NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX: S68; OTCQX: SPXCY, SPXCF), Asia’s most international multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market.
Singapore Exchange Ltd. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbols “SPXCY, SPXCF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.
Singapore Exchange Ltd.’s move to the OTCQX Market underscores the importance of providing transparent and accessible trading for U.S. investors. International companies and exchanges trading on OTCQX meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.
“We are excited to welcome Singapore Exchange Ltd. to the growing roster of international exchanges trading on the OTCQX Market,” said Jason Paltrowitz, OTC Markets EVP of Corporate Services. “This demonstrates our shared commitment to helping Asia-based companies leverage their home market listing to gain access to the U.S. through expanded cross-trading opportunities.”
“As SGX expands its footprint in the U.S., with a rising share of our derivatives products traded during U.S. and European hours, we’ve seen growing interest from U.S.-based investors,” said Daniel Koh, Chief Financial Officer of Singapore Exchange (SGX Group). “Trading SGX shares on the OTCQX Market will further enhance our visibility and make it easier for U.S. investors to participate in our growth story. As a leading international multi-asset exchange headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, we will continue to enhance liquidity across our pan-Asian products to meet the increasing global demand for Asian exposure.”
About Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX Group) SGX Group seeks to serve as the world’s most trusted and efficient international marketplace, operating equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets to the highest regulatory standards. As one ecosystem with global relevance and influence, we offer multiple growth avenues to our stakeholders through listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository, data and index services. We are committed to lead on climate action by developing a world-class transition financing and trading hub through SGX FIRST (Future in Reshaping Sustainability Together), our multi-asset sustainability platform. Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, we are globally recognised for our risk-management and clearing capabilities. Find out more at www.sgxgroup.com.
About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited™ Market. Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.
OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.
NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX: S68; OTCQX: SPXCY, SPXCF), Asia’s most international multi-asset exchange operating equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market.
Singapore Exchange Ltd. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbols “SPXCY, SPXCF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.
Singapore Exchange Ltd.’s move to the OTCQX Market underscores the importance of providing transparent and accessible trading for U.S. investors. International companies and exchanges trading on OTCQX meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.
“We are excited to welcome Singapore Exchange Ltd. to the growing roster of international exchanges trading on the OTCQX Market,” said Jason Paltrowitz, OTC Markets EVP of Corporate Services. “This demonstrates our shared commitment to helping Asia-based companies leverage their home market listing to gain access to the U.S. through expanded cross-trading opportunities.”
“As SGX expands its footprint in the U.S., with a rising share of our derivatives products traded during U.S. and European hours, we’ve seen growing interest from U.S.-based investors,” said Daniel Koh, Chief Financial Officer of Singapore Exchange (SGX Group). “Trading SGX shares on the OTCQX Market will further enhance our visibility and make it easier for U.S. investors to participate in our growth story. As a leading international multi-asset exchange headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, we will continue to enhance liquidity across our pan-Asian products to meet the increasing global demand for Asian exposure.”
About Singapore Exchange Ltd. (SGX Group) SGX Group seeks to serve as the world’s most trusted and efficient international marketplace, operating equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets to the highest regulatory standards. As one ecosystem with global relevance and influence, we offer multiple growth avenues to our stakeholders through listing, trading, clearing, settlement, depository, data and index services. We are committed to lead on climate action by developing a world-class transition financing and trading hub through SGX FIRST (Future in Reshaping Sustainability Together), our multi-asset sustainability platform. Headquartered in AAA-rated Singapore, we are globally recognised for our risk-management and clearing capabilities. Find out more at www.sgxgroup.com.
About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited™ Market. Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.
OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund Foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, increased during the month by HK$9.5 billion to HK$3,596.2 billion.
The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to HK$2,120.2 billion.
Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to HK$349.4 billion.
Foreign liabilities amounted to HK$31.0 billion.
The analytical accounts of the Exchange Fund are released in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) and are referred to as the Analytical Accounts of the Central Bank under SDDS (Annex).
At present, four press releases relating to the Exchange Fund’s data are issued by the HKMA each month. Three of these releases are issued to disseminate monetary data in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s SDDS. The fourth press release, on the Exchange Fund’s Abridged Balance Sheet and Currency Board Account, is made in accordance with the HKMA’s policy of maintaining a high level of transparency. For the month of July 2025, the scheduled dates for issuing the press releases are as follows:
July 7 (Issued)(Hong Kong’s Latest Foreign Currency Reserve Assets Figures) (Analytical Accounts of the Exchange Fund) Foreign Currency Liquidity Currency Board AccountIssued at HKT 19:14
Indian investors, traditionally obsessed with stockpiling gold, are increasingly turning to silver, which was trading near a 14-year high on Monday, as its returns this year outpaced those of gold.
Imports fill most of the demand in the world’s largest consumer of silver, where domestic prices touched a record high of 114,875 rupees ($1,336) a kg as a production shortfall spurred investors’ hopes for a further rally.
“Gold’s done pretty well for me over the last couple of years,” said Umesh Agarwal, a regular buyer of gold coins, who recently made his first purchase of a one-kilogram bar of silver.
“Now I’m hoping silver follows the same path and gives similar returns.”
Domestic prices of silver have risen 21% in the past three months, outstripping a rise of 5% in gold, as opposed to the scenario of the past year, when gold prices surged 34%, compared to a rise of 23% in silver.
The appetite for silver is driven both by investment and industry needs in areas such as solar energy and electric vehicles, outpacing production, said Chirag Thakkar, chief executive of Amrapali Group Gujarat, a leading silver importer.
“Usually, investors cash in when prices hit record highs, offloading coins and bars or pulling out of exchange-traded funds (ETFs),” he added.
“However, this time, even at record highs, people are investing, rather than selling.”
Silver ETFs attracted inflows of a record 20.04 billion rupees in June, up from 8.53 billion in May, data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India showed.
In the June quarter, silver ETFs attracted inflows of 39.25 billion rupees, far outpacing the 23.67 billion flowing into gold ETFs.
Such ETFs offer investors a convenient way to gain exposure to silver, which is heavy and costly to store and transport, said Vikram Dhawan, head of commodities and fund manager at Nippon India Mutual Fund, which manages metal ETFs.
Volatility in equity markets following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs has also pushed investors to diversify, said a Mumbai-based bullion dealer with a silver importing bank.
Traditionally the choice of budget-conscious rural consumers, silver is increasingly attracting urban buyers as an investment, the dealer added.
Indian retail investment demand rose 7% in the first half of 2025 on the year, fuelled by expectations of a price rally, the Silver Institute said this month.
Silver imports jumped 431% in May on the year to 544.1 tons, while gold imports fell 25% to 30.5 tons, trade ministry data showed.
NEW YORK, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As part of a bold effort to revolutionize worldwide remittance trends, Remittix (RTX) has unveiled a new XRP-based on-ramp option where users can trade Ripple’s native cryptocurrency directly to fiat currencies in its cross-chain wallet.
This innovation puts Remittix on the same level as digital payment giants but with a quick, hassle-free doorway to real-world transactions.
The shift is synchronized with booming XRP news, as the token keeps gaining momentum as an institutional payment backbone. By being compatible with XRP, Remittix takes advantage of an established blockchain infrastructure that is already optimized for speed, cost and reach globally.
The XRP integration is just one piece of Remittix’s larger mission to be a crypto-to-fiat gateway that works everywhere. Having built up the experience with ETH, BTC, DOGE, SOL and now XRP, Remittix is meeting growing demand for low-gas-fee coins that deliver utility in the real world.
The XRP-powered update precedes the highly anticipated Q3 beta launch of the Remittix wallet, which debuted live on YouTube in a preview recently. The wallet features non-custodial access, point-of-need crypto conversion and direct bank deposit, making it a front-runner in the emerging PayFi category of financial services.
Enabling Remittix Adoption and Token Uptake
Having sold more than 550 million RTX tokens and having raised more than $16 million through its presale so far, Remittix is rapidly closing in on its $18 million soft cap.
The project’s momentum is due to several factors, including:
Recognition by analysts who feature RTX among the best cryptocurrencies to buy now
A strong real-world use case in international payments and remittances
Innovative DeFi functionality and remittance-enabling architecture
A generous 50% token bonus in the ongoing presale
A live token price of $0.0811 amid strong early demand
With growing adoption, Remittix is aiming to become:
One of the best crypto presales of 2025
A promising next 100x cryptocurrency
A leader among cross-chain DeFi projects
A crypto asset with passive income potential
Looking Ahead
Remittix’s latest update further strengthens its role as a Layer 2 Ethereum alternative for mainstream finance. Now with XRP support turned on, Remittix further adds to its usability as a crypto solution focusing on real-world use cases, especially in underbanked payment corridors of Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia.
As XRP headlines and centralized exchanges face new scrutiny, Remittix offers a compliant, decentralized solution that marries crypto usability with fiat liquidity.
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VIENNA, Va., July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Castellum, Inc. (NYSE-American: CTM) (the “Company” and “Castellum”), a cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and software services and solutions company focused on the federal government, releases this letter to shareholders from Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Glen Ives.
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
With this month marking the one-year anniversary of my time as your CEO, I thought it an opportune time to thank you sincerely for your support and confidence in Castellum, Inc., re-emphasize how incredibly honored I continue to be to have this opportunity to lead our CTM team, provide a very brief update on our significant progress over this past year, and explain why I continue to be encouraged, confident, and genuinely excited for all of us at CTM as we look ahead.
Since I assumed my role as your CEO on July 1st of last year, CTM has quickly and strategically transitioned from our four-year Phase 1 “start-up” period, during which we were focused on acquiring and integrating seven companies and uplisting to the NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American”). Last July, we made a strategic pivot to Phase 2, focusing on strengthening our foundational platform through organic growth. As I have affirmed constantly, time and again since last summer, our Phase 2 strategy is based upon a total, 100%, uncompromising, “all hands” commitment to organic growth.
Over the past year, our CTM Team has been improving and energizing every aspect of our Company to compete in the “full and open” arena, as defined by the government, as a “large” business. We are completely integrated across CTM in every business function and have been laser focused on strengthening business development (“BD”) and organic growth through a broadening, deepening, and quality improvement of our opportunity pipeline and significantly enhancing our prospective capabilities in the key BD areas of opportunity development, capture management, and proposal development.
Established a new subsidiary to focus on advanced technology products;
Consistent “best in industry” contractor performance assessment reports (“CPARS”), which is our “report card” from our government customers; and
Significant improvement and increases in the volume and quality of our proposals … for baseball fans, we want to get more at-bats, take more swings at the right pitches, get on base more with a good balance of singles, doubles, triples, and home runs.
Today, we are an intensely competitive, leading-edge technology services and solutions team committed to national security and our warfighters. We provide relevant, timely, and world-class mission services and solutions to our defense and federal civilian customers through our government-awarded contracts. We bring unparalleled capabilities in software and systems engineering and integration, software development, and model-based systems engineering across every technology domain and mission area vital to our government mission customers. Going forward, our new advanced technology products subsidiary will complement our historic strong suit of tech-enabled services with the tech itself.
Relevant, powerful, high-demand, high-value technology domains and mission capabilities:
Software development, software and systems engineering, systems integration, model-based systems engineering;
Electronic and information warfare;
Cybersecurity, AI/ML, data analytics, digital modernization, C5ISR;
Data and intelligence analysis; and
Strategic mission, policy planning, and development.
At the very core, we have built and are building a premier, cohesive team – I couldn’t be prouder of the whole team we have built, top to bottom, left to right. We have brought together seven different companies, professionals from outside those organizations, and built an integrated and focused team that has been responsible for the many positive things that have happened, are happening, and will continue to happen.
With the equity raises, we will be able to lean into investments we are already making – business development and IT for organic growth, and it will allow us to pursue growth by acquisitions;
Contract wins will build success – credibility, service, and revenue;
Strong CPARS speaking to the high quality of our work;
Increase in proposals – improves our opportunities for winning; and
With our mentor-protégé joint ventures, we grow our business and help establish two worthy companies.
We are now where we wanted to be when we first uplisted to the NYSE American in October 2022. We have now raised the capital we intended to support our organic and inorganic growth strategies. Since the time of uplisting, we have honed our skills and integrated our teams to be a better, stronger company. We are committed to winning and growing contracts, as well as making strategic acquisitions, to achieve our goal of becoming a large, premier defense company.
Achieving these goals will lead to enhanced shareholder value for you, our shareholders, a stronger national defense, and more opportunities for our Castellum professionals. Over the past year, you have seen part of what we can do. In the coming years, we plan to achieve much, much more.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. Words such as “will,” “would,” “believe,” and “expects,” and similar language or phrasing are indicative of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ (sometimes materially) from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: statements regarding the Company’s expectations for proposal, contract, and revenue growth, building value, serving our shareholders, and profitability; the Company’s ability to effectively integrate and grow its acquired companies; its ability to identify additional acquisition targets and close additional acquisitions; the impact on the Company’s revenue due to a delay in the U.S. Congress approving a federal budget, operating under a prolonged continuing resolution, government shutdown, or breach of the debt ceiling, as well as the imposition by the U.S. government of sequestration in the absence of an approved budget; the ability of the U.S. federal government to unilaterally cancel a contract with or without cause, and more specifically, the potential impact of the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization on government spending and terminating contracts for convenience. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s recently filed Form 10-Q, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which can be viewed at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties, or not closing the described potential equity financing in this press release, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.
PMKVY has evolved from a large-scale training initiative into a dynamic tool for national development. After its initial pilot skilled almost 20 lakh candidates, PMKVY 2.0 expanded to strategically support the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ campaigns, training 1.10 crore candidates. PMKVY 3.0 focused on precision-targeted training, seamlessly aligning with the National Education Policy and rapidly equipping COVID-19 frontline workers to meet the nation’s most urgent needs. This phase integrated training modules such as the Customised Crash Course Programme for COVID Warriors (CCCP for CW) and the Skill Hub Initiative (SHI), which mainstreamed vocational training with general education as envisaged under the National Education Policy, 2020. Under PMKVY 4.0, over 25 lakh candidates have been trained in the last three years, bringing the total number of trained candidates to 1.63 crore. The training imparted under PMKVY makes candidates employable in diverse industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, IT, electronics, and retail.
Since its inception in 2015, PMKVY has steadily evolved into a key pillar of the Skill India Mission (SIM), aiming to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and employability through structured, industry-aligned training. The programme has expanded far beyond short-term courses, now encompassing apprenticeships, entrepreneurship support, global workforce readiness, and traditional crafts preservation.
As of July 11, over 25 lakh youth have been trained under PMKVY 4.0—the latest phase of the scheme—reflecting a significant leap toward preparing India’s youth for both domestic and international job markets. This version of the programme integrates cutting-edge features like digital tracking, AI-based analytics, credit portability through the Academic Bank of Credits, and links with the Skill India Digital Hub to provide a seamless experience connecting training, education, and employment.
An Integrated Approach to Skill Development
The broader Skill India Mission was restructured in 2022 to unify PMKVY, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme under a single framework, enhancing operational efficiency and maximising outreach across both urban and rural areas.
PMKVY began as a pilot in 2015–16, training nearly 20 lakh individuals. It scaled up significantly with PMKVY 2.0, aligning with national missions such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat, and Digital India. The subsequent version, PMKVY 3.0, responded to emerging challenges, launching initiatives like the Skill Hub (aligned with NEP 2020) and a crash course programme for frontline COVID-19 workers, training over 1.2 lakh health personnel.
Inclusion and Innovation at the Core
At the heart of PMKVY lies an unwavering focus on inclusion. Nearly 45% of the trained candidates are women, with strong representation from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). The scheme also undertook region- and community-specific projects: training Bru-tribe youth in Tripura, vocational programmes for prison inmates in Assam and Manipur, and upskilling women in Jammu & Kashmir through Namda craft revival initiatives.
PMKVY’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component has played a crucial role in certifying the skills of informal sector workers—especially artisans and weavers in J&K and Nagaland—without the need for extended training, boosting their mobility in the job market.
Balancing Heritage with Future-Ready Skills
One of PMKVY’s defining strengths has been its dual focus—preserving traditional skills while embracing future technologies. Beneficiaries are being equipped for careers in manufacturing, healthcare, electronics, retail, and IT, but increasingly also in emerging fields like drones, mechatronics, AI, and the Internet of Things.
In this effort, Centres of Excellence launched at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Hyderabad and Chennai in June 2025 are set to become national reference points for high-quality instructor training and specialised skilling.
Complementary Schemes Expanding the Skilling Ecosystem
The momentum created by PMKVY has been bolstered by several complementary schemes. The PM Vishwakarma Yojana, launched in 2023, aims to support artisans from 18 traditional trades with training, toolkits, credit access, and marketing support. As of July 2025, over 2.7 crore applications have been received, with 29 lakh registrations completed.
Meanwhile, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), which targets rural youth, has trained nearly 17 lakh individuals since its launch in 2014, with over 11 lakh successfully placed in employment. Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), operated in partnership with banks, have trained more than 56 lakh people this financial year alone, fostering entrepreneurship in rural India.
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government NOT to follow Australia’s example with measures which would effectively criminalise the Palestine solidarity movement.
PSNA Co-chair John Minto says PSNA has no tolerance for anti-semitism in Aotearoa New Zealand, or anywhere else.
“But equally there should be no place for any other kind of racism, such as Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Our government must speak out against all forms of discrimination and support all communities when racism rears its ugly head. Let’s not forget the murderous attacks on the Christchurch mosques.”
Minto says the Australian measures will inevitably be used to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement across Australia.
“We see it happening in the US, to attack and demonise support for Palestinian human rights by the Trump administration. We see it orchestrated in the UK to shut down any speech which Prime Minister Starmer and the Israeli government don’t like.”
“undermining Australia’s democratic freedoms, inflaming community divisions, and entrenching selective approaches to racism that serve political agendas”
Minto says the free speech restrictions in the US, UK and Australia have nothing to do with what people usually understand as anti-semitism.
“The drive comes from the Israeli government. They see making anti-semitism charges as the most effective means of preventing anyone publicly pointing to the genocide its armed forces are perpetrating in Gaza.”
“The definition of anti-semitism, usually inserted into codes of ethics or legislation, is from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The IHRA definition includes eleven examples. Seven of the examples are about criticising Israel.”
“It’s quite clear the Israeli campaign is to distract the community from Israel’s horrendous war crimes, such as the round-the-clock mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, and deflect calls for sanctions against Israel.”
“Already we can see in both the UK and US, that people have been arrested for saying things about Israel which would not have been declared illegal if they’d said it about other countries, including their own.”
Minto says there are already worrying signs that the New Zealand government and New Zealand media and police are falling into the trap.
“Just over the past few weeks, there has been an unusually wide-ranging mainstream media focus on anti-semitism;
At least one opinion piece in the Stuff newspapers from NZ Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes on anti-semitism here
A New Zealand Herald podcast featuring Holocaust Foundation spokesperson Deborah Hart. The Holocaust Foundation is partly funded by the Israeli Embassy.
An enthusiastic 1News item on the latest appeal to the government to adopt similar measures here to those taken in Australia (TVNZ One News 13 July 2025)
Stories highlighting anti-semitic graffiti in Wellington – numerous reports along these lines
However, our politicians and media have been silent about;
An attack which knocked a young Palestinian woman to the ground when she was using a microphone to speak during an Auckland march
An attack where a Palestine supporter was kicked and knocked to the pavement outside the Israeli embassy in Wellington. The accused was wearing an Israeli flag. He was not held in custody and the Post newspaper has reported neither the arrest nor the resulting charge (this case is due in court 15 July)
An attack on a Palestine solidarity marshal in Christchurch who was punched in the face, in front of police, but no action taken.
An attack in Christchurch when a Destiny Church member kicked a solidarity marshal in the chest (no action taken by police)
Anti-Palestinian racist attacks on the home of a Palestine solidarity activist in New Plymouth. One of our supporters has had their front fence spraypainted twice with pro-Israel graffiti and their car tyres slashed twice (4 tyres in total) and had vile defamatory material circulated in their neighbourhood. (The police say they cannot help)
The refusal of the Human Rights Commission to publicly correct false statements it published in the Post newspaper which claimed anti-semitism was increasing, when in fact the evidence it was using was that the rate of incidents had declined.
Minto says in each of the cases above there would have been far more attention from politicians, the police and the media had the victims been Israeli supporters.
“Meanwhile, both our government and the New Zealand Jewish Council have refused to condemn Israel’s blatant war crimes. There is silence on the mass killing, mass starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. The Jewish Council and our government stand together and refuse to hold Israel’s racist apartheid regime to account in just about any way.”
“Adding to the clear perception of appalling bias on the part of our government, both the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, have met with New Zealand Jewish Council spokespeople over the war in Gaza.”
“But both have refused to meet with representatives of Palestinian New Zealanders, or the huge number of Jewish supporters of the Palestine solidarity movement.”
“New Zealand must stand up and be counted against genocide wherever it appears and no matter who the victims are.”
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is urging the New Zealand government NOT to follow Australia’s example with measures which would effectively criminalise the Palestine solidarity movement.
PSNA Co-chair John Minto says PSNA has no tolerance for anti-semitism in Aotearoa New Zealand, or anywhere else.
“But equally there should be no place for any other kind of racism, such as Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Our government must speak out against all forms of discrimination and support all communities when racism rears its ugly head. Let’s not forget the murderous attacks on the Christchurch mosques.”
Minto says the Australian measures will inevitably be used to criminalise the Palestinian solidarity movement across Australia.
“We see it happening in the US, to attack and demonise support for Palestinian human rights by the Trump administration. We see it orchestrated in the UK to shut down any speech which Prime Minister Starmer and the Israeli government don’t like.”
“undermining Australia’s democratic freedoms, inflaming community divisions, and entrenching selective approaches to racism that serve political agendas”
Minto says the free speech restrictions in the US, UK and Australia have nothing to do with what people usually understand as anti-semitism.
“The drive comes from the Israeli government. They see making anti-semitism charges as the most effective means of preventing anyone publicly pointing to the genocide its armed forces are perpetrating in Gaza.”
“The definition of anti-semitism, usually inserted into codes of ethics or legislation, is from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. The IHRA definition includes eleven examples. Seven of the examples are about criticising Israel.”
“It’s quite clear the Israeli campaign is to distract the community from Israel’s horrendous war crimes, such as the round-the-clock mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, and deflect calls for sanctions against Israel.”
“Already we can see in both the UK and US, that people have been arrested for saying things about Israel which would not have been declared illegal if they’d said it about other countries, including their own.”
Minto says there are already worrying signs that the New Zealand government and New Zealand media and police are falling into the trap.
“Just over the past few weeks, there has been an unusually wide-ranging mainstream media focus on anti-semitism;
At least one opinion piece in the Stuff newspapers from NZ Jewish Council spokesperson Ben Kepes on anti-semitism here
A New Zealand Herald podcast featuring Holocaust Foundation spokesperson Deborah Hart. The Holocaust Foundation is partly funded by the Israeli Embassy.
An enthusiastic 1News item on the latest appeal to the government to adopt similar measures here to those taken in Australia (TVNZ One News 13 July 2025)
Stories highlighting anti-semitic graffiti in Wellington – numerous reports along these lines
However, our politicians and media have been silent about;
An attack which knocked a young Palestinian woman to the ground when she was using a microphone to speak during an Auckland march
An attack where a Palestine supporter was kicked and knocked to the pavement outside the Israeli embassy in Wellington. The accused was wearing an Israeli flag. He was not held in custody and the Post newspaper has reported neither the arrest nor the resulting charge (this case is due in court 15 July)
An attack on a Palestine solidarity marshal in Christchurch who was punched in the face, in front of police, but no action taken.
An attack in Christchurch when a Destiny Church member kicked a solidarity marshal in the chest (no action taken by police)
Anti-Palestinian racist attacks on the home of a Palestine solidarity activist in New Plymouth. One of our supporters has had their front fence spraypainted twice with pro-Israel graffiti and their car tyres slashed twice (4 tyres in total) and had vile defamatory material circulated in their neighbourhood. (The police say they cannot help)
The refusal of the Human Rights Commission to publicly correct false statements it published in the Post newspaper which claimed anti-semitism was increasing, when in fact the evidence it was using was that the rate of incidents had declined.
Minto says in each of the cases above there would have been far more attention from politicians, the police and the media had the victims been Israeli supporters.
“Meanwhile, both our government and the New Zealand Jewish Council have refused to condemn Israel’s blatant war crimes. There is silence on the mass killing, mass starvation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. The Jewish Council and our government stand together and refuse to hold Israel’s racist apartheid regime to account in just about any way.”
“Adding to the clear perception of appalling bias on the part of our government, both the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, have met with New Zealand Jewish Council spokespeople over the war in Gaza.”
“But both have refused to meet with representatives of Palestinian New Zealanders, or the huge number of Jewish supporters of the Palestine solidarity movement.”
“New Zealand must stand up and be counted against genocide wherever it appears and no matter who the victims are.”
Bitcoin surpassed $120,000 for the first time on Monday, marking a milestone for the world’s largest cryptocurrency as investors bet on long-sought policy wins for the industry this week.
Bitcoin scaled a record high of $123,153.22 before pulling back slightly to trade 2.4% higher around $122,000.
Later in the day, the U.S. House of Representatives will debate a series of bills to provide the digital asset industry with the nation’s regulatory framework it has long demanded.
Those demands have resonated with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called himself the “crypto president” and urged policymakers to revamp rules in favour of the industry.
“It’s riding a number of tailwinds at the moment,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore, citing strong institutional demand, expectations of further gains and support from Trump as reasons for the bullishness.
“It’s been a very, very, strong move over the past six or seven days and it’s hard to see where it stops now. It looks like it can easily have a look at the $125,000 level,” he said.
The surge in bitcoin, which is up 30% so far this year, has sparked a broader rally across other cryptocurrencies over the past few sessions even in the face of Trump’s chaotic tariff policies.
Ether, the second-largest token, scaled a more than five-month peak of $3,059.60, while XRP and Solana gained about 3% each.
The sector’s total market value has swelled to about $3.81 trillion, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
“What we find interesting and are watching closely are the signs that bitcoin is now being seen as a long-term reserve asset, not just by retail investors and institutions but even some central banks,” said Gracie Lin, crypto exchange OKX’s Singapore CEO.
“We’re also seeing increasing participation from Asia-based investors, including family offices and wealth managers. These are strong signs of bitcoin’s role in the global financial system and the structural shift in how it is perceived, suggesting that this isn’t just another hype-driven rally,” Lin said.
Earlier this month, Washington declared the week of July 14 as “crypto week,” during which members of Congress are set to vote on the Genius Act, the Clarity Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
The most significant bill is the Genius Act, which would create federal rules for stable coins.
Elsewhere, prices of crypto stocks and exchange traded funds advanced.
In U.S. premarket trading, shares of crypto exchange Coinbase surged 1.7%, while bitcoin holder Strategy climbed 3.3%. Crypto miner Mara Holdings jumped 4.6%.
Hong Kong listed spot bitcoin ETFs launched by China AMC, Harvest and Bosera all hit record highs.
Bitcoin surpassed $120,000 for the first time on Monday, marking a milestone for the world’s largest cryptocurrency as investors bet on long-sought policy wins for the industry this week.
Bitcoin scaled a record high of $123,153.22 before pulling back slightly to trade 2.4% higher around $122,000.
Later in the day, the U.S. House of Representatives will debate a series of bills to provide the digital asset industry with the nation’s regulatory framework it has long demanded.
Those demands have resonated with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called himself the “crypto president” and urged policymakers to revamp rules in favour of the industry.
“It’s riding a number of tailwinds at the moment,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore, citing strong institutional demand, expectations of further gains and support from Trump as reasons for the bullishness.
“It’s been a very, very, strong move over the past six or seven days and it’s hard to see where it stops now. It looks like it can easily have a look at the $125,000 level,” he said.
The surge in bitcoin, which is up 30% so far this year, has sparked a broader rally across other cryptocurrencies over the past few sessions even in the face of Trump’s chaotic tariff policies.
Ether, the second-largest token, scaled a more than five-month peak of $3,059.60, while XRP and Solana gained about 3% each.
The sector’s total market value has swelled to about $3.81 trillion, according to data from CoinMarketCap.
“What we find interesting and are watching closely are the signs that bitcoin is now being seen as a long-term reserve asset, not just by retail investors and institutions but even some central banks,” said Gracie Lin, crypto exchange OKX’s Singapore CEO.
“We’re also seeing increasing participation from Asia-based investors, including family offices and wealth managers. These are strong signs of bitcoin’s role in the global financial system and the structural shift in how it is perceived, suggesting that this isn’t just another hype-driven rally,” Lin said.
Earlier this month, Washington declared the week of July 14 as “crypto week,” during which members of Congress are set to vote on the Genius Act, the Clarity Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.
The most significant bill is the Genius Act, which would create federal rules for stable coins.
Elsewhere, prices of crypto stocks and exchange traded funds advanced.
In U.S. premarket trading, shares of crypto exchange Coinbase surged 1.7%, while bitcoin holder Strategy climbed 3.3%. Crypto miner Mara Holdings jumped 4.6%.
Hong Kong listed spot bitcoin ETFs launched by China AMC, Harvest and Bosera all hit record highs.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — China on Monday urged Japan to learn from history and be cautious in its military and security words and actions as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin made the statement in response to a reporter’s request to comment on Japanese government sources’ claims that Japan plans to export six Abukuma-class frigates to the Philippines. -0-
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NEW DELHI, July 14 (Xinhua) — At least nine people were killed and 11 others injured after a truck carrying mangoes overturned in India’s southern Andhra Pradesh state, police said on Monday.
The accident occurred on Monday night, about 387 km southwest of Andhra Pradesh’s capital Amaravati.
“The accident occurred when a truck lost control and overturned. The truck was carrying mangoes weighing about 40 tonnes and there were 20 workers sitting on top,” a police official said.
When the truck overturned, crates of mangoes fell on workers, causing casualties and injuries, police said.
After the accident, local residents and rescuers arrived at the scene to conduct a rescue operation and took the victims to the hospital.
The cause of the accident is being investigated. Police suspect that overloading was the cause of the accident, but the driver who survived the accident said that he lost control while trying to avoid a collision with a car traveling in the opposite direction. –0–
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) — Since their establishment more than 40 years ago, China’s national-level Economic and Technological Development Zones have prioritized opening up and served as the “first tier” in promoting foreign trade and attracting foreign investment, said Ji Xiaofeng, spokesperson for the Foreign Investment Department of the Ministry of Commerce.
For four decades, these zones have made continuous efforts to improve themselves and have been committed to building a high-quality, law-based business environment, Ji Xiaofeng said, speaking at the latest edition of the China Economy Roundtable hosted by Xinhua News Agency.
By the end of 2024, China had established 232 state-level economic and technological development zones, which together housed more than 60,000 foreign-invested companies.
Among them, Japanese electronics giant Panasonic was one of the first foreign investors in the Chinese market. Today, it has three subsidiaries in the Suzhou Industrial Park in East China’s Jiangsu Province.
Suzhou Industrial Park ranks first among all national-level economic and technological development zones in China in terms of development level as of the end of 2024, maintaining the top position for the ninth consecutive year, according to an annual ranking released by the Ministry of Commerce.
“The industrial park’s location, industrial chain and policy support make it very attractive to us and will bring great benefits to our investment and development not only in Suzhou but also in China as a whole,” said Zhao Bindi, president of Panasonic China.
In May, China’s Ministry of Commerce released a work plan to further deepen reform and innovation in state-level economic and technological development zones, marking the latest move by China to strengthen the zones’ role in promoting high-level opening-up.
“We have been witnesses and beneficiaries of China’s reform and opening up. As the country moves toward high-quality development, we remain committed to our continued growth here,” Zhao Bingdi said. -0-
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.
Electronic card transactions: June 2025 – information release
14 July 2025
The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.
Key facts All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.
Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.
June 2025 month Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the June 2025 month (compared with May 2025) were:
spending in the retail industries increased 0.5 percent ($32 million)
spending in the core retail industries increased 0.7 percent ($40 million).
Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:
The Private Columbaria (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 came into force on May 30, 2025. The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today announced that eligible “pre-cut-off columbaria” intending to make new applications for exemption may apply to the Private Columbaria Licensing Board (PCLB) from September 1 to November 30.
By obtaining an exemption, eligible “pre-cut-off columbaria” may keep the niches sold before the enactment date of the Private Columbaria Ordinance on June 30, 2017 and continue to operate at its current scale.
Under the amendment ordinance, “pre-cut-off columbaria” making new applications for exemption must meet the new eligibility criteria and specified conditions to minimise their impact on the neighbourhood.
The PCLB has uploaded the application guide to the FEHD’s dedicated website.
The FEHD’s Private Columbaria Affairs Office will also contact the eligible “pre-cut-off columbaria” individually to explain the application details and assist them in submitting the application.
Hong Kong, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (“Click Holdings” or “we” or “us”, NASDAQ: CLIK) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), a leading human resources and senior care solutions provider based in Hong Kong, today announced its senior services sector. By integrating secure cryptocurrency solutions, including building a substantial treasury in Bitcoin and Solana, and developing crypto-enabled payment systems, CLIK aims to revolutionize payment efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for its growing portfolio of senior care services.
CLIK’s exploration focuses on harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies to enhance its core offerings while capitalize on the appreciating value of these assets. CLIK is evaluating the development of a cryptocurrency treasury, with a particular emphasis on Bitcoin and Solana. This treasury could scale up to a value of US$100 million as the first step, and shall escalate further alongside business expansion.
In addition, CLIK is exploring the implementation of cryptocurrency-enabled payment systems to enhance the efficiency and security of salary disbursements for its talent pool of over 20,500 registered professionals. CLIK is also assessing the potential of crypto-enabled payments to streamline billing processes for customers who opt to transact using cryptocurrency.
“This initiative represents a bold step forward for CLIK, merging financial innovation with our mission to empower seniors through reliable, modern services,” said Jeffrey Chan, CEO of Click Holdings. “As the Silver Economy surges—driven by an aging population with significant spending power—we see immense potential in cryptocurrency to streamline operations, attract tech-savvy investors, and unlock new revenue streams. By building a robust Bitcoin and Solana treasury and integrating crypto payments, we’re not just adapting to the future; we’re leading it, delivering enhanced value to our shareholders through innovation and growth.”
CLIK remains committed to regulatory compliance and will conduct thorough feasibility studies, including risk assessments and pilot programs, to ensure these innovations align with global standards and deliver tangible benefits to seniors and their families.
About Click Holdings Limited
Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) is a Hong Kong-based leader in AI-powered human resources and senior care solutions. Through its proprietary platform, CLIK connects clients with a talent pool of over 20,500 professionals, serving nursing, logistics, and professional services sectors.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For enquiry, please contact:
Click Holdings Limited Unit 1709-11, 17/F Tower 2, The Gateway Harbour City, Kowloon Hong Kong Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk Phone: +852 2691 8200
Hong Kong, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (“Click Holdings” or “we” or “us”, NASDAQ: CLIK) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), a leading human resources and senior care solutions provider based in Hong Kong, today announced its senior services sector. By integrating secure cryptocurrency solutions, including building a substantial treasury in Bitcoin and Solana, and developing crypto-enabled payment systems, CLIK aims to revolutionize payment efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for its growing portfolio of senior care services.
CLIK’s exploration focuses on harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies to enhance its core offerings while capitalize on the appreciating value of these assets. CLIK is evaluating the development of a cryptocurrency treasury, with a particular emphasis on Bitcoin and Solana. This treasury could scale up to a value of US$100 million as the first step, and shall escalate further alongside business expansion.
In addition, CLIK is exploring the implementation of cryptocurrency-enabled payment systems to enhance the efficiency and security of salary disbursements for its talent pool of over 20,500 registered professionals. CLIK is also assessing the potential of crypto-enabled payments to streamline billing processes for customers who opt to transact using cryptocurrency.
“This initiative represents a bold step forward for CLIK, merging financial innovation with our mission to empower seniors through reliable, modern services,” said Jeffrey Chan, CEO of Click Holdings. “As the Silver Economy surges—driven by an aging population with significant spending power—we see immense potential in cryptocurrency to streamline operations, attract tech-savvy investors, and unlock new revenue streams. By building a robust Bitcoin and Solana treasury and integrating crypto payments, we’re not just adapting to the future; we’re leading it, delivering enhanced value to our shareholders through innovation and growth.”
CLIK remains committed to regulatory compliance and will conduct thorough feasibility studies, including risk assessments and pilot programs, to ensure these innovations align with global standards and deliver tangible benefits to seniors and their families.
About Click Holdings Limited
Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) is a Hong Kong-based leader in AI-powered human resources and senior care solutions. Through its proprietary platform, CLIK connects clients with a talent pool of over 20,500 professionals, serving nursing, logistics, and professional services sectors.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For enquiry, please contact:
Click Holdings Limited Unit 1709-11, 17/F Tower 2, The Gateway Harbour City, Kowloon Hong Kong Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk Phone: +852 2691 8200
Hong Kong, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (“Click Holdings” or “we” or “us”, NASDAQ: CLIK) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), a leading human resources and senior care solutions provider based in Hong Kong, today announced its senior services sector. By integrating secure cryptocurrency solutions, including building a substantial treasury in Bitcoin and Solana, and developing crypto-enabled payment systems, CLIK aims to revolutionize payment efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for its growing portfolio of senior care services.
CLIK’s exploration focuses on harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies to enhance its core offerings while capitalize on the appreciating value of these assets. CLIK is evaluating the development of a cryptocurrency treasury, with a particular emphasis on Bitcoin and Solana. This treasury could scale up to a value of US$100 million as the first step, and shall escalate further alongside business expansion.
In addition, CLIK is exploring the implementation of cryptocurrency-enabled payment systems to enhance the efficiency and security of salary disbursements for its talent pool of over 20,500 registered professionals. CLIK is also assessing the potential of crypto-enabled payments to streamline billing processes for customers who opt to transact using cryptocurrency.
“This initiative represents a bold step forward for CLIK, merging financial innovation with our mission to empower seniors through reliable, modern services,” said Jeffrey Chan, CEO of Click Holdings. “As the Silver Economy surges—driven by an aging population with significant spending power—we see immense potential in cryptocurrency to streamline operations, attract tech-savvy investors, and unlock new revenue streams. By building a robust Bitcoin and Solana treasury and integrating crypto payments, we’re not just adapting to the future; we’re leading it, delivering enhanced value to our shareholders through innovation and growth.”
CLIK remains committed to regulatory compliance and will conduct thorough feasibility studies, including risk assessments and pilot programs, to ensure these innovations align with global standards and deliver tangible benefits to seniors and their families.
About Click Holdings Limited
Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) is a Hong Kong-based leader in AI-powered human resources and senior care solutions. Through its proprietary platform, CLIK connects clients with a talent pool of over 20,500 professionals, serving nursing, logistics, and professional services sectors.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For enquiry, please contact:
Click Holdings Limited Unit 1709-11, 17/F Tower 2, The Gateway Harbour City, Kowloon Hong Kong Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk Phone: +852 2691 8200
Hong Kong, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (“Click Holdings” or “we” or “us”, NASDAQ: CLIK) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), a leading human resources and senior care solutions provider based in Hong Kong, today announced its senior services sector. By integrating secure cryptocurrency solutions, including building a substantial treasury in Bitcoin and Solana, and developing crypto-enabled payment systems, CLIK aims to revolutionize payment efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for its growing portfolio of senior care services.
CLIK’s exploration focuses on harnessing the power of cryptocurrencies to enhance its core offerings while capitalize on the appreciating value of these assets. CLIK is evaluating the development of a cryptocurrency treasury, with a particular emphasis on Bitcoin and Solana. This treasury could scale up to a value of US$100 million as the first step, and shall escalate further alongside business expansion.
In addition, CLIK is exploring the implementation of cryptocurrency-enabled payment systems to enhance the efficiency and security of salary disbursements for its talent pool of over 20,500 registered professionals. CLIK is also assessing the potential of crypto-enabled payments to streamline billing processes for customers who opt to transact using cryptocurrency.
“This initiative represents a bold step forward for CLIK, merging financial innovation with our mission to empower seniors through reliable, modern services,” said Jeffrey Chan, CEO of Click Holdings. “As the Silver Economy surges—driven by an aging population with significant spending power—we see immense potential in cryptocurrency to streamline operations, attract tech-savvy investors, and unlock new revenue streams. By building a robust Bitcoin and Solana treasury and integrating crypto payments, we’re not just adapting to the future; we’re leading it, delivering enhanced value to our shareholders through innovation and growth.”
CLIK remains committed to regulatory compliance and will conduct thorough feasibility studies, including risk assessments and pilot programs, to ensure these innovations align with global standards and deliver tangible benefits to seniors and their families.
About Click Holdings Limited
Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) is a Hong Kong-based leader in AI-powered human resources and senior care solutions. Through its proprietary platform, CLIK connects clients with a talent pool of over 20,500 professionals, serving nursing, logistics, and professional services sectors.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For enquiry, please contact:
Click Holdings Limited Unit 1709-11, 17/F Tower 2, The Gateway Harbour City, Kowloon Hong Kong Email: jack.wong@jfy.hk Phone: +852 2691 8200
MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel – July 14, 2025 – Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/ TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, will issue its second quarter 2025 earnings release on Monday, August 4, 2025. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results and third quarter 2025 guidance on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (09:00 a.m. Central, 08:00 a.m. Mountain, 07:00 a.m. Pacific and 05:00 p.m. Israel time).
The call will be webcast live and accessible via the Investor Relations section of Tower Semiconductor’s website at https://ir.towersemi.com/. The pre-registration form required for dial-in participation is available both on the Investor Relations section and the Company’s homepage at https://www.towersemi.com. Upon completing registration, participants will receive dial-in details, a unique PIN, and a confirmation email with all necessary information. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.
About Tower Semiconductor
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.
MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel – July 14, 2025 – Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/ TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, will issue its second quarter 2025 earnings release on Monday, August 4, 2025. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results and third quarter 2025 guidance on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (09:00 a.m. Central, 08:00 a.m. Mountain, 07:00 a.m. Pacific and 05:00 p.m. Israel time).
The call will be webcast live and accessible via the Investor Relations section of Tower Semiconductor’s website at https://ir.towersemi.com/. The pre-registration form required for dial-in participation is available both on the Investor Relations section and the Company’s homepage at https://www.towersemi.com. Upon completing registration, participants will receive dial-in details, a unique PIN, and a confirmation email with all necessary information. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.
About Tower Semiconductor
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.
MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel – July 14, 2025 – Tower Semiconductor (NASDAQ/ TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high value analog semiconductor solutions, will issue its second quarter 2025 earnings release on Monday, August 4, 2025. The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results and third quarter 2025 guidance on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (09:00 a.m. Central, 08:00 a.m. Mountain, 07:00 a.m. Pacific and 05:00 p.m. Israel time).
The call will be webcast live and accessible via the Investor Relations section of Tower Semiconductor’s website at https://ir.towersemi.com/. The pre-registration form required for dial-in participation is available both on the Investor Relations section and the Company’s homepage at https://www.towersemi.com. Upon completing registration, participants will receive dial-in details, a unique PIN, and a confirmation email with all necessary information. The teleconference will be available for replay for 90 days.
About Tower Semiconductor
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: TSEM), the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for its customers in growing markets such as consumer, industrial, automotive, mobile, infrastructure, medical and aerospace and defense. Tower Semiconductor focuses on creating a positive and sustainable impact on the world through long-term partnerships and its advanced and innovative analog technology offering, comprised of a broad range of customizable process platforms such as SiGe, BiCMOS, mixed-signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensor, non-imaging sensors, displays, integrated power management (BCD and 700V), photonics, and MEMS. Tower Semiconductor also provides world-class design enablement for a quick and accurate design cycle as well as process transfer services including development, transfer, and optimization, to IDMs and fabless companies. To provide multi-fab sourcing and extended capacity for its customers, Tower Semiconductor owns one operating facility in Israel (200mm), two in the U.S. (200mm), two in Japan (200mm and 300mm) which it owns through its 51% holdings in TPSCo, shares a 300mm facility in Agrate, Italy with STMicroelectronics as well as has access to a 300mm capacity corridor in Intel’s New Mexico factory. For more information, please visit: www.towersemi.com.
A journalist who was on the Rainbow Warrior voyage to Rongelap last night condemned France for its “callous” attack of an environmental ship, saying “we haven’t forgotten, or forgiven this outrage”.
David Robie, the author of Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior, said at the launch that the consequences of almost 300 US and French nuclear tests – many of them “dirty bombs” — were still impacting on indigenous Pacific peoples 40 years after the bombing of the ship.
French saboteurs had killed “our shipmate Fernando Pereira” on 10 July 1985 in what the New Zealand prime minister at the time, David Lange, called a “sordid act of international state-backed terrorism”.
Although relations with France had perhaps mellowed over time, four decades ago there was a lot of hostility towards the country, Dr Robie said.
“And that act of mindless sabotage still rankles very deeply in our psyche,” he said at the launch in Auckland Central’s Ellen Melville Centre on the anniversary of July 10.
About 100 people gathered in the centre’s Pioneer Women’s Hall for the book launch as Dr Robie reflected on the case of state terrorism after Greenpeace earlier in the day held a memorial ceremony on board Rainbow Warrior III.
“One of the celebrated French newspapers, Le Monde, played a critical role in the investigation into the Rainbow Warrior affair — what I brand as ‘Blundergate’, in view of all the follies of the bumbling DGSE spy team,” he said.
Plantu cartoon “And one of the cartoons in that newspaper, by Plantu, who is a sort of French equivalent to Michael Leunig, caught my eye.
“You will notice it in the background slide show behind me. It shows François Mitterrand, the president of the French republic at the time, dressed in a frogman’s wetsuit lecturing to school children during a history lesson.
“President Mitterrand says, in French, ‘At that time, only presidents had the right to carry out terrorism!’
Tahitian advocate Ena Manurevia . . . the background Plantu cartoon is the one mentioned by the author. Image: Asia Pacific Report
He noticed that in the Mitterrand cartoon there was a “classmate” sitting in the back of the room with a moustache. This was none other than Edwy Plenel, the police reporter for Le Monde at the time, who scooped the world with hard evidence of Mitterrand and the French government’s role at the highest level in the Rainbow Warrior sabotage.
Dr Robie said that Plenel now published the investigative website Mediapart, which had played a key role in 2015 revealing the identity of the bomber that night, “the man who had planted the limpet mines on the Rainbow Warrior — sinking a peace and environmental ship, and killing Fernando Pereira.”
Jean-Luc Kister, a retired French colonel and DGSE secret agent, had confessed to his role and “apologised”, claiming the sabotage operation was “disproportionate and a mistake”.
“Was he sincere? Was it a genuine attempt to come to terms with his conscience. Who knows?” Dr Robie said, adding that he was unconvinced.
Hilari Anderson (right on stage), one of the speakers, with Del Abcede and MC Antony Phillips (obscured) . . . the background image shows Helen Clark meeting Fernando Pereira’s daughter Marelle in 2005. Image: Greenpeace
French perspective Dr Robie said he had asked Plenel for his reflections from a French perspective 40 years on. Plenel cited three main take ways.
“First, the vital necessity of independent journalism. Independent of all powers, whether state, economic or ideological. Journalism that serves the public interest, the right to know, and factual truths.
“Impactful journalism whose revelations restore confidence in democracy, in the possibility of improving it, and in the usefulness of counterbalancing powers, particularly journalism.”
Secondly, this attack had been carried out by France in an “allied country”, New Zealand, against a civil society organisation. This demonstrated that “the thirst for power is a downfall that leads nations astray when they succumb to it.
“Nuclear weapons epitomise this madness, this catastrophe of power.”
Eyes of Fire 10 years ago . . . same author, same publisher. Video: Pacific Media Centre
Finally, Plenel expressed the “infinite sadness” for a French citizen that after his revelations in Le Monde — which led to the resignations of the defence minister and the head of the secret services — nothing else happened.
“Nothing at all. No parliamentary inquiry, no questioning of François Mitterrand about his responsibility, no institutional reform of the absolute power of the president in a French republic that is, in reality, an elective monarchy.”
‘Elective monarchy’ trend Dr Robie compared the French outcome with the rapid trend in US today, “a president who thinks he is a monarch, a king – another elective monarchy.”
He also bemoaned that “catastrophe of power” that “reigns everywhere today – from the horrendous Israeli genocide in Gaza to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, from Trump to Putin to Netanyahu, and so many others.”
The continuous Gaza massacres were a shameful indictment of the West that had allowed it to happen for more than 21 months.
Dr Robie thanked many collaborators for their help and support, including drama teacher Hilari Anderson, an original crew member of the Rainbow Warrior, and photographer John Miller, “who have been with me all the way on this waka journey”.
He thanked his wife, Del, and family members for their unstinting “patience and support”, and also publisher Tony Murrow of Little Island Press.
Eyes of Fire: The Last Voyage and Legacy of the Rainbow Warrior . . . published 10 July 2025. Image: David Robie/Little Island Press
Launching the book, Greenpeace Aotearoa programme director Niamh O’Flynn said one thing that had stood out for her was how the legacy of the Rainbow Warrior had continued despite the attempt by the French government to shut it down 40 years ago.
“We said then that ‘you can’t sink a rainbow’, and we went on to prove it.
“When the Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland harbour, it was getting ready to set sail to Moruroa Atoll, to enter the test exclusion zone and confront French nuclear testing head-on.”
So threatened The French government had felt so threatened by that action that it had engaged in a state-sanctioned terror attack to prevent the mission from going ahead.
“But we rebuilt, and the Rainbow Warrior II carried on with that mission, travelling to Moruroa three times before the French finally stopped nuclear testing in the Pacific.
“That spirit and tenacity is what makes Greenpeace and what makes the Rainbow Warrior so special to everyone who has sailed on her,” she said.
“It was the final voyage of the Rainbow Warrior to Rongelap before the bombing that is the focus of David Robie’s book, and in many ways, it was an incredibly unique experience for Greenpeace — not just here in Aotearoa, but internationally.
“And of course David was a key part in that.”
O’Flynn said that as someone who had not even been born yet when the Rainbow Warrior was bombed, “I am so grateful that the generation of nuclear-free activists took the time to pass on their knowledge and to build our organisation into what it is today.
“Just as David has by writing down his story and leaving us with such a rich legacy.”
Greenpeace Aotearoa programme director Niamh O’Flynn . . . “That spirit and tenacity is what makes Greenpeace and what makes the Rainbow Warrior so special to everyone who has sailed on her.” Image: APR
Other speakers Among other speakers at the book launch were teacher Hilari Anderson, publisher Tony Murrow of Little Island Press, Ena Manuireva, a Mangarevian scholar and cultural adviser, and MC Antony Phillips of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.
Anderson spoke of the Warrior’s early campaigns and acknowledged the crews of 1978 and 1985.
“I have been reflecting what these first and last crews of the original Rainbow Warrior had in common, realising that both gave their collective, mostly youthful energy — to transformation.
“This has involved the bonding of crews by working hands-on together. Touching surfaces, by hammer and paint, created a physical connection to this beloved boat.”
She paid special tribute to two powerful women, Denise Bell, who tracked down the marine research vessel in Aberdeen that became the Rainbow Warrior, and the indomitable Susi Newborn, who “contributed to naming the ship and mustering a crew”.
Manuireva spoke about his nuclear colonial experience and that of his family as natives of Mangareva atoll, about 400 km from Muroroa atoll, where France conducted most of its 30 years of tests ending in 1995.
He also spoke of Tahitian leader Oscar Temaru’s pioneering role in the Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement, and played haunting Tahitian songs on his guitar.
DBEDT NEWS RELEASE: Hawai’i Tourism Authority Advisory Board Applications Open
Posted on Jul 11, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom
STATE OF HAWAIʻI
KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI
JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR
KE KIAʻĀINA
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANDTOURISM
KA ʻOIHANA HOʻOMOHALA PĀʻOIHANA, ʻIMI WAIWAI A HOʻOMĀKAʻIKAʻI
JAMES KUNANE TOKIOKA
DIRECTOR
KA LUNA HOʻOKELE
HAWAI‘I TOURISM AUTHORITY ADVISORY BOARD APPLICATIONS OPEN
State Boards and Commissions Seeking Applicants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2025
HONOLULU – The state of Hawai‘i Office of Boards and Commissions is seeking individuals interested in serving on the advisory board for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), a state agency administratively attached to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
Per Act 132, the HTA shall be headed by an advisory board of directors that shall consist of 12 members including at least one representative each from the city and county of Honolulu and the counties of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i and Maui. At least six members shall have knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of accommodations, transportation, retail, entertainment, or attractions, and at least one member shall represent a tourism-impacted entity. At least one member appointed by the Governor shall have knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices. Members appointed by the Governor are subject to advice and consent of the state Senate.
Interested applicants are invited to apply online through the Governor’s boards and commissions portal (https://boards.hawaii.gov/apply/apply-for-a-board/).
About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing the Hawaiian Islands around the world — and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to mālama Hawaiʻi — care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit hawaiitourismauthority.org or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X.
About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
DBEDT is Hawai‘i’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawai‘i economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawai‘i’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation-sector job growth.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, State of Hawai‘i
Ahead of the appeal hearing of 13 people – among 45 individuals convicted in a mass trial last year of “conspiring to subvert state power” under Hong Kong’s National Security Law – Amnesty International’s China Director Sarah Brooks said:
“The Hong Kong 47 case stands as one of the most shocking examples of the crackdown on human rights in the city. This appeal hearing is a chance for the courts to start righting the wrongs of this unprecedented mass prosecution.
“Research findings we released earlier this month show that the vast majority of convictions under the National Security Law have targeted legitimate expression. It is appalling that Hong Kong courts could condone a crackdown that leaves more than 80% of defendants wrongfully languishing behind bars.
“This appeal is a pivotal test—not just for these 13 individuals, but for the future of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Only by overturning these convictions can Hong Kong’s courts begin to restore the city’s global standing as a place where rights are respected and where people are allowed to peacefully express their views without fear of arrest.”
Over the past six months, the headlines have been dominated by stories of fear, division and hatred.However, activists around the world are working away to ensure hope prevails. Here are some of the human rights wins we can be proud of from January to June 2025.
January
Afghanistan
In 2023, Amnesty International released a report on the Taliban’s war on women. Following its findings, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor filed a request for arrest warrants against the Taliban’s Supreme Leader and their Chief Justice, citing crimes against humanity.
The request charges the Taliban’s Supreme Leader and their Chief Justice for gender persecution against women, girls, and LGBTI people since their return to power in August 2021. Although the warrants are still subject to the approval of ICC judges these are the first public arrest warrants sought by the ICC in Afghanistan since the country became a member of the court in 2003.
Cameroon
Dorgelesse Nguessan was released on 16 January after spending more than four years in prison for participating in a protest. The hairdresser and single mother had never been politically active yet joined a protest after growing concerned about the high cost of living. She was charged with insurrection, tried by a military court and sentenced to five years in prison on 7 December 2021.
I thank those who directly or indirectly work for your organization and contributed to my release.
Dorgelesse Nguessan
Dorgelesse was part of Amnesty International’s 2022 Write for Rights campaign, where thousands of supporters called for her release. Amnesty also provided short-term relief support to assist Dorgelesse and her family through the difficult moments of her detention. On 16 January, the Court of Appeal reduced her sentence.
“I thank you for all the efforts you have devoted as I was arbitrarily detained,” said Dorgelesse. “I thank those who directly or indirectly work for your organization and contributed to my release.”
Chile
On 2 January, two police [Carabineros] officers were sentenced to prison for shooting activist Renzo Inostroza and blinding him in one eye. The court concluded that their actions violated both Chile’s national regulations and international obligations. This conviction set a judicial precedent in the struggle to ensure the Chilean justice system pursues criminal responsibility for the unlawful actions of the Carabineros. This conviction follows Amnesty’s landmark Eyes on Chile report, which analyzed patterns and individual cases of police violence during the social unrest that broke out in Chile in October 2019. Renzo’s case was part of the report.
Saudi Arabia
From January to February, Amnesty successfully campaigned for the release of several human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. On 7 January, human rights defender and former prisoner of conscience, Mohammed al-Qahtani, was conditionally released after spending 12 years in prison for his human rights work. On 13 February, 47-year-old teacher Asaad bin Nasser al-Ghamdi was released from prison following an unfair trial before the notorious Specialized Criminal Court (SCC). Asaad was arrested in 2022 and initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for social media posts criticizing the government’s Vision 2030 programme. On 10 February 2025, Leeds University PhD student and mother of two, Salma al-Shehab, was released from prison after completing a four-year prison term following an unfair trial before the SCC. Following a grossly unfair trial, the SCC had convicted Salma al-Shehab of terrorism-related offences for publishing tweets in support of women’s rights.
USA
The United States sanctioned a number of companies involved in the transfer of weapons into Sudan and Darfur. These sanctions follow Amnesty’s innovative briefing, published in July 2024, that combined business trade data and video analysis to show how the constant import of foreign-manufactured arms into Sudan was fuelling relentless civilian suffering.
Amnesty International members long campaigned for the release of Native American activist Leonard Peltier and most recently called on President Biden to grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice.
USA
Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist, was imprisoned for nearly 50 years in the USA for a crime he maintains he did not commit. There were serious concerns about the fairness of his trial and conviction. Tribal Nations, Nobel Peace Laureates, former FBI agents, numerous others, and even the former U.S. Attorney, James Reynolds, whose office handled the prosecution, have called for Leonard Peltier’s release. Amnesty International members had long campaigned for his release, and most recently called on President Biden to grant Leonard Peltier clemency on humanitarian grounds and as a matter of justice. In the final hour of his presidency, former President Biden commuted Peltier’s life sentence to home confinement. Amnesty recently offered him short-term relief support as he works to rebuild his life after his release.
February
Algeria
Thanks to sustained advocacy work from Amnesty International Algeria and several national women’s rights organizations, Algeria’s president Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a series of concrete measures to combat violence against women – moving from commitment to action.
The Ministry of Solidarity has since launched a national toll-free helpline, available 24/7 across the country, enabling victims to report abuse, be referred to appropriate support services, and receive emergency assistance when in danger. It is already proving effective. A Guide for Women Victims of Violence has been published in Arabic and English and is currently being distributed nationwide. New legal measures, including the possibility of issuing an immediate restraining order against perpetrators of violence, have also been announced.
Benin
Thousands of Beninese families living in coastal areas have been living an endless nightmare, victims of forced evictions orchestrated in the name of tourism development. However, in February the authorities issued a public call for people awaiting proper compensation to come forward so their case can be followed up. The National Agency for Land and Property’s direct also asked Amnesty International for a list of people who have not received appropriate reparations.
The move follows the release of an Amnesty International report on forced evictions in Benin in December 2023 and a subsequent campaign calling for proper compensation for those who have been unfairly evicted, which proved vital in securing this positive outcome.
Thank you all very much. Without your help, we could not have saved my husband.
Zaynura Hasan
Amnesty International had been campaigning for his freedom since he was initially detained in July 2021. Zaynura Hasan, Idris’ wife, thanked the organization for the relentless support.
“Thank you all very much. Without your help, we could not have saved my husband.”
Serbia
Recent research by Amnesty International’s Security Lab and European Regional Office documented how Serbian police and intelligence authorities are using advanced phone spyware alongside mobile phone forensic products to unlawfully target journalists, environmental activists and other individuals in a covert surveillance campaign.
In a significant human rights win, Cellebrite (a company specialising in digital intelligence and forensics) announced it will stop the use of its digital forensic equipment for some of its customers in Serbia as a direct result of Amnesty’s research. Simultaneously, Serbia’s Prosecutor for High Technological Crime, the Ombudsman and Data Protection Commissioner started separate investigations based on the research findings.
Senegal
In a positive step forward, the Senegalese government invited Amnesty International to provide support and assistance for people who have been arrested for participating in protests, as well as former detainees.
Since 2021, Amnesty International has denounced the unlawful use of force by security forces during protests, compiled a list of those who have been killed, and condemned the arbitrary detention of hundreds of people for having called for or participated in protests. According to figures gathered by Amnesty International and other civil society organizations, at least 65 people were killed, the majority by firearms, with at least 1,000 wounded. A further 2,000 people were arrested.
Amnesty International continues to call for the repeal of the amnesty law adopted by the former government, for justice and reparation for the victims and their family members.
Taner Kılıç, a refugee rights lawyer and former Chair of Amnesty International’s Türkiye section, was finally acquitted after nearly eight years of judicial proceedings.
Türkiye
Taner Kılıç, a refugee rights lawyer and former Chair of Amnesty International’s Türkiye section, was finally acquitted after nearly eight years of judicial proceedings.
Arrested in June 2017 and imprisoned for over 14 months, he was unjustly convicted in 2020 despite no credible evidence. He faced more than six years in prison for “membership of a terrorist organization”. Amnesty provided relief support to him and his family as they navigated the difficulty of his imprisonment.
Reflecting on the case, Taner said: “This nightmare that has gone on for almost eight years is finally over… The only thing I was sure of throughout this process was that I was right and innocent, and the support from all over the world gave me strength. I thank each and every one who stood up for me.”
In a landmark ruling, Brazilian actor Juan Darthés was found guilty for the rape of Argentinian actress Thelma Fardin. Amnesty provided legal and psychosocial support to Thelma.
Latin America
In a landmark ruling for women’s rights in Latin America, a Brazilian court convicted actor Juan Darthés of sexual violence against Argentine actress Thelma Fardin, who accused him in 2018 of abusing her when she was 16. Amnesty provided support for transport related costs, and psychosocial support for Thelma throughout her case. The sentence sets an important precedent for sexual violence cases in the region.
After a five-year legal battle across three countries, Thelma stated: “Today I can look my 16-year-old self in the eye and say we did it.”
Philippines
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by police on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Thousands of people, mostly from poor and marginalized communities, were unlawfully killed by the police – or by armed individuals suspected to have links to the police – during Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs”. Amnesty has been calling for his arrest for a number of years and described it as “a long-awaited and monumental step for justice”. He is now due to stand trial at the ICC.
Sierra Leone
Hawa Hunt, a reality TV star, was freed from detention on 4 March and cleared of all the cybercrime related charges against her. She was arrested on live television in December 2024 and charged with insulting the President and First Lady in a social media video.
Amnesty International called on authorities to release her and to ensure her rights were upheld.
Her daughter Alicia said: “In one of the very few phone calls I was able to have with my mother as she was in jail, I told her how Amnesty International spoke up for her. She and our whole family were very touched by the support. We believe it played a very key role in her being released.”
Since May 1995, the Saturday Mothers have held peaceful weekly protests demanding justice for relatives forcibly disappeared in the eighties and nineties.
Türkiye
Since May 1995, the Saturday Mothers have held regular peaceful protests at Galatasaray Square every Saturday, demanding justice for relatives forcibly disappeared in the eighties and nineties. Their 700th vigil on 25 August 2018 was banned and violently dispersed by police using tear gas and water cannons.
Forty-six people were detained and later released, but in 2020, they were prosecuted for “attending illegal meetings and marches without weapons and not dispersing despite warnings”.
Thanks to the determination of the Saturday Mothers and their supporters – including Amnesty International who provided legal aid – all were acquitted in March 2025.
USA
On March 17, US immigration authorities detained Alberto, the father of a Venezuelan family of four, separating him from his wife and two children. Despite the family having pending asylum applications, he was charged with “illegal” entry to the United States. His case was an example of the Trump administration’s use of a provision of immigration law to target individuals and families that have been in the United States for years, rather than recent arrivals at the US-Mexico border. On April 21, 2025, Alberto was granted bond and released from ICE detention, following calls from Amnesty International and reunited with his wife and two children.
May
Chile
Romario Veloz was shot and killed by an army captain during social unrest in La Serena, Chile, in 2019. The police officer who shot Romario Veloz was imprisoned in May 2025 – setting a precedent in cases of human rights violations committed by state agents. Despite the victory, widespread impunity for police violence continues. Romario was also part of Amnesty’s Eyes on Chile investigation (2020). Amnesty provided support to Romario’s young child, helping her access education as well as covering the legal expenses for the family’s quest to seek justice.
Alongside the report, Amnesty was part of the Advisory Unit for Police Reform, wrote letters to the Chilean president and gave numerous media interviews on police violence. Amnesty Chile’s relentless campaigning paid off and helped to stop the implementation of the use of tasers by Chilean police forces.
Côte d’Ivoire
On 7 May, Ghislain Duggary Assy, Communications Secretary of the Movement of Teachers for the Dignity Dynamic union, was provisionally released pending his trial, due to international pressure from Amnesty International. A month earlier, he had been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment solely for having called for strike action in primary and secondary schools.
Amnesty International condemned the flagrant violation of workers’ rights, in particular the right to strike and freedom of association and will continue to call for his unconditional release.
Greece
Two years ago, the Pylos shipwreck led to the death of more than 600 people. Now, 17 Greek coastguard officers face charges in connection with it, including causing a shipwreck, exposure to danger and failure to provide assistance. These developments may pave the way towards accountability for the worst shipwreck in the Mediterranean in recent years.
Amnesty has been calling for justice through sustained advocacy and campaigning.
Türkiye
Afghan asylum seeker Tabriz Saifi is blind due to chronic diabetes and relies on dialysis three times a week. However, his international protection application was rejected by the Turkish authorities on 28 February, which meant he no longer had access to life-saving healthcare. Amnesty International immediately launched an urgent action, calling for the decision to be reversed.
On 2 May, his family was informed that the decision had been reversed and that his asylum seeker status had been reinstated, along with full access to free healthcare.
Girls and women support the right to abortion in Argentina.
Argentina
An Argentine private health insurer was fined over $4,000 USD for denying a legal abortion to a woman whose pregnancy posed serious health risks — a clear violation of the country’s reproductive rights law.
Amnesty International Argentina provided legal advice and stressed that rulings like this reinforce the need to guarantee access to legal abortion as a right, not an exception subject to individual or institutional discretion.
Council of Europe
Following sustained advocacy by Amnesty International and the Omega Research Foundation, the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) adopted a report on measures against the trade in goods used for death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Georgia
After months of public pressure, protests and legal action, the Georgian Ministry of Justice announced it would end the humiliating practice of fully stripping detainees during body searches.
The decision followed a lawsuit from the Public Defender in February, a report from Amnesty International condemning the practice as degrading and unlawful, as well as a video featuring Georgian artist and activist Kristina Botkoveli, who was subjected to a forced strip search, harassment, and threats after participating in protests.
Following calls from Amnesty International and other organizations, the revised Sámi Parliament Act has now been approved by the Finnish parliament.
Finland
The Sámi are a group of Indigenous people that come from the region of Sápmi, which stretches across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola peninsula in Russia.
For a number of years, they have been subjected to human rights violations. However, following calls from Amnesty International and other organizations, the revised Sámi Parliament Act has now been approved by the Finnish parliament.
The amended Act strengthens Indigenous Sámi people’s right to self-determination and improves the way in which the Sámi Parliament operates. It also corrects human rights violations highlighted by international human rights treaty bodies.
Hungary
On 28 June, Budapest Pride proceeded despite restrictive anti-Pride laws and police targeting the march. Around 200,000 people, including over 280 Amnesty International activists and staff from Hungary and 22 other countries, peacefully demanded equality and assembly rights. This was Budapest’s largest Pride in 30 years, symbolizing strong public resistance to discrimination and highlighting the resilience of Hungary’s LGBTI community. Amnesty’s Let Pride March campaign helped raise awareness, mobilize activists, and urged police to respect peaceful protest. With over 120,000 global actions supporting the event – it demonstrated that solidarity can overcome oppression, though challenges for LGBTI rights in Hungary persist.
Activists and speakers – including King Okabi of the Ogale community – call for an end to Shell’s pollution of the Niger Delta and compensation outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, on day one of the Ogale and Bille communities vs Shell trial, 13 February 2025.
Nigeria/UK
After a decade-long fight for justice, a UK court ruled that Shell can be held liable for the oil spills and leaks it has failed to clean up in the Niger Delta – regardless of how long ago they happened.
The judgement is an important step towards justice for communities in the Niger Delta and a vital opportunity to make Shell pay for the devastating pollution it has caused to the Ogale and Bille communities’ lands.
In parallel with this decision, the Nigerian government also pardoned the Ogoni Nine. The group of activists, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigerian author and campaigner, were executed 30 years ago by a government that wanted to hide the crimes of Shell and other oil companies that were destroying the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of people across the Niger Delta.
Amnesty has been supporting and campaigning for justice for the Ogoni Nine for years and documenting the destruction Shell has left behind through a series of powerful reports. While these are positive outcomes, much more needs to be done to ensure justice is achieved for communities in the Niger Delta, including holding Shell and other oil companies to account for the damage they have done and continue to do – and Amnesty will be there every step of the way!
Ukraine
On 24 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset signed an agreement establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine in Strasbourg, following calls from Amnesty International and others. It is hoped this will help hold perpetrators of the crime of aggression accountable.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and student organizer who recently graduated from Columbia University, was targeted for his role in student protests at Columbia University.
USA
On March 9, US immigration authorities unlawfully arrested and arbitrarily detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, lawful permanent resident of the USA, and student organizer who recently graduated from Columbia University. Mahmoud was targeted for his role in student protests at Columbia University, where he was exercising his rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. He was not charged with a crime yet was held in a detention centre, told that his permanent residency status was “revoked”, and placed in deportation proceedings. Amnesty International demanded that authorities release Mahmoud immediately and respect his rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and due process. After 104 days in a Louisiana immigration detention centre, Mahmoud Khalil was released on bail in June 21, however he’s still facing threats of deportation by US authorities. He has since filed a $20 million USD lawsuit against the Trump administration.
“The Hong Kong 47 case stands as one of the most shocking examples of the crackdown on human rights in the city. This appeal hearing is a chance for the courts to start righting the wrongs of this unprecedented mass prosecution.
“Research findings we released earlier this month show that the vast majority of convictions under the National Security Law have targeted legitimate expression. It is appalling that Hong Kong courts could condone a crackdown that leaves more than 80% of defendants wrongfully languishing behind bars.
“This appeal is a pivotal test – not just for these 13 individuals, but for the future of freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Only by overturning these convictions can Hong Kong’s courts begin to restore the city’s global standing as a place where rights are respected and where people are allowed to peacefully express their views without fear of arrest.”
Dramatic deterioration of human rights
In Hong Kong’s largest prosecution under the National Security Law, which came into force in June 2020,47 opposition figures were jointly chargedwith “conspiracy to commit subversion”. Thirty-one of the 47 pleaded guilty to the charge while 16 pleaded not guilty, two of whom were acquitted.
On 14 July, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal will hear the appeal of 13 of those convicted. In the same hearing, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice will also appeal against the acquittal of one of the defendants, Lawrence Lau.The charges against the ‘Hong Kong 47’ relate to their organisation and participation in self-organised ‘primaries’ for the 2020 Legislative Council elections that were ultimately postponed by authorities on Covid-19 grounds before the Chinese government brought in a new electoral system that strictly vetted who could stand for office.
Research published last month by Amnestyon the fifth anniversary of the National Security Law’s enactment, found that more than 80% of people convicted under the law have been wrongly criminalised and should never have been charged in the first place.Human rights in Hong Kong have deteriorated dramaticallysince 2020, with Amnesty identifying more than 250 people arrested for violating the National Security Law or a colonial-era “sedition” law.Last year, the Hong Kong parliament itself enacted further national security legislation – the so-called ‘Article 23’ law – whichhas further deepened repression and silenced opposition voices in the city.
Global warming has picked up pace since around 2010, leading to the recent string of record warm years. Why this is happening is still unclear, and among the biggest questions in climate science today. Our new study reveals that reductions in air pollution – particularly in China and east Asia – are a key reason for this faster warming.
Cleanup of sulphur emissions from global shipping has been implicated in past research. But that cleanup only began in 2020, so it’s considered too weak to explain the full extent of this acceleration. Nasa researchers have suggested that changes in clouds could play a role, either through reductions in cloud cover in the tropics or over the North Pacific.
One factor that has not been well quantified, however, is the effect of monumental efforts by countries in east Asia, notably China, to combat air pollution and improve public health through strict air quality policies. There has already been a 75% reduction in east Asian sulphur dioxide emissions since around 2013, and that cleanup effort picked up pace just as global warming began accelerating.
Our study addresses the link between east Asian air quality improvements and global temperature, building on the efforts of eight teams of climate modellers across the world.
We have found that polluted air may have been masking the full effects of global warming. Cleaner air could now be revealing more of the human-induced global warming from greenhouse gases.
In addition to causing millions of premature deaths, air pollution shields the Earth from sunlight and therefore cools the surface. There has been so much air pollution that it has held human-induced warming in check by up to 0.5°C over the last century.
With the cleanup of air pollution, something that’s vital for human health, this artificial sunshade is removed. Since greenhouse gas emissions have kept on increasing, the result is that the Earth’s surface is warming faster than ever before.
Modelling the cleanup
Our team used 160 computer simulations from eight global climate models. This enabled us to better quantify the effects that east Asian air pollution has on global temperature and rainfall patterns. We simulated a cleanup of pollution similar to what has happened in the real world since 2010. We found an extra global warming of around 0.07°C.
While this is a small number compared with the full global warming of around 1.3°C since 1850, it is still enough to explain the recent acceleration in global warming when we take away year-to-year swings in temperature from natural cycles such as El Niño, a climate phenomenon in the Pacific that affects weather patterns globally.
Based on long-term trends, we would have expected around 0.23°C of warming since 2010. However, we actually measured around 0.33°C. While the additional 0.1°C can largely be explained by the east Asian air pollution cleanup, other factors include the change in shipping emissions and the recent accelerated increase in methane concentrations in the atmosphere.
Air pollution causes cooling by reflecting sunlight or by changing the properties of clouds so they reflect more sunlight. The cleanup in east Asian air pollution influences global temperatures because it reduces the shading effect of the pollution over east Asia itself. It also means less pollution is blown across the north Pacific, causing clouds in the east Pacific to reflect less sunlight.
The pattern of these changes across the North Pacific simulated in our models matches that seen in satellite observations. Our models and temperature observations also show relatively strong warming over the North Pacific, downwind from east Asia.
The main source of global warming is still greenhouse gas emissions, and a cleanup of air pollution was both necessary and overdue. This did not cause the additional warming but rather, removed an artificial cooling that has for a time helped shield us from some of the extreme weather and other well-established consequences of climate change.
Global warming will continue for decades. Indeed, our past and future emissions of greenhouse gases will affect the climate for centuries. However, air pollution is quickly removed from the atmosphere, and the recent acceleration in global warming from this particular unmasking may therefore be short-lived.
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Laura Wilcox receives funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Research Council of Norway, the Clean Air Fund, and Horizon Europe.
Bjørn H. Samset receives funding from the Research Council of Norway, the Clean Air Fund, and Horizon Europe.
India’s wholesale inflation slipped into negative territory for the first time in 2025, with the Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation falling to -0.13% in June, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Monday. The decline was primarily driven by a drop in food and fuel prices.
Food prices, which account for 24.38% of the WPI basket, fell 0.26% year-on-year, while fuel and power prices, comprising 13.15% of the index, dropped by 2.65% compared to June 2024.
On the other hand, manufactured products, which represent the largest share of the index at 64.23%, rose by 1.97% year-on-year. However, the pace of increase moderated, down from 2.04% in May and 2.62% in April.
This wholesale disinflation aligns with the recent moderation in retail inflation. Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation cooled to 2.82% in May, its lowest level since February 2019.
Responding to the softer inflation outlook, the RBI in its monetary policy review last month cut the repo rate by 50 basis points, from 6.0% to 5.5%, in a bid to stimulate economic growth.
Additionally, the central bank announced a phased reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), from 4% to 3%, to be implemented in four tranches of 25 basis points each.
With headline CPI well below the RBI’s medium-term target of 4%, the central bank also revised its inflation forecast for 2025–26 down from 4.0% to 3.7%.
