Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI Global: The mystery of Mercury’s missing meteorites – and how we may have finally found some

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ben Rider-Stokes, Post Doctoral Researcher in Achondrite Meteorites, The Open University

    Mercury seen by Nasa’s Messenger spacecraft on the left. On the right, there’s an approximation of Mercury’s true colour as might be seen by the human eye. NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington

    Most meteorites that have reached Earth come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But we have 1,000 or so meteorites that come from the Moon and Mars. This is probably a result of asteroids hitting their surfaces and ejecting material towards our planet.

    It should also be physically possible for such debris to reach the Earth from Mercury, another nearby rocky body. But so far, none have been confirmed to come from there – presenting a longstanding mystery.

    A new study my colleagues and I conducted has discovered two meteorites that could have a Mercurian origin. If confirmed, they would offer a rare window into Mercury’s formation and evolution, potentially reshaping our understanding of the planet nearest the Sun.

    Because Mercury is so close to the Sun, any space mission to retrieve a sample from there would be complex and costly. A naturally delivered fragment, therefore, may be the only practical way to study its surface directly – making such a discovery scientifically invaluable.


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    Observations from Nasa’s Messenger mission have inferred the surface composition of Mercury. This suggests the presence of minerals known as such as sodium-rich plagioclase (such as albite), iron-poor pyroxene (for example enstatite), iron-poor olivine (such as forsterite) and sulfide minerals such as oldhamite.

    The meteorite Northwest Africa (NWA) 7325 was initially proposed as a possible fragment of Mercury. However, its mineralogy includes chromium-rich pyroxene containing approximately 1% iron. This poorly matches Mercury’s estimated surface composition. As a result of this, and other factors, this link has been challenged.

    Aubrite meteorites have also been proposed as potential Mercurian fragments. Recent modelling of their formation suggests an origin from a large planetary body approximately 5,000km in diameter (similar to Mercury), potentially supporting this hypothesis.

    Although aubrites do not exhibit chemical or spectral (the study of how light is broken up by wavelength) similarities with Mercury’s surface, it has been hypothesised that they may derive from the planet’s shallow mantle (the layer beneath the surface). Despite ongoing research, the existence of a definitive meteorite from Mercury remains unproven.

    Our latest study investigated the properties of two unusual meteorites, Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915. We found that the two samples appear to be related, probably originating from the same parent body. Their mineralogy and surface composition also exhibit intriguing similarities to Mercury’s crust. So this has prompted us to speculate about a possible Mercurian origin.

    Both meteorites contain olivine and pyroxene, minor albitic plagioclase and oldhamite. Such features are consistent with predictions for Mercury’s surface composition. Additionally, their oxygen compositions match those of aubrites.
    These shared characteristics make the samples compelling candidates for being Mercurian material.

    However, notable differences exist. Both meteorites contain only trace amounts of plagioclase, in contrast to Mercury’s surface, which is estimated to contain over 37%. Furthermore, our study suggests that the age of the samples is about 4,528 million years old. This is significantly older than Mercury’s oldest recognised surface units, which are predicted (based on crater counting) to be approximately 4,000 million years.

    If these meteorites do originate from Mercury, they may represent early material that is no longer preserved in the planet’s current surface geology.

    Will we ever know?

    To link any meteorite to a specific asteroid type, moon or planet is extremely challenging. For example, laboratory analysis of Apollo samples allowed meteorites found in desert collection expeditions to be matched with the lunar materials. Martian meteorites have been identified through similarities between the composition of gases trapped in the meteorites with measurements of the martian atmosphere by spacecraft.

    Until we visit Mercury and bring back material, it will be extremely difficult to assess a meteorite-planet link.

    The BepiColombo space mission, by the European and Japanese space agencies, is now in orbit around Mercury and is about to send back high-resolution data. This may help us determine the ultimate origin body for Ksar Ghilane 022 and Northwest Africa 15915.

    If meteorites from Mercury were discovered, they could help resolve a variety of long-standing scientific questions. For example, they could reveal the age and evolution of Mercury’s crust, its mineralogical and geochemical composition and the nature of its gases.

    The origin of these samples is likely to remain a subject of continuing debate within the scientific community. Several presentations have already been scheduled for the upcoming Meteoritical Society Meeting 2025 in Australia. We look forward to future discussions that will further explore and refine our understanding of their potential origin.

    For now, all we can do is make educated guesses. What do you think?

    Ben Rider-Stokes receives funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

    ref. The mystery of Mercury’s missing meteorites – and how we may have finally found some – https://theconversation.com/the-mystery-of-mercurys-missing-meteorites-and-how-we-may-have-finally-found-some-259596

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jackson Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill, The Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL-01) and Jim Baird (R-IN-04) led 43 of their colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Marshall “Major” Taylor Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor — America’s first Black sports star, recognizing his significance to the nation as a trailblazing athlete. 

    Taylor managed to become the first African American world champion in any sport and earned the title of “world’s fastest man” despite the extraordinary challenges of the Jim Crow era. He endured attempts by white promoters in both the North and South to exclude him from races. White riders, too, subjected Taylor to curses, insults, and even physical harm during competitions. Despite these adversities, Taylor’s exceptional talent and tenacity turned him into a sensation, drawing tens of thousands at races across the United States, Europe, and Australia.

    “It is without question that Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor was a man before his time, a stellar athlete, a leader in the field of cycling, and a trailblazer,” said Rep. Jackson. “I believe it is fitting that Congress award the ‘world’s fastest man’ one of our nation’s most prestigious honors.”

    “Even when compared to today’s athletes, Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor is among the greatest cyclists of all time,” said Rep. Baird. “His accomplishments are especially impressive considering the challenges he faced on his climb to cycling greatness. Marshall Taylor is one of the greatest athletes in Indiana history, and I can think of no one better suited to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.”

    “Marshall W. ‘Major’ Taylor challenged both the odds and the adversity of his time with dignity and determination, and he went on to ultimately triumph,” said Karen Brown Donovan, the great-granddaughter of Major Taylor. “The awarding of a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal would be a significant achievement towards honoring his life and legacy.”

    Supporting Individuals and Groups

    119th Congress

    Co-lead: Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Original Cosponsors (44 total): Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI-AL), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), David Scott (D-GA-13), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02),  Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Sharice Davis (D-KS-03),  Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09),  Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04),  Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC),  Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07),  Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12),  Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06),  Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Nanette Barragan (D-CA-44), Troy Carter (D-LA-02),  Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02).

    Supporting Organizations: Washington Area Bicyclist Association, The League of American Bicyclists, Major Taylor Association, Bike to the Beach, and Black Girls Do Bike, Inc.

    118th Congress

    Co-lead: Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Original Cosponsors (32 total): Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), André Carson (D-IN-07), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-04), Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Earl Blumenauer (D-WA-03), James McGovern (D-MA-02), David Scott (D-GA-13), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX-18), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Al Green (D-TX-09), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Chuy Garcia (D-IL-04), David Trone (D-MD-06), Ann Kuster (D-NH-02), John Duarte (R-CA-13), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Joe Wilson (R-SC-02). 

    Supporting Organizations: Bronzeville Trail Task Force, Inc., Major Taylor Association, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, League of American Bicyclists, ADD Impact Network & Bike to the Beach, and Black Girls Do Bike, Inc. 

    About Major Taylor

    Taylor, the son of a veteran who fought in the Civil War, was born in 1878. Despite racial tension, Taylor was educated and viewed as an adopted son by an affluent white family from Indianapolis, Indiana, who also employed his father, Gilbert Taylor. Due to his relationship with the family, Taylor received gifts, including his first bicycle. Upon receiving the bicycle, Taylor displayed natural talent. 

    Taylor received the nickname “Major” as a child while performing bicycle tricks outside of his workplace at Hay & Willits Manufacturing, Indiana Bicycle Co., in Indianapolis. His employer was so impressed with his abilities that the company enrolled him in his first race, which he won at the age of eleven. Taylor moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, with his employer, mentor, and racing manager, Louis D. “Birdie” Munger, in 1895, because Munger was forced out of his Indianapolis-based firm due to his mentorship of Taylor. 

    In 1896, at the age of eighteen, Taylor received a professional racing license from the League of American Wheelmen, despite the league’s 1894 “white only” rule for amateur membership. This membership led to his eventual professional debut.  

    Later that year, Taylor gained notoriety in his first professional contest by competing in the “Six Day Race” at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This race was considered a test of endurance, where cyclists would test both their mental and physical ability in front of a packed house at the Garden. At the conclusion of day six, Taylor finished eighth out of twenty-six and cycled roughly 1,732 miles. 

    In 1899, Taylor would win the world one-mile sprint championship in Montréal, becoming the first Black American and the second Black athlete to win a world title. Taylor would go on to set seven cycling records and become the first Black world champion, which led to his being considered the first international superstar. Taylor would even revolutionize the sport by creating an innovative adjustable handlebar stem, which to date is called the “Major Taylor Stem.”

    While experiencing racial prejudice throughout his career, Taylor became one of the first Black athletes to secure corporate sponsorships. He represented bicycle brands such as Iver Johnson, Sager, Stearns, and Orient, eventually becoming one of the wealthiest Black men in America. Due to his devout commitment to his faith, Taylor refused to race on Sundays, which led to him turning down a significant number of lucrative offers to race in Europe. However, once he achieved international superstardom, Taylor was able to negotiate “no Sundays” provisions in his European racing contracts. 

    Taylor retired from racing in 1910 and started many business ventures. In 1928, he published his autobiography “The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World” with the intent of impacting justice, equal rights, and the ‘square deal’ for African Americans in sports. 

    About the Congressional Gold Medal

    Since the late 1700s, Congress has expressed public gratitude to individuals and groups by awarding medals and other similar decorations. The Continental Congress awarded the first Congressional Gold Medals. Since that time, Congress has awarded gold medals to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions, dramatize the virtues of patriotism, and perpetuate the remembrance of great events. Two-thirds of both the House and Senate must cosponsor the legislation to advance it.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Preview Citation

    Format: Chicago

    Alexander Copestake, Divya Kirti, and Maria Soledad Martinez Peria. “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability”, Fintech Notes 2025, 004 (2025), accessed June 25, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229014250.063

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    Summary

    Policymakers in many countries aim to increase the uptake of retail digital payment systems. This Note examines whether interoperability can help achieve this goal. We provide a conceptual framework that explains how interoperability can support the adoption of digital payments by increasing users’ freedom to choose their favorite app. We present evidence consistent with this framework using granular data covering the universe of transactions on India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), an interoperable platform that has become the world’s largest retail fast payment system by volume. We find that interoperability has indeed supported adoption, suggesting that promoting interoperability could be a promising policy lever for countries seeking to transition away from cash.

    Subject: Digital financial services, Financial markets, Financial regulation and supervision, Financial services, Fintech, Monetary policy, Money, Payment systems, Technology

    Keywords: Digital financial services, Fintech, Fintech, Interoperability, Networks, Payment systems, Payments, UPI

    Publication Details

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 25 June 2025 Joint News Release Energy Access Has Improved, Yet International Financial Support Still Needed to Boost Progress and Address Disparities

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2025 finds that almost 92% of the world’s population now has basic access to electricity Although this is an improvement since 2022, which saw the number of people without basic access decrease for the first time in a decade, over 666 million people remain without access, indicating that the current rate is insufficient to reach universal access by 2030. Clean cooking access is progressing but below the rates of progress seen in the 2010s, as efforts remain hobbled by setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic, following energy price shocks, and debt crises.

    Released today, the latest edition of the annual report that tracks progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 highlights the role of distributed renewable energy (a combination of mini-grid and off-grid solar systems) to accelerate access, since the population remaining unconnected lives mostly in remote, lower-income, and fragile areas. Cost-effective and rapidly scalable, decentralised solutions are able to reach communities in such rural areas.

    Decentralised solutions are also needed to increase access to clean cooking. With an estimated 1.5 billion people residing in rural areas still lacking access to clean cooking, the use of off-grid clean technologies, such as household biogas plants and mini-grids that facilitate electric cooking, can provide solutions that reduce health impacts caused by household air pollution. Over 670 million people remain without electricity access, and over 2 billion people remain dependent on polluting and hazardous fuels such as firewood and charcoal for their cooking needs.

    Notable progress was made in different indicators. The international financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy grew for the third year in a row to reach USD 21.6 billion in 2023.  Installed renewables capacity per capita continued to increase year-on-year to reach a new high of 341 watts per capita in developing countries, up from 155 watts in 2015.

    Yet regional disparities persist, indicating that particular support is needed for developing regions. In sub-Saharan Africa – which lags behind across most indicators – renewables deployment has rapidly expanded but remains limited to 40 watts of installed capacity per capita on average which is only one-eighth of the average of other developing countries. Eighty-five percent of the global population without electricity access reside in the region, while four in five families are without access to clean cooking. And the number of people without clean cooking access in the region continues to grow at a rate of 14 million people yearly.

    The report identified the lack of sufficient and affordable financing as a key reason for regional inequalities and slow progress. To build on the achievements to date and avoid any further regressions on access to electricity and clean cooking due to looming risks in global markets, the report calls for strengthened international cooperation of public and private sectors, to scale up financial support for developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Urgent actions include reforms in multilateral and bilateral lending to expand the availability of public capital; more concessional finance mobilisation, grants, and risk mitigation instruments; improvement in risk tolerance among donors; as well as appropriate national energy planning and regulations.

    Key findings across primary indicators

    • Almost 92% of the world’s population now has access to electricity, leaving over 666 million people without electricity in 2023, with around 310 million people gaining access since 2015. Eighteen of the 20 countries with the largest electricity access deficits in 2023 were in sub-Saharan Africa. The greatest growth in access between 2020 and 2023 occurred in Central and Southern Asia, with both regions making significant strides towards universal electricity access, reducing their basic access gap from 414 million in 2010 to just 27 million in 2023.
    • Little to no change was observed in access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking between 2022 and 2023. Although the number of the world’s population with access to clean cooking fuels and technologies increased from 64% in 2015 to 74% in 2023, around 2.1 billion people remain dependent on polluting fuels and technologies. If current trends continue, only 78% of the global population will have access to clean cooking by 2030.
    • In 2022, the global share of renewable energy sources in total final energy consumption (TFEC) was 17.9% as TFEC continued to increase gradually, while installed renewable energy capacity reached 478 watts per capita in 2023, indicating almost 13% growth from 2022. But progress is not sufficient to meet international climate and sustainable development goals. In addition, global efforts must address significant disparities. Despite progress in expanding renewable capacity, least developed countries and sub-Saharan Africa had only 40 watts per capita in installed renewables capacity, compared to developed countries which had over 1,100 watts installed.
    • Global energy efficiency experienced sluggish progress in recent years. The global trend shows that primary energy intensity, defined as the ratio of total energy supply to gross domestic product, declined by 2.1% in 2022. Although it is an improvement of more than four times the weak 0.5% improvement rate of 2021, it is insufficient to meet the original SDG 7.3 target. Going forward, energy intensity needs to improve by 4% per year on average. 
    • International public financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy increased by 27% from 2022, reaching USD 21.6 billion in 2023.  However, the report reveals that the developing world received fewer flows in 2023 than in 2016, when commitments peaked at USD 28.4 billion. Despite gradual diversification, funding remained concentrated, with only two sub-Saharan African countries in the top five recipients. Debt-based instruments drove most of the increase in international public flows in 2023, accounting for 83% in 2023, while grants made up only 9.8% of flows.

    The report will be presented to decision-makers at a special launch event on 16 July 2025 at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, which oversees progress on the SDGs.

    Quotes

    Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency

    “Despite progress in some parts of the world, the expansion of electricity and clean cooking access remains disappointingly slow, especially in Africa. This is contributing to millions of premature deaths each year linked to smoke inhalation, and is holding back development and education opportunities. Greater investment in clean cooking and electricity supply is urgently required, including support to reduce the cost of capital for projects.”

    Francesco La Camera, Director-General, International Renewable Energy Agency

    “Renewables have seen record growth in recent years, reminding the world of its affordability, scalability, and its role in further reducing energy poverty. But we must accelerate progress at this crunch time. This means overcoming challenges, which include infrastructure gaps. The lack of progress, especially on infrastructure, is a reflection of limited access to financing. Although international financial flows to developing countries in support of clean energy grew to USD 21.6 billion in 2023, only two regions in the world have seen real progress in the financial flows. To close the access and infrastructure gaps, we need strengthened international cooperation to scale up affordable financing and impact–driven capital for the least developed and developing countries.”

    Stefan Schweinfest, Director, United Nations Statistics Division

    “This year’s report shows that now is the time to come together to build on existing achievements and scale up our efforts. Despite advancements in increasing renewables-based electricity, which now makes up almost 30 percent of global electricity consumption, the use of renewables for other energy-related purposes remains stagnant. While energy intensity improved in 2022, overall progress remains weak, threatening economic growth and the energy efficiency goals agreed upon at COP28. The clock is ticking. The findings of this year’s report should serve as a rallying point, to rapidly mobilize efforts and investments, so that together, we ensure sustainable energy for all by 2030.”

    Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank

    “As we approach the five-year mark to achieve the SDG7 targets, it is imperative to accelerate the deployment of electricity connections, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where half of the 666 million people lacking access reside. As part of the Mission 300 movement, 12 African nations have launched national energy compacts, in which they commit to substantial reforms to lower costs of generation and transmission, and scale up distributed renewable energy solutions. Initiatives such as this unite governments, the private sector, and development partners in a collaborative effort.

    Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, World Health Organization

    “The same pollutants that are poisoning our planet are also poisoning people, contributing to millions of deaths each year from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, particularly among the most vulnerable, including women and children,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “We urgently need scaled-up action and investment in clean cooking solutions to protect the health of both people and planet—now and in the future.”

    About the report

    This report is published by the SDG 7 custodian agencies, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO) and aims to provide the international community with a global dashboard to register progress on energy access, energy efficiency, renewable energy and international cooperation to advance SDG 7.

    This year’s edition was chaired by IRENA.  

    The report can be downloaded at https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org/

    Funding for the report was provided by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates two epidemiologically linked measles infection cases

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CHP investigates two epidemiologically linked measles infection cases 
    The two cases are family members living together. The first case involves a six-month-old baby boy. He presented with fever on June 21, and developed cough, runny nose and skin rash the following day. He was brought to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital on June 23 and was admitted for treatment. His respiratory specimen sample tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing.

    During contact tracing, the CHP found that the boy’s 29-year-old father also presented symptoms of measles, including fever and cough, on June 20 and developed skin rash on June 23. The CHP arranged the patient to attend the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital for isolation and testing on June 24. His respiratory specimen sample tested positive for the measles virus upon nucleic acid testing. 
    An epidemiological investigation revealed that the baby boy has not yet reach the age to receive the first dose of the measles vaccine, while his father was uncertain whether he had received measles vaccination. One of their household contacts also presented relevant symptoms earlier and has recovered now. Testing is being arranged for this household contact.
     
    The CHP continues to investigate the cases to identify potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. Initial investigation revealed that no epidemiological linkages have been established between these two cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong. 
    The number of measles cases in some overseas countries remains at a high level this year. The outbreaks in North America (including the United States and Canada), Europe and neighbouring areas (including Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) are ongoing due to the relatively low vaccination rate. Furthermore, an increasing number of measles cases have also been recorded in Japan and Australia this year. For those who plan to travel to measles-endemic areas, they should check their vaccination records and medical history as early as possible. If they have not been diagnosed with measles through laboratory tests and have never received two doses of measles vaccine or are not sure if they have received a measles vaccine, they should consult a doctor at least two weeks prior to their trip for vaccination.
    ???
    Besides being vaccinated against measles, members of the public should take the following measures to prevent infection:
     For more information on measles, the public may visit the CHP’s measles thematic pageIssued at HKT 20:37

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS continues visit to Tianjin (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, continued his visit to Tianjin today (June 25) to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2025 (also known as the Summer Davos). In the evening, he travelled to Beijing to attend the Host Member Gala Dinner for the 10th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

    In the morning, Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the Summer Davos and delivered a speech. In addition to attending the opening ceremony, Mr Chan participated in a discussion session in the afternoon titled, “Is the Asian Century at Risk?”. Other regional leaders in attendance included the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Mr Pham Minh Chinh; the Deputy Chairperson of Indonesia’s Gerindra Party, Ms Rahayu Saraswati Djojohadikusumo; and the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr Sunil Handunneththi. The discussion focused on how Asia could address local development and external challenges amid the current geopolitical tensions, trade barriers and technological transformation.

    During the session, Mr Chan remarked that the Asian region is developing rapidly, with Hong Kong benefitting from its unique position under “one country, two systems”. He highlighted Hong Kong’s dual advantages of priority access to the Mainland’s market and its connectivity to the global economy, serving as a gateway between the Mainland and the world. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong facilitates efficient two-way capital flows and cross-border financial co-operation within Asia and between Asia and other regions. In the current international geopolitical and economic environment, Hong Kong is actively supporting Mainland enterprises in expanding internationally and building global industry chains and supply chains.

    In response to questions, Mr Chan emphasised that since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Hong Kong has provided a more stable and secure business environment that allows society to focus on economic development. He pointed out that the performance of Hong Kong’s capital markets over the past year, along with surveys conducted by various foreign chambers of commerce, demonstrates that international investors are showing confidence in Hong Kong with their capital and actions. Mr Chan further noted that Hong Kong’s openness, diversity and international outlook under “two systems”, along with its common law system, remain key advantages in attracting international businesses and talent.

    Mr Chan also met with the Chairman ad interim of the World Economic Forum, Mr Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, during which he briefed him on Hong Kong’s latest economic developments, including progress in the financial and innovation and technology (I&T) sectors. The two sides also explored opportunities to strengthen co-operation in technological innovation and personnel exchanges. Mr Chan expressed gratitude to the World Economic Forum for offering secondment opportunities to Hong Kong SAR Government personnel, enabling them to gain more international exposure.

    During his time in Tianjin, Mr Chan participated in the following activities:

    (1) A thematic session titled “Funding China’s Next Tech Breakthrough” hosted by the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, where he shared with representatives from investment banks, funds, asset management firms, I&T companies and think tanks how Hong Kong provides a full range of fundraising options – from start-up investments to stock market listings – to provide financial support to the accelerated development of I&T enterprises;

    (2) An exchange session between technology enterprises from Tianjin and Hong Kong organised by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, where Mr Chan introduced the dual advantages of Hong Kong’s financial and I&T synergy to I&T enterprises from Tianjin and Hong Kong, and accelerating the development of I&T through financial empowerment. Some members of the I&T delegation on the visit also participated in the session, where they explored collaboration opportunities with Tianjin’s I&T companies; and

    (3) A gathering hosted by the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in Tianjin, where Mr Chan shared updates on Hong Kong’s economy, future development directions, and opportunities for further strengthening co-operation between Tianjin and Hong Kong in finance, trade and I&T.

    After concluding his visit to Tianjin, Mr Chan proceeded to Beijing to attend the Host Member Gala Dinner for the 10th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the AIIB.

    Mr Chan will attend the 10th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the AIIB tomorrow (June 26).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Christopher Hui attends AIIB meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said today Hong Kong shares the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) mission of providing high-quality financial disclosures as a reliable player that builds trust with stakeholders.

    He made the statement during a side event at the AIIB’s 10th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors on “Implementing the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards) from the Ground Up: The AIIB Journey”.

    Mr Hui noted that while the AIIB is one of the first multilateral development banks to adopt the ISSB Standards, Hong Kong was also confirmed by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation earlier this month as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the ISSB Standards.

    He said: “By aligning with a global standard, we ensure international comparability of our data. This not only boosts investor confidence but also creates a strong foundation for new opportunities.”

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to work in collaboration with financial regulators and stakeholders to support the pragmatic implementation of the ISSB Standards through enhancing capacity building and promoting the use of technological solutions, Mr Hui added.

    In addition, Mr Hui also spoke on “Fostering Development and Infrastructure Connectivity” at the Governors’ Business Roundtable in the afternoon.

    He shared with delegations from other member states Hong Kong’s efforts in fostering development in sustainable finance as well as developing diverse and innovative financial products.

    The latter includes the roll-out of the Infrastructure Bond Programme and the issuance of infrastructure loan-backed securities by the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation (HKMC) with the AIIB as an anchor investor. He told the delegations that a third issuance by the HKMC can be expected this year.

    At the AIIB President’s Reception and the Special Session of the Board of Governors’ meeting held yesterday, Mr Hui met AIIB President Jin Liqun and AIIB President-elect Zou Jiayi.

    He also met financial officials of other member states to update them on Hong Kong’s latest developments in green and sustainable finance, and the recent vibrant financial market situation.

    Additionally, Mr Hui held bilateral meetings separately with delegations from Egypt, Germany and Poland on the sidelines of the annual meeting to explore opportunities for further co-operation.

    During his stay in Beijing, Mr Hui met Industrial & Commercial Bank of China President Liu Jun and China Construction Bank Chief Financial Officer Sheng Liurong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Global: How your gut bacteria could help detect pancreatic cancer early

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Falk Hildebrand, Researcher in Bioinformatician, Quadram Institute

    SewCreamStudio/Shutterstock

    Whether you had breakfast this morning or not, your pancreas is working quietly behind the scenes. This vital organ produces the enzymes that help digest your food and the hormones that regulate your metabolism. But when something goes wrong with your pancreas, the consequences can be devastating.

    Pancreatic cancer has earned the grim nickname “the silent killer” for good reason. By the time most patients experience symptoms, the disease has often progressed to an advanced stage where treatment options become severely limited. In the UK alone, over 10,700 new cases and 9,500 deaths from pancreatic cancer were recorded between 2017 and 2019, with incidence rates continuing to rise.

    The most common form, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), develops in the pancreatic duct – a tube connecting the pancreas to the small intestine. When tumours form here, they can block the flow of digestive enzymes, causing energy metabolism problems that leave patients feeling chronically tired and unwell. Yet these symptoms are often so subtle that they’re easily dismissed or attributed to other causes.


    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.


    Now researchers are turning to an unexpected source for early PDAC detection: faecal samples. While analysing poo might seem an unlikely approach to cancer diagnosis, scientists are discovering that our waste contains a treasure trove of information about our health.

    This is because your gut is home to trillions of bacteria – in fact, bacterial cells in your body outnumber human cells by roughly 40 trillion to 30 trillion. These microscopic residents form complex communities that can reflect the state of your health, including the presence of disease.

    Since PDAC typically develops in the part of the pancreas that connects to the gut, and most people have regular bowel movements, stool samples provide a practical, non-invasive window into what is happening inside the body.

    Pancreatic cancer explained,

    Global evidence builds

    This innovative approach has been validated in studies across several countries, including Japan, China and Spain. The latest breakthrough comes from a 2025 international study involving researchers in Finland and Iran, which set out to examine the relationship between gut bacteria and pancreatic cancer onset across different populations.

    The researchers collected stool samples and analysed bacterial DNA using a technique called 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Despite the complex name, the principle is straightforward: scientists sequence and compare a genetic region found in every bacterium’s genome, allowing them to both identify and count different bacterial species simultaneously.

    The findings from the Finnish-Iranian study were striking. Patients with PDAC exhibited reduced bacterial diversity in their gut, with certain species either enriched or depleted compared with healthy people. More importantly, the team developed an artificial intelligence model that could accurately distinguish between cancer patients and healthy people based solely on their gut bacterial profiles.

    The field of microbiome research is evolving rapidly. While this study used amplicon sequencing, newer methods like “shotgun metagenomic sequencing” are providing even more detailed insights. This advanced technique captures the entire bacterial genome content rather than focusing on a single gene, offering an unprecedented resolution that can even detect whether bacteria have recently transferred between individuals.

    These technological advances are driving a fundamental shift in how we think about health and disease. We’re moving from a purely human-centred view to understanding ourselves as “human plus microbiome” – complex ecosystems where our bacterial partners play crucial roles in our wellbeing.

    Beyond pancreatic cancer

    The possibilities go well beyond pancreatic cancer. At Quadram, we’re applying similar methods to study colorectal cancer. We’ve already analysed over a thousand stool samples using advanced computational tools that piece together bacterial genomes and their functions from fragmented DNA. This ongoing work aims to reveal how gut microbes behave in colorectal cancer, much like other scientists have done for PDAC.

    The bidirectional interactions between cancer and bacteria are particularly fascinating – not only can certain bacterial profiles indicate disease presence, but the disease itself can alter the gut microbiome, as we previously showed in Parkinson’s disease, creating a complex web of cause and effect that researchers are still unravelling.

    Nonetheless, by understanding how our microbial partners respond to and influence disease, we’re gaining insights that could revolutionise both diagnosis and treatment. Our past research has shown this to be incredibly complex and sometimes difficult to understand, but developments in biotechnology and artificial intelligence are increasingly helping us to make sense of this microscopic world.

    For cancer patients and their families, this and other advancements in microbiome research offer hope for earlier detection. While we’re still in the early stages of translating these findings into clinical practice, the potential to catch this silent killer before it becomes deadly could transform outcomes for thousands of patients, but will require more careful and fundamental research.

    The microbial perspective on health is no longer a distant scientific curiosity – it’s rapidly becoming a practical reality that could save lives. As researchers continue to explore this inner frontier, we’re learning that the answer to some of our most challenging medical questions might be hiding in plain sight – in the waste we flush away each day.

    Falk Hildebrand receives funding from the UKRI, BBSRC, NERC and ERC.

    Daisuke Suzuki receives funding from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

    ref. How your gut bacteria could help detect pancreatic cancer early – https://theconversation.com/how-your-gut-bacteria-could-help-detect-pancreatic-cancer-early-259220

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI China: Xinhua Commentary: Taiwan leader’s distorted view of history destined for dustbin

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

    Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te has once again exposed his separatist intentions — this time by twisting history to fit a narrative divorced from fact and steeped in distortion and deceit.

    In the first of a planned series of speeches, Lai delivered not a reflection of historical truth but a calculated mix of falsehoods and misinterpretations crafted to advance his political agenda to seek “Taiwan independence.”

    The historical record is clear: the island’s bond with the Chinese mainland are deeply rooted and amply evidenced. Most of the island’s population, including its ethnic minorities, are descendants of migrants from the Chinese mainland over successive periods.

    Numerous historical records and documents have chronicled the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people, with the earliest accounts tracing back to the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). Starting from the Song and Yuan dynasties (960-1368), the central governments of China all set up administrative bodies to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan.

    In 1624, Dutch colonialists invaded and occupied the southern part of Taiwan. In 1662, Zheng Chenggong, a general of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), led an expedition and expelled the Dutch colonizers from Taiwan.

    The subsequent Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) also set up administrative bodies in Taiwan. In 1684, a Taiwan prefecture administration was set up under the jurisdiction of Fujian Province. In 1885, Taiwan’s status was upgraded to a province of China.

    While Taiwan has its own historical trajectory, it has never existed as a country separate from China. Lai, however, went so far as to claim that China only began its relationship with Taiwan in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, falsely equating Zheng Chenggong’s reclaiming of Taiwan and the Qing Dynasty’s governance with foreign occupations by the Dutch and Spanish colonists.

    One must not forget that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have long stood shoulder to shoulder in the face of foreign aggression. For instance, after the outbreak of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in the 1930s, at least 50,000 people from Taiwan joined their mainland compatriots in fighting the Japanese invasion, driven by the belief that “to save Taiwan, one must first save the motherland.”

    The courage and sacrifices of the people in Taiwan in resisting foreign aggression are part of the shared memory of the Chinese nation. Yet Lai has sought to reframe this legacy as “Taiwanese defending their own country,” distorting historical truth to advance his “Taiwan independence” narrative.

    As many in Taiwan have noted, Lai’s remarks were riddled with hollow slogans, fragmented history, and a worldview increasingly detached from reality. By distorting historical truth and repackaging it into a fabricated narrative, Lai sought to stir confrontation, deepen social rifts, and deploy historical distortion as political propaganda to mobilize public sentiment and tighten his grip on power.

    But fabricated claims that run counter to history, reality and legal principles will never stand the test of time. Lai’s separatist remarks are destined to be swept into the dustbin of history.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: SpaceX launches Axiom-4 astronaut mission to Int’l Space Station

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

    A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 a.m. local time (0631 GMT) Wednesday, beginning Axiom Mission 4, the fourth private astronaut flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

    About eight minutes later, the reusable first-stage booster touched down at Landing Zone 1 on Cape Canaveral, completing its descent at 200 meters per second in a pinpoint landing, according to SpaceX.

    The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS around 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT) Thursday after a 30-hour orbital chase. The four-person crew will spend up to 14 days in orbit conducting science, outreach and commercial demonstrations, NASA said.

    Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who has spent 675 days in space, commands the mission. She is joined by pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

    “With a culturally diverse crew, we are not only advancing scientific knowledge but also fostering international collaboration,” Whitson said in a statement released by Houston-based Axiom Space.

    The flight marks the first government-backed orbital mission for India, Poland and Hungary in more than four decades. NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro said the launch underscored the “long history of cooperation” between NASA and Russia’s Roscosmos on the ISS, following recent repairs to the station’s Russian segment, according to a NASA media advisory.

    Axiom Space said the astronauts will conduct about 60 experiments representing 31 countries — the most attempted on any Axiom mission. Projects include radiation-tolerant electronics and student-designed physics demonstrations streamed live to classrooms worldwide.

    After the mission, the Dragon spacecraft will undock and aim for a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast, returning scientific samples to Earth.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – Day of Prayer for peace in Korea: “Everyone must strive for reconciliation and unity”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Archdiocese of Seoul

    Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – The plea for “authentic peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula” is at the heart of the initiative of the Korean Catholic Church, which annually celebrates June 25, the anniversary of the Korean War, as a “Day of Prayer for National Reconciliation and Unity.” At Myeongdong Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Seoul, Msgr. Chung Soon-Taick, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, and President of the “Committee for reconciliation” in the Archdiocese, presided over a Mass attended by over a thousand priests, consecrated persons, and faithful, who prayed together for peace on the Korean peninsula.In his homily, the Archbishop recalled that “this year marks the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and 80 years since the division of the country. North and South have lived in a state of division, nurturing hatred and hostility in a context of constant tension and confrontation.” He added: “North and South Korea have previously lived as one country, one nation, and one culture for centuries. To overcome conflict and division, we must first reach out, as Jesus told us: ‘Give them something to eat.’” Archbishop Chung also emphasized in this context that “a small but significant change has begun in inter-Korean relations.” He pointed out that “as soon as our government stopped broadcasting messages to North Korea over loudspeakers, North Korea immediately stopped broadcasting its messages over loudspeakers,” which he considers a reduction in tensions. “Peace on the Korean Peninsula and a new relationship between the two Koreas begins with the renunciation of hostility and hatred. Let us pray that each of us can be the one to bring about small changes.”Following the Mass, a symposium commemorating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the “Committee for Reconciliation in Korea” in the Archdiocese of Seoul was held at the Spirituality Center of Myeongdong Cathedral. Archbishop Chung Soon-Taick recalled the committee’s objectives and working methods: “The committee, established on March 1, 1995, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, is intended to be the Church’s executive arm for national reconciliation and unity on the Korean peninsula and is committed to working on the basis of three main pillars: prayer, sharing and formation. “Since the first Mass for Reconciliation and Unity in Korea, celebrated on March 7, 1995, the Mass for Reconciliation has been celebrated every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The foundation of every pastoral activity of the committee is prayer,” the Archbishop added. He recalled Pope Francis’s call in the ncyclical “Fratelli Tutti” to be “peacemakers” and the appeal of Pope Leo XIV, who “calls for peace and denounces all violence and horror in the world.” “Every single member of our Church,” the Archbishop hoped, “must remember and pray for our brothers and sisters in North Korea and feel part of the efforts toward reconciliation and unity by reinventing the sense of solidarity based on fraternity.” He concluded with the hope that “our Church will take the initiative to overcome hostilities and promote mutual respect and understanding.” The committee’s vice-chairman, Fr. Chung Soo-yong, said: “Over the past 30 years, we have taken two steps forward and one step back: With the Gospel in mind, we must therefore find the strength to overcome divisions and conflicts and work for peace on the Korean Peninsula.” He added: “In the international context, given the armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and between Israel and Iran, it is fundamental that the Korean Peninsula, which has been divided for more than half a century, lays the foundations for peace.” Father Chung concluded with an appeal to the new generations: “Young people must now take the initiative, with discussions and activities on the practice of peace, also with regard to World Youth Day 2027.” In this spirit, the Archdiocese of Seoul organizes an annual youth pilgrimage to the demilitarized zone on the border between the two Koreas, entitled “The Wind of Peace.” Launched in 2012, the initiative, aimed at young people around the world, will take place next month as part of the Jubilee Year. Participants will walk along the border, also dedicating themselves to meditation and prayer. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 25/6/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Join the Future Combat Air System programme at Dstl

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Join the Future Combat Air System programme at Dstl

    Play a pivotal role in safeguarding the UK’s future and shape the next generation of combat air technology, by joining the FCAS programme.

    The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) encompasses a series of highly integrated and aligned programmes and military capabilities.

    This system will have a crewed aircraft at its heart. It will network and collaborate with a range of wider air and broader domain capabilities, including F-35, and use information systems, weapons and uncrewed collaborative combat air platforms to complete the capability.

    Be part of a joint international programme

    The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a trilateral acquisition programme launched with Japan and Italy to develop the core platform (aircraft) which will be at the heart of the UK’s and our partners’ future Combat Air systems. This joint international programme is a jointly funded and delivered international programme to develop and deliver a new fighter aircraft.

    To put this challenge into context, when the current UK constructed fast jet, the Eurofighter (a fourth generation type) was being designed in the 1980s, the European car of the year was the Ford Escort. Our other current fast jet, the US-Built F-35 Lightning II (a fifth generation type) was designed in the 1990s, when the Fordo Mondeo was car of the year. The F-35 though has been described as a ‘Flying Software Testbed’ with significant PE and approximately 8 million lines of code.

    What’s at the core of FCAS and GCAP

    Programmable Elements (PE), especially software, are at the heart of FCAS and GCAP. The ability to perform frequent, sometimes rapid, software updates is also a critical part of achieving and sustaining operational effectiveness.

    What the MOD PE team do

    The Ministry of Defence (MOD) PE team has wide ranging responsibility, covering:

    • artificial intelligence (AI) and data
    • applications
    • operating systems
    • virtualisation
    • complex electronic hardware

    Working with industry and international partner governments, they also strive to create and promote the environment in which quality PE are effectively delivered at pace.

    Be part of building the sixth generation fast jet

    GCAP will be a sixth generation fast jet, which will build on fifth generation properties, such as, low observability and systems integration, adding autonomy, but the key will be fast adaptability. And the only way to achieve this is through its PE quality to do so.

    If you are interested in a challenging opportunity to use your PE skills to benefit one of the MOD’s highest priority acquisition programs and help get the UK’s next manned and unmanned fast jets flying safely and securely, we want to hear from you.

    As part of the FCAS team, you’ll contribute to one of the most complex and fast-paced acquisition defence programmes to date. With the groundbreaking GCAP collaboration between the UK, Japan, and Italy, this initiative is set to deliver the state-of-the-art fighter jet, Tempest, by 2035.

    This is an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a programme that is revolutionizing the UK’s combat air industry, supporting national security and economic growth. You’ll work at the cutting edge of technology, surrounded by a passionate team committed to excellence.

    Apply to work for the (FCAS) programme

    We will keep this page updated and add links when roles are available to apply for.

    Benefits of working at Dstl

    As well as a rewarding career in defence science and technology, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) offers a wide range of benefits and training opportunities in a supportive, encouraging and flexible environment.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Civil Service College holds thematic briefing session on “International Landscape and China’s Foreign Relations in 2025” (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Civil Service College holds thematic briefing session on “International Landscape and China’s Foreign Relations in 2025”  
    Mr Lee delivered the opening remarks at the session. He expressed gratitude for Mr Cui’s attendance at the session to share insights on the current international environment and national foreign strategies, and provided an analysis in an easy-to-understand manner on the evolving global dynamics and the country’s response strategies to provide support for the HKSAR Government in promoting Hong Kong’s deepening of international exchanges and co-operation, better integration into the overall national development, and co-ordination of high-level security and high-quality development.
     
    Mr Lee pointed out that the complex and fast-changing international environment and the groundbreaking developments of AI and biotechnology profoundly affect the trajectory of the world order and highlight the close connection between security and development. Mr Lee said the country’s diplomatic work plays a vital role in effective co-ordination of security and development, and provides opportunities for Hong Kong to better fulfil its role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”. He thanked the Central Government for its strong support for Hong Kong to become the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, and pointed out that the establishment of its headquarters in Hong Kong reflects the trust and recognition of the international community in Hong Kong, which not only demonstrates the success of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) in creating a stable environment but also serves as a vivid manifestation of the country’s diplomatic soft power. Mr Lee stated that the HKSAR Government officials should have a deep understanding of the country’s foreign policies, accurately grasp changes in the international landscape, and better co-ordinate the relationship between and the opportunities from security and development.
     
    The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said during the session that this event is of great significance. It not only heralds this year’s series of talks on the country’s foreign affairs but is also a highlight event of the seminar series for civil servants on the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the NSL. The CSC will continue to enhance training to strengthen civil servants’ patriotism and awareness of national security, and encourage everyone to consciously safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. The various training programmes organised by the CSC also deepen civil servants’ understanding of the country’s history and culture, and contemporary development, equipping them to better fulfil Hong Kong’s role as a bridge connecting the country with the world in their respective fields, effectively utilising Hong Kong’s international platform to tell good stories of China and Hong Kong.
     
    The CSC will continue to collaborate with the OCMFA to run a series of talks on the country’s foreign affairs in 2025, including today’s thematic briefing session as well as subsequent talks on topics such as participation in international organisations and multilateral affairs, major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, China-United States relations, and civil diplomacy.  Since the launch of this series at the end of 2021, it has been well received by colleagues. To date, 20 talks have been held, with a total attendance of nearly 5 000 directorate and senior-level civil servants.
    Issued at HKT 20:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-Evening Report: Macron invites all New Caledonia stakeholders for Paris talks

    By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk

    French President Emmanuel Macron has sent a formal invitation to “all New Caledonia stakeholders” for talks in Paris on the French Pacific territory’s political and economic future to be held on July 2.

    The confirmation came on Thursday in the form of a letter sent individually to an undisclosed list of recipients and June 24.

    The talks follow a series of roundtables fostered earlier this year by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls.

    But the latest talks, held in New Caledonia under a so-called “conclave” format, stalled on  May 8.

    This was mainly because several main components of the pro-France (anti-independence) parties said the draft agreement proposed by Valls was tantamount to a form of independence, which they reject.

    The project implied that New Caledonia’s future political status vis-à-vis France could be an associated independence “within France” with a transfer of key powers (justice, defence, law and order, foreign affairs, currency ), a dual New Caledonia-France citizenship and an international standing.

    Instead, the pro-France Rassemblement-LR and Loyalistes suggested another project of “internal federalism” which would give more powers (including on tax matters) to each of the three provinces, a notion often criticised as a de facto partition of New Caledonia.

    Local elections issue
    In May 2024, on the sensitive issue of eligibility at local elections, deadly riots broke out in New Caledonia, resulting in 14 deaths and more than 2 billion euros (NZ$3.8 billion) in damage.

    In his letter, Macron writes that although Valls “managed to restore dialogue…this did not allow reaching an agreement on (New Caledonia’s) institutional future”.

    “This is why I decided to host, under my presidency, a summit dedicated to New Caledonia and associating the whole of the territory’s stakeholders”.

    Macron also wrote that “beyond institutional topics, I wish that our exchanges can also touch on (New Caledonia’s) economic and societal issues”.

    Macron made earlier announcements, including on 10 June 2025, on the margins of the recent UNOC Oceans Summit in Nice (France), when he dedicated a significant part of his speech to Pacific leaders attending a “Pacific-France” summit to the situation in New Caledonia.

    “Our exchanges will last as long as it takes so that the heavy topics . . . can be dealt with with all the seriousness they deserve”.

    Macron also points out that after New Caledonia’s “crisis” broke out on 13 May 2024, “the tension was too high to allow for a dialogue between all the components of New Caledonia’s society”.

    Letter sent by French President Emmanuel Macron to New Caledonia’s stakeholders for Paris talks on 2 July 2025. Image: RNZ Pacific

    A new deal?
    The main political objective of the talks remains to find a comprehensive agreement between all local political stakeholders, in order to arrive at a new agreement that would define the French Pacific territory’s political future and status.

    This would then allow to replace the 27-year-old Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998.

    That pact put a heavy focus on the notions of “living together” and “common destiny” for New Caledonia’s indigenous Kanaks and all of the other components of its ethnically and culturally diverse society.

    It also envisaged an economic “rebalancing” between the Northern and Islands provinces and the more affluent Southern province, where the capital Nouméa is located.

    The Nouméa Accord also contained provisions to hold three referendums on self-determination.

    The three polls took place in 2018, 2020 and 2021, all of those resulting in a majority of people rejecting independence.

    But the last referendum, in December 2021, was largely boycotted by the pro-independence movement.

    ‘Examine the situation’
    According to the Nouméa Accord, after the referendums, political stakeholders were to “examine the situation thus created”, Macron recalled.

    But despite several attempts, including under previous governments, to promote political talks, the situation has remained deadlocked and increasingly polarised between the pro-independence and the pro-France camps.

    A few days after the May 2024 riots, Macron made a trip to New Caledonia, calling for the situation to be appeased so that talks could resume.

    In his June 10 speech to Pacific leaders, Macron also mentioned a “new project” and in relation to the past referendums process, pledged “not to make the same mistakes again”.

    He said he believed the referendum, as an instrument, was not necessarily adapted to Melanesian and Kanak cultures.

    In practice, the Paris “summit” would also involve French minister for Overseas Manuel Valls.

    The list of invited participants would include all parties, pro-independence and pro-France, represented at New Caledonia’s Congress (the local parliament).

    But it would also include a number of economic stakeholders, as well as a delegation of Mayors of New Caledonia, as well as representatives of the civil society and NGOs.

    Talks could also come in several formats, with the political side being treated separately.

    The pro-independence platform FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front) has to decide at the weekend whether it will take part in the Paris talks.

    FLNKS leader Christian Téin . . . still facing charges over last year’s riots, but released from prison in France providing he does not return to New Caledonia and checks in with investigating judges. Image: Opinion International

    Will Christian Téin take part?
    During a whirlwind visit to New Caledonia in June 2024, Macron met Christian Téin, the leader of a pro-independence CCAT (Field Action Coordination Cell), created by Union Calédonienne (UC).

    Téin was arrested and jailed in mainland France.

    In August 2024, while in custody in the Mulhouse prison (northeastern France), he was elected in absentia as president of a UC-dominated FLNKS.

    Even though he still faces charges for allegedly being one of the masterminds of the May 2024 riots, Téin was released from jail on June 12 on condition that he does not travel to New Caledonia and reports regularly to French judges.

    On the pro-France side, Téin’s release triggered mixed angry reactions.

    Other pro-France hard-line components said the Kanak leader’s participation in the Paris talks was simply “unthinkable”.

    Pro-independence Tjibaou said Téin’s release was “a sign of appeasement”, but that his participation was probably subject to “conditions”.

    “But I’m not the one who makes the invitations,” he told public broadcaster NC la 1ère on 15 June 2025.

    FLNKS spokesman Dominique Fochi said in a release Téin’s participation in the talks was earlier declared a prerequisite.

    “Now our FLNKS president has been released. He’s the FLNKS boss and we are awaiting his instructions,” Fochi said.

    At former roundtables earlier this year, the FLNKS delegation was headed by Union Calédonienne (UC, the main and dominating component of the FLNKS) president Emmanuel Tjibaou.

    ‘Concluding the decolonisation process’, says Valls
    In a press conference on Tuesday in Paris, Valls elaborated some more on the upcoming Paris talks.

    “Obviously there will be a sequence of political negotiations which I will lead with all of New Caledonia’s players, that is all groups represented at the Congress. But there will also be an economic and social sequence with economic, social and societal players who will be invited”, Valls said.

    During question time at the French National Assembly in Paris on 3 June 2025, Valls said he remained confident that it was “still possible” to reach an agreement and to “reconcile” the “contradictory aspirations” of the pro-independence and pro-France camps.

    During the same sitting, pro-France New Caledonia MP Nicolas Metzdorf decried what he termed “France’s lack of ambition” and his camp’s feeling of being “let down”.

    The other MP for New Caledonia’s, pro-independence Emmanuel Tjibaou, also took the floor to call on France to “close the colonial chapter” and that France has to “take its part in the conclusion of the emancipation process” of New Caledonia.

    “With the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, and the political forces, we will make offers, while concluding the decolonisation process, the self-determination process, while respecting New Caledonians’ words and at the same time not forgetting history, and the past that have led to the disaster of the 1980s and the catastrophe of May 2024,” he said.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yoga, Bollywood films and cooking master classes: what awaits guests at the India Day festival in Moscow

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow will host the Day of India festival for the 10th time. It will be held from August 14 to 17 in the Dream Island landscape park. More than 25 thematic zones and 150 participants of the traditional fair, over 40 gastronomic points are planned. At the large-scale festival, you can get acquainted with Indian culture – from cinema to chess, from yoga to the Holi festival.

    This year’s themes are Indian Heritage in the Heart of Russia and the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    Festival program

    Professional teachers will hold seminars on yoga and Ayurveda at thematic sites, and will teach how to cook traditional Indian dishes at culinary master classes. A Holi color zone will be open all four days.

    In addition, guests will enjoy dance and vocal performances. Children and adults will try their hand at a chess championship. Every day there will be screenings of Bollywood masterpieces and new releases.

    Janmashtami is scheduled for Saturday and the Rathayatra chariot festival will conclude the programme on Sunday.

    An obligatory part of the festival is gastronomy and a fair of goods, including handicrafts. More than 150 participants will offer visitors to the festival spices, decorations, fabrics, cosmetics. The wealth of national dishes will be presented in 40 restaurant zones. A special item on the menu is ripe mango straight from India.

    Distinguished guests and competitions

    The anniversary will be marked with a symbolic ceremony of cutting a huge cake with the participation of honored guests, diplomats and cultural figures of both countries. For the first time, the Day of India will feature a ceremony to present special awards in 10 nominations. Among the invited members of the jury are Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov and Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The Chairman of the Board is Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of the International Information Agency “Russia Today”, Deputy Director General of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.

    The opening of the Maha Kumbh Mela zone in Moscow will be a major event: guests will have a unique opportunity to learn more about the history and rituals of one of the largest religious holidays in India, during which millions of pilgrims bathe in the waters of the Ganges River.

    Schoolchildren from first to 11th grade will be able to take part in the all-Russian drawing competition “Maha Kumbh Mela in Moscow: a child’s view”. Applications are open from June 1 to July 31. The winners will receive memorable prizes.

    “India Day 2025 marks 10 years of Indo-Russian cultural relations. This year, as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of India Day and the 80th anniversary of Russia’s historic victory in the Great Patriotic War, we honour our shared values of peace, friendship and mutual respect. This festival is a living bridge between countries, uniting communities through culture, heritage and dialogue,” said Sammy Kotwani, founder of the India Day festival and president of the Indian Cultural and National Centre Sita.

    The organizer of the 10th India Day festival is the Indian Cultural and National Center Sita. Guests who registered for festival website, will receive a gift.

    All events are free, admission to the festival is free.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155826073/

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: A military-historical memorial complex dedicated to the Kuril landing operation is being created on Shumshu

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev, the progress of work on the creation of a camp and memorial complex on Shumshu was inspected. The Kuril Island was visited by Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Far Eastern Federal District Denis Andreyev and First Deputy Governor of the Sakhalin Region Sergei Baidakov.

    “Shumshu is a significant page in our history. In fact, World War II ended on this island. Our soldiers defeated superior enemy forces and demonstrated mass heroism. At the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a military-historical memorial complex dedicated to the Kuril landing operation is being created on the island. It will perpetuate the feat of the Red Army soldiers who, in August 1945, at the cost of their lives, snatched victory from a superior enemy – the Imperial Japanese Army,” said Yuri Trutnev.

    A search expedition will be launched on July 1st. About 100 patriots from different regions of Russia will take part in it. An expedition of such a scale has never been conducted on the island. Thanks to this, many fallen heroes will find a name and will be buried with military honors.

    “We have assessed the readiness to open the search camp and memorial complex. The work is proceeding at a good pace. Shumshu Island is a heroic place where one of the most important battles took place, which put an end to World War II. Here you can literally touch history, and thanks to the implementation of the project on the instructions of the President, young people from different regions of Russia will soon have such an opportunity. A large-scale search expedition is also ready to begin work, which, I am sure, will open many heroic pages in the history of our country,” Denis Andreev noted.

    “The camp is now almost 100% deployed. On June 30 and July 1, the participants of the search expedition will arrive. The reenactors’ camp will be deployed in the area of Mys Kurbatov. Sappers from the Eastern Military District and specialists from the Pacific Fleet are currently working there, and the military is also tidying up the lighthouse. We assess the readiness as high. Everything is on schedule, but the task is very ambitious. Every day we solve many issues related to equipment, materials, and logistics. But we will do everything to ensure that the order of the head of state Vladimir Putin to perpetuate the feat of the participants of the Kuril landing operation is fulfilled. Our governor Valery Limarenko also puts this task as a priority,” said Sergey Baidakov.

    Sakhalin searchers have already begun reconnaissance work on the island.

    “Spring came early this year, the weather is good, and the mood is fighting. The goal of the reconnaissance is to find the supposed places of death of the soldiers, mark the points on the ground. And when all the searchers arrive, we will conduct targeted excavations. We have already managed to find buttons from military uniforms, personal belongings of soldiers. We are studying all the finds and working with them,” said Artem Bandura, head of the regional branch of the Search Movement of Russia.

    Shumshu is also currently preparing to welcome youth tourist groups. Participants in patriotic movements from different parts of Russia will see with their own eyes the places where history unfolded and will become ambassadors of this Far Eastern victory in their regions.

    The first group is expected to arrive on July 15. Each day the children will have a schedule – lectures, meetings with historians, writers and SVO members, walks along tourist trails, search work.

    “We are developing four tourist routes called “Roads of Shumshu Island”. The longest one is a ring route – 50 km. It goes through the entire island and through the most iconic battle sites. There are also three radial routes from 5 to 8.5 km long, so that groups can comfortably move around the island and touch history,” said Artem Lazarev, Minister of Tourism of the Sakhalin Region.

    Let us recall that the key events dedicated to the opening of the memorial complex – the competition in sports triathlon “Height 171” and military-historical reconstruction – will take place in the second half of August, on the day of the beginning of the Kuril landing operation. About 150 people from two dozen regions of Russia and friendly countries will take part in the reconstruction.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plans for UK to become sustainable finance capital of the world

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Plans for UK to become sustainable finance capital of the world

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband outlines plans to support banks and large companies in developing climate transition plans.

    • Government welcomes views on supporting banks and large companies to set out their climate transition plans  
    • Energy Secretary announces plans will “help unlock billions in clean energy investment” and grow the economy  
    • delivers on commitment to make the UK the “sustainable finance capital of the world” as part of the Plan for Change

    To help “unlock billions in clean energy investment”, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has today outlined plans to support banks and large companies in developing climate transition plans when addressing the Climate and Innovation Forum as part of London Climate Action Week (25 June).  

    The UK is consistently ranked first in the world for sustainable finance, and 70% of FTSE 100 companies have already voluntarily developed many of the key elements of a transition plan. Widespread transition planning will help provide long-term certainty and clarity to help scale the sustainable finance industry as part of our modern industrial policy. 

    The government’s clean energy superpower mission is already delivering economic growth, with net zero sectors growing 3 times faster than the overall economy last year, according to CBI Economics. Since July, over £40 billion of private investment has also been announced into the UK’s clean energy industries – creating good jobs for working people and driving long-term growth.  

    As part of the government’s Plan for Change, the government wants to help stimulate billions of pounds a year of private investment to deliver the government’s clean energy superpower mission and make the UK the “sustainable finance capital of the world”.  

    To support this growth, the government will take forward recommendations from last year’s Transition Finance Market Review to consult on transition plan requirements in order to catalyse the growing transition finance market. The design of any future transition plan requirements will be aligned with the Prime Minister’s commitment to reduce regulatory compliance costs by 25%. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    This government is determined to make the UK the sustainable finance capital of the world as we seize the huge economic opportunities provided by clean energy. 

    Through our clean energy superpower mission and industrial strategy, we can win this global race and accelerate investment into these sectors – growing the economy, turbocharging the transition to net zero and delivering on our Plan for Change. 

    Our plans will transform our leading financial services sector into a global hub for green investment.

    Minister for Competition and Markets Justin Madders said:  

    We want to work with businesses to develop a “common sense” sustainable reporting framework that is transparent, clear and proportionate for those investing in the UK. 

    These measures will enhance competition in the sustainability assurance sector, helping to deliver on our Plan for Change and kickstart economic growth.

    Rt Hon Lord Alok Sharma KCMG, Chair of the UK Transition Finance Council said: 

    A clear message from the Transition Finance Market Review was that high quality disclosure and information are vital for investors and a pre-condition to a flourishing sustainable and transition finance market.  

    I therefore very much welcome the government taking forward recommendations from the Review to consult on corporate transition plan requirements.  

    The UK can become the pre-eminent global financial centre for raising transition finance, but this is a time-limited opportunity, and that is why it will be vital to move quickly from consultation to implementation.

    The government is publishing 3 consultations on: 

    • how to take forward the government’s commitment on transition planning to support the market to invest in sectors that will deliver the clean energy superpower mission
    • new UK Sustainability Reporting Standards to provide clear, comparable information for investors on sustainability related financial risks and opportunities to enable them to make informed investment decisions
    • the development of a voluntary registration regime for the providers of assurance of sustainability reporting, supporting growth in this important sector

    Transition planning means businesses set out a roadmap that outlines how they intend to adapt and transform their operations, strategies, and business models to align with their climate goals. 

    This is a vital part of the government’s commitment to secure Britain’s position as the sustainable finance capital of the world and will help businesses and investors seize the opportunities from the clean energy transition.  

    A recent survey of financial institutions conducted by South Pole found that 84% of UK-based financial institutions find companies with transition plans more attractive to invest in. 

    Supporting British industry and creating good, skilled jobs up and up down the country is core to the government’s industrial strategy and plan to grow the economy, ensuring businesses can take advantage of the transition to new low carbon technologies as they reduce their emissions. This will allow UK industry to remain competitive globally and support the millions of manufacturing jobs in regions across the UK – as well as future-proofing existing sectors, and increasing economic resilience to climate impacts. 

    Alistair Phillips-Davies, Chief Executive at SSE plc said: 

    SSE has long been a firm supporter of credible, transparent transition planning. As an early adopter of climate transition plans, we’ve seen first-hand how they can build investor confidence and accelerate progress toward net zero. 

    We welcome the UK Government’s ambition to become the sustainable finance capital of the world and fully support the work of the Transition Plan Taskforce and the Transition Finance Market Review. 

    As the UK’s clean energy champion, we want to see the UK remain the best place in the world to attract transition finance and deliver the investment needed for a just and ambitious energy transition.

    Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director of the Aldersgate Group, said: 

    The Aldersgate Group welcomes today’s announcement as a significant step forward in creating a first-in-class green regulatory framework. 

    Using the feedback from these consultations to develop clear financial guardrails will help strengthen the transparency, interoperability, and credibility of climate-related financial disclosures. This is essential to support the measures in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, unlocking private sector investment in the UK’s low carbon economy.  

    We are particularly pleased to see the consultation on how best to take forward the government’s commitment on transition planning. Climate transition plans are a vital tool to help real economy companies integrate climate into strategic and operational decision-making, while also enabling financial institutions to align capital allocation, stewardship, and risk management with the transition to net zero.

    James Alexander, CEO of UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), said:  

    We welcome the government’s commitment to bringing forward the consultation on climate transition plans for banks and large companies. These are essential for enhancing growth and global competitiveness as the UK and other countries decarbonise.  

    Further dialogue between the government and industry on the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards is also very encouraging. We look forward to ministers taking forward these commitments, which will help future-proof our economy over the coming years.

    Heather McKay, Programme Lead, UK Sustainable and Resilient Finance at E3G, said:  

    The delivery of the government’s growth mission relies on ensuring Britain is a world-class destination for green and transition finance.  

    The clean economy is our ticket to a high-growth future, and credible transition plans – as part of a future-fit regulatory regime – are fundamental to unlocking the investment required to seize this opportunity.  

    The release of this highly anticipated consultation package is a welcome step towards turning this vision into reality.

    Claudine Blamey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aviva, said:  

    We welcome this consultation as an important next step in understanding how transition planning is rolled out across the UK economy, helping businesses understand the steps needed to transition, supporting a greener, more prosperous future.

    Andrew Ninian, Director for Stewardship, Risk and Tax at the Investment Association, said:  

    We want the UK to remain at the forefront of sustainable finance. Ensuring that reporting standards are focused on the issues that impact the financial performance of companies is vital to achieve this.  

    Transition planning should enable investors to understand how climate risks and opportunities affect a company’s value and how they are adapting their business strategy to reduce their climate impact, in order to provide a sustainable future and grow the UK economy.  

    International comparability is also key, and with companies already preparing for reporting in line with ISSB, endorsing the standards will allow investors in UK companies to fully understand their long-term sustainability risks and simplify reporting expectations in the UK and globally.

    Ian Bhullar, Director, Sustainability Policy, UK Finance said: 

    The financial services industry backs proportionate, internationally aligned sustainability reporting. Many firms have already published transition plans and use their customers’ plans to make low-carbon financing decisions.  

    Better reporting by a range of companies will provide information that lenders and investors can use to increase green finance flows. UK Finance welcomes these consultations and will work with government to ensure they support growth in the UK economy.

    Faith Ward, Chief RI Officer, Brunel Pension Partnership said: 

    I hugely welcome the HMG announcements today. Having been deeply involved in supporting the International Sustainability Standards Board and Transition Plan Taskforce, I am delighted to see the UK take this vital step to regain its leadership role as global centre for green finance. 

    Investors want to allocate capital to growing businesses that are taking action to address climate and sustainability risks – and that are looking to business opportunities so that they deliver financially over the long term. They need globally consistent reporting on climate and sustainability actions, alongside critical insights into corporate plans for the transition.

    Bruno Gardner, Head of Climate Change and Nature, Phoenix Group said: 

    As a long-term investor, policy developments that provide greater certainty around the net zero transition enhance the UK’s role as the leading centre of sustainable finance.  

    Transition plans are critical to helping investors like Phoenix Group manage the risks of climate change and direct capital towards companies that are best equipped to navigate the transition to net zero, ensuring the best outcomes for our customers.  

    We welcome all three consultations and the government’s engagement with the private sector, which is a significant step towards giving investors greater policy certainty and enabling us to being net-zero by 2050.

    Notes to editors   

    DESNZ analysis of Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) data showed that global investment into low carbon sectors amounted to £1.6 trillion in 2024, with total investment in UK low carbon sectors representing 1.8% of GDP, the second highest share within the G7.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Nametag Sets New Paradigm in Enterprise Identity Verification with Bring-Your-Own-Storage for PII

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nametag, the leader in workforce identity verification, today announced the general availability of Enterprise Data Custody. Enterprise Data Custody allows organizations to store all personally identifiable information (PII) captured during identity verification (IDV) within their own infrastructure, including AWS S3 buckets and Azure Blob Storage. This represents a foundational shift in how identity verification (IDV) can coexist with enterprise privacy practices. Rather than requiring PII to be retained by a third-party IDV provider, as is typical in consumer-facing applications of IDV such as Know Your Customer (KYC), enterprises can now verify their employees, contractors and customers without transferring sensitive data outside of their own infrastructure.

    Key features and benefits: Nametag Enterprise Data Custody

    • Store PII from employees, contractors and customers within enterprise-owned infrastructure.
    • Deploy Deepfake Defense™ identity verification while maintaining direct control over all PII.
    • Ensure alignment between enterprise security needs, regulations, and business policies.

    Enterprises are increasingly adopting identity verification in the workforce but face growing data privacy and compliance challenges.

    As companies grapple with organized threat groups like Scattered Spider and North Korean IT workers, traditional user authentication practices are proving ineffective in the face of high-quality voice clones, deepfake identity documents, and advanced social engineering tactics. To mitigate these and other threats to workforce identity infrastructure, enterprise IT and cybersecurity teams are increasingly turning to identity verification (IDV). Global spending on digital identity verification is predicted to reach $26 billion by 2029, according to a report by Juniper Research. But enterprises looking to adopt IDV solutions are often faced with conflicting security needs, compliance requirements, and user expectations surrounding the handling and protection of sensitive data.

    While consumer-facing identity verification often permits IDV vendor storage of customer PII, workforce IDV requires a different approach. Employee and contractor data can be subject to different privacy expectations, regulatory frameworks, and increased oversight from legal and IT stakeholders. As a result, enterprises often mandate that employee PII cannot leave the company’s direct control. This can create barriers to enterprise adoption of IDV to protect their workforce.

    Nametag enables enterprise adoption of workforce identity verification by assuring IDV alignment with modern data governance paradigms.

    Nametag’s Enterprise Data Custody feature allows enterprises to meet this requirement by giving organizations direct control over how PII is stored, secured, and governed. With Enterprise Data Custody, companies using Nametag can choose to store PII within their own environments. This in turn allows enterprise IT and cybersecurity teams to apply specific access controls and security policies to user PII without impacting identity verification performance, accuracy or security.

    “Enterprise Data Custody is emerging as a baseline requirement for organizations that demand greater control over how identity data is managed during identity verification,” said Aaron Painter, CEO of Nametag. “This innovation reflects our long-standing commitment to privacy-first design and sets a new standard for how identity verification can align with enterprise data governance.”

    With the launch of Enterprise Data Custody, Nametag furthers its leadership in workforce identity verification. Nametag’s platform, powered by its Deepfake Defense™ engine, is used by global enterprises to prevent breaches and reduce IT support costs by protecting and automating employee account lifecycle functions like onboarding, account recovery and helpdesk verification.

    Enterprise Data Custody is generally available to all Nametag customers. Companies interested in learning more about Nametag and its solutions can visit getnametag.com or contact sales@nametag.co.

    About Nametag

    Nametag provides integrated identity verification and account protection solutions that prevent modern impersonation threats and streamline user experiences. Powered by Deepfake Defense™, Nametag detects and blocks sophisticated attacks which bypass other, outdated approaches to user verification, delivering the highest possible level of identity assurance. Nametag’s out-of-the-box solutions help enterprises secure their entire user account lifecycle, from onboarding through recovery, while ensuring compliance with the latest privacy standards. Security-conscious enterprises trust Nametag to protect their businesses and reduce IT and support costs. For more information, visit getnametag.com.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Wallet Adds Digital Key Compatibility for Mercedes-Benz

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, today announced that Samsung Wallet will support digital key compatibility for Mercedes-Benz vehicles starting in July 2025. With this new integration, Galaxy users1 can now experience a more seamless way to lock, unlock and start their Mercedes-Benz2 vehicle from their smartphone.
    “We’re excited to bring Mercedes-Benz drivers the incredible convenience that comes with Samsung Digital Key access,” said Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz advances our vision of providing effortless access to tech-enabled experiences across the Galaxy ecosystem.”
    “Bringing convenience and luxury to our customers is our top priority as we strive to bring them the best vehicle experience possible,” said Stefan Blossey, Director of Body-/Comfort-E/E, UX Components at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Samsung Digital Key allows Mercedes-Benz to continue offering our customers convenient access and connectivity to their vehicles.”

    Samsung Wallet is a versatile platform that allows Galaxy users to organize digital keys, payment methods, identification cards, and more — all in one secure and easy-to-use application. Launched in June 2022, and backed by defense-grade security from Samsung Knox, Samsung Wallet smoothly integrates across the broader Galaxy ecosystem to offer powerful connectivity and fortified protection for users in their everyday lives.
    With the addition of the Mercedes-Benz Digital Key on Samsung Wallet, users can experience a new level of convenience at their fingertips. Once inside the vehicle, Samsung’s Digital Key enables drivers to start their vehicle without using their physical key or even removing their smartphone from their pocket. Users can also securely share the digital key with friends or family, through an easy-to-use interface that lets owners grant or disable access as needed.

    The integration of the Mercedes-Benz Digital Key in Samsung Wallet is also backed by Samsung’s commitment to providing a safe, secure and reliable mobile experience for users. Digital keys are securely embedded within the device, meeting rigorous EAL6+3 security standards for protection against unauthorized access. By utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies, a standardized communication protocol set by the Car Connectivity Consortium, the digital key provides precise functionality, significantly reducing the risk of unwanted attempts to access the vehicle.
    If a device containing the digital key in Samsung Wallet is misplaced or stolen, users can log in to the SmartThings Find service to remotely lock or delete the device, securing access to the digital key and further safeguarding their vehicle. With biometric or PIN-based user authentication requirements, Samsung Wallet helps to protect vehicles by keeping access private and secure.4
    Availability
    Digital Key functionality for select Mercedes-Benz vehicles will roll out starting July 2025 in select regions5 worldwide. Users can register their Digital Key through the Mercedes Me application.

    Mercedes-Benz AG at a glance
    Mercedes‑Benz AG is part of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG with a total of around 175,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes‑Benz Cars and Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes‑Benz brand with Mercedes‑AMG, Mercedes‑Maybach and G‑Class with their all-electric models as well as products of the smart brand. Mercedes‑Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars. In 2024 it sold around 2,4 million passenger cars and vans. In its two business segments, Mercedes‑Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with more than 30 production sites on four continents, while gearing itself to meet the requirements of electric mobility. At the same time, the company is constructing and extending its global battery production network on three continents. As sustainability is the guiding principle of the Mercedes‑Benz strategy and for the company itself, this means creating lasting value for all stakeholders: for customers, employees, investors, business partners and society as a whole. The basis for this is the sustainable business strategy of the Mercedes‑Benz Group. The company thus takes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social effects of its business activities and looks at the entire value chain.
    1 Samsung Wallet Digital Key support is available on select devices, including: Galaxy S21 Ultra/S21+, S22 Ultra/S22+, S23 Ultra/S23+, S24 Ultra/S24+, S25 Ultra/S25+, S25 Edge, Note20 Ultra, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Fold Special Edition.
    2 Mercedes-Benz vehicles supporting Digital Car Key differ per region, in the US these include: E-Class Sedan W214, E-Class Wagon S214, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV Z296, EQS Sedan V297, EQS SUV X296, EQE Sedan V295, EQE SUV X294, S-Class Sedan W223, S-Class Sedan Long V223, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Z223, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé C192, Mercedes-AMG SL R232, Mercedes-Maybach SL Z232, C-Class Saloon W206, C-Class Estate S206, GLC SUV X254, GLC Coupé C254. For the full breakdown per region, please visit https://moba.i.mercedes-benz.com/baix/cars/dck-compatibility/landingpage/index.html.
    3 Evaluation Assurance Level6+, for which a product must be evaluated for specific protection against side-channel attacks or other advanced attack vectors, plus additional, more extensive testing and verification of the product’s security functions.
    4 Requires compatible device, SmartThings and Samsung account.
    5 Available regions include: Abu Dhabi, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and USA.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Wallet Adds Digital Key Compatibility for Mercedes-Benz

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, today announced that Samsung Wallet will support digital key compatibility for Mercedes-Benz vehicles starting in July 2025. With this new integration, Galaxy users1 can now experience a more seamless way to lock, unlock and start their Mercedes-Benz2 vehicle from their smartphone.
    “We’re excited to bring Mercedes-Benz drivers the incredible convenience that comes with Samsung Digital Key access,” said Woncheol Chai, EVP and Head of Digital Wallet Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our collaboration with Mercedes-Benz advances our vision of providing effortless access to tech-enabled experiences across the Galaxy ecosystem.”
    “Bringing convenience and luxury to our customers is our top priority as we strive to bring them the best vehicle experience possible,” said Stefan Blossey, Director of Body-/Comfort-E/E, UX Components at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Samsung Digital Key allows Mercedes-Benz to continue offering our customers convenient access and connectivity to their vehicles.”

    Samsung Wallet is a versatile platform that allows Galaxy users to organize digital keys, payment methods, identification cards, and more — all in one secure and easy-to-use application. Launched in June 2022, and backed by defense-grade security from Samsung Knox, Samsung Wallet smoothly integrates across the broader Galaxy ecosystem to offer powerful connectivity and fortified protection for users in their everyday lives.
    With the addition of the Mercedes-Benz Digital Key on Samsung Wallet, users can experience a new level of convenience at their fingertips. Once inside the vehicle, Samsung’s Digital Key enables drivers to start their vehicle without using their physical key or even removing their smartphone from their pocket. Users can also securely share the digital key with friends or family, through an easy-to-use interface that lets owners grant or disable access as needed.

    The integration of the Mercedes-Benz Digital Key in Samsung Wallet is also backed by Samsung’s commitment to providing a safe, secure and reliable mobile experience for users. Digital keys are securely embedded within the device, meeting rigorous EAL6+3 security standards for protection against unauthorized access. By utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technologies, a standardized communication protocol set by the Car Connectivity Consortium, the digital key provides precise functionality, significantly reducing the risk of unwanted attempts to access the vehicle.
    If a device containing the digital key in Samsung Wallet is misplaced or stolen, users can log in to the SmartThings Find service to remotely lock or delete the device, securing access to the digital key and further safeguarding their vehicle. With biometric or PIN-based user authentication requirements, Samsung Wallet helps to protect vehicles by keeping access private and secure.4
    Availability
    Digital Key functionality for select Mercedes-Benz vehicles will roll out starting July 2025 in select regions5 worldwide. Users can register their Digital Key through the Mercedes Me application.

    Mercedes-Benz AG at a glance
    Mercedes‑Benz AG is part of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG with a total of around 175,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes‑Benz Cars and Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes‑Benz brand with Mercedes‑AMG, Mercedes‑Maybach and G‑Class with their all-electric models as well as products of the smart brand. Mercedes‑Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars. In 2024 it sold around 2,4 million passenger cars and vans. In its two business segments, Mercedes‑Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with more than 30 production sites on four continents, while gearing itself to meet the requirements of electric mobility. At the same time, the company is constructing and extending its global battery production network on three continents. As sustainability is the guiding principle of the Mercedes‑Benz strategy and for the company itself, this means creating lasting value for all stakeholders: for customers, employees, investors, business partners and society as a whole. The basis for this is the sustainable business strategy of the Mercedes‑Benz Group. The company thus takes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social effects of its business activities and looks at the entire value chain.
    1 Samsung Wallet Digital Key support is available on select devices, including: Galaxy S21 Ultra/S21+, S22 Ultra/S22+, S23 Ultra/S23+, S24 Ultra/S24+, S25 Ultra/S25+, S25 Edge, Note20 Ultra, Z Fold2, Z Fold3, Z Fold4, Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Fold Special Edition.
    2 Mercedes-Benz vehicles supporting Digital Car Key differ per region, in the US these include: E-Class Sedan W214, E-Class Wagon S214, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV Z296, EQS Sedan V297, EQS SUV X296, EQE Sedan V295, EQE SUV X294, S-Class Sedan W223, S-Class Sedan Long V223, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Z223, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé C192, Mercedes-AMG SL R232, Mercedes-Maybach SL Z232, C-Class Saloon W206, C-Class Estate S206, GLC SUV X254, GLC Coupé C254. For the full breakdown per region, please visit https://moba.i.mercedes-benz.com/baix/cars/dck-compatibility/landingpage/index.html.
    3 Evaluation Assurance Level6+, for which a product must be evaluated for specific protection against side-channel attacks or other advanced attack vectors, plus additional, more extensive testing and verification of the product’s security functions.
    4 Requires compatible device, SmartThings and Samsung account.
    5 Available regions include: Abu Dhabi, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and USA.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Courtesy Call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. FUJII Hisayuki by H.E. Mr. Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia

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

    Download logo

    On June 25, commencing at 4:00 p.m., for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. FUJII Hisayuki, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from H.E. Mr. Hamza Adan Haadoow, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows:

    1. At the outset, State Minister Fujii welcomed Permanent Secretary Hamza’s visit to Japan and expressed his expectation for further cooperation at the United Nations, including the Security Council, with the Federal Republic of Somalia, as Somalia is serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two years from 2025.
    2. In response, Permanent Secretary Hamza expressed gratitude for Japan’s support so far and stated that Somalia would like to further deepen cooperation in the international arena including the Security Council, and bilateral cooperation.
    3. State Minister Fujii, while mentioning Japan’s efforts, stated that Japan would like to continue cooperation with Somalia towards its peace and stability. In response, Permanent Secretary Hamza expressed his expectation for Japan’s cooperation.
    4. They also exchanged views on regional situations such as their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, cooperation in UN Security Council reform,maintaining and strengthening the international order based on the rule of law, the cooperation toward the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) and others. They concurred to continue close cooperation in the international arena.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • Operation Sindhu: IAF brings 224 Indian nationals back from Israel

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Air Force on Wednesday successfully evacuated 224 more Indian nationals from Israel, taking the total number of citizens brought back safely to 818, under Operation Sindhu.

    Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje greeted the Indian nationals upon their arrival in New Delhi.

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on X, “Operation Sindhu update, MoS Ms. Shobha Karandlaje received 224 Indian nationals who returned to India from Israel on an IAF aircraft at 10:30 Hrs on 25th June. The safety and security of Indian nationals remain a priority for the government. To date, 818 Indian nationals have returned home from Israel as part of Operation Sindhu.”

    The IAF joined in the operations with its C-17 aircraft to evacuate the Indian nationals and the citizens of friendly nations, including Nepal and Sri Lanka, from war-hit Israel and bring them back home to safety.

    Earlier, the MEA had announced that the evacuation of Indian nationals from Israel under Operation Sindhu started on Monday, June 23, via Jordan, marking its first successful repatriation flight, with 161 citizens landing in New Delhi from Amman on Tuesday morning.

    Followed by a second flight on Tuesday itself, the IAF brought back 286 Indian nationals, who were residing in Israel, from Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

    Meanwhile, a similar evacuation process continued in Iran with 282 more evacuees arriving in India. According to the MEA, so far 2,858 Indian nationals have been brought back home from Tehran and other affected regions.

    The Government of India launched Operation Sindhu, an evacuation mission Operation Sindhu following the hostilities between Iran and Israel.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Centre approves ₹417 crore Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Gautam Buddha Nagar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The central government has approved the establishment of a ₹417 crore Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC 2.0) in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The new cluster aims to significantly boost local manufacturing, encourage innovation, and attract substantial investments into the electronics sector.

    Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Minister of State, Jitin Prasada, reviewed the project on Wednesday and instructed officials to work closely with the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure faster implementation.

    About the Project

    To be developed by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), the EMC will span 200 acres and is projected to draw approximately ₹2,500 crore in new investments. Speaking on the occasion, Vaishnaw highlighted that the EMC will generate 15,000 new jobs and create world-class infrastructure, aligning perfectly with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting “Make in India” and “Viksit Bharat.”

    Industry Impact and Products

    The cluster is set to support a broad range of industries, including:

    * Consumer electronics

    * Automotive and industrial electronics

    * Medical devices

    * Computer hardware

    * Communication equipment

    Startups and MSMEs will benefit greatly from this EMC as it will offer world-class plug-and-play infrastructure along with shared amenities. Some key facilities include standard factory sheds, electricity and water provisioning, sewage treatment, skill development centres, health centres, hostels, and more — all of which will help reduce logistics and setup costs.

    Strategic Location

    Strategically located along the Yamuna Expressway and Eastern Peripheral Expressway — with proximity to the Palwal–Khurja Expressway — the EMC enjoys strong multimodal connectivity by road, rail, and air. Its position close to the Jewar International Airport and railway hubs, along with surrounding industrial areas like the Medical Device Park, MSME & Apparel Park, and the Aviation Hub, further enhances its accessibility and appeal for potential investors.

    About EMC 2.0 Scheme

    To date, about ₹30,000 crore have been invested across EMCs under the scheme, attracting 520 companies and creating over 86,000 jobs. The new EMC in Uttar Pradesh underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse and will help establish a robust foundation for electronics companies looking to set up their operations in India.

  • ‘Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan’ — Remembering Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee’s Resounding Call: Vice-President Pays Tribute on The Leader’s Balidan Diwas

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Article 370 Bled Jammu & Kashmir; Along With Draconian 35A, It Deprived People of Basic Human Rights – VP
    NEP 2020 Reaffirms India’s Belief in Education as Self-Awakening, Not Just Skill-Building, Highlights VP
    Our Universities Are Not Meant To Just Hand Out Degrees. They Have To Be Crucibles of Innovation And Sanctuaries of Ideas, Says VP
    Education Brings About Equality, Education Decimates Inequities. Education Gives Life to Democracy, Stresses VP
    Universities Must Allow Space for Disagreement, Debate, Dialogue and Discussion; Abhivyakti, Vaad Vivaad, Anant Vaad Are Inalienable Facets of Our Democracy, Urges VP
    Establish Institutions of Uncompromising Excellence in AI, Climate Tech, Quantum Science — Then Bharat Will Lead, Others Will Follow, Underlines VP
    Vice-President Addresses the Inaugural Session of the 99th Annual Meet and National Conference of Vice Chancellors (2024–2025) In Uttar Pradesh

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today paid homage to Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, saying, “It’s a great day in the history of our nation. One of the finest sons of our soil, it is his balidan diwas today — Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He gave the slogan — एक विधान, एक निशान और एक प्रधान ही होगा देश में दो नहीं होंगे. He said so during the campaign in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1952.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937053832418410692

    Shri Dhankhar further added, “We suffered from Article 370 for too long. It bled us and the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Article 370 and the draconian Article 35A deprived people of their basic human rights and fundamental rights. We had a visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a Home Minister in the shoes of Sardar Patel, Amit Shah. Article 370 does not exist now in our Constitution. It was abrogated on 5th August 2019, and the legal challenge to the Supreme Court failed on 11 December 2023. I therefore cannot be at a more befitting place than this to pay tribute to one of the finest sons of our soil. My tributes to him.”

    Addressing the inaugural session of the 99th Annual Meet and National Conference of Vice Chancellors (2024–2025), organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), at Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, Shri Dhankhar said, highlighting the National Education Policy, “I must share with you something which happened after more than 3 decades, that has really changed the landscape of our education. I am making reference to the ‘National Education Policy’ 2020. As Governor, State of West Bengal, I was associated with it. Some major inputs — in the hands of thousands — were taken into consideration for the evolution of this policy.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937060609058800015

    “The policy resonates with our civilizational spirit, essence, and ethos. It is a bold reaffirmation of India’s timeless belief that education is the awakening of the self — not just for education of skills.”

    “I have firmly believed — education is a great equalizer. Education brings about equality as no other mechanism does. Education decimates inequities. As a matter of fact, education gives life to democracy.”

    Congratulating the Government of Uttar Pradesh, he stated, “My congratulations to the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister has done a great initiative. IT was given ‘Industry Status’. That has a huge consequence for positive development. Another aspect for which UP is getting increasingly recognized is at the school education level. The transparency and accountability in administration is becoming a hallmark.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937054543826784674

    Applauding India’s national progress, the Vice-President said, “India has emerged as a land of opportunity, of entrepreneurship, of startups, of innovation, of unicorns. In every parameter where growth and development can be gauged, we are rising.”

    On the role of universities, the Vice-President emphasized, “Our universities are not meant to just hand out degrees. The degrees must carry great weightage. Universities must be sanctuaries of ideas and ideation, crucibles of innovation. These places have to catalyse big change.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937059527398224310

    “That responsibility lies on the Vice-Chancellors in particular and the academia in general. I appeal to you, there must be space for disagreement, debate, dialogue and discussion. That is how the mind cells are activated. Abhivyakti, Vaad Vivaad, Anant Vaad — these are inalienable facets of our civilisation, of our democracy.”

    Highlighting India’s potential to lead in knowledge domains, he said, “When you look around the world, you’ll understand its significance. The state of education defines not only the state of academics, but the state of the nation. We cannot remain perpetual students of Western innovation when our demographic dividend position says, as the world’s knowledge epicenter.”

    “And when we look back in our ancient history, we are reminded of our rich past. It is time Bharat must build world-class institutions, not just to teach, but to pioneer. These are not mere disciplines. These are levers of assurance of our sovereignty in all times to come.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1937061917761376261

    Calling for equitable expansion of higher education, the Vice-President observed, “A lot of our institutions have remained brown-field. Let us fall in line with the global groove — let’s go green. Greenfield institutions alone bring about equitable distribution. There is clusterization in metros and Tier 1 cities. Many regions remain untouched.”

    “Let’s go in for greenfield institutions in such areas. Vice Chancellors are not only the watchdogs, but impregnable bulwarks against commodification and commercialisation of education. One of our fundamental objectives is to ensure affordability, reach, and accessibility of quality education for ordinary people.”

    Concluding his address with a call to establish leadership in emerging domains, the Vice-President asserted, “Establish institutions of uncompromising excellence in emerging domains — artificial intelligence, climate change, climate technology, quantum science, digital ethics — then Bharat will lead, others will follow. That’s a challenge.”

    “Education is not just merely for public good. It is our most strategic national asset. It is integrally connected not only with our development journey in infrastructure or otherwise, it assures national security also.”

    “Friends, I am before academicians and therefore I will reveal my thought process a little more critically for your analysis. Impossible choices define our character and strength. We must not take the easy route. Impossible choices define that we really have a great inheritance. Taking the easy path is getting into mediocrity, and then into irrelevance and insignificance.”

    “Universities are crucibles to generate such choices. They prepare minds. They prepare people to be intrepid — to go in for impossible choices.”

    Shri Sunil Kumar Sharma, Minister for IT and Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Education and Research Group; Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, President, AIU; and Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU, and other dignitaries were also present.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Housing Authority wins two awards at Asia Pacific GovMedia Awards 2025 (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Housing Authority wins two awards at Asia Pacific GovMedia Awards 2025  
         The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) today (June 25) said that the HA won two prestigious awards for its innovative projects at the GovMedia Awards 2025 ceremony held in Singapore this month including the Hong Kong Public-Private Partnership of the Year – Housing and Hong Kong Public Sector Initiative of the Year – Youth. These accolades highlight the HA’s outstanding achievements in advancing construction robotics and supporting young entrepreneurs.
     
         Since 2020, the HA has introduced new requirements on the use of construction robot technology for tender assessments of new building contracts. Through collaborations with robotics firms and the Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics, the HA has adopted a “pioneer and pilot” approach to improve robot efficiency in a context-specific manner, driving broader adoption of construction robotics. In addition, robotic applications have been expanded to estate management, from cleaning robots to smart patrol systems, providing residents with enhanced community services. By proactively adopting robotics in construction and housing, the HA has driven innovation in housing construction and management. The Hong Kong Public-Private Partnership of the Year – Housing award recognises the HA’s leadership and impact in adopting various robotics.
     
         The Hong Kong Public Sector Initiative of the Year – Youth award acknowledges the HA’s Well Being • Start-Up programme which supports young people in pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. Launched in July 2024, this initiative provides cost-reducing opportunities for young entrepreneurs to start their businesses. By offering rent-free retail spaces under the HA, the programme lowers the barriers to entrepreneurship and brings new vitality and creativity to the community. The programme has received widespread support since its inception. In April 2025, the HA announced Well Being • Start-Up 2.0 which has garnered responses from over 10 business enterprises, further expanding support for young entrepreneurs.
     
         The GovMedia Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of government projects and initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region and recognise public organisations that demonstrate leadership, creativity and impacts in public services.
    Issued at HKT 19:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Passage of unions bill welcomed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government has welcomed the Legislative Council’s passage today of the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2025, which amends the Trade Unions Ordinance.

    It said the bill fulfills a duty to safeguard national security and improves the trade union regulatory regime. The amendments strengthen the statutory powers of the Registrar of Trade Unions to supervise and regulate unions.

    The Government stressed that the amendments give due regard to the freedom and right of Hong Kong residents to form and join trade unions and will not adversely affect the operation of law-abiding trade unions.

    It added that the amended ordinance will ensure that trade unions uphold the principal object of safeguarding and promoting the occupational interests of their members, which will be conducive to unions’ healthy development.

    The Trade Unions (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 will be published in the Government Gazette on July 4, and will come into operation on January 5 next year.

    The Labour Department will step up publicity efforts and publish reference materials to help trade unions understand and comply with the new requirements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax® ETFs Announces Distributions on ULTY, CONY, AMDY, LFGY, YMAX, and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax® today announced distributions for the YieldMax® Weekly Payers and Group C ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF
    Ticker
    1
    ETF Name Distribution
    Frequency
    Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4
    30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date &
    Record
    Date
    Payment
    Date
    CHPY YieldMax® Semiconductor
    Portfolio Option Income ETF
    Weekly $0.3767 35.95%   0.38%   96.83%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    GPTY YieldMax® AI & Tech Portfolio
    Option Income ETF
    Weekly $0.3140 34.48%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    LFGY YieldMax® Crypto Industry &
    Tech Portfolio Option Income
    ETF
    Weekly $0.4836 63.08%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    QDTY YieldMax® Nasdaq 100 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.1188 14.23%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    RDTY YieldMax® R2000 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.2035 22.95%   0.89%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    SDTY YieldMax® S&P 500 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.1151 13.52%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    ULTY YieldMax® Ultra Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Weekly $0.0923 76.38%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    YMAG YieldMax® Magnificent 7 Fund
    of Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1574 53.77%   66.50%   94.21%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    YMAX YieldMax® Universe Fund of
    Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1548 59.01%   88.53%   94.96%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    ABNY YieldMax® ABNB Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3232 35.66%   2.97%   92.90%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    AMDY YieldMax® AMD Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4629 71.65%   3.09%   96.14%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    CONY YieldMax® COIN Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.5354 73.35%   3.53%   96.71%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    CVNY YieldMax® CVNA Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $1.7084 51.44%   2.81%   96.68%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    FIAT YieldMax® Short COIN Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.1536 54.32%   2.93%   92.85%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    HOOY YieldMax® HOOD Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $6.5030     99.92%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    MSFO YieldMax® MSFT Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4848 34.76%   3.13%   92.03%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    NFLY YieldMax® NFLX Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4303 29.37%   2.98%   90.80%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    PYPY YieldMax® PYPL Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3297 33.10%   3.41%   92.95%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    Weekly Payers & Group D ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY ULTY YMAG YMAX AIYY AMZY APLY DISO MSTY SMCY WNTR XYZY YQQQ

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

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

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

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

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

    1All YieldMax® ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. YMAG has a management fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.83% for a gross expense ratio of 1.12%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax® ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.40%, and a net expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026
    2The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on June 24, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent`t its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future. 
    3The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended May 31, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period. 
    4 Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. 
    5ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

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

    Important Information

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

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

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

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

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

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2025 YieldMax® ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax® ETFs Announces Distributions on ULTY, CONY, AMDY, LFGY, YMAX, and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax® today announced distributions for the YieldMax® Weekly Payers and Group C ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF
    Ticker
    1
    ETF Name Distribution
    Frequency
    Distribution
    per Share
    Distribution
    Rate
    2,4
    30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date &
    Record
    Date
    Payment
    Date
    CHPY YieldMax® Semiconductor
    Portfolio Option Income ETF
    Weekly $0.3767 35.95%   0.38%   96.83%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    GPTY YieldMax® AI & Tech Portfolio
    Option Income ETF
    Weekly $0.3140 34.48%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    LFGY YieldMax® Crypto Industry &
    Tech Portfolio Option Income
    ETF
    Weekly $0.4836 63.08%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    QDTY YieldMax® Nasdaq 100 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.1188 14.23%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    RDTY YieldMax® R2000 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.2035 22.95%   0.89%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    SDTY YieldMax® S&P 500 0DTE
    Covered Call ETF
    Weekly $0.1151 13.52%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    ULTY YieldMax® Ultra Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Weekly $0.0923 76.38%   0.00%   100.00%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    YMAG YieldMax® Magnificent 7 Fund
    of Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1574 53.77%   66.50%   94.21%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    YMAX YieldMax® Universe Fund of
    Option Income ETFs
    Weekly $0.1548 59.01%   88.53%   94.96%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    ABNY YieldMax® ABNB Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3232 35.66%   2.97%   92.90%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    AMDY YieldMax® AMD Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4629 71.65%   3.09%   96.14%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    CONY YieldMax® COIN Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.5354 73.35%   3.53%   96.71%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    CVNY YieldMax® CVNA Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $1.7084 51.44%   2.81%   96.68%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    FIAT YieldMax® Short COIN Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.1536 54.32%   2.93%   92.85%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    HOOY YieldMax® HOOD Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $6.5030     99.92%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    MSFO YieldMax® MSFT Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4848 34.76%   3.13%   92.03%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    NFLY YieldMax® NFLX Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4303 29.37%   2.98%   90.80%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    PYPY YieldMax® PYPL Option
    Income Strategy ETF
    Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3297 33.10%   3.41%   92.95%   6/26/25 6/27/25
    Weekly Payers & Group D ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY ULTY YMAG YMAX AIYY AMZY APLY DISO MSTY SMCY WNTR XYZY YQQQ

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

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

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

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

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

    1All YieldMax® ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. YMAG has a management fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.83% for a gross expense ratio of 1.12%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax® ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.40%, and a net expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026
    2The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on June 24, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent`t its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future. 
    3The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended May 31, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period. 
    4 Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. 
    5ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

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

    Important Information

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

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

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

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

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

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

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

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

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

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

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

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

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

    © 2025 YieldMax® ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Acquires 8.4 Bitcoin for CAD$1.2M, Bringing Its Total Bitcoin (and Bitcoin Equivalent) Holdings to 77

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (“Matador” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MATA, OTCQB: MATAF, FSE: IU3) announces that the Company has acquired an additional 8.4 bitcoin for CAD$1.2M (USD$878,763). The 8.4 bitcoin was acquired at an average price of USD$104,914 per bitcoin, inclusive of fees and expenses. The purchase was made following a recent market correction, in line with the Company’s Bitcoin acquisition policy, further reinforcing its conviction in Bitcoin as a long-term asset.

    This acquisition brings Matador’s Bitcoin holdings to approximately 77 bitcoin (and Bitcoin equivalents), reinforcing its stated objective to diversify its treasury with long-duration reserve assets. The Company continues to operate debt-free, with all Bitcoin (and Bitcoin equivalent) holdings free and clear.

    The Company also maintains cash reserves of approximately CAD$5.3 million and physical gold holdings of 2 kilograms (approximately CAD$323,000), reflecting prudent financial management aimed at sustaining long-term growth and stability.

    On June 20, 2025, Matador received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) regarding its proposed Change of Business (“COB”) to a Tier 2 hybrid Investment/Technology Issuer. Assuming that the Company obtains TSXV final approval of the COB, this milestone would enable the Company to implement its treasury-first strategy, including the allocation of capital into Bitcoin and other reserve assets in accordance with its investment policy. The Change of Business remains subject to the satisfaction of various conditions including the receipt of applicable shareholder approval and the approval of the TSXV.

    Matador continues to integrate Bitcoin into its long-term strategy, reinforcing its role as a core treasury asset and the foundation for its Digital Gold Platform. Similar to other Bitcoin-native public companies, Matador views Bitcoin as a superior reserve asset and intends to grow its Bitcoin holdings over time.

    “This acquisition reflects the Company’s intention to increase its Bitcoin per share as part of its reserve asset strategy. The Company intends to continue increasing its Bitcoin position to align itself with the global shift to sound money assets,” said Mark Moss, Chief Visionary Officer, Matador Technologies.

    As Matador advances its growth strategy, the Company remains committed to expanding its treasury holdings of Bitcoin and gold, leveraging blockchain technology, with the goal of supporting long-term stakeholder value. The Company intends to continue increasing its Bitcoin position as part of a broader strategy to align itself with the global shift toward sound monetary assets.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Media Contact:
    Sunny Ray
    President
    Email: sunny@matador.network
    Phone: 647-496-6282

    About Matador Technologies Inc.
    Matador Technologies Inc. (TSXV: MATA, OTCQB: MATAF, FSE: IU3) is a publicly traded Bitcoin ecosystem company focused on holding Bitcoin as its primary treasury asset and building products to enhance the Bitcoin network. Matador’s strategy combines strategic Bitcoin accumulation, Bitcoin-native product development, and participation in digital asset infrastructure, with a focus on driving long-term shareholder value while maintaining capital efficiency.

    Matador has recently expanded its global footprint by investing in HODL Systems, one of India’s first digital asset treasury companies, securing up to a 24% ownership stake, subject to TSXV approval of the investment. This investment strengthens Matador’s position as a leading Bitcoin treasury company and underscores its commitment to the worldwide adoption of Bitcoin as a reserve asset.

    With a Bitcoin-first strategy, and a clear focus on innovation, Matador is shaping the future of financial infrastructure on Bitcoin.

    Visit us online at https://www.matador.network/.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

    Forward Looking Statements – Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with the implementation of the Company’s treasury management strategy, receipt of regulatory approvals (including final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange with respect to the Company’s proposed change of business), and the launch of its mobile application as currently proposed or at all. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including with respect to the potential acquisition of Bitcoin and/or US dollars, the pricing of such acquisitions and the timing of future operations. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Video: Myanmar – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    Press conference by Jorge Moreira da Silva, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Executive Director, on his trip to Myanmar.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePOw9Y15YzM

    MIL OSI Video