Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI: Get $50 Welcome Bonus, 100x Leverage & No KYC on BexBack – Crypto Futures Trading Simplified

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin trades near $120,000 and the crypto market enters a new bull market, holding spot positions may struggle to deliver short-term profits. With the market showing strong upward momentum, investors looking to maximize their returns can turn to BexBack Exchange for a powerful solution. BexBack offers 100x leverage, a 100% deposit bonus, and a $50 welcome bonus for new users, providing traders the tools to seize profitable opportunities. Plus, with no KYC requirements, BexBack ensures a seamless and efficient trading experience.

    Advantages of 100x Leverage Crypto Futures

    1. Amplified Profits: Control large positions with a small amount of capital, capturing more profits from market fluctuations.
    2. Low Capital Requirement: Participate in high-value trades with minimal investment, lowering the entry barrier.
    3. Increased Market Opportunities: Profit quickly from price fluctuations, especially in volatile markets.
    4. High Capital Efficiency: Leverage enables better use of your capital, expanding your investment potential.
    5. Profit from Both Up and Down Markets: Adapt to any market conditions, with opportunities to profit whether the market goes up or down.

    What Is 100x Leverage and How Does It Work?

    Simply put, 100x leverage allows you to open larger trading positions with less capital. For example:

    Suppose the Bitcoin price is $100,000 that day, and you open a long contract with 1 BTC. After using 100x leverage, the transaction amount is equivalent to 100 BTC.

    One day later, if the price rises to $105,000, your profit will be (105,000 – 100,000) * 100 BTC / 100,000 = 5 BTC, a yield of up to 500%.

    With BexBack’s deposit bonus

    BexBack offers a 100% deposit bonus. If the initial investment is 2 BTC, the profit will increase to 10 BTC, and the return on investment will double to 1000%.

    Note: Although leveraged trading can magnify profits, you also need to be wary of liquidation risks.

    How Does the 100% Deposit Bonus Work?
    The deposit bonus from BexBack cannot be directly withdrawn but can be used to open larger positions and increase potential profits. Additionally, during significant market fluctuations, the bonus can serve as extra margin, effectively reducing the risk of liquidation.

    About BexBack?

    BexBack is a leading cryptocurrency derivatives platform offering up to 100x leverage on futures contracts for BTC, ETH, ADA, SOL, XRP, and over 50 other digital assets. Headquartered in Singapore, the platform also operates offices in Hong Kong, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Argentina. Like many top-tier exchanges, BexBack holds a U.S. MSB (Money Services Business) license and is trusted by more than 500,000 traders worldwide. The platform accepts users from the United States, Canada, and Europe, with zero deposit fees and 24/7 multilingual customer support, delivering a secure, efficient, and user-friendly trading experience.

    Why recommend BexBack?

    No KYC Required: Start trading immediately without complex identity verification.

    100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds, double your profits.

    High-Leverage Trading: Offers up to 100x leverage, maximizing investors’ capital efficiency.

    Demo Account: Comes with 10 BTC in virtual funds, ideal for beginners to practice risk-free trading.

    Comprehensive Trading Options: Feature-rich trading available via Web and mobile applications.

    Convenient Operation: No slippage, no spread, and fast, precise trade execution.

    Global User Support: Enjoy 24/7 customer service, no matter where you are.

    Lucrative Affiliate Rewards: Earn up to 50% commission, perfect for promoters.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss Another Opportunity!

    If you missed the previous crypto bull run, this could be your chance. With BexBack’s 100x leverage and 100% deposit bonus and $50 bonus for new users , you can be a winner in the new bull run.

    Sign Up Now on BexBack — Break the 100x Leverage and KYC Barriers, Get Double Deposit Bonus and $50 Welcome Bonus Instantly

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a16aa38f-cdae-425e-996c-2648e82d5ef0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ad5a331-aa57-4f0b-ab21-b87061191568

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/12f8df3a-75b9-480f-affd-fd9829799b27

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/84422ec5-b03f-4214-bcd7-94d2ec100652

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester Day this weekend – everything you need to know!

    Source: City of Manchester

    Manchester’s favourite day of the year is back this weekend with a fantastic day of free music-themed family fun on Saturday (26 July) to help celebrate the city’s homegrown musical talent and this year’s big summer of live music in the city.

    Inspired by what is proving to be a sensational summer of music in Manchester, expect pop-up performances, astounding acrobatics and banging beats throughout the city’s streets and squares as the whole city comes together for Manchester Day 2025.

    The council has worked with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme for the day this year that is full of surprises and promises lots of free fun all with a musical twist.

    The day kicks off with a mini parade at 12 noon from St Peter’s Square, that will make its way along Deansgate and on to the Cathedral.  Led by two fantastical creatures, and with over 400 participants, including live bands, dancing birds, plenty of drummers and some of Manchester’s many community groups dancing and performing their way along the route in a riot of colour and sound, it’s definitely one not to miss.

    From English National Opera and Walk the Plank teaming up with football fans and community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, a hip-hop wrestling ring, plus two musical cats and a larger-than-life canary all in a giant birdcage, the day will see non-stop surprises throughout. 

    Expect sparks to fly as the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal dancers and drummers, whilst award-winning dance company Levantes will be dressed to impress at their ‘High Tea with a Twist’, in New Cathedral Street. 

    Throw some shapes and bust some moves over on the Deansgate dancefloor where Moroccan trance music and Bhangra dance will be the order of the day, whilst French street theatre company Stoptoï will be combining dance, drumming and juggling in a brand-new, high-energy show on St Mary’s Gate.

    Enjoy music and performance from some of Manchester’s finest groups including the Bridgewater Hall Singers, or kick back and relax with a drink at the Capri Beach bar, before having a wander around one of the city-wide music trails, exploring Manchester’s musical heritage and hotspots. 

    Don’t miss the Perfect Pitch Three O’clock Kick-off, or the show-stopping grand finale in Cathedral Gardens combining opera singing and football chants at 4:30 pm in Cathedral Gardens, where a main stage will feature a fantastic programme of music throughout the day, The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling.

    The day will also see a whole host of free have-a-go activities for youngsters of all ages to join in with from circus skills, drumming workshops, and ukulele introduction sessions, to music-themed craft activities and the ever-popular sport pop-ups.

    Manchester Day visitors are also invited this year to join Manchester Opera House for an exclusive free behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic venue, with the chance also to take part in special performance-themed workshops, or to try their hand at crafting band posters from recycled show posters.

    And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled throughout the day for a majestic lion, a cheeky gorilla, giant seagulls and a host of marvellous bees and butterflies – just a few of the weird and wonderful walkabout acts waiting to surprise people on the day.

    Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “We’ve got a fantastic Manchester Day lined up for everyone this year which is going all out to celebrate the music our city and our fabulous communities make.  We’ve got an absolute ton of stuff going on for families and people of all ages on Manchester’s favourite day of the year. So shake your maracas, slip on your dancing shoes, prepare to make some noise, and come on down and join us!”

    Manchester Day has been created in collaboration with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank who have also worked with community groups across the city to put together what is set be a vibrant and lively mini parade.

    Liz Pugh, Creative Producer, Walk the Plank, said: “The mini parade celebrates the wonderful creativity and diverse traditions of our modern city and highlights the contribution of some of our newest communities.  We’re bringing the talents of some of Manchester’s finest carnival artists, and will be welcoming back groups like Keep Manchester Tidy and the School of Samba, as well as some exciting newcomers.”

    Manchester Day 2025 is sponsored by Manchester Airport Group, with activations across the city on the day by Red Bull, Capri Beach Club, Shaken Udder, Just My Look, Manchester Originals, and The Cut & Craft.  The event is also backed by Redgate and Department, and partners Great Northern Warehouse and The Opera House, as well as through long-standing partnerships with Biffa and Manchester Evening News.

    Activities run throughout the day on Saturday 26 July from 12 noon to 5 pm.

    Here’s the full lowdown on what’s happening and where throughout the day:

    MINI PARADE
    Fantastical winged creatures, a Phoenix, and beautiful birds of paradise will feature in this year’s mini parade which involves over 20 community groups and bands and more than 400 participants.

    Two playful inflatable Griffins will lead the parade whilst the Queen Bee sits atop her Gondola made from recycled cutlery, repurposed into a beautiful vessel that sails through the streets, and Walk the Plank’s giant Dhol Drum beats out Punjabi rhythms as it makes its way along Deansgate.

    Dancers from the Filipino Anglo Club of Greater Manchester and Colibri Dance bring the traditions of the Philipines and Mexico to Manchester, whilst the Hong Kong Cultural community takes part for the first time with a Phoenix kite-bird and Lo Ting a character who is half-human, half-fish and according to legend is the ancestor of Hong Kong’s people.

    Manchester’s Lithuanian Association will be bringing a Lithuanian legend to life with their Queen of Serpents who changed her children into trees, and the Guangxi Cultural Association will be performing traditional Chinese dance in full costumes.

    Parade highlights also include Manchester Airport Group with their planes, traffic controllers, and dancing chandeliers, and more dance from Ad Hoc Dance, one of the longest running community dance groups, as well as hip hop from young street dancers from FreshSkillz.

    With the Irish pipes of Fiana Phadraig Pipe Band from Wythenshawe, drummers from the Manchester Dhol Players, the Brazilian-inspired brass of Jubacana, two samba bands, and singers from the Perfect Pitch collaboration with English National Opera, it promises to be a loud and lively start to the day. 

    The mini parade leaves St Peter’s Square at 12 noon, travelling along Peter Street to Deansgate, then along the length of Deansgate before ending at the Cathedral at approximately 1 pm.

    CATHEDRAL GARDENS
    Enjoy main stage performances from Baked a la Ska, who will be serving up original tunes along with playful ska-infused covers of your favourite hits, alongside synth pop star Michael Aldag and world music from Manchester International Roots Orchestra.Be transported to the sunny shores of the Caribbean by steel band, Arthur’s Class Act.

    The Urban Playground Team will perform Zoo Humans, a parkour performance piece that blends movement and storytelling. Keep your eyes peeled for a surprise performance later on it the afternoon.

    Plus listen out for chart-topping hits played on ukuleles and a stunning PERFECT PITCH mass choir finale from 4:25 pm featuring football fans, community choirs, internationally acclaimed soprano Camilla Kerslake and some extra surprises. 

    Look out also for pop-up performances from Cocky Robins, beautiful Butterflies, Giant Seagulls, and a pair of post-match footballers who aren’t afraid of getting down in the dirt and a Three o’clock kick-off penalty shoot-out like no other.

    ST ANN’S SQUARE
    Join us in our wrestling ring stage – hosted by Trans Creative’s Kate O’Donnell – for West End showtunes from Sam Buttery, mind boggling magic from Fay Presto, music from rapper OneDa, an acoustic performance from viral sensation Michael Aldag, and opera with a twist from Flat Pack Music, plus hula hooper extraordinaire Danielle de la Wonk, and wrestling demos from Future Shock Pro Wrestling, 

    Marvel at the larger-than-life Birdcage Stage where a giant canary and two musical cats will defy the laws of gravity to try and outwit each other in cartoon capers full of slapstick silliness. Who will end up inside the cage at the end?
    And look out for a lion on the loose and a mischievous stowaway from Borneo.

    DEANSGATE
    Watch the mini parade snake its way along Deansgate between 12 noon and 1 pm, led by two giant fantastical griffins, followed by live bands, dancing birds, drummers and some of Manchester’s many community groups in a riot of colour and sound.

    Marvel as sparks fly when the world’s largest dhol drum rolls into town, opening up to reveal the Nachda Sansaar dancers and drummers.

    Get on down to live acts on the Deansgate dancefloor, including Moroccan trance music, Bhangra dance, Kemoy and the KYSO Collective, and the Soul Beats dance troupe.

    Seasoned cyclists or complete beginners are all invited to join the Manchester Day Pedal Party. Hop onto a balance bike, try out an e-cargo bike, or test a top of the range road bike. There’ll also be accessible, adapted bikes that can be ridden.

    NEW CATHEDRAL STREET
    New Cathedral Street will be alive with the sound of music, as the Bridgewater Hall Singers serenade crowds with songs from across the decades, and ukulele orchestras play chart-topping hits.

    Enjoy High Tea with a Twist with Levantes Dance, who will be dressed to impress and performing daring dance and acrobatics above a tastefully laid tea table, plus hilarious street theatre heroes delivering a sizzling mix of slapstick comedy, and the world’s only mobile football stadium.

    MARKET STREET
    Visit Circus House to learn a whole new set of circus skills.

    Discover the finest regional produce at the Manchester Day Craft Market by Manchester Markets, selling everything from home-made bakes and locally sourced honey, to hand dipped candles and artisan doughnuts.

    ST MARY’S GATE
    Don’t miss French street theatre company Stoptoï combine dance, drumming and juggling in a high-energy show full of rhythm and imagination.

    Get your blood pumping at the 60m, pop up athletic track supplied by GLL, or dive into the fast and furious world of The Hundred, a turbo charged version of traditional test cricket.

    Try batting, bowling, and catching in a special area, meet players from Manchester Originals, and be in with the chance of winning prizes.

    Enjoy astounding acrobatic performances and master a new skill with the folks from Circus House.  

    OPERA HOUSE 
    Take a free, guided, behind-the-scenes tour of this iconic Manchester venue on Quay Street, craft a band poster from recycled show posters, or take part in a performance themed workshop.

    KING STREET
    King Street turns into Guitar Street as the Music for the Senses art trail takes over the city centre, with amazing artworks and interactive installations that celebrate Manchester’s legendary music scene. In association with Wild in Art.

    EXCHANGE STREET
    Make some noise with Manchester Libraries and craft a harmonica or tambourine to take home.  

    MCR LIVE ’25 HUB
    Roll with it at the city’s newest destination on Piccadilly Gardens to help celebrate the mammoth summer of live music in Manchester.

    Grab a drink at the bar, sample some of the North West’s best street food or catch a free DJ or live music act on the outdoor stage. 

    Locations and activities may be subject to change. Find out the most up-to-date information 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Convenes to Debate Recent Developments in Middle East

    Source: United Nations 4

    9963rd Meeting (AM & PM)

    The Security Council is holding its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”. Chaired by Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the meeting covers recent developments in Gaza, the West Bank and the wider Middle East region — including in Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the Red Sea.  Members will hear a briefing by Mohamed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI: EnerPure Appoints Advisory Board Members to Support Strategic Growth and Commercialization Efforts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Winnipeg, MB, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EnerPure Inc. (“EnerPure” or the “Company”), a waste to energy company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Farrar, Susan Rohac, and Mogens L. Mathiesen as Advisory Board Members. Each of these newly appointed Advisors brings significant industry experience and expertise in their respective areas and their thought leadership, strategic acumen, and experience will be invaluable to management as EnerPure moves through the commercialization and growth phase.

    “Gary, Susan, and Mogens as true experts in their respective fields provide tremendous depth and width to the knowledge base of our team, we are honoured to have them on the team” said Rick Koshman, President and CEO of EnerPure. “Each of them brings a unique and highly complementary skill set that aligns perfectly with our goal to deploy 21 recycling plants in 6 years. Gary with over 46 years experience in UMO recycling, Susan as one of Canada’s most prolific Cleantech investors, and Mogens with his shipping decarbonization focus provide us with priceless industry insights and know-how as we look to navigate the next few years.”

    About Gary Farrar
    Gary is a seasoned executive with over 45 years of leadership in the used motor oil (UMO) recycling and environmental services industry across North America. His expertise spans operations, business development, logistics, refinery supply, and sales. He has held senior roles including U.S. Vice President of Supply and Product Sales at Safety-Kleen, where he led the growth of recycled oil streams and oversaw the world’s largest UMO re-refinery. As General Manager of Safety-Kleen Canada, he managed nationwide operations and multiple business lines. At Heritage-Crystal Clean, he helped launch and scale a 75-million-gallon refinery in Indianapolis. Gary is known for building high-performing teams and driving operational and commercial success in complex industrial environments.

    About Susan Rohac  LinkedIn
    Susan recently retired from BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) after 34 years of service. As Managing Partner of the Climate Tech venture capital fund, she led a pan-Canadian team of investment professionals and managed a portfolio of over $1 billion in assets including a $500 million fund that was launched in 2022 focusing on investing in Canada’s most promising cleantech companies. She has invested in a wide range of climate technologies such as CCUS, CDR, hydrogen, critical minerals, energy storage/battery, mobility, proptech, and advanced materials. Susan was recognized as a Climate Leader in 2024 by the Clean50 and was recipient of the Clean16 award. Susan holds honour degrees in both science and finance and has her executive MBA and ICD governance designation.

    About Mogens L. Mathiesen – LinkedIn
    Mogens has over 25 years of expertise in maritime technology and sustainability. Specializing in maritime decarbonisation, he has pioneered data-driven solutions to reduce shipping emissions. As Chief Industry and Strategy Officer at HUB Ocean, Mogens led initiatives to enable green shipping routes and foster industry collaboration. He co-founded Arundo Analytics, driving the development of analytics platforms for maritime applications, and volunteers in the Ocean Rescue Service in Norway. With an M.Sc. in Ocean Engineering and Marine Cybernetics from the NTNU and UC Berkeley, Mogens is committed to advancing sustainable practices through innovation and strategic leadership.

    About EnerPure – https://enerpure.tech
    We recycle Used Motor Oil (UMO) to reduce GHG emissions while producing a lower carbon-intensive marine fuel.”

    Each year ~17 billion litres of UMO* are improperly burned or dumped, causing widespread environmental harm. EnerPure sees a tremendous opportunity to solve this problem through the deployment of its modular micro-scale recycling plants using its patented technology to convert UMO into high-quality marine fuel.

    EnerPure is entering its next phase of growth, with our first commercial plant planned for Alberta. Our recycling plants require ~5% of the capex of traditional solutions, enabling localized recycling (while reducing the cost of collection) and providing strong economic returns. 

    Our technology has been proven via our pilot plant (operating at 43% of scale) with 1.6 million litres processed and validated through the sale of over 1.2 million litres. Our drop-in ISO 8217-compliant marine fuel is in high demand in a growing market with its 14.6% lower carbon intensity.  Annually each recycling plant can reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and criteria air contaminants by 36,315 and 437 tonnes, respectively.

    EnerPure, while delivering strong economic returns, offers a proven, scalable platform where environmental need meets commercial opportunity, powering the energy transition through smart regional recycling.

    *UMO is defined as any petroleum-based or synthetic lubricating oil that cannot be used for its original purpose due to contamination.

    Disclosure and Caution
    This press release may contain certain disclosures that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. However, the forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to economic, capital expenditures, and engineering projections, that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The securities referred to in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

     

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Gene editing technology could be used to save species on the brink of extinction

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Cock Van Oosterhout, Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, University of East Anglia

    Earth’s biodiversity is in crisis. An imminent “sixth mass extinction” threatens beloved and important wildlife. It also threatens to reduce the amount of genetic diversity – or variation – within species.

    This variation in genes within a species is crucial for their ability to adapt to changes in the environment or resist diseases. Genetic variation is therefore crucial for species’ long term survival.

    Traditional conservation efforts – such as protected areas, measures to prevent poaching, and captive breeding – remain essential to prevent extinction. But even when these measures succeed in boosting population numbers, they cannot recover genetic diversity that has already been lost. The loss of a unique gene variant can take thousands of years of evolution before it is recovered by a lucky mutation.

    In a new paper in Nature Reviews Biodiversity, an international team of geneticists and wildlife biologists argues that the survival of some species will depend on gene editing, along with more traditional conservation actions. Using these advanced genetic tools, like those already revolutionising agriculture and medicine, can give endangered species a boost by adding genetic diversity that isn’t there.

    Genetic engineering is not new. Plant breeders have used it for decades to develop crops with traits to boost disease resistance and drought tolerance. Around 13.5% of the world’s arable land grows genetically modified crops. Gene-editing tools such as Crispr are also being used in “de-extinction” projects that aim to recreate extinct animals.

    The Dallas-based company Colossal Laboratory & Biosciences has attracted headlines for its efforts to bring back the woolly mammoth, dodo and dire wolf. In de-extinction, the DNA of a living relative species is edited (changed) to approximate the extinct species’ most charismatic traits.

    For example, to “resurrect” a woolly mammoth, Colossal’s researchers plan to splice mammoth genes (recovered from ancient remains) into the genome of the Asian elephant to produce a cold-hardy, hairy elephant-mammoth hybrid. Colossal recently engineered grey wolf pups with 20 gene edits from the extinct dire wolf’s DNA.

    Colossal edited grey wolves to have traits from extinct dire wolves.
    Colossal

    The “Jurassic Park”-style revival of long-gone creatures has attracted considerable attention and funding, which has accelerated the development of genome engineering techniques. These same genome editing tools can be used for conservation of existing and endangered species. If we can edit a mouse to have mammoth hair, or edit a wolf to resemble a dire wolf, why not edit an endangered bird’s genome to make it more resilient to disease and climate change?

    Museum specimens

    Using DNA from historical specimens, scientists can identify important genetic variants that a species has lost. Many museums hold century-old skins, bones, or seeds – a genomic time capsule of past diversity. With genome editing, it is possible to reintroduce these lost variants into the wild gene pool.

    By restoring genetic variation, species can be fortified against emerging diseases and environmental change. A sharp decline in population numbers is called a “bottleneck”. During a bottleneck, inbreeding and genetic drift lead to the random loss of genetic diversity. Harmful mutations can also increase in frequency. Such “genomic erosion” compromises the health of individuals and can make populations more prone to extinction.

    If we can pinpoint a particularly damaging mutation that has become widespread in the population or a variant that has been lost, we could replace it in a few individuals using gene editing. Aided by natural selection, the healthy variant would gradually spread in the population.

    If a threatened species lacks genes that it desperately needs to survive new conditions, why not borrow them from a close relative that already has those traits? Known as facilitated adaptation, this could help wildlife cope with threats such as climate change.

    In agriculture, such cross-species gene transfers are routine. Tomatoes have been engineered with a mustard plant gene to tolerate cold, and chestnut trees got a wheat gene for disease resistance. There is no reason why such techniques cannot be expanded to animals.

    These genetic interventions can complement, but never replace traditional conservation measures. Habitat protection, control of invasive predators, captive breeding programmes, and other on-the-ground action remain absolutely necessary. Importantly, gene editing only makes sense if the target population has recovered in numbers enough (often through conservation), to allow natural selection to do its job.

    Measuring the risk of extinction

    Gene-edited animals or plants wouldn’t have a chance if released into a barren habitat or a poaching hotspot. Genomic tools can give an extra edge to species that are already being saved from immediate threats, equipping them for adaptive evolution in the future.

    Climate zones are shifting, new diseases are spreading, and once-isolated populations are cut off in small fragments of habitat. Without intervention, even intensive habitat management might not prevent a wave of extinctions.

    However, a strategy of gene editing also comes with significant risks and unknowns. One technical concern is off-target effects – Crispr and other gene-editing techniques might make unintended DNA changes in addition to the intended edit. In other words, you attempt to insert a disease-resistance gene, but accidentally disrupt another gene in the process. Similarly, a gene may have more than one function, which is known as pleiotropy.

    Especially in less-well studied species, we may not be aware of all those functions or pleiotropic effects. Regulatory inertia and public scepticism may also present big obstacles – these issues have historically limited the rollout of genetically modified (GM) organisms, particularly in agriculture.

    There are also evolutionary and ecological uncertainties. A deliberate gene edit might have knock-on effects on how the species evolves over time. For instance, if one individual is given a highly beneficial gene that spreads rapidly, it could replace all the other gene variants at that location in the genome (the full complement of DNA in the organism’s cell). This is known as a “selective sweep”, and it inadvertently reduces the genetic diversity in that region of the genome.

    Some critics argue that the narrative of a genetic quick fix could distract from the root causes of biodiversity loss. If people believe we can simply “edit” a species to save it, will that undermine the urgency to protect habitats or cut carbon emissions? Portraying extinction as reversible might seed false hope and reduce the motivation for tough environmental action.

    Conservation efforts, strong environmental policies and legal protections remain indispensable. So do habitat restoration, climate action and reducing the impact made on the environment by humans.

    Nevertheless, genome engineering is a new tool in the conservation toolbox. It’s one that –given the right assistance and environmental encouragement – can help save species from extinction.


    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.

    Cock Van Oosterhout receives funding from the Royal Society for conservation genomics work on threatened bird species in Mauritius, and a donation by the Colossal Foundation for conservation genomic research on the pink pigeon. He is member of the Conservation Genetics Specialist Group of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).

    ref. Gene editing technology could be used to save species on the brink of extinction – https://theconversation.com/gene-editing-technology-could-be-used-to-save-species-on-the-brink-of-extinction-261419

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • Skill development drive under PMKVY sees over 20 lakh youth trained in FY 2024-25

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has reported notable progress under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), with over 20 lakh candidates trained in the financial year 2024-25 alone. The flagship scheme, launched in 2015, aims to equip India’s youth with skill development through Short-Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiatives.

    Over the last five financial years, a cumulative effort across States and Union Territories has contributed to a significant rise in skilled manpower. Uttar Pradesh led the training numbers in FY 2024-25, with more than 4.63 lakh individuals trained, followed by Rajasthan with 2.79 lakh and Madhya Pradesh with over 2.58 lakh trainees.

    Placement tracking under PMKVY was actively carried out during its first three phases-PMKVY 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0-covering the period from 2015-16 to 2021-22. As per official data, the placement rate of candidates certified under the STT component during these phases stood at 43%. Under the current phase, PMKVY 4.0, the emphasis has shifted towards empowering candidates to make informed choices in their career paths with necessary orientation support.

    Third-party evaluations have reaffirmed the scheme’s impact. A study by Sambodhi Research and Communications found that individuals trained and certified under PMKVY 2.0 earned 15 percent more, on average, than their counterparts who had not participated in the scheme. RPL-certified individuals reported a 19 percent higher monthly income when compared to those without certification.

    Further, a study conducted by NITI Aayog in October 2020 revealed that 94 percent of employers surveyed expressed willingness to hire more PMKVY-trained candidates. Additionally, the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), in its impact evaluation, found that about 70.5 percent of surveyed trainees secured jobs in their desired skill sectors. Over half of the candidates trained under RPL also reported receiving or expecting better salaries than their untrained peers.

    To enhance employment opportunities under PMKVY 4.0, the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) has been launched. This integrated platform provides a unified digital space connecting the skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Job seekers can access career opportunities and apprenticeships, while employers can tap into a database of trained candidates. Rozgar Melas are also being organized across the country to facilitate direct engagement between employers and job aspirants.

    This information was shared in a written reply by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, in the Rajya Sabha.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Continues Whale Research

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    World Whale and Dolphin Day is celebrated annually on July 23. The date was established to draw humanity’s attention to the need to preserve and protect cetaceans and other marine mammals.

    Rosneft pays special attention to environmental issues and the preservation of biodiversity. The Company’s activities are based on the principle of preserving a favorable environment and biological diversity in all regions of presence. Studying and protecting the population of whales and dolphins is one of the areas of Rosneft’s environmental program.

    One of the main species that receives close attention is the gray whale of the Okhotsk Sea population. The monitoring program for these whales has been carried out on the north-eastern shelf of Sakhalin Island for almost 30 years. As part of the research, specialists annually conduct a population census, observe the behavior of animals and study their food supply, carry out photo-identification studies, and acoustic monitoring.

    Until the 1990s, the Okhotsk Sea gray whale population was considered to be completely exterminated and was classified as a species on the verge of extinction. In 2018, the western gray whale population was classified as endangered, indicating a slow but steady recovery of the Okhotsk subpopulation of gray whales.

    In 2019, the Okhotsk Sea populations of gray and Greenland whales were included by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources in the list of rare and endangered species of wildlife requiring priority measures for restoration and reintroduction. In 2020, the Okhotsk Sea population of gray whales was listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

    In addition, the Company conducts environmental monitoring of the Okhotsk-Korean population of gray whales on the north-eastern shelf of Sakhalin Island. Specialists annually perform photo identification, population census, and studies of the food supply and behavior of mammals. The main life period of gray whales in the Sea of Okhotsk is fattening and reproduction, so studying the state of their food supply is one of the most important stages of observations.

    As part of the study of the Okhotsk-Korean gray whale population, unique acoustic monitoring is also being conducted, which includes recording and analyzing the level of natural and anthropogenic underwater noise. The research allows us to study the nature of sounds and model their propagation. Acoustic measurements are carried out using autonomous underwater recorders developed specifically for the project.

    Rosneft is an active participant in the Interdepartmental Working Group under the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation to ensure the conservation of the Okhotsk-Korean population of gray whales. The working group develops proposals for the development of legislation for population management, coordinates the interaction of interested federal and regional executive authorities, the business community, scientific and public organizations.

    In 2020, Rosneft, together with the P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, implemented a large-scale project to study and monitor Black Sea dolphins. Based on the results of 3 years of observations, modern up-to-date data were obtained on the number and preferred habitats of these Black Sea cetaceans, and the characteristics of their seasonal distribution. Recommendations for the study and conservation of dolphins were prepared.

    Reference:

    The gray whale is the only whale species that has mastered bottom feeding. Whales usually scoop up benthos from the bottom along with water, silt and pebbles at a depth of 15-60 m and filter the suspension through their baleen. The gray whale’s diet includes up to 70 species of invertebrates, including annelids, bivalves, small crustaceans and young fish.

    Gray whales swim slowly – on average 5-8 km/h, which allows marine parasites to cling to the whale’s skin and establish their colonies. The total weight of these fellow travelers can reach 180 kg per whale.

    Department of Information and AdvertisingPJSC NK RosneftJuly 23, 2025

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid regional conflict, the Strait of Hormuz remains critical oil chokepoint

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    In-brief analysis

    June 16, 2025

    The TIE was reposted to correct a data label and provide the figure data.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis based on Vortexa tanker tracking
    Note: 1Q25=first quarter of 2025. figure data

    The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The strait is deep enough and wide enough to handle the world’s largest crude oil tankers, and it is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. Large volumes of oil flow through the strait, and very few alternative options exist to move oil out of the strait if it is closed. In 2024, oil flow through the strait averaged 20 million barrels per day (b/d), or the equivalent of about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. In the first quarter of 2025, total oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz remained relatively flat compared with 2024.

    Although we have not seen maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz blocked following recent tensions in the region, the price of Brent crude oil (a global benchmark) increased from $69 per barrel (b) on June 12 to $74/b on June 13. This piece highlights the importance of the strait to global oil supplies.

    Chokepoints are narrow channels along widely used global sea routes that are critical to global energy security. The inability of oil to transit a major chokepoint, even temporarily, can create substantial supply delays and raise shipping costs, potentially increasing world energy prices. Although most chokepoints can be circumvented by using other routes—often adding significantly to transit time—some chokepoints have no practical alternatives. Most volumes that transit the strait have no alternative means of exiting the region, although there are some pipeline alternatives that can avoid the Strait of Hormuz.

    Between 2022 and 2024, volumes of crude oil and condensate transiting the Strait of Hormuz declined by 1.6 million b/d, which were only partially offset by a 0.5-million b/d increase in petroleum product cargoes. The decline in oil transit through the strait partially reflects the OPEC+ decision to voluntarily cut crude oil production several times starting in November 2022, which lowered exports from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, disruptions in 2024 to oil flows around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea, led Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Aramco to shift seaborne crude oil flows from the Strait of Hormuz, instead sending it over land through its East-West pipeline to ports on the Red Sea. Also, more refining capacity in the Persian Gulf states increased regional demand for crude oil and shifted some flows to local markets within the Persian Gulf.

    Flows through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 made up more than one-quarter of total global seaborne oil trade and about one-fifth of global oil and petroleum product consumption. In addition, around one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade also transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2024, primarily from Qatar.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, June 2025, and U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis based on Vortexa tanker tracking
    Note: World maritime oil trade excludes intra-country volumes except those volumes that transit the Strait of Hormuz. LNG=liquefied natural gas. 1Q25=first quarter of 2025

    Based on tanker tracking data published by Vortexa, Saudi Arabia moves more crude oil and condensate through the Strait of Hormuz than any other country. In 2024, exports of crude and condensate from Saudi Arabia accounted for 38% of total Hormuz crude flows (5.5 million b/d).

    Alternative routes
    Saudi Arabia and the UAE have some infrastructure in place that can bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which may somewhat mitigate any transit disruptions through the strait. The pipelines do not typically operate at full capacity, and we estimate that about 2.6 million b/d of capacity from the Saudi and UAE pipelines could be available to bypass the Strait of Hormuz in the event of a supply disruption.

    Saudi Aramco operates the 5 million-b/d East-West crude oil pipeline, which runs from the Abqaiq oil processing center near the Persian Gulf to the Yanbu port on the Red Sea. Aramco temporarily expanded the pipeline’s capacity to 7.0 million b/d in 2019 when it converted some natural gas liquids pipelines to accept crude oil. In 2024, Saudi Arabia pumped more crude oil through the East-West pipeline to avoid the shipping disruptions around the Bab al-Mandeb.

    The UAE also operates a pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. This 1.8 million-b/d pipeline links onshore oil fields to the Fujairah export terminal in the Gulf of Oman. In 2024, crude oil and condensate volumes originating in the UAE and traversing Hormuz were 0.4 million b/d less than in 2022 because refinery upgrades allowed more heavy crude oil to be refined locally. These upgrades also allowed the UAE to increase exports of its lighter crude oil grades, and use of the pipeline to the Fujairah export terminal increased. Increased use of the pipeline for day-to-day operations has limited the excess capacity available to reroute additional volumes around the Strait of Hormuz.

    Iran inaugurated the Goreh-Jask pipeline and the Jask export terminal on the Gulf of Oman (avoiding the Strait of Hormuz) with a single export cargo in July 2021. The pipeline’s effective capacity remains around 300,000 b/d. However, during the summer of 2024 Iran exported less than 70,000 b/d from ports (Bandar-e-Jask and Kooh Mobarak) using the Goreh-Jask pipeline and stopped loading cargoes after September 2024.

    Destination markets
    We estimate that 84% of the crude oil and condensate and 83% of the liquefied natural gas that moved through the Strait of Hormuz went to Asian markets in 2024. China, India, Japan, and South Korea were the top destinations for crude oil moving through the Strait of Hormuz to Asia, accounting for a combined 69% of all Hormuz crude oil and condensate flows in 2024. These markets would likely be most affected by supply disruptions at Hormuz.

    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis based on Vortexa tanker tracking
    Note: 1Q25=first quarter of 2025. figure data

    In 2024, the United States imported about 0.5 million b/d of crude oil and condensate from Persian Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz, accounting for about 7% of total U.S. crude oil and condensate imports and 2% of U.S. petroleum liquids consumption. In 2024, U.S. crude oil imports from countries in the Persian Gulf were at the lowest level in nearly 40 years as domestic production and imports from Canada have increased.

    Principal contributors: Candace Dunn, Justine Barden

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Graphjet visited by Japanese trading company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, United States, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Graphjet Technology (“Graphjet” or “the Company”) was honoured to welcome a delegation from a Japanese trading company with international presence for an official visit on JULY 23, 2025 to discuss on the provision of sustainable graphite materials to their customers.

    This visit highlights the Japanese trading company’s strong interest in Graphjet’s proprietary technology, which utilize palm kernel shells as a renewable feedstock to produce high purity synthetic graphite. This patented process significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional graphite production methods, aligning with global efforts toward decarbonization and green manufacturing.

    With over 75 years of history, this renowned Japanese enterprise is one of the major integrated trading houses in Asia, actively engaged in diverse sectors including aerospace components, advanced machinery and automation systems, and chemical products, it serves industry leaders across multiple sector for customers like Toshiba and Hitachi. With annual revenue of around ¥‎30 billion, the firm maintains operations in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

    During the visit, the delegation toured Graphjet’s R&D production facilities, gaining valuable insights into the company’s manufacturing process and quality assurance system.

    “This engagement marks a meaningful step forward in strengthening mutual understanding and laying the groundwork for future collaboration in the field of sustainable graphite and next generation technology.” said Chris Lai the CEO of Graphjet.

    Graphjet Technology remains committed to advancing green innovation and building strong partnership with global industry leaders to drive sustainable progress in the graphite and graphene sector.

    About Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd.

    Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd. (Nasdaq: GTI) was founded in 2019 in Malaysia as an innovative graphene and graphite producer. Graphjet Technology has the world’s first patented technology to recycle palm kernel shells generated in the production of palm seed oil to produce single layer graphene and artificial graphite. Graphjet’s sustainable production methods utilizing palm kernel shells, a waste agricultural product that is common in Malaysia, will set a new shift in graphite and graphene supply chain of the world. For more information, please visit https://www.graphjettech.com/.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Graphjet competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Graphjet will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) Graphjet is beginning the commercialization of its technology and it may not have an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Graphjet’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Graphjet, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Graphjet; (vi) Graphjet’s ability to develop and manufacture its graphene and graphite products; and (vii) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the documents to be filed by Graphjet from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Graphjet may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Graphjet does not give any assurance that Graphjet will achieve its expectations.

    Graphjet Technology Contacts

    Investors
    ceo.office@graphjettech.com

    Media
    ceo.office@graphjettech.com

    ###

    The MIL Network

  • Mobile phone exports rise 127 times in a decade, says govt

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s mobile manufacturing sector has witnessed an extraordinary transformation over the past decade, driven by the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and other policy reforms. Mobile phone exports from India surged from ₹1,500 crore in 2014-15 to ₹2 lakh crore in 2024-25, marking a 127-fold increase. Similarly, mobile phone production grew from ₹18,000 crore to ₹5.45 lakh crore in the same period- an unprecedented 28-fold rise.

    These figures were presented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada. He highlighted the cumulative impact of targeted policy interventions such as the National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019 and various PLI schemes which have established a robust electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

    India is now the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world, a shift made possible by the PLI Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM), which has successfully transformed India from a net importer to a net exporter of mobile phones. The production of electronics goods in India increased from ₹1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹11.3 lakh crore in 2024-25. Electronics exports also rose eightfold, from ₹38,000 crore to ₹3.27 lakh crore.

    The number of mobile manufacturing units in the country expanded from just 2 in 2014-15 to over 300 by 2024-25. Imports of mobile phones, which previously made up 75% of domestic demand, now constitute just 0.02%.

    The PLI Scheme for LSEM has attracted a cumulative investment of ₹12,390 crore, leading to total production worth ₹8,44,752 crore and exports valued at ₹4,65,809 crore as of June 2025. This has generated over 1.3 lakh direct jobs in the sector.

    Similarly, the PLI Scheme 2.0 for IT Hardware has brought in ₹717.13 crore in investments, resulting in production worth ₹12,195.84 crore and the creation of over 5,000 direct jobs.

    In addition to PLI, other initiatives such as the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS), Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC and EMC 2.0), and Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 have further supported the sector’s growth. Tax reforms, including tariff rationalization and exemptions on basic customs duty for capital goods, along with allowing 100% FDI in electronics manufacturing, have also played a key role.

    According to industry estimates, value addition in electronics manufacturing in India now ranges between 18% and 20% across various products. In the last five years alone, the electronics manufacturing sector has received USD 4,071 million in foreign direct investment, with USD 2,802 million coming from MeitY PLI beneficiaries.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE awards govt teams

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee today presented award certificates to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Search & Rescue Team to quake-stricken areas in Myanmar in March and the Inter-departmental Preparation Team for Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Commissioning.

    Addressing the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance Presentation Ceremony, Mr Lee praised the excellent performances of the two award-winning teams.

    He noted that the two awarded outstanding teams have demonstrated their respective strengths, which not only set an example for the entire civil service, but also demonstrated the Hong Kong SAR Government’s spirit of pursuing excellence and fearlessly taking on challenges.

    Mr Lee said: “They created good stories of civil servants that we are proud of through their actions.”

    The Chief Executive highlighted that Hong Kong’s ranking of second globally and first in Asia in the Government efficiency section of the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 underlines the outstanding competence and effective performance of Hong Kong’s civil servants.

    Mr Lee said he will continue to strengthen the system to enable officials to better utilise their proactive leadership capability so that the civil service can bring out their efficiency and potential to the fullest and realise the Government’s result-oriented policy initiatives through action.

    In March this year, a major earthquake struck Myanmar, resulting in serious casualties. The Hong Kong SAR Search & Rescue Team rushed to Mantalay, one of the most devastated areas in Myanmar, to conduct search and rescue operations.

    The team completed 61 search and rescue operations covering 57 locations amid constant aftershocks and scorching heat in the disaster-stricken areas, and conducted joint operations with the China Search & Rescue Team, successfully rescuing one survivor who had been trapped for more than 125 hours.

    The Hong Kong SAR Search & Rescue Team consists of civil servants from the Security Bureau, the Fire Services Department and the Immigration Department, as well as medical representatives from the Hospital Authority.

    The team’s commander Cheu Yu-kok thanked the Government for recognising the team’s efforts.

    He said that the team will continue to uphold its professionalism, strengthen exchanges with relevant Mainland authorities and continue to explore further uses of AI and advanced technology to persistently enhance its emergency rescue capabilities and standards, and to make greater contributions to international humanitarian rescue work.

    Another awardee is an interdepartmental preparation team formed by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Security Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the Police Force and the Transport Department.

    The team completed around 20 test events, including five large-scale drills, in just five months, mobilising about 140,000 civil servants to participate in the stress tests to evaluate the capability of the KTSP and its surrounding facilities comprehensively, to become fully prepared for the grand opening ceremony on March 1 and the subsequent large-scale events.

    Representative of the Inter-departmental Preparation Team for KTSP Commissioning, Commissioner for Sports George Tsoi thanked the Chief Executive for his recognition of the team.

    He said that the team had done its utmost to overcome various challenges during the KTSP’s preparatory process with efficiency and professionalism. The team will continue to work closely with the established foundation of good communication and collaboration to fully capitalise on the opportunities brought about by the KTSP.

    The nomination exercise for the new round of the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance commenced in May this year. The Civil Service Bureau invited bureaus to nominate outstanding teams or colleagues for the honour.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Global Blockchain Artificial Intelligence Market Size Estimated to Reach $4.33 Billion By 2034

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – The global blockchain Artificial Intelligence (AI) market is rapidly evolving due to the influence of its secure and decentralized technology and advanced data processing capabilities provided by AI with blockchain. A recent report from Precedence Research said: “The market has a considerable expansion rate due to rising demand for efficient data handling, data transparency, and security. Key applications for the market are supply-chain management, healthcare domain, BFSI, fraud detection methods, etc. Major tech companies are investing heavily in the development and research to enhance the functionalities of blockchain AI technology and integrate AI algorithms into the blockchain.” It projected: “The global blockchain AI market size was calculated at USD 550.70 million in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 4,338.66 million by 2034. The market is expanding at a solid CAGR of 22.93% over the forecast period 2024 to 2033. An increasing amount of data generation pervades almost every sector, which needs to be analyzed precisely with advanced technology like AI and blockchain to provide a secure ledger system. Based on a regional perspective, North America currently dominates the blockchain AI technology market, while Asia Pacific shows the highest growth rate owing to technological advancements and supportive regulatory backup. Despite the number of benefits, the blockchain AI market is challenged by some hurdles, like the need for a highly skilled workforce and limitations in scalability. However, as the technology grows and matures with time, these hurdles will be mitigated. Thus, the market presents a promising future and the potential to transform several industries.”   Active companies in the markets this week include: Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTC: ISTKF), Strategy Incorporated (NASDAQ: MSTR), Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY) (TSX: GLXY), MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA), Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT).

    Precedence Research continued: “The primary driver for the blockchain AI market is the highly secure and immutable ledger system offered by blockchain, which further provides decentralization data that aids in reliable transactions and reduces data privacy concerns. Blockchain AI systems can be deployable in major industries like automation, healthcare, electronics and services, banking, fiancé, etc., due to their data integrity to avoid financial loss and, thereby, the reputation of firms or institutes. When AI is combined with blockchain, which excels at analyzing and processing vast amount of data, it holds potential to create more efficient and secure system is substantial. Moreover, the integration of blockchain and AI can enhance the functionalities of smart contracts and decentralized applications to foster innovations and new business models, which again propels the blockchain AI market. Furthermore, AI can enhance security measures by detecting and mitigating fraudulent activities on blockchain networks, thus building greater trust among users. By combining AI’s data processing capabilities with blockchain’s transparency and security, this integration can drive the next wave of innovation in financial services, making them more accessible, efficient, and secure.”

    Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTC: ISTKF) Appoints Mario Casiraghi, Leading AI Digital Asset Ecosystem CFO at SingularityNET Foundation and CEO of Established $90M USD AUM Digital Asset Firm Singularity Venture Hub, to Advisory Board to Bridge Traditional Finance and Digital Asset Markets Intellistake Technologies Corp. (FSE: 3KZ) (“GFCO” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mario Casiraghi to its Advisory Board. A globally recognized financial strategist with over a decade of experience bridging traditional capital markets and decentralized technology. Casiraghi will provide strategic guidance to support the Company’s operations as a technology company focused on decentralized artificial intelligence (“AI”) and digital currencies.

    Casiraghi brings exceptional expertise from both traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem. As a former investment banker at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and ING Bank, he executed over $80 billion in structured transactions across Europe and the United States, including the landmark $46 billion AB InBev acquisition financing—the second-largest corporate debt offering in U.S. history. His traditional finance background includes 15+ major debt capital markets transactions and liability management exercises for Fortune 500 companies.

    Recognizing the transformative potential of blockchain technology, Casiraghi transitioned from traditional investment banking to become a pioneer in digital asset infrastructure. In 2020, he became Group CFO of SingularityNET Foundation and co-founded SingularityDAO Labs, where he led a $6 million USD Series A funding round and scaled the decentralized finance protocol to manage up to $200 million USD in total value locked.

    In his role as Group CFO, Casiraghi has scaled a multi-token digital ecosystem from $40 million USD to over $5 billion USD market cap, positioning him as one of the leading financial architects in decentralized AI infrastructure. He led the structuring of the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (ASI)—a $6 billion USD token-based merger between three of the world’s largest decentralized AI networks, representing one of the most significant consolidations in blockchain and artificial intelligence history. As part of this ecosystem expansion, he participated in the $100 million USD acquisition of Cudos, the largest decentralized compute network in Web 3.0 by available computing power.

    “Mario’s unique combination of traditional finance background and deep understanding of digital asset ecosystems makes him a great addition to our Advisory Board,” said Jason Dussault, CEO of Intellistake Technologies Corp. “His experience executing billion-dollar transactions in both traditional and digital markets provides invaluable perspective as we build infrastructure bridging AI and blockchain technology.”

    Casiraghi is also Founder and CEO of Singularity Venture Hub, a venture and treasury advisory firm managing over $90 million USD in assets. The firm provides capital allocation strategy, risk governance, and regulatory structuring to fast-scaling AI and blockchain companies.

    “Mario’s expertise will strengthen Intellistake’s role of providing traditional investors with regulated access to the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology through familiar stock exchange mechanisms,” added Mr. Dussault.

    “Joining the advisory board at Intellistake is a natural progression in what has already been a strong and growing relationship” said Mario Casiraghi, CEO of Singularity Venture Hub. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with their team and have been consistently impressed by their vision and execution. This next step allows us to converge even more deeply on the innovative work Intellistake is doing in decentralized finance and AI—two sectors I believe are shaping the future.” CONTINUED Read this full press release and more news for Intellistake Technologies at:   https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-istk/

    Other recent developments in the blockchain/digital currency industry of note include:

    Strategy Incorporated (NASDAQ: MSTR), the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin and the world’s first Bitcoin Treasury Company, recently announced the general availability of Strategy Mosaic™, a groundbreaking AI-powered Universal Intelligence Layer designed to enable AI applications. As organizations modernize their data infrastructures, they often encounter challenges with siloed systems that lead to inconsistent metrics and governance gaps. This lack of clean, connected, and organized data is one of the greatest barriers to AI adoption. Strategy Mosaic addresses this issue by connecting disparate data sources across the enterprise, providing consistent and secure access to information that empowers both business users and AI applications.

    Sitting atop any database or data warehouse, Strategy Mosaic allows organizations to access diverse data sources. This unified layer supports AI, applications, and analytics use cases, enabling rapid development of data products without the need for custom data warehouses. Unlike traditional data catalogs and virtual data warehouses, Mosaic uses business definitions and user-friendly objects to represent data.

    Galaxy Digital Inc. (NASDAQ: GLXY) (TSX: GLXY) recently announced that it will report second quarter 2025 financial results before the opening of Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange on Tuesday August 5th, 2025. Michael Novogratz, CEO and Founder of Galaxy, and members of management will host a conference call to provide an update to investors and analysts on the Company’s activities and results on the same day at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.

    A live webcast will be available at https://investor.galaxy.com/. The conference call can also be accessed by investors and analysts in the United States or Canada by dialing 1-844-746-0741, or +1-412-317-5107(outside the U.S. and Canada) using the Conference ID: 2449863. A replay of the webcast will be available and can be accessed in the same manner as the live webcast on the Company’s Investor Relations website.

    MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MARA), a vertically integrated digital energy and infrastructure company that leverages high-intensity compute, such as bitcoin (“bitcoin” or “BTC”) mining, to monetize excess energy and optimize power management, recently published unaudited bitcoin production updates for April 2025.

    “In April, our production saw a 15% month-over-month decrease in blocks won, as global hashrate had its second largest monthly gain on record and mining difficulty grew 8% from March,” said Fred Thiel, MARA’s chairman and CEO. “Despite these headwinds, our energized hashrate grew 5.5% over the prior month. We completed a 50-megawatt (“MW”) expansion at our fully owned data center in Ohio, bringing total operational capacity to 100 MW, with the site designed to scale up to 200 MW. Additionally, we installed over 12,000 S21 Pro miners at the location.

    “Last month, we fully energized our 25 MW gas-to-power operations across wellheads in North Dakota and Texas. These sites currently provide us with our lowest cost per BTC mined while monetizing excess gas and mitigating methane emissions for the producers.

    Riot Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) recently announced the hiring of Jonathan Gibbs as Chief Data Center Officer (“CDCO”) to lead the development of Riot’s data center platform. In this role, Jonathan will lead the strategic development and operations of this new platform, which will focus on building and operating state-of-the-art data centers specifically tailored to serve hyperscale and enterprise tenants.

    The creation of this new data center platform furthers Riot’s strategy to maximize the value of its assets by expanding into the development of non-bitcoin-related data centers, which diversifies the Company’s revenues, enhances Riot’s ability to generate long-term cash returns for investors and strengthens its capabilities to contract with the world’s leading technology companies. This additional platform will build on the success of Riot’s vertically-integrated strategy of utilizing bitcoin mining at scale to create significant value across its land and power portfolio and positions the Company to capitalize on the upsurge in demand for digital infrastructure driven by the growing need for cloud computing, AI and other compute-intensive applications.

    About FN Media Group:

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Inc. Secures USD $100 Million Financing Facility to Accelerate Bitcoin Treasury Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Highlights

    • Strategic Capitalization: Matador has executed a Purchase Agreement for a USD $100 million secured convertible note facility (the “Facility”) with ATW Partners, featuring an initial USD $10.5 million tranche.
    • Exclusive Use of Proceeds: Proceeds are earmarked for purchasing Bitcoin as part of Matador’s treasury allocation strategy, with the intention of increasing long-term Bitcoin-per-share (BPS).
    • Institutional Partnership: ATW Partners—an institutional investor known for structuring growth-stage financings—brings both capital and strategic depth to Matador’s Bitcoin ecosystem vision.

      Flexible, Equity-Aligned Structure: The secured convertible notes provide minimally dilutive, price-adaptive funding that converts at market-aligned prices.

    • Accelerates Treasury Plan: Supports Matador’s roadmap to acquire up to 1,000 BTC on or before 2026 and 6,000 BTC on or before 2027, targeting a top 20 global corporate holder position.

    TORONTO, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (TSXV:MATA, OTCQB:MATAF, FSE:IU3) (“Matador” or the “Company”), the Bitcoin Ecosystem Company, announces that it has entered into an arm’s-length agreement for a secured convertible note facility (the “Facility”) with ATW Partners (the “Investor”), signed on July 22, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement“), pursuant to which the Company may issue convertible notes (“Notes“) in the aggregate principal amount of up to USD $100 million.

    The Facility provides a structured funding mechanism designed to support the Company’s stated objective of increasing its Bitcoin holdings. USD $10.5 million will be funded at the Initial Closing, while USD $89.5 million of additional capacity remains available subject to customary conditions, including execution of a registration-rights agreement and receipt of all required regulatory approvals. The Facility marks a significant financing step in the execution of the Company’s treasury strategy. The Facility will be used exclusively to purchase Bitcoin for Matador’s balance sheet, reinforcing its strategy to become a top 20 corporate holder globally.

    Deven Soni, CEO of Matador Technologies, commented:

    “This financing represents meaningful progress toward our long-term Bitcoin accumulation goals. It provides the Company with capital to increase our Bitcoin holdings in a way that minimizes immediate dilution and aligns with our broader capital strategy.”

    Mark Moss, Chief Visionary Officer of Matador Technologies, added:

    “Bitcoin remains central to our business model and balance sheet approach. This structure supports our objective of growing Bitcoin per share and reflects continued institutional interest in our strategy.”

    This funding supports Matador’s long-term BTC strategy, including:

    • Acquiring up to 1,000 BTC on or before 2026
    • Reaching 6,000 BTC on or before 2027
    • Long-term objective to hold 1% of Bitcoin’s supply and be a top 20 corporate holder globally

    The Notes will carry an interest rate of 8% per annum and the maturity date of the Notes will be approximately two years from the applicable closing date. The Notes will be senior secured, with the Initial Closing backed by 1.5x Bitcoin collateral, and future tranches secured by 1.0x Bitcoin collateral. The Notes will be convertible at the closing price immediately prior to the related news release. As it relates to the Initial Closing, the conversion price will be CAD$0.72.

    The Notes, and the common shares issuable upon conversion, will be issued outside of Canada pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside Canada, and accordingly will not be subject to any statutory hold period under Canadian securities laws. A copy of the Purchase Agreement is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as placement agent for the transaction. For the Initial Closing, the placement agent will receive a placement fee of 5% in cash on the net proceeds received by the Company, a capital markets advisory fee of 2.5% in cash on the net proceeds, and 5% fee in warrants. For any subsequent closings, the placement agent will receive a 5% cash placement fee on the net proceeds received by the Company.

    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 proposed to expand its global footprint by entering into an agreement to invest in HODL Systems, one of India’s first digital asset treasury companies, securing up to a 24% ownership stake. 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.

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) statements regarding the structure, terms, and anticipated benefits of the Facility; (ii) expectations relating to the timing and completion of the initial USD$10.5 million tranche and subsequent drawdowns, upon terms as presently proposed or at all; (iii) the use of proceeds from the Facility for purchasing Bitcoin; (iv) the Company’s ability to meet its Bitcoin accumulation targets, including 1,000 BTC on or before 2026, 6,000 BTC on or before 2027, and a long-term goal of holding 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply; and (v) the Company’s strategy to grow Bitcoin-per-share (BPS) and become a top 20 global corporate BTC holder.

    Forward-looking information is based on management’s reasonable assumptions at the time such statements are made, including assumptions regarding market conditions, the price and availability of Bitcoin, regulatory and stock exchange approvals, and the Company’s ability to execute its strategic plans and secure additional capital on acceptable terms.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including: fluctuations in Bitcoin price and trading volume; availability and terms of financing; satisfaction of conditions related to future drawdowns under the Facility; the impact of potential penalties and payments under the Facility on the liquidity and future prospects of the Company; potential risks associated with the Company committing an event of default under the Facility and the potential implications thereof; regulatory risk; changes in the Company’s business model or execution plans; and the potential that the Company will not receive applicable regulatory approval of the Facility or any individual drawdown thereunder.. There can be no assurance that the Company will meet its BTC accumulation targets, receive any applicable regulatory approvals, complete any tranches of the Facility, or achieve its broader strategic objectives within the projected timelines or at all.

    Forward-looking statements are provided to offer information about management’s current expectations and plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Matador Technologies Inc. Secures USD $100 Million Financing Facility to Accelerate Bitcoin Treasury Growth

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Key Highlights

    • Strategic Capitalization: Matador has executed a Purchase Agreement for a USD $100 million secured convertible note facility (the “Facility”) with ATW Partners, featuring an initial USD $10.5 million tranche.
    • Exclusive Use of Proceeds: Proceeds are earmarked for purchasing Bitcoin as part of Matador’s treasury allocation strategy, with the intention of increasing long-term Bitcoin-per-share (BPS).
    • Institutional Partnership: ATW Partners—an institutional investor known for structuring growth-stage financings—brings both capital and strategic depth to Matador’s Bitcoin ecosystem vision.

      Flexible, Equity-Aligned Structure: The secured convertible notes provide minimally dilutive, price-adaptive funding that converts at market-aligned prices.

    • Accelerates Treasury Plan: Supports Matador’s roadmap to acquire up to 1,000 BTC on or before 2026 and 6,000 BTC on or before 2027, targeting a top 20 global corporate holder position.

    TORONTO, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matador Technologies Inc. (TSXV:MATA, OTCQB:MATAF, FSE:IU3) (“Matador” or the “Company”), the Bitcoin Ecosystem Company, announces that it has entered into an arm’s-length agreement for a secured convertible note facility (the “Facility”) with ATW Partners (the “Investor”), signed on July 22, 2025 (the “Purchase Agreement“), pursuant to which the Company may issue convertible notes (“Notes“) in the aggregate principal amount of up to USD $100 million.

    The Facility provides a structured funding mechanism designed to support the Company’s stated objective of increasing its Bitcoin holdings. USD $10.5 million will be funded at the Initial Closing, while USD $89.5 million of additional capacity remains available subject to customary conditions, including execution of a registration-rights agreement and receipt of all required regulatory approvals. The Facility marks a significant financing step in the execution of the Company’s treasury strategy. The Facility will be used exclusively to purchase Bitcoin for Matador’s balance sheet, reinforcing its strategy to become a top 20 corporate holder globally.

    Deven Soni, CEO of Matador Technologies, commented:

    “This financing represents meaningful progress toward our long-term Bitcoin accumulation goals. It provides the Company with capital to increase our Bitcoin holdings in a way that minimizes immediate dilution and aligns with our broader capital strategy.”

    Mark Moss, Chief Visionary Officer of Matador Technologies, added:

    “Bitcoin remains central to our business model and balance sheet approach. This structure supports our objective of growing Bitcoin per share and reflects continued institutional interest in our strategy.”

    This funding supports Matador’s long-term BTC strategy, including:

    • Acquiring up to 1,000 BTC on or before 2026
    • Reaching 6,000 BTC on or before 2027
    • Long-term objective to hold 1% of Bitcoin’s supply and be a top 20 corporate holder globally

    The Notes will carry an interest rate of 8% per annum and the maturity date of the Notes will be approximately two years from the applicable closing date. The Notes will be senior secured, with the Initial Closing backed by 1.5x Bitcoin collateral, and future tranches secured by 1.0x Bitcoin collateral. The Notes will be convertible at the closing price immediately prior to the related news release. As it relates to the Initial Closing, the conversion price will be CAD$0.72.

    The Notes, and the common shares issuable upon conversion, will be issued outside of Canada pursuant to Ontario Securities Commission Rule 72-503 – Distributions Outside Canada, and accordingly will not be subject to any statutory hold period under Canadian securities laws. A copy of the Purchase Agreement is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Joseph Gunnar & Co., LLC acted as placement agent for the transaction. For the Initial Closing, the placement agent will receive a placement fee of 5% in cash on the net proceeds received by the Company, a capital markets advisory fee of 2.5% in cash on the net proceeds, and 5% fee in warrants. For any subsequent closings, the placement agent will receive a 5% cash placement fee on the net proceeds received by the Company.

    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 proposed to expand its global footprint by entering into an agreement to invest in HODL Systems, one of India’s first digital asset treasury companies, securing up to a 24% ownership stake. 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.

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) statements regarding the structure, terms, and anticipated benefits of the Facility; (ii) expectations relating to the timing and completion of the initial USD$10.5 million tranche and subsequent drawdowns, upon terms as presently proposed or at all; (iii) the use of proceeds from the Facility for purchasing Bitcoin; (iv) the Company’s ability to meet its Bitcoin accumulation targets, including 1,000 BTC on or before 2026, 6,000 BTC on or before 2027, and a long-term goal of holding 1% of Bitcoin’s total supply; and (v) the Company’s strategy to grow Bitcoin-per-share (BPS) and become a top 20 global corporate BTC holder.

    Forward-looking information is based on management’s reasonable assumptions at the time such statements are made, including assumptions regarding market conditions, the price and availability of Bitcoin, regulatory and stock exchange approvals, and the Company’s ability to execute its strategic plans and secure additional capital on acceptable terms.

    Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including: fluctuations in Bitcoin price and trading volume; availability and terms of financing; satisfaction of conditions related to future drawdowns under the Facility; the impact of potential penalties and payments under the Facility on the liquidity and future prospects of the Company; potential risks associated with the Company committing an event of default under the Facility and the potential implications thereof; regulatory risk; changes in the Company’s business model or execution plans; and the potential that the Company will not receive applicable regulatory approval of the Facility or any individual drawdown thereunder.. There can be no assurance that the Company will meet its BTC accumulation targets, receive any applicable regulatory approvals, complete any tranches of the Facility, or achieve its broader strategic objectives within the projected timelines or at all.

    Forward-looking statements are provided to offer information about management’s current expectations and plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How the nature of environmental law is changing in defense of the planet and the climate

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Dana Zartner, Professor of International Studies, University of San Francisco

    A 2017 New Zealand law recognizes inherent rights of the Whanganui River. Jason Pratt, CC BY-SA

    While the dangerous effects of climate change continue to worsen, legal efforts to address a range of environmental issues are also on the rise.

    Headlines across the globe tout many of these legal actions: South Korea’s Climate Law Violates Rights of Future Generations; Ukraine is Ground Zero in Battle for Ecocide Law; Paris Wants to Grant the River Seine Legal Personhood; and Montana Court Rules Children Have the Right to a Healthy Environment, to name a few recent examples.

    As an environmental lawyer, I see that most of these suits use one of five legal strategies that have been developed over the past couple of decades. These approaches vary in terms of who is filing the lawsuit, against whom, and whether the underlying legal perspective is based on protecting human rights or the rights of the environment itself. But they all share an innovative approach to protect all life on this planet.

    1. Right to a healthy environment

    In 2022, the United Nations declared that humans have “the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment … essential to protecting human life, well-being and dignity.” More than 150 countries have similar declarations in their constitutions or laws, often alongside protections for other human rights, such as those to education and medical care.

    These rights are held by humans, so people can sue for alleged violations. Typically they sue one or more government agencies, whose responsibility it is to protect human rights.

    One recent case using this approach was Held v. Montana, in which a group of young people in 2024 won a lawsuit against the state of Montana for violating the state constitution’s right to a “clean and healthful environment.” The state Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs and struck down a law barring the consideration of climate effects when evaluating proposals for fossil fuel extraction. Similar cases have been heard in the U.S. and other countries around the world.

    Rikki Held, the lead plaintiff in the Montana case, center seated, confers with the Our Children’s Trust legal team before the start of the trial on June 12, 2023.
    William Campbell/Getty Images

    2. The rights of future generations

    A legal concept called “intergenerational equity” is the idea that present generations must “responsibly use and conserve natural resources for the benefit of future generations.” First codified in international law in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, the principle has been gaining popularity in recent decades. International organizations and national governments have enshrined this principle in law.

    Focused on humans’ rights, these laws allow people and groups to bring claims, usually against governments, for allowing activities that are altering the environment in ways that will harm future generations. One well-known case that relied on this legal principle is Future Generations v. Ministry of the Environment and Others, in which a Colombian court in 2018 agreed with young people who had sued, finding that the Colombian government’s allowance of “rampant deforestation in the Amazon” violated the pact of intergenerational equity.

    3. Government responsibility

    Another human-centered approach is the public trust doctrine, which establishes “that certain natural and cultural resources are preserved for public use” and that governments have a responsibility to protect them for everyone’s benefit.

    While the concept of “public trust” has long existed in the law, recently it has been used to bring suit against governments for their failure to address climate change and other environmental degradation. In Urgenda Foundation v. the State of the Netherlands, a Dutch court held in 2019 that the government has a responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change due to the “severity of the consequences of climate change and the great risk of climate change occurring.” Since the decision, the Dutch government has sought to reduce emissions by phasing out the use of coal, increasing reliance on renewable energy and aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

    Government responsibility for the public trust was also a basis of the Juliana v. U.S. case, where a group of young people sued the U.S. government for breaching the public trust by not doing enough to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear an appeal of a lower court’s ruling, but the lack of a specific ruling by the nation’s highest court has given continued hope to new cases, which continue to be filed based on the same principle.

    A documentary examining the movement to protect the rights of nature.

    4. Rights of nature

    The rights of nature is one of the fastest-growing environmental legal strategies of the past decade. Since Ecuador recognized the rights of Pachamama, the Quechua name for Mother Earth, in its Constitution in 2008, more than 500 laws on the rights of nature have been enacted around the world.

    The principle recognizes the legal rights of natural entities, such as rivers, mountains, ecosystems or even something as specific as wild rice. The laws that grant these rights don’t focus on humans but rather nature itself, often including language that the natural entity has the right to “exist and persist.”

    The laws then provide a mechanism for the natural entity – whether through a specific group assigned legal guardianship or other community efforts – to protect itself by filing lawsuits in court. In the 2018 Colombian case, the court found that the Amazon ecosystem has rights, which must be respected and protected.

    Similarly, in Bangladesh in 2019 the courts recognized the rights of all the country’s rivers, requiring, among other things, a halt on damaging development along the rivers that block their natural flow. The court also created a commission to serve as legal guardians of the country’s rivers.

    The destruction of a dam in Ukraine, which emptied this former reservoir, is being investigated as a possible crime of ecocide.
    Tarasov/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    5. Defining a new crime: Ecocide

    In 2024, the governments of Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa formally proposed that the international community recognize a new crime under international law. Called “ecocide,” the principle takes a nature-focused approach and includes any unlawful act committed with “the knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment.”

    Put another way, what genocide is to humans, ecocide is to nature. It is being proposed as an addition to the 2002 Rome Statute, which created the International Criminal Court to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

    While the idea is relatively new, in addition to the international efforts, several countries have incorporated ecocide into their laws – including Vietnam, France, Chile and Ukraine. A Ukrainian prosecutor is currently investigating the June 2023 destruction of a dam in a Russian-occupied area of the country as a potential crime of ecocide, because of the widespread flooding and habitat destruction that resulted.

    The European Union has also incorporated ecocide into its Environmental Crime Directive, which applies to all EU member countries, providing them with a mechanism to hear ecocide claims in their national courts.

    Using these ideas

    Each of these legal concepts has the potential to increase protection for the environment – and the people who live in it. But determining which strategy has the greatest chance of success depends on the details of the existing law and legal system in each community.

    All of these legal strategies have a role in the fight to protect and preserve the environment as an integral, interdependent living thing that is vitally important to us as humans but also in its own right.

    Dana Zartner is a volunteer with the Earth Law Center assisting with the editing of toolkits and guides, but has not worked on any of its lawsuits.

    ref. How the nature of environmental law is changing in defense of the planet and the climate – https://theconversation.com/how-the-nature-of-environmental-law-is-changing-in-defense-of-the-planet-and-the-climate-258982

    MIL OSI

  • MIL-OSI Video: Cooperation built on security and trade: EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    During the EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo on 23 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with important Japanese stakeholders to further foster the relationship between Japan and the EU.

    The Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement which includes topics such as digital partnerships, green alliances or security cooperation, and a strengthening of the relationship between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region were in focus during this 30th EU-Japan Summit.

    Find the joint declaration from all three political leaders here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_25_1892

    Follow live events and access media content here:
    https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/

    Stay updated — follow us on X: https://x.com/EC_AVService

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSx4gDVZlok

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE presents award certificates of Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance to HKSAR Search and Rescue Team and Inter-departmental Preparation Team for Kai Tak Sports Park Commissioning

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance Presentation Ceremony today (July 23) to present award certificates to two award-winning teams, namely the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Search and Rescue Team to quake-stricken areas in Myanmar in March 2025 and the Inter-departmental Preparation Team for Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) Commissioning.

         Addressing the ceremony, Mr Lee praised the excellent performances of the two award-winning teams. He said, “The two awarded outstanding teams have demonstrated their respective strengths, which not only set an example for the entire civil service, but also demonstrated the HKSAR Government’s spirit of pursuing excellence and fearlessly taking on challenges. They created good stories of civil servants that we are proud of through their actions.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • Over 2.22 crore SC students benefitted from scholarships in last 5 years: Centre

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Union government on Wednesday informed Parliament that more than 2.22 crore Scheduled Caste students have received scholarships over the past five years under two key central schemes aimed at promoting higher education among disadvantaged communities.

    In a written reply during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale said that 2,22,31,139 SC students benefitted from the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme, while 20,340 others received assistance under the Top-Class Education Scheme.

    Athawale said that the financial assistance has helped reduce the economic burden on SC families, enabling students to access quality education and improve their academic prospects.

    He noted that beneficiaries have enrolled in premier institutions across the country, including Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Technology (NITs), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NIDs), Institute of Hotel Management (IHMs) and National Law University (NLUs).

    “These schemes have contributed significantly to enhancing the educational standard of SC students and promoting socio-economic mobility by addressing both economic and social disadvantages,” the minister added.

  • ADB projects India’s GDP to grow at 6.5% in 2025, 6.7% in 2026 amid strong domestic demandion

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday projected that India’s GDP will grow at 6.5% in 2025 and a robust 6.7% in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, a normal monsoon, and monetary easing.

    Inflation in India is expected to stay well within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range, with headline inflation projected at 3.8% for 2025 and 4.0% for 2026, according to the ADB. A sharp decline in food prices has helped ease overall price pressures, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation falling to 2.1% in June — the lowest level in over six years — as food inflation turned negative.

    India’s real GDP growth is projected to range between 6.4% and 6.7% this fiscal year, reaffirming the country’s position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said earlier this month.

    Meanwhile, ADB has lowered its growth forecasts for developing Asia and the Pacific for both this year and the next. The downward revisions are attributed to weaker exports due to higher US tariffs and global trade uncertainty, as well as subdued domestic demand.

    According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) July 2025, the region’s economies are now expected to grow by 4.7% this year, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from April’s projection. The 2026 forecast has also been revised downward to 4.6% from 4.7%.

    The outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific could worsen further if US tariffs and trade tensions escalate. Other risks include geopolitical conflicts that could disrupt global supply chains and drive up energy prices, as well as a deeper-than-expected slump in China’s property market.

    “Asia and the Pacific have weathered an increasingly challenging external environment this year. But the economic outlook has weakened amid intensifying risks and global uncertainty,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

    “Economies in the region should continue strengthening their fundamentals and promoting open trade and regional integration to support investment, employment, and growth,” Park added.

    Growth projections for the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the region’s largest economy, remain unchanged at 4.7% for this year and 4.3% for next year. Southeast Asian economies are expected to be hit hardest by deteriorating trade conditions and rising uncertainty. ADB now forecasts growth of 4.2% for the subregion this year and 4.3% next year—both figures roughly half a percentage point lower than the April estimates.

    — IANS

  • ECI begins process to elect new Vice-President after Dhankhar’s resignation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday announced that it had initiated the process to conduct elections for the office of the Vice-President of India, two days after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post citing health reasons.

    In an official statement, the Commission said, “The Election Commission of India, under Article 324, is mandated to conduct the election to the office of the Vice President of India. The election to the office of the Vice President of India is governed by The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the rules made thereunder, namely The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974,”

    Under Article 66(1) of the Constitution, the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, with voting conducted by secret ballot.

    The Commission added that it had already started the process of constituting the electoral college and was finalising the appointment of returning officers. The official election schedule would be announced after the completion of these preparatory steps.

    Dhankhar’s tenure was originally set to end on August 10, 2027.

  • Indian stock market surges amid value buying, Sensex jumps 540 points

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market settled in positive territory on Wednesday following buying in banking, financial services, automobiles and healthcare sectors amid positive global cues surrounding the US-Japan trade pact.

    Sensex closed at 82,726.64, up 539.83 or 0.66 per cent. The 30-share index opened with a decent gap-up at 82,451.87 against last session’s closing value of 82,186.81. The index soared further to hit an intraday high of 82,786.43, following buying interest in heavyweights like Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank.

    Nifty 50 closed at 25,219.90, up 159 points or 0.63 per cent.

    “The day was characterised by robust performance across key sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, Automobiles, Healthcare, and Information Technology. In contrast, pockets of weakness persisted in Realty, Media, Consumer Goods, and Metals, reflecting a sectorally bifurcated landscape,” said Ashika Institutional Equities in its note.

    On the global stage, investor sentiment soared following optimistic developments surrounding the US-Japan trade pact, igniting expectations for further international agreements shortly.

    Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj FinServ, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Eternal, Asian Paints, and SBI were top gainers from the Sensex’s stocks. Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, and Ultratech Cements ended the session in red.

    Meanwhile, 37 stocks advanced and 13 shares declined from Nifty50.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty Bank settled 454 points or 0.80 per cent higher, Nifty Auto surged 203 points or 0.85 per cent and Nifty IT closed 92.60 points or 0.25 per cent up. Nifty FMCG declined.

    Broader indices followed the gaining momentum as well. Nifty Net 50 surged 159 points, Nifty 100 rallied 0.55 per cent or 142 points, and Nifty Midcap 100 ended the session up 203 points or 0.34 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 settled flat.

    Rupee traded flat in a narrow range near 86.40, with marginal movement of 0.01 per cent against the dollar. The dollar index also remained steady around 97.40 as markets awaited further cues.

    “Domestic capital markets gained 0.65 per cent, while Fed Chair Powell’s recent speech kept the dollar range-bound. Attention now shifts to next week’s U.S. interest rate decision, which will be a key directional trigger. Rupee is expected to trade within a range of 85.80–86.70,” said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

    (IANS)

  • Govt clears six semiconductor projects worth ₹1.55 lakh crore, over 27,000 jobs on cards

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre has so far approved six semiconductor manufacturing projects, entailing a cumulative investment of around ₹1.55 lakh crore. These are expected to generate over 27,000 direct jobs, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said the approvals are part of the government’s ₹76,000-crore ‘Semicon India Programme’, aimed at building a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

    “Semiconductor manufacturing is a highly specialised industry involving complex processes. Most of the jobs created are skilled roles,” Prasada said in a written reply. He added that the sector, being foundational, is likely to have a cascading impact on employment across other industries and supply chains.

    As part of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, fiscal support has been extended to 22 approved startups and MSMEs. Of these, three design companies are based in Telangana, where 11 others have received design infrastructure support. Additionally, 22 institutes in the state are being supported under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, with six receiving financial assistance.

    Tamil Nadu also has three approved companies under the DLI scheme, while six firms have received design infrastructure support.

    The C2S programme targets the development of 85,000 skilled professionals in the semiconductor sector. So far, over 45,000 students from 100 institutions have enrolled. The government is providing engineering colleges with design tools and software to support chip design training.

    In 2022, the Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab was set up at NIELIT Calicut, with the goal of training one lakh engineers. Over 42,000 engineers have been trained so far, the minister said.

    The government is also working with global industry and academic partners including Lam Research, IBM, and Purdue University to build capacity in chip design and manufacturing.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Partners with KOL to Drive Blockchain and AI Growth in Southeast Asia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, partnered with Indian crypto thought leader Pushpendra Singh to support a landmark Blockchain & AI Summit in Southeast Asia—further strengthening its role as a global enabler of the decentralized tech ecosystem.

    The summit was organized in collaboration with the Consortium of Indian Industries in Malaysia (CIIM). It brought together builders, investors, and leaders from India, South Asia, the Middle East, Singapore, China, and beyond, establishing Malaysia as an up-and-coming regional hub for blockchain and AI collaboration. The event included keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at promoting innovation and the responsible adoption of Web3 technologies.

    “Having a prominent Indian KOL like Pushpendra lead a Blockchain and AI Summit in Malaysia highlights the global and collaborative nature of this industry. At Bitget, our mission is to empower and scale these ecosystems wherever they develop,” said Jyotsna Hirdyani, South Asia Head at Bitget.

    Bitget KOL Pushpendra Singh taking the stage at the Blockchain & AI Summit

    Pushpendra expressed a similar viewpoint, emphasizing that Malaysia’s rising status as a premier destination for both technology and tourism makes it an ideal location for a globally diverse gathering. “This event wasn’t solely focused on Web3; it was also about uniting various voices under one shared vision. Malaysia is quickly becoming a hub where innovation meets opportunity, and we take pride in working to help shape that narrative,” he shared.

    The partnership shows Bitget’s continued efforts to advance inclusivity, education, and grassroots leadership in nascent cryptocurrency communities. One region, one builder, and one summit at a time, Bitget is dedicated to offering the platforms, tools, and collaborations that propel the industry forward as blockchain and AI continue to converge.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin priceEthereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.
    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: WebsiteTwitterTelegramLinkedInDiscordBitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64aba109-89d5-46a4-a8b1-ccef7eb91ad5

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/695b5285-5250-427c-9886-20d016670456

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Indonesian military set to complete Trans-Papua Highway under Prabowo’s rule

    By Julian Isaac

    The Indonesian Military (TNI) is committed to supporting the completion of the Trans-Papua Highway during President Prabowo Subianto’s term in office.

    While the military is not involved in construction, it plays a critical role in securing the project from threats posed by pro-independence Papuan resistance groups in “high-risk” regions.

    Spanning a total length of 4330 km, the Trans-Papua road project has been under development since 2014.

    However, only 3446 km of the national road network has been connected after more than a decade of construction.

    “Don’t compare Papua with Jakarta, where there are no armed groups. Papua is five times the size of Java, and not all areas are secure,” TNI spokesman Major-General Kristomei Sianturi told a media conference at the Ministry of Public Works on Monday.

    One of the currently active segments is the Jayapura–Wamena route — specifically the Mamberamo–Elim section, which stretches 50 km.

    The project is being carried out through a public-private partnership and was awarded to PT Hutama Karya, with an investment of Rp3.3 trillion (about US$202 million) and a 15-year concession. The segment is expected to be completed within two years, targeting finalisation next year.

    Security an obstacle
    General Kristomei said that one of the main obstacles was security in the vicinity of construction sites.

    Out of 50 regencies/cities in Papua, at least seven are considered high-risk zones. Since its inception, the Trans-Papua road project has claimed 17 lives, due to clashes in the region.

    In addition to security challenges, the delivery of construction materials remains difficult due to limited infrastructure.

    “Transporting goods from one point to another in Papua is extremely difficult because there are no connecting roads. We’re essentially building from scratch,” General Kristomei said.

    In May 2024, President Joko Widodo convened a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace to discuss accelerating development in Papua. The government agreed on the urgent need to improve education, healthcare, and security in the region.

    The Minister of National Development Planning, Suharso Monoarfa, announced that the government would ramp up social welfare programmes in Papua in coordination with then Vice-President Ma’ruf Amin, who chairs the Agency for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy in Papua (BP3OKP).

    ‘Welfare based approaches’
    “We are gradually implementing welfare-based approaches, including improvements in education and health, with budgets already allocated to the relevant ministries and agencies,” Suharso said in May last year.

    As of March 2023, the Indonesian government has disbursed Rp 1,036 trillion for Papua’s development.

    This funding has supported major infrastructure initiatives such as the 3462 km Trans-Papua Highway, 1098 km of border roads, the construction of the 1.3 km Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura, and the renovation of Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong.

    Republished from the Indonesia Business Post.

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China-Tajikistan Joint Laboratory on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Opens in Dushanbe

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) — The China-Tajikistan Joint Laboratory on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use under the Belt and Road Initiative recently opened in Dushanbe.

    The opening ceremony of the new laboratory took place on Monday in the capital of Tajikistan, the press service of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) reported. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of China Chen Jiachang and President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan (NAS RT) Kobiljon Khushvakhtzoda.

    The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology will work with the Tajik side to promote high-quality laboratory construction by providing political support, training international research teams, and promoting the protection of biological resources and the coordinated development of the industry, Chen Jiachang said in a conversation with researchers from both sides.

    He expressed hope that the laboratory will serve as a model for scientific and technological cooperation between China and Tajikistan and give new impetus to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road.

    The project of the China-Tajikistan joint laboratory was approved on October 14, 2024. Its founders are the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan. The work of the new institution will be aimed at expanding the capabilities of scientific and technological innovation and coordinated development in the fields of biodiversity conservation and ecological services in Central Asian countries, according to a statement published on the website of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, there has been a significant increase in air passenger traffic between Urumqi and Central Asian countries

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    URUMQI, July 23 (Xinhua) — The number of travelers flying between China and five Central Asian countries via the airport of Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has increased 31.6 percent year on year to more than 277,000 since the beginning of 2025, according to data from the Urumqi Border Guard Service.

    According to the data, international passenger airlines have linked Urumqi Tianshan International Airport with 10 major cities in Central Asian countries after launching two new air routes this year linking it with Fergana, Uzbekistan, and Shymkent, Kazakhstan.

    During the reporting period, the incoming passenger flow to China via the Urumqi airport from Central Asian countries on a visa-free basis exceeded 30 thousand people, with the majority of air passengers coming from countries such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

    As of July 23, more than 530,000 people have entered or exited China via Tianshan Airport since the beginning of 2025, up 66 percent year-on-year, while international cargo turnover through the airport has exceeded 54,000 tons, up 635 percent year-on-year. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: How can we harness AI to tackle the complexity of disaster risk?

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    To say that artificial intelligence will reshape the way we live and work is to state the obvious. However, reflecting on its promise and perils for one’s own area of work is quite another matter.

    Earlier this month I had the opportunity to participate in the ITU-hosted ‘AI for Good’ summit in Geneva, where during several sessions we explored the many ways that generative, predictive and integrated AI promises a vast range of benefits for disaster risk reduction and disaster response. Later, in New York, I joined a discussion with students, academics and practitioners at Columbia University’s National Centre for Disaster Preparedness, where I was struck – and greatly encouraged – by the focus on building multidisciplinary approaches to managing increasingly complex and systemic risks.

    What stayed with me was the sense of convergence: the technological leaps in AI are rising to match the complexity of systemic risk.

    Below are five reflections on how we might use AI not only to do more, but to do better.


    One: Let’s start by asking the right questions

    The need for deeper and greater dialogue between producers of solutions and users of such solutions is nothing new – but with AI tools the stakes may be higher, and the opportunities more available.

    Problems once deemed intractable – those requiring swift analysis of vast and varied data drawn from scattered sources – are now within reach. But we need to be prudent in how we allocate our resources towards these new possibilities.

    We could use the new tools to build an AI-based epidemiological model for earthquakes that very rapidly estimates the type and quantum of search-and-rescue and medical needs after a seismic event. We may be able to develop faster ways of alerting lightning-strike-prone communities ahead of electrical storms. We could find ways to rapidly identify sources and control the spread of misinformation to avoid panic during an emergency.

    To decide how and where we employ our new AI toolkits, we must articulate the demand from both disaster risk reduction practitioners and at-risk communities, and prioritize the problems that matter most. 


    Two: We must redefine disaster risk governance for the AI era

    Our systems of risk governance were born in a simpler time, so we need to retrofit them for an AI-enabled future. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are not only going to redefine traditional professions – but also traditional institutions.

    For example, at present, the formal institutions of the state have the authority to issue alerts and ask people to evacuate in the wake of an impending cyclone. We are already beginning to see situations where competing sources of information are sometimes more agile, more nimble, and more accurate. Such developments are likely to displace the traditional state institutions that have the sole authority for actions such as evacuating people in the face of an impending hazardous event. We are going to need to find ways to ensure that decisions are streamlined, but institutional accountability remains in place.

    Authorities must still be held responsible for taking the best possible decisions – whether those decisions are made in data-constrained or data-rich environments. We need to remember that AI is no more than a tool to help us do our jobs better.


    Three: AI will become critical infrastructure

    Yes – AI holds great promise for disaster risk reduction, and for just about every other sector, in many cases being put to good use keeping complex systems flowing smoothly. 

    We need to remember that AI itself relies on infrastructure – data centres, energy infrastructure, digital connectivity infrastructure – and this too needs to be resilient to physical hazards and climate risk. AI infrastructure is growing rapidly, spanning multiple geographies across the world. As a result, it will inevitably be exposed to a range of hazards – many of them increasingly frequent and intense. 

    We must make sure that we plan, locate, design and build AI infrastructure to manage these risks – now and into the future. As we inevitably rely more on AI systems to manage disaster risks, if compromised by disasters, these systems could trigger complex cascading risks leading to potentially catastrophic systemic failure.

    This infrastructure brings sustainability challenges, and, if unmanaged, will create new risks. Data centres consume huge amounts of power and water. As demand for AI grows, we’ll need more investment in green computing and low-resource solutions – including safeguards so that the environmental costs don’t fall on those already bearing the heaviest burdens.


    Four: It’s time to rethink disaster education for an AI era

    Over the past two decades formal disaster risk reduction education has expanded rapidly. 

    In India alone more than two dozen universities or colleges offer Masters’ degrees in disaster risk management. But many of the subjects taught – like multi-sectoral policy analysis for disaster risk reduction; hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment; disaster risk reduction planning; early warning systems – are likely to increasingly be performed by AI. Such programmes will need to equip students to use new tools, and adapt further to future developments.

    These skills must be taught not only at elite institutions – to avoid knowledge inequality we must make sure that access is widespread. This is part of a much broader challenge – those communities that stand to gain the most from AI are those that are currently least served: lacking in connectivity, living in data-poor zones, and whose voices are unrepresented and ignored.

    There are emerging initiatives for public-good AI models that are trained to serve priority needs in vulnerable regions, and these must be supported and encouraged so we can fill those gaps.


    Five: We must keep risk knowledge grounded in people

    There is a deeper issue: If there is one single learning from the practice of disaster risk reduction over the last three decades, it is that disaster risk is socially constructed.

    It’s the behaviour of human beings in social, economic, political and cultural spheres that leads to accumulation of risk in a society. To date the AI use cases for disaster risk reduction are heavily loaded towards understanding, observing and predicting hazards. At best they are focused on forecasting the impacts based on the people, capital assets and economic activity in the path of hazards and how vulnerable they are. It stops well short of helping us understand why they are where they are and why they are fragile in the first place.

    If we are going to use AI to foster the agency of individuals, persons, households, communities, and local governments to take actions that reduce risk – we must target not just short term actions but also long-term development choices. AI can only work with the data it’s given, and risk is often under-represented or misrepresented in marginalized areas. This is both a technical and a social issue: we must make sure that community-generated data feeds into AI-supported solutions, and that all people are given agency to act – and not just to be analyzed.

    We must find ways to use AI to support deeper transformations in our society that lower risk and build resilience for all. If we fail to do this our efforts will be focused largely on more efficient band-aids.


    AI opens up powerful new possibilities for disaster risk reduction. But real progress won’t come from algorithms alone. It will come from asking better questions, forging stronger partnerships, and keeping justice, equity, and long-term resilience at the core of our innovation.

    MIL OSI United Nations News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS to attend Games’ press conference

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Beijing tomorrow afternoon to attend the press conference on preparations for the 15th National Games organised by the Information Office of the State Council on Friday.

     

    National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Head Yeung Tak-keung will join the trip.

     

    Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on Friday night. During his absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS to attend Games’ press conference

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Beijing tomorrow afternoon to attend the press conference on preparations for the 15th National Games organised by the Information Office of the State Council on Friday.

     

    National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Head Yeung Tak-keung will join the trip.

     

    Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on Friday night. During his absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Gaza: As starvation spreads, our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away – joint statement

    Source: Amnesty International –

    As the Israeli government’s siege starves the people of Gaza, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families. With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organisations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes.

    Exactly two months since the Israeli government-controlled scheme, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating, 109 organisations are sounding the alarm, urging governments to act: open all land crossings; restore the full flow of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel through a principled, UN-led mechanism; end the siege, and agree to a ceasefire now.

    “Each morning, the same question echoes across Gaza: will I eat today?” said one agency representative. 

    Massacres at food distribution sites in Gaza are occurring near-daily. As of July 13, the UN confirmed 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the rest at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have forcibly displaced nearly two million exhausted Palestinians with the most recent mass displacement order issued on July 20, confining Palestinians to less than 12 per cent of Gaza. WFP warns that current conditions make operations untenable. The starvation of civilians as a method of warfare is a war crime. 

    Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items and fuel sit untouched with humanitarian organisations blocked from accessing or delivering them. The Government of Israel’s restrictions, delays, and fragmentation under its total siege have created chaos, starvation, and death. An aid worker providing psychosocial support spoke of the devastating impact on children: “Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” 

    Doctors report record rates of acute malnutrition, especially among children and older people. Illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea are spreading, markets are empty, waste is piling up, and adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. Distributions in Gaza average just 28 trucks a day, far from enough for over two million people, many of whom have gone weeks without assistance.

    The UN-led humanitarian system has not failed, it has been prevented from functioning. 

    Humanitarian agencies have the capacity and supplies to respond at scale. But, with access denied, we are blocked from reaching those in need, including our own exhausted and starved teams. On July 10, the EU and Israel announced steps to scale up aid. But these promises of ‘progress’ ring hollow when there is no real change on the ground. Every day without a sustained flow means more people dying of preventable illnesses. Children starve while waiting for promises that never arrive. 

    Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions. It is not just physical torment, but psychological. Survival is dangled like a mirage. The humanitarian system cannot run on false promises. Humanitarians cannot operate on shifting timelines or wait for political commitments that fail to deliver access.

    Governments must stop waiting for permission to act. We cannot continue to hope that current arrangements will work. It is time to take decisive action: demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled, UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations. States must pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition. 

    Piecemeal arrangements and symbolic gestures, like airdrops or flawed aid deals, serve as a smokescreen for inaction. They cannot replace states’ legal and moral obligations to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure meaningful access at scale. States can and must save lives before there are none left to save.

    Signatories: 

    1. American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
    2. A.M. Qattan Foundation
    3. A New Policy
    4. ACT Alliance
    5. Action Against Hunger (ACF)
    6. Action for Humanity
    7. ActionAid International
    8. American Baptist Churches Palestine Justice Network
    9. Amnesty International
    10. Asamblea de Cooperación por la Paz
    11. Associazione Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS)
    12. Bystanders No More
    13. Campain
    14. CARE 
    15. Caritas Germany
    16. Caritas Internationalis
    17. Caritas Jerusalem
    18. Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
    19. Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    20. CESVI Fondazione
    21. Children Not Numbers
    22. Christian Aid
    23. Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP)
    24. CIDSE- International Family of Catholic Social Justice Organisations
    25. Cooperazione Internazionale Sud Sud (CISS)
    26. Council for Arab‑British Understanding (CAABU)
    27. DanChurchAid (DCA)
    28. Danish Refugee Council (DRC)
    29. Doctors against Genocide
    30. Episcopal Peace Fellowship
    31. EuroMed Rights
    32. Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
    33. Forum Ziviler Friedensdienst e.V.
    34. Gender Action for Peace and Security
    35. Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)
    36. Global Witness
    37. Health Workers 4 Palestine
    38. HelpAge International
    39. Humanity & Inclusion (HI)
    40. Humanity First UK
    41. Indiana Center for Middle East Peace
    42. Insight Insecurity
    43. International Media Support
    44. International NGO Safety Organisation
    45. Islamic Relief
    46. Jahalin Solidarity
    47. Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC)
    48. Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP)
    49. Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
    50. MedGlobal
    51. Medico International
    52. Medico International Switzerland (medico international schweiz)
    53. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP)
    54. Mennonite Central Committee (MCC)
    55. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
    56. Médecins du Monde France
    57. Médecins du Monde Spain
    58. Médecins du Monde Switzerland
    59. Mercy Corps
    60. Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
    61. Movement for Peace (MPDL)
    62. Muslim Aid
    63. National Justice and Peace Network in England and Wales
    64. Nonviolence International
    65. Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC)
    66. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
    67. Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)
    68. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
    69. Oxfam International
    70. Pax Christi England and Wales
    71. Pax Christi International
    72. Pax Christi Merseyside
    73. Pax Christi USA
    74. Pal Law Commission
    75. Palestinian American Medical Association
    76. Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)
    77. Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS)
    78. Peace Direct
    79. Peace Winds
    80. Pediatricians for Palestine
    81. People in Need
    82. Plan International
    83. Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)
    84. Progettomondo
    85. Project HOPE
    86. Quaker Palestine Israel Network
    87. Rebuilding Alliance
    88. Saferworld
    89. Sabeel‑Kairos UK
    90. Save the Children (SCI)
    91. Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
    92. Solidarités International
    93. Støtteforeningen Det Danske Hus i Palæstina
    94. Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER)
    95. Terre des Hommes Italia
    96. Terre des Hommes Lausanne
    97. Terre des Hommes Nederland
    98. The Borgen Project
    99. The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM)
    100. The Glia Project
    101. The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
    102. The Institute for the Understanding of Anti‑Palestinian Racism
    103. Un Ponte Per (UPP)
    104. United Against Inhumanity (UAI)
    105. War Child Alliance
    106. War Child UK
    107. War on Want
    108. Weltfriedensdienst e.V.
    109. Welthungerhilfe (WHH)

     

    MIL OSI NGO