NewzIntel.com

Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Global Cross-Border Payments: A Quadrillion Evolving Market?

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    Cross-border payments are essential to the global financial system, facilitating trade and investment. The global cross-border traditional and crypto payment market approached a value of about one quadrillion dollars in 2024, with crypto payments representing only a small fraction despite their recent surge. Focusing on data from Swift—the largest traditional cross-border financial messaging network—we study the characteristics and evolving patterns of these payments over 2021-24. Notably, payments are predominantly concentrated in advanced economies, and are driven by financial institutions and large transactions. While currency usage remains stable—with the U.S. dollar maintaining the largest share—the Chinese renminbi demonstrates signs of increasing global integration, albeit from a low base. Gravity model estimates confirm that traditional economic linkages, via trade, portfolio investment, and FDI, shape cross-border payments. However, aggregate dynamics mask substantial heterogeneity across message types (customer vs. financial related payments), currencies, and transaction sizes, with information asymmetries playing a diminished role in larger payments.

    Subject: Balance of payments, Currencies, Foreign direct investment, Money

    Keywords: Cross-Border Payments, Currencies, FDI, Foreign direct investment, Global, Networks, Portfolio Investment, Trade

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Post-Pandemic Investment in Spain: Assessing the Sluggish Recovery

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    This paper examines Spain’s investment performance five years after the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, investment had only returned to pre-pandemic levels and remained below historical fundamentals and euro area peers, particularly in transport equipment and other construction. Macroeconomic analysis identifies elevated economic policy uncertainty as a factor holding back investment. Moreover, firm-level data show that investment among small and younger to middle-aged Spanish firms is less responsive to profitability than in comparable firms in larger euro area economies, further suggesting that uncertainty is weighing on investment decisions. For younger and middle-aged firms, high leverage during the pandemic also points to binding financial constraints.

    Subject: Capital formation, COVID-19, Depreciation, Financial institutions, Foreign exchange, Gross fixed investment, Health, Housing, Intangible capital, National accounts, Purchasing power parity, Sovereign bonds

    Keywords: Bond yields, Capital formation, Consumer price indexes, COVID-19, Depreciation, Economic policy uncertainty, Firm heterogeneity, Gross fixed investment, Housing, Intangible capital, Investment, Leverage, Profitability, Purchasing power parity, Sovereign bonds

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: No One Left Behind: Birmingham Highlights Vital Support for Migrant Survivors This Refugee Week

    Source: City of Birmingham

    As part of Refugee Week 2025 (16-22 June), Birmingham City Council is raising awareness of the life-saving support available for refugee and migrant survivors of domestic abuse.

    Working in partnership with the Refugee and Migrant Centre, Central England Law Centre, and the NRPF Network, the campaign draws attention to the significant barriers many survivors face — including No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), language barriers, and lack of access to safe housing. 

    Thanks to funding through the Council’s Domestic Abuse Community Grants, the Refugee and Migrant Centre, working in partnership with specialist domestic abuse services, is supporting survivors. This includes offering expert immigration advice and advocacy in over 40 languages, helping survivors claim asylum, regularise their immigration status, or access financial support. 

    Survivors with NRPF, including those whose asylum claims have been refused, can also receive legal advice and representation through the Central England Law Centre. Their work with local domestic abuse providers ensures access to support such as the Destitute Domestic Violence Concession (DDVC) — a vital legal route to safety. 

    Councillor Jamie Tennant, Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities, said:

    “Refugee Week is a time for reflection and action. No one should be trapped in an abusive situation because of their immigration status. Here in Birmingham, we’re proud to stand alongside our partners to ensure that survivors get the help they need — with dignity, compassion, and justice. We are committed to making sure no one is left behind.” 

    The Council aims to raise awareness by sharing real survivor stories, busts harmful myths about migrant access to services, and provides practical information on where to get help. Each day focuses on a different theme, from legal support and housing rights to survivor voices and community solidarity. 

    Where to Get Help 

    If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, support is available: 

    • Birmingham Domestic Abuse Hub:  

    Call 0808 800 0028 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

    Visit www.bswaid.org (Webchat open Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm) 

    The hub also has a women only drop-in service at Bank House, 36 Bristol Street, Birmingham B5 7AA. Opening times are: Monday and Tuesday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Wednesday 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Thursday and Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm 

    • Refugee and Migrant Centre: 

    Visit www.rmcentre.org.uk 

    Call 0800 0663 444 

    Or drop-in on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings between 9am-1pm at: 

    The Refugee and Migrant Centre, 
    Second Floor, Chamberlain Building, 
    36 Frederick Street, 
    Birmingham, 
    B1 3HN 

    • Central England Law Centre: 

    Telephone advice available Monday to Thursday 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm, and Friday 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm on 0121 227 6540 

    Or visit www.centralenglandlc.org.uk 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Making the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework Fit for Purpose

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    The European Union’s budget—known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)—has over time been a key tool for enhancing economic efficiency, achieving redistribution, and helping the Union tackle pressing challenges. As the Union navigates an increasingly complex global environment and faces looming structural and demographic changes, it is increasingly evident that decisive EU-level actions will be needed to boost productivity and resilience. The MFF is a critical policy lever that can enable the needed EU-level actions. This paper argues for three key changes to the next MFF (2028-34) to help the budget play this role. First, bottom-up estimates of investment needs suggest that spending on European Public Goods to boost productivity and resilience needs to be increased to at least twice the current level. While this would require an at least 50 percent increase in the budget’s size or about 0.6 percent of EU GNI annually (if spending on programs such as the Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy is kept unchanged), focusing on activities that maximize positive externalities and reduce costly duplication can generate net positive values for member states. Second, reforms are needed to make the budget more streamlined, responsive to evolving needs, and more effective by incentivizing good performance. Lastly, the financing framework should be strengthened by integrating borrowing as a regular tool, alongside greater own resources to bolster debt service capacity. Increasing own resources by about 0.2 percent of GNI annually to cover peak debt servicing costs along with additional reserves for unexpected challenges would likely provide financial security to support the proposed increase in the budget. A clearer focus on strategic investments and measurable outcomes will reinforce the budget’s positive sum value, helping build support for a more ambitious EU budget.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Making the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework Fit for Purpose

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    The European Union’s budget—known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)—has over time been a key tool for enhancing economic efficiency, achieving redistribution, and helping the Union tackle pressing challenges. As the Union navigates an increasingly complex global environment and faces looming structural and demographic changes, it is increasingly evident that decisive EU-level actions will be needed to boost productivity and resilience. The MFF is a critical policy lever that can enable the needed EU-level actions. This paper argues for three key changes to the next MFF (2028-34) to help the budget play this role. First, bottom-up estimates of investment needs suggest that spending on European Public Goods to boost productivity and resilience needs to be increased to at least twice the current level. While this would require an at least 50 percent increase in the budget’s size or about 0.6 percent of EU GNI annually (if spending on programs such as the Cohesion Policy and Common Agricultural Policy is kept unchanged), focusing on activities that maximize positive externalities and reduce costly duplication can generate net positive values for member states. Second, reforms are needed to make the budget more streamlined, responsive to evolving needs, and more effective by incentivizing good performance. Lastly, the financing framework should be strengthened by integrating borrowing as a regular tool, alongside greater own resources to bolster debt service capacity. Increasing own resources by about 0.2 percent of GNI annually to cover peak debt servicing costs along with additional reserves for unexpected challenges would likely provide financial security to support the proposed increase in the budget. A clearer focus on strategic investments and measurable outcomes will reinforce the budget’s positive sum value, helping build support for a more ambitious EU budget.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: axessinvest.de: BaFin warns consumers about website and identity fraud

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin warns consumers about fraudulent term deposit offers.

    You can view BaFin’s current warnings about companies operating without the required authorisation and find out how to protect yourself from fraudsters on the financial market in the “Recognising financial fraud” section of our website.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: What is Needed for Convergence? The Role of Capital and Finance

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    Summary

    What is needed for poor countries to catch up with rich ones? This paper first documents the role of human capital, physical capital, and financial development in convergence in manufacturing labor productivity across countries, and then examines the influence of economic structure and financial development at the aggregate level. Using industry-level data from manufacturing industries in a large set of countries over the period 1980-2022, we show that manufacturing industries exhibit strong unconditional convergence over time, but there is variation in the pace of convergence: Greater reliance on human capital in an industry is linked to faster convergence, whereas dependence on physical capital has no bearing. Instead, industries with a greater dependence on physical capital see convergence only if there is sufficient financial development. At the country level, we find that convergence tends to be faster as countries shift away from agriculture (which typically requires less human capital), and towards industrial production or services. Furthermore, poorer countries that initially have a higher share of agriculture in their GDP have been shifting away from agriculture at a faster rate, which may have contributed to the observed aggregate convergence. Greater financial development is also linked to faster convergence at the country level.

    Subject: Agricultural sector, Agroindustries, Capital productivity, Economic sectors, Financial markets, Financial sector development, Human capital, Industrial productivity, Labor, Labor productivity, Manufacturing, Production, Productivity

    Keywords: Agricultural sector, Agroindustries, Capital, Capital productivity, Convergence, Financial development, Financial sector development, Global, Human capital, Human capital, Industrial productivity, Labor productivity, Manufacturing, Productivity, Productivity, Sectoral analysis, Structural transformation

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: FAO and WFP early warning report reveals worsening hunger in 13 hotspots: five with immediate risk of starvation

    Source: World Food Programme

    WFP/Benjamin Anguandia. WFP delivered emergency food assistance to displaced families in Goma, DRC.

    Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali remain hotspots of highest concern, and Democratic Republic of the Congo has returned as a hunger hotspot to watch

    ROME – A new joint UN report warns that people in five hunger hotspots around the world face extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless there is urgent humanitarian action and a coordinated international effort to de-escalate conflict, stem displacement, and mount an urgent full-scale aid response.

    The latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali are hotspots of highest concern, with communities already facing famine, at risk of famine or confronted with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity due to intensifying or persisting conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards. The devastating crises are being exacerbated by growing access constraints and critical funding shortfalls.

    The semi-annual Hunger Hotspots report is an early-warning and predictive analysis of deteriorating food crises for the next five months. Developed and published with financial support from the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), the latest edition projects a serious deterioration of acute food insecurity in 13 countries and territories – the world’s most critical hunger hotspots in the coming months.

    In addition to hotspots of highest concern, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria are now hotspots of very high concern and require urgent attention to save lives and livelihoods. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

    “This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said. “We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods. Protecting people’s farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent – it is essential.”

    “This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” said Cindy McCain, World Food Programme Executive Director. “We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast.”

    Hotspots of highest concern

    In Sudan, Famine was confirmed in 2024. Conditions are expected to persist due to the continuing conflict and ongoing displacement, particularly in the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. Displacement is likely to increase further during the outlook period while humanitarian access remains restricted. The circumstances are driving the country towards the risk of partial economic collapse, with high inflation severely limiting food access.  Around 24.6 million people were projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, including 637,000 people facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through May 2025.

    In Palestine, the likelihood of famine in the Gaza Strip is growing as large-scale military operations hinder the ability to deliver vital food and non-food humanitarian assistance. In addition to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip, high food prices coupled with exhausted livelihoods and a commercial blockade will accelerate an 
    economic collapse. The entire population in Gaza – 2.1 million people – is projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, with 470,000 projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through September 2025.

    South Sudan faces compounding threats from political tensions, the risk of flooding, and economic challenges. Approximately 7.7 million people – or 57 percent of the population – are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and July 2025, with 63,000 people projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity. An IPC update released after the report’s finalization indicated Risk of Famine in two areas of the country and confirmed the bleak outlook.

    In Haiti, record levels of gang violence and insecurity are displacing communities and crippling aid access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) already facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area by June 2025.

    Meanwhile, in Mali, high grain prices and ongoing conflict are eroding the coping capacities of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Around 2 600 people are at risk of Catastrophe (CH Phase 5) from June to August 2025 if assistance is not provided on time.

    Additional hotspots and areas of improvement

    In Myanmar, the impact of the recent major earthquake is likely to worsen the already dire food insecurity situation in the country, driven by escalating conflict, widespread displacement, severe access restrictions and high food prices.

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reintroduced to the hotspot list due to intensifying conflict.

    In contrast, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list. In East and Southern Africa, as well as in Niger, better climatic conditions for harvests and fewer weather extremes have eased food security pressures. Lebanon has also been delisted following reduced intensity of military operations. However, FAO and WFP warn that these gains remain fragile and could reverse quickly if shocks re-emerge.

    A call for global solidarity

    In multiple hotspots, aid delivery is significantly hampered by restricted humanitarian access due to insecurity, bureaucratic impediments, or physical isolation. At the same time, critical funding shortfalls are forcing reductions in food rations, limiting the reach of life-saving nutrition and agricultural interventions.

    The Hunger Hotspots report highlights the importance of continued investments in early humanitarian action. Pre-emptive interventions save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods at a significantly lower cost than delayed humanitarian action.

    #                #            #

    Download the Hunger Hotspots Report here 
    More information about the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification scales
    Broadcast quality footage available here

    Note to Editors
    The Hunger Hotspots report is part of a US and EU funded suite of analytical products produced under the Global Network Against Food Crises, to enhance and coordinate the generation and sharing of evidence-based information and analysis for preventing and addressing food crises.

    This series also includes the recently published 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, which retroactively looks at the levels of acute food insecurity in 2024, in complement to the Hunger Hotspots which is a forward-looking early warning system that provides decision makers with information for planning and resource allocation.

    About FAO

    About WFP
    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X via @wfp_media. 
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From Economy to Culture, China and Central Asia’s Multifaceted Partnership Grows Stronger

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — Since the first China-Central Asia Summit was held in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, in May 2023, fruitful results have been achieved in various areas of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, and a community with a shared future between China and Central Asia has begun to take shape at an accelerated pace.

    TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION FOR THE SAKE OF COMMON PROSPERITY

    Kazakh flour and biscuits, Kyrgyz honey, Turkmen candies… In the store of Xi’an Aiju Grain and Oilseeds Company, a variety of goods from Central Asia attract the attention of customers.

    “Most of these food products from Central Asia ‘arrived’ here on China-Europe freight trains. These products account for more than 40 percent of our company’s sales,” said Liu Dongmeng, deputy general manager of Aiju.

    Today, the city of Xi’an has long been not only the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, but also one of the busiest transport hubs for modern “steel camel caravans.”

    According to data from the Changba International Dry Port in Xi’an, by the end of 2024, more than 76 thousand standard containers (20-foot equivalent, TEU) were shipped from Xi’an to Central Asia as part of China-Europe international railway freight transportation, which is 47.6 percent more than a year earlier.

    “In 2015, our company began to establish a base for processing agricultural products in Kazakhstan, and began to deliver goods from Central Asia to China using China-Europe trains,” Liu Dongmeng said, adding that after the 1st China-Central Asia Summit, the level of awareness of Central Asian countries among Xi’an residents has increased significantly, which has contributed to the sales of high-quality goods from the Central Asian region.

    According to the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, in 2024, trade turnover between China and Central Asian countries amounted to USD 94.8 billion, which is USD 5.4 billion more than the previous year.

    “China is the most important investment and trade partner of the Central Asian countries,” said Sun Weidong, Secretary General of the China-Central Asia format.

    According to him, within the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road, China and the Central Asian countries, by strengthening the alignment of their development strategies, carry out comprehensive cooperation based on the principle of mutual benefit, while cooperation in such areas as digital trade and cross-border transportation is developing dynamically.

    As one of the important achievements of the China-Central Asia Summit, Kazakhstan’s logistics center in Xi’an was officially put into operation in February 2024. By the end of May this year, it had already processed more than 180 thousand tons of cargo.

    This center with a total area of about 6.67 hectares and a design capacity of more than 655 thousand standard containers per year significantly increases the efficiency of sending trains from Xi’an to Central Asia. Currently, the center serves as a trade and logistics collection and distribution center for Kazakhstan in China.

    “Thanks to this center, goods from Kazakhstan, after consolidation in Xi’an, can directly go to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region /South China/, and then end up in the markets of Southeast Asian countries, which has opened an important international trade corridor for Central Asian countries,” said Darkhan Yesengulov, deputy sales manager at China-Kazakhstan (Xi’an) Trade and Logistics Co., Ltd.

    SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION IN THE COURSE OF “GREEN DEVELOPMENT”

    In recent years, as practical cooperation between China and Central Asia deepens, high-level planning for bilateral green and low-carbon cooperation has been improved.

    Following the first China-Central Asia summit, a list of agreements and initiatives was published. Among them is “Carrying out China-Central Asia green and low-carbon development activities to deepen cooperation in green development and combating climate change.”

    The Turgusun hydroelectric power station, which was put into operation in July 2021, is the first key hydropower project implemented under the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative between Kazakhstan and China. After its completion, it was able to compensate for half of the electricity deficit in the Altay region of East Kazakhstan, thereby effectively alleviating the power shortage in the region.

    “During the construction of the hydroelectric power station, more than 200 jobs were created for local residents. This hydroelectric power station showed the world that through technical cooperation and exchange of experience, we can achieve mutually beneficial results in the economy, society and ecology,” said Asset Maksut, director of Turgusun-1 and Turgusun-2 LLP.

    The prospects for cooperation between China and Central Asia in the field of electric vehicles are also very broad. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers operate in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

    “Electric cars from China are more popular in Central Asian countries. Alternative energy is a new area of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries,” said Ma Bin, a research fellow at the Center for Russian and Central Asian Studies at Fudan University.

    According to him, China and Central Asian countries jointly advocate the concept of green, low-carbon, circular and sustainable development. These concepts determine the direction of countries’ efforts in the energy and technology sectors, and also lay the foundation for further cooperation.

    Ecologist, board member of the Green Alliance of Kyrgyzstan Anara Sultangazieva believes that in the context of global environmental problems and climate change, countries share a common concept of “green development” in order to mitigate their consequences. “Especially in the area of agricultural development in order to ensure food security in the context of water shortages in Central Asian countries.”

    HUMANITARIAN EXCHANGES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

    China and Central Asian countries are actively developing cooperation in tourism, joint archaeological research, educational exchanges, etc., which strengthens the social foundations and popular support base for cooperation.

    China has now become one of the main study destinations for students from Central Asian countries. With its rich educational and scientific resources, Xi’an has become one of the popular cities for students from this region.

    According to the data, the Xi’an government has established a program to train students from five Central Asian countries, and has successfully enrolled 450 students from these countries by 2024.

    “Chinese culture has a deep influence on the Central Asian region, and the unique charm of Central Asian cultures also greatly attracts Chinese people,” said Nurmammedov Dovraniz from Turkmenistan, who is studying archaeology at Northwest University of China.

    According to the young man, mutual cultural attraction is a solid foundation for building a community of shared destiny between China and Central Asia.

    “China’s cooperation with Central Asian countries in all areas is rapidly deepening and developing. The youth of our countries are living in a “golden age”, they have bright prospects and broad opportunities for development,” Sun Weidong noted.

    Vice-Rector for International Relations of the Tajik Technical University named after Academician M. Osimi Rauf Jurakhonzoda noted that in recent years there has been a positive trend in cultural and humanitarian exchanges between China and Tajikistan.

    A striking example of this, according to him, is the launch in Tajikistan of the first “Luban Workshop” in Central Asia, aimed at training engineering personnel for the industrialization and modernization of the country.

    “We plan to introduce new formats of cooperation with Chinese universities. This is not only a contribution to the development of education, but also strengthening the friendship between our peoples,” added R. Jurakhonzoda.

    On June 7, the first China-Central Asia international tourist train returned to Xi’an. The train with more than 200 passengers departed from Xi’an on May 29 for Almaty, Kazakhstan. It left China via the Khorgos railway checkpoint in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region /Northwest China/.

    Let us recall that in May 2023, China and Kazakhstan signed an intergovernmental agreement on mutual exemption from visa requirements, which officially entered into force in November of the same year. 2024 was the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, and 2025 has been declared the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan.

    According to Li Jiang, deputy head of Horgos Customs, the launch of the above-mentioned international tourist train has laid a new foundation for deepening connectivity and promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Central Asian countries.

    In addition, on June 1, 2025, the Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan on mutual exemption from visa requirements entered into force.

    “Undoubtedly, this will contribute to the development of the tourism sector and increase the tourist flow,” said the Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China Saidkamol Agzamkhodjaev, adding that Uzbekistan intends to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Uzbekistan annually to 1 million people.

    “As a ‘lubricant’ for the development of China’s relations with Central Asian countries, humanitarian exchanges contribute to their sustainable and healthy development,” Ma Bin emphasized.

    Sun Weidong noted that China’s relations with Central Asian countries will develop to a higher level, and their cooperation will expand to broader areas, which will contribute to the deep and thorough advancement of building a community with a shared future for China and Central Asia.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: June 2025 issue of “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” now available

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) published today (June 16) the June 2025 issue of the “Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics” (HKMDS).
     
         Apart from providing up-to-date statistics, this issue also contains a feature article entitled “The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong”.
     
    “The Cultural and Creative Industries in Hong Kong”
     
         The cultural and creative industries are among the most dynamic economic sectors in Hong Kong, contributing to both economic growth and job creation. They comprise a set of knowledge-based activities that deploy creativity and intellectual capital as primary inputs and deliver goods and services with cultural, artistic and creative contents. This feature article provides the statistics of the cultural and creative industries in Hong Kong for 2019 to 2023.
     
         For enquiries about this feature article, please contact the Construction and Miscellaneous Services Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 6962; email: asps@censtatd.gov.hk).
     
         Published in bilingual form, the HKMDS is a compact volume of official statistics containing about 130 tables. It collects up-to-date statistical series on various aspects of the social and economic situation of Hong Kong. Topics include population; labour; external trade; National Income and Balance of Payments; prices; business performance; energy; housing and property; government accounts, finance and insurance; and transport, communications and tourism. For selected key statistical items, over 20 charts depicting the annual trend in the past decade and quarterly or monthly trend in the recent two years are also available. Users can download the Digest at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1010002&scode=460).
     
         Enquiries about the contents of the Digest can be directed to the Statistical Information Dissemination Section (1) of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4738; email: gen-enquiry@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong’s Gross National Income and external primary income flows for the first quarter of 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (June 16) the preliminary statistics on Hong Kong’s Gross National Income (GNI) and related figures for the first quarter of 2025.
     
         Hong Kong’s GNI, which denotes the total income earned by Hong Kong residents from engaging in various economic activities, increased by 6.2% in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier to $879.4 billion at current market prices. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP), estimated at $799.7 billion at current market prices in the same quarter, recorded a 4.3% increase over a year earlier. The value of GNI was larger than GDP by $79.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, which was equivalent to 10.0% of GDP in that quarter, mainly attributable to a net inflow of investment income.
     
         After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, Hong Kong’s GNI increased by 4.0% in real terms in the first quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. The corresponding GDP in the same quarter increased by 3.1% in real terms.
     
         Hong Kong’s total inflow of primary income, which mainly comprises investment income, estimated at $521.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025 and equivalent to 65.2% of GDP in that quarter, recorded an increase of 5.3% over a year earlier.  Meanwhile, total primary income outflow, estimated at $441.6 billion in the first quarter of 2025 and equivalent to 55.2% of GDP in that quarter, also increased by 1.8% over a year earlier.
     
         As for the major components of investment income inflow, direct investment income (DII) increased by 3.4% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent local enterprises from their direct investment abroad.  Portfolio investment income (PII) recorded a significant increase of 36.7% over a year earlier, mainly attributable to the increase in dividend income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident equity securities and the increase in interest income received by resident investors from their holdings of non-resident debt securities.
     
         Regarding the major components of investment income outflow, DII increased by 4.2% over a year earlier, mainly due to the increase in earnings of some prominent multinational enterprises from their direct investment in Hong Kong. PII increased significantly by 14.0%, mainly attributable to the increase in interest payout to non-resident investors from their holdings of resident debt securities.
     
         Analysed by country/territory, the mainland of China continued to be the largest source of Hong Kong’s total primary income inflow in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 42.4%. This was followed by the British Virgin Islands (BVI), with a share of 16.7%. Regarding total primary income outflow, the mainland of China and the BVI remained the most important destinations in the first quarter of 2025, accounting for 29.9% and 21.3% respectively.
     
    Further Information
     
         GDP and GNI are closely related indicators for measuring economic performance. GDP is a measure of the total value of production of all resident producing units of an economy. GNI denotes the total income earned by residents of an economy from engaging in various economic activities, irrespective of whether the economic activities are carried out within the economic territory of the economy or outside.
     
         Figures of GNI and primary income flows analysed by income component from the second quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2025 are presented in Table A, while selected major country/territory breakdowns of primary income inflow and outflow for the same quarters are presented in Tables B(1) and B(2) respectively.
     
         Statistics on GDP and GNI from 2023 onwards and primary income flows from 2024 onwards are subject to revision when more data are incorporated.
     
         More detailed statistics are given in the report “Gross National Income and External Primary Income Flows, 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=B1040005&scode=250).
     
         For enquiries about GNI and related statistics, please contact the Balance of Payments Branch (2) of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7054 or email: gni@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Launches AI-Powered Cloud Mining Services After Securing FinCEN MSB License

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Image by AIXA Miner

    NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA MINER CLOUD MINING INVESTMENT LTD (“AIXA Miner”), a U.S.-based cryptocurrency mining platform, has launched the next phase of its AI-powered cloud mining services for Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE) following its recent registration as a Money Services Business (MSB) under the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    With this approval, AIXA Miner complies with national anti-money laundering (AML) standards and international financial regulatory frameworks. The designation strengthens the platform’s position as a legally recognized participant in the digital asset economy.

    Founded in 2020 and headquartered in the United States, AIXA Miner operates over 100 data centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. These facilities are powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, supporting the platform’s long-term environmental commitments.

    The cloud mining service allows users to allocate computing power through short-term contract packages. Mining operations are executed on high-performance GPU and ASIC infrastructure, with earnings automatically calculated and processed. The system eliminates the need for hardware ownership or technical setup, focusing on user accessibility and operational efficiency.

    AIXA Miner Potential Earnings

    AIXA Miner has recently integrated artificial intelligence to further optimize resource distribution and power allocation across its network. Enhanced algorithms improve processing speed, reduce energy waste, and increase overall system resilience.

    Security protocols include offline cold wallet storage, McAfee® SECURE compliance, and Cloudflare® network protection to ensure secure data handling and fund transfers.

    “The FinCEN MSB license reflects our commitment to regulatory transparency and operational integrity,” said a company spokesperson. “We aim to provide scalable, legally compliant infrastructure for cloud mining built on renewable energy and AI innovation.”

    About AIXA Miner
    AIXA Miner is a legally registered cloud mining platform that leverages AI-powered mining technologies and a global renewable energy infrastructure to deliver secure and sustainable access to cloud mining services. Its operations are guided by regulatory standards, cybersecurity practices, and environmental responsibility.

    Media Contact:
    like.Mikkelsen
    AIXA Miner Cloud Mining Investment Ltd
    like.Mikkelsen@aixaminer.com
    https://aixaminer.com/

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/601038eb-4c89-453d-a182-b85bd19b4d7a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4457b653-2cb4-499c-9775-85a4b1a66df1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Canon, Coral Spawning Lab, and Nature Seychelles Team Up to Regenerate Coral Reefs


    Download logo

    Canon EMEA (Canon-CNA.com) is partnering with Nature Seychelles, a leading non-profit organisation in the Western Indian Ocean, and the Coral Spawning Lab (CSL), to lead a first-of-its-kind project designed to safeguard the Seychelles’ vital marine ecosystems. The project aims to restore and protect coral reefs against climate change by embracing a new method of coral regeneration in the region.

    Canon will provide investment to Nature Seychelles for the construction and operation of a coral breeding facility as well as Canon imaging equipment to enhance observation and documentation of coral spawning, to be used in citizen science, and for education and awareness. Canon’s equipment will allow researchers to witness coral spawning events in detail previously not seen before.

    This will be the first of its kind in the region and will enhance Nature Seychelles’ new Assisted Recovery of Corals (ARC) facility, a land-based coral aquaculture facility aimed at boosting coral restoration efforts to save reefs from the impacts of climate change.

    With support from Canon and CSL, Nature Seychelles will develop a deeper understanding of coral reproductive timing, post-settlement growth, and survival. The technology provided will also facilitate photomicrography, photogrammetry, and the production of high-quality imagery and videos for researchers.

    The new cutting-edge coral breeding facility will create a genetic bank of resilient coral and document the process like never before. It will be built by CSL – a UK-based team of researchers that work to better understand the life cycles of reefs to equip communities with the information they need to regenerate coral ecosystems. CSL will also provide training in Seychelles to operate the facility.

    Coral reef restoration in the Seychelles has traditionally relied on the “coral gardening” (http://apo-opa.co/45rAo7K) technique where coral fragments are selected from existing reefs and grown in nurseries, before being transplanted back into degraded areas. However, given this process results in a reef populated by genetically identical corals, the technique falls short of creating corals that can routinely withstand the events that degrade them; for example, coral bleaching events, where stress triggered by rising ocean temperatures causes damage to their tissue. The lack of genetic diversity within gardened reefs is a critical weakness, rendering the technique only a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution for improving reef health and resiliency in the region.

    “Currently, we’re essentially cloning corals, creating reefs of genetically identical species,” explains Dr Nirmal Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles. “Evolution thrives on diversity – the strong, the weak, the healthy, and everything in between. To build truly resilient reefs, we need to embrace true diversity. Canon’s partnership, alongside Coral Spawning Lab’s expertise allows us to do just that, by enabling us to breed corals and create a genetic bank of resilient species. Canon’s technology will also allow us to unlock the secrets of coral reproduction, leading to more effective conservation strategies and, ultimately, inspiring true change in how we protect and regenerate these vital ecosystems “

    Canon’s support is part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and using its imaging technology from cameras to satellites to further enable conservation efforts.

    Healthy coral reefs are crucial for the Seychelles’ tourism, fisheries, coastal protection, and biodiversity – and this partnership supports a more sustainable future for the islands.

    “Coral reefs are the foundation of our economy, our environment, and our way of life,” says Dr. Shah. “This partnership with Canon is not just about restoring reefs; it’s about safeguarding the future of the Seychelles.”

    Dr Jamie Craggs, marine biologist and co-founder of the Coral Spawning Lab, says: “The Coral Spawning Lab has always pushed the boundaries of coral reproductive science. This partnership with Canon and Nature Seychelles allows us to continue that tradition of innovation, combining our expertise with their cutting-edge imaging technology to develop new and more effective approaches to coral conservation.

    Working together, we can raise awareness about the urgent need for conservation with a broader audience. As a former underwater cameraman, I know the power of imagery to communicate complex scientific concepts and inspire action. By partnering with Canon, we can share the beauty and fragility of coral reefs with the world.”

    Peter Bragg, Sustainability and Government Affairs Director at Canon EMEA, says “Our partnership with Nature Seychelles and the Coral Spawning Lab in this innovative effort to protect the Seychelles’ vital coral reefs, demonstrates our commitment to biodiversity. The power of our imaging technology and expertise can play a significant role in building a more sustainable future for small island nations facing the challenges of climate change. By providing the tools to see, understand, and share the story of coral reefs, we hope to empower communities and raise awareness to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

    Media enquiries, please contact:
    Canon Central and North Africa
    Mai Youssef
    e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

    APO Group – PR Agency
    Rania ElRafie
    e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

    About Canon Central and North Africa:
    Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

    Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

    Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (http://apo-opa.co/4jTcjtZ) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

    For more information: Canon-CNA.com

    About Nature Seychelles:
    Nature Seychelles is a leading environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of the Seychelles’ natural resources. Through research, education, and community engagement, Nature Seychelles works to protect the Seychelles’ unique biodiversity and promote a sustainable future for the islands.

    About Coral Spawning Lab:
    Coral Spawning Lab are pioneers in land-based sexual coral reproduction. Their groundbreaking research, technical expertise in coral propagation, and extensive experience in restoration projects enable them to advance research and selective breeding programs—helping repair damaged coral reefs at scales that can make a meaningful difference to our oceans and our planet. Their goal is to empower and equip every practitioner, reef manager, and restorer with the tools and knowledge needed to spawn coral in land-based facilities.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – Three Greyhounds Dead in Three Days Underscores Need for Racing Ban

    Source: Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand

    Quick facts:

    • Three greyhounds died in three days of racing in New Zealand this week (12–14 June).

    • Fifteen greyhounds have died on racetracks so far in the 2024/25 season, with six weeks still remaining.

    • An alarming spike in lure-collapse deaths: six dogs this season, including three from the McInerney kennels: a family with a long history of serious welfare breaches.

    • Meanwhile GRNZ is facing a rehoming crisis of its own making: 672 dogs were awaiting adoption as of 1 November 2024, 349 of them still with trainers, not yet in the rehoming process. That number rose to 723 by 1 February 2025.

    • Despite this, in October 2024, GRNZ reported plans to increase breeding.

    • The Government has to hold firm, introduce legislation, and enforce the ban before more dogs pay with their lives.

    Three greyhounds have died on New Zealand racetracks in just three days of racing: a brutal illustration of the industry’s ongoing welfare crisis and the urgent need for the forthcoming ban.

    The three deaths occurred across three racetracks this week:

    • Homebush Sydney was euthanised on Wednesday 12 June after suffering a catastrophic spiral fracture of the left femur during a race in Invercargill (source).

    • Homebush Feijoa collapsed and died at the lure in Christchurch on Friday 13 June (source).


    • Midnight Brockie, also racing on Friday, suffered a fractured right hock and tibia with complete displacement at Whanganui and was euthanised trackside (source).

    “This is not reform. This is carnage,” said Emily Robertson, spokesperson for the Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand (GPLNZ). “Three dogs dead in three days of racing – and still this industry has the audacity to challenge the government’s decision to shut it down. It’s beyond belief.”

    Midnight Brockie, just three years old, had raced 49 times and earned $45,470 in prize money before her death. She was the littermate of Brockie’s Rocket, another greyhound who collapsed and died at the lure in Manukau in September 2024 (source).

    Greyhounds collapsing and dying at the end of their race – sometimes even after winning – is a particularly alarming new trend that has emerged over the past two seasons. In the 2023/24 racing season, three dogs died this way. So far in the 2024/25 season, that number has doubled, with six greyhounds collapsing and dying at the lure, including three from the Darfield, Canterbury kennels of trainer Jonathan McInerney.

    The McInerney family has a long and troubling history in the greyhound racing industry. In 2023, John McInerney Sr was banned from the sport for 12 months by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) after being found guilty of multiple serious animal welfare breaches, including failing to provide veterinary care and pain relief to a dog for three weeks. The dog was later diagnosed with cancer and euthanised (source).

    In the same ruling, two dogs at his Manawatū satellite facility – operated by another son, Stephen McInerney – tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

    John McInerney Sr has faced a raft of other RIB charges. The most serious in recent years include:

    So far, 15 greyhounds have been killed on New Zealand racetracks since 1 August 2024, with six weeks of the racing season still to go. These figures reflect deaths alone, not the hundreds of serious injuries, including fractures, torn muscles, and other trauma that greyhounds continue to suffer on tracks every single week. GPLNZ warns that further deaths are likely unless urgent action is taken.

    “These aren’t freak accidents. They’re the inevitable result of a system that treats dogs as disposable,” said Robertson. “Despite repeated reviews, recommendations, and reassurances of reform, dogs continue to suffer and die.”

    In December 2024, the Government announced – with support from all political parties – that it would phase out greyhound racing in 20 months, after the industry was formally put on notice in September 2022. The ban decision followed multiple reviews, including the WHK Report (2013), the Hansen Report (2017), and the Robertson Review (2021), all of which raised serious concerns about animal welfare, high euthanasia and injury rates, data, and transparency in the industry.

    GRNZ is now seeking a judicial review to challenge the ban, a move GPLNZ describes as “a desperate attempt that delays the inevitable and prolongs the suffering of greyhounds used and abused by this industry.”

    “GRNZ should be focusing on ensuring no more dogs are harmed, winding down racing, and rehoming the dogs it claims to care about,” said Robertson. “The truth is, GRNZ is in the midst of a rehoming crisis of its own making – one that was already worsening even before the ban was announced.”

    Figures from the Racing Integrity Board, the agency tasked with overseeing all three racing codes in New Zealand, show that as of 1 November 2024, 672 greyhounds were awaiting adoption, with 349 of them still housed with their trainers, not yet in rehoming centres or foster care (source).

    “In their own annual report, GRNZ claimed to have rehomed 673 dogs in the 2023/24 season, meaning a full year’s worth of dogs were already sitting, waiting, and hoping for a home. That number rose to 723 by 1 February 2025 following the Government’s announcement of the ban,” Robertson said.

    “And instead of urgently addressing this backlog, GRNZ is spending its time and resources in court trying to keep this inherently dangerous industry alive — and perversely had actually planned to increase breeding numbers.”

    According to its own Animal Welfare Quarterly Progress Report (31 October 2024, p.12):

    “…an uplift is required to maintain current racing levels and the industry’s overall contribution to the economy. Providing support and incentives to encourage and sustain the breeding industry will be a key focus for GRNZ in 2025 and beyond.”

    GPLNZ is calling on the Government to hold firm, introduce legislation, and enforce the ban before more dogs pay with their lives.

    Notes:

    Greyhounds killed in the 2024/25 racing season on track are:

    1. Midnight Brockie – 13 June – Whanganui – fractured right hock and tibia with complete displacement

    2. Homebush Feijoa – 13 June – Addington – collapsed and died at the lure 

    3. Homebush Sydney – 11 June – Invercargill- spiral fracture left femur – euthanasia post race 

    4. Carrington Magic – 16 May – Whanganui  – open spiral fracture of left tibia fibula 

    5. Big Time Hinda – 10 April – Cambridge – collapsed at lure and dead on arrival 

    6. Know Motor – 8 March – Addington – fractured right radios ulna and died after surgery 

    7. Homebush Honey – 13 March – Addington – collapsed and died at track trial 

    8. Homebush Milo – 7 March – Addington – collapsed at lure and dead on arrival 

    9. Highview Amber – 27 December- Whanganui – complete fractures of left and right radius ulnas

    10. Call the tune – 13 December – Addington – cramp at lure, collapse in wash bay, transported to vet and euthanised due to an unmanageable hemorrhagic shock 

    11. Diamond Roman – 10 December – Invercargill- compound fracture of right tibia fibula which was severely comminuted and displaced 

    12. Homebush Shadow – Wednesday 27 November – Invercargill – complete fracture of the left radius ulna

    13. What’s on – 18 October – Addington – incident at lure, severe neck pain – diagnosed with fractured vertebrae and due to severity of fracture was euthanased 

    14. Brockie’s Rocket – 29 September – Manukau – collapsed and died at the lure (autopsy result – spontaneous tension pneumothorax)

    15. Rocket Queen – 20 September 2024 – Addington – compound fracture to its radius/ulna.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF exposes fraud involving over €870 million

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no 16/2025
    PDF version

    This press release is translated into all official EU languages. Select your language on the top of the page.

    In 2024, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) recommended the recovery of more than €870 million in misused EU funds, according to its annual report released today. OLAF investigators also prevented over €40 million from being improperly spent, reinforcing OLAF’s role as guardian of the EU budget. Over the year, OLAF closed 246 investigations and issued 301 recommendations to national and EU authorities, while opening 230 new investigations.

    This report marks not only a strong year of operations, but also OLAF’s 25th anniversary – underscoring a quarter-century of dedicated service in protecting the EU’s financial interests and reaffirming OLAF’s leading role in the fight against fraud. 

    Key figures in 2024: 

    • OLAF recommended the recovery of €871.5 million to the EU budget
    • OLAF prevented €43.5 million from being unduly spent from the EU budget
    • An additional €419.2 million in revenue (import duties and VAT) was safeguarded through precautionary and preventive actions
    • OLAF closed 246 investigations, issuing 301 recommendations for follow-up to the relevant national and EU authorities
    • OLAF opened 230 new investigations, following 1138 preliminary analyses carried out by OLAF experts.

    From complex financial fraud and cross-border illicit trade to customs violations, environmental fraud, and the prevention of sanctions evasion, OLAF has consistently demonstrated its relevance and adaptability in the face of evolving challenges. In the last three years, OLAF investigations have led to the recovery of €4.5 billion and the prevention of more than €800 million in irregular spending — clear evidence of its crucial role in safeguarding the EU’s financial interests.

     “In 2024, we continued to fight fraud on all fronts,” said OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä. “Whether it’s protecting EU investment in local communities, safeguarding health through action against counterfeit goods or ensuring that the EU funds are used properly and continue to serve its purpose – OLAF is here to detect, act and safeguard”. 

    “We remain committed to our purpose: to ensure fairness and protect EU citizens, businesses, and communities. The closer we collaborate, the better outcomes we achieve, more effectively safeguarding taxpayers’ money and deterring potential fraudsters”, he continued. 

    “It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that our investigations have helped protect people’s health, kept dangerous products off the market, preserved the environment, and strengthened trust in the EU institutions. That’s what drives us every day.”

    Investigations in the EU and beyond

    During the year, OLAF’s work spanned across EU countries and beyond. This year, OLAF particularly observed a high number of cases involving conflict of interests, procurement manipulation, inflated costs and workplace harassment. 

    In one particular Member State, OLAF uncovered a corruption network and ensured that the necessary measures were taken to recover €75 million EU funds meant to finance 112 projects aimed at improving citizens’ lives and a challenged economy.  

    In another instance, investigation took OLAF to Western Africa where we detected irregularities linked to EU funds earmarked for modernisation of local schools. 

    Keeping the EU accountable 

    OLAF continues to play a crucial role in ensuring that EU officials are held to the highest ethical standards. In the past year, OLAF closed several internal investigations into alleged misconduct by staff and members of EU institutions — a key part of its mission to protect the Union’s integrity and to ensure that everyone is held accountable to the highest standards of conduct. 

    OLAF’s internal investigations during the last year focused mainly on complex and sensitive cases, like those involving staff in senior management positions or those with a high profile in their workplace. This includes allegations of harassment, conflict of interests, ethical issues linked to recruitment and external activities. 

    Rise of environmental fraud 

    OLAF investigators have been stepping up efforts against schemes that violate EU environmental laws and threaten biodiversity. Multiple investigations carried out in 2024 have uncovered illegal activities such as the trafficking of harmful fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and the unlawful export of plastic waste — both of which have serious and lasting impacts on the planet.

    These environmental crimes not only breach EU regulations but also undermine global efforts to combat climate change and pollution. Meanwhile, in the digital domain, OLAF observed increasing misuse of e-commerce platforms to sell counterfeit or undervalued imports. These goods often include fake medicines and other dangerous items. In coordination with customs authorities, OLAF targeted these illicit networks and helped intercept large consignments.

    “Our cooperation with national authorities and other partners remains essential to our success. It allows swift information exchange, coordinated action and stronger results in protecting the EU’s financial interest. We look forward to further enhancing this cooperation under the ongoing European anti-fraud architecture review”, said Itälä.

    The OLAF report 2024 is available on OLAF’s website.

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu

    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office
    X: x.com/EUAntiFraud
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, please leave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • India Inc’s operating profit margins likely to rise to 18.5% in Q1 FY26: ICRA report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India Inc’s operating profit margins are expected to rise by 10 to 40 basis points to 18.2–18.5% in the first quarter (April–June) of FY2026, continuing the sequential recovery seen over the past few quarters, according to a report released by rating agency ICRA on Monday.

    “This, coupled with a moderation in interest costs due to the Reserve Bank of India’s recent cumulative repo rate cuts of 100 basis points, is expected to improve the interest coverage ratio for India Inc. to around 5.1–5.2 times in Q1 FY2026, compared to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025,” the report stated.

    Kinjal Shah, Senior Vice President at ICRA, noted, “Given the uncertain global environment, the private capital expenditure (capex) cycle is expected to remain measured. However, certain sunrise sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and niche segments within the automotive space like electric vehicles will continue to attract investment, supported by the Government of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.”

    He further added that entities linked to Indian Railways and the Defence sector are likely to see their large order books translating into higher revenues and earnings.

    ICRA’s analysis of 589 listed companies (excluding financial sector entities) for Q4 FY2025 revealed a 7.6% year-on-year revenue growth. This was driven by improved demand across consumption-oriented sectors such as consumer durables, retail, hotels, and airlines, as well as infrastructure-related sectors like power, real estate, and construction. In contrast, sectors such as iron and steel experienced a decline due to weaker global demand and an influx of cheaper imports from China.

    India Inc is expected to post stable revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, supported by resilient domestic demand. Rural demand is projected to remain healthy, while urban demand is likely to recover, aided by income tax relief measures, easing food inflation, and lower EMIs.

    However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, particularly for export-oriented sectors such as agrochemicals, textiles, auto and auto components, cut and polished diamonds, and IT services.

    In Q4 FY2025, India Inc recorded a 63-basis-point year-on-year increase in operating profit margins to 18.5%, marking the highest level since Q4 FY2022. This expansion was driven by improved operating leverage on the back of strong demand in sectors like power, airlines, and real estate, along with some moderation in input costs. Sequentially, margins improved by around 41 basis points during the quarter.

    ICRA also observed that the interest coverage ratio of its sample set—adjusted to exclude sectors with relatively low debt levels such as IT, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals—improved on a year-on-year basis to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025, up from 4.8 times in Q4 FY2024, owing to better profitability.

    Furthermore, range-bound debt levels and improved profitability across industrial, capital goods, and construction sectors in FY2025 contributed to a stronger financial position, as reflected in improved gearing and better debt-to-operating profit ratios.

    — IANS

  • India Inc’s operating profit margins likely to rise to 18.5% in Q1 FY26: ICRA report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India Inc’s operating profit margins are expected to rise by 10 to 40 basis points to 18.2–18.5% in the first quarter (April–June) of FY2026, continuing the sequential recovery seen over the past few quarters, according to a report released by rating agency ICRA on Monday.

    “This, coupled with a moderation in interest costs due to the Reserve Bank of India’s recent cumulative repo rate cuts of 100 basis points, is expected to improve the interest coverage ratio for India Inc. to around 5.1–5.2 times in Q1 FY2026, compared to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025,” the report stated.

    Kinjal Shah, Senior Vice President at ICRA, noted, “Given the uncertain global environment, the private capital expenditure (capex) cycle is expected to remain measured. However, certain sunrise sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and niche segments within the automotive space like electric vehicles will continue to attract investment, supported by the Government of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.”

    He further added that entities linked to Indian Railways and the Defence sector are likely to see their large order books translating into higher revenues and earnings.

    ICRA’s analysis of 589 listed companies (excluding financial sector entities) for Q4 FY2025 revealed a 7.6% year-on-year revenue growth. This was driven by improved demand across consumption-oriented sectors such as consumer durables, retail, hotels, and airlines, as well as infrastructure-related sectors like power, real estate, and construction. In contrast, sectors such as iron and steel experienced a decline due to weaker global demand and an influx of cheaper imports from China.

    India Inc is expected to post stable revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, supported by resilient domestic demand. Rural demand is projected to remain healthy, while urban demand is likely to recover, aided by income tax relief measures, easing food inflation, and lower EMIs.

    However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, particularly for export-oriented sectors such as agrochemicals, textiles, auto and auto components, cut and polished diamonds, and IT services.

    In Q4 FY2025, India Inc recorded a 63-basis-point year-on-year increase in operating profit margins to 18.5%, marking the highest level since Q4 FY2022. This expansion was driven by improved operating leverage on the back of strong demand in sectors like power, airlines, and real estate, along with some moderation in input costs. Sequentially, margins improved by around 41 basis points during the quarter.

    ICRA also observed that the interest coverage ratio of its sample set—adjusted to exclude sectors with relatively low debt levels such as IT, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals—improved on a year-on-year basis to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025, up from 4.8 times in Q4 FY2024, owing to better profitability.

    Furthermore, range-bound debt levels and improved profitability across industrial, capital goods, and construction sectors in FY2025 contributed to a stronger financial position, as reflected in improved gearing and better debt-to-operating profit ratios.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First Step assisted purchase housing scheme reopens16 June 2025 ​The Minister for Housing has re-opened a successful scheme to help Islanders buy their first home. First Step, which helps aspiring homeowners onto the property ladder, opened again on Monday 16 June.… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    16 June 2025

    ​

    The Minister for Housing has re-opened a successful scheme to help Islanders buy their first home. 

    First Step, which helps aspiring homeowners onto the property ladder, opened again on Monday 16 June. 

    Since last year, more than 50 open-market homes have been purchased as a result of the £10 million of Government funding, which paid for loans of up to 40% towards the property purchase. This year, £2m has been added for a further tranche. 

    The loans have helped Islanders purchase properties of all sizes, ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses. First Step, which is delivered in partnership with Andium Homes, was launched by Deputy Sam Mézec in February last year. The Minister said that he was delighted to reopen the scheme for a fourth time. 

    “I have seen for myself how much the scheme has made a real difference to Islanders who would have otherwise been unable to own their first home,” he said. “It is a meaningful way of tackling Jersey’s housing crisis and giving Islanders hope that they can access homeownership affordably and securely with the help of Government. 

    “We have also seen how well the scheme has been received and understood by the housing market, and I am grateful for all the work of estate agents, law firms, and mortgage providers in working with Government and Andium Homes to make a real success of the scheme.” 

    The scheme will be open to applications from Monday 16 June for four weeks, closing on Sunday 13 July. 

    Applicants must: 

    • hold Entitled status 
    • not own any property in Jersey or overseas 
    • be registered on the Assisted Purchase Pathway 
    • be able to provide a 5 per cent deposit towards the purchase 
    • be able to access the maximum lending available to them from one of the scheme’s partnering mortgage lenders 
    • not be under offer on another assisted purchase scheme. 

    Islanders must be registered on the Assisted Purchase Pathway before applying for First Step. If someone is already registered on the Assisted Purchase Pathway, they do not need to re-register. Applications will be means-tested against the financial criteria which is outlined in the policy guidance. 

    Chris Kynicos, Sales, and Lettings Lead at Andium Homes, said: “In the first three tranches, we’ve helped numerous individuals, couples and families become homeowners for the first time. 

    “From their initial application through to the final purchase in court, the Andium Homes team have helped each applicant navigate their way through what can be a daunting task, and one that many may only do once in their lifetime. 

    “We’d encourage anyone looking for their first home to get in touch either in person at our offices on Don Street or call 500700 and our team will be happy to help.” 

    Islanders wishing to join the Assisted Purchase Pathway, or those wanting to update their details, can do so via the Andium website: First Step (andiumhomes.je)​.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Nvidia’s pitch for sovereign AI resonates with EU leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nvidia NVDA.O CEO Jensen Huang has been pitching the idea of “sovereign AI” since 2023. Europe is now starting to listen and act.

    The concept is based on the idea that the language, knowledge, history and culture of each region are different, and every nation needs to develop and own its AI.

    Last week, the CEO of the artificial-intelligence chipmaker toured Europe’s major capitals – London, Paris and Berlin – announcing a slew of projects and partnerships, while highlighting the lack of AI infrastructure in the region.

    In a place where leaders are increasingly wary of the continent’s dependency on a handful of U.S. tech companies and after drawing ire from the U.S. President Donald Trump, his vision has started to gain traction.

    “We are going to invest billions in here … but Europe needs to move into AI quickly,” Huang said on Wednesday in Paris.

    On Monday of last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) in funding to scale up computing power in a global race “to be an AI maker and not an AI taker.”

    French President Emmanuel Macron called building AI infrastructure “our fight for sovereignty” at VivaTech, one of the largest global tech conferences.

    After Nvidia laid out plans to build an AI cloud platform in Germany with Deutsche Telekom DTEGn.DE, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it an “important step” for the digital sovereignty and economic future of Europe’s top economy.

    Europe lags behind both the U.S. and China as its cloud infrastructure is mostly run by Microsoft MSFT.O, Amazon AMZN.O and Alphabet’s GOOGL.O Google, and it has only a few smaller AI companies such as Mistral to rival the U.S. ones.

    “There’s no reason why Europe shouldn’t have tech champions,” said 31-year-old Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch, sitting beside Huang, who has led Nvidia for more than three decades, at a panel at VivaTech.

    “This is a gigantic dream.”

    GIGAFACTORY PLANS UNLEASHED

    In France, Mistral has partnered with Nvidia to build a data centre to power the AI needs of European companies with a homegrown alternative.

    It will use 18,000 of the latest Nvidia AI chips in the first phase, with plans to expand across multiple sites in 2026.

    In February, the European Union announced plans to build four “AI gigafactories” at a cost of $20 billion to lower dependence on U.S. firms.

    The European Commission has been in touch with Huang and he had told the EU executive that he was going to allocate some chip production to Europe for these factories, an EU official told Reuters.

    Nvidia’s chips known as Graphics Processing Units or GPUs are crucial for building AI data centres from the U.S. to Japan and India to the Middle East.

    In Europe, a push for sovereign AI could reshape the tech landscape with domestic cloud providers, AI startups, and chipmakers standing to gain from new government funding and a shift toward in-region data infrastructure.

    Nvidia also wants to cement demand for its AI chips, ensuring that even as countries seek independence, they still rely on its technology to get there.

    POWER COSTS

    The push is not without challenges.

    High electricity costs and rising demand could strain sourcing of electricity for data centres. Data centres account for 3% of EU electricity demand, but their consumption is expected to increase rapidly this decade due to AI.

    Mistral, which has raised just over $1 billion, is trying to become a European homegrown champion with a fraction of the money U.S. hyperscalers or large data-centre operators spend in a month.

    “Hyperscalers are spending $10 billion to $15 billion per quarter in their infrastructure. Who in Europe can afford that exactly?” said Pascal Brier, chief innovation officer at Capgemini CAPP.PA, a partner of both Nvidia and Mistral.

    “It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything, but we have to be cognizant about the fact that there will always be a gap.”

    Mistral has launched several AI models which are used by businesses but companies tend to mix them with models from other companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms META.O.

    “Most of the time it’s not Mistral or the rest, it’s Mistral and the rest,” Brier said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, 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

    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: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, 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

    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 Africa: Banque de Développement des États de l’Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) secures EUR 100-million trade finance facility from Afreximbank

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed an agreement to provide the Banque de Développement des États de l’Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) with EUR 100-million trade finance facility to support critical regional integration projects in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The facility would also support the upgrading of trade-enabling infrastructure in the CEMAC region.

    The agreement was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 5, 2025 on the sidelines of the official launch of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE). Prof. Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed for the Bank, while Dieudonné Evou Mekou, President of BDEAC, signed for his organization.

    Speaking after the signing, Prof. Oramah highlighted the significance of the facility in strengthening regional integration, saying, “This facility marks another significant milestone in Afreximbank’s efforts to deepen trade and investment, as well as close the trade-enabling infrastructure gap in the CEMAC region. With this line of credit, Afreximbank and BDEAC are sending a strong message to our people that it is through strong partnerships and by pooling our resources that we can collectively transform the economic fortunes of our people.”

    On his part, BDEAC President, Dieudonné Evou Mekou welcomed the signing of the new facility, noting that: “It confirms the excellent quality of the partnership between BDEAC and Afreximbank – two institutions at the forefront of financing African economies.  The establishment of this credit line will enable BDEAC to strengthen and diversify its interventions in the CEMAC zone, thereby contributing more significantly to regional economic integration, sustainable development, and the improvement of living conditions for the populations, in accordance with Strategic Orientation N°1 of the AZOBE 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.”

    The advent of this new facility confirms the excellent quality of the partnership relations that exist between the two financial institutions dedicated to African economies.”

    BDEAC is the regional development finance institution for the CEMAC regional block and has had a long-standing partnership with Afreximbank.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

    Follow us on:
    X: https://apo-opa.co/4l5PpjX
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4kHfBBE
    LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4e8VnhQ
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/3ZwnQYO

    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China-Central Asia Cooperation Mechanism Demonstrates Its High Potential – Political Scientist from Kyrgyzstan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BISHKEK, June 16 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism has demonstrated its high potential. And the upcoming summit to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, will give new impetus to achieving practical results, political scientist and director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan Sheradil Baktygulov said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

    Sh. Baktygulov noted that the political will of the leaders of China and the Central Asian countries plays a key role in the sustainable development and continuous strengthening of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. And the personal participation of the leaders of the countries underlines the mutual respect and desire to deepen the partnership between the countries participating in this mechanism.

    According to him, this approach allows for the coordination of countries’ positions on key contemporary issues, strengthening trust between them, and also forming a unified approach to regional security and development.

    In May 2023, the first China-Central Asia summit was held in the Chinese city of Xi’an. The political scientist noted that since then, the platform has demonstrated its high potential. For example, it has managed to strengthen ties in the economic, political and security spheres, creating the basis for deeper integration in the future. China’s investment in the digital economy and logistics of the region has expanded.

    “The China-Central Asia platform demonstrates the ability of Central Asian states to pursue a consolidated policy, and also shows the major role of China as a key development partner in Eurasia,” the expert believes.

    Speaking about the achievements of the mechanism, Sh. Baktygulov noted the deepening of political trust and dialogue between the countries, the holding of high-level meetings, and the intensification of coordination on issues of ensuring security and regional stability.

    In addition, according to him, there is an increase in trade between Central Asian countries and China, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is accelerating, transport corridors are actively developing, the number of scholarships for students studying at Chinese universities is increasing, and exchanges in tourism, science and technology are expanding.

    “Therefore, there is growing confidence that the China-Central Asia summit in Astana will expand the horizons of cooperation between our countries and give new impetus to achieving practical results for the benefit of the region’s population,” the political scientist said.

    Touching upon the topic of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, he noted that in recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of joint projects, and, most importantly, there has been a qualitative leap in business cooperation in the economy, trade and energy. New transport and logistics corridors, infrastructure projects have also appeared, and visa-free regimes are being introduced.

    “Such interconnectedness is an excellent illustration of the fact that our countries strive to complement each other in order to obtain the greatest practical benefit from cooperation,” emphasized Sh. Baktygulov, believing that the “China-Central Asia” mechanism promotes mutual learning and strengthening of ties between peoples, and also shows an example of how it is possible and necessary to develop humanitarian and cultural cooperation in the context of a diversity of cultures and civilizations.

    Sh. Baktygulov also praised China’s significant progress in recent years, in particular, economic growth, infrastructure development and improvement of the population’s standard of living. In his opinion, behind these and other achievements are the painstaking work of millions of people, wise decisions and their consistent implementation, the country’s inexhaustible potential and the far-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of China.

    “The main contours of China’s national development have already been outlined. This is deepening reforms and opening up. Much attention is also paid to the active development of high-quality productive forces, strengthening innovative capabilities in science and technology, promoting green development and building a harmonious society,” the expert concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Quadien SA: Approval of all resolutions by the combined Shareholders’ meeting of 13 June 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, 16 June 2025

    The combined Annual General Meeting of Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT) was held on 13 June 2025 under the chairmanship of Mr. Didier Lamouche. All resolutions submitted to a vote were duly approved, with an attendance rate of 75.08% (quorum for ordinary and extraordinary resolutions).

    The meeting was broadcast live on the Company’s website.

    The Annual General Meeting approved the renewal of the three-year terms of directorship of Mrs. Nathalie Wright and Mr. Didier Lamouche. The Annual General Meeting also approved the appointment of a new Director, Mrs. Delphine Segura Vaylet, for a three-year term.

    Following the Annual General Meeting, at a meeting held on the same day, the Board of Directors decided to renew Mr. Lamouche as Chairman of the Board of Directors and decided on the composition of the Board’s committees as follows:

    • Appointments, Remuneration and Sustainability Committee: Mrs. Wright (chair), Mr. Troksa and Mrs. Segura Vaylet;
    • Audit and Risks Committee: Mrs. Boulet-Supau (chair), Mr. Courteille and Mrs. Wright;
    • Strategy Committee: Mr.  Troksa (chair), Mr.  Courteille, Bpifrance Investissement (represented by Mr. Blot), and Mrs. Segura Vaylet. 

    The Annual General Meeting approved the resolutions concerning the remuneration for fiscal year 2024 and the remuneration policy for fiscal year 2025 for the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer and all directors.

    The Annual General Meeting also approved the appointment of KPMG S.A. as the statutory auditor.

    The Annual General Meeting also renewed all delegations of authority and financial authorizations granted to the Board of Directors.

    The Annual General Meeting also approved the payment of a cash dividend of 0.70 euro per share. The dividend will be paid in a single instalment on 6 August 2025.

    Consolidated voting results as well as the presentation shown during the Annual General Meeting will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website (https://invest.quadient.com/en/annual-general-meetings).

    Agenda

    On 24 September 2025, Quadient will release its first-half 2025 results.

    About Quadient®
    Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing.

    For more information about Quadient, visit https://invest.quadient.com/en/

    Contacts

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Quadien SA: Approval of all resolutions by the combined Shareholders’ meeting of 13 June 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Paris, 16 June 2025

    The combined Annual General Meeting of Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT) was held on 13 June 2025 under the chairmanship of Mr. Didier Lamouche. All resolutions submitted to a vote were duly approved, with an attendance rate of 75.08% (quorum for ordinary and extraordinary resolutions).

    The meeting was broadcast live on the Company’s website.

    The Annual General Meeting approved the renewal of the three-year terms of directorship of Mrs. Nathalie Wright and Mr. Didier Lamouche. The Annual General Meeting also approved the appointment of a new Director, Mrs. Delphine Segura Vaylet, for a three-year term.

    Following the Annual General Meeting, at a meeting held on the same day, the Board of Directors decided to renew Mr. Lamouche as Chairman of the Board of Directors and decided on the composition of the Board’s committees as follows:

    • Appointments, Remuneration and Sustainability Committee: Mrs. Wright (chair), Mr. Troksa and Mrs. Segura Vaylet;
    • Audit and Risks Committee: Mrs. Boulet-Supau (chair), Mr. Courteille and Mrs. Wright;
    • Strategy Committee: Mr.  Troksa (chair), Mr.  Courteille, Bpifrance Investissement (represented by Mr. Blot), and Mrs. Segura Vaylet. 

    The Annual General Meeting approved the resolutions concerning the remuneration for fiscal year 2024 and the remuneration policy for fiscal year 2025 for the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer and all directors.

    The Annual General Meeting also approved the appointment of KPMG S.A. as the statutory auditor.

    The Annual General Meeting also renewed all delegations of authority and financial authorizations granted to the Board of Directors.

    The Annual General Meeting also approved the payment of a cash dividend of 0.70 euro per share. The dividend will be paid in a single instalment on 6 August 2025.

    Consolidated voting results as well as the presentation shown during the Annual General Meeting will be available on the Company’s Investor Relations website (https://invest.quadient.com/en/annual-general-meetings).

    Agenda

    On 24 September 2025, Quadient will release its first-half 2025 results.

    About Quadient®
    Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing.

    For more information about Quadient, visit https://invest.quadient.com/en/

    Contacts

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: BSTDB Hosts the Heads of Internal Audit Annual Meeting

    Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    Press Release | 16-Jun-2025

    Internal Audit Leaders Convene in Thessaloniki to Discuss ESG, AI, and Evolving Governance Standards

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Internal Audit (HOIA) on 12–13 June 2025. The two-day event, held under the theme “Empowering Accountability and Resilience,” brought together internal audit leaders from over 40 international financial institutions, United Nations agencies, European bodies, and global alliances.

    Participants addressed a wide range of critical topics shaping the future of the profession—from ESG integration and fraud risk management to artificial intelligence, generative technologies, and internal audit quality standards.

    In his opening statement, BSTDB President Dr. Serhat Köksal underlined that “the role of internal audit is one of the critical functions, given the current challenging international setting, including geopolitical tensions, economic volatility, technological disruption, and urgent climate imperatives.”  He stressed that International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have an increased responsibility to drive in these factors into their governance frameworks because of their wide-reaching impact on communities, the environment, and global development.

    Delivering the keynote,  Anthony J. Pugliese, President and CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors, emphasized the systemic, fast-evolving and interconnected nature of today’s risk landscape. Emphasis was placed on the expanding role of internal audit- transforming from traditional oversight to providing strategic guidance in enterprise risk management. He highlighted the dual impact of technology as both a disruptive and an enabler and introduced the principles of responsible AI governance. He concluded by outlining key priorities for strengthening the future of the profession, emphasizing culture, synergies and resilience as the foundations for long term sustainability.

    Pavlos Pavlides, Director of Internal Audit at BSTDB and host of the Meeting, stressed the importance of sound governance, vigilance, and integrity in delivering on institutional mandates. He called for strengthening collaboration among internal audit functions across international organisations to increase collective impact, knowledge-sharing, and professional development.

    The Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to advancing the internal audit profession as a cornerstone of good governance, resilience, and institutional excellence.

     

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org.

     

    Contact: Haroula Christodoulou

    : @BSTDB

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The historic High Seas Treaty is almost reality. Here’s what it would mean for ocean conservation

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Lothian, Senior Lecturer in Maritime Law and Academic Barrister, University of Wollongong

    J Nel/Shutterstock

    The high seas are set to gain a greater level of protection when a long-sought after treaty finally enters into force.

    For almost 20 years, nations have debated the need for the High Seas Treaty, intended to protect marine life in the high seas and the international seabed. These marine areas together account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean and harbour a rich array of unique species and ecosystems. The treaty is formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement.

    Many hoped last week’s United Nations Oceans Conference would result in enough nations ratifying the treaty to bring it into force. As of today, 50 states of the 60 required have done so, while another 19 have promised to do so by the year’s end. A greater level of protection for our high seas is well and truly in sight.

    By United Nations standards, this is a cracking pace. The treaty-making process itself can take years, particularly as states need to incorporate the treaty into their domestic laws. This speaks to the urgency of the moment. Researchers and authorities have warned that the world’s oceans are now in deep trouble, threatened by climate change effects, overfishing, plastic pollution and other human-caused issues.

    Once the treaty enters into force, nations can begin to propose high seas marine protected areas, which could limit fishing and other activities. The question then will be how to police these marine protected areas.

    How did we get here?

    In June 2023, the High Seas Treaty was adopted by consensus at the UN Headquarters in New York. It was a long time coming.

    For decades, nations argued and negotiated over what this treaty might look like. How could the marine genetic resources of this global commons be shared fairly and equitably? How could protected areas be designated and managed? What was eventually thrashed out was a comprehensive international legal framework able to better protect and safeguard the rich and diverse web of life inhabiting the deep sea.

    Getting to this point was a real achievement.

    But for this treaty to enter into force, 60 countries have to ratify it. This means their governments must consent to be legally bound by the terms of the treaty.

    While Australia has pledged to ratify the treaty, it is still working through the ratification and domestic legal process. On a positive note, Environment Minister Murray Watt has indicated this will happen before the end of the year.

    What will the treaty actually do?

    At present, the high seas are regulated by a patchwork of global, regional and sectoral frameworks, instruments and bodies. However, none of these have a core mandate of protecting the biodiversity of the oceans.

    In 1982, the Law of the Sea Convention was adopted, giving every coastal nation rights over the waters extending to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from their coastline.

    Once you are past this, you’re in the high seas – the swathes of ocean not controlled by any one nation.

    If and when it comes into effect, the High Seas Treaty would give the world a way to set up large marine protected areas in the high seas. It would also apply to the international seabed – the seabed, subsoils and ocean floor lying beyond the continental shelf of a coastal state.

    Any new protected areas would likely have restrictions on activities such as fishing and shipping. But this will need to be done in consultation with relevant international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation and regional fisheries management organisations.

    The treaty would go a long way to reaching key conservation goals set under the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Pact, which calls for protection of at least 30% of the world’s marine and coastal habitats by 2030.

    The treaty also sets up a mechanism for the sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, financial and otherwise. Bacteria living in deep-sea ecosystems have attracted much scientific and commercial attention for potential use in medical research or pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Genetic resources from sea sponges have given rise to antiviral drugs targeting COVID and HIV as well as anti-cancer drugs.

    These resources were a major sticking point during the long negotiations.

    Many coastal countries lack the ability to participate in high seas research. As a result, they can miss out on these and other benefits. The High Seas Treaty recognises this and sets up a strong framework for capacity-building, technology transfer and technical assistance for developing nations.

    As nations fish out their territorial waters, some send fishing boats into the unregulated high seas.
    Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock

    When will the oceans get a reprieve?

    Once the 60th nation ratifies the High Seas Treaty, it will enter into force 120 days later. This date could be as soon as May 1 next year, if the threshold is reached on January 1.

    Once this happens, this will be the date upon which the treaty gains legal force, meaning nations will have to comply with its obligations.

    That doesn’t mean huge new marine parks will come into being. There’s still much work to do to hash out the mechanics of how the treaty would actually work, how it would be overseen and how it would work with the International Seabed Authority which oversees deep-sea mining and the Antarctic Treaty System, among others. Negotiators face more work ahead to solve these outstanding issues before the real work can begin.

    That’s not to diminish this achievement. The progress on this treaty has been very hard won. Once it’s in effect, it will make a concrete difference.

    Sarah Lothian 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. The historic High Seas Treaty is almost reality. Here’s what it would mean for ocean conservation – https://theconversation.com/the-historic-high-seas-treaty-is-almost-reality-heres-what-it-would-mean-for-ocean-conservation-258710

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Australian government has launched a new strategy to boost vaccination rates. Will it work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Kaufman, Research Fellow, Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

    South_agency/Getty Images

    Last week, the Australian government announced a new National Immunisation Strategy for 2025–30. This strategy sets out the government’s priorities for improving vaccine uptake for children, adolescents and adults over the next five years.

    It comes at an important moment. Childhood vaccination coverage has been declining consistently since 2020.

    So what are the key goals of this new strategy, and will it be able to reverse the drop in vaccination rates among Australian children?

    Declining vaccination coverage since the pandemic

    While overall vaccination coverage remains high by global standards – at 92% for one-year-olds – this is down from a high of nearly 95% in 2020. The reasons for the drop include access challenges and concerns among some parents about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

    Many children are missing out on timely vaccines that prevent diseases such as whooping cough and meningitis. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who also have lower vaccination coverage rates at one and two years old, bear a disproportionate burden of these diseases.

    And it’s not just children missing out. Among adolescents, HPV coverage at age 15 has dropped by 5% in girls (down to 81%) and 7% in boys (down to 78%) since 2020.

    Influenza vaccination coverage has declined year on year since 2022 and remains at very low levels. Coverage in 2024 was 62% for people aged 65 and older, and under 30% for the rest of the population.

    Across six key priority areas, the new immunisation strategy seeks to reduce vaccine hesitancy and improve access to vaccinations, particularly in priority groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A few key points stood out to us.

    The National Immunisation Strategy has six key priority areas.
    CC BY

    1. Emphasis on trust and community engagement

    We need to strengthen trust in vaccines and the people and systems that deliver them because low levels of trust are associated with vaccine scepticism and refusal. Even though Australians’ trust in childhood vaccines is generally high, there have been some bumps in recent years.

    The pandemic left some people with lingering questions and misperceptions about vaccines, supercharged by misinformation and increasing political polarisation of vaccination.

    The strategy rightly emphasises the need to engage with communities and build trust in vaccination and the health system.

    However, relationships with communities can’t be stood up at a moment’s notice – they take time and effort to sustain. State and federal governments invested in these relationships with diverse communities during the COVID vaccine rollout, but many of these initiatives have since been dissolved due to lack of sustained funding and commitment.

    Recently, there have been positive indications some governments are reinvesting in these efforts. Hopefully this strategy will encourage more to do the same.

    2. Addressing equity and access

    Too often government leaders and media headlines blame individual laziness or hesitancy for our uptake problems, failing to acknowledge the very real problems with service convenience and access that are also present.

    The strategy makes clear that the government and immunisation service providers should make vaccination accessible and equitable. As a part of this commitment, it highlights the importance of ensuring all health-care professionals who are able to deliver vaccines are being utilised to their full potential.

    Pharmacists are specifically mentioned, but there is no reference to the largest group of immunisation providers: nurses. They should be better recognised and we need reform to enable nurses to vaccinate more independently.

    3. Recognising the importance of data

    When vaccination rates are low, it’s essential to know why. This comes from both talking with communities and collecting robust data.

    We are part of the National Vaccination Insights project, which carries out yearly monitoring using surveys and interviews with the public to better understand the drivers of vaccine uptake.

    The strategy proposes a live dashboard of vaccine uptake data, which would be valuable, but we also encourage the addition of social and behavioural data. The dashboard should also report rates of vaccination in pregnancy. This information is newly available, thanks to the recent addition of a field to record pregnancy status in the Australian Immunisation Register.

    4. Commitment to consider vaccine injury compensation

    Maintaining trust in vaccination means being able to acknowledge when vaccines can very occasionally cause harm. People tend to be more confident in vaccines when you tell them what to expect, what the common minor side effects are, as well as the rare serious ones.

    When those rare serious side effects become a reality for a handful of people, they may have to take time off work, incur medical expenses, and very occasionally, manage long-term complications. So it’s essential these people are financially compensated by government.

    We had such a compensation scheme during the pandemic for COVID vaccines, but this ended in September 2024. We welcome the government’s plan to explore whether establishing a compensation scheme is feasible for all vaccines on the national program.

    A comprehensive no-fault vaccine injury compensation scheme is overdue and, with thoughtful and consultative planning, would make our already robust vaccination system more trustworthy.

    Where to from here?

    The new national immunisation strategy is comprehensive and informed by evidence. But its impact will ultimately come down to its funding and implementation, which are not described in this document. Finalising these key plans and putting them into action must happen soon to arrest declining vaccination coverage and keep people well protected from serious diseases.

    Jessica Kaufman receives funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, Australian government, Victorian government, and UNICEF. She is a member of the Collaboration on Social Science and Immunisation (COSSI).

    Julie Leask receives funding from NHMRC, WHO, US CDC, NSW Ministry of Health. She received funding from Sanofi for travel to an overseas meeting in 2024.

    – ref. The Australian government has launched a new strategy to boost vaccination rates. Will it work? – https://theconversation.com/the-australian-government-has-launched-a-new-strategy-to-boost-vaccination-rates-will-it-work-258808

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: 34/2025・Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 34 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 16 June 2025

    Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.

    Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:

            Number of shares        Average purchase price (DKK)        Transaction value (DKK)
    Total beginning 106,074 87.65 9,297,085
    9 June 2025     Market closed
    10 June 2025 1,385 93.67 129,733
    11 June 2025 1,700 93.92 159,664
    12 June 2025 1,900 96.94 184,186
    13 June 2025 1,900 98.40 186,960
    Accumulated 112,959 88.15 9,957,628

    A detailed overview of the daily transactions can be found here: https://investor.trifork.com/trifork-shares/

    Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 112,959 at a total amount of DKK 9,957,628.
    On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.

    With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 344,975 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.7%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,399,924.

    Investor and media contact
    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17

    About Trifork
    Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.

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  • MIL-OSI: New Paybis OTC Desk And Wallets To Simplify Crypto Payments

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Paybis, a global fiat-to-crypto gateway, is rolling out a secure and efficient OTC desk and crypto wallet to meet growing business demand for digital assets.

    With crypto acceptance growing close to 50% year-on-year among merchants, the OTC desk simplifies on- and off-ramping digital assets for businesses. An increasing number of enterprises are holding Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins on balance sheets for treasury purposes, with fintechs and startups using the secure Paybis business wallet to store, swap, send, receive and pay in cryptocurrency.

    Both OTC desk and the wallet ensure seamless transactions at competitive fees, featuring a solution available around the world, complete with 24/7 customer support.

    Responding to the crypto custody provider market nearly doubling (84%) in the next 5 years, Paybis has developed a full service platform to remove complexity from the process and give companies a smooth, secure experience.

    From settling invoices to managing treasury assets, the tools are built to handle real-world business needs without the usual crypto learning curve.

    Paybis Co-Founder and CBDO, Konstantins Vasilenko, commented: “88% of merchants report increased revenue after accepting crypto payments. Our OTC and business wallet solutions are helping businesses attract more web2 customers and tokenize their assets securely.”

    Paybis is licensed both in the EU (VASP) and the US (FinCEN) and tackles critical issues present in today’s crypto market. Some of these issues include complex UI, slow and low-quality customer support, slow onboarding and compliance times, weak security, limited geographic coverage, and the lack of support for fiat currencies.

    The solutions simplify processes like onboarding, KYC, and transaction handling and also support local payment rails in over 25 fiat currencies with no FX fees. They include tiered pricing to accommodate businesses at every stage of growth.

    A key feature is Paybis’ streamlined onboarding, which drastically cuts down wait times. Thanks to an entirely in-house, end-to-end verification process, businesses can get started in under 24 hours — without the endless back-and-forth often seen in compliance workflows. Once onboarded, clients have full, unrestricted access to their funds, including instant deposits and withdrawals, giving them total control over how and when they move money.

    The platform also supports a wide range of fiat currencies and payment methods, helping businesses tap into local markets while operating globally. With fast settlement, competitive rates, and an intuitive dashboard, Paybis’ new B2B suite makes integrating crypto into operations less of a technical headache — and more of a strategic advantage.

    About Paybis

    Paybis is a global crypto platform with 11 years of experience, providing solutions for both individuals and businesses to buy, sell, and transfer digital currencies. Our services range from on/off-ramp solutions to OTC desk, B2B payments, and more. Operating globally with millions of customers across the US, UK, and Europe, we ensure full compliance with local regulations. Trusted by the world’s leading businesses over 5 million users, Paybis makes crypto transactions effortless, secure, and accessible worldwide.

    The company also operates in 141 countries globally, including 38 US states, providing crypto transaction services to the majority of the world’s population. Its reach extends over five continents, connecting diverse regions, enabling financial inclusion to over 1.4 billion unbanked people, and offering an easy-to-use solution that outperforms traditional banking solutions, all while maintaining regulatory compliance in each jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –