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Category: Business

  • Indian companies post satisfactory Q4 results despite global challenges: Bank of Baroda Report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Corporate performance of Indian companies in the fourth quarter of financial year 2025 remained satisfactory despite a tough global economic environment, according to a recent report by Bank of Baroda.

    The report highlighted that most companies are optimistic about their future growth prospects, and there is potential for further improvement once consumption demand picks up in FY26.

    The report said, “Corporate performance in Q4 FY25 was on the whole satisfactory and there is scope for an upward movement once consumption pick up in FY26. Importantly, despite a challenging global environment, companies remain positive on future growth prospects”.

    The report pointed out that certain sectors are already showing signs of recovery. Sectors linked to infrastructure are experiencing steady growth even though they are being compared to a high base from last year.

    In the case of consumer-related sectors like FMCG and consumer durables, strong rural demand and seasonal factors have played a key role in supporting recovery.

    The services sector has also continued to grow at a steady pace, driven by strong demand.

    The report noted that stable commodity prices, low inflation in India, a favourable monsoon outlook, trade agreements, government spending on infrastructure, and tax benefits are expected to be important drivers of growth and demand in the coming months.

    According to the report, aggregate net sales of a sample of 1,893 companies increased by 5.4 per cent in Q4 FY25, while net profits rose by 7.6 per cent. Expenses and interest costs remained under control, which helped improve the debt repayment ability of companies.

    However, some slowdown in sales was seen in large sectors such as oil and gas, textiles, and iron and steel. This had a negative impact on the overall performance of the sample. But the report suggested that this is likely a one-time occurrence and not a long-term concern.

    Similarly, the BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) sector, which performed strongly last year, saw some moderation in growth. This has been linked to a slowdown in credit growth.

    Overall, the report painted a positive picture of India Inc’s performance in Q4 FY25 and suggests that companies are well-positioned to benefit from improving demand and supportive policy measures in the next financial year.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the first quarter of 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) today (June 3) released the statistics on vessels, port cargo and containers for the first quarter of 2025.
     
         In the first quarter of 2025, total port cargo throughput decreased by 3.9% to 41.1 million tonnes over a year earlier. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 10.8% to 24.5 million tonnes, while outward port cargo increased by 8.6% to 16.6 million tonnes.
     
         On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, total port cargo throughput increased by 2.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Within this total, inward port cargo decreased by 1.3% compared with the preceding quarter, while outward port cargo increased by 8.9% compared with the preceding quarter. The seasonally adjusted series enables more meaningful shorter-term comparison to be made for discerning possible variations in trends.
     
    Port cargo
     
         In the first quarter of 2025, within port cargo, seaborne and river cargo decreased by 3.7% and 4.2% to 25.9 million tonnes and 15.2 million tonnes respectively over a year earlier.
     
         Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, a double-digit increase was recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Chile (+33.3%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo loaded in Vietnam (-30.6%), Taiwan (-23.9%), Malaysia (-21.6%), Thailand (-21.4%), Korea (-18.5%), Japan (-13.8%) and the mainland of China (-13.2%). For outward port cargo, double-digit increases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in Australia (+28.3%), Taiwan (+22.8%) and the mainland of China (+22.5%). On the other hand, double-digit decreases were recorded in the tonnage of outward port cargo discharged in the United States of America (-31.9%), the Philippines (-30.6%), Malaysia (-27.8%), Thailand (-25.9%), Japan (-21.5%) and Vietnam (-18.1%).
     
         Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of inward port cargo of “metalliferous ores and metal scrap” (+24.9%), “artificial resins and plastic materials” (-15.0%) and “stone, sand and gravel” (-37.7%). As for outward port cargo, triple-digit or double-digit changes were recorded in the tonnage of “stone, sand and gravel” (+122.9%), “metalliferous ores and metal scrap” (+15.6%) and “artificial resins and plastic materials” (-20.6%).
     
    Containers
     
         In the first quarter of 2025, the port of Hong Kong handled 3.37 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers, representing an increase of 1.6% over a year earlier. Within this total, laden containers decreased by 3.3% to 2.58 million TEUs, while empty containers increased by 21.2% to 0.80 million TEUs. Among laden containers, inward and outward containers decreased by 2.9% and 3.6% to 1.39 million TEUs and 1.19 million TEUs respectively.
     
         On a seasonally adjusted quarter-to-quarter comparison, laden container throughput increased by 1.6% in the first quarter of 2025. Within this total, inward laden containers increased by 3.3%, while outward laden containers decreased by 0.4%.
     
         In the first quarter of 2025, seaborne and river laden containers decreased by 3.3% and 3.2% to 1.82 million TEUs and 0.76 million TEUs respectively over a year earlier.
     
    Vessel arrivals
     
         Comparing the first quarter of 2025 with a year earlier, the number of ocean vessel arrivals decreased by 1.1% to 4 506, with the total capacity also decreasing by 3.8% to 70.8 million net tons. Meanwhile, the number of river vessel arrivals decreased by 0.7% to 19 800, while the total capacity increased by 22.6% to 23.1 million net tons.
     
    Further information
     
         Port cargo and laden container statistics are compiled from a sample of consignments listed in the cargo manifests supplied by shipping companies and agents to the C&SD. Vessel statistics are compiled by the Marine Department primarily from general declarations submitted by ship masters and authorised shipping agents. Pleasure vessels and fishing vessels plying exclusively within the river trade limits are excluded.
     
         Table 1 presents the detailed port cargo statistics.
     
         Table 2 and Table 3 respectively present the inward and outward port cargo statistics by main countries/territories of loading and discharge.
     
         Table 4 and Table 5 respectively present the inward and outward port cargo statistics by principal commodities.
     
         Table 6 presents the detailed container statistics.
     
         Table 7 presents the statistics on vessel arrivals in Hong Kong.
     
         More detailed statistics on port cargo, containers and vessels are published in the report “Hong Kong Shipping Statistics, First Quarter 2025”. Users can browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020008&scode=230).
     
         For enquiries about port cargo and container statistics, please contact the Electronic Trading Services and Cargo Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 2126 or email: shipping@censtatd.gov.hk). For enquiries about vessel statistics, readers may contact the Statistics Section under the Planning, Development and Port Security Branch of the Marine Department (Tel: 2852 3662 or email: st-sec@mardep.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s lowest paid workers just got a 3.5% wage increase. Their next boost could be even better

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Buchanan, Professor, Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney

    Carlos Castilla/Shutterstock

    A week ago, the Australian Financial Review released this year’s “Rich List”. It reported the number of billionaires in Australia increased from 150 to 166 between 2024 and 2025.

    A very different story is happening at the other end of the market. On Tuesday the Fair Work Commission awarded the lowest paid 20% of wage earners a 3.5% increase as a result of its annual review.

    The commission acknowledged even with this increase, our lowest paid employees will not be earning as much in real terms as they did before the post-COVID inflationary surge of 2021-2022.

    Why such a meagre increase?

    In Australia it has long been accepted that – all things being equal – wages should move with both prices and productivity.

    Adjusting them for inflation ensures their real value is maintained. Adjusting them for productivity means employees share in rising prosperity associated with society becoming more productive over time.

    This “prices plus productivity” model of wage rises is, however, subject to economic circumstances. In recent times the key circumstance of concern has been inflation.

    Depending how it is measured it peaked at between 6.5% and 9.6% in 2022-2023.

    Since 2022, economic agencies such as the Reserve Bank and state treasuries, along with finance sector economists, have been preaching about the threat of inflation persisting.

    Cutting real wages to control inflation

    Interest rates were increased to tame the inflation dragon. And these
    agencies all issued dire warnings about the threat of long-term inflationary pressure if wages were adjusted to maintain lower and middle income earners living standards.

    In its last three decisions the Fair Work Commission accommodated this narrative. Since July 2021 it ensured wages for the lowest paid 20% of employees did not keep up with inflation.

    Unsurprisingly, real wages for award-dependent employees fell.

    The commission has done its best to look after those on the absolute lowest rates: that is the 1% or so on the national minimum wage.

    Their wages have fallen by 0.8% over the period since July 2021. For those in the middle of the bottom 20% of employees dependent on awards the fall has been in the order of 4.5%.

    For example, this is the fall experienced by an entry level tradesperson in manufacturing dependent on an award.

    Because inflation is currently running at about 2.4%, the 3.5% increase marks a modest 1% real wage gain for a worker on or close to the entry level manufacturing tradesperson rates.

    In making this increase, the commission argued if real wage cuts continued, the entrenchment of lower minimum award rates was likely. It noted the economy is in pretty good shape – not just in terms of inflation and employment – but also many firms are turning a profit.

    What about productivity?

    The other striking feature of the post-COVID economic recovery has been poor productivity performance. It initially went backwards and more recently has flatlined.

    The commission rejected arguments recent poor performance in national productivity numbers should prevent raising the minimum award higher than inflation.

    It did this because it distinguished between productivity in the market and non-market sectors. In the former, productivity growth has been modest, but positive.

    Poor numbers in the non-market sector like health and social services were an artefact of both measurement problems and the need for more workers per unit output to boost the quality of these services.

    Silver linings?

    It is always a judgement call as to what is the appropriate scale of any wage increase. Given low paid workers were not the source of recent inflationary pressure, it is reasonable to claim now is the time to reverse the recent trends of cutting their real wages.

    Whether the increase had to be so modest is something the commission has
    indicated it is open to considering in future hearings. It has sent this signal by floating two novel arguments.

    The first argument concerns how cuts in real pay are calculated. In its decision it makes the very important point that conventional measures of real wage movements use monthly measures of inflation but wages only increase annually.

    It’s on this basis the 4.5% cut for the benchmark entry level trade worker in manufacturing was calculated.

    The commission notes, however, that if you take into account wages only rise once a year and inflation rises continuously, the overall loss of earnings power for such workers has been 14.4% since July 2021.

    This is a much higher account of real wage cuts than has previously informed debates on wages policy.


    FairWork Commission Annual Wage Review 2025, CC BY-NC-ND

    Secondly, the commission has noted consideration should be given to phasing out some of the lowest classifications in the award system. This is something it has done in the past.

    In this way it does not have to “increase rates” for low paid
    classifications as such. Rather, it just eliminates the possibility of having rates for exceptionally low paid jobs – and so raises the base rates dramatically for the lowest paid workers.

    Next year, things could be better. Australia has a long history of having a wages system that takes seriously the needs of all workers, and especially the low paid. This decision marks a break with the recent habit of using the lowest paid workers as a shock absorber for macroeconomic policy.

    The 3.5% rise is a modest increase but an important one. More important is the framework the commission has set up for decisions in future years. Devising a more accurate measure of real wage cuts and noting the importance of abolishing whole classifications of low paid work lays the foundations for potentially very exciting developments in Australian wages policy in coming years.

    John Buchanan has undertaken research on wages policy for over forty years. His most recent work has been supported by funding provided by the Electrical Trades Union, the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union and the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (NSW Branch). He is member of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and Branch Council Member of that union at the University of Sydney.

    – ref. Australia’s lowest paid workers just got a 3.5% wage increase. Their next boost could be even better – https://theconversation.com/australias-lowest-paid-workers-just-got-a-3-5-wage-increase-their-next-boost-could-be-even-better-258072

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Since 2011, entrepreneurs have bought about 6.7 thousand real estate properties outside the capital’s center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In almost 15 years, small and medium businesses have purchased about 6.7 thousand real estate properties outside the center of the capital under preemptive rights. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction Vladimir Efimov.

    “Small businesses are actively interested in non-residential real estate outside the center of Moscow. This is due to the uniform development of the urban environment and high consumer and business activity in different areas of the capital. Thus, since 2011, representatives of small and medium businesses have purchased from the city under the preemptive right about 6.7 thousand non-residential premises and buildings with a total area of more than 1.3 million square meters outside the Central Administrative District. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, almost 200 entrepreneurs took advantage of this opportunity – they acquired over 26.5 thousand square meters of real estate. This is almost twice as much as in the same period last year, when small and medium businesses privatized almost 100 objects with a total area of more than 14.1 thousand square meters,” commented Vladimir Efimov.

    Redemption by preemptive right is a measure to support small and medium-sized businesses, enshrined in Federal Law No. 159-FZ of July 22, 2008. Such transactions are concluded without a tender. Representatives of small and medium businesses buy real estate at a market price determined by independent appraisers. Entrepreneurs can do this either in installments over seven years with monthly or quarterly payments.

    “Since 2011, small businesses have bought the largest number of leased premises in the south of the capital – more than one thousand objects with a total area of over 186.5 thousand square meters. In the north of the city, more than one thousand objects with a total area of about 212 thousand square meters were also registered as property, in the southwest – 938 premises with a total area of 168 thousand square meters, and in the northeast of the city – about 820 objects, the area of which is almost 148.5 thousand square meters,” she noted.

    Ekaterina Solovieva, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of City Property.

    Businessmen who have been leasing real estate for at least one year and are included in the register of small and medium-sized businesses can buy it from the city. Lease rights must be acquired at regular auctions under general conditions.

    If the property is sold at a specialized auction for small and medium-sized businesses, the lease term before redemption must be at least two years. At the same time, the premises must be listed in the list of objects intended for use by small and medium-sized businesses for at least five years.

    To buy out the real estate leased from the city, you need to apply for the state service “Paid alienation of real estate leased by small and medium-sized businesses from the state property of the city of Moscow.” This can only be done electronically atmos.ru portal.

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital inofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/154719073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • After month-long exposition in Vietnam, holy Buddha relics return to India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The holy relics of Lord Buddha returned to India on Tuesday after a month-long exposition tour across Vietnam.

    The relics were ceremoniously received at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. The delegation accompanying the relics was led by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati , along with representation from the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) led by Shartse Khensur Jangchup Choeden Rinpoche, Secretary General, and National Museum officials.

    “The holy relics will be publicly displayed at the National Museum, Delhi, for a day, allowing devotees and dignitaries to offer their respects. A formal prayer meeting with senior monks, IBC officials, and diplomats will follow,” the IBC said in a post on X.

    “On June 4, the relics will travel in a Presidential cavalcade to Sarnath via Varanasi, where they will be ceremonially enshrined at Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, marking the grand conclusion of this historic international pilgrimage,” it added.

    The sacred tour in Vietnam, spanning multiple locations from the south to the north, drew more than 17.8 million devotees in total.

    External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had called the exhibition of these relics in Vietnam an “expression of close and friendly ties over centuries.”

    The ceremonies included relic processions, meditative gatherings, chanting, and educational sessions, fostering spiritual mindfulness among attendees of all ages.

    The holy relics arrived in Vietnam from India on May 2 with an Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, which also included Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh, senior monks and officials.

    The relics were supposed to remain in Vietnam until May 21 as part of the UN Day of Vesak celebrations.

    However, India extended the enshrinement of sacred relics in Vietnam beyond May 21, on the recommendation of the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs after a formal request from Vietnamese government, said the local media.

    The relics were displayed at Thanh Tam Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City, then in Ba Den Mountain in Tay Ninh province, Quan Su Pagoda in Hanoi, Tam Chuc Pagoda in Ha Nam, Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province, Phuc Son Pagoda, Bac Giang Province, Truc Lam Yen Tu Monastery in Quang Ninh, Chuong Pagoda in Hung Yen and Quan Am Ngu Hanh Son Pagoda in Da Nang City of Vietnam.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI: HashiCorp Expands Unified Lifecycle Management for Hybrid Cloud Operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today at HashiDays London, its first international user conference as an IBM company, HashiCorp unveiled the vision for partnering with IBM to shape the future of hybrid cloud automation. Despite widespread adoption, most enterprises have not reached cloud maturity — out of the 94% using cloud services, only 20% are receiving full ROI. IBM estimates that one billion new AI applications will emerge by 2028, driving greater cloud complexity and forcing enterprises to make critical decisions about their hybrid cloud strategies. Together with IBM’s software automation portfolio, HashiCorp is delivering the automated hybrid cloud platform that unifies infrastructure and security workflows, reduces complexity, and enhances visibility and control.

    At HashiDays London, HashiCorp announced new products and integrations that expand the capabilities of its Infrastructure Cloud across Infrastructure and Security Lifecycle Management (ILM and SLM) to help organizations automate hybrid infrastructure delivery, reduce operational risk, and improve security posture throughout the entire application lifecycle.

    “I’m excited to welcome our global community to HashiDays 2025, where we are sharing our vision for how HashiCorp and IBM will work together to build an automated hybrid cloud platform,” said Armon Dadgar, CTO and Co-Founder, HashiCorp. “With this vision, we’ll deliver a unified control plane that powers hybrid applications, embedding policy, automation, and observability into every layer of the stack, so enterprises can modernize securely, streamline operations, and unlock AI-driven automation at scale.”

    For more than 10 years, HashiCorp has helped thousands of customers across every geography and industry do cloud right. At HashiDays, customers from EMEA and APAC, including Booking.com, BT Group, Helvetia Insurance, HTX, InfoCert, shiftavenue, Trust Bank, SPH Media, and more, are sharing stories of how they manage cloud infrastructure and security with HashiCorp.

    Infrastructure Lifecycle Management

    As customers scale their hybrid strategies with IBM and HashiCorp, Infrastructure Lifecycle Management (ILM) continues to be a foundational priority. From building landing zones to enabling secure Day 2+ automation, organizations are using ILM to drive faster delivery and infrastructure resilience across teams and environments.

    Helvetia Insurance | How Terraform supported an ambitious cloud migration

    Founded in 1858 and headquartered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, Helvetia Insurance Group is a major player in the European insurance market. A few years ago, the cloud enablement team started a complete migration from on-premises datacenters to the public cloud. The ambitious goal: move 200 applications to AWS and Azure within one year. Using HashiCorp Terraform, Helvetia’s cloud enablement team created landing zones — fully configured cloud accounts with connectivity and policies — for its internal product teams. They then collaborated with a partner to build modules for hardened virtual machines and other critical resources allowing them to follow a lift-and-shift approach, expediting the migration without sacrificing security or governance. “Terraform was instrumental in achieving our migration goals. Without it, moving 200 applications in about a year would have been impossible. Our teams now have the tools to work faster and with greater confidence,” said Matthias Mertens, Cloud Solution Architect, Helvetia Insurance.

    HashiCorp’s ILM capabilities help platform and operations teams accelerate delivery, enforce policy, and optimize infrastructure from Day 0 to Day N. Today’s announcements expand support for secure, policy-enforced infrastructure delivery with new features across Terraform, Packer, Nomad, and Waypoint. These updates automate critical workflows that improve team productivity and infrastructure resilience throughout the full lifecycle.

    Build: Define and provision infrastructure in a standardized, scalable way to avoid configuration drift and manual rework.

    • Terraform ephemeral resources (GA): Protect sensitive values from persisting in state files
    • Sentinel policy library for AWS (GA): Enforce secure-by-default configurations with pre-written policies
    • Terraform + Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform: Enable orchestration of complex infrastructure workflows with end-to-end infrastructure as code

    Deploy: Enable repeatable, secure, and policy-aligned delivery of applications and environments.

    • HCP Waypoint actions (GA): Offer Day 2+ lifecycle workflows like rollback and restart, exposed through UI or CLI, to provide an internal developer platform that shields users from the underlying infrastructure complexity

    Manage: Monitor, update, and deprecate infrastructure components securely and efficiently across teams and environments.

    • HCP module revocation: Prevent use of revoked modules in HCP Terraform as part of module lifecycle management
    • HCP Terraform Premium SKU: Unlock advanced governance and private VCS support
    • Dynamic host volumes (Nomad): Enable more flexible, scalable provisioning of persistent storage across Nomad clients, essential for stateful workloads that require resilient storage operations in dynamic environments
    • Terraform provider for IBM Z: Empower organizations to integrate their mainframe platforms into modern workflows and hybrid cloud strategies

    Security Lifecycle Management

    As organizations modernize their infrastructure, their security surface area grows, along with the need to continuously inspect, protect, and govern sensitive data. Security Lifecycle Management (SLM) ensures that identity-based security, secrets management, and access governance are built directly into hybrid workflows, rather than bolted on after deployment.

    IG Group | Strengthened security while accelerating delivery with HCP Vault

    “As a security leader, my job is to reduce risk for my company without slowing down our development teams,” said Andrew Blooman, Platform Security Team Lead, IG Group. “Over the past few years, HashiCorp has helped us achieve these goals as we adopted multiple products for a number of use cases. We started with Community Edition versions of Vault, Nomad, and Consul, used HashiCorp Professional Services to accelerate this deployment, and added HCP Vault this year. We now have 63 teams onboarded to HCP Vault, with a centralized GitOps workflow allowing for version control, change approvals, and an audit log of newly onboarded teams.”

    HashiCorp’s SLM capabilities help security and compliance teams safeguard sensitive data, enforce access policies, and maintain governance from Day 0 through Day N. These updates provide proactive tools for visibility, access control, and cryptographic assurance across hybrid environments, and reflect continued investment in helping teams move faster without compromising control.

    Inspect: Identify and address potential security gaps before infrastructure or applications reach production.

    • HCP Vault Radar (GA): Detect and remediate unmanaged secrets and credential sprawl across environments
    • Consul 1.21 (GA): Simplify external service monitoring architecture for enhanced observability and service registration in complex environments

    Protect: Enforce identity-based access and secure application communication across environments.

    • Boundary transparent sessions (GA): Provide secure access to systems without altering user workflows
    • Vault and Consul integrations for Red Hat OpenShift: Streamline secure access across containerized workloads
    • Bring your own DNS to HCP Vault Dedicated: Improve connectivity and security posture in regulated environments, available now in AWS and coming soon to Azure

    Govern: Automate governance of credentials, policies, and encryption standards across systems and teams.

    • Vault Enterprise 1.19: Includes post-quantum cryptography updates, constrained certificate authorities, and automated root password rotation

    Together with IBM, HashiCorp is delivering the unified lifecycle foundation that modern enterprises need to scale securely and confidently in a hybrid world. Recent announcements, including Terraform Enterprise support for IBM Z and Vault Enterprise support for IBM Z and LinuxONE, bring HashiCorp’s ILM and SLM expertise to the mainframe, further enabling hybrid cloud automation that stretches from on-premises to private and public cloud.

    For more information and detailed coverage of all Infrastructure and Security Lifecycle Management announcements at HashiDays 2025, please visit the HashiCorp blog.

    About HashiDays
    HashiDays is taking place in London on June 3 and Singapore on July 22. During the multi-city event, attendees will hear from community members, partners, and customers about the latest advances in HashiCorp’s cloud infrastructure products. The HashiDays London keynote and morning sessions will be available to watch via live stream. The live stream link will be shared on the HashiDays homepage 30 minutes before the keynote begins at 9:30 a.m. BST.

    About HashiCorp
    HashiCorp, an IBM company, helps organizations automate hybrid cloud environments with Infrastructure and Security Lifecycle Management. HashiCorp offers The Infrastructure Cloud on the HashiCorp Cloud Platform (HCP) for managed cloud services, as well as self-hosted enterprise offerings and community source-available products. For more information, visit hashicorp.com.

    All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

    Red Hat, the Red Hat logo, OpenShift and Ansible are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries.

    Media and analyst contact
    media@hashicorp.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MAJOR SAFETY UPGRADES TO BE INSTALLED AT CITY JUNCTION

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 3rd June 2025

    Work will begin next week to fit a city junction with major new safety features, to protect pedestrians and provide better links to public transport.

    Work will begin next week to fit a city junction with major new safety features, to protect pedestrians and provide better links to public transport.
     

    The junction at Park Hall Road and Weston Road will get three new pedestrian refuge points as well as a new footpath linking to existing bus stops, and access to Park Hall Country Park.

    The safety upgrade comes in response to residents’ concerns and follows a number of incidents – including the tragic death of a pedestrian in December 2023.  

    Roadworks will be in place for six weeks while the work is carried out.

    Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and transport at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “This junction has been problematic for some time, and I made it a priority to get this sorted.

    “There have been a high number of near misses and incidents, including the tragic death of a local resident, who died just yards from his home on a walk he had been doing for a many years. I hear frequently from local people about how unsafe the junction is, and I have been to see for myself on a number of occasions.

    “We have listened to residents and made taking action at this junction a priority.

    “This is a busy junction and we appreciate there will be some disruption while this vital work is carried out. We thank motorists for their patience, but trust everyone will recognise the benefits of this work in creating a safer Stoke-on-Trent.”

    Businesses will operate as normal and access to residents will be maintained.

    Please plan journeys in advance.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: 26 Degrees selects QuantHouse for enhanced US equities coverage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sydney, London, New York, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Iress today announced that 26 Degrees Global Markets, the multi-asset prime broker, has added the QuantHouse Cboe One Feed to its US equity data coverage, further expanding its US trading capabilities and enhancing its offering for retail brokers seeking ‘out of hours’ access to US markets.

    The Cboe One Feed is the latest QuantHouse market data feed for Sydney-headquartered 26 Degrees and complements existing feeds for multi-asset data from North America, Europe and APAC trading venues.

    The addition of QuantHouse Cboe One Feed data will support 26 Degrees in the delivery of innovative and client-centric solutions to their global client base, and also reflects growing industry demand for extended market access, particularly in Asia. The Cboe One Feed offers consolidated, real-time market data from Cboe’s four US equities exchanges – which collectively account for 21.2%* of US equities on-exchange trading. This includes data from the early hours trading session (4am – 7am ET), during which Cboe has a 40.5% market share*.

    QuantHouse’s Head of EMEA & APAC Sales and Business Development, Rob Kirby, said: “The integration of the new Cboe One Feed by 26 Degrees enhances its US market data coverage considerably, supporting CFD retail flow and meeting growing investor appetite, particularly in Asia, to trade around the clock. We are delighted to continue to support 26 Degrees’ growth strategy with efficient, low latency access to market data from around the world, through a single connection.”

    26 Degrees’ Group Chief Commercial Officer, James Alexander, added: “26 Degrees’ long-standing partnership with QuantHouse ensures our clients benefit from reliable, low-latency market data. By integrating new Cboe One Feed market data within our QuantHouse API interface, we can offer traders, particularly in Asia, unparalleled access to US markets, unlocking new growth opportunities.”

    Adam Inzirillo, Cboe’s Global Head of Data Vantage, said: “We are pleased that 26 Degrees and its clients now have access to the Cboe One Feed, which represents a comprehensive, reliable and high-quality source of US equities market data. Cboe is committed to meet the growing international demand for access to US markets, by delivering high-quality market data as efficiently as possible.”

    QuantHouse continues to expand its global market data reach and connectivity. The Cboe One Feed complements existing US equity venues and other exchange feeds across Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, including Blue Ocean Technologies ATS, created specifically to enable global investors to trade US equities outside of New York Eastern Time market hours.

    For more information on accessing US Equities market data via QuantHouse, a division of Iress, clients are encouraged to contact their account manager.

    * Data 2025 YTD (January – May), excludes off-exchange trading reported through the Trade Reporting Facility (TRF)

    Ends

    For further details, please contact:
    Melanie Budden
    Mobile: +44 (0) 7974 937970
    Email: melanie.budden@therealizationgroup.com

    About QuantHouse
    QuantHouse (part of Iress) is a leading provider of international market data. It delivers high-performance API data feeds, historical and analytics data products it has crafted over the past 20+years to hedge funds, investment banks, brokers, market makers, financial technology providers and trading venues supporting integrated trading strategies, applications, and analytic databases.

    For more information please visit the website.

    About Iress
    Iress (IRE.ASX) is a technology company providing software to the financial services industry. We provide software and services for trading & market data, financial advice, investment management, superannuation, life & pensions and data intelligence in Asia-Pacific, North America, Africa, the UK and Europe. 

    www.iress.com

    About 26 Degrees
    26 Degrees Global Markets is an award-winning multi-asset Prime Broker specialising in providing prime services to broker-dealers, hedge funds, proprietary trading firms and family offices globally. With over a decade of proven history under former brand Invast Global, 26 Degrees is continuing to revolutionise the prime brokerage space by providing bespoke and innovative solutions to their clients internationally and responding quickly to the constantly evolving institutional client needs. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Mary-Elizabeth McMunn: Central banks and innovation – delivering our mandate in a digitalising world

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Many thanks for the invitation to speak to you today.1

    Speaking about innovation to a room full of innovators is no easy task, but I do think it is important to share the perspectives of a Central Bank and Regulator on innovation in the financial sector, in particular given the increasingly important role technology is playing in financial services.

    And as I have said before, while naturally associated with the private sector, I believe the public sector also has a crucial role to play in innovation – not just by enabling it but also in ensuring its safe adoption.

    Given this important role, as well as our strategic commitment to anticipating and responding proactively to changes in the economy and financial system,2 the Central Bank has put an increasing focus on innovation in the financial sector in recent years.

    As evidenced by your agenda today there is a huge breadth of innovation taking place in financial services.

    And while there is so much we are focused on that I could cover in my remarks, from Ireland’s growing and international Payments sector, to the increasing importance of operational and cyber resilience to the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence and its use in the financial sector, I would like to discuss two important aspects today.

    Firstly I would like set out how the Central Bank of Ireland thinks about and approaches innovation in financial services; and secondly I would like to focus in more detail on our role in one of the big potential technological shifts underway in the sector – namely digital assets, including tokenisation.

    Central Banks and Innovation

    Central Banks and Regulators are sometimes cast as anti-risk and indeed anti-innovation. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.

    While obviously our jobs are to ensure risks in the financial sector are being well managed – so that the system is stable, firms are safe and sound, consumers and investors’ interest are protected and the integrity of the system is upheld – we do not do this by eliminating all risk. One of the core functions of the financial system is to manage and take risk – and so if Regulators do not accept risk and make risk-based decisions ourselves, then the system doesn’t work.

    Similarly while it is our responsibility to ensure the risks from new entities, products or ways of serving customers are being well managed, we do not do this by unduly stifling innovation.

    Rather the Central Bank of Ireland supports innovation in the financial sector, as we recognise the benefits it can bring. But, to state the obvious, to deliver these benefits such innovation must be done well, which includes properly managing the risks that could arise to consumers and the system.

    In this regard contrary to being anti-innovation, in line with peer Central Banks we have been adapting our approach to better support and anticipate it.

    And as with all of our work, our approach to innovation is guided by our mission and mandate, serving the public interest by maintaining monetary and financial stability while ensuring that the financial system operates in the best interests of consumers and the wider economy.

    In terms of Regulation and Supervision specifically, there are many ways by which we seek to ensure innovation in the financial sector is operating in the best interests of the whole.

    This includes:

    Regulation – which not only enables innovation, but through appropriate guardrails helps establish trust, essential for innovation to be widely adopted, particularly in the area of financial services. PSD2, MICAR and DORA are all positive examples of this – enabling and enhancing digital finance and safe financial innovation in Europe.

    Authorisation – which plays a pivotal role in ensuring entities, products and individuals meet the high standard to be trusted with the public’s money. While authorisation is just the start of the supervisory relationship it is also about setting firms up for success, which is both in the firms’ own interest as well as in their customers’.3

    Supervision in turn provides a mechanism for maintaining trust through the cycle, by ensuring innovative firms are well run, products are appropriately designed, and neither introduce undue risks for their consumers or the system.

    This includes supervisory engagement ensuring regulated entities are being sufficiently innovative in adapting their business models and managing their operational resilience, where technology can be both part of the problem and part of the solution.

    In addition to these I would also add that the Central Bank also plays role in encouraging and fostering good innovation in the financial sector, in line with our public policy objectives.

    This includes our catalyst role for payments, and the convening power of a Central Bank, where we seek to drive and influence positive change at a system level to improve market efficiency, integration and security.

    And finally it includes our broader engagement with the innovative ecosystem, something we have been deepening and enhancing in recent years and which I would like to touch on now briefly.

    Engaging with innovation – Hub and Sandbox

    You will all be aware of the work of our Innovation Hub, which was established in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength. The Hub is open to all innovators in financial services, no matter the size or whether they are new entrants or established entities. And it has proven a valuable form of engagement both for us and the sector.

    For us, alongside other engagement and initiatives, it has helped us deepen our understanding of innovation in the financial sector, amidst a period of rapid digitalisation. And for the sector, you have reported the benefit of early engagement in terms of better understanding of our regulatory expectations and, for new entrants, what being a regulated entity entails.

    Last year, following public consultation, we began implementing proposals to evolve our approach by:

    1. Enhancing our Innovation Hub to deliver deeper, clearer and more informed engagement with the innovation ecosystem; and
    2. Establishing an Innovation Sandbox Programme.

    In terms of the first point, we have found the changes made are leading to deeper more productive engagements, making better use of our collective resources. In addition to the 8% year on year increase in Innovation Hub Engagements last year, this represents a substantial uplift in terms of the quantity and quality of our engagements with the ecosystem.   

    On the second proposal, as you will be aware our Innovation Sandbox Programme aims to inform the early stage development of selected innovative initiatives that promote better outcomes for consumers and the financial system.

    Our first programme launched late last year; and consistent with our aim of fostering innovation to support outcomes consistent with our public policy objectives, the theme was Combatting Financial Crime.4

    While the programme is still ongoing, both from our perspective and from feedback received from the 7 participants, the first programme has been a very positive experience. The final module will take place in June, alongside a showcase of the participants’ innovative solutions at an event in the Central Bank.

    In line with our wider commitment to continuous improvement, we will adopt an iterative approach to our Innovation Sandbox Programme, learning and improving from each one. We are also committed to sharing our key learnings, and will publish a report on outcomes and findings from our first programme later this year.

    Central Bank approach to Crypto

    I would like to turn now to digital assets, a wide-ranging and growing topic.

    Given its breadth, I will just touch on two specific areas: firstly crypto-assets, and in particular our approach to this sector and the implementation of MiCAR, before turning to the potential next wave of innovation, in terms of the tokenisation of the financial system.

    Firstly, we are often asked about the Central Bank’s approach to crypto-assets.

    I will begin by saying that as with all innovation in financial services we seek to ensure it is done well, and is delivering benefits to consumers and the system while appropriately managing any risks.

    It should go without saying that there are inherent risks in crypto-assets, and some forms of crypto-assets have higher risks than others.

    It is for this reason that we have issued warnings to consumers concerning crypto, and have expressed scepticism about business models which are driven by the heavy marketing, offering and distributing of unbacked crypto-assets to retail customers for speculative purposes.

    MiCAR will not provide the same levels of protection that exists for traditional financial investment products, nor of course will it enable all the significant risks linked to crypto-assets to be mitigated.  However, it is a welcome step forward.

    Nevertheless, it is important for consumers to be aware, that MiCAR will not cover all crypto-assets, with some of the most well-known crypto-assets, such as Bitcoin and Ether, not within scope of the regulation given they have no identifiable issuer.

    But while it is true speculative and highly volatile forms of crypto-assets remain a concern for the Central Bank, in particular from a consumer protection point of view, it is equally true that we recognise the important innovations distributed ledger and crypto technology could potentially lead to for financial services – and indeed we have recognised this for some time.

    It is important to note, however, as with all aspects of financial services this potential will only be realised if the technology and the providers can be trusted, to be resilient, to provide benefits to consumers and to help uphold, rather than jeopardise, the integrity of the financial system.

    It is these outcomes that inform our regulatory approach to crypto-assets. And indeed are informing our approach to the implementation of MiCAR, both in our engagement with regulatory peers, as well as our authorisation of applicant firms under the new framework.

    In that regard we have put in place a well-resourced and expert team to deal with the CASP authorisation process – ensuring it is both efficient as well as sufficiently robust.

    The team have been engaging extensively with the sector and applicants, and we have held a number of industry events dedicated to MiCAR.5 This is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, clarity and openness, in particular in our authorisation processes but also in our engagement with innovation.

    But while we are committed to a timely and quality authorisation process, the role and approach of applicant firms is also key in this regard.  Our assessments of MiCAR authorisation applications will be guided through many perspectives including the use case and utility, suitability, and the risks associated with a crypto product or service. 

    The importance of good culture and conduct risk management in delivering on new obligations under MiCAR cannot be overstated. The stronger their risk management, the better position firms are in to understand, calculate and mitigate risks, in turn strengthening their business model, and their relationship with their customers. 

    Regardless of the services, the target customer base, or whether the business is retail focused or aimed at institutional clients, safeguarding of client assets and governance are critical considerations for the Central Bank – given the fundamental role they play in protecting people’s money.

    And as I said earlier, authorisation is only the beginning of the supervisory relationship and so firms should demonstrate at the Gate that they will be well-run once they are through it.

    Tokenisation – private and public roles 

    Finally I would like to turn more broadly to the topic of tokenisation, which as we all know is the digital representation of traditional assets on a programmable platform6 and the potentially transformative potential of distributed ledger technology.

    I say potentially transformative, as some visions of a tokenised financial system, such as the  ‘finternet’ or ‘financial internet’7 put forward by the BIS, would truly be so, promising huge efficiency and disintermediation gains, reducing costs and complexity and empowering businesses and consumers.

    While this is on the further end of the tokenisation spectrum, there are a number of areas of the financial system where the potential benefits of tokenisation are being explored.

    This includes tokenisation of real assets, as well as financial assets such as money, securities, collateral, bank deposits, and funds. The potential benefits in terms of peer to peer transactions, smart contracts, and settlement and clearing are clear, leading to lower costs and indeed less risks. For time is money and time is risk as they say.8

    While there is a large amount of work ongoing by both the private and public sector, I wanted to touch on what I see as the Central Bank’s role in this regard.

    Firstly from a regulatory point of view, there is an onus on us to ensure there are no unintended regulatory impediments to tokenisation of traditional assets; as well as to engage in dialogue with the sector to see if enabling regulation is required.

    Secondly in line with our desire to foster innovation that delivers good outcomes for consumers, we can seek to drive and influence change at a system level. There is also a need for central banks to deepen our knowledge and engagement with this innovation, as well as to enhance our thinking and capabilities, given the far reaching changes implied should this wave of innovation materialise.

    These are all things we and peer Central Banks are doing, and indeed will further focus on in future – and something the BIS and other Central Banks have been leading on, with Project Agora, which is testing a multi-currency wholesale cross border payments using DLT, and Project Guardian, which seeks to enhance liquidity and efficiency of financial markets through asset tokenisation, both important examples.

    Given Central Banks’ fundamental role in the monetary system, it is important that public innovation keeps pace with private innovation, particularly in payments and settlements systems.

    In order to maintain the crucial role of public money in a tokenised world, future proofing our monetary system, facilitating innovation and increasing the resilience of the payments system, the Eurosystem is stepping up its efforts to support and foster innovation in market infrastructures. For example, in February the ECB announced its decision to expand its initiative to settle transactions recorded on DLT in central bank money.9

    In addition, the work the Eurosystem is doing around the Digital Euro is key, both in terms of a retail Digital Euro as the representation of public money in a digital world, but also importantly in terms of wholesale central bank digital currency, as a tokenised central bank asset to operate in a tokenised system.10

    Conclusion

    Before I conclude I would like to touch briefly on the rapidly changing external environment we are all operating in.

    In a future focused speech, it would be remiss of me not to mention the potential great structural changes underway in terms of geo-political developments and geo-economic fragmentation.

    The challenges facing our economy are clear; but amongst these challenges are opportunities.

    Innovation is often borne out of times of challenge, turning risks into opportunities.

    But also as we deal with short run risks, it is too easy to take our eyes off these longer term opportunities.

    I am sure this room full of innovators will heed the call to focus on continuing to deliver innovation in the interest of consumers and the wider economy. We as a Central Bank will also continue to anticipate, engage with and respond to innovation in the system.

    But I would also call on firms and investors to not lose sight of the need to continue to innovate and invest in technology. While economic cycles come and go, the digital transition rolls on, and we cannot be left behind.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s young kitchen wizards establishing careers as on-demand chefs

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

    A wok sizzled as garlic chives and Chinese kale hit hot oil, while pork rib and lotus root soup simmered with a bubbling sound on a stove. In addition, a whole fish, steamed and doused in soy sauce, could be spotted on the kitchen counter, neighboring a pile of spicy crawfish coated in chili oil.

    Ding Yuqing, 23, juggled preparation of these dishes while navigating an unfamiliar kitchen. A college student in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province, she was making a hometown feast for a family who hired her to cook in their home.

    “I love cooking,” she said. “Such home-cooking visits have improved my skills, and I really enjoy cooking for others.”

    Ding is part of a rising wave of young Chinese embracing a new gig, that of on-demand chef. Often students, office workers or freelancers, they offer homemade meals to time-starved urbanites seeking the likes of health, comfort and a taste of home.

    On social media, the trend is hot. Hashtags related to “on-demand chefs” have amassed over 1.45 billion views on Douyin and more than 35 million on “rednote,” an app better known as Xiaohongshu. Notably, last month, a viral story about a woman earning nearly 20,000 yuan (about 2,784 U.S. dollars) a month cooking six meals a day rocketed to the top of Sina Weibo’s trending list.

    HEALTH ON THE MENU

    For Ding, it all began with a few food photos. Over the winter break last year, she posted snapshots of her home-cooked dishes online. To her surprise, requests started rolling in, asking: “Can you come cook for me?”

    “At first, I was nervous cooking in someone else’s kitchen,” she admitted. “Now it’s second nature.”

    She currently offers services within a 10-kilometer radius on weekends and during school breaks. Before each visit, she discusses taste preferences with her clients and asks them to supply ingredients and seasonings. After preparing meals, she also tidies up, washes dishes and even takes out the trash for her clients.

    For a typical order of three dishes and one soup, Ding receives a payment of 80-100 yuan.

    Most of her clients, she noted, are young people juggling hectic schedules. One repeat customer, a 30-year-old office worker, has hired her more than 30 times. “This customer and her husband are both too busy to cook,” Ding explained.

    China’s busy urban workers have long relied on the country’s sprawling food delivery sector, which employs over 10 million scooter-riding couriers, but Ding’s case may reflect a consumption upgrade, with a sizable number of urbanites willing to dig deeper into their pockets for healthier and bespoke alternatives to takeout.

    Li Xiaoyang, a 30-year-old from Wuhan, said this new type of service became essential for him after a bad experience with takeout left him sick for a week.

    “Having someone cook for you means personalized dishes, better hygiene and a more relaxed atmosphere, whether it’s a family dinner or a classmate reunion,” Li said.

    Entrepreneurs have taken notice of this booming market. Hu Quanyu, founder of Chef51, an on-demand platform that connects professional chefs with customers, said the service now operates in over 50 cities across China and works with more than 1,500 chefs.

    Hu plans to launch a new platform aimed at part-time cooking enthusiasts, allowing them to pick up orders posted by users. The system will provide basic checks like ID and health certificates.

    “The new service of on-demand home cooking is more affordable and flexible for budget-conscious young consumers,” he said, adding that the trend reflects changing consumption habits among China’s younger generation, who, fueled by rising incomes, are increasingly investing in health, convenience and quality of life.

    A report by Zhiyan Consulting underscored this shift. It showed that the value of China’s health and wellness market surpassed 1 trillion yuan in 2023 — with people aged 18 to 35 accounting for 83.7 percent of this market.

    SIDE HUSTLE TURNS SERIOUS

    China’s “on-demand economy” has diversified rapidly in recent years, with services ranging from in-home elderly care to space organization within homes. These offerings have been hailed for meeting personalized consumer demands, thus promoting consumption, but also for creating much-needed new job opportunities.

    Back in 2022, the Chinese government issued a guideline aimed at improving gig economy services to boost employment.

    The number of flexible workers in China exceeded 265 million in 2024, including 175 million engaged in platform-based gig work, according to an industry report by Hangzhou-based Gongmall, a digital solutions provider for the gig sector. By 2050, total wages in the sector are expected to exceed 50 trillion yuan.

    Still, the fast-growing on-demand chef industry is not without risks and shortcomings. While recognizing its contribution to flexible employment and urban lifestyles, Hu Junjie, a lawyer based in Hubei, said safety and liability concerns remain due to a lack of regulations governing this novel service.

    The lawyer thus called for a clearer legal framework, better protection for workers, and more oversight from relevant platforms and authorities. “That said, China already has similar platform services like food delivery and taxi-hailing, management of which is quite mature, and thereby serves as a useful reference,” he added.

    For some, like Xia Lu (not her real name), the on-demand chef role has evolved from a side hustle to a full-time profession. Burned out from long working hours, the 27-year-old native of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, known among her social media followers for her fiery, flavor-packed cooking, quit her job with a foreign-owned company in Beijing in late 2023.

    She now charges at least 128 yuan per home-cooking trip and handles up to three clients a day. While her current income, about 7,000 yuan a month, is lower than her previous job, Xia relishes the greater freedom it offers her.

    “When the weather’s good, I go hiking. When it rains, I rest,” she said. “I’ve never felt so free and fulfilled.”

    She’s planning to leave Beijing next summer to open a private kitchen in Yunnan, a southwestern province known for its beautiful scenery, slower pace of life and constant flow of hungry tourists.

    For Ding Yuqing, meanwhile, the momentum is only just beginning.

    “I believe the on-demand chef industry will continue to grow,” she said. “It not only meets the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers, but also gives passionate cooks like me a meaningful and flexible career path.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese fireworks spark growth with expansion into Africa

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

    At the headquarters of a fireworks company in Liuyang City, central China’s Hunan Province, Hu Yichuang guided clients through the dozens of fireworks on display in the showroom.

    This photo taken on Dec. 28, 2024 shows people watching a fireworks show in Liuyang City, central China’s Hunan Province. (Xinhua)

    From time to time, he scanned QR codes on the packaging with his smartphone, instantly bringing the dazzling spectacle of each firework to life on screen.

    “These videos give clients a clearer visual understanding of how the products perform,” Hu said.

    Born in the 1990s, Hu took over the family business after completing his studies abroad. He now serves as general manager of Happy Fireworks Export Trading Co., Ltd., which has exported more than 500 types of fireworks products to over 60 countries worldwide.

    An experience abroad gave Hu a fresh perspective on the fireworks industry in his hometown of Liuyang.

    “During my time in Britain, I witnessed how fireworks displays became the highlight of London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, with spectators reserving premium viewing spots up to six months in advance,” Hu recalled.

    What truly astonished him was the discovery that the majority of these dazzling pyrotechnics originated from Liuyang, which filled him with both pride for his hometown and professional inspiration.

    “This revelation showed me how highly sought-after our hometown’s fireworks are overseas,” Hu said. “Liuyang’s pyrotechnics have tremendous potential in the global market.”

    The discovery steeled his resolve to return home, join the family business, and expand its international footprint in the fireworks industry.

    Liuyang, acclaimed as China’s fireworks hub, is currently home to 431 fireworks production enterprises with annual output exceeding 50 billion yuan (about 6.96 billion U.S. dollars). The city’s fireworks account for approximately 70 percent of China’s total exports, reaching consumers across the world.

    With traditional Western markets nearing saturation, Liuyang’s fireworks industry is increasingly focusing on emerging markets, including Africa, according to Wen Guanghui, chairman of a local fireworks industry association.

    “Africa’s booming population, vibrant festival culture, and rising purchasing power are driving rapid growth in the fireworks market,” Hu said.

    He added that his company has identified Africa as a strategic growth engine for its global operations and has established partnerships with enterprises in seven countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda. “Our fireworks exports to Africa are on track to hit 10 million yuan this year.”

    Liuyang fireworks are gaining steady recognition across Africa. Sebunya Hussien, a Ugandan pyrotechnics distributor who has long been engaged in fireworks sales and displays, recalled how “China’s Liuyang” kept appearing during his online searches for premium suppliers when he was working on expanding his import channels.

    After viewing a series of production process demonstration videos released by Hu’s company, along with vlogs documenting their staff’s participation in international trade exhibitions and market research trips across global markets, Hussien promptly reached out to the company. This initial contact ultimately led to his 40-hour cross-continental journey to conduct an on-site inspection in Liuyang.

    Witnessing firsthand how simple paper tubes are transformed into breathtaking aerial displays — and learning about Liuyang’s advanced pyrotechnic manufacturing processes — left Hussien deeply impressed. He said this experience has cemented his commitment to forging long-term partnerships with Liuyang’s fireworks producers.

    To better align with African market preferences, local fireworks manufacturers are continuously refining their product strategies.

    “African clients favor fireworks with vibrant colors and high-intensity bursts,” Hu explained. “Building on China’s popular ‘viral fireworks’ trends, we’ve developed innovative products that deliver stunning visual impact alongside exceptional cost-performance.”

    Hu noted that the company has also launched a new line of daytime fireworks specifically designed to meet the needs of African consumers for sporting events, weddings, and other daytime celebrations.  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BSMI Publishes SAF National Standards and Enforces Inspection to Ensure Quality and Promote Carbon Reduction

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    In response to global climate change, countries worldwide are actively implementing carbon reduction policies. Within the aviation sector, the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has become a key strategy in advancing low-carbon transportation. To align with national aviation policies and meet the growing demand for SAF, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) has established national standards for SAF and requires that SAF be subject to mandatory inspection. These measures ensures compliance with quality specifications and contribute to the aviation industry’s efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

    According to the BSMI, the Executive Yuan has designated SAF as a key initiative under Taiwan’s national carbon reduction policies. In alignment with the policies implementation timeline, BSMI has adopted relevant international standards-ASTM D7566 and ASTM D1655-as the reference for establishing and revising the national standards CNS 16221 “Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons” and CNS 2558 “Aviation Turbine Fuel.” These standards define the quality requirements-such as total sulfur content, distillation characteristics, copper strip corrosion, and thermal stability-as well as the corresponding test methods for SAF produced through various processes, serving as regulatory guidance for the domestic aviation fuel manufacturing industry.

    BSMI further stated that SAF is primarily produced from non-petroleum-based feedstocks, such as used waste cooking oil. Compared to conventional petroleum-derived aviation fuels, SAF offers significant carbon reduction benefits. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has set a target for SAF to account for 5% of total aviation fuel consumption by 2030. In addition to advancing carbon reduction goals, ensuring fuel quality is critical. To this end, BSMI has included SAF within the scope of mandatory inspection. All SAF products-whether imported or domestically produced-must comply with national standards CNS 16221 or CNS 2558. This measure ensures that all SAF supplied within the aviation fuel supply chain meets national regulatory requirements.

    The relevant CNS national standards are available through the BSMI “CNS Online Service System” (website: http://www.cnsonline.com.tw).
    Information on SAF-related inspection requirements, following its inclusion in the list of commodities subject to mandatory inspection, can be found on the BSMI website (http://www.bsmi.gov.tw) under “Focus News” > “Business Announcements.”

    The public is welcome to visit the websites or call the toll-free service line at 0800-007123 for further information.

    Responsible Division: Inspection Administration Division
    Contact Person : Cheng, Ching-Hung., Deputy Director
    Tel. (O):+886-23431700#1221
    Email: ch.cheng@bsmi.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Vasileios Madouros: Navigating economic cross currents

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Just miles from here, off the southwest coast of Cork, the Atlantic does not flow uniformly. Tides push in one direction and swells in another. Cross currents are a fact of life at sea, and even experienced sailors need to stay alert. The aim is not to avoid cross currents, but to recognise them, be ready to respond, and keep steering with purpose.

    Cross currents are also a fact of economic life. And we are navigating one at the moment. In one direction, global shocks are weighing on the domestic economic outlook. In the other, the domestic economy is entering this period from a position of strength, and – if anything – has been bumping up against domestic capacity constraints.

    Today, I would like to expand on how these different forces are shaping the economic outlook and discuss the implications of these developments for domestic economic policy. 

    The outlook for global growth has shifted downwards

    Let me start with the global context. Since the beginning of the year, we have seen three interrelated shocks affecting the international economy. A material shift in trade policy; a sharp increase in policy uncertainty; and an increase in market volatility. Without a change in direction, these will continue to weigh on the global growth outlook. Let me briefly cover each in turn.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Toyota Group to Accelerate Collaboration Towards Transforming into a Mobility Company Through Privatization of Toyota Industries Corporation

    Source: Toyota

    Headline: Toyota Group to Accelerate Collaboration Towards Transforming into a Mobility Company Through Privatization of Toyota Industries Corporation

    Toyota Group, with its mission of “producing happiness for all,” is taking on the challenge of “transforming into a mobility company” and aiming to contribute to the development of the mobility industry in Japan and the world through these challenges.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community meets with Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor Leste

    Source: ASEAN

    H.E. San Lwin, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community received a courtesy visit from H.E. Ambassador Ina Ruth Luise Lepel. Their discussions explored potential cooperation within the socio-cultural development spheres, encompassing health, disaster management, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), social inclusion, climate cooperation and environmental protection.
     

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Launches 21Shares Hedera ETP (HDRA) on Euronext

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New ETP offers regulated exposure to one of the most scalable and sustainable distributed ledger technologies

    Zurich, 3 June 2025 – 21Shares AG (“21Shares”), one of the world’s largest issuers of crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the launch of the 21Shares Hedera ETP (Ticker: HDRA). The product is now listed on Euronext Amsterdam (USD) and Euronext Paris (EUR), offering investors simple, transparent, and regulated access to Hedera’s enterprise-grade DLT (distributed ledger technology).

    Exchange Product Name Ticker ISIN Fee
    Euronext Paris and Euronext Amsterdam 21Shares Hedera ETP HDRA CH1456607683 2.50%

    The 21Shares Hedera ETP provides 100% physically backed exposure to HBAR, the native token of the Hedera network. It allows investors to gain institutional-grade access, directly through traditional bank or brokerage accounts, to one of the most energy-efficient and scalable distributed ledger technologies available today.

    “With its unique architecture, strong governance model, and real-world adoption, Hedera stands out as one of the most advanced distributed ledger technologies on the market,” said Duncan Moir, President at 21Shares and Board Member at Hedera Hashgraph LLC. “By launching the 21Shares Hedera ETP, we are enabling both institutional and retail investors to participate in the growing Hedera ecosystem through a fully regulated, transparent investment vehicle.”

    Hedera is an open-source distributed ledger designed for real-world innovation and enterprise use. It is governed by a global council of up to 39 renowned institutions, including Google, IBM, LG, Dell, EDF, and Deutsche Telekom, operating under legally binding, transparent terms. This governance model emphasises trust, resilience, and long-term stability – redefining decentralisation for scalable, mainstream adoption.

    “As more institutions seek secure ways to access digital assets, 21Shares continues to lead the way by bridging traditional finance and crypto with clarity and confidence,” said Gregg Bell, Chief Business Officer at Hedera Foundation. “This collaboration gives investors a straightforward way to access HBAR and brings them closer to a network trusted by leading institutions worldwide.”

    Unlike traditional blockchains, Hedera leverages its novel Hashgraph consensus mechanism that delivers industry-leading performance. It supports up to 500,000 transactions per second under testing conditions, offers predictable, fixed fees in USD, and consumes just 0.000003 kWh per transaction – making it 1,000 times more energy-efficient than a typical Visa transaction. 

    For more information, visit www.21Shares.com.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

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

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

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

    About Hedera Foundation

    Hedera Foundation fuels the innovation and development of public-network applications on the Hedera network. By providing grants, technical assistance, and community support, we empower projects that leverage Hedera’s fast, secure, and sustainable ledger to solve real-world problems. Learn more at hedera.foundation.

    DISCLAIMER

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Klaas Knot: Banking on buffers – why we need resilience in times of uncertainty

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    A very good morning to you all. Welcome to De Nederlandsche Bank. We are very happy to host this event here in our newly renovated building. I strongly support these kinds of exchanges of views between banks, academia and the public sector, and the IBF plays an important role in facilitating them.

    This Round Table bears an interesting, and perhaps somewhat surprising, title: ‘Tougher Times for Banks: Torn between Resilience, Competition and Stability’. Personally, I regard resilience, competition and stability all as good things, so I was wondering what you find so disturbing about this. But perhaps I should read the title as diplomatic language for ‘Torn between competitors, difficult regulators, and a world that has gone insane.’ You understand, being Dutch, I have a certain reputation to maintain.

    But still, even if my interpretation is right, I should speak a word of caution here. Or in fact, reassurance. Because sometimes we tend to see trade-offs where in reality there aren’t any.

    Let’s take regulation for example. Banking regulation often seems to resemble the swinging motion of a pendulum. After a financial crisis, lessons are learned and financial regulation is tightened. We saw this very prominently after the great financial crisis of 2008. And then after some years, the memories of the crisis fade in the rearview mirror, and calls go up for relaxing financial regulation. And this is what we currently see.

    That seems to assume that there is a trade-off between banking regulation and all the good things of economic life: profitability, dynamism, economic growth. And I know that many in the banking sector view regulation as a constraint, something that limits profitability and imposes undue costs.

    But, and that should not come as a surprise to you, I would argue against that. In fact, it’s just the other way around. Banking regulation is not an obstacle to growth, it is an enabler of sustainable, long-term growth. Banks with strong capital positions and sound liquidity management are better positioned to extend and rollover credit, invest in new technologies and finance large-scale projects. They are better able to maintain lending during an economic downturn. And stronger banks can secure more favourable funding conditions, attract long-term customers and build partnerships that increase shareholder value.

    That’s not just theory. We have seen it in practice. During the Covid pandemic the banking sector was able to function as a shock absorber, rather than a shock amplifier. Thanks to stronger buffers, banks were able to absorb losses and continue extending credit when the economy took a hit as a result of the lockdowns. That was in large part thanks the comprehensive reform of banking regulation after the great financial crisis. Suppose we hadn’t done this. We would probably have had a banking crisis on top of a global health crisis.

    Even after the pandemic, we had a number of shocks that triggered financial market turmoil. Such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ensuing energy crisis, double digit inflation, and recently, a trade war. During all of these episodes, although surely there was instability at the fringes, the core of the financial system, including the banking system, held up relatively well. I am convinced that this is the result of the hard work we did on strengthening the system in previous years.

    Now, have lawmakers and regulators done a perfect job? No, of course not. That would have been highly remarkable. Over the past 15 years, a great deal of regulation has been introduced from various angles. At the global, EU and national level. Micro versus macro. New risks are identified while older ones seldomly disappear. Regulation always creates new imperfections, and there is indeed some overlap, for example in resolution versus recovery. And at times there is a lack of proportionality for smaller institutions. That is certainly something we can look into.

    But for those arguing for simplification beyond this, please keep in mind that simple rules are less risk-sensitive and thus lead to stricter requirements. You want simpler rules? Sure, but those rules are then calibrated at a more prudent level. That is the logic behind the standardised approach. That is also the logic behind the leverage ratio.

    Most importantly, we should be careful not to confuse simplification with deregulation. Deregulation means effectively lowering buffers by relaxing the rules. That would increase both vulnerability in the banking system and the likelihood of financial crises. That would be a big mistake.

    We should be wary of undoing the hard work that has gone into strengthening the financial system over the past decade and a half. Especially now, in this time of unusually high uncertainty, both on the economic and political front.

    So we need to maintain the overall level of resilience. And in fact, in some areas, our work to make the banking sector more resilient is not yet complete. For one thing, the final Basel III standards, that are meant to repair key weaknesses in banking regulation, still need to be implemented in many jurisdictions. In the meantime, the banking turmoil of two years ago was a reminder that bank failures are not a thing of the past.

    Also, the non-bank financial sector has greatly expanded. Recent episodes of market turmoil have confirmed weaknesses in this sector when it comes to leverage and liquidity. So now we need to bring the NBFI sector to an equal level of resilience as the banking sector. At the Financial Stability Board, we have pushed hard for this, and we will continue to do so.

    The title of this Round Table also mentions competition. John D. Rockefeller once said: ‘Competition is a sin.’ I might have felt the same way if I had been in his position. But from today’s perspective, I would say: unfair competition is a sin. And as regulators, if there is one thing we can do to promote fair competition, it is to provide a level playing field. Banking rules work best when they work everywhere. If regulation is implemented unevenly across jurisdictions, a patchwork of regulations will arise that opens the door to regulatory arbitrage. Banks may be tempted to shift operations to regions with looser standards. An uneven playing field undermines confidence in the global banking system, disrupts competition, and ultimately increases systemic risk.

    Since the financial system is a global system, we need global rules. And for this we need global cooperation. It is obvious that this is where the big challenge lies today. If we want to meet today’s challenges to financial stability, we have to continue to work together as nations. And we need to stay committed to the institutions we have built to underpin that cooperation, such as the Basel Committee and the FSB.

    Let me wrap up. There is no trade-off between financial stability and economic growth. Rather, financial stability is a necessary precondition for sustainable economic growth. And for that, we need a resilient banking sector, supported by strong buffers. This is a message I will be repeating over and over again in my final weeks as the president of DNB. By the end of June you will all be completely fed up with me. That’s ok. As long as you remember the message. Because, somehow, we tend to forget.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.103 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.103 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, June 3, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB454.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on June 3, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB454.5 billion

    RMB454.5 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年06月03日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute

    Johan Larson/Shutterstock

    On the surface, Queensland’s new government is doing exactly what it pledged before winning office in October – repealing the state’s ambitious renewable energy targets and cancelling a huge pumped hydro project near Mackay.

    But since the start of the year, the Crisafulli LNP government has gone further, and it’s less clear where it’s heading.

    Last week, the government abruptly cancelled the A$1 billion Moonlight Ridge wind farm proposal, citing insufficient consultation and a lack of community support.

    At the same time, the government announced it would open another 16,000 square kilometres of the state for gas exploration. The government is also planning to open new gas peaking plants and keep its coal plants open longer.

    So, is the Queensland government backsliding on renewables and climate change?

    The Crisafulli government is still committed to net zero by 2050. Because Queensland still owns its own transmission infrastructure and power plants, the state could shift to clean energy faster than other states. But at present, they don’t appear to be in a rush.

    Many solar farms have already been built in the Sunshine State.
    Lakeview Images/Shutterstock

    Slowdown under way

    Previous Labor governments in Queensland announced plans for large pumped hydro installations as a way to store energy to be available when intermittent wind and solar are not. The largest of these pumped hydro projects was the Pioneer-Burdekin proposal near Mackay, which the government has now canned.

    The Crisafulli government has also asked the Queensland Investment Corporation to examine the financial viability of two other major proposals, the Borumba pumped hydro scheme inland from the Sunshine Coast and the Copperstring transmission project linking Townsville and Mount Isa. This isn’t unusual – new governments often review projects announced by their predecessors.

    Another recent announcement is drawing stronger criticism, however. In April, the Crisafulli government announced plans to make sure large solar and wind farms have the social licence to operate. This, the government announced, would bring the “same rigorous approval processes as other major developments” to bear on renewables.

    If these plans become law, they are likely to make it substantially harder and slower to build large renewables projects.

    The cancellation of the Moonlight Ridge wind farm proposal is instructive. Of the 508 individuals who wrote in response to the development, only 142 were local. In his decision, planning minister Jarrod Bleijie noted: “the representations that I received evidence that the project has not acquired overriding community acceptance”.

    What’s being proposed looks messy. The peak body for renewables in Queensland is highly sceptical, while miners and farmers have also signalled concern.

    But while the Moonlight Ridge cancellation drew headlines, two other wind farm proposals have been approved after being asked to show they had consulted adequately.

    No is easy, yes is hard

    It’s easy to take office and reject the work of predecessors. It’s far harder to outline what will replace it.

    In contrast to other east coast states, Queensland has largely kept control of its sprawling electricity system. The government owns most large coal and gas power plants and all the transmission infrastructure.

    While the new government has indicated renewed support for private sector energy investment, it has provided support for government-owned corporations to develop new gas peaker plants. By contrast, there are very few proposals for new gas plants further south.

    In one sense, it’s no surprise Queensland’s new government has eased off on renewables. Its coal plants are relatively new, and largely owned by the government. This may reduce the urgency for developing a new energy plan, but only for a few years. Planning for a smooth energy transition is a major task, as demonstrated by southern states.

    The state has also profited hugely from gas exported from Gladstone. The government now receives around $1 billion from oil and gas royalties a year.

    Go-fast federally, go-slow at state?

    The thumping Labor majority at this year’s federal election means, at a national level, work on the clean energy transition will accelerate. But this transition is only possible if state and federal governments coordinate well.

    The responsibility for building and maintaining electricity systems in Australia largely falls to the states and territories. But managing large power grids on the east and west coasts requires national-level coordination.

    What the federal government can do, by and large, is set a goal and stump up the cash. As former Labor prime minister Paul Keating once quipped, “never get between a state premier and a bucket of money”.

    The federal government is running a funding program to support renewable generation and storage projects across the country. Three Queensland renewable projects have been approved under this program, including solar farms with battery storage.

    It’s hard to see the state government moving to block these projects.

    Where does this leave us?

    Queensland is signalling it’s not enthused about having an open gate for new renewable projects. Adding time consuming and expensive new consultation hurdles may cause prospective renewable developers to pack up and head south or west.

    Yet the policy’s strategic intent is unclear and is not necessarily against clean energy for the state. Many projects are already under way. The Crisafulli government has shown interest in smaller scale pumped hydro schemes as a way to store energy. And gas peaking plants will be a necessary evil in a high-renewables grid, acting like an emergency diesel generator for the rare periods without enough wind, sun or water.

    The big test will come later this year in the form of the state government’s five year energy plan. Will it deliver the investment to meet the net zero objective while maintaining affordable and reliable power? Right now, many in the clean energy industry are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

    Tony Wood may own shares through his superannuation in companies impacted by energy sector policies

    – ref. The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero? – https://theconversation.com/the-queensland-government-is-cancelling-renewable-energy-projects-can-the-state-still-reach-net-zero-257958

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s a ‘Strombolian eruption?’ A volcanologist explains what happened at Mount Etna

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Teresa Ubide, ARC Future Fellow and Associate Professor in Igneous Petrology/Volcanology, The University of Queensland

    Fabrizio Villa / Getty Images

    On Monday morning local time, a huge cloud of ash, hot gas and rock fragments began spewing from Italy’s Mount Etna.

    An enormous plume was seen stretching several kilometres into the sky from the mountain on the island of Sicily, which is the largest active volcano in Europe.

    While the blast created an impressive sight, the eruption resulted in no reported injuries or damage and barely even disrupted flights on or off the island. Mount Etna eruptions are commonly described as “Strombolian eruptions” – though as we will see, that may not apply to this event.

    What happened at Etna?

    The eruption began with an increase of pressure in the hot gases inside the volcano. This led to the partial collapse of part of one of the craters atop Etna.

    The collapse allowed what is called a pyroclastic flow: a fast-moving cloud of ash, hot gas and fragments of rock bursting out from inside the volcano.

    Thermal camera images show the eruption and flows of lava down the side of Mount Etna.
    National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, CC BY

    Next, lava began to flow in three different directions down the mountainside. These flows are now cooling down. On Monday evening, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology announced the volcanic activity had ended.

    Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, so this eruption is reasonably normal.

    What is a Strombolian eruption?

    Volcanologists classify eruptions by how explosive they are. More explosive eruptions tend to be more dangerous, because they move faster and cover a larger area.

    At the mildest end are Hawaiian eruptions. You have probably seen pictures of these: lava flowing sedately down the slope of the volcano. The lava damages whatever it runs into, but it’s a relatively local effect.

    As eruptions grow more explosive, they send ash and rock fragments flying further afield.

    At the more explosive end of the scale are Plinian eruptions. These include the famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD, described by the Roman writer Pliny the Younger, which buried the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum under metres of ash.

    In a Plinian eruption, hot gas, ash, and rock can explode high enough to reach the stratosphere – and when the eruption column collapses, the debris falls to Earth and can wreak terrifying destruction over a huge area.

    What about Strombolian eruptions? These relatively mild eruptions are named after Stromboli, another Italian volcano which belches out a minor eruption every 10 to 20 minutes.

    In a Strombolian eruption, chunks of rock and cinders may travel tens or hundreds of metres through the air, but rarely further. The pyroclastic flow from yesterday’s eruption at Etna was rather more explosive than this – so it wasn’t strictly Strombolian.

    Can we forecast volcano eruptions?

    Volcanic eruptions are a bit like weather. They are very hard to predict in detail, but we are a lot better than we used to be at forecasting them.

    To understand what a volcano will do in the future, we first need to know what is happening inside it right now. We can’t look inside directly, but we do have indirect measurements.

    For example, before an eruption magma travels from deep inside the Earth up to the surface. On the way, it pushes rocks apart and can generate earthquakes. If we record the vibrations of these quakes, we can track the magma’s journey from the depths.

    Rising magma can also make the ground near a volcano bulge upwards very slightly, by a few millimetres or centimetres. We can monitor this bulging, for example with satellites, to gather clues about an upcoming eruption.

    Some volcanoes release gas even when they are not strictly erupting. We can measure the chemicals in this gas – and if they change, it can tell us that new magma is on its way to the surface.

    When we have this information about what’s happening inside the volcano, we also need to understand its “personality” to know what the information means for future eruptions.

    Are volcanic eruptions more common than in the past?

    As a volcanologist, I often hear from people that it seems there are more volcanic eruptions now than in the past. This is not the case.

    What is happening, I tell them, is that we have better monitoring systems now, and a very active global media system. So we know about more eruptions – and even see photos of them.

    Monitoring is extremely important. We are fortunate that many volcanoes in places such as Italy, the United States, Indonesia and New Zealand have excellent monitoring in place.

    This monitoring allows local authorities to issue warnings when an eruption is imminent. For a visitor or tourist out to see the spectacular natural wonder of a volcano, listening to these warnings is all-important.

    Teresa Ubide 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. What’s a ‘Strombolian eruption?’ A volcanologist explains what happened at Mount Etna – https://theconversation.com/whats-a-strombolian-eruption-a-volcanologist-explains-what-happened-at-mount-etna-258060

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Konsolidator launches financial data warehouse – Built for finance, not IT

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release no. 3-2025
    Copenhagen, June 3, 2025

    Konsolidator launches financial data warehouse – Built for finance, not IT
    Today, Konsolidator announces the launch of its financial data warehouse, designed specifically for CFOs and finance teams. Built to tackle the data overload facing finance departments, the solution delivers structured, reliable data for reporting without relying on internal IT resources. Part of the product pillar from the company’s 2025–2027 “Resilient Growth” strategy, the data warehouse utilizes Konsolidator’s core expertise in financial reporting.

    A new foundation for financial data
    Konsolidator’s financial data warehouse taps into Konsolidator’s existing experience in financial reporting. The purpose of Konsolidator’s financial data warehouse is to give finance professionals a clean, structured view of their data, ready for reporting and decision-making. Finance teams today face a clear problem: too much data, from too many systems, and no clear way to use it. ERP systems, CRMs, spreadsheets, and planning tools provide complexity instead of insight.

    “It’s no longer about access to data—it’s about making sense of it. You need a solution built for finance, not developers,” says Lars Højer Paaske, Head of Product at Konsolidator.

    A solution for teams without the internal IT resources

    The financial data warehouse is designed for finance teams who want control over their data, without needing internal or external IT experts to build and maintain infrastructure. Fully integrated with Microsoft Fabric and Power BI, the solution enables advanced analytics, transaction-level transparency, and automated reporting workflows. Many companies lack the internal expertise to build or maintain a data warehouse. Konsolidator’s hosted solution has built-in governance, security, and compliance—so finance teams can focus on insight, not infrastructure.

    2025-2027 strategy: Broader product offerings

    The financial data warehouse is, together with the upcoming FP&A tool, part of Konsolidator’s broader “Build, Buy or Partner” approach. It is one of four strategic pillars of the Resilient Growth strategy and the first step in launching The Konsolidator Suite—our new platform approach that gives finance teams end-to-end control over their data, from consolidation to reporting, and fits into a more holistic view of finance digital ecosystems.

    We’re building solutions that make CFOs better with reliable data, not just in the monthly reporting, but to feed into the overall strategy.

    “This is the first step into something bigger,” says CEO Claus Finderup Grove. “We’re moving beyond ‘just being a consolidation product’ to become a central part of the entire finance department. We believe finance teams already have the right skills and data—they just need the right tools to use it.”

    Contacts

    About Konsolidator
    Konsolidator A/S is a financial consolidation software company whose primary objective is to make Group CFOs around the world better through automated financial consolidation and reporting in the cloud. Created by CFOs and auditors and powered by innovative technology, Konsolidator removes the complexity of financial consolidation and enables the CFO to save time and gain actionable insights based on key performance data to become a vital part of strategic decision-making. Konsolidator was listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Denmark in 2019. Ticker Code: KONSOL

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global uncertainty affects the financial sector

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    3 June 2025

    The ongoing trade conflict has worsened the global growth outlook, while the risk of new shocks to the financial markets has become a more persistent threat due to the high level of global uncertainty regarding trade policy. As a small, open economy, Denmark will be affected by the trade conflict, and the financial sector may experience a particular impact on bank lending to export-sensitive industries.

    “Uncertainty is detrimental to financial markets and the economy, and if the trade conflict escalates, it will undoubtedly weaken the global economy. A decline in Danish exports will affect Danish companies and may lead to losses on bank lending,” says Peter E. Storgaard, Head of Financial Stability at Danmarks Nationalbank.

    Credit institution’s profits remained high in 2024, in part due to low loan impairment charges. The banks’ core earnings make up the first line of defence against potential losses. Danmarks Nationalbank’s biannual stress test of the financial sector shows that Danish institutions can withstand a severe recession scenario.

    “In times of high uncertainty, financial stability may come under strain. The Danish financial sector is well equipped to handle challenges related to the effects of the trade conflict on the Danish economy, which our latest stress test emphasises. In the current risk environment, a robust liquidity position and capitalisation of banks is crucial,” says Storgaard and continues:

    Every six months, Danmarks Nationalbank publishes its Financial stability analysis, which assesses and makes recommendations regarding financial stability in Denmark.

    The most recent analysis was published today at www.nationalbanken.dk.

    Journalists may direct any queries Peter Levring, Communications and Press Officer, by telephone on +45 2620 1809 or by email at pnbl@nationalbanken.dk.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Unit-linked pension savings have caught up to average-rate pensions savings

    Source: Danmarks Nationalbank

    Higher net contributions for unit-linked products

    Unit-linked products have become more widespread in recent years. New pension schemes are predominantly unit-linked schemes, and there have also been significant shifts from average-rate to unit-linked products. This has meant that for unit-linked products, there are overall greater contributions from the working population than payments to pensioners, while the opposite is true for average-rate products. The total net contributions since 2015 have been kr. 910 billion higher for unit-linked products than for average-rate products. This trend continued in the 1st quarter of 2025, where there were net contributions of kr. 16 billion to unit-linked products, while there were net payments of kr. 9 billion from average-rate products.

    Market developments also leave their mark on pension savings

    In addition to net contributions, the pension savings for unit-linked products have increased by kr. 736 billion since 2015, which primarily reflects the return on the pension companies’ investments in the financial markets. In the same period, the pension assets for average-rate products rose by only kr. 310 billion, when net contributions are excluded. Unlike unit-linked products where stocks make up a larger portion of the investments, bonds are more prominent for average-rate products.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smucker Votes in Favor of One Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

    WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was approved in the House of Representatives by a vote of 215-214.

    “Last November, the American people gave President Trump and the Republican-led Congress a mandate for change. House Republicans today took a critical step to bring the transformative One Big Beautiful Bill closer to final passage. This bill will deliver for the American people by extending tax relief for hardworking families and small businesses, securing our border, unleashing American energy dominance, achieving peace through strength, and critically –making real, measurable reductions in federal spending. This bill secures more savings than any other reconciliation bill in American history – protecting families from both a historic tax hike and the hidden costs of unchecked federal borrowing. Passing this legislation will be a first step in righting our fiscal trajectory and I remain committed to the hard work ahead of addressing our $36 trillion and growing national debt,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11). 

    Click to watch Rep. Smucker’s comments in support of the measure: 

    BACKGROUND ON THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT:

    Extending Tax Relief for Hardworking Families and Small Businesses, courtesy of the Committee on Ways and Means

    • Make permanent the lower tax rates and brackets for all taxpayers, the doubled guaranteed Standard Deduction, and the Child Tax Credit, preventing a $1,700 tax hike on PA-11 taxpayers providing for their families.
    • Increase the Child Tax Credit by $500 to combat Bidenflation.
    • Raise annual real wages by $2,100 to $3,300 per worker.
    • Increase real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by roughly $4,000 to $5,000.
    • Provide tax relief for: overtime pay for hourly workers, cut taxes for tipped workers, and provide relief for seniors.
    • Expand and make permanent the 199A small business deduction to 23% – creating over 1 million new Main Street small business jobs and generating $750 billion in economic growth at American small businesses.
    • Protects family farms from the death tax that would threaten future generations of farmers. 

    Securing our Border

    • Makes significant investments in personnel, resources, and technology to maintain operational control of the border and enforce America’s immigration laws, building on President Trump’s administration’s immediate work to make America safer.
    • Hires 18,000 new personnel to enforce America’s immigration laws. 

    Unleashing American Energy Dominance 

    • Acts to ramp up American energy production including by cutting bureaucracy and streamlining permitting processes.
    • Ends wasteful spending and ineffective energy programs including those in the “Green New Deal.” 

    Achieving Peace Through Strength 

    • Invests in America’s arsenal to ensure our selfless servicemen and women continue to be the best equipped fighting force in the world ready to respond to any threat, including targeted investments in improving servicemember quality of life programs.
    • Expands naval capabilities, restocking of American munitions, supporting soldier readiness.
    • Defends America through the creation of a Golden Dome missile defense system and continued funding of nuclear deterrence programs. 

    Reductions in Federal Spending

    • Changes the way that Washington operates, delivering real reductions in federal spending—nearly $1.7 trillion in estimated mandatory savings.
    • Saves hundreds of billions through repeal of provisions in the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” passed during the Biden administration.

    Preserving And Protecting Critical Safety Net Programs and Encouraging Personal Accountability

    • Preserves critical programs like Medicaid for those truly in need.
    • Roots out waste, fraud, and abuse of federal safety net programs to ensure they remain accessible to those in need.
    • Implements and strengthens common sense work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, ensuring that able bodied unemployed individuals contribute or make efforts to better themselves.
    • Ensures states cannot support illegal immigrants through Medicaid.

    This legislation is fiscally responsible: 

    • The $4.12 trillion estimated cost of the legislation is more than fully offset by:
      • Nearly $1.7 trillion in estimated mandatory savings, slowing the rate of growth of future spending.
      • $2.6 trillion in expected revenue resulting from a growing economy.  

    According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors, the legislation will: 

    • Boost the level of short-run real GDP by 3.3 to 3.8 percent and long-run real GDP by 2.6 to 3.2 percent.
    • Raise annual real wages by $2,100 to $3,300 per worker.
    • Increase real annual take-home pay for a median-income household with two children by roughly $4,000 to $5,000.
    • Save over 4 million full-time equivalent jobs from being destroyed.
    • Facilitate $100 billion of investment in distressed communities.

    The legislation contains provisions authored by Rep. Smucker, including: 

    • Permanent Tax Relief and Certainty for Small Businesses: Permanently increasing and enhancing the small business tax deduction, known as Section 199A of the tax code. Smucker’s Main Street Tax Certainty Act has the support of 187 Members of the House and the legislation has broad support among stakeholders in PA-11 and across the nation.  
       
    • Expanded Support for Individuals with Disabilities Using ABLE Accounts: Smucker’s bipartisan ENABLE Act to allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save and invest in tax-advantaged accounts without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential federal support programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, is included making these tax provisions permanent. 
       
    • Improved Access to Primary Care: The Ways and Means Committee’s proposals include Smucker’s Primary Care Enhancement Act, which would clarify provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to remove barriers for individuals with Health Savings Accounts from using those funds to access Direct Primary Care, a health care delivery model which provides high-quality care at lower cost for individuals of all ages and incomes across America.

    # # # 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Soitec and PSMC collaborate on ultra-thin TLT technology for nm-scale 3D stacking

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Soitec and PSMC collaborate on ultra-thin TLT technology for nm-scale 3D stacking

    Bernin (France), June 3, 2025 – Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in the design and production of innovative semiconductor materials, today announced a strategic collaboration with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC).

    Under the collaboration, Soitec will supply PSMC 300mm substrates incorporating a release layer, Transistor Layer Transfer (TLT) ready, to support a new demonstration of advanced 3D chip stacking at the wafer level. This marks the first public announcement of Soitec’s TLT technology.

    The technology is an enabler for next-generation semiconductor designs that allow for more powerful, compact and energy-efficient chips – with potential applications ranging from smartphones, tablets and AI devices to autonomous driving systems.

    Soitec’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior EVP Innovation, Christophe Maleville said: “At Soitec we are proud to pioneer semiconductor materials that unlock new possibilities in chip design and performance. Our collaboration with PSMC reflects a shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of 3D integration and supporting the global shift toward more efficient and compact computing architectures. Together we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of semiconductor innovation.”

    PSMC Chief Technology Officer SZ Chang said: “With our longstanding presence in memory and logic foundry, PSMC consistently drives advancements in 3D stacking. In the two-year collaboration, PSMC has demonstrated an innovative wafer-stack integrated process by leveraging Soitec’s advanced substrate technology. The innovation significantly broadens the 3D technology from chip-level stacking – optimizing power performance in computing architecture, to transistor-level stacking – extending Moore’s law, with a remarkable reduction in stacking wafer thickness from micrometer to nanometer level. This achievement, by pushing the boundaries of 3D stacking, reaffirms our position at the forefront of the semiconductor industry.”

    To meet growing industry demand for faster and more energy-efficient chips, Soitec has developed a new substrate stack enabling high-speed transfer of ultra-thin transistor layers onto different types of wafers—a key requirement in heterogeneous integration, where diverse chip components are combined in a single package.

    The stacking process enables multiple transistor layers to be built vertically to support 3D transistor architectures including vertical field-effect transistors (FETs) with backside power delivery networks (PDNs).

    This TLT substrate leverages Smart Cut™ technology together with infrared (IR) laser release processing. The proprietary Soitec technology enables the formation of an ultra-thin semiconductor layer, ranging from 5nm to 1µm in thickness, on top of the TLT substrate. Once devices are fabricated on the TLT wafer, the IR laser process facilitates the lift-off of the ultra-thin layer from the substrate to the target wafer, without introducing thermal stress or damaging the devices.

    The Soitec-PSMC collaboration builds on existing France-Taiwan cooperation initiatives in AI and other semiconductor-related domains.

    *****

    About Soitec

    Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 0.9 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024-2025. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge and Cloud AI. The company relies on the talent and diversity of its 2,300 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Soitec has registered over 4,000 patents.

    Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.

    For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X: @Soitec_Official

    Media Relations: media@soitec.com

    Investor Relations: investors@soitec.com

    *****

    About Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC)

    Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) is the world’s seventh-largest pure-play foundry, with four 12-inch and two 8-inch fabs in Taiwan, capable of producing over 2.1 million 12-inch equivalent wafers annually. Since its establishment in 1994, the company transitioned successfully from DRAM manufacturing to advanced foundry services for memory and logic chips. Ranked seventh in global semiconductor ESG evaluations, PSMC demonstrates strong governance and environmental commitment. In May 2024, PSMC’s new 12-inch fab in Taiwan’s Tongluo Science Park began operations with a planned capacity of 1.2 million wafers annually, using advanced 28nm and wafer stacking technologies.   

    For more information, visit https://www.powerchip.com/en-global

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: RIBER receives an order in Asia for an MBE 412 research system

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RIBER receives an order in Asia for an MBE 412 research system

    Bezons (France), June 3, 2025 – 8:00am (CET) – RIBER, the global leader in Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) equipment for the semiconductor industry, announces the sale of an MBE 412 research system to a leading Asian university institute.

    This acquisition is part of the development of advanced research on laser sources emitting at 1650 nm, used for methane detection. The system will be dedicated to the study of GaAs- and InP-based materials, with the objective of exploring new growth processes to optimize strained heterogeneous and multilayer structures, thereby improving the performance of optoelectronic devices in critical applications.

    A compact and versatile platform, the MBE 412 stands out for its high flexibility in growth protocols. It enables the implementation of complex processes thanks to its compatibility with a wide range of effusion cells, while ensuring excellent deposition uniformity and stability.

    This new order highlights the growing interest among research institutes in MBE technologies for the development of specialized lasers and innovative nanoscale materials.

    About RIBER

    Founded in 1964, RIBER is the global market leader for MBE – molecular beam epitaxy – equipment. It designs and produces equipment for the semiconductor industry and provides scientific and technical support for its clients (hardware and software), maintaining their equipment and optimizing their performance and output levels. Accelerating the performance of electronics, RIBER’s equipment performs an essential role in the development of advanced semiconductors that are used in numerous applications, from information technologies to photonics (lasers, sensors, etc.), 5G telecommunications networks and research, including quantum computing. RIBER is a BPI France-approved innovative company and is listed on the Euronext Growth Paris market (ISIN: FR0000075954).
    www.riber.com

    Contacts

    RIBER
    Annie Geoffroy | tel: +33 (0)1 39 96 65 00 | invest@riber.com
    Justine Dauvisis | tel: +33 (0)6 67 93 38 40 | communication@riber.fr  

    ACTUS FINANCE & COMMUNICATION
    Cyril Combe | tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 36 | ccombe@actus.fr

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: JLT Mobile Computers showcases JLT6015 at TOC Europe, June 17-19, 2025 – a new innovative rugged vehicle-mount computer enabling container terminal automation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Image description: TOC Europe 17-19 June 2025
    Image available: pr@jltmobile.com

     Växjö, Sweden, 3rdJune, 2025 * * * JLT Mobile Computers, a leading developer and supplier of reliable computers for demanding environments, invites media to experience its latest rugged vehicle-mount computers at TOC Europe on June 17-19, 2025. The annual conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands, brings together global port and terminal supply chain leaders.

    JLT will be at stand E:32 alongside Visy, a pioneer in optical character recognition (OCR) that integrates AI and deep learning into its vision-based terminal automation solutions.

    JLT’s rugged computers support thousands of critical tasks every day and are essential for executing routines in container terminals. For example, Visy’s latest user applications for crane operations run on JLT computers – helping terminal personnel work more efficiently and maintain the planned sequence of operations.

    At TOC Europe, JLT will showcase its portfolio of rugged vehicle-mount computers, spearheaded by JLT6105, the industry’s first rugged vehicle-mount computer with a 15-inch full high-definition (HD) widescreen, alongside the field-proven Navis Ready validated VERSO Series. Designed specifically for container terminals, these rugged computers enable 24/7 container throughput and optimize productivity in even the harshest environments.With over 25 years of experience in container handling environments, JLT’s rugged devices are trusted by leading container terminals worldwide. They serve as the digital backbone for real-time data capture and reliable communications.

    Together, JLT’s rugged hardware and Visy’s smart automation solutions create value across the terminal – from wharf and yard to gates and parking areas.”

    Introducing JLT6015: engineered to boost productivity and maximize TEU capacity
    JLT6015 is the industry’s first to combine a superior full HD display, 1920 x 1080, with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. It delivers exceptional clarity and performance in harsh, constrained terminal environments. JLT6015 is future-ready with 5G (in Europe) and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, split-screen capabilities, and a rugged, dock-free design. JLT6015 gives operators the visibility and computing performance to keep terminals productive and connected.

    Peter Lundgren, Container Terminal Business Development Manager at JLT Mobile Computers, says, “JLT6015 harnesses the full potential of the latest software applications from Visy and opens new opportunities to optimize container terminal productivity and throughput.”

    VERSO Series: Navis Ready validated for N4 Terminal Operating System
    Built for 24/7 operations in the most challenging terminal environments, VERSO Series is the optimal rugged computer for container terminals. Engineered to withstand salt, sand, or harsh weather, constant vibration, and round-the-clock shifts, it provides reliable performance throughout the terminal. It is designed to keep terminal operations moving, enhancing capacity, productivity, and container throughput. It is Navis Ready, allowing terminal operators to benefit from seamless integration, as compliance with the container terminal operating system is pre-verified.  

    On display also the latest developments of JLT Insight, a software tool to assist in real time location and tracing of CHE:s, hence optimizing the use of the CHE fleet.

    Visit us at TOC Europe
    Be the first to experience JLT6015, explore VERSO Series and JLT’s rugged vehicle-mount computers at TOC Europe at Visy’s stand E:32. Peter Lundgren, Business Development Manager Ports and Terminals Container Terminals, will be onsite to demonstrate.

    Book a meeting with Peter Lundgren.

    To learn more about JLT Mobile Computers, and the company’s products, services and solutions, visit jltmobile.com. Financial information is available on JLT’s investor page.

    About JLT Mobile Computers

    JLT Mobile Computers is a leading developer and supplier of rugged mobile computing devices and solutions for global and local port operators, in particular container terminals. Almost 30 years of development and manufacturing experience have enabled us to set the standard in rugged computing, combining outstanding product quality with expert service, support, and solutions. Operators depend on JLT computing devices in all their container handling equipment (CHE) to ensure trouble-free business operations 24/7. JLT participates in the Navis Ready Validation program to ensure interoperability with Navis N4. JLT operates globally from offices in Sweden, France and the US, complemented by an extensive network of sales partners in local markets. The company was founded in 1994 and its shares have been listed on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market stock exchange since 2002 under the symbol JLT. Eminova Fondkommission AB acts as Certified Adviser. Learn more at www.jltmobile.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Viridien sets new seismic data acquisition standard with launch of Sercel Accel – the world’s first onshore drop node solution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, France – June 3, 2025

    Viridien has launched the Sercel Accel – the industry’s first onshore drop node solution – which will revolutionize land seismic data acquisition.

    Unveiled at the EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition in Toulouse, France, Accel is designed to overcome the challenges of today’s complex, high-density seismic operations by accelerating survey deployment, increasing operational efficiency gains and consistently delivering the highest quality data.

    Accel sets a new standard for onshore seismic data acquisition by eliminating the need for nodes to be buried or planted in the field and thereby drastically reducing deployment time and labor requirements. With its unique droppable design, compact size, and integrated smart portable deployment system, Accel streamlines logistics, improves in-field agility and helps to reduce operational costs by up to -30% and significantly lower HSE risk.

    At its core, Accel is powered by the industry-leading Sercel QuietSeis® MEMS sensor, a long-standing benchmark of total data integrity. Built-in, field-proven Sercel Pathfinder QC technology also provides near real-time quality control status monitoring and ensures reliable node retrieval.

    Accel also brings a new level of flexibility to land seismic data acquisition with the introduction of modular Accel Solution Packs which combine nodes, software and services. These are designed to meet wide-ranging survey needs, from initial exploration to large-scale mega-crews. With this approach, customers can tailor and scale their required Accel Solution Packs based on project duration, complexity and strategic goals, bringing unmatched agility to their field operations.

    Jerome Denigot, Head of Sensing & Monitoring, Viridien, said: “For many decades, our high-end Sercel geophysical solutions have led the industry, ensuring acquisition of the highest-quality seismic data. With the launch of Accel, we have drawn on our expertise to take a bold leap forward – revolutionizing how data is captured, managed, and ultimately trusted by our customers for its total integrity and accuracy. Thanks to its seamless integration with our other acquisition systems, our Accel drop node solution enhances both crew productivity and safety. Scalable and supported by our flexible Accel Solution Packs, including software and services, it heralds the start of a new era in fast, high-resolution land seismic acquisition – accelerating projects of any size.”

    About Viridien:

    Viridien (www.viridiengroup.com) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resources, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Viridien employs around 3,400 people worldwide and is listed as VIRI on the Euronext Paris SA (ISIN: FR001400PVN6).

    Contacts

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on June 03, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 5,019
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 5,019
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/461

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Unfair and unreasonable’ – report finds $1.9 billion in unpaid child support in system rife with financial abuse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kay Cook, Professor and Associate Dean Research, School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education, Swinburne University of Technology

    Tar Pichet/Shutterstock

    The Commonwealth ombudsman has released his long-awaited report into the “weaponisation” of the child support program.

    He has identified widespread financial abuse throughout the system. This includes parents not making payments, lying to reduce their income and being abusive or violent to stop ex-partners seeking help.

    The ombudsman has found Services Australia, which administers the scheme, is not using its available powers to stop the abuse and force ex-partners to support their children. As a result, 153,000 parents have a combined A$1.9 billion in unpaid child support.

    The report adds to the growing evidence the child-support scheme is failing families, especially women. The system hasn’t been working for a very long time, if it ever did.

    Ombudsman’s report

    More than 1.2 million separated parents have child-support arrangements for an estimated one million children. Some 84% of parents receiving payments are women.

    According to the report, 32% of complaints about the child-support scheme reported it was being weaponised by ex-partners. This figure only includes people who were persistent enough to proceed all the way to the ombudsman.

    In addition, these complainants were women who braved possible repurcussions from ex-partners, who may be abusive. Given the context of fear, the statistic is undeniable.

    Ombudsman Iain Anderson has found the abuse is being made worse by the tax system, which calculates income assuming all support payments have been made, even if they haven’t.

    Preventing weaponisation is really important because child support is all about children – vulnerable children – who need to be financially supported while they are growing up.

    The same problems with the tax system were identified by a report earlier this year by the Inspector General of Taxation and Tax Ombudsman Ruth Owen.

    Toothless tiger

    The report finds Services Australia, the government agency responsible for Centrelink, is acting in an “unfair and unreasonable” manner by not using its available powers to enforce payments.

    This passive approach is unfair. It allows some paying parents to manipulate the system to avoid their financial responsibility in raising heir children largely without consequences.

    The report recommends Services Australia:

    • publicly outline its plan to tackle financial abuse through the child support system

    • introduce a range of measures to enforce child support payments

    • refine data collection approaches

    • review its Lodgement Enforcement Program

    • support its staff to undertake training on financial abuse through the child-support system

    • review its change of assessment process.

    The report notes the legislative provisions underpinning Services Australia are also “unfair and unreasonable”.

    Recommendations for government action include

    • amending legislation to overcome legal roadblocks to enforcing child support payments

    • providing the ombudsman with a comprehensive progress report within the next 12 months.

    Circuit breaker

    There have been countless reviews calling to rebalance the system in the interests of women and children.

    They include our 2023 report on child-support weaponisation and the government’s financial abuse inquiry in 2024.

    Yet there has been scant action to date. Indeed our survey of 540 women exposed the scale of the problem for the first time.

    This new ombudsman’s report might be the final push to action that the government needs due to its timing and specifics.

    First, both Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and newly appointed Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek have acknowledged the need for change.

    The 2024 women’s budget statement acknowledged child support was being abused. An internal review had been taking place to examine how the child support, family tax benefit and taxation systems are being weaponised.

    Second, the ombudsman’s report draws on Services Australia data to shed light on the issue. Much of this information has not previously been made public. Some statistics have been reluctantly released due to dogged questioning in Senate Estimates over many years by the new Greens leader, Larissa Waters.

    The ombudsman used his legislative powers to request and obtain information from Services Australia, as well as attending its offices to furnish his report. The data adds substantial weight to the findings.

    A safer system

    Many of the root problems with the child-support program stem from reforms brought in during the Howard era, compounded by the welfare to work measures which targeted single parents.

    Immediately after separation can be the most dangerous time for women. Perpetrators can use mandatory government systems, such as child support, to financially control and harm ex-partners and their own children.

    The ombudsman’s report will give some hope to the 12% of Australian families headed by single mothers that the government will take action to make the system safe and fair for all women and children.

    Kay Cook receives funding from the Australian Research Council in the form of a Discovery Project grant on, ‘Prioritising women’s financial safety: Developing institutional interventions for intimate partner financial abuse’.

    She is a member of the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee.

    Adrienne Byrt 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. ‘Unfair and unreasonable’ – report finds $1.9 billion in unpaid child support in system rife with financial abuse – https://theconversation.com/unfair-and-unreasonable-report-finds-1-9-billion-in-unpaid-child-support-in-system-rife-with-financial-abuse-258063

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –