NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Speaks Out Against President Trump’s Efforts to Cut Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch Defends Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke out against President Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion in federal funding—which was already appropriated by Congress—including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If Senate Republicans approve the President’s request, $700 million of federal funding for local public media would be rescinded, impacting more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. 
    “One of the things that allows us to be united, despite our differences, is a shared understanding and knowledge of what is going on in our communities. That’s what the news is about. It’s not a propaganda machine. It’s not advocating the point of view of the President or the point of view of the Senator from Vermont. It is giving information,” said Senator Welch. “So, the question I have for us—in respect to the responsibility that you have, and I have, to the people we represent—is when we know that there are these extraordinary globalizing pressures…why would we compromise an institution that has served so many, so well, for so long? It weakens that sense of community. So why would we do that? There is not a good reason that we would do that.” 
    “We must not abandon the people we represent and the right they have to public broadcasting. And we cannot abandon the trust we must have in one another to keep our word. An agreement made must be an agreement kept.” 
    Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led Senator Welch and seven Democratic colleagues in speaking from the Senate floor about the cuts to CPB and public media.  
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    “These news deserts that are afflicting all of us…what has helped us so much is that many of these extraordinarily gifted reporters—who care about a sense of place, who have been on community newspapers—have now become the talent that has created this extraordinary institution of Vermont Public. Great reporting. So, in a democracy, we all know we need this. And it’s not because it’s going to be an agent for our point of view, but it’s going to be a cohesive force in the community to help people figure out the path forward.” 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump Administration’s unlawful efforts to dismantle and defund vital programs. In June, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s reckless rescissions request for Congressionally-appropriated funding. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Speaks Out Against President Trump’s Efforts to Cut Federal Funding for Public Broadcasting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Welch Defends Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Public Radio, Public Broadcasting Service 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke out against President Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion in federal funding—which was already appropriated by Congress—including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. If Senate Republicans approve the President’s request, $700 million of federal funding for local public media would be rescinded, impacting more than 1,500 public radio and TV stations across the country. 
    “One of the things that allows us to be united, despite our differences, is a shared understanding and knowledge of what is going on in our communities. That’s what the news is about. It’s not a propaganda machine. It’s not advocating the point of view of the President or the point of view of the Senator from Vermont. It is giving information,” said Senator Welch. “So, the question I have for us—in respect to the responsibility that you have, and I have, to the people we represent—is when we know that there are these extraordinary globalizing pressures…why would we compromise an institution that has served so many, so well, for so long? It weakens that sense of community. So why would we do that? There is not a good reason that we would do that.” 
    “We must not abandon the people we represent and the right they have to public broadcasting. And we cannot abandon the trust we must have in one another to keep our word. An agreement made must be an agreement kept.” 
    Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led Senator Welch and seven Democratic colleagues in speaking from the Senate floor about the cuts to CPB and public media.  
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 

    “These news deserts that are afflicting all of us…what has helped us so much is that many of these extraordinarily gifted reporters—who care about a sense of place, who have been on community newspapers—have now become the talent that has created this extraordinary institution of Vermont Public. Great reporting. So, in a democracy, we all know we need this. And it’s not because it’s going to be an agent for our point of view, but it’s going to be a cohesive force in the community to help people figure out the path forward.” 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump Administration’s unlawful efforts to dismantle and defund vital programs. In June, Senator Welch took to the Senate floor to slam the Trump Administration’s reckless rescissions request for Congressionally-appropriated funding. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The first freight train to travel along the trans-Caspian route departs from Shanxi Province

    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

    TAIYUAN, July 10 (Xinhua) — A train loaded with 50 standard containers of photovoltaic panels weighing 1,159 tonnes departed Jinzhong City in north China’s Shanxi Province for Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Wednesday morning, marking the province’s launch of China-Europe rail service along the trans-Caspian route.

    According to the press service of the local transport company Huayuan International Land Port, the train departed from the Zhongding logistics center. On the way, it will pass through the territory of Kazakhstan and arrive at the port of Aktau, from where the cargo will be delivered to Azerbaijan by ferry.

    Compared to the traditional method, trans-Caspian transportation allows to significantly reduce transportation time, the company recalled. In the future, locally produced photovoltaic modules will be more convenient to deliver to the Transcaucasus, Turkey and Eastern European countries, the company recalled.

    Currently, Huayuan International Land Port operates regular rail services on 23 China-Europe and China-Central Asia routes, linking Shanxi Province with 48 cities in 16 countries. -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: Representatives of Chinese and Russian universities discussed new opportunities for cooperation between universities in Sichuan Province and Russia

    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 10 (Xinhua) — A forum on cooperation between universities in Sichuan Province and the Volga Region of Russia was recently held at Sichuan University. Representatives of Chinese and Russian universities held an in-depth exchange of views on academic exchanges, development of specialties and joint educational programs.

    Scientific cooperation was the main topic of discussion. Rector of the Kozma Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University /NSPU/ Viktor Sdobnyakov noted China’s impressive achievements in physical chemistry, mechanical engineering, electronics and artificial intelligence, emphasizing the value of the Chinese model of integrating education, science and production. He expressed interest in joint scientific and technical projects with universities and enterprises in Sichuan Province.

    Vice-president of Southwest Petroleum University Pei Xiangjun proposed expanding scientific cooperation in the field of carbon neutrality, artificial intelligence and alternative energy through joint research, the establishment of international laboratories and the commercialization of technologies to promote the socio-economic development of the two countries.

    There is a positive trend in humanitarian exchanges between universities in Sichuan Province and Russia: 37 Russian students were enrolled in the summer school of the Southwest University of Finance and Economics, over 2,000 Chinese students are studying at Kazan Federal University, and the Mordovian State University named after N.P. Ogarev created the Center for Chinese Language and Culture.

    To deepen ties, forum participants proposed creating cultural and educational platforms and building effective mechanisms for cooperation.

    Zhang Haidong, deputy secretary of the Sichuan Normal University Party Committee, recommended using “Internet plus education” technologies to exchange educational resources and jointly train specialists. -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-Evening Report: Cyber crime and real-world crime are converging in a dangerous new way – here’s how to stay safe

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jongkil Jay Jeong, Senior Fellow, School of Computing and Information System, The University of Melbourne

    It starts with a call from someone claiming to be your bank. They know your name. They know your bank. They even know your credit card number. There’s been “unusual activity” on your account, they say – and they just sent you a one-time passcode to verify your identity so they can assist.

    You read out the code and feel reassured. Moments later, your funds are gone and the bank refuses reimbursement, citing a breach of terms because you voluntarily shared your passcode.

    This is not a niche or isolated scam. It’s part of a growing pattern we’re seeing across Australia and beyond: cyber criminals are merging digital and real-world tactics in ways that make these frauds more convincing, harder to stop, and far more damaging.

    It starts with stolen data

    These scams don’t begin with a phishing email or fake app. They begin with data – your data – stolen in one of countless breaches, such as the latest Qantas incident that exposed the details of up to 5.7 million customers.

    Sometimes the personal data has been sold through third-party data brokers. Names, phone numbers, emails, even card details are routinely leaked and traded online.

    Once they have this information, scammers get to work. The phone call mimics a real interaction with a bank, perhaps with a spoofed caller ID. Victims are pressured in urgent language to “verify” their identity, often by reading out a one-time passcode that, unbeknownst to them, is authorising a transaction using their own card details.

    We refer to this as a “convergence scam” – where online data leaks, psychological manipulation and weak enforcement come together. It’s a sophisticated hybrid of digital theft and physical-world exploitation, and it’s on the rise.

    Devastating and personal

    These scams are deeply personal and can be financially devastating. But what makes them even more alarming is the system-wide failure surrounding them.

    For starters, many credit card fraud insurance policies contain clauses that exclude coverage when the customer “voluntarily” provides account credentials – including one-time passcodes – even if they did so under duress or deception.

    One victim we spoke to lost nearly A$6,000 after a scammer posing as their bank prompted them to read out a passcode over the phone. The transaction was verified using that code, and the bank later refused to reimburse the loss.

    In a formal response, the bank stated that by voluntarily sharing the one-time passcode, the customer had breached the epayments code, even though they were manipulated into doing so. As a result, the customer was held liable and ineligible for a chargeback.

    Law enforcement may not help

    Even when the criminals leave a physical trail, follow-up is rare. Law enforcement rarely investigates. In the cases we’ve seen, reports are acknowledged but not pursued. Officers don’t explicitly say the case is too small or not worth the effort, but their inaction suggests it, especially given how resource-intensive most cyber-crime investigations tend to be.

    In many instances, particularly when the total loss isn’t deemed significant, victims are simply told to follow up with their bank, based on the assumption they’ll be reimbursed.

    In one case we reviewed, stolen card details were used in-store at major Australian retailers such as Woolworths and Coles – indicating that a cloned card had been physically used. These purchases could, in theory, be tracked back to in-store CCTV footage. But no investigation was launched.

    This reluctance to act, even when the evidence is tangible, sends a dangerous message: that scammers can operate with near-impunity.

    Meanwhile, banks and regulators are slow to update verification systems. One-time passcodes are still widely used, even though scammers now exploit them routinely. There’s little recourse for victims, and minimal accountability for data brokers whose records fuel these scams.

    What can we do to protect ourselves?

    For individuals, the first line of defence is simple but vital:

    • never share a one-time passcode or security code over the phone, even if the caller seems legitimate
    • if in doubt, hang up and call the bank directly using the number on your card
    • be cautious about where and how you share your personal information, especially online through websites or social media. Only disclose what personally identifiable information you have to.

    The true answer is systemic change

    Banks and other institutions need to put into place stronger identity verification systems that don’t rely solely on SMS codes. We need greater transparency and regulation of data brokers.



    Read more:
    70% of Australians don’t feel in control of their data as companies hide behind meaningless privacy terms

    Crucially, we also need active enforcement of cyber-enabled fraud, especially when there’s physical evidence, such as in-store purchases and CCTV footage.

    Banks should also reassess their policies and procedures on how they communicate with customers. If scam calls closely mimic real ones, it’s time to change the script. More proactive education, clearer warnings, and redesigned verification processes can all help prevent harm.

    The real danger of these convergence scams isn’t just financial loss. It’s the erosion of trust: in our banks, in our security systems, and in the institutions meant to protect us.

    Once that trust is gone, it’s not easily recovered.

    Jongkil Jay Jeong has received prior research funding from the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DSRI) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

    Ashish Nanda has received funding from the Australian Government through various research grants, including the Cyber Security CRC and Australia’s Economic Accelerator.

    Peter Thomas does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Cyber crime and real-world crime are converging in a dangerous new way – here’s how to stay safe – https://theconversation.com/cyber-crime-and-real-world-crime-are-converging-in-a-dangerous-new-way-heres-how-to-stay-safe-260426

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor leads in two Victorian state polls, but Premier Jacinta Allan’s approval tanks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Labor leads in Victorian state polls by Newspoll and Redbridge, but Premier Jacinta Allan is very unpopular. Two federal polls give Labor big leads and a Tasmanian poll suggests Tasmanians would support Labor seeking to form a government with the Greens and independents.

    The next Victorian state election will be held in November 2026. The first Newspoll since the 2022 election was conducted June 23–30, but no sample size was given. It gave Labor a 53–47 lead (55.0–45.0 to Labor at the last election). Primary votes were 35% Labor, 35% Coalition, 12% Greens and 18% for all Others.

    Despite the clear Labor lead on voting intentions, Labor Premier Jacinta Allan’s net approval was a dismal -31, with 61% dissatisfied and 30% satisfied. Liberal leader Brad Battin led Allan as preferred premier by 41–36. Battin had a net approval of -5.

    Just 25% said Labor deserved to be re-elected, while 59% said it was time to give someone else a go. But by 60–40, voters were not confident the Coalition was ready to govern.

    The Poll Bludger said that by 59–32, voters supported the Suburban Rail Loop, but they were worried rather than confident by huge margins on four policy areas: state debt (78% worried, 13% confident), law and order (76–20), hospitals (71–25) and housing (78–16).

    A Victorian Redbridge poll for The Herald Sun, conducted June 19–30 from a sample of 1,183, gave Labor a 51.5–48.5 lead, a 2.5-point gain for Labor since the last Victorian Redbridge poll in April. Primary votes were 38% Coalition (down three), 33% Labor (up four), 14% Greens (up one) and 15% for all Others (down two).

    By 55–27, voters did not think the Allan government had the right focus and priorities. But by 45–26, they did not think Battin and the Coalition had done enough to deserve to win the next election.

    Labor has held government in Victoria since they won the 2014 election, and for all but one term (2010–14) since they won the 1999 election. By November 2026, Labor will have governed for the last 12 years and 23 of the last 27 years. It’s reasonable to expect an “it’s time” factor at the next election.

    It’s plausible that federal Labor’s surprise landslide at the May 3 election has assisted Labor at other levels of government. Normally a government with a premier at -31 net approval would be way behind on voting intentions.

    The Coalition will hope that any boost for state Labor from the federal election will be temporary. There’s still a long time until the next state election, so Labor could fall back as voters focus more on state politics.

    Another possible explanation for Labor’s lead despite a very unpopular premier is the infighting within the Liberals over the fallout between John Pesutto and Moira Deeming.

    Redbridge and DemosAU federal polls have big Labor leads

    A national Redbridge poll, conducted in late June from a sample of 4,036, was reported by The Financial Review. Labor led by 55.5–44.5, almost unchanged from the election result (55.2–44.8 to Labor). Primary votes were 37% Labor, 31% Coalition, 11% Greens and 21% for all Others. One Nation is likely to have made up a high proportion of Others, otherwise Labor’s two-party lead would be higher.

    This poll gave Labor a 68–32 lead with those aged 18–34 and a 57–43 lead with those aged 35–49. With those aged 50–64, there was a 50–50 tie, while the Coalition led by 55–45 with those aged 65 and older. The Greens’ primary vote was 24% with the youngest demographic, but just 2% with the oldest.

    A national DemosAU poll, conducted July 5–6 from a sample of 1,199, gave Labor a 59–41 lead, from primary votes of 36% Labor, 26% Coalition, 14% Greens, 9% One Nation and 15% for all Others. Education breakdowns had Labor winning by 55–45 with school-educated people, 61–39 with those with a TAFE education and 59–41 with the university educated.

    After their landslide re-election, Labor is getting a second honeymoon in the polls. One Nation was overstated at the election, but perhaps their increase from 6.4% then reflects dissatisfaction on the right with Sussan Ley’s leadership of the Liberals.

    YouGov Tasmanian poll on hung parliament options

    The Tasmanian state election will be held on July 19, only 16 months after the previous election in March 2024. Tasmania uses a proportional system for its lower house elections, and polls suggest another hung parliament is likely. A YouGov poll, conducted June 12–16 from a sample of 842 for The Australia Institute, was reported by The Tasmanian Times on Wednesday.

    Voting intentions were not released, but results of questions were released on whether Labor or the Liberals should seek to form a government with the Greens and independents if they were not elected in their own right.

    For Labor, by 55–31 voters agreed they should seek to form such a government, including 61–25 agree with Labor voters. For the Liberals, by 48–37 voters agreed they should try to form such a government, but Liberal voters disagreed by 46–45.

    Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Labor leads in two Victorian state polls, but Premier Jacinta Allan’s approval tanks – https://theconversation.com/labor-leads-in-two-victorian-state-polls-but-premier-jacinta-allans-approval-tanks-260553

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Tasman low brings another bout of severe weather – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th July 2025 – Yet again, heavy rain and severe gales are on the way. 

    MetService has issued another boatload of Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings, as well as Strong Wind Watches and Warnings. 
    Most of the impacts will be felt on Friday as a front moves in from the Tasman Sea. Heavy rain is expected to peak in Auckland during the hours of the afternoon commute.

    Orange Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, Nelson and Marlborough regions. Heavy Rain Watches are also in place for remaining parts of the upper North Island.  There is a moderate to high chance that warnings for the top of the South Island could be upgraded to a Red Warning – this represents the heightened potential for rain related impacts on Friday.

    An Orange Strong Wind Warning has been issued for South Taranaki for severe gale northeasterlies gusting 120 km/h in exposed places. Strong Wind Watches are also in place for Taihape, Whanganui and Banks Peninsula.

    MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley adds, “Heavy rain will be falling in areas that have seen significant rainfall recently. Parts of Nelson have already received an average years’ worth of rain since January. The risk is that already saturated soil and damaged infrastructure will struggle to cope with an additional burst of rain.”

    On Saturday morning, the front pushes off to the east.  Behind it, northwesterly winds drag in showers to western areas for the remainder of the weekend. The east of both islands will remain drier.

    This comes at the end of the school holidays as families are returning to their hometowns. “Take it easy on the roads. Consider timing your journey for when the rain eases if you’re traveling though affected areas” advises Michael. “Keep up to date with the advice of local emergency management services and councils.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BusinessNZ – Relevant skills in short supply

    Source: BusinessNZ

    Legislation aimed at improving NZ’s vocational education and training system needs to focus on delivering the right skills needed for business and employment growth, BusinessNZ says.
    BusinessNZ says New Zealand’s new vocational education system should not be dominated by polytechnics to the detriment of work-based training and should focus on delivering better-skilled graduates who are more likely to get a job.
    BusinessNZ’s submission to the Education & Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill says many of the skills that people currently get trained in are not the skills needed by business, and this is holding back graduates from successfully gaining employment – an industry-led, government-enabled vocational system for setting standards is required, to allow for more relevant, up-to-date skills to be taught.
    The Bill also allows for a training levy to be imposed on businesses, however BusinessNZ says its members strongly oppose this provision, as they believe the system first requires significant improvement to achieve the business and employment outcomes required from vocational training. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKMA issues alert regarding specific website

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong that Chong Sing Heritage Trust Bank as referred to on the website (https://cshtb.com) does not have the authorization of the Monetary Authority (MA) under the Banking Ordinance (the Ordinance) to carry on banking business, or the business of taking deposits, in Hong Kong; and Chong Sing Heritage Trust Bank does not have the approval of the MA to establish a local representative office in Hong Kong under the Ordinance.

    Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organisation making use of the Internet to offer bank accounts to, or to solicit deposits from, the public in Hong Kong prior to transferring any funds to, or providing any personal information to, any such organisation.

    A list of authorized institutions is available on the HKMA’s website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity which appears to be soliciting deposits from the public in Hong Kong, or holding itself out as a bank or deposit-taking company in Hong Kong, by emailing the HKMA’s public enquiry service (publicenquiry@hkma.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: YZi Labs Announces Support for 10X Capital’s BNB Treasury Company in the U.S.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YZi Labs, an investment vehicle fueling impact in Web3, AI, and biotech, today announced its support for 10X Capital, a leading investment firm focused on digital assets & digital asset treasury companies, in establishing the BNB Treasury Company, an independent U.S. initiative for digital asset treasury management on BNB Chain.

    The BNB Treasury Company, which intends to pursue a public listing on a major U.S. stock exchange, aims to create a business that will provide investors in the USA with exposure to the growth and benefits of BNB, the world’s 4th largest digital asset token by market cap, and will be focused exclusively on the BNB Chain ecosystem.

    The development of the BNB Treasury Company will be led by an accomplished management team, including digital assets veteran David Namdar, Senior Partner at 10X Capital and co-founder of Galaxy Digital (Nasdaq:GLXY), formerly of Millennium Management; institutional investor Russell Read, CIO of 10X Capital and former CIO of CalPERS, the Alaska Permanent Fund, the Gulf Investment Corporation, and former deputy CIO of Deutsche (Bank) Asset Management; and former Kraken director Saad Naja, who sits on the executive board of directors of global retail brokerage firm Exinity.

    10X Capital, whose recent track record in digital asset treasury companies includes Nakamoto (Nasdaq:NAKA), has partnered with Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of Cohen & Company Securities, LLC, and Clear Street LLC to raise capital to fund its initial acquisition of BNB. 10X Capital will serve as the asset manager of the BNB Treasury Company.

    “BNB Chain is one of the most widely adopted blockchain ecosystems. BNB is the gas, the glue, and the governance layer for a scalable, decentralized future — powered by builders, for builders, and we believe expanding its institutional access can deliver meaningful benefits to the broader public,” said Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs. “By supporting this initiative, we aim to combine the strengths of the BNB ecosystem with 10X Capital’s institutional asset management and capital markets expertise. While we advocate for the adoption of BNB as a treasury asset, YZi Labs remains highly selective in formal partnerships and will only communicate any official collaborations through our official channels.”

    “BNB Chain is one of the largest, highest performing digital assets ecosystems globally, powering hundreds of millions of users, however institutional and retail investors in the U.S. have limited exposure to the growth of BNB.” added Hans Thomas, Founder & CEO of 10X Capital. “In line with our thesis on the unique ability of US-listed treasury companies to provide investors with access to digital assets opportunities globally, we believe the time is right for a well-capitalized, institutionally managed, pure-play treasury company to emerge as a gateway between U.S. investors and decentralized innovation on BNB Chain.”

    The BNB Treasury Company will emphasize transparency and verification of holdings, strong engagement with the BNB ecosystem and community, and expects to announce the closing of its related financing in the coming weeks.

    About YZi Labs

    YZi Labs manages over $10 billion in assets globally. Our investment philosophy emphasizes impact first—we believe that meaningful returns will naturally follow. We invest in ventures at every stage, prioritizing those with solid fundamentals in Web3, AI, and biotech.

    YZi Labs’ portfolio covers over 300 projects from over 25 countries across six continents. More than 65 of YZi Labs’ portfolio companies have gone through our incubation programs. For more information, follow YZi Labs on X.

    About 10X Capital

    10X Capital is a next-generation investment firm focused on digital transformation, including digital assets and digital infrastructure. 10X brings institutional capital to exceptional opportunities worldwide, via public & private structures, our portfolio companies, treasury business, and our affiliated investment bank.

    With capabilities in corporate development, asset management, treasury management, and capital markets, the firm takes a holistic merchant banking approach to building Digital Assets Treasury companies around the world, to help develop disruptive strategies with global reach. For more information, follow 10X Capital on X.

    Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, endorsement, analysis, or recommendations with respect to any financial instruments, investments, or issuers. This article may contain forward-looking statements which are by nature subject to risks and uncertainties. Investment in cryptocurrency and DeFi projects involves substantial risk, including the risk of complete loss. This article does not take into account the investment objectives, financial situation, or specific needs of any particular person and each individual is urged to consult their legal and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.

    Media Contacts:

    Yuna Y,

    YZi Labs

    yuna.y@yzilabs.com

    Alexander Monje

    10X Capital

    info@10xcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Announces Staff Additions, Trump Admin Appointments

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) announced 6 additions to his staff in Tennessee and Washington, D.C. Hagerty’s team continues to be fully operational and serving the great state of Tennessee.
    Brian McCormack will soon assume the role of Chief of Staff. McCormack is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for the National Security Council at the White House. Previously, he served at the White House Office of Management and Budget responsible for nearly a dozen agencies and as the Chief of Staff at the Department of Energy. The current Chief of Staff, Adam Telle, was nominated in March by President Trump to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works where he will oversee the Corps of Engineers.
    “I’m glad to have someone of Brian’s caliber and experience to lead this exceptional team. He brings a set of highly-relevant perspectives to the role where the paramount focus is to serve the people of Tennessee and the interests of our nation,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “Brian’s background and relationships within the Trump Administration will support my objective of making the federal government work for the American people.”
    “I’m thankful for the many years of service Adam has put in leading our team from day one in the Senate, which has helped me build a strong foundation for success here in the U.S. Senate going forward,” said Senator Bill Hagerty. “I’m so proud of the opportunity he’s been given to once again serve as an outstanding member of President Trump’s administration, and his management of the Corps of Engineers will bring the responses we’ve seen in my Senate office to bear on an organization central to Tennessee and our nation.”
    Robert Donachie is now serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications. Donachie served as Vice President of a Washington, DC-based public relations and literary agency. He spent several years working in the House of Representatives. He also served as the White House correspondent for The Washington Examiner and as a political reporter for The Daily Caller. Donachie has appeared on Fox News Channel, nationally syndicated radio programs, and provided commentary for The New York Times, POLITICO, Newsweek, The Hill, and other outlets.
    Tiffany Delgado recently joined as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, replacing Jim Durrett.  Delgado served as Senior Vice President of a Washington, DC-based marketing agency specializing in custom targeted voter contact, fundraising and issue advocacy programs, where she was recognized with the Rising Star Award from Campaigns and Elections.  Previously she worked at the National Republican Senatorial Committee as the Director of Direct Response.  Tiffany holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and is currently pursuing her MBA from Georgetown University.
    Michael Sullivan will become Senior Advisor to Senator Hagerty, where he will continue to be involved in state operations while also providing strategic advice on the Senator’s larger operation, leveraging Sullivan’s experience to benefit Hagerty’s broader mandate.
    Alec Richardson will become the State Director for Senator Hagerty. Currently, he serves as Senior Advisor to Governor Bill Lee and Director of External Affairs at the State of Tennessee. In this role, Richardson is responsible for overseeing strategic operations, managing federal relations, and advising on key legislative issues. He formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Personal Aide to the Governor. He resides in Nashville with his wife and their one-year-old son.
    Kalleigh Ahern is now serving as Press & Digital Assistant in the office of U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty. Prior to joining the Senate, she worked as a Public Relations and Communications Intern at a national PR agency, where she contributed to strategic campaign planning, media monitoring and cross-sector client research. Ahern also gained firsthand experience in federal outreach and constituent services while working in her home congressional district in Tennessee. She graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama with a focus in public relations and political science.
    Serving in the Trump Administration
    Adam Telle has been advanced out of the Armed Services Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee to lead the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. Telle has served as Hagerty’s Chief of Staff over the last four years and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Telle served during the first Trump Administration as the White House’s Senate lead in its Office of Legislative Affairs.  Prior to that role, Telle served as the top staff member on the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security and as the top policy advisor to the late Senator Thad Cochran. Telle holds degrees in computer science and journalism from Mississippi State University.
    Jim Durrett is now the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President. Previously, he served as Deputy Chief of Operations for Senator Hagerty. Durrett is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee.
    Luke Pettit has been advanced out of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Institutions. Pettit has served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor and will continue to serve Hagerty while his nomination is pending before the Senate. Previously, he worked at the Senate Banking Committee, Bridgewater Associates, and the Federal Reserve. Luke holds a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania, and graduate degrees from the London School of Economics and Johns Hopkins University.
    Jonathan Greenstein is nominated to be Deputy Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Finance. Previously, he served as Senator Hagerty’s Senior Policy Advisor. Greenstein is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Yale Law School.
    Daniel Zimmerman has been confirmed to be the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. Zimmerman previously served in a Congressional Executive Fellowship in the office of Senator Hagerty. He previously has held many roles in the agency realm, and holds both a bachelor’s degree from Asbury University and a master’s degree from the Patterson School of Diplomacy at the University of Kentucky.
    Julia Hahn is serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department for the Office of Public Affairs. Hahn joins the Department after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications for Senator Hagerty. Prior to the Senate, Hahn served in the first Trump White House over all four years, most recently as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy White House Communications Director. Before that, she served as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Rapid Response and Surrogate Operations. Hahn has also worked in media as the Executive Producer of The Laura Ingraham Show and a reporter at Breitbart News. She also worked on Capitol Hill as Press Secretary to former Congressman Dave Brat. Hahn graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in Philosophy.
    Clark Milner is serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor for Policy, focusing primarily on domestic policy. Milner formerly served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Chief Counsel to Senator Bill Hagerty. Milner previously served as Deputy Counsel to Governor Bill Lee.
    Natalie McIntyre currently serves as a Special Assistant to the President for the Office of Legislative Affairs where she handles the Healthcare, Education, Labor, Banking, and Agriculture portfolio. Previously, she was Senator Hagerty’s Legislative Director overseeing the legislative team and managing the Health, Education, Labor, Pension, and Veterans portfolio. Prior to her role in Hagerty’s office, she was part of the legislative office at OMB where she managed the Senate offices. She also served as a Senior Policy Advisor and White House liaison at ONDCP.
    Jason Hoffman is currently the Executive Secretary at the White House Office of Management and Budget. Hoffman formerly served as a Policy Advisor for Senator Hagerty, focusing on homeland security and judiciary issues. Previously, he worked at the Office of Management and Budget during President Trump’s first term and as a Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.Nels Nordquist is serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Nordquist was Senior Fellow for Economic Policy in the office of Senator Hagerty. In addition, his prior service includes as Staff Director for the National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. From 2018-2021, Nordquist worked in the National Security Council and National Economic Council, first as Director for Trade & Investment and later as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Policy. Nordquist graduated from Stanford and earned an MBA from the University of Virginia.
    Joel Rayburn is the Trump Administration’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He is a historian, former diplomat, and retired military officer who previously served as special advisor for Middle East affairs in the office of Senator Hagerty. Rayburn is currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. In the first Trump Administration, he served as a senior director on the National Security Council staff and, from July 2018 to January 2021, as the U.S. special envoy for Syria. Before joining the State Department, Rayburn served 26 years as a US Army officer and co-authored the Army’s official history of the Iraq War. He holds an MA in history from Texas A&M University and an MS in strategic studies from the National War College.
    Kevin Kim serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the State Department’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He previously worked as a National Security Fellow for Senator Hagerty. Kim was also the Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea as part of the U.S. delegation to the 2020 U.S.-Russia arms control negotiations.  From 2018 to 2020, he served as the Chief of Staff to the Special Representative for North Korea and the Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and worked closely with then-U.S. Ambassador to Japan Hagerty as he participated in various rounds of U.S.-DPRK nuclear negotiations. Kim received a BA from the Johns Hopkins University, MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.
    Daniel Tirosh now serves on the National Security Council. Tirosh previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor and Counsel for Senator Hagerty. He holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California, Santa Cruz, and graduated from Stanford Law School.
    Walton Stivender Mears has taken on a new role as scheduler for Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Mears joined HUD earlier this year after serving as Director of Scheduling for Senator Hagerty. She previously handled scheduling and assisted the chief of staff for Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and as a Staff Assistant for Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Mears is a graduate of Auburn University.
    J. Cal Mitchell is serving as Special Advisor for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Treasury. He joins the Treasury Department after serving as Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. Mitchell is a graduate of Hampden-Sydney College.
    Nick Checker, a former national security fellow for Senator Hagerty, currently serves as Deputy Executive Secretary on the National Security Council. In that role, Checker provides senior-level review of NSC products for substance, policy relevance, and appropriateness for the President and senior White House officials. Checker has spent the last decade prior to his service on Senator Hagerty’s staff at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as a military analyst covering conflicts in the greater Middle East. Most recently, Checker worked in CIA’s office of Congressional Affairs, where he supported the confirmation process for Director John Ratcliffe. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.
    Nicholas Elliot is the Confidential Assistant and Policy Advisor to the President’s Council of Advisors on Digital Assets. Previously, Elliot worked on Senator Hagerty’s 2020 campaign team and spent nearly four years working for Senator Hagerty on the Senator’s financial services and banking portfolio, where he advanced the Senator’s work on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Elliot is a graduate of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business where he received a BS in Business Administration with a major in Finance and a minor in Mandarin.
    Taylor Asher serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Chairman Paul Atkins. From April 2023 to January 2025, Asher served as Policy Advisor and Confidential Assistant to Commissioner Uyeda. Prior to his time at the SEC, Asher was Personal Aide to Senator Hagerty. His tenure in public service began with Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s Office, where he served as Staff Assistant and Intern Manager. Asher is currently pursuing a Master of Economics at George Mason University. He holds a Master of Finance with an Energy Specialization as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University. He is originally from Nashville, Tennessee.
    Cole Bornefeld will be serving as Director of Correspondence for the Office of the Vice President. He previously served as a Legislative Aide to Hagerty, assisting in the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Rules portfolio. Bornefeld previously served as a Legislative Correspondent, Staff Assistant, and Intern in Senator Hagerty’s office. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: The Keg Royalties Income Fund announces July 2025 cash distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Keg Royalties Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX: KEG.UN) today announced that its July 2025 distribution of $0.0946 per unit has been declared and is payable to unitholders of record as at July 21, 2025. The July 2025 distribution will be paid on July 31, 2025.

    The Fund is a limited purpose, open-ended trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario that, through The Keg Rights Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Fund, owns certain trademarks and other related intellectual property used by Keg Restaurants Ltd. (“KRL”). In exchange for use of those trademarks, KRL pays the Fund a royalty of 4% of gross sales of Keg restaurants included in the royalty pool.

    With approximately 10,000 employees, over 100 restaurants and annual system sales exceeding $700 million, Vancouver-based KRL is the leading operator and franchisor of steakhouse restaurants in Canada and has a substantial presence in select regional markets in the United States. KRL continues to operate The Keg restaurant system and expand that system through the addition of both corporate and franchised Keg steakhouses. KRL has been named the number one restaurant company to work for in Canada in the latest edition of Forbes “Canada’s Best Employers 2025” survey.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Keg Royalties Income Fund announces July 2025 cash distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Keg Royalties Income Fund (the “Fund”) (TSX: KEG.UN) today announced that its July 2025 distribution of $0.0946 per unit has been declared and is payable to unitholders of record as at July 21, 2025. The July 2025 distribution will be paid on July 31, 2025.

    The Fund is a limited purpose, open-ended trust established under the laws of the Province of Ontario that, through The Keg Rights Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of the Fund, owns certain trademarks and other related intellectual property used by Keg Restaurants Ltd. (“KRL”). In exchange for use of those trademarks, KRL pays the Fund a royalty of 4% of gross sales of Keg restaurants included in the royalty pool.

    With approximately 10,000 employees, over 100 restaurants and annual system sales exceeding $700 million, Vancouver-based KRL is the leading operator and franchisor of steakhouse restaurants in Canada and has a substantial presence in select regional markets in the United States. KRL continues to operate The Keg restaurant system and expand that system through the addition of both corporate and franchised Keg steakhouses. KRL has been named the number one restaurant company to work for in Canada in the latest edition of Forbes “Canada’s Best Employers 2025” survey.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Laurel Lee and Gus Bilirakis Respond to the Eighth Circuit Court’s Decision

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Laurel Lee – Florida (15th District)

    Tampa, FL – Yesterday, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the FTC’s final Negative Option Rule put in place by Lina Khan, October 2024. The rule was set to be implemented in 2025.  

    In June, Congresswoman Laurel Lee introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind the Biden-Harris Administration rule. Congresswoman Lee and her colleague, Congressman Gus Bilirakis, CMT Subcommittee Chairman of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, were pleased by the Eighth Circuit Court’s ruling to dismiss the unlawful rule. Their reactions below:  

    “The Federal Trade Commission’s Negative Option Rule far exceeded the agency’s consumer protection mandate. By imposing sweeping and costly new requirements—estimated to exceed $100 million annually—the rule would have driven up costs for consumers rather than protecting them.

    As the Eighth Circuit rightly noted, the FTC rushed this partisan rule through just before the 2024 election, bypassing key steps in the rulemaking process and ignoring legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders. That is why I introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution months ago to overturn the rule, and called on the FTC to delay implementation until the courts could review its legality.

    I’m grateful the Eighth Circuit recognized the serious economic harm this rule would have caused and acted to vacate it. Moving forward, I remain committed to reining in executive overreach and collaborating with my colleagues on thoughtful reforms to ensure subscription practices are fair, transparent, and protect both consumers and businesses,” said Congresswoman Lee. 

    “The Eighth Circuit’s decision to vacate the FTC’s ‘negative option’ rule is a necessary check on regulatory overreach. In her rush to regulate, Lina Khan failed to follow appropriate procedures – undermining transparency and due process for stakeholders and consumers alike. This ruling reinforces the importance of accountability and adherence to the rule of law in regulatory actions. It’s now time to restore trust in the Federal Trade Commission and protect American consumers without unduly burdening legitimate business activity” said Congressman Bilirakis, Chairman of the House Commerce, Manufacturing, & Trade Subcommittee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Project Acacia: RBA and DFCRC announce chosen industry participants and ASIC provides regulatory relief for tokenised asset settlement research project

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    Project Acacia has today reached a significant milestone with a number of industry participants (see below) selected to explore how innovations in digital money and existing settlement infrastructure might support the development of Australian wholesale tokenised asset markets.

    Project Acacia is a joint initiative between the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). This work is also supported by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and the Australian Treasury. This project is one of the initiatives highlighted in the Government’s March 2025 Statement on Developing an Innovative Australian Digital Asset Industry.

    24 innovative use cases from a diverse range of organisations, ranging from local fintechs to major banks, have been conditionally selected for this next stage of the project. There will be:

    • 19 pilot use cases, which will involve real money and real asset transactions, and
    • 5 proof-of-concept use cases involving simulated transactions.

    The use cases involve a range of asset classes, including fixed income, private markets, trade receivables and carbon credits.

    Proposed settlement assets for the use cases include stablecoins, bank deposit tokens, and pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), as well as new ways of using banks’ existing exchange settlement accounts at the RBA.

    Issuance of pilot wholesale CBDC for testing use cases will occur on a range of private and public-permissioned DLT platforms, including Hedera, Redbelly Network, R3 Corda, Canvas Connect and other EVM-compatible networks.

    ASIC clears way for industry participation

    Supporting Project Acacia, ASIC is providing regulatory relief to participants to support and streamline the pilot.

    ASIC’s relief will support the responsible testing of tokenised asset transactions, in some cases using CBDCs, between participants and a limited number of financial institutions in the coming months.

    ASIC has previously provided individual relief of a similar nature to participants in earlier digital money projects led by the RBA.

    The relief instrument is available on the Federal Register of Legislation.

    Project Acacia’s next steps

    Testing of use cases will occur over the next six months, with a report on the findings from the project expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026. The findings of this next stage of the project will support the RBA’s ongoing research into how innovation in the financial system can best support the Australian economy in the digital age.

    Lead use case participants

    • Australian Bond Exchange
    • Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation
    • Australian Payments Plus
    • Canvas
    • Catena Digital
    • Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    • Fireblocks
    • Forte Tech Solutions
    • Imperium Markets
    • Northern Trust
    • NotCentralised
    • ProspEx Group
    • Westpac Banking Corporation
    • Zerocap

    Brad Jones, Assistant Governor (Financial System) at the RBA said: “Ensuring that Australia’s payments and monetary arrangements are fit-for-purpose in the digital age is a strategic priority for the RBA and the Payments System Board. Project Acacia represents an opportunity for further collaborative exploration on tokenised asset markets and the future of money by the public and private sectors in Australia.

    “The use cases selected in this project will help us to better understand how innovations in central bank and private digital money, alongside payments infrastructure, might help to uplift the functioning of wholesale financial markets in Australia.

    “We thank all interested parties for their efforts in Project Acacia to date and look forward to reporting back on the findings that will emerge over the reminder of the project.”

    ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said: “Innovation is a sign of a vibrant economy and society. ASIC supports the responsible development of new technologies, including tokenisation and distributed ledgers.

    “ASIC sees useful applications for the technologies underlying digital assets in wholesale markets. The relief from regulatory requirements that we have announced today will allow these technologies to be sensibly tested—to explore opportunities and identify and tackle risks.

    “Importantly, Project Acacia will allow industry and regulators to work together to learn more about how these use cases may reshape the financial services industry, potentially boosting efficiency and foster economic growth.”

    Professor Talis Putnins, Chief Scientist at DFCRC said: “It is great to have collaboration from so many parts of the industry, from small fintechs to large banks, alongside the key financial regulators in this forward-looking, innovative project. The real money settlement models being tested, including issuing pilot wholesale CBDC on third party platforms, reflects another world-first for Australia in this rapidly evolving field.

    “The project is of strategic importance to the DFCRC because, as a co-operative research centre, our focus is on bringing together key groups to unlock the large economic potential of digital finance innovation in Australia. Recent research suggests potential economic gains in markets and cross border payments could be in the order of AU $19 billion per year. Project Acacia is a significant step towards realising these gains, by providing evidence on the forms of money and settlement models that best enable tokenised real-world asset markets.”

    About Project Acacia

    Project Acacia is exploring how different forms of digital money and associated infrastructure could support the development of wholesale tokenised asset markets in Australia. The consultation paper initiating Project Acacia was released in November 2024 and called for industry feedback and expressions of interest in participating.

    Project Acacia is a joint research project between Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). The project is supported by key stakeholders including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Treasury, which are all represented on the project Steering Committee, along with representatives from the RBA and DFCRC.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: ProCap Acquisition Corp Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants, Commencing July 11, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ProCap Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: PCAPU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing July 11, 2025, the holders of the units issued in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Units”), each consisting of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), and one-third of one redeemable warrant of the Company (each, a “Warrant”), with each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share for $11.50 per share, may elect to separately trade the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Warrants included in the Units. No fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Warrants will trade. The Class A Ordinary Shares and the Warrants will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “PCAP” and “PCAPW,” respectively. Units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PCAPU.”

    BTIG, LLC acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About ProCap Acquisition Corp

    The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution but is focused on completing a business combination with an attractive target businesses within the financial technology industry.

    The Company’s management team is led by Anthony Pompliano, its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), and Catalina Abbey, Chief Financial Officer. In addition, the Board includes Michael Gonzalez, Lindsey Haswell, and Ben Buchanan. Brent Saunders serves as an advisor to the Company.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC“). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Company Contact

    ProCap Acquisition Corp
    Anthony Pompliano, Chief Executive Officer
    anthony@professionalcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ProCap Acquisition Corp Announces the Separate Trading of its Class A Ordinary Shares and Warrants, Commencing July 11, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ProCap Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: PCAPU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing July 11, 2025, the holders of the units issued in the Company’s initial public offering (the “Units”), each consisting of one Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), and one-third of one redeemable warrant of the Company (each, a “Warrant”), with each whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A Ordinary Share for $11.50 per share, may elect to separately trade the Class A Ordinary Shares and the Warrants included in the Units. No fractional Warrants will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Warrants will trade. The Class A Ordinary Shares and the Warrants will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “PCAP” and “PCAPW,” respectively. Units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “PCAPU.”

    BTIG, LLC acted as sole book-running manager for the offering.

    This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About ProCap Acquisition Corp

    The Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution but is focused on completing a business combination with an attractive target businesses within the financial technology industry.

    The Company’s management team is led by Anthony Pompliano, its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), and Catalina Abbey, Chief Financial Officer. In addition, the Board includes Michael Gonzalez, Lindsey Haswell, and Ben Buchanan. Brent Saunders serves as an advisor to the Company.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC“). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

    Company Contact

    ProCap Acquisition Corp
    Anthony Pompliano, Chief Executive Officer
    anthony@professionalcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AlphaTime Acquisition Corp Transfers to the Nasdaq Capital Market and Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Requirements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AlphaTime Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: ATMC, ATMCU, ATMCR, ATMCW) (“AlphaTime” or the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced it has received written notice (the “Compliance Notice”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) informing the Company that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(2). This confirmation follows Nasdaq’s approval of the Company’s application to transfer the listing of its securities to the Nasdaq Capital Market, effective at the opening of business on July 11, 2025.

    Nasdaq also notified the Company in the Compliance Notice that the hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel previously scheduled to take place on July 15, 2025, has been cancelled, and the Company’s securities will continue to be listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

    About AlphaTime Acquisition Corp.

    AlphaTime Acquisition Corp is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region in its identification and acquisition of a target company, the company intends to focus its search on businesses throughout Asia.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding future plans, expectations, or objectives of the Company. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Gan Kim Hai
    Chief Executive Officer
    hai@alphatimespac.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AlphaTime Acquisition Corp Transfers to the Nasdaq Capital Market and Regains Compliance with Nasdaq Listing Requirements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AlphaTime Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: ATMC, ATMCU, ATMCR, ATMCW) (“AlphaTime” or the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced it has received written notice (the “Compliance Notice”) from The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) informing the Company that it has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(2). This confirmation follows Nasdaq’s approval of the Company’s application to transfer the listing of its securities to the Nasdaq Capital Market, effective at the opening of business on July 11, 2025.

    Nasdaq also notified the Company in the Compliance Notice that the hearing before the Nasdaq Hearings Panel previously scheduled to take place on July 15, 2025, has been cancelled, and the Company’s securities will continue to be listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

    About AlphaTime Acquisition Corp.

    AlphaTime Acquisition Corp is a blank check company whose business purpose is to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. While the Company will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region in its identification and acquisition of a target company, the company intends to focus its search on businesses throughout Asia.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding future plans, expectations, or objectives of the Company. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Gan Kim Hai
    Chief Executive Officer
    hai@alphatimespac.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Project Acacia: RBA and DFCRC announce chosen industry participants and ASIC provides regulatory relief for tokenised asset settlement research project

    Source: Airservices Australia

    Project Acacia has today reached a significant milestone with a number of industry participants (see below) selected to explore how innovations in digital money and existing settlement infrastructure might support the development of Australian wholesale tokenised asset markets.

    Project Acacia is a joint initiative between the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). This work is also supported by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and the Australian Treasury. This project is one of the initiatives highlighted in the Government’s March 2025 Statement on Developing an Innovative Australian Digital Asset Industry.

    24 innovative use cases from a diverse range of organisations, ranging from local fintechs to major banks, have been conditionally selected for this next stage of the project. There will be:

    • 19 pilot use cases, which will involve real money and real asset transactions, and
    • 5 proof-of-concept use cases involving simulated transactions.

    The use cases involve a range of asset classes, including fixed income, private markets, trade receivables and carbon credits.

    Proposed settlement assets for the use cases include stablecoins, bank deposit tokens, and pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC), as well as new ways of using banks’ existing exchange settlement accounts at the RBA.

    Issuance of pilot wholesale CBDC for testing use cases will occur on a range of private and public-permissioned DLT platforms, including Hedera, Redbelly Network, R3 Corda, Canvas Connect and other EVM-compatible networks.

    ASIC clears way for industry participation

    Supporting Project Acacia, ASIC is providing regulatory relief to participants to support and streamline the pilot.

    ASIC’s relief will support the responsible testing of tokenised asset transactions, in some cases using CBDCs, between participants and a limited number of financial institutions in the coming months.

    ASIC has previously provided individual relief of a similar nature to participants in earlier digital money projects led by the RBA.

    The relief instrument is available on the Federal Register of Legislation.

    Project Acacia’s next steps

    Testing of use cases will occur over the next six months, with a report on the findings from the project expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026. The findings of this next stage of the project will support the RBA’s ongoing research into how innovation in the financial system can best support the Australian economy in the digital age.

    Lead use case participants

    • Australian Bond Exchange
    • Australia and New Zealand Banking Corporation
    • Australian Payments Plus
    • Canvas
    • Catena Digital
    • Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    • Fireblocks
    • Forte Tech Solutions
    • Imperium Markets
    • Northern Trust
    • NotCentralised
    • ProspEx Group
    • Westpac Banking Corporation
    • Zerocap

    Brad Jones, Assistant Governor (Financial System) at the RBA said: “Ensuring that Australia’s payments and monetary arrangements are fit-for-purpose in the digital age is a strategic priority for the RBA and the Payments System Board. Project Acacia represents an opportunity for further collaborative exploration on tokenised asset markets and the future of money by the public and private sectors in Australia.

    “The use cases selected in this project will help us to better understand how innovations in central bank and private digital money, alongside payments infrastructure, might help to uplift the functioning of wholesale financial markets in Australia.

    “We thank all interested parties for their efforts in Project Acacia to date and look forward to reporting back on the findings that will emerge over the reminder of the project.”

    ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said: “Innovation is a sign of a vibrant economy and society. ASIC supports the responsible development of new technologies, including tokenisation and distributed ledgers.

    “ASIC sees useful applications for the technologies underlying digital assets in wholesale markets. The relief from regulatory requirements that we have announced today will allow these technologies to be sensibly tested—to explore opportunities and identify and tackle risks.

    “Importantly, Project Acacia will allow industry and regulators to work together to learn more about how these use cases may reshape the financial services industry, potentially boosting efficiency and foster economic growth.”

    Professor Talis Putnins, Chief Scientist at DFCRC said: “It is great to have collaboration from so many parts of the industry, from small fintechs to large banks, alongside the key financial regulators in this forward-looking, innovative project. The real money settlement models being tested, including issuing pilot wholesale CBDC on third party platforms, reflects another world-first for Australia in this rapidly evolving field.

    “The project is of strategic importance to the DFCRC because, as a co-operative research centre, our focus is on bringing together key groups to unlock the large economic potential of digital finance innovation in Australia. Recent research suggests potential economic gains in markets and cross border payments could be in the order of AU $19 billion per year. Project Acacia is a significant step towards realising these gains, by providing evidence on the forms of money and settlement models that best enable tokenised real-world asset markets.”

    About Project Acacia

    Project Acacia is exploring how different forms of digital money and associated infrastructure could support the development of wholesale tokenised asset markets in Australia. The consultation paper initiating Project Acacia was released in November 2024 and called for industry feedback and expressions of interest in participating.

    Project Acacia is a joint research project between Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). The project is supported by key stakeholders including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Treasury, which are all represented on the project Steering Committee, along with representatives from the RBA and DFCRC.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Hola Prime Unveils ‘Hola Prime Futures’ with Industry-First 1-Hour Withdrawals, Expands Forex Offering with MT4 Integration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, NY, July 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a move poised to redefine the contours of modern proprietary trading, Hola Prime, an emerging leader in the prop trading industry, has announced two major developments: the launch of Hola Prime Futures, the world’s first 1 hour withdrawals futures prop trading firm; and the strategic expansion of its forex vertical through the integration of MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – the world’s most widely adopted retail trading platform.

    These initiatives are not just product additions – they signal Hola Prime’s commitment to building a prop trading ecosystem that is faster, fairer, and far more accessible than the industry status quo.

    Hola Prime Futures: World’s First 1-Hour Withdrawal Futures Prop Trading Firm

    Futures trading, once considered the preserve of institutional desks and seasoned speculators, is now witnessing a strong surge in interest from independent traders looking to diversify beyond forex and crypto. But with this shift has come a growing list of frustrations: multi-step evaluations, unclear rules, delayed withdrawals, and outdated platforms that deter rather than empower.

    Hola Prime Futures seeks to turn that narrative on its head.

    “Futures prop trading has been shaped by legacy systems that serve firms more than traders,” said Somesh Kapuria, CEO of Hola Prime. “We’re rewriting that logic. With Hola Prime Futures, we’ve stripped the experience down to its most essential elements: 1 Rule. 1 Target. 1-Step Challenge. 1-on-1 Mentorship. And 1-Hour Withdrawals. It’s simple by design and powerful by intent.”

    At the core of Hola Prime Futures is a radically simplified access model: traders can choose between a 1-Step Challenge or a Direct Account, both offering access to funding levels of up to $150,000. There are no daily loss limits, no unclear or complex rules, and no hidden fine print – a stark departure from the layered complexity typical of most futures prop firms.

    Yet it’s the withdrawal speed that truly sets Hola Prime apart. Backed by its strong and comprehensive 10-point payout system, Hola Prime Futures enables verified withdrawals within 60 minutes – an industry first in futures trading.

    “Most prop firms still operate on outdated withdrawal cycles – three days, five days, even two weeks,” said Sumedha Sharma, CFO of Hola Prime. “But when a trader qualifies, they’ve done the work. Our system recognizes that in real time. We’ve eliminated unnecessary approvals, automate what can be automated, and built the tech to support one promise: You withdraw in one hour. Every time.”

    In addition to this, Hola Prime Futures offers Project X – a trading platform designed with simplicity and strong risk management at its core. Traders can access instruments listed on CME, COMEX, NYMEX, and CBOT, all from one intuitive interface.

    Furthermore, Hola Prime Futures also provides Quantower and R Trader Pro (Rithmic feed being compatible with multiple other platforms), allowing traders to work in the environment that best suits their strategy and comfort.

    MT4 Integration: Strengthening the Forex Domain

    While futures take center stage, Hola Prime hasn’t taken its foot off the gas in the forex segment. In fact, the firm’s forex vertical is receiving a major upgrade with the integration of MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – a move that underscores Hola Prime’s dual-asset vision and long-term trader support strategy. They already have MT5 in place. This marks the addition of both MT4 and MT5 along with 3 other trading platforms- Ctrader, DX Trade, and Match Trade. So, Hola Prime now offers a whopping 5 trading platforms for its forex traders.

    “MT4 is a global standard for a reason,” said Kapuria. “It’s reliable, intuitive, and deeply compatible with the way traders operate – from algorithmic strategies to custom indicators. Bringing MT4 into our forex vertical wasn’t a tactical move; it was a strategic necessity.”

    This complements the firm’s broader commitment to accessibility, performance, and infrastructure reliability across asset classes.

    “We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all,” added Sharma. “Forex traders need different tools and timelines than futures traders. Our ecosystem is now robust enough to serve both – without compromise.”

    Education and Mentorship

    Supporting both launches is the firm’s educational initiative, Hola Prime TV – an original content platform offering live trading sessions, expert market breakdowns, and 1-on-1 mentorship from industry experts. Unlike traditional prop firms, which often outsource trader education or rely on generic resources, Hola Prime has made coaching a direct part of its offering.

    “Traders today want more than capital – they want guidance, community, and real conversations about risk and resilience,” said Himanshu Chandel, Marketing Director at Hola Prime. He added, “Hola Prime TV is built around that ethos. It’s not about showing off trades. It’s about showing what it takes to last.”

    The Vision Ahead

    Hola Prime’s dual expansion – into 1-hour withdrawal futures prop model and platform-enhanced forex reflects a larger ambition: to be not just a prop firm, but a trader-first institution that defines the next generation of global trading.

    “Our goal isn’t to be the biggest,” Kapuria concluded. “It’s to be the most trusted. A place where traders know the rules, own their path and get rewarded without delay. We’re building what every trader deserves: a fair shot.”

    Hola Prime Futures and MT4 for Forex are both live. The future of trading isn’t just faster – it’s finally in the trader’s favor.

    Social Links

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holaprime_global/  

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtVEJa1Ml132Be7tnk-DjeQ  

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hola-prime/?viewAsMember=true  

    X: https://x.com/HolaPrimeGlobal  

    Discord: https://discord.gg/TJ7TcHPXBf  

    Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/HolaPrime/  

    Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/HolaPrime/  

    Medium: https://medium.com/@social_46267  

    Media Contact

    Company: Hola Prime

    Contact: Media Team

    Email: marketing@holaprime.com

    Website: https://holaprime.com/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyle, Wyden, Merkley: EPA Prioritizing J.H. Baxter Superfund Site Cleanup for Eugene Community

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    July 09, 2025

    For Immediate Release: July 9, 2025 

    EUGENE, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), alongside Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, welcomed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) addition of the former J.H. Baxter site in Eugene to its Superfund National Priorities List (NPL)—an essential action, as sites included on the list are eligible to receive federal funding for long-term, permanent cleanup efforts.

    This announcement comes after Merkley led the Oregon lawmakers in pressing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to add the J.H. Baxter site to the Superfund NPL to safeguard the public health and environment of the Eugene community.

    “We raised our family in West Eugene and I know that our community has spent decades fighting to get the J.H. Baxter site cleaned up for the health of our community,” said Hoyle. “That’s why I joined Senators Wyden and Merkley in urging the EPA to take action, and I’m glad they listened. The Superfund designation is a critical step toward delivering the cleanup and accountability this community deserves.”

    “This Superfund announcement takes a significant public health step forward for Oregonians who make west Eugene their home and place of business,” Wyden said. “I’m glad the teamwork with Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Hoyle has generated this community win for the contaminated J.H. Baxter site, and I’ll keep watchdogging this process to make sure federal officials follow through fully on this commitment.”

    “The EPA adding the old J.H. Baxter site to its Superfund National Priorities List is a huge step forward in addressing the dangerous contamination that’s long concerned folks living and working in West Eugene,” Merkley said. “This designation I pushed for means a timely and comprehensive cleanup of chemical substances at the site is now within reach—essential to protecting the health and environment of the Eugene community for generations to come.”

    The EPA Superfund NPL is the list of U.S. sites where historic releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment—and this list now includes the J.H. Baxter site.

    For nearly 80 years, J.H. Baxter treated wood products at a 35-acre facility in West Eugene. Hazardous substances and classified probable carcinogens, including creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP), were often used to treat wood products before the company ceased operations in January of 2022. But despite a halt in operations, toxic substances remained on site, contaminating soil and groundwater at the former facility and in the surrounding community.

    The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) sampling of the surrounding community in 2021 found elevated levels of dioxins – widening the original scope of response efforts. DEQ has started the work to cleanup properties with the highest levels of dioxins, and EPA’s Region 10 is currently conducting a Time Critical Removal Action (TCRA) at the site. While the TCRA is considered an interim measure to prevent additional releases of hazardous substances, it will not address all contamination.

    The Superfund NPL listing will now allow EPA to comprehensively address issues at the J.H. Baxter site, including by conducting a further evaluation of the nature and extent of the contamination, the risks posed by hazardous substances at the site, and ensure a thorough cleanup.

    A public meeting for the EPA to explain next steps in the Superfund process is slated for July 16 in Eugene. The agency expects Superfund site work to begin in early fall.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Household spending uptick in June, but consumers remain cautious – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    A lift in household spending is expected for the remainder of 2025, however a slower interest rate cutting cycle could dampen this recovery.

    https://youtu.be/UP9AxIqN2VY

    The CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index rose for the third month in a row in June, up 0.3 per cent following gains of 0.4 per cent in April and May.

    Eight of the twelve HSI categories recorded spending growth for the month, led by Utilities (+2.9 per cent), Education (+1.1 per cent) and Communications & Digital (+1.0 per cent). The timing of the energy rebates has made the utilities category choppy, while the release of Nintendo Switch 2 likely supported sales in the Communications & Digital category.

    Three categories saw a fall in the month, led lower by Hospitality (-0.8 per cent), Motor Vehicle (-0.1 per cent) and Recreation (-0.1 per cent). These categories all performed relatively well in May and again show the fickle nature of consumer spending at present.

    “Household spending is starting to show signs of consistency month-on-month and should continue to pick up this year as consumers begin to loosen their purse strings. This recovery is taking longer than expected to occur, but there are green shoots emerging. The annual growth rate has picked up, but the recovery is not yet assured. Spending around sales events and new items show consumers are still deliberate on their spending decisions,” said CBA Senior Economist, Belinda Allen.  

    “At the same time there remains a clear preference to save and pay down debt. Recent data from CBA showed that just 10 per cent of eligible home loan customers chose to reduce their mortgage direct debit payments following the May interest rate cut. This follows a similar trend after the February rate cut when around 10 per cent of eligible customers had adjusted repayments at the same point in time – eventually rising to 14 percent before the May RBA decision.”

    Taking the whole of June quarter together, the HSI lifted by 1.4 per cent, just a little above the 1.2 per cent recorded in the March quarter, but still below the 1.6 per cent recorded in the December quarter of 2024.

    “The RBA’s decision to hold rates at 3.85 per cent in July was unexpected, but we anticipate the RBA to cut the cash rate in August by 25 basis points, with November the most likely option for a follow up rate cut. While we still anticipate a pickup in household spending in 2025, a slower rate cutting cycle could soften this recovery over the remainder of the year.”

    In June, homeowners without a mortgage saw the weakest yearly spending growth per capita at 3.5 per cent, continuing the trend from May. Homeowners with a mortgage saw a shift higher in spending in June, with gains over the past year now tracking at 5.2 per cent. Meanwhile renters saw a lift to 4.2 per cent.

    “Homeowners with a mortgage have reduced spending on transport, hospitality, and food and beverage goods over the past year but lower interest rates are expected to boost disposable income in the coming months. Renters continues to spend more following an increase in April and May,” commented Ms Allen.

    NSW recorded the strongest household spending growth in June of the states and territories, rising 0.7 per cent. Over the past year, NSW has outperformed nationally, up 8.4 per cent in a change at the top of the state leaderboard. Meanwhile Queensland has grown 7.3 per cent, recovering well from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred in March, when the state posted the softest growth of all states at just 0.2 per cent.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Technology – Moldova’s Virtual IT Park Attracts Global Attention with Record Growth and €1 Billion Revenue Target – MITP

    Source: Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP)

    Chisinau, Moldova, July 9th,2025 – Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP), the first fully virtual IT park in Europe and a key pillar of Moldova’s innovation ecosystem, continues to break records and transform the country’s economic landscape.

    In 2025, MITP expects its resident companies to generate over €1 billion in revenue, representing a 30% increase compared to 2024 and reaffirming the IT sector as a major engine of Moldova’s economic growth.

    Launched in 2018 by the Government of Moldova, MITP has rapidly evolved into a gateway to Eastern Europe’s emerging tech scene. Today, it unites over 2,370 resident companies from 43 countries, including new entrants from the United States, Germany, the UK, Italy, Ukraine, France, and many others. In 2024 alone, 533 new companies joined — the highest annual growth since the park’s creation.

    “The regional geopolitical context has played a decisive role. In 2021, MITP hosted only three Ukrainian companies. By 2024, this number had surged more than fourteen-fold due to strategic relocations caused by the war. Meanwhile, the number of Romanian-owned companies nearly doubled over the past three years, influenced in part by recent tax changes affecting Romania’s IT sector,”

    — said Marina Bzovîi, Administrator of MITP.

    Beyond the IT sector, Moldova is undergoing a structural economic transformation, marked by a decisive shift from goods-based production to a service-driven growth model. In 2025, the country recorded three historic milestones in services exports:

    $626 million USD in Q1 alone — a record high for the first quarter
    $2.8 billion USD annually — an all-time maximum
    Services now represent 44.5% of total exports, the highest share in Moldova’s history

    IT services lead this growth, totaling $686 million USD, followed by transportation services ($561 million), and business support services ($279 million). Education and health services are also on a strong upward trajectory. As a result, Moldova now enjoys a $900 million USD trade surplus in services, helping offset deficits in goods and positioning the country as a dynamic, services-driven economy.

    “Moldova’s economic model is undergoing a profound transformation — from a traditional, goods-based economy to one driven by high-value services and digital innovation. The extraordinary growth of MITP is a testament to our unwavering commitment to building a future-ready, service-oriented economy that creates skilled jobs and attracts global investors. As we accelerate our digital transformation and promote smart regulation, Moldova is emerging as a competitive, innovation-led destination in the heart of Europe.”
     

    — Doina Nistor, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Digitalization and Economic Development of the Republic of Moldova

    MITP is home to pioneering companies that have chosen Moldova as the ideal place to innovate and grow. For example, Parkopedia, founded by Eugene Tsyrklevich, began as a small operation and now provides smart parking solutions for global automotive giants such as BMW, Audi, and Toyota — all developed from Moldova, thanks to MITP’s supportive environment. Meanwhile, Argus AI, co-founded by neurosurgeon Alexandru Andrusca and AI expert Vladimir Verbulski, has created an advanced virtual reality system for neurosurgical planning, making such technology more accessible worldwide. These success stories showcase Moldova’s emergence as an unexpected but highly attractive home for cutting-edge tech and ambitious entrepreneurs.

    The economic impact of MITP is substantial: in 2024, resident companies contributed over €78 million to Moldova’s public budget, four times more than in 2017. About half of this amount comes from businesses established after the park’s launch, highlighting MITP’s role as a catalyst for job creation, investment attraction, and Moldova’s growing digital competitiveness.

    About Moldova Innovation Technology Park (MITP)

    Launched in early 2018 by the Government of Moldova, MITP is an innovative, fully virtual IT park designed to strengthen Moldova’s technology ecosystem and enhance its regional competitiveness. The park offers a unique 7% single tax system, simplified immigration procedures (including an IT Visa program), reduced bureaucratic barriers, and the possibility of a fully virtual presence.

    MITP serves as a central access point to the most attractive incentives and services in the IT sector. Its multi-stakeholder governance model and fully virtual structure make it a one-of-a-kind success story in Europe. The park’s mission is to act as a catalyst for IT investments by promoting flexible government policies, fostering an environment for ICT innovation, and driving Moldova’s economic digital transformation.

    Created for a 20-year period, MITP now unites over 2,370 resident companies from 43 countries, positioning Moldova as a rising tech destination on the global map.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: India – Hellmann India receives “Best Place to Work” certificate for the second year in a row

    Source: Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

    Osnabrueck, Delhi, July 09, 2025 – Hellmann Worldwide Logistics India has for the second year in a row received the certification as a Best Workplaces™ in Transportation & Logistics 2025 by the Great Place to Work® Institute India.

    The recognition highlights the company’s consistent strength in people management and its commitment to creating an inclusive and value-driven workplace.

    India is a focus market in Hellmann’s global growth strategy, driven by its dynamic and rapidly evolving logistics landscape. As part of its broader ambition to expand worldwide, Hellmann is continuing to invest in strong local teams and tailored solutions that create lasting value for its customers.

    At the heart of Hellmann India’s HR strategy is its corporate culture, the Hellmann Promise, which supports approximately 12,000 employees in their personal and professional development. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, respect, and growth, the company continues to invest in its people, creating a workplace where diverse talent is empowered to thrive. 
    From leadership development programs to well-being initiatives and transparent communication, Hellmann India has embedded its global Promise into everyday practice, strengthening a culture built on trust, purpose, and performance.

    “Our people are the driving force behind everything we do,” says Shubhendu Das, Managing Director Hellmann India. 

    “This achievement celebrates their passion, dedication, and belief in our shared vision. Being certified two years in a row also mirrors the continued trust and confidence we receive from our customers, partners, and industry peers, inspiring us to keep raising the bar.”

    With a strong and committed team on the ground, Hellmann India is well-positioned to support its customers in navigating a rapidly changing market – delivering reliable, innovative, and sustainable logistics solutions across the region.

    About Hellmann

    Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and seafreight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. 
    With annual sales of EUR 3.8 bn and around 12,000 employees in 61 countries, Hellmann moves over 20 mio shipments annually. 
    Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain. www.hellmann.com

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – GCR Upgrades ShafDB’s Long and Short-Term Issuer Ratings, Maintains Stable Outlook

    Source: Fast Media

    Nairobi – July 9, 2025 – Global Credit Ratings (GCR), has affirmed and upgraded Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s (ShafDB) international and several key national scale ratings, reflecting the Bank’s strengthened capital position, risk management improvements, and growing credibility across our its shareholder base.

    In its latest review, the Johannesburg-based rating agency has affirmed the Bank’s international scale long-term and short-term issuer ratings at B/B, with a Stable Outlook.

    At the same time GCR has also upgraded the long and short-term national scale issuer ratings for Kenya to AA+(KE)/A1+(KE) from AA-(KE)/A1+(KE); Nigerian to AAA(NG)/A1+(NG) from AA+(NG)/A1+(NG); and Mauritian to BBB(MU)/A2(MU) from BB+(MU)/B(MU). All the three national scale ratings have been accorded a stable outlook.

    The Agency has also Upgraded the ratings of its Nigerian Series 1 Senior Unsecured Notes under the NGN200bn Domestic Bond Issuance Programme to AAA(NG) from AA+(NG).

    “The upgrades reflect GCR’s confidence in the Bank’s improved risk management, strengthened capitalization (leverage ratio up to 82.2% in FY2024), and progress in capital arrears resolution. The Stable Outlook affirms expectations of continued sound capitalization, strategic disbursement growth, and enhanced shareholder engagement,” GCR said in a commentary.

    “This recognition underscores Shelter Afrique’s growing operational credibility, commitment to quality lending, and continued transformation into a resilient and trusted multilateral development bank dedicated to delivering affordable housing and urban development solutions across Africa,” GCR added.

    Welcoming the rating reviews, Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s Director of Risk, Bernard Oketch said the rating upgrade has reinforced the Bank’s financial strength, strategic direction, and institutional credibility.

    “These upgrades reflect our strong fundamentals and our unwavering commitment to reforms, growth, and sustainable impact.  Clearly, we are on a solid path forward in delivering impactful, quality-driven housing finance solutions across Africa,” Mr. Oketch said.

    Shelter Afrique Development Bank’s has 46 shareholders comprising 44 member States under “Category A” shareholding, and African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re) under “Category B” shareholding – who will be convening in Algiers, Algeria from 15th to 17th July 2025 for the Bank’s 44th Annual General Meeting and Housing Symposium. https://www.agm.shelterafrique.org/agm-2025/

    It has also “Category C” shareholding for non-African institutions and States willing to join the institution as shareholders.

    About Shelter-Afrique Development Bank:

    Shelter Afrique Development Bank is a Pan-African institution solely dedicated to financing and promoting housing, urban & related infrastructure development across the African continent. ShafDB operates through a partnership involving 44 African Governments, as well as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Africa Reinsurance Corporation (Africa-Re).

    The Institution delivers financial solutions and associated services that support both the supply and demand aspects of the affordable housing value chain. As a premier provider of financial, advisory, and research solutions, ShafDB focuses on addressing Africa’s housing crisis through financial institutions, project finance and public-private partnerships, striving to achieve sustainable developmental impact.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Spain and Brazil push global action to tax the super-rich and curb inequality

    Source: United Nations 4

    Presented during the UN’s 4th International Conference on Financing for Development – taking place this week in Sevilla, Spain – the proposal highlights a growing problem: the richest individuals often contribute less to public finances than ordinary taxpayers, thanks to lower effective tax rates and legal loopholes.

    “Our countries need more and more public revenues to meet their needs. Inequality is a problem everywhere and the richest pay less than the middle class – even less than lower-income taxpayers,” said Spain’s Secretary of State for Finance Jesús Gascón, during a press conference at the conference venue, where temperatures have soared to record highs in recent days.

    The two governments are calling on others to join a drive for a fairer, more progressive global tax system. They point to a stark reality: the wealthiest one per cent of the global population owns more than 95 per cent of humanity combined.

    UN News/Matt Wells

    The Spanish Secretary of State for Finance Jesús Gascón (on screen) addresses a meeting at the Financing for Development conference in Sevilla, Spain.

    Sharing knowledge, closing gaps

    In today’s interconnected world access to reliable data is essential. The initiative prioritises information sharing – between governments and tax authorities – to help expose gaps in tax systems, close loopholes and combat evasion and avoidance.

    Improving data quality and building national capacities for data analysis will help tax administrations identify where and how wealth is concentrated, how much is currently being paid and what needs to change.

    Though some progress has already been made, the countries say much more must be done and many more countries should come on board.

    “There’s a real need to know who the beneficial owners are behind companies and legal structures used to conceal wealth,” said Mr. Gascón. The initiative also proposes technical cooperation, training in data analytics and peer review mechanisms to strengthen national tax systems.

    A global wealth registry?

    Spain and Brazil are even considering steps toward a global wealth registry – acknowledging that this would take time, political will and major national efforts.

    But the aim is clear: more transparency, more accountability and fairer contributions from the richest.

    “We cannot tolerate the intensity of inequality, which has been increasing in recent years,” said Brazil’s Minister-Counsellor to the UN, José Gilberto Scandiucci denying that this was some kind of far-leftist agenda.

    “This is a moderate initiative to confront a very radical reality.”

    The proposal forms part of the Seville Platform for Action, which is turbocharging voluntary actions to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – currently way off track for the 2030 deadline.

    G20 highlights ‘high worth’ factor

    It also follows the 2024 agreement by the G20 industrialised nations who met in Rio (Brazil) last year – the first international accord to commit to a joint tax agenda for high-net-worth individuals.

    A three-month work plan is now being drawn up with regular meetings planned to track progress. The goal – bring more countries, international organisations and civil society on board to push forward tax reforms targeting the ultra-rich.

    “If we want to effectively tax the super-rich, fight inequality and make our tax systems fairer and more progressive, we need political will – and we need to act within our means,” Mr. Gascón added.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Research – Workers look at automation as an opportunity, not a threat – Robert Half

    Source: Robert Half

    • 68% of employees believe automation will have a positive impact on their current job and career prospects.
    • 64% of employees will participate in training to reskill for a new role with their current employer if their job is partially automated, while 16% will look for a new job with a different employer.

    Auckland, 10 July 2025 – As automation efforts are set to ramp up in the workplace, this continued transformation is not expected to result in widespread job losses. In fact, most workers believe automation will have a positive impact on their career, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.

    “The broad embrace of automation in New Zealand businesses is an undeniable reality,” says Megan Alexander, Managing Director at Robert Half. “Automation is being rolled out to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and help bridge the skills gap in the current employment market. Crucially, this widespread adoption is viewed positively by Kiwi workers, who perceive automation not as a threat, but as a valuable opportunity to upskill and significantly enhance their career trajectories.”

    Why workers are optimistic about automation

    When employees were asked what impact they think automation would have on their job and career prospects, they were overwhelmingly positive.

    More than two-thirds (68%) of workers state that automation would have a positive impact, as it would create greater demand for their skills and improve their career outlook. About a quarter (23%) believe automation would have no impact on their job or career prospects. Only 9% of workers say automation would negatively impact their career because it could make their role and skills obsolete.

    Workers also expressed a willingness to adapt to the introduction of automated processes. When asked what they would do if their job became partially automated, and their employer asked them to change roles and learn new skills, workers said they would:

    • Participate in training to reskill into a new role with their current employer (64%) 
    • Look for a different role with their current employer (13%) 
    • Look for a new job at a different employer (16%) 
    • 7% are unsure.

    “Employees today are motivated to collaborate with their employers in the transition towards greater automation,” Alexander says. “With this in mind, organisations need to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure their workforce is equipped to thrive in an automated environment. This is a win-win for companies, who will have the skilled workers they need, and a loyal and engaged workforce.” 

    “Automation is about optimising resources, reducing errors, and freeing up employees to focus on more strategic and fulfilling work, not just about cost cutting,” concludes Alexander.

    About the research

    The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in November 2024 by an independent research company among 500 full-time office workers in finance, accounting, and IT and technology. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed and public sector organisations across New Zealand. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job tr

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The One Big Beautiful Bill Invests in Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–The One Big Beautiful Bill Act invests in American families by making the Trump tax cuts permanent, enhancing the child tax credit and strengthening childcare assistance. Together, these measures make raising a family more affordable for hardworking taxpayers. 

    “This legislation not only prevents the biggest tax hike in history, but it also provides significant tax relief for hardworking families through measures like increasing and making the doubled child tax credit permanent, and enhancing tax benefits that make child care more affordable,” said Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

    Key wins:

    • Permanent lower tax rates, letting Americans keep more of their hard-earned money.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced $2,200 child tax credit for tens of millions of families.
    • Permanent increased and enhanced standard deduction, claimed by over 90 percent of taxpayers.
    • Strengthens employer-provided childcare credit and boosts childcare assistance.
    • Establishes savings accounts for newborns, building financial security for the next generation.  

    What they are saying:

    “We applaud the Senate’s action to progress this critical legislation and expand upon President Trump’s tax relief for hardworking Americans. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will protect families and small businesses from the largest tax hike in history and deliver No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and new tax cuts for seniors. The passage of this bill will deliver the permanence and certainty both individual taxpayers and businesses.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

    “Passing an extension and permanency for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) out of the Senate is the next step in extending tax cuts for working Americans. The TCJA was an unmitigated success that benefitted American families, workers, and the overall economy.” – Americans for Prosperity

    Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bridging a gap on West Coast Cycle Trail

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new cycle bridge on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail will bring more visitors to the region and boost the local economy.

    “I’m thrilled to be supporting the construction of the Totara River Rail Bridge, ensuring visitors can once again ride this popular trail from start to finish,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

    “The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail is one of our Great Rides and attracts both international and domestic visitors alike, showcasing the stunning scenery of the West Coast.

    “Investment in this piece of infrastructure will benefit the local businesses and communities, particularly in the township of Ross located at the trail end.” 

    The Totara River Rail Bridge, a few kilometres north of Ross, has been closed for structural assessment and repairs since August 2024, cutting off the final 15km section of trail between Ross and the Treetops Zipline and Walkway. 

    “While cyclists can still enjoy parts of the trail, they currently cannot reach Ross – meaning the township, along with the wider region, is missing out on valuable visitor spending.  This investment will help turn that around, bringing more visitors back.” 

    This investment is part of the first stage of the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which also includes additional international marketing funding and other activity to encourage more international visitors to New Zealand. 

    “The Roadmap sets out the Government’s plan to double the value of tourism, currently our second largest export, by 2034.

    “We want to welcome more visitors to New Zealand, and we want to enable our regional communities to provide a high-quality visitor experience.

    “New Zealand’s Great Rides are national treasures, and it is important we look after them for future generations,” Louise Upston says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –