiveness Ranking places us as the third most competitive economy worldwide. Last October, the Fraser Institute reaffirmed our position as the world’s freest economy. These accolades are no coincidence. They are the result of persistent hard work to drive our competitiveness forward, backed by transparent, consistent and predictable policies, market openness and global connectivity.

     A critical foundation of our success is a stable and secure environment. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. It restores law and order in Hong Kong and provides confidence to the international business community. Indeed, a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (in Hong Kong) in January this year showed that (more than) 80 per cent of its members expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s rule of law. And 70 per cent reported that the National Security Law had no impact on their business operations.

     Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong continues to be an open, diverse and international city. We are a free port, uphold a freely convertible currency pegged to the US dollar, ensure the free flow of capital, goods, information and talent, and practise the common law system.

     President Xi Jinping and the Central Government of China have made clear that the “one country, two systems” framework is here to stay for the long term.

     Investor confidence is reflected in hard data. Our stock market, for example, rose by 18 per cent last year, and has gained another 20 per cent this year. Initial public offerings (IPOs) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange have raised about US$16 billion so far this year, making Hong Kong the top IPO venue globally to date. The total bank deposits grew by 7 per cent last year and another 7 per cent this year, now exceeding US$2.3 trillion, six times our GDP.

The Greater Bay Area

     Meanwhile, Hong Kong is the international gateway to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or GBA, which is an economic powerhouse with 87 million people and a combined GDP of US$2 trillion. With a per capita GDP of US$23,000, or US$40,000 on a purchasing power parity basis, the GBA is not just a manufacturing base, but also a sophisticated, high-growth consumer market.

     The region is deeply interconnected. High-speed rail puts us just 15 minutes from Shenzhen and 45 minutes from Guangzhou. With seven international airports and a combined annual passenger throughput of over 200 million, the GBA sits within a five-hour flight radius of half the world’s population. Hong Kong International Airport, the world’s busiest cargo airport, now operates with a third runway and is gearing up to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2035.

     The GBA is also a cradle of innovation. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster ranks second globally in innovation, and has done so for five consecutive years. Hong Kong excels in basic research, anchored by five universities ranked among the world’s top 100. Three of them are in the global top 20 for data science and AI; our two medical schools are ranked among the top 40. Meanwhile, Shenzhen and Guangzhou lead in commercialisation and advanced manufacturing. Together, the GBA is like fusing the financial power of New York with the innovation energy of Silicon Valley.

Opportunities for Korean businesses

     So, what does this mean for Korean businesses?

     First, Hong Kong’s financial markets offer unparalleled connectivity and liquidity. We serve as a two-way platform, connecting international capital with Mainland markets and vice versa. Through our Connect Schemes, including Stock Connect, Bond Connect, and ETF (Exchange-traded Fund) Connect, and more, Mainland investors can access Hong Kong’s markets, while global investors can access the Mainland through Hong Kong.

     The recent surge in our stock market reflects two important trends. First, the rebalancing act of international investors to diversify risks out of global economic uncertainty, particularly in the US; and second, optimism about China’s technology prowess demonstrated by DeepSeek and others. Korean investors have already taken note. And they are apt in taking actions. In February this year, we saw the highest level of Korean investment into our stock market in over three years.

     Beyond the stock market, asset and wealth management is another area where we are seeing rapid growth. Hong Kong now manages over US$4 trillion in assets. With a growing ecosystem of related financial services, we are on track to become the world’s largest cross-border wealth management hub by 2028. For Korean firms in private banking and asset management, the opportunities are significant. Indeed, many American and European asset and wealth managers have been expanding their hiring and office accommodation in the city.

     Hong Kong also serves as a powerful springboard for Korean goods, not just into the GBA or the Chinese Mainland, but across the entire ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. As a duty-free port with seamless customs clearance and unmatched connectivity, Hong Kong offers Korean exporters a fast, cost-effective and reliable route to high-growth markets. From electronics and cosmetics to food products and fashion, Hong Kong is your launchpad.

     In innovation and technology, Hong Kong is making strategic and forward-looking moves. We are placing particular emphasis on the development of key sectors such as artificial intelligence and biotech. In addition to our world-class research capabilities, Hong Kong is where Mainland and international data converge. This is a distinct competitive advantage for data-intensive industries.

     Our close collaboration with other cities in the GBA is further accelerating this momentum. Along our boundary with neighbouring Shenzhen, we are developing a joint innovation and technology park, where we are piloting innovative policies to facilitate the seamless flow of data, talent, capital and even biosamples. We have also established joint clinical trial centres to expedite drug development and streamline cross-boundary regulatory approvals. For Korean tech and pharmaceutical firms seeking expansion and collaboration opportunities, Hong Kong is your ideal location.

The pleasures of life

     Beyond business, Hong Kong is a city alive with culture, diversity, and global connectivity. We are a true melting pot of East and West. Korean culture, from K-pop to kimchi, has found a warm and enthusiastic following in Hong Kong. And we are glad that more and more Korean visitors are coming to our city to see for themselves our vibrancy. In the first half of this year, Hong Kong welcomes more than half a million of Korean visitors, a 25 per cent increase year on year.

     The pleasures of life are part of our fabric. With more than 200 Michelin-recognised restaurants, hiking trails minutes from the city, and a coastline that rivals the best in the region, Hong Kong offers not only opportunity, but quality of life. Above all, Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world, a place you can walk freely, day or night.

     And we are just getting started. The newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park offers a world-class, multipurpose venue for sport and entertainment events. In January next year, we’re excited to welcome BLACKPINK to our stage. And who knows, NewJeans and aespa may not be far behind!

     Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I’ve been able to offer you a fresh perspective on Hong Kong, not just as a financial centre or trade hub, but as a dynamic, welcoming city filled with opportunity, energy and creativity. A city where Korean businesses, investors and talents can thrive.

     If I may, let me now share a short video that captures the vibrancy, openness and possibilities of Hong Kong today.

     That is Hong Kong – dynamic and welcoming. A city that means business, and a city that celebrates life. We look forward to welcoming you soon, to Hong Kong.

     Kamsahamnida. Thank you very much.



MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Accountants play a critical role in building trust in AI

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more embedded in everyday life, concerns around privacy, bias and misuse are mounting—and Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) are uniquely positioned to help bridge the trust gap.

A new joint publication from CPA Canada and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) explores the pressing need for trusted oversight of AI and highlights how CPA-led assurance services can address key risks—an approach already being embraced by firms like PwC.

“Confidence in AI isn’t just about easing public concern, it’s essential to reducing the risk of financial loss, regulatory penalties and reputational damage,” says Melissa Robertson, CPA Canada’s AI expert and co-author of the paper. “These risks are especially high in Canada, where AI literacy ranks among the lowest in the world.”

One of the most effective ways to build trust is through independent assurance: a service that CPAs have long provided in other high-risk areas. Assurance can offer third-party validation that complex systems are designed and operating as intended. Now, this expertise is being extended to AI.

“We have well-established processes, professional standards and tools to ensure quality,” Robertson adds. “As a regulated profession grounded in trust, CPAs bring the skills, oversight and objectivity that AI systems demand.”

CPAs already apply assurance and compliance frameworks to help organizations assess essential technologies, including HR platforms, financial systems and cloud-based storage services. These evaluations draw on proven CPA auditing practices and trusted tools like the System and Organization Controls (SOC) suite of services, which address critical areas such as security, privacy and reliability, offering peace of mind to clients and regulators alike.

“Most organizations already rely on SOC reports to validate their systems,” says Robertson. “Now we’re seeing growing demand from major players for the same level of assurance around AI. Today, many CPA firms are still exploring AI assurance as a service—tomorrow, they’ll be delivering it.”

To request a copy of the research paper or arrange an interview with Melissa Robertson, principal of research and thought leadership at CPA Canada, please contact media@cpacanada.ca.

About the paper

Closing the AI trust gap: The role of the CPA in AI assurance is the third and final paper in CPA Canada and the AICPA’s artificial intelligence series. It outlines how CPAs can apply their assurance expertise—including established standards, oversight models and professional judgment—to help organizations build trust in AI systems. The paper is intended for business leaders, regulators and technology stakeholders seeking practical, independent approaches to AI oversight.

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: “We want to enable digital progress”

Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

In his speech in Berlin, Branson emphasised that technologies with huge disruptive potential such as distributed ledger technology, artificial intelligence and quantum computing are developing at a rapid pace. This presents great opportunities for companies in the financial sector, he noted. Quantum computers, for example, could massively boost the efficiency of artificial intelligence systems. “A really fascinating combination,” he said.

At the same time, Branson cautioned, new technologies harbour considerable risks. Quantum computers could undermine established encryption technologies, and AI could exacerbate unfair discrimination, for example. The spread of cryptoassets could create dangerous feedback loops affecting the traditional financial system. “We cannot ignore these risks. In the worst-case scenario, they could impact the entire financial system,” he warned.

In light of this, BaFin strives to maintain the right balance between innovation and stability. Branson explained: “We want digital innovation. Today it´s the foundation of a strong, competitive financial sector – and only a strong, competitive financial sector can remain robust.” Innovation is therefore firmly anchored in BaFin’s strategic objectives for the years 2026 to 2029. At the same time, Branson added, BaFin is mandated to pursue the goal of ensuring the proper functioning, stability and integrity of the financial system. This is also reflected in BaFin’s strategic objectives.

BaFin therefore scrutinises digital technologies and new business models carefully, Branson said. “We want to enable digital progress while ensuring the proper functioning, stability and integrity of the financial system. That is our guiding principle.” Branson emphasised that cooperation is needed in order to seize the opportunities of digital change in a responsible manner. “This is our shared responsibility.”

MIL OSI Global Banks –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU regulatory environment, artificial intelligence and competitiveness – E-001181/2025(ASW)
Source: European Parliament

The 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report[1] warns that Europe risks falling behind in the area of innovation. In response, the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass[2] includes targeted actions, such as a new EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy and a 28th regime to address the obstacles preventing new companies from emerging and scaling up .

The Single Market Strategy[3] presents an action plan to improve the functioning of the Single Market and promote cross-border provision of services and cross-border movement of goods and to support competitiveness and innovation more broadly.

The Commission is simplifying EU rules and their implementation to reduce complexity and compliance costs for businesses, including sustainability reporting[4].

Further measures are planned in the Commission’s 2025 work programme[5]. In addition, the Commission’s goal is to make Europe the ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Continent’.

The AI Act[6] ensures market access, legal clarity and stronger consumer trust, while safeguarding EU citizens’ safety and fundamental rights. The AI Continent Action Plan[7], launched on 9 April 2025, will boost the EU’s AI innovation capabilities.

Evaluations and fitness checks will allow evaluating the potential to simplify, consolidate and codify the EU acquis and find opportunities to cut costs.

As part of its simplification agenda, the Commission will conduct an ambitious and comprehensive screening of existing EU legislation to stress-test the EU acquis and identify overlaps, contradictions, and obsolete provisions.

The Commission will also apply the new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and competitiveness checks with a strong sector focus, and analysis on SMEs impacts.
- [1] The 2025 Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report, COM(2025) 26 final.
- [2] A Competitiveness Compass for the EU, COM(2025) 30 final.
- [3] The Single Market: our European home market in an uncertain world. A Strategy for making the Single Market simple, seamless and strong, COM(2025) 500 final.
- [4] Sustainability Omnibus: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/publications/commission-simplifies-rules-sustainability-and-eu-investments-delivering-over-eu6-billion_en.
- [5] 2025 Commission work programme: https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/strategy-documents/commission-work-programme_en.
- [6] Artificial Intelligence Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/1689.
- [7] AI Continent Action Plan, COM(2025) 165 final.
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Trade Minister welcomes developments in Vodacom-Maziv merger

Source: Government of South Africa

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has welcomed the agreement reached between the merging parties and the Competition Commission in the Vodacom-Maziv merger deal.

“The substantial public interest commitments made by the merging parties will significantly improve access to affordable internet for underserved communities, thus enabling easier participation in economic activity, particularly for young people,” the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) said on Wednesday.

In October last year, the Minister noted the order issued by the Competition Tribunal prohibiting the proposed merger between Vodacom (Pty) Ltd and Maziv (Business Venture Investments No. 2213 (Pty) Ltd).

The order followed the Competition Commission’s initial recommendation to prohibit the merger, citing significant concerns that it could substantially reduce competition in critical markets, particularly within the 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and fibre infrastructure sectors.

READ | Minister notes Competition Tribunal’s decision on Vodacom, Maziv merger

In a statement on Tuesday, the Competition Commission said it had reached an agreement with the parties on revised conditions that substantially remedy the competition concerns raised by the Commission in its recommendation to the Tribunal that the Vodacom/Maziv merger be prohibited.

This agreement follows constructive engagements between the Commission and the merger parties to remedy the deficiencies in the previous conditions identified by the Tribunal in its prohibition of the merger.

There were three primary competition concerns that were not adequately addressed by the proposed conditions at the time of concluding the Tribunal hearings.

The first of these was the horizontal reduction in competition between Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Fibre to the Home (FTTH).

According to the Commission, the revised conditions address these shortcomings by improving the capex commitment by Maziv and extending it to a five-year period post-merger to ensure that Maziv remains incentivised to service third party network operators.

The second issue was the horizontal overlap in FTTH infrastructure and potential price increases post-merger.

“The previous conditions were inadequate insofar as they included a ‘weak’ divestiture condition that did not adequately incentivise the merging parties to divest the overlapping infrastructure. The revised conditions put in place a standard divestiture arrangement whereby the failure to sell the assets within a particular period result in a trustee divestiture process to ensure the assets are divested and pre-merger competition is restored,” said the Commission.

It further added that the condition follows the standard formulation used in other merger transactions and requires that a transparent and competitive process be followed to identify a proposed purchaser.
The third issue was over vertical foreclosure concerns with the commission stating that although there were fairly comprehensive conditions in place to address foreclosure, there were notable challenges with monitoring and enforcing the conditions with the resulting concern that action would not be sufficiently timely to prevent foreclosure from occurring and harming competition.

“The revised conditions introduce some structural changes to Maziv’s governance structure that limit the merged entity’s incentives to foreclose competitors. The conditions now also incorporate an enhanced fast-track interim relief process that will address potential foreclosure concerns while the lengthier formal process to investigate any alleged foreclosure is underway. This ensures that any attempt to get a first-mover advantage that will have an enduring effect in the market can be prevented through fast-track interim relief,” it said.

Public interest

The Commission added that there are significant improvements to the public interest commitments which increase the substantiality of these commitments.

These include additional capex spend to roll-out new (Fibre-to-theBusiness (FTTB), FTTH and Fibre-to-the-Site (FTTS) infrastructure, free access to 1Gigabit per second fibre lines for public libraries and clinics passed by FTTH infrastructure, an increase in the number of police stations that Vodacom will provide with FWA products, an additional commitment to enterprise development and an increase in the employee share ownership plan previously agreed.

“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is the cornerstone of a dynamic economy and a democratic society. The Commission is confident that the revised conditions agreed with the merger parties will ensure that South Africa will benefit from the continued competitive prices and product choices in this critical sector,” Commissioner Doris Tshepe said.

This as Minister Tau further welcomed the investment committed by parties.

“This commitment will ensure that South Africa participates meaningfully in the global economy through new sectors like Generative Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and other ICT related sectors which will propel the world into the future.

“The matter will proceed, unopposed, at the Competition Appeal Court where the agreement will be placed before the Court for its final consideration. The Minister thanks all parties involved for their constructive engagement throughout this process,” said the dtic.

The Commission as one of the the three independent statutory bodies established in terms of the Competition Act to regulate competition between firms in the market, it is the investigating and prosecuting agency in the competition regime while the Tribunal is the court. – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

July 9, 2025
Trump criticizes Putin after approving more weapons for Ukraine, Kremlin says it is ‘calm’

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had approved sending U.S. defensive weapons to Ukraine and was considering additional sanctions on Moscow, underscoring his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the growing death toll in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Trump, who pledged as a presidential candidate to end the war within a day, has not been able to follow through on that promise and efforts by his administration to broker peace have come up short.

Trump directed his ire at Putin on Tuesday during a meeting with cabinet officials at the White House.

“I’m not happy with Putin. I can tell you that much right now,” Trump said, noting that Russian and Ukrainian soldiers were dying in the thousands.

“We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin … He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Trump said

Trump said he was considering whether to support a bill in the Senate that would impose steep sanctions on Russia over the war.

“I’m looking at it very strongly,” he said.

The bill, whose lead sponsors are Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, would also punish other countries that trade with Moscow, imposing 500% tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports.

DEFENSIVE WEAPONS AGAINST RUSSIAN ADVANCES

Trump said on Monday that the United States would send more weapons to Ukraine, primarily defensive ones, to help it defend itself against Russian advances. On Tuesday he said he had approved such a move.

“We’re sending some defensive weapons to Ukraine, and I’ve approved that,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had ordered an expansion of contacts with the United States to ensure critical deliveries of military supplies, primarily air defence.

“We currently have all the necessary political statements and decisions and we must implement them as quickly as possible to protect our people and positions,” he said.

“These are critical deliveries that mean saving lives and protecting Ukrainian cities and villages. I expect results from these contacts very soon. And this week, we are preparing formats for meetings of our military and political teams.”

Zelenskiy has repeatedly urged Ukraine’s Western allies to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow to force the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire as a step towards reaching an end to the war, now 40 months old.

A decision by the Pentagon to halt some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine prompted warnings by Kyiv last week that the move would weaken its ability to defend against Russia’s intensifying airstrikes and battlefield advances.

Trump, who was seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, was asked on Tuesday who had ordered that pause.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?” Trump responded.

The Kremlin, asked on Wednesday about U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Moscow was “calm” regarding the criticism, and that it would continue to try to fix a “broken” U.S.-Russia relationship.

Trump has in recent days accused Putin of not taking U.S. efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine seriously, and suggested that the U.S. will continue supporting Kyiv.

(Reuters)

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Triskell Software Launches ‘Ready Suite’ to Accelerate Strategic Execution for Enterprises Worldwide

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MADRID, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triskell Software, a leading European provider of cloud-based Project Portfolio Management (PPM) solutions, today announced the global launch of the Triskell Ready Suite, a set of preconfigured, business-function-focused solutions designed to help enterprises accelerate strategic execution in today’s fast-moving business environment.

The Ready Suite marks a significant expansion of Triskell’s core platform capabilities, offering organizations rapid deployment options for key areas such as IT governance, new product development, project portfolio management, and strategic portfolio management. The release enables clients to achieve measurable value faster—without lengthy implementations or complex customization processes.

“Enterprises are under pressure to move quickly without compromising strategic alignment,” said Angel Garcia Triskell Software, CEO, as spokesperson. “The Ready Suite gives customers a head start—combining the depth of our PPM platform with industry best practices built-in.”

Triskell’s SaaS-based platform has been widely adopted by PMOs, CIOs, and executive leadership teams in industries including manufacturing, finance, insurance, and the public sector. With full support for Agile, hybrid, and waterfall methodologies, the platform is ideal for organizations navigating complex, cross-functional initiatives.

The launch of the Triskell Ready Suite reflects growing global demand for scalable, flexible solutions that support enterprise transformation. Triskell clients now benefit from a faster onboarding experience while retaining the full configurability and strategic visibility the platform is known for.

This product expansion follows a period of steady global growth for Triskell Software, with strong traction across Europe, North America, and Latin America. The company was recently recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for Enterprise Agile Planning Tools (2025) and the Forrester Strategic Portfolio Management Tools Report, underscoring its leadership in the PPM and agile transformation space.

About Triskell Software
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Madrid, Triskell Software provides a flexible, enterprise-grade platform for managing strategy, project portfolios, resources, and financials—all in one place. Triskell helps organizations improve decision-making and accelerate value delivery by aligning execution with business goals. Learn more at www.triskellsoftware.com.

Media Contact

Company Name: Triskell Software
Contact Person: Ignacio Carrasco
Email: media@triskellsoftware.com
Address: Calle Tellez 58, Madrid, Spain
Postal code-28007
Website: https://triskellsoftware.com

Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Triskell Software. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of media publisher.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d7e17541-5f4c-4dd1-ac58-603ee9a556a3

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Faculty of Information Technology of NSU has graduated the first master’s students of two new programs

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Yesterday, the first Master’s students graduated from two new programs Faculty of Information Technology NSU, launched in 2023, are “Internet of Things” and “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science”. The programs are distinguished by their interdisciplinary nature and in-depth training, which allows solving a wide range of problems in in-demand IT areas.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects that can be connected using various technologies and sensors to collect and analyze data. This data can be used to optimize processes, improve quality of life, and manage resources. The development of IoT opens up new opportunities for business, industry, transportation, healthcare, and many other areas. However, to realize all these opportunities and benefits, a qualified team of specialists is needed who have deep knowledge in a wide range of areas, from programming and data analytics to communications technology and security, and also understand the operation of the sensors themselves and the subject area in which they are used.

— IoT is one of the trends in the development of modern IT. When preparing to create and design solutions for the Internet of Things, a master’s student must demonstrate a whole range of knowledge. Firstly, it is necessary to learn how to work in conditions of limited computing performance and electricity, since Internet of Things devices must provide a long battery life. Secondly, in order for your system to work, a computer is not enough, you must ensure the transfer of this data. Thirdly, where we deal with data, the task arises to ensure its safety and protection. I will give an example from the healthcare sector. We all know smart watches that measure the pulse, count the number of steps, etc. In order for them to perform tasks, for example, monitoring the health of the elderly, it is necessary to implement more complex Internet of Things tools. The question arises: since this is personal, medical data, it is necessary to provide for its correct protection. Thus, in order to work in the IoT field, you need to be able to solve a whole range of problems and be an expert in different sections of modern information technology. Within the framework of the new direction, we are training exactly such specialists, — the dean of the NSU FIT, Corresponding Member, spoke about the features of the program. RAS Mikhail Lavrentiev.

The new program is also distinguished by the fact that during their studies, master’s students participate in the implementation of projects that are carried out on order or in cooperation with businesses working in the IoT area. Thus, the university’s partner in organizing the new master’s program was the company “Laboratory of the Internet of Things”, which develops ground equipment for satellite systems, as well as the company YADRO.

Denis Enes, a graduate of the Master’s program “Internet of Things” at the NSU Institute of Information Technologies, shares his impressions of the training:

– I graduated from the NSU FIT Bachelor’s degree program in Computer Science and Systems Engineering. At the same time, a new program appeared in the FIT Master’s program – Internet of Things. I wanted to study something new, so I applied. The workload was heavy, especially in the first year, so it was difficult to combine study and work. However, it was worth the effort: as a result, I acquired knowledge that was different from what I received in my Bachelor’s degree, so now I have more opportunities for further career development.

In the second program, “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science,” students received the necessary knowledge to work with artificial intelligence. They learned to develop intelligent solutions by participating in real company projects, as well as to apply AI and Data Science technologies in information and analytical activities for a wide range of areas of the digital economy.

— We have developed a program that allows our master’s students to understand what artificial intelligence is, what needs to be done to make its systems work, how to construct a database, how to estimate the size of the required hardware base that will support the system. So, now AI is increasingly penetrating into people’s everyday lives — these are solutions for automatic face recognition when entering an office or an entrance, recognizing car numbers to open a barrier, garage, etc. Such systems require a minimal hardware base. We are preparing students for the fact that it is necessary not only to build an artificial intelligence system, but to understand what is sufficient to solve a specific range of problems, — explained Mikhail Lavrentyev.

The new educational program is actively supported by partners, including Postgres Professional, YADRO, institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other companies.

Graduates of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science program talk about their learning experiences and future plans.

Ilya Stetsky:

— Studying on the program was very interesting and useful. If before admission I thought that neural networks were something narrow, then during the master’s program this area was presented more broadly, from different sides, I discovered different areas of AI application. In general, the training was comprehensive and deep. In the future, I plan to work in the field of real-time data stream processing.

Chinese student Aisaiti Baishan:

— I am very glad that I spent these two years in Akademgorodok! Before NSU, I studied at Chongqing University. I decided to enroll here because NSU is very famous in China, everyone knows that it has a high level of education, including in mathematics and IT, and professional teachers. I plan to return home to China and continue my postgraduate studies. I received my diploma and now I want to thank everyone for these two years at the university!

Material prepared by: Varvara Frolkina, NSU press service

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana Deposit Protection Corporation Board Inaugurated

Source: APO

.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko has inaugurated the Board of the Ghana Deposit Protection Corporation (GDPC)

During the inauguration he stated that one of the critical roles of the GDPC was to safeguard the deposits of ordinary Ghanaians and strengthen public confidence in the financial system.

The Board is chaired by Governor of the C Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiamah, Other members include Galahad Alex Andoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Deposit Protection Corporation; Mr. Prosper Ayinbilla Awuni, representing the Ministry of Finance; Benjamin Amenumey; and Paul Kwasi Agyemang.

The Board Chairman expressed gratitude to His Excellency the President and the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, for the confidence reposed in the team.

He again gave assurance of the Board’s commitment to providing effective leadership and strengthening the deposit protection scheme.

Dr. Asiamah further noted that the Board will ensure transparency, good governance, and the use of innovative tools to improve the Corporation’s operations.

Additionally, he stated the the Board’s plans to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, among other strategies, to enhance how the Corporation serves the people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Finance – Republic of Ghana.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: EngageLab Showcases Omnichannel Engagement and AI Innovation at The MarTech Summit Hong Kong

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SINGAPORE, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EngageLab, a global leader in customer engagement and marketing technology, proudly participated in The MarTech Summit Hong Kong, one of Asia’s premier events for marketing technology professionals. The summit brought together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to explore the latest trends and breakthroughs shaping the future of MarTech.

This year’s summit featured senior marketing executives from world-renowned brands such as JPMorgan, Yahoo, Nike, and DBS, as well as leading Hong Kong enterprises including Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Disneyland, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club. EngageLab had the valuable opportunity to engage directly with these marketing leaders, exchanging insights on omnichannel solutions and how innovative technology can drive customer engagement and business growth in today’s digital landscape.

During the summit, a senior executive from a leading international airline initiated an in-depth discussion with EngageLab regarding the challenges and opportunities of implementing a true omnichannel engagement strategy. The conversation focused on how to seamlessly integrate mobile app notifications, email, SMS, and WhatsApp to ensure timely, personalized communication with passengers throughout their journey—from booking and check-in to real-time updates and post-flight feedback. The airline was particularly interested in EngageLab’s proven ability to deliver high-concurrency messaging with industry-leading deliverability, as well as its robust compliance and data privacy standards for global operations.

At the event, EngageLab showcased its cutting-edge solutions, including marketing automation and omnichannel (AppPush, WebPush, Email, SMS, WhatsApp and OTP). These solutions empower businesses to achieve seamless, personalized, and efficient customer engagement across every touchpoint—helping brands accelerate digital transformation and drive sustainable global growth.

“We are honored to join The MarTech Summit Hong Kong and connect with industry peers who are passionate about innovation and customer-centric growth,” said Tanya Quan, Marketing Director at EngageLab. “Our mission is to empower businesses with robust, scalable, and intelligent engagement tools that unlock new opportunities in the digital era.”

As a trusted partner to hundreds of leading enterprises across technology, e-commerce, finance, media, and more, EngageLab remains committed to delivering best-in-class solutions that drive business value and customer success worldwide.

For more information about EngageLab’s solutions or to schedule a personalized consultation, please visit www.engagelab.com or contact sales@engagelab.com.

About EngageLab
EngageLab is a world-leading AI-powered omnichannel customer engagement solution provider, unites technology and versatility to offer seamless customer interactions and marketing automation across every channel, including Email, AppPush, WebPush, OTP, SMS and WhatsApp Business. It empowers businesses to build lasting relationships and achieve higher conversions and retention. With a strong focus on innovation and performance, EngageLab supports businesses in over 220 countries and regions, delivering more than 1 million messages every second across various channels.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact: marketing@engagelab.com
Website: www.engagelab.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8149daf0-0ff1-429d-a9d5-864fa92bc469

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: GPTBots.ai Showcases Business AI Agent Solutions at The MarTech Summit Hong Kong, Helping Enterprises Bridge the AI Adoption Gap
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HONG KONG, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As enterprises worldwide race to adopt AI, GPTBots.ai made its mark at The MarTech Summit Hong Kong, Asia’s premier marketing technology conference attended by world-renowned brands such as JPMorgan, Yahoo, Nike, and DBS, alongside leading Hong Kong enterprises including Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Disneyland, and The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

With 85% of enterprises prioritizing AI adoption in 2024 (Gartner), yet struggling with implementation gaps, GPTBots.ai demonstrated how its no-code AI Agent platform turns complex AI concepts into deployable solutions—without coding or data science teams.

Spotlight: Real-World AI in Action
At the summit, GPTBots.ai engaged with forward-thinking organizations, including:
A Top Hong Kong University: Their admissions team explored AI-powered chatbots to streamline student inquiries and application processes, aiming to:
- Automate 80% of FAQs (e.g., program requirements, deadlines).
- Guide applicants through form-filling with smart error detection.
- Free staff to focus on students’ in-depth support.
A Leading Hong Kong Airline: Their tech team discussed internal efficiency AI Agents for:
- AI search to make enterprise knowledge instantly accessible and empower every role.
- Reducing IT helpdesk tickets by 50% via self-service troubleshooting.
Why GPTBots.ai Stood Out
- Enterprise-Ready: Built to adapt to your business, no matter the size or complexity.
- Proven at Scale: Powers AI Agents for financial services, healthcare, and retail giants.
- End-to-End Capabilities: From strategy to deployment, we manage every step of your AI journey.
“The gap isn’t AI potential—it’s practical adoption,” said Tanya Quan, Marketing Director at GPTBots.ai. “We’re helping enterprises skip the lab and go straight to ROI.”

About GPTBots.ai
GPTBots.ai is an enterprise AI agent platform that empowers businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. Offering end-to-end AI solutions across customer service, knowledge search, data analysis, and lead generation, GPTBots enables enterprises to harness the full potential of AI with ease. With seamless integration into various systems, and support for scalable, secure deployments, GPTBots is dedicated to reducing costs, accelerating growth, and helping businesses thrive in the AI era.

To learn how GPTBots can accelerate your AI transformation, visit gptbots.ai.

Media Contact:
Contact: marketing@gptbots.ai
Website: www.gptbots.ai

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9039b0e4-6355-4e0c-83d2-ca91953120f9

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Launches Free-to-Start Cloud Mining Platform to Simplify Passive Crypto Income in 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York City, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As cryptocurrency adoption continues to surge, AIXA Miner is leading the next generation of simplified crypto earning with the launch of its free-to-start cloud mining platform. Designed for both beginners and seasoned investors, AIXA Miner removes the traditional barriers of crypto mining—offering users a hardware-free, eco-powered, and fully automated way to earn daily digital rewards.

In an industry where complexity and cost have long deterred new entrants, AIXA Miner makes mining accessible by providing new users with a $20 trial bonus, no equipment required. Mining contracts start from just $100, making it one of the most cost-efficient entries into the digital asset space.

“At AIXA, we believe mining should be for everyone—not just experts with expensive rigs,” said a company spokesperson. “Our mission is to democratize crypto income through automation, clean energy, and ease of use.”

Built for the Modern Miner

AIXA Miner’s cloud infrastructure is powered by renewable energy data centers located in Iceland and the U.S., optimized with AI-driven GPUs to mine the most profitable cryptocurrencies in real time. This approach minimizes environmental impact while maximizing efficiency.

With nearly 8 million users globally, the platform delivers seamless functionality:
- No hardware or maintenance
- Daily earnings auto-calculated and deposited
- Real-time tracking, secure wallets, and instant withdrawals
- Mining support for BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDT, and more
User Growth and Real Returns

AIXA Miner’s impact has been substantial. According to a report by Coin World, over 200,000 users have reached daily passive earnings of $10,000 in BTC. In a recent Bitcoinist article, miners using the platform reportedly generate $32,000 per day in combined passive income through contracts involving Bitcoin, XRP, and Dogecoin.

This growth is supported by a scalable architecture and a commitment to payout transparency.

Features That Set AIXA Miner Apart
- ✅ $20 Signup Credit to start mining immediately
- ✅ Flexible Plans starting at $100
- ✅ VIP Club & Referral Rewards up to 10%
- ✅ 24/7 Global Support & Security Monitoring
- ✅ Fast Withdrawals in major cryptocurrencies
How to Start in Minutes
1. Register on aixaminer.com with just your email
2. Claim your $20 bonus—no payment needed
3. Choose a plan, starting from $100
4. Activate and earn, with crypto deposited to your account daily
5. Withdraw or reinvest—your call
A Growing Trend Among Smart Investors

As cryptocurrency markets become increasingly integrated into mainstream finance, more investors are turning to platforms like AIXA Miner for predictable, passive income opportunities. With rising concerns around energy consumption and market volatility, cloud mining offers a balanced approach to crypto exposure—combining automation, sustainability, and steady returns. AIXA Miner’s model reflects this shift, appealing to both retail users and long-term holders seeking smarter ways to put their crypto assets to work.

About AIXA Miner

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in the United States, AIXA Miner has rapidly become a trusted name in the global cloud mining landscape. With a clean energy foundation, strong infrastructure, and AI-enhanced mining technology, the platform continues to attract users looking for long-term and secure crypto earnings.

Whether you’re new to cryptocurrency or diversifying your digital portfolio, AIXA Miner offers a reliable, risk-conscious path to passive income. Backed by automation, security, and global user trust, it’s time to mine smarter—not harder.

Media Contact
Name: Leif Mikkelsen
Email: like.Mikkelsen@aixaminer.com
Website: www.aixaminer.com
City/Country: Denver, United States

Attachment
- Aixa-miner
The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: SARS gets largest chunk of Treasury Budget transfers
Source: Government of South Africa

SARS gets largest chunk of Treasury Budget transfers
National Treasury has been allocated R91.835 billion over the medium-term, with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) receiving the largest component of the transfers.

Tabling National Treasury’s Budget Vote in Parliament, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the department’s budget (excluding direct charges) over the medium-term is R91.835 billion, which is an average growth rate of 6.2% from 2024/25 – 2027/28.

“The largest component is for transfers to SARS, which is allocated R45.760 billion (or 49.8%) of the department’s budget for operations and capital projects over the medium-term.

“This is an increase of R8 billion of the SARS baseline compared to the 2024 Estimate of Expenditure. Part of this increase is to improve effectiveness in revenue collection by enhancing their ability to collect debt through better systems, increasing staff capacity and modernising their processes to establish e-invoicing for VAT, instant payment systems and upgrades of customs infrastructure,” Godongwana said on Tuesday.

Last week, National Treasury published monthly debt collection data from SARS for the first time to monitor progress and improve transparency.

The budget allocation per economic classification over the medium-term is as follows:
- R3.422 billion on compensation of employees;
- R6.983 billion on goods and services;
- R78.554 billion on transfers and subsidies;
- R89 million on payment of capital assets, and
- and R2.786 billion on payment for financial assets.
Sustainable public finances

National Treasury’s Annual Performance Plan 2025/26 sets out clear and ambitious programmes to realise its goals of job creation, lowering poverty and greater inclusion.

“In terms of restoring sustainability and the impact of our public finances, a review of how the government spends money has been central to our policy efforts. To achieve all of our national priorities we need to realise much greater efficiencies on the spending side,” the Minister said.

As such there are new reviews that government plans to conduct, namely:
- An audit of ghost workers in the public service using a data-driven approach that links administrative and financial databases to identify bogus and non-existent employees and immediately remove them from the system.
- An infrastructure conditional grant review. This will assess why provinces and municipalities underspend, why projects are not delivered on time and within budget, and where relevant, why the quality of the deliverables is poor; and
- A review of the remuneration of executives and board members of public entities. The aim is to develop a standardised framework for all schedule three public entities, based on their mandates, areas of influence, and the complexity of a given organisation.
Financial Action Task Force grey list

With South Africa completing all 22 recommended action items outlined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Minister stressed that the country must continue to strengthen the laws to fight illicit and corrupt financing.

“Lastly, I am happy to say that our endeavors, not just the National Treasury’s but the government’s as a whole, to remove South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, are succeeding,” he said.

South Africa was placed on the FATF grey list due to deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regime.

The FATF recently confirmed that South Africa has substantially completed its action plan and warrants an on-site assessment.

The on-site assessment will be to verify that the implementation of AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future.

The on-site visit will take place before the next FATF Plenary, and, if the outcome of the visit is positive, the FATF will delist South Africa from the greylist at its next Plenary in October 2025. Preparations for the on-site visit have commenced.

“A General Laws Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Bill, to further improve our ability to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing, is being finalised for another round of public comment, and tabling in Parliament in the third quarter of 2025.

“Similarly, the National Treasury has made substantial progress implementing the State Capture Commission recommendations through multiple concrete actions. SARS investigations have recovered R4.8 billion in unpaid taxes, while professional bodies like the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) have imposed consequence management including disbarment,” the Minister said.

The Financial Intelligence Centre launched the ‘Enablers Project’ with law enforcement to trace state capture fund flows, and a 10-year ban was imposed on Bain & Co (currently under litigation).

“Critically, a central register now tracks dismissed officials and those who have resigned during their disciplinary processes across all government spheres,” Godongwana said. – SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Wed, 07/09/2025 – 09:36

MIL OSI Africa –
July 9, 2025
Turkey blocks X’s Grok chatbot for alleged insults to Erdogan

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

A Turkish court has blocked access to Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by the Elon Musk-founded company xAI, after it generated responses that authorities said included insults to President Tayyip Erdogan.

Issues of political bias, hate speech and accuracy of AI chatbots have been a concern since at least the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022, with Grok dropping content accused of antisemitic tropes and praise for Adolf Hitler.

The office of Ankara’s chief prosecutor has launched a formal investigation into the incident, it said on Wednesday, in Turkey’s first such ban on access to an AI tool.

Neither X nor its owner Elon Musk has commented on the decision.

Last month, Musk promised an upgrade to Grok, suggesting there was “far too much garbage in any foundation model trained on uncorrected data”.

Grok, which is integrated into X, reportedly generated offensive content about Erdogan when asked certain questions in Turkish, media said.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) adopted the ban after a court order, citing violations of Turkey’s laws that make insults to the president a criminal offence, punishable with up to four years in jail.

Critics say the law is frequently used to stifle dissent, while the government maintains it is necessary to protect the dignity of the office.

(Reuters)

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China rolls out sweeping employment push for record number of college graduates

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

Students attend a campus job fair held at Qinghai College of Architectural Technology in Xining, northwest China’s Qinghai Province, April 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

China has unveiled a tiered strategy to boost employment prospects for the nation’s 2025 college graduates, a number which is expected to reach a record 12.22 million this year.

Key national moves include job channel expansion, skills enhancement, and targeted support for disadvantaged students.

A recent recruitment fair at Guangxi Medical University in south China demonstrated the campaign’s scale, featuring both provincial and national employers across sectors like health care, AI and education.

“Large fairs like this help us engage directly with employers,” said Huang Chenxi, a student seeking administrative hospital work.

The number of college graduates in China has been rising steadily, surpassing the 10-million mark for the first time in 2022, when 10.76 million students entered the job market.

This upward trend has continued, with the number of graduates expected to reach a record 12.22 million this year — an increase of 430,000 compared to last year.

The key to boosting graduate employment is expanding channels and creating more job opportunities.

To that end, government authorities have intensified policy support, specifically targeting job retention and creation in private enterprises and small-to-medium-sized businesses.

In a recent policy innovation, China has for the first time extended its one-time job expansion subsidies — previously available only to enterprises — to include social organizations, incentivizing employers of all types to hire graduates.

The Chinese government has also been launching “100 counties for 100 universities” recruitment drives since June to bridge information gaps between local enterprises and universities.

Last month, an event in Ningbo in east China’s Zhejiang Province offered over 7,000 jobs, and another event in Nanning in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region offered over 15,000 jobs. More fairs are also planned for other parts of the country.

To thrive in today’s rapidly evolving labor market, graduates need more than just degrees — they need industry-relevant skills.

“New industries, business models and economic paradigms represent a crucial driver of innovation-led development, injecting fresh vitality into China’s economy,” said Wang Peng, an associate researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences.

“These emerging sectors have created significant employment growth opportunities and are increasingly serving as primary channels absorbing college graduates into the workforce,” Wang noted, highlighting their growing importance in China’s employment landscape.

Responding to the evolving needs of emerging industries, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has launched a national program to enhance student preparedness. Over 2,600 “micro-major” programs and more than 1,100 professional training courses have been established to sharpen students’ knowledge and competencies in high-demand fields prior to graduation.

A national employment services platform for college graduates has undergone a digital overhaul, and is now equipped with AI and big-data-powered tools.

Enhanced algorithms and closer coordination with social recruitment platforms and universities have made it more efficient: To date, the platform has hosted 111 online job fairs and posted over 20 million job openings for the graduating class of 2025.

Complementing national efforts, provinces across China are also implementing localized solutions. In northeast China’s Jilin Province, for example, 69 human resources officials have been assigned to support 69 local universities, offering tailored guidance and services.

As we enter July and the graduation season reaches its peak, particular attention is being paid to those who have yet to secure jobs — especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Backed by funding from the Ministry of Finance, the MOE has organized 1,124 dedicated job fairs, offering more than 1.1 million targeted positions for the 2025 graduate cohort.

Looking ahead, uninterrupted support will continue via the national employment platform. In one example of such support, a special online campaign linking research assistant positions and livestreamed job fairs will remain active through the end of August.

Together, these efforts reflect China’s commitment to helping graduates move from classrooms to careers, and to ensuring their talents find the opportunities they deserve.

MIL OSI China News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Scales Fomo Thursdays With Free Onchain Token Rewards

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, continues its weekly zero-barrier onchain rewards series with the fourth edition of Fomo Thursdays, launched in collaboration with Velo Protocol. This week’s event features a prize pool of 3.47 million VELO tokens and opens 50,000 participation slots. Users can enter by staking $10 USDT — fully refundable after the event — for a chance to receive randomized token rewards, including a top prize of $888 in VELO.

Fomo Thursdays lowers entry barriers for token participation by replacing complex trading tasks or point-based systems with a simple weekly staking model. Participants receive randomized token rewards via onchain smart contracts, with no gas fees required for claims. In the previous round, 20,000 users joined within 10 minutes of the event opening, underscoring growing demand for this accessible format.

VELO, the native token of Velo Protocol, powers a decentralized finance infrastructure focused on enabling global value transfer. The project integrates multi-asset trading, FX aggregation, and Web3-native settlement systems. Its architecture positions VELO as a foundational liquidity layer for cross-border financial applications and remittance flows, particularly in emerging markets.

The weekly event is part of Bitget Wallet’s broader effort to create low-friction, accessible onchain experiences for new and existing users. “Fomo Thursdays is designed to make token access simple, fun, and available to all — without the usual barriers,” said Jamie Elkaleh, CMO of Bitget Wallet. “By embedding these events directly into the wallet, we’re opening up early-stage opportunities to a much wider base of users.”

The Week 4 campaign opens for staking on July 9 at 13:00 UTC and closes 24 hours later. Token distribution and USDT refunds begin at 14:00 UTC on July 10. All VELO rewards will be distributed on BNB Chain and are claimable directly within Bitget Wallet.

For more information, visit the Bitget Wallet official channels.

About Bitget Wallet
Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.

For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68f3f9c6-1aad-4bee-be3d-f913b3ccfa1f

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
Broadband subscribers in India cross 944 million, up 2.17% in FY 25: TRAI

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The number of broadband subscribers rose to 944.12 million in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) data showed on Tuesday.

TRAI released its “Indian Telecom Services – Yearly Performance Indicators Report” for 2024–25, offering a detailed overview of India’s telecom and broadcasting sectors from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

India’s internet subscribers rose to 969.10 million from 954.40 million at the end of March 2025, the Ministry of Communications said in a statement. Broadband connections accounted for 944.12 million, registering a 2.17% growth, while narrowband users declined sharply by 17.66% to 24.98 million.

Mobile Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) saw a notable increase of 16.89%, rising from ₹149.25 to Rs 174.46. Prepaid ARPU rose, while postpaid ARPU marginally declined.

Total wireless data usage jumped 17.46% to 2,28,779 Petabytes (PB), and data revenue grew 15.49% to Rs 2.15 lakh crore. The number of wireless data users also rose to 939.51 million.

India’s total telephone subscriber base grew marginally by 0.13% to 1,200.80 million. However, overall teledensity slipped from 85.69% to 85.04%. While urban subscriptions increased slightly, urban teledensity declined by 1.70%. Rural subscriptions also rose, but rural teledensity saw a minor dip.

Wireless subscribers fell by 0.73%, with a net loss of 8.5 million users. Wireline connections, however, surged by 9.62% to 37.04 million, boosting wireline teledensity from 2.41% to 2.62%.

The sector’s Gross Revenue (GR) grew by 10.72% to Rs 3.72 lakh crore, while Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) rose 12.02% to Rs 3.03 lakh crore. Spectrum Usage Charges and license fees also recorded significant increases.

In the broadcasting sector, India had 918 permitted private satellite TV channels as of March 2025, with 333 pay channels (232 SD and 101 HD). Pay DTH subscribers declined to 56.92 million, down from 61.97 million the previous year.

There were 388 operational private FM radio stations across 113 cities, operated by 33 broadcasters after a recent merger. Community Radio Stations also saw growth, increasing from 494 to 531.

The full report is available on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Systems Analysis, AI and Big Data: Results of the Scientific Conference at SPbPU

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The XXIX International Scientific and Practical Conference “System Analysis in Design and Management” (SAEC-2025) was held at the Polytechnic University.

The event was organized by the scientific and pedagogical school “System Analysis in Design and Management” based on the Higher School of Computer Technologies and Information Systems of the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity of SPbPU with the support of the Southern Federal University and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

The conference was attended by about 300 representatives of universities and research organizations from Russia and 19 foreign countries. 114 reports were presented, in addition to plenary sessions, there were seven scientific sections, two round tables, a discussion track and a visiting session in Taganrog (Southern Federal University).

The plenary sessions were chaired by Violetta Volkova, professor at the Higher School of Computer Science and Information Technologies, Vladimir Kozlov, professor at the Higher School of Computer Science and Information Technologies, and Svetlana Shchepetova, professor at the Department of Modeling and Systems Analysis at the Financial University.

On the first day of the conference, its scientific secretary, Associate Professor Svetlana Shirokova read out the opening remarks of the Chairman of the Program Committee, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Igor Kalyaev. Professor Peres Krichtin Fabio Luis, Special Coordinator for International Relations with the Russian Federation, delivered a welcoming speech via video link on behalf of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

The following people gave reports on global problems of developing the methodology of systems analysis, data dimensionality, spatial planning and design of the environment of the future, system principles of model integration, systems analysis and development of weapons systems, as well as the peculiarities of the development of Russian higher education in modern conditions: President of the Southern Federal University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education Marina Borovskaya; Head of the Scientific Direction “Mesoeconomics, Microeconomics, Corporate Economics” of the Central Economics and Mathematics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Director of the Department of Modeling and Systems Analysis of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Head of the Department of Institutional Economics of the State University of Management, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Georgy Kleiner; Head of the Department of Mathematical Modeling of Nonlinear Processes of the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Full Member of the Academy of Military Sciences; Professor of St. Petersburg State University Vladimir Khalin. The rationale for the need to open the specialty “System Analysis, Management and Information Processing” was presented in the report by Vladimir Kozlov, Violetta Volkova and Associate Professor Artem Efremov.

At the end of the plenary session, the director of the Center for Technological Support of Education at Moscow Polytechnic University, Ilya Volnov, gave a report entitled “The Method of Analogies and Synthesis of the Sphere Approach.”

Lively discussions arose in the section “Philosophical, methodological and general theoretical problems of systems theory and systems analysis”. The reports characterizing the current state of the sciences on systems and methods of systems analysis were discussed, including the report of the head of the department of philosophy of information and cognitive processes of the Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Andrei Kolesnikov on arithmotronics; a joint report of professor of the University “Narxoz” (Almaty, Kazakhstan) Mafura Uandykova and professor of the Financial University Svetlana Shchepetova on the problem of interaction between the system and the individual in the era of digitalization; a joint report of professor of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Fabio Luis Peres Krichtin and his colleagues from the Polytechnic School, research laboratories of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Federal University Fluminense (Niteroi, Brazil).

On the second day, the following scientific sections were held: “Mathematical Methods and Models of Systems Analysis in Technical and Socio-Economic Systems”, “Information and Cyber-Physical Systems”, “Measuring Information Technologies”, “System Analysis in the Management of Enterprises, Territorial Complexes, Research and Other Organizations”, “Transport Systems”, “System Analysis in the Educational Process and Management of Higher Education”.

Employees of the SPbPU Digital Engineering School organized two round tables. Under the leadership of Marina Bolsunovskaya, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Computer Science and Information Systems, Head of the Laboratory of Industrial Systems of Stream Data Processing at the SPbPU School, a round table was held on Data Analysis in Complex Technical and Production Systems. Under the leadership of Alexey Gintsyak, Head of the Laboratory of Digital Modeling of Industrial Systems at the SPbPU School of Project Activity and Innovations in Industry, a round table was held on Integration of Methods of Systems Analysis and Artificial Intelligence in Economics and Construction.

The discussion track on the problem of “Ideology of engineering complex systems in the conditions of increasing chaos of pre-singularity” (the moderator is the methodological director of the National Association of Enterprise Architects, a full member of the RMA Evgeny Zinder) attracted great interest. For example, a student of MIREA – Russian Technological University and junior specialist of the company “Uveon – Cloud Technologies” Nikolay Leonov presented evidence of the usefulness of using the XGBoost method for predicting security incidents in information systems.

Also giving presentations and participating in discussions were Sergey Vasiliev, a lecturer at the TOP Computer Academy, Roman Khursin, an analyst at Ravelin LLC, Yuri Lyamin, an associate professor at the Department of Applied Informatics and Security at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Elena Romanova, a senior lecturer at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Kirill Skripkin, an associate professor at the Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Maxim Smirnov, a member of the NAAP Council.

At the final plenary session, Boris Sokolov, Chief Researcher at the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a report on the development and use of digital twins of complex objects based on the qualimetry of models and polymodel complexes. Professor Igor Arefyev and Associate Professor Olga Afanasyeva of the St. Petersburg Mining University spoke about the use of artificial intelligence to build cognitive models of weakly structured problems of system analysis. Professor Violetta Volkova, in collaboration with Yuri Cherny, Head of the Center for the Study of Informatics Problems at the Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, prepared a report entitled “A Look at the Problem of Big Data from the Point of View of A. A. Denisov’s Philosophy and Theory of the Information Field.”

The meeting in Taganrog was devoted to the topic “Cognitive Modeling of Complex Systems and Artificial Intelligence”. There, Zinaida Avdeeva, a senior research fellow at the V. A. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed an important idea for complex open systems that forecasts should begin with an analysis of the current state of the system, reflected in regulatory documents, and presented a cognitive analysis of the main ones.

At the end of the conference, its participants proposed organizing a permanent seminar and information portal, where they could continue discussing the development directions of systems sciences, and primarily the problems of target setting, big data and artificial intelligence.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025
India’s internet subscribers cross 969 million in FY25, driven by broadband growth: TRAI

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India’s internet subscriber base grew by 1.54% in the financial year 2024–25, rising from 954.40 million in March 2024 to 969.10 million in March 2025, according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday.

The growth was primarily driven by an increase in broadband subscribers, which rose from 924.07 million to 944.12 million, marking a 2.17% year-on-year gain.

In contrast, narrowband subscriptions declined by 17.66%, falling from 30.34 million to 24.98 million during the same period.

The report, titled Indian Telecom Services – Yearly Performance Indicators, also noted a 16.89% increase in mobile Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), which climbed from ₹149.25 to ₹174.46. While prepaid ARPU saw a notable rise, postpaid ARPU recorded a slight decline.

Total wireless data usage jumped 17.46% to 2,28,779 Petabytes (PB), and data revenue grew 15.49% to Rs 2.15 lakh crore. The number of wireless data users also rose to 939.51 million.

India’s total telephone subscriber base grew marginally by 0.13% to 1,200.80 million. However, overall teledensity slipped from 85.69% to 85.04%. While urban subscriptions increased slightly, urban teledensity declined by 1.70%. Rural subscriptions also rose, but rural teledensity saw a minor dip.

Wireless subscribers fell by 0.73%, with a net loss of 8.5 million users. Wireline connections, however, surged by 9.62% to 37.04 million, boosting wireline teledensity from 2.41% to 2.62%.

The sector’s Gross Revenue (GR) grew by 10.72% to Rs 3.72 lakh crore, while Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) rose 12.02% to Rs 3.03 lakh crore. Spectrum Usage Charges and license fees also recorded significant increases.

In the broadcasting sector, India had 918 permitted private satellite TV channels as of March 2025, with 333 pay channels (232 SD and 101 HD). Pay DTH subscribers declined to 56.92 million, down from 61.97 million the previous year.

There were 388 operational private FM radio stations across 113 cities, operated by 33 broadcasters after a recent merger. Community Radio Stations also saw growth, increasing from 494 to 531.

The full report is available on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in).

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: 21Shares Launches XDC Network ETP on Euronext

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New product offers regulated access to one of the most promising blockchain networks in global trade finance

Zurich, 9 July 2025 – 21Shares, one of the world’s leading issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the launch of the 21Shares XDC Network ETP (ticker: XDCN), now listed on Euronext Paris and Amsterdam. The physically backed ETP provides investors with institutional-grade access to the XDC Network, a blockchain purpose-built to modernise global trade through tokenisation and digitisation of real-world assets.

Exchange Product Name Ticker ISIN Fee

Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam 21Shares XDC Network ETP XDCN CH1464217285 2.50%

The XDC Network has rapidly emerged as a key infrastructure layer for trade finance and cross-border payments. Its integration with financial messaging standards such as SWIFT and ISO 20022 makes it a compelling choice for institutional adoption. Backed by strategic partnerships with industry players like Deutsche Telekom, SBI Japan, and Archax, the XDC ecosystem is bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralised networks.

“XDC stands at the intersection of blockchain innovation and real-world utility,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “As global finance begins to embrace tokenised assets, we’re proud to offer investors a regulated way to gain exposure to this critical infrastructure.”

“XDC Network is a fast, compliant settlement layer for global payments and tokenized real-world assets – and this ETP brings that vision to life,” said Ritesh Kakkad, Co-Founder of XDC Network. “This ETP launch represents a significant milestone in XDC Network’s journey toward mainstream institutional adoption,” said Ziv Keinan, Head of Markets and Partnerships at XDC Network. “By partnering with 21Shares to bring regulated exposure to European investors, we’re enabling traditional financial institutions to participate in the future of payment and trade finance infrastructure. This product validates XDC’s position as the blockchain of choice for real-world asset tokenization and cross-border payment solutions.”

The 21Shares XDC Network ETP (ISIN: CH1464217285) is denominated in USD (Euronext Amsterdam) and EUR (Euronext Paris), with a management fee of 2.50%. It is fully collateralised by the underlying asset and held in institutional-grade cold storage.

For more information, please visit: www.21shares.com

Notes to editors

About 21Shares

21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

Media Contact
Matteo Valli
matteo.valli@21shares.com

About XDC Network
XDC Network is an enterprise-grade, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain protocol designed to revolutionize global trade finance through the tokenization of real-world assets and financial instruments. Since its origins in 2017, XDC Network has built a distributed community of developers and enterprises using its technology for efficient data storage, asset exchange, and decentralized applications. The network supports smart contracts, offers 2-second transaction finality, and maintains compatibility with Ethereum tools while delivering significantly lower costs and energy consumption.

DISCLAIMER

This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

###

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI: 21Shares Launches XDC Network ETP on Euronext

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New product offers regulated access to one of the most promising blockchain networks in global trade finance

Zurich, 9 July 2025 – 21Shares, one of the world’s leading issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the launch of the 21Shares XDC Network ETP (ticker: XDCN), now listed on Euronext Paris and Amsterdam. The physically backed ETP provides investors with institutional-grade access to the XDC Network, a blockchain purpose-built to modernise global trade through tokenisation and digitisation of real-world assets.

Exchange Product Name Ticker ISIN Fee

Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam 21Shares XDC Network ETP XDCN CH1464217285 2.50%

The XDC Network has rapidly emerged as a key infrastructure layer for trade finance and cross-border payments. Its integration with financial messaging standards such as SWIFT and ISO 20022 makes it a compelling choice for institutional adoption. Backed by strategic partnerships with industry players like Deutsche Telekom, SBI Japan, and Archax, the XDC ecosystem is bridging the gap between traditional finance and decentralised networks.

“XDC stands at the intersection of blockchain innovation and real-world utility,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “As global finance begins to embrace tokenised assets, we’re proud to offer investors a regulated way to gain exposure to this critical infrastructure.”

“XDC Network is a fast, compliant settlement layer for global payments and tokenized real-world assets – and this ETP brings that vision to life,” said Ritesh Kakkad, Co-Founder of XDC Network. “This ETP launch represents a significant milestone in XDC Network’s journey toward mainstream institutional adoption,” said Ziv Keinan, Head of Markets and Partnerships at XDC Network. “By partnering with 21Shares to bring regulated exposure to European investors, we’re enabling traditional financial institutions to participate in the future of payment and trade finance infrastructure. This product validates XDC’s position as the blockchain of choice for real-world asset tokenization and cross-border payment solutions.”

The 21Shares XDC Network ETP (ISIN: CH1464217285) is denominated in USD (Euronext Amsterdam) and EUR (Euronext Paris), with a management fee of 2.50%. It is fully collateralised by the underlying asset and held in institutional-grade cold storage.

For more information, please visit: www.21shares.com

Notes to editors

About 21Shares

21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

Media Contact
Matteo Valli
matteo.valli@21shares.com

About XDC Network
XDC Network is an enterprise-grade, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain protocol designed to revolutionize global trade finance through the tokenization of real-world assets and financial instruments. Since its origins in 2017, XDC Network has built a distributed community of developers and enterprises using its technology for efficient data storage, asset exchange, and decentralized applications. The network supports smart contracts, offers 2-second transaction finality, and maintains compatibility with Ethereum tools while delivering significantly lower costs and energy consumption.

DISCLAIMER

This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

###

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025

Exchange	Product Name	Ticker	ISIN	Fee
Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam	21Shares XDC Network ETP	XDCN	CH1464217285	2.50%

Category: Artificial Intelligence

Peter Kyle’s speech at Google Cloud Summit London

Updates to this page