Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI: OMS Energy Technologies Inc. Announces Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OMS Energy Technologies Inc. (“OMS” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OMSE), a growth-oriented manufacturer of surface wellhead systems (“SWS”) and oil country tubular goods (“OCTG”) for the oil and gas industry, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.

    Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Total revenues in 2025 were $203.6 million, compared with $18.2 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $163.3 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
    • Gross margin in 2025 was 33.9%, compared with 27.6% for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and 29.9% for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
    • Operating profit in 2025 was $59.9 million, compared with $3.2 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $40.2 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Mr. How Meng Hock, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OMS, commented, “We are extremely proud to report strong results for fiscal year 2025 in our first earnings announcement as a publicly listed company. Our double-digit revenue growth, expanded gross margin, and increase in operating profit are a direct result of our team’s disciplined execution and commitment to delivering value across all areas of our business. We have also recorded several new customer wins and contract renewals since our IPO in May, further broadening and diversifying our revenue base. With our focus on long-term growth, we’re entering fiscal 2026 with strong momentum and a clear strategy for continued innovation and expansion.”

    Mr. Kevin Yeo, Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our fiscal 2025 financial performance reflects both top-line strength and meaningful margin improvement. Total revenues grew to $203.6 million, with gross margin reaching 33.9%. Operating profit increased to $59.9 million, highlighting our enhanced cost discipline and the benefits of growing economies of scale. Our net profit for the year was $47.0 million. When excluding a one-time $49.4 million bargain purchase gain recognized in fiscal 2024 related to the Management Buyout, our underlying profitability in 2025 demonstrates strong growth momentum. Supported by these solid fundamentals, a healthy balance sheet and loyal customer base, we remain confident of driving sustainable growth and building long-term shareholder value.”

    Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results

    Total revenues. Total revenues in 2025 were $203.6 million, compared with $18.2 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $163.3 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    • Specialty connectors and pipes. Revenues from sales of specialty connectors and pipes in 2025 were $143.1 million, compared with $5.1 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $113.5 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to a significant increase in demand from one of the Company’s major customers who had higher levels of business activities related to oil and gas production.
    • Surface wellhead and Christmas tree equipment. Revenues from sales of surface wellhead and Christmas tree equipment in 2025 were $8.7 million, compared with $3.0 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $6.8 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. This decrease was primarily due to delayed demand from one of the Company’s major customers in Indonesia, who is rationalizing their requirements as they plan for increased production to meet Indonesia’s energy security plan, as well as a delayed shipment to the Middle East which will materialize in the fiscal year 2026.
    • Premium threading services. Revenues from rendering of premium threading services in 2025 were $36.8 million, compared with $7.6 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $31.1 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. This slight decrease was primarily attributable to a relatively stable level of rig activities across oil and gas customers in the countries that drive demand for the Company’s premium threading services.
    • Other ancillary services. Revenues generated from other ancillary services in 2025 were $15.0 million, compared with $2.4 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $11.9 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. This increase was primarily due to greater customer demand for engineering testing, inspection and maintenance services.

    Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues in 2025 was $134.6 million, compared with $13.2 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $114.5 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Gross profit. Gross profit in 2025 was $69.0 million, compared with $5.0 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $48.7 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Gross margin in 2025 was 33.9%, compared with 27.6% for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and 29.9% for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The increase was mainly due to the growth in total revenues, as well as the benefits from economies of scale stemming from higher sales volume, sourcing productivity and an increase in the proportion of higher-margin services performed.

    Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2025 were $9.1 million, compared with $1.8 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $8.6 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The decrease was mainly due to a decrease in legal and professional fees, staff expenses and depreciation.

    Operating profit. Operating profit in 2025 was $59.9 million, compared with $3.2 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $40.2 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Total other income/(expense), net. Total other income, net in 2025 was $0.2 million, compared with total other expense, net of $0.08 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and total other income, net of $50.2 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024. The change was primarily due to a non-recurring bargain purchase gain of $49.4 million related to the management buyout in the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Net profit. Net profit in 2025 was $47.0 million, compared with $2.4 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and $82.1 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Basic and diluted EPS. Basic and diluted earnings per share were both $1.18 in 2025, compared with $2.19 for the period June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

    As of March 31, 2025, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $75.8 million, compared with $45.4 million as of March 31, 2024.

    Net cash provided by operating activities was $40.5 million, compared with net cash used of $2.9 million for the period from April 1, 2023, through June 15, 2023, and net cash provided of $24.0 million for the period from June 16, 2023, through March 31, 2024.

    About OMS Energy Technologies Inc.

    OMS Energy Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: OMSE) is a growth-oriented manufacturer of surface wellhead systems (SWS) and oil country tubular goods (OCTG) for the oil and gas industry. Serving both onshore and offshore exploration and production operators, OMS is a trusted single-source supplier across six vital jurisdictions in the Asia Pacific, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) regions. The Company’s 11 strategically located manufacturing facilities in key markets ensure rapid response times, customized technical solutions and seamless adaptation to evolving production and logistics needs. Beyond its core SWS and OCTG offerings, OMS also provides premium threading services to maximize operational efficiency for its customers.

    For more information, please visit ir.omsos.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking” statements which are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “likely to,” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    OMS Energy Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations
    Email: ir@omsos.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    Email: oms@thepiacentegroup.com

    Hui Fan
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    Email: oms@thepiacentegroup.com

    Unaudited Summary of Financial Results

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Positions

                 
        For the
    year ended
    March 31, 2025
        For the
    year ended
    March 31, 2024
     
        US$’000     US$’000  
    Assets            
    Current assets:            
    Cash and cash equivalents   72,950     43,470  
    Restricted cash, current   1,692     1,593  
    Trade receivables   13,467     31,948  
    Contract assets   983     1,730  
    Inventories   32,546     30,689  
    Prepayment and other current assets   1,646     3,067  
    Amount due from a related party   1,584     1,585  
    Total Current Assets   124,868     114,082  
                 
    Non-current assets:            
    Restricted cash, non-current   1,189     367  
    Right-of-use assets   8,086     3,549  
    Property, plant and equipment   32,055     32,040  
    Intangible assets   42     126  
    Deferred tax assets   2,938     2,574  
    Prepayment and other non-current assets   1,327     694  
    Total Non-Current Assets   45,637     39,350  
    Total Assets   170,505     153,432  
                 
    Liabilities            
    Current Liabilities:            
    Trade and other payables   15,070     47,535  
    Loans and borrowings       6,504  
    Tax payable   8,200     6,669  
    Lease liabilities, current   1,187     741  
    Total Current Liabilities   24,457     61,449  
                 
    Non-current Liabilities:            
    Employee benefits obligation   827     751  
    Lease liabilities, non-current   6,096     1,843  
    Deferred tax liabilities   4,217     3,684  
    Other payables, non-current       5,000  
    Provisions   321     351  
    Total Non-Current Liabilities   11,461     11,629  
    Total Liabilities   35,918     73,078  
                 
    Equity            
    Share capital   4     4  
    Share premium   72,648     67,648  
    Retained earnings   58,634     13,818  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (2,397 )   (4,441 )
    Equity attributable to Shareholders of the Company   128,889     77,029  
    Non-controlling interests   5,698     3,325  
    Total equity   134,587     80,354  
                 
    Total liabilities and equity   170,505     153,432  
    Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
                       
        Successor     Successor     Predecessor  
        For the
    year ended
    March 31, 2025
        For the period
    June 16, 2023
    through
    March 31, 2024
        For the period
    April 1
    through
    June 15, 2023
     
        US$’000     US$’000     US$’000  
    Revenue – third parties   203,607     163,267     16,967  
    Revenue – related parties           1,215  
    Total revenue   203,607     163,267     18,182  
                       
    Cost of revenue – third parties   (134,620 )   (114,525 )   (13,080 )
    Cost of revenue – related parties           (75 )
    Total cost of revenue   (134,620 )   (114,525 )   (13,155 )
                       
    Gross profit   68,987     48,742     5,027  
                       
    Selling, general and administrative expenses   (9,122 )   (8,574 )   (1,790 )
    Operating profit   59,865     40,168     3,237  
                       
    Bargain purchase gain       49,429      
    Other income/(expenses), net – third parties   246     775     (108 )
    Other income, net – related parties           29  
    Total other income/(expenses), net   246     50,204     (79 )
                       
    Finance income – third parties   339     55     9  
    Finance income – related parties           65  
    Total finance income   339     55     74  
                       
    Finance cost – third parties   (284 )   (915 )   (38 )
    Finance cost – related parties           (162 )
    Total finance cost   (284 )   (915 )   (200 )
                       
    Profit before tax   60,166     89,512     3,032  
    Income tax expense   (13,189 )   (7,424 )   (657 )
    Net profit   46,977     82,088     2,375  
                       
    Other comprehensive income/(loss):                  
    Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss                  
    Foreign currency translation differences   2,258     (1,701 )   (610 )
    Changes resulting from actuarial remeasurement of employee benefits obligation   (2 )   (33 )   (9 )
    Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax   2,256     (1,734 )   (619 )
    Total comprehensive income   49,233     80,354     1,756  
                       
    Net profit attributable to:                  
    Shareholders of the Company   44,816     80,880     1,867  
    Non-controlling interests   2,161     1,208     508  
    Net profit   46,977     82,088     2,375  
                       
    Total comprehensive income attributable to:                  
    Shareholders of the Company   46,860     79,184     1,310  
    Non-controlling interests   2,373     1,170     446  
    Total comprehensive income   49,233     80,354     1,756  
                       
    Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding   37,822,500     36,900,000        
    Basic and diluted earnings per share (as adjusted) (US$)   1.18     2.19        
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                       
        Successor     Successor     Predecessor  
        For the
    year ended
    March 31, 2025
        For the period
    June 16, 2023
    through
    March 31,
    2024
        For the period
    April 1
    through
    June 15,
    2023
     
        US$’000     US$’000     US$’000  
    Operating activities                  
    Net profit   46,977     82,088     2,375  
    Adjustments for:                  
    Income tax expenses   13,189     7,424     657  
    Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   2,711     3,800     251  
    Amortization of intangible assets   84     97     6  
    Depreciation of right-of-use assets   1,412     1,030     140  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment   111     (357 )    
    Allowance for/(reversal of) inventories obsolescence   571     (335 )   (6 )
    Allowance for/(reversal of) expected credit losses   121     (3 )    
    Finance costs   284     915     200  
    Finance income   (339 )   (55 )   (74 )
    Loss/(gain) on unrealized foreign exchange   493     (793 )   134  
    Gain on bargain purchase       (49,429 )    
                       
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                  
    Trade receivables   18,975     (17,961 )   (2,727 )
    Contract assets   764     (1,505 )   1,139  
    Inventories   (2,329 )   (20,817 )   (360 )
    Prepayment and other assets   809     418     (1,219 )
    Trade receivables due from related parties       284     (428 )
    Trade and other payables   (32,239 )   26,157     (2,224 )
    Employee benefits obligation   59     11     24  
        51,653     30,969     (2,112 )
    Cash provided by operations:                  
    Interest received   339     55     74  
    Income taxes paid   (11,490 )   (6,979 )   (852 )
    Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities   40,502     24,045     (2,890 )
                       
    Investing activities                  
    Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment       698      
    Cash payment for management buyout       (2,000 )    
    Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (2,863 )   (3,238 )   (1,200 )
    Acquisition of intangible asset       (11 )    
    Repayment from/(loan to) related parties           20,981  
    Amount due from a related party   1     (1,585 )    
    Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities   (2,862 )   (6,136 )   19,781  
    Financing activities                  
    Advances from potential investors       5,000      
    Proceeds from loans and borrowings           874  
    Proceeds from loans from related parties           8,845  
    Repayment of loans from related parties           (28,038 )
    Repayment of loans and borrowings   (6,504 )   (3,874 )    
    Interest paid   (253 )   (211 )   (200 )
    Payment of lease liabilities   (1,302 )   (824 )   (197 )
    Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities   (8,059 )   91     (18,716 )
    Effect of foreign exchange on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   820     (2,473 )   (75 )
    Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   30,401     15,527     (1,900 )
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year/period   45,430     29,903     31,803  
    Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year/period   75,831     45,430     29,903  
    Less: Restricted cash, non-current   1,189     367     1,150  
    Less: Restricted cash, current   1,692     1,593     1,087  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of year/period   72,950     43,470     27,666  

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Beyond babysitting: How China’s grandparents are reinventing retirement

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

    Graduates perform during the graduation ceremony at Xinjiang Open University for Seniors in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 27, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

    With her silver hair neatly styled and a pearl necklace resting against a soft yellow blouse, Yin Song embodies the elegance of the pianist she’s always been. But the large studio headphones over her ears and the video camera in front of her suggest something different.

    At 74, “Grandma Piano,” as her online fans affectionately call her, now spends her time guiding audiences through the world of anime and video game music, sharing the same depth of feeling she once brought to Mozart and Chopin.

    A lifelong musician, Yin opened her social media account in 2022 to share her expertise. It wasn’t until she analyzed the music from the hit game “Black Myth: Wukong” that her channel suddenly took off. The “grandinfluencer” now has more than 600,000 followers on the video-sharing platform Bilibili.

    For Yin, the experience has been unexpectedly transformative. “We used to lead the young,” she said. “Now they lead us, and I want to keep running alongside them,” embracing new ideas and ways of connecting.

    Yin’s story reflects a subtle yet telling cultural shift. In a country where grandparents have long been expected to devote their retirement years to caring for grandchildren, an increasing number of older Chinese are quietly rewriting the script. They are embracing new roles as content creators, community volunteers, entrepreneurs, and part-time professionals. For many, retirement is no longer a retreat, but a second act.

    Yin is far from alone. By the end of 2024, over 30 million users aged 60 or above were logging in monthly on Xiaohongshu, one of China’s most popular social media platforms. In just two years, the number of senior content creators has tripled, generating more than 100 million posts.

    These older digital pioneers are challenging long-held stereotypes from grandmothers redefining fashion, to retired professors distilling philosophy into viral short videos, and rural elders sharing their pastoral lives.

    Digital engagement is only part of the story. Many seniors are also returning to work, seeking purpose beyond their pensions. Zhu Honghua, 70, a former Beijing accountant enjoyed a comfortable monthly pension of around 8,500 yuan (about 1,191 U.S. dollars) and a leisurely life with her husband after retirement.

    But the routine began to wear thin. When a business contact invited Zhu back to accounting, she jumped at the chance. “It’s not just about the money,” she said. “Having something meaningful to do every day is its own reward.”

    Zhu’s case is hardly an outlier. A growing body of data suggests that many older Chinese are not only willing but eager to return to work. A 2023 survey by the China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics found that 45 percent of those aged between 60 and 69 expressed a desire to remain in or reenter the workforce.

    Research from the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences revealed similar patterns: 62.1 percent of people aged 60 to 65 said they wanted to keep working, while among those approaching retirement, aged 55 to 59, the figure was even higher, at 72.7 percent.

    While motivations vary, nearly half of those seeking post-retirement work cited a need for purpose, according to a 2022 report on senior reemployment. Others aimed to apply their skills or chase new ambitions. A third said they hoped to ease financial pressure or afford a better quality of life.

    The surge of interest in post-retirement work coincides with China’s rapidly aging population. By the end of 2024, more than 310 million Chinese citizens were aged 60 or older, about 22 percent of the population. That share is expected to surpass 30 percent by 2035, when the number of seniors is projected to top 400 million.

    As waves of older workers reach retirement age over the coming years, policymakers and experts see both a warning and an opportunity. With educational attainment on the rise, China’s older adults are seen not only as dependents, but as a vast reservoir of experience, skills and resources that could help offset the country’s shrinking working-age population.

    China has taken steps to harness the power of its aging population. In its recent move, the government issued new guidelines this May, calling for more flexible and personalized job opportunities tailored to older adults, while pledging to dismantle outdated regulations that stand in their way.

    Local governments have moved quickly to implement the changes, building registries of senior talent, expanding employment services for retirees, and cultivating specialized human resource agencies to serve the growing “silver economy.”

    Signs of change are beginning to emerge in the labor market. Retirees with backgrounds in engineering, medicine, education and skilled trades are returning as consultants, trainers or part-time specialists, lending decades of experience to fields in need.

    “China has entered an aging society,” said Lu Jiehua, a sociology professor at Peking University. “Tapping into older human resources isn’t just about addressing demographic pressure. It’s a crucial strategy for extending the country’s demographic dividend.”  

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charles Donald to step down as UK Government Investments CEO next year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Charles Donald to step down as UK Government Investments CEO next year

    Charles Donald stepping down after successfully leading UKGI as its CEO since early 2020.

    • UKGI’s corporate governance and corporate finance advice and support has been significantly expanded since his appointment, particularly through the setting up of the new Financial Instruments and Transactions Advisory Group.
    • The recruitment process for his successor will be launched shortly.

    Charles Donald has announced today (24 July) that he will step down from his role as CEO of UK Government Investments (UKGI) in early 2026 after over five years of leading the company.

    UKGI is the government’s centre for expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance, providing expert advice and solutions to the government, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations.

    As CEO, Charles oversaw a significant expansion of UKGI’s activities during the pandemic including the establishment of the Covid Interventions Resolution Group which supported the Bank of England’s £85 billion Covid Corporate Financing Facility.

    The addition of AWE, BBC Commercial, Eutelsat, Octric, the National Wealth Fund, NESO, Network Rail, Reclaim Fund Limited, Sheffield Forgemasters and Sizewell C to UKGI’s governance portfolio also happened during Charles’ time as CEO.

    He was a key player in securing the Treasury’s full exit as a shareholder in NatWest Group in May 2025.

    Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, said:

    Charles has been an excellent CEO of UKGI, having led an impressive expansion of its important work to provide advice and support to the Government on complex corporate governance and corporate finance matters.

    I wish him well and look forward to UKGI’s continued work to support our number one mission – delivering economic growth.

    Charles Donald, outgoing CEO of UKGI, said

    It has been an extraordinary privilege to be the CEO of UKGI since early 2020.

    My objective was to continue building the expertise in corporate finance and corporate governance that UKGI brings to government as well as to ensure that UKGI continued to be an effective bridge between Whitehall and the City.

    I am proud to have had the opportunity to grow and further professionalise an organisation of such skilled and dedicated experts who support departments as government’s in-house corporate finance and corporate governance advisory function.

    Vindi Banga, Chair of UKGI, said:

    I am profoundly grateful to Charles for his leadership and commitment to UKGI over the past seven years. 

    It has been a privilege to work with Charles as he has led UKGI in support of some of government’s toughest challenges, with his characteristically calm leadership style, wisdom, and immense professional expertise.

    The recruitment process for Charles Donald’s successor will be launched shortly.

    The Board, led by Vindi Banga, is leading the process and as part of a well-ordered succession, Charles will support the transition to the new CEO following their appointment.


    Further information

    • UKGI is the government’s centre of expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance. It provides expert advice and leading solutions that inform and translate government’s decisions into effective outcomes in the national interest. 
    • UKGI acts as shareholder representative for, and leads the establishment of, UK government most complex and commercial arm’s length bodies on behalf of sponsor departments. It advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations; it analyses and advises on the UK government’s contingent liabilities and advises on major UK government corporate finance matters, including financial interventions into corporate structures and corporate finance negotiations. 
    • UKGI is owned by HM Treasury and independently managed with a Board comprised predominantly of independent non-executive directors. UKGI works closely with both the private and public sectors, advising and interacting with ministers, Parliament, and Whitehall departments.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Holidaymakers heading to Europe urged to help protect British farmers by not bringing back meat and dairy products

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Holidaymakers heading to Europe urged to help protect British farmers by not bringing back meat and dairy products

    Call for holidaymakers to follow rules introduced to help protect farmers from Foot and Mouth

    UK holidaymakers heading to Europe this summer are being urged to help protect British farmers from Foot and Mouth disease by not bringing back meat and dairy products 

    Europe has seen a wave of cases impacting Hungary, Austria and Germany, and the UK Chief Vet is today (July 24th) urging the British public to comply with the rules, so we avoid a devastating outbreak like the one that was experienced in 2001. 

    Foot and Mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that can, in some cases, kill cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can be carried in animal products – including meat, dairy products and some processed food. The virus can remain viable for months and can rapidly spread through contaminated objects and the movement of people.  

    It is illegal for travellers entering GB to bring with them untreated meat or dairy products including lamb, pork, mutton, venison and goat meat, and all other products made from these meats or containing them – such as sandwiches and sausages – from the EU, regardless of whether they are packed, packaged or have been bought at duty free.     

    This includes products such as cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, pâté, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches containing any of the banned meats.  

    These strict rules were introduced due to the toll Foot and Mouth can have on the farming industry . An outbreak could result in the culling of large numbers of the country’s livestock and cost the UK economy billions of pounds in production shortfalls, lost trade and disease control. The outbreak in GB in 2001 is estimated to have cost £15 billion (in current prices) in disease control costs alone.  

    Biosecurity Minister, Baroness Hayman, said: 

    Maintaining the integrity of our biosecurity against Foot and Mouth Disease is essential, and this updated control strategy reflects our strengthened approach to managing that risk. It reflects our clear determination to safeguard our borders. 

    We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country—doing so puts farmers livelihoods at risk.

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:  

    Foot and Mouth disease has been recently circulating on the continent. The disease presents a significant risk to Britain’s food security and economy. 

    This highly contagious disease causes considerable suffering to livestock and has a devastating economic and personal impact on farmers, who lose their prized animals.  I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation – you will be doing your bit to help protect our hard-working farmers.

    To further strengthen the country’s response to foot and mouth disease, the Government has today updated the Foot and Mouth Control Strategy for GB which will support the UK’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to an outbreak, protecting the livestock industry and rural economy. This is the first update in over a decade. This comes ahead of an exercise later this year to test Government preparedness. The updated framework provides information to help farmers protect their business and outlines how government will respond effectively to outbreaks. 

    Last month, the Government announced £1bn funding for a new investment programme to build a new National Biosecurity Centre – a cutting-edge scientific campus in Surrey that will serve as the UKs foremost animal biosecurity facility. This will better protect the public and farmers from animal disease by enhancing the country’s detection, surveillance and control capabilities for high-risk animal diseases, such as avian influenza, foot and mouth disease, and African swine fever, and enhance our ability to manage concurrent disease outbreaks. 

    Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:    

    • 03000 200 301 in England     

    • 0300 303 8268 in Wales     

    • your local  Field Services Office in Scotland 

    ENDS 

    Notes to editors – current restrictions  

    • Travellers are currently banned from bringing all dairy products and some meats from the European Union (EU) into GB. These restrictions aim to prevent the introduction of FMD and other harmful animal diseases such as ASF, PPR and LSD.   

    • It is illegal for travellers entering GB (not Northern Ireland) to bring with them lamb, pork, mutton, venison and goat meat, and all other products made from these meats or containing them – such as sandwiches and sausages – from the EU, regardless of whether they are packed, packaged or have been bought at duty free.     

    • This includes products such as cheese, chorizo, salami, serrano ham, pâté, yoghurt, butter, milk, and sandwiches containing any of the banned meats.  

    • The current restrictions were introduced in April in response to rising cases of FMD in Europe, and to protect the health of British livestock, the security of farmers, and the UK’s food security. Restrictions on travellers bringing back certain meat and dairy products were already in place to curb the spread of ASF and PPR in Europe.   

    • Travellers are also banned from bringing any meat, meat products, milk or milk-based products into GB from countries outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.  

    • Border Force will check for prohibited goods as part of customs checks. Travellers found with prohibited items must surrender them at the border or have them seized and destroyed. In serious cases, those found with such may be fined up to £5,000 in England or prosecuted across GB.  

    • The government continues to work closely with ports, airports and travel operators to raise awareness of the ban, including via prominent signage.  

    • The measures will stay in place until the personal import of affected products no longer poses a significant biosecurity risk to GB.  

    • The restrictions do not apply to travellers arriving into GB from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man.  

    • The measures apply only to personal imports, e.g. goods that travellers bring back with them from holiday. Commercial food imports must undergo other biosecurity requirements, including heat treatments and accompanying export health certificates signed by official veterinarians to mitigate the risk of diseases, such as FMD, ASF, PPR and LSD.  

    • More information for travellers arriving from the EU can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain/meat-dairy-fish-animal-products

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report reveals strong performance from Council’s Counter Fraud Team

    Source: City of Derby

    Derby City Council saved over £500,000 in the last financial year and recovered nine homes for Council tenants, thanks to the work of the Counter Fraud team.

    The figures are detailed in an annual report submitted to the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee.

    The report shows that the team achieved almost 200 positive outcomes during the 2024/25 financial year, highlighting the Council’s commitment to tackling fraudulent activity and protecting public resources.

    Savings were achieved by recovering money that was lost and by preventing various fraud schemes.

    Nine social housing properties that were being used illegally were recovered for eligible residents on the housing waiting list, and six Right to Buy applications were withdrawn.

    Two people were prosecuted for benefit fraud, as part of joint working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

    Raising awareness about fraud remained a priority. The team shared fraud warnings both inside and outside the organisation, used social media to encourage the public to report anything suspicious, and gave important fraud awareness training to staff and partners.

    Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services said:

    These results underscore our proactive stance against fraud and the team’s dedication to ensuring that taxpayer money and vital housing resources are used appropriately.

    The recovery of nine properties and the significant savings delivered highlight the tangible benefits of our Counter Fraud Team’s expertise and diligent work.

    The team is working hard to protect vital public services — but can’t do it alone. If you suspect fraud, help us take action.

    You can Report fraud anonymously online, email: fraud@derby.gov.uk or telephone the 24-hour hotline: 01332 640888.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics have hurt the famous women traders

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Fidele B. Ebia, Postdoctoral fellow, Duke Africa Initiative, Duke University

    The manufacturing of African print textiles has shifted to China in the 21st century. While they are widely consumed in African countries – and symbolic of the continent – the rise of “made in China” has undermined the African women traders who have long shaped the retail and distribution of this cloth.

    For many decades Vlisco, the Dutch textile group which traces its origins to 1846 and whose products had been supplied to west Africa by European trading houses since the late 19th century, dominated manufacture of the cloth. But in the last 25 years dozens of factories in China have begun to supply African print textiles to west African markets. Qingdao Phoenix Hitarget Ltd, Sanhe Linqing Textile Group and Waxhaux Ltd are among the best known.

    We conducted research to establish how the rise of Chinese-made cloth has affected the African print textiles trade. We focused on Togo. Though it’s a tiny country with a population of only 9.7 million, the capital city, Lomé, is the trading hub in west Africa for the textiles.

    We conducted over 100 interviews with traders, street sellers, port agents or brokers, government officials and representatives of manufacturing companies to learn about how their activities have changed.

    “Made in China” African print textiles are substantially cheaper and more accessible to a wider population than Vlisco fabric. Our market observations in Lomé’s famous Assigamé market found that Chinese African print textiles cost about 9,000 CFA (US$16) for six yards – one complete outfit. Wax Hollandais (50,000 CFA or US$87) cost over five times more.

    Data is hard to come by, but our estimates suggest that 90% of imports of these textiles to Lomé port in 2019 came from China.

    One Togolese trader summed up the attraction:

    Who could resist a cloth that looked similar, but that cost much less than real Vlisco?

    Our research shows how the rise of China manufactured cloth has undermined Vlisco’s once dominant market share as well as the monopoly on the trade of Dutch African print textiles that Togolese traders once enjoyed.

    The traders, known as Nana-Benz because of the expensive cars they drove, once enjoyed an economic and political significance disproportionate to their small numbers. Their political influence was such that they were key backers of Togo’s first president, Sylvanus Olympio – himself a former director of the United Africa Company, which distributed Dutch cloth.

    In turn, Olympio and long-term leader General Gnassingbé Eyadéma provided policy favours – such as low taxes – to support trading activity. In the 1970s, African print textile trade was considered as significant as the phosphate industry – the country’s primary export.

    Nana-Benz have since been displaced – their numbers falling from 50 to about 20. Newer Togolese traders – known as Nanettes or “little Nanas” – have taken their place. While they have carved out a niche in mediating the textiles trade with China, they have lower economic and political stature. In turn, they too are increasingly threatened by Chinese competition, more recently within trading and distribution as well.

    China displaces the Dutch

    Dating back to the colonial period, African women traders have played essential roles in the wholesale and distribution of Dutch cloth in west African markets. As many countries in the region attained independence from the 1950s onwards, Grand Marché – or Assigamé – in Lomé became the hub for African print textile trade.

    While neighbouring countries such as Ghana limited imports as part of efforts to promote domestic industrialisation, Togolese traders secured favourable conditions. These included low taxes and use of the port.


    Read more: West Africans ditch Dutch wax prints for Chinese ‘real-fakes’


    Togolese women traders knew the taste of predominantly female, west African customers better than their mostly male, Dutch designers. The Nana-Benz were brought into the African print textile production and design process, selecting patterns and giving names to designs they knew would sell.

    They acquired such wealth from this trade that they earned the Nana-Benz nickname from the cars they purchased and which they used to collect and move merchandise.

    Nana-Benz exclusivity of trading and retailing of African print textiles cloth in west African markets has been disrupted. As Vlisco has responded to falling revenues – over 30% in the first five years of the 21st century – due to its Chinese competition, Togolese traders’ role in the supply chain of Dutch cloth has been downgraded.

    In response to the flood of Chinese imports, the Dutch manufacturer re-positioned itself as a luxury fashion brand and placed greater focus on the marketing and distribution of the textiles.

    Vlisco has opened several boutique stores in west and central Africa, starting with Cotonou (2008), Lomé (2008) and Abidjan (2009). The surviving Nana-Benz – an estimated 20 of the original 50 – operate under contract as retailers rather than traders and must follow strict rules of sale and pricing.

    While newer Togolese traders known as Nanettes are involved in the sourcing of textiles from China, they have lower economic and political stature. Up to 60 are involved in the trade.

    Former street sellers of textiles and other petty commodities, Nanettes began travelling to China in the early to mid-2000s to source African print textiles. They are involved in commissioning and advising on the manufacturing of African print textiles in China and the distribution in Africa.

    While many Nanettes order the common Chinese brands, some own and market their own. These include what are now well-known designs in Lomé and west Africa such as “Femme de Caractère”, “Binta”, “Prestige”, “Rebecca Wax”, “GMG” and “Homeland”.

    Compared to their Nana-Benz predecessors, the Nanettes carve out their business from the smaller pie available from the sale of cheaper Chinese cloth. Though the volumes traded are large, the margins are smaller due to the much lower final retail price compared to Dutch cloth.

    After procuring African print textiles from China, Nanettes sell wholesale to independent local traders or “sellers” as well as traders from neighbouring countries. These sellers in turn break down the bulk they have purchased and sell it in smaller quantities to independent street vendors.

    All African print textiles from China arrive in west Africa as an incomplete product – as six-yard or 12-yard segments of cloth, not as finished garments. Local tailors and seamstresses then make clothes according to consumer taste. Some fashion designers have also opened shops where they sell prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) garments made from bolts of African print and tailored to local taste. Thus, even though the monopoly of the Nana-Benz has been eroded, value is still added and captured locally.

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese actors have become more involved in trading activity – and not just manufacturing. The further evolution of Chinese presence risks an even greater marginalisation of locals, already excluded from manufacturing, from the trading and distribution end of the value chain. Maintaining their role – tailoring products to local culture and trends and linking the formal and informal economy – is vital not just for Togolese traders, but also the wider economy.

    – Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics have hurt the famous women traders
    – https://theconversation.com/togos-nana-benz-how-cheap-chinese-imports-of-african-fabrics-have-hurt-the-famous-women-traders-260924

    MIL OSI Africa

  • India Celebrates Income Tax Day 2025: A tribute to digital transformation and taxpayer empowerment

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India today commemorates Income Tax Day, marking the 165th anniversary of the introduction of income tax in the country. Celebrated every year on July 24, the day acknowledges the evolution of India’s tax system and its pivotal role in nation-building.

    Income tax was first introduced in India on this day in 1860 by British economist Sir James Wilson to counter the financial strain caused by the First War of Independence in 1857. The framework laid then eventually culminated in the Income Tax Act of 1922 and later the comprehensive Income Tax Act of 1961, which still governs the taxation system in the country today.

    In recent decades, India’s income tax system has undergone a profound digital transformation, shifting from manual record-keeping to a tech-enabled, citizen-friendly administration. The process began with the introduction of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) in 1972, followed by initial computerization in 1981. The current PAN series, introduced in 1995, enabled better tracking and compliance.

    A major technological leap came with the establishment of the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) in Bengaluru in 2009, allowing for jurisdiction-free, digital processing of tax returns. The Tax Information Network (TIN), and its upgraded version TIN 2.0, further enhanced convenience, offering real-time tax credits and quicker refunds. The Demand Facilitation Centre in Mysuru now serves as a central repository for outstanding tax demands, easing access for both taxpayers and officials.

    The government’s focus on transparency and data-driven governance is also reflected in the use of Project Insight. This integrated data platform enables the Income Tax Department (ITD) to create a 360-degree financial profile of taxpayers by integrating data from various sources, such as GSTN, financial institutions, and property registries. These insights help in detecting discrepancies and prompting voluntary compliance through non-intrusive nudges.

    The Faceless Assessment Scheme, launched in 2019, has revolutionized tax assessments by removing physical interaction between the taxpayer and the tax officer. Taxpayers now receive automated notices, assessments, and communications through a digital platform, enhancing accountability and efficiency.

    Additionally, the Annual Information Statement (AIS), implemented in November 2021, provides individuals with a consolidated view of their financial activity across the year. It pre-fills income tax returns using verified third-party data, minimizing errors and promoting self-compliance. This, along with the e-Verification Scheme, allows discrepancies to be resolved entirely online.

    As part of a continued effort to simplify compliance and encourage voluntary participation, the Finance Act, 2025 has extended the deadline for filing updated income tax returns from 24 months to 48 months. This amendment gives taxpayers more time to correct errors and avoid penalties while ensuring fair contribution.

    Tax collection trends underline the success of these reforms. The total number of Income Tax Returns (ITRs) filed rose by 36% over the past five years, reaching 9.19 crore filings in FY 2024–25, compared to 6.72 crore in FY 2020–21. Gross Direct Tax Collections also saw a sharp rise—from ₹12.31 lakh crore in 2020–21 to ₹27.02 lakh crore in 2024–25, reflecting both economic resilience and improved compliance.

    The Union Budget 2025–26 introduced several relief measures to ease the tax burden on individuals. Under the new tax regime, income up to ₹12 lakh is now tax-free. With the standard deduction of ₹75,000, salaried individuals with income up to ₹12.75 lakh will have zero tax liability. These measures are expected to boost household spending, particularly among the middle class.

    Other notable changes include an increase in TDS and TCS thresholds, decriminalization of TCS payment delays, and full tax exemption for withdrawals from National Savings Scheme (NSS) accounts made after August 29, 2024. The time limit for registering small charitable trusts has also been extended, while taxpayers with two self-occupied properties can now claim exemptions for both without restrictions.

    Significantly, the Income Tax Bill, 2025 has been tabled to replace the Income Tax Act of 1961. While retaining the core principles, the new bill seeks to simplify the language of tax laws, remove redundant provisions, and improve clarity for taxpayers and professionals alike.

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics have hurt the famous women traders

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Fidele B. Ebia, Postdoctoral fellow, Duke Africa Initiative, Duke University

    The manufacturing of African print textiles has shifted to China in the 21st century. While they are widely consumed in African countries – and symbolic of the continent – the rise of “made in China” has undermined the African women traders who have long shaped the retail and distribution of this cloth.

    For many decades Vlisco, the Dutch textile group which traces its origins to 1846 and whose products had been supplied to west Africa by European trading houses since the late 19th century, dominated manufacture of the cloth. But in the last 25 years dozens of factories in China have begun to supply African print textiles to west African markets. Qingdao Phoenix Hitarget Ltd, Sanhe Linqing Textile Group and Waxhaux Ltd are among the best known.

    We conducted research to establish how the rise of Chinese-made cloth has affected the African print textiles trade. We focused on Togo. Though it’s a tiny country with a population of only 9.7 million, the capital city, Lomé, is the trading hub in west Africa for the textiles.

    We conducted over 100 interviews with traders, street sellers, port agents or brokers, government officials and representatives of manufacturing companies to learn about how their activities have changed.

    “Made in China” African print textiles are substantially cheaper and more accessible to a wider population than Vlisco fabric. Our market observations in Lomé’s famous Assigamé market found that Chinese African print textiles cost about 9,000 CFA (US$16) for six yards – one complete outfit. Wax Hollandais (50,000 CFA or US$87) cost over five times more.

    Data is hard to come by, but our estimates suggest that 90% of imports of these textiles to Lomé port in 2019 came from China.

    One Togolese trader summed up the attraction:

    Who could resist a cloth that looked similar, but that cost much less than real Vlisco?

    Our research shows how the rise of China manufactured cloth has undermined Vlisco’s once dominant market share as well as the monopoly on the trade of Dutch African print textiles that Togolese traders once enjoyed.

    The traders, known as Nana-Benz because of the expensive cars they drove, once enjoyed an economic and political significance disproportionate to their small numbers. Their political influence was such that they were key backers of Togo’s first president, Sylvanus Olympio – himself a former director of the United Africa Company, which distributed Dutch cloth.

    In turn, Olympio and long-term leader General Gnassingbé Eyadéma provided policy favours – such as low taxes – to support trading activity. In the 1970s, African print textile trade was considered as significant as the phosphate industry – the country’s primary export.

    Nana-Benz have since been displaced – their numbers falling from 50 to about 20. Newer Togolese traders – known as Nanettes or “little Nanas” – have taken their place. While they have carved out a niche in mediating the textiles trade with China, they have lower economic and political stature. In turn, they too are increasingly threatened by Chinese competition, more recently within trading and distribution as well.

    China displaces the Dutch

    Dating back to the colonial period, African women traders have played essential roles in the wholesale and distribution of Dutch cloth in west African markets. As many countries in the region attained independence from the 1950s onwards, Grand Marché – or Assigamé – in Lomé became the hub for African print textile trade.

    While neighbouring countries such as Ghana limited imports as part of efforts to promote domestic industrialisation, Togolese traders secured favourable conditions. These included low taxes and use of the port.




    Read more:
    West Africans ditch Dutch wax prints for Chinese ‘real-fakes’


    Togolese women traders knew the taste of predominantly female, west African customers better than their mostly male, Dutch designers. The Nana-Benz were brought into the African print textile production and design process, selecting patterns and giving names to designs they knew would sell.

    They acquired such wealth from this trade that they earned the Nana-Benz nickname from the cars they purchased and which they used to collect and move merchandise.

    Nana-Benz exclusivity of trading and retailing of African print textiles cloth in west African markets has been disrupted. As Vlisco has responded to falling revenues – over 30% in the first five years of the 21st century – due to its Chinese competition, Togolese traders’ role in the supply chain of Dutch cloth has been downgraded.

    In response to the flood of Chinese imports, the Dutch manufacturer re-positioned itself as a luxury fashion brand and placed greater focus on the marketing and distribution of the textiles.

    Vlisco has opened several boutique stores in west and central Africa, starting with Cotonou (2008), Lomé (2008) and Abidjan (2009). The surviving Nana-Benz – an estimated 20 of the original 50 – operate under contract as retailers rather than traders and must follow strict rules of sale and pricing.

    While newer Togolese traders known as Nanettes are involved in the sourcing of textiles from China, they have lower economic and political stature. Up to 60 are involved in the trade.

    Former street sellers of textiles and other petty commodities, Nanettes began travelling to China in the early to mid-2000s to source African print textiles. They are involved in commissioning and advising on the manufacturing of African print textiles in China and the distribution in Africa.

    While many Nanettes order the common Chinese brands, some own and market their own. These include what are now well-known designs in Lomé and west Africa such as “Femme de Caractère”, “Binta”, “Prestige”, “Rebecca Wax”, “GMG” and “Homeland”.

    Compared to their Nana-Benz predecessors, the Nanettes carve out their business from the smaller pie available from the sale of cheaper Chinese cloth. Though the volumes traded are large, the margins are smaller due to the much lower final retail price compared to Dutch cloth.

    After procuring African print textiles from China, Nanettes sell wholesale to independent local traders or “sellers” as well as traders from neighbouring countries. These sellers in turn break down the bulk they have purchased and sell it in smaller quantities to independent street vendors.

    All African print textiles from China arrive in west Africa as an incomplete product – as six-yard or 12-yard segments of cloth, not as finished garments. Local tailors and seamstresses then make clothes according to consumer taste. Some fashion designers have also opened shops where they sell prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear) garments made from bolts of African print and tailored to local taste. Thus, even though the monopoly of the Nana-Benz has been eroded, value is still added and captured locally.

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese actors have become more involved in trading activity – and not just manufacturing. The further evolution of Chinese presence risks an even greater marginalisation of locals, already excluded from manufacturing, from the trading and distribution end of the value chain. Maintaining their role – tailoring products to local culture and trends and linking the formal and informal economy – is vital not just for Togolese traders, but also the wider economy.

    Rory Horner receives funding from the British Academy Mid-Career Fellowship. He is also a Research Associate at the Department of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies at the University of Johannesburg.

    Fidele B. Ebia 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. Togo’s ‘Nana-Benz’: how cheap Chinese imports of African fabrics have hurt the famous women traders – https://theconversation.com/togos-nana-benz-how-cheap-chinese-imports-of-african-fabrics-have-hurt-the-famous-women-traders-260924

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New research reveals scars of Gambia’s witch hunts

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    A map showing the location of The Gambia

    A new United Nations-funded study has highlighted the lasting psychological and social scars left by a state-sponsored witch hunt in The Gambia, more than a decade after it was carried out by former President Yahya Jammeh.

    The research, led by Professor Mick Finlay of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in collaboration with the University of The Gambia and Nottingham Trent University, is the first academic study into the stigma associated with government-led witchcraft accusations, and includes interviews with victims and their families from the villages most affected by the campaign.

    Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship, which ended in 2016, was marked by human rights abuses including torture, extrajudicial killings and disappearances. Between 2008-2009, he orchestrated a campaign of witch hunts focusing on the West Coast and North Bank regions. These were led by a group of “witch hunters” from neighbouring countries, supported by The Gambia’s security forces.

    Hundreds of people, mainly elderly, were detained, beaten, raped and subjected to degrading treatment. It is thought 41 people died and the survivors faced social exclusion and discrimination when they returned home because of the stigma associated with the witchcraft accusations.

    The new study, published in the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology and funded by the United Nations Development Program (The Gambia), involved interviewing and surveying the victims and their families, as well as members of their communities.

    There was widespread sympathy for those affected – 98% of survey respondents expressed compassion for victims and their families – and a high level of agreement that the government (99%) and the community (92%) should provide more help for victims, indicating that the effects of the witch hunts were still being experienced.

    The study also highlighted the complex role of traditional beliefs in perpetuating stigma. Although most participants believed the witch hunts were organised to frighten people not to oppose President Jammeh (89%) or to sow division (87%), 25% believed the threat from witches was real, including 22% of victims and the families of victims surveyed.

    However, there was overwhelming support for legal reform. Almost all participants agreed that accusations of witchcraft should be made illegal (98%), and those responsible should be punished (95%).

    Through interviews, the researchers found that the stigma extended beyond individuals to their families and entire villages. Children of victims were bullied at school, families were shunned, and some communities were labelled as “witch villages” by neighbouring areas. This led to broken relationships, mistrust and long-lasting divisions within and between communities.

    Victims reported a range of psychological conditions including anxiety, panic attacks and post-traumatic symptoms. Many described feeling powerless and socially isolated. Some withdrew from public life entirely, while others struggled to find work.

    Although The Gambia’s current government established a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) to investigate the human rights abuses carried out by Jammeh, the study found many victims felt more needed to be done to address the specific harms caused by the witch hunts.

    Participants proposed a range of measures to support reconciliation and healing including public declarations of innocence, legal reforms to criminalise witchcraft accusations, counselling, educational support, financial reparations and community-led dialogues to restore victims’ reputations.

    “Our extensive fieldwork showed that not only did victims of the witchcraft accusations have to deal with the trauma of the human rights abuses, they also experienced a range of longer-term stigmatising effects from sections of their communities.

    “There was a strong desire among those we spoke to for official recognition of the injustice they suffered. Addressing the stigma of Jammeh’s witch hunts involves restoring the good name of the victims through official declarations as well as rebuilding their social roles and relationships.

    “Although The Gambia is undergoing transitional justice processes to address the impacts of the dictatorship, the recommendations by the participants should help the government and NGOs to further develop reparation and reconciliation processes related to the specific case of state-sanctioned witch hunts.

    “Our findings will be of interest to other countries going through transitional justice processes when human rights come into conflict with traditional beliefs, especially belief in witchcraft.”

    Mick Finlay, the lead author of the study and Professor of Social and Applied Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    The open access study also involved the Women’s Association of Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE) charity in The Gambia and is published by the Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology. It will be available at the following DOI: 10.1002/casp.70147

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rail passengers in the North to benefit from simpler fares and cheaper tickets thanks to public ownership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Rail passengers in the North to benefit from simpler fares and cheaper tickets thanks to public ownership

    This initiative will expand the availability of advance rail tickets across publicly owned operators, to provide more options for people travelling across the North.

    • significant passenger savings delivered by making advance fares available across publicly-owned operators at the same time 
    • operators estimate they generated £200,000 generated in additional revenue for the railway, helping towards rebuilding a world class service for passengers
    • cheaper, simpler journeys will open up more options for people travelling across the North, boosting connectivity and driving growth as part of the Plan for Change

    Passengers in the North of England can benefit from cost and carbon savings through a new customer initiative that expands the availability of advance tickets across government owned train operators. 

    Publicly owned train operators, LNER, TransPennine Express and Northern, worked with Network Rail to launch a joint initiative to provide more options to people travelling across the North by making fares cheaper on routes that required an interchange between the operators.  

    Following a pilot launched June 24 2025, operators have found this initiative has already:  

    • delivered significant passenger savings by making advance fares available across the whole route at the same time 
    • generated £200,000 in additional revenue for the railway, encouraging people to choose public transport

    This builds on the government’s plans to overhaul the railways to make them simpler, more flexible and passenger focused. Ahead of the creation of Great British Railways, the government continues to work to deliver positive changes like this for passengers – attracting more people back onto our trains, boosting the economy and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

    Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: 

    This is exactly the type of collaborative work public ownership enables, allowing us to put passengers first by making train travel simpler and more affordable.

    Through these cheaper fares we’re opening up more options to people travelling across the North, putting more money in working people’s pockets and boosting connectivity and growth as part of our Plan for Change.

    In June 2024 a pilot was launched by publicly-owned train operators between Leeds and Manchester to make fares cheaper for customers to provide more options for people travelling across the North. Between Leeds and Manchester, analysis of mobile network data showed that rail’s modal share was low despite competitive journey times vs car. Further investigation found that this was due to a lack of clear, consistent ticket options for train journeys involving more than one operator.  

    For passengers booking ahead, cheaper advance fares were often available on only one leg of a cross-operator journey, with the walk-up fare on the other – creating an unattractive proposition for would-be rail users looking to book in advance. 

    Since the original trial, and by using mobile network data, the publicly-owned train operators and Network Rail identified further underperforming travel flows for cross-operator advance journey options and introduced more affordable fares to encourage more people to choose the train.  

    This data-driven approach uses innovative mobile data to track travel patterns and identify customer flows, enabling train operators in public ownership to create smarter, more efficient ticketing options that benefit both passengers and the environment. 

    The move is part of a wider effort to make rail travel more attractive, affordable, and sustainable – and shows how public ownership can deliver real benefits for passengers.  

    Operators continue to identify further flows to add in the future where we expect to continue to see positive results.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Swift Nears End of Stage 1 Presale With AI-Driven Yield Protocol and Governance Model

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LUXEMBOURG, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Swift (BTC3), the developer of a new blockchain protocol combining programmable yield mechanics with AI-driven governance, today announced the upcoming conclusion of Stage 1 of its BTC3 token presale. With just two days remaining before Stage 2 begins, the project reports a significant increase in interest from early-stage participants.

    The BTC3 protocol is designed to address limitations in scalability, yield accessibility, and governance faced by earlier-generation blockchains. Its hybrid architecture incorporates AI-assisted voting systems, privacy-preserving smart contracts, and a Proof-of-Yield (PoY) model that allows users to access staking rewards immediately upon the conclusion of each presale stage.

    Stage 1 Presale Highlights

    • Presale Stage 1 ends July 26, 2025
    • Current Price: $1.00
    • Stage 2 Price: $2.00
    • Projected Launch Price: $15.00
    • Stage 1 APY: 143% via Proof-of-Yield mechanism
    • Presale concludes: September 18, 2025

    Unlike traditional presales that require users to wait for protocol access, Bitcoin Swift activates its PoY system in real-time. This feature allows token holders to receive programmable staking rewards that are distributed automatically based on smart contract logic.

    Core Technology Features

    • Proof-of-Yield (PoY): A staking framework that calculates real-time APY based on network activity
    • AI Governance: Proposal evaluation through AI agents prior to DAO voting
    • Sustainability Tracking: Environmental metrics integrated via federated oracles
    • Privacy & Identity: zk-SNARK encryption and DID-based voting infrastructure
    • Compliance-Ready Architecture: Designed with data privacy and user protections in mind

    “Bitcoin Swift was built to offer a more intelligent and dynamic blockchain layer, starting with immediate utility at the presale level,” said a representative from the Bitcoin Swift team. “We believe that programmable rewards and AI-based governance models will play a key role in the next evolution of decentralized finance.”

    What Influencers Are Saying

    The buzz around BTC3 has been steadily rising across crypto communities. Influencers like Crypto VlogToken Empire, and Crypto Show have released detailed reviews breaking down why Bitcoin Swift’s architecture is more than just hype. Many highlight its compliance-readiness and AI-led innovation as major selling points for 2025.

    Even broader coverage by creators like Crypto League and Crypto Nitro emphasizes how the protocol’s emphasis on sustainability and privacy could set a new standard for blockchain finance.

    Looking Ahead

    Following the conclusion of Stage 1, Bitcoin Swift will transition to Stage 2 of the presale at a new token price of $2.00. The final public sale will conclude on September 18, 2025, followed by the activation of full governance and on-chain protocol utilities. BTC3 will be deployed with Solana-compatible infrastructure to support high throughput and low transaction fees.

    For more information about the BTC3 presale or the Bitcoin Swift protocol, please visit: https://bitcoinswift.com

    Contact:
    Luc Schaus
    support@bitcoinswift.com

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4db1a26-86a9-4888-866a-926035fd9a27

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8376232e-a9dd-439f-9baa-da86eb803455

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eswatini: How cash and voucher assistance is empowering women to rebuild after calamity

    Source: APO


    .

    In the southern African nation of Eswatini, cash and voucher assistance is making a real difference in people’s lives, particularly those most vulnerable after crisis. ‘It’s not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness.’

    Even before the floods, life for Banele Mamba was hard enough. But then the floodwaters came and the 31-year-old mother of five had to cope with extensive damage to her family’s home. 

    Water would seep in through the house,” she says. “I was so worried—especially because I live with chronic illness. I didn’t want the children to get sick from flu, cholera or other diseases.”

    Banele Mamba was able to fix some of those leaks, make other critical repairs and restock her pantry with support that came in the form of cash and voucher assistance provided by the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.

    The Red Cross here has been working in partnership with the IFRC Pretoria Delegation, as part of the EU-funded Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), to deliver cash and vouchers to people impacted by recent floods.

    Unlike other forms of relief aid such as food or household supplies, cash transfer and vouchers give people such as Banele the power to decide what her families need most following times of crisis. 

    Delivered through mobile money transfers, both the cash and voucher components are redeemed in cash form. This approach empowers families while also supporting the local economy through increased purchasing at community shops and markets. 

    For Banele Mamba, the flexibility of cash support made a world of difference. She used part of the funds to seal parts of the leaking roof and reinforce the walls to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rains. 

    She also used the cash to buy essential food items and toiletries—products that she previously struggled to afford consistently. In months when the household budget was tight, she was therefore able to avoid borrowing from local money lenders. 

    “We believe that people affected by crises are the best placed to decide their needs,” says Tebukhosi Dlamini, Safe and Inclusive Programming Officer at Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society

    While the EU provided funding, the IFRC contributed technical guidance and policy review support to the Eswatini National Society during the planning and implementation of the programme. In doing so, the IFRC Pretoria delegation applied a protection- and gender-sensitive lens across all stages of the programmatic partnership. 

    “By applying protection and gender-sensitive principles, we ensure that women like Banele are not only included but prioritized in the selection processes,” Dlamini added.

    Putting inclusion into practice

    Women-headed households, survivors of gender-based violence, caregivers of orphaned children, and other at-risk groups were given high priority, recognizing people in these situations often face greater risks and barriers to recovery. 

    “Focusing on women and other vulnerable groups is not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness,” says Boitumelo Phihlela, who works as focal person for protection, gender and inclusion, as well as community engagement and accountability, for the IFRC’s Pretoria Delegation

    “When we prioritize those most at risk, we strengthen the entire community’s resilience. Women, in particular, play a vital role in family and community wellbeing, so supporting them directly creates a ripple effect of positive change. 

    “This approach also ensures that protection and dignity are central to our response, which is key to building trust and long-term recovery.”

    The process is guided by inclusive criteria co-developed with the communities, which then participates in applying these standards to all aspects of the initiative.

    Continued learning and improvement: Key lessons learned

    The cash and voucher assistance programme in Eswatini fits in with larger efforts to continually improve the way the IFRC works with, supports and accompanies communities following crisis.

    The IFRC Pretoria Delegation and its partners, for example, also use this inclusive mindset – along with cash and voucher assistance – to strengthen long-term resilience local farmers in four other countries in southern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia). 

    The support also comes in the form of seeds and other agricultural inputs—ensuring communities are not only surviving today but are better prepared for the future. 

    Here are a few of the key takeaways from the IFRC Pretoria delegation’s three-year Programmatic Partnership collaboration.

    • Embed protection, gender and inclusion principles throughout all stages of programme design and implementation —ensuring that the unique needs, risks, and capacities of different groups, particularly women, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, are considered and addressed.
    • Prioritize proactive, inclusive community engagement where feedback mechanisms are not only established but also trusted and accessible to all segments of the population.
    • Strengthen the feedback loop by ensuring community input is used to inform and adjust programming. The use of community feedback is needed to shape programming decisions which helps build trust and ensures greater accountability to target populations. In one farming community, for example, people noted that the seeds initially provided were not suited to their local soil and climate conditions, which affected crop growth. Upon hearing this, the Red Cross programme adapted by sourcing and distributing more appropriate seed varieties, improving harvest outcomes and reinforcing the community’s trust that their feedback leads to real changes.

    It’s not enough to have feedback systems—we must make them visible, trusted, and use them to shape decisions,” said the IFRC’s Phihlela. “That’s how we build real accountability.”

    Read more about cash and voucher assistance at the IFRC

    Learn more about the Programmatic Partnership

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. Announces Q2-25 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Q2-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 148.1 Million and € 32.1 Million, Respectively

    H1-25 Revenue and Net Income of € 292.2 Million and € 63.6 Million, Respectively

    DUIVEN, the Netherlands, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (the “Company” or “Besi”) (Euronext Amsterdam: BESI; OTC markets: BESIY), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced its results for the second quarter and first half year ended June 30, 2025.

    Key Highlights Q2-25

    • Revenue of € 148.1 million grew 2.8% vs. Q1-25 and was within prior guidance due primarily to higher die attach shipments for mainstream computing applications. Revenue decreased 2.1% vs. Q2-24 principally due to weakness in mobile end markets partially offset by growth in hybrid bonding shipments
    • Orders of € 128.0 million decreased 3.0% vs. Q1-25 due primarily due to ongoing weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications partially offset by significant new orders for TCB Next systems. Orders declined 30.9% vs. Q2-24 due primarily to lower orders for hybrid bonding and mobile applications
    • Gross margin of 63.3% decreased by 0.3 points vs. Q1-25 and by 1.7 points vs. Q2-24 due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects from a decline in the USD versus the euro
    • Net income of € 32.1 million increased 1.9% vs. Q1-25. Versus Q2-24, net income decreased 23.4% due principally to lower revenue and gross margins, increased R&D spending and higher interest expense related to the Senior Note offering in July 2024. Q2-25 net margin decreased to 21.6% vs. 21.9% in Q1-25 and 27.7% in Q2-24
    • Cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increased by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024

    Key Highlights H1-25

    • Revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% vs. H1-24 principally due to ongoing weakness in mainstream assembly markets, particularly for mobile and automotive applications, partially offset by increased shipments of hybrid bonding systems
    • Orders of € 259.9 million were down 17.0% vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower bookings for hybrid bonding systems and for mobile applications, partially offset by increased die attach orders by Asian subcontractors for AI related computing applications and new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system
    • Gross margin of 63.4% decreased by 2.7 points versus H1-24 primarily due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects
    • Net income of € 63.6 million decreased € 12.3 million, or 16.2%, vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and gross margin and higher interest expense. Similarly, Besi’s net margin decreased to 21.7% versus 25.5% in H1-24

    Q3-25 Outlook  

    • Revenue is expected to decline 5-15% vs. the € 148.1 million reported in Q2-25
    • Orders are expected to increase significantly vs. Q2-25 primarily due to increased demand for hybrid bonding systems and die attach systems for AI-related 2.5D computing applications
    • Gross margin is expected to range between 60-62% and decrease vs. the 63.3% realized in Q2-25 primarily due to adverse forex effects from a significantly lower USD versus the euro
    • Operating expenses are expected to be flat +/- 5% vs. € 50.2 million in Q2-25
    (€ millions, except EPS) Q2-
    2025
    Q1-
    2025
    Δ Q2-
    2024
     
    Δ
    HY1-
    2025
    HY1-
    2024
    Δ
    Revenue 148.1 144.1 +2.8% 151.2 -2.1% 292.2 297.5 -1.8%
    Orders 128.0 131.9 -3.0% 185.2 -30.9% 259.9 313.0 -17.0%
    Gross Margin 63.3% 63.6% -0.3 65.0% -1.7 63.4% 66.1% -2.7
    Operating Income 43.5 39.3 +10.7% 49.3 -11.8% 82.8 90.0 -8.0%
    Net Income 32.1 31.5 +1.9% 41.9 -23.4% 63.6 75.9 -16.2%
    Net Margin 21.6% 21.9% -0.3 27.7% -6.1 21.7% 25.5% -3.8
    EPS (basic) 0.40 0.40 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5%
    EPS (diluted) 0.40 0.40 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5%
    Net Cash and Deposits -36.0* 159.4 -122.6% 74.4* -148.4% -36.0* 74.4* -148.4%

    * Reflects cash dividend payments of € 172.8 million and € 171.5 million in Q2-25 and Q2-24, respectively.

    Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Besi, commented:
    “Besi reported Q2-25 revenue, operating income and net income of € 148.1 million, € 43.5 million and € 32.1 million, respectively. Revenue and operating results were at the midpoint of prior guidance in a mainstream assembly equipment market still affected by soft demand for mobile and automotive applications. Market development in Q2-25 was also affected by increased customer caution due to global trade tensions. Q2-25 revenue and operating income grew sequentially by 2.8% and 10.7%, respectively, as we saw an increase in shipments to Asian subcontractors for AI-related datacenter applications combined with a 4.3% decrease in sequential operating expenses. Orders for the quarter decreased 3.0% versus Q1-25 as weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications was partially offset by new orders for Besi’s TCB Next system.

    For the first half year, revenue of € 292.2 million decreased 1.8% versus H1-24 reflecting broader assembly market trends as weakness in mobile and, to a lesser extent, automotive end markets was significantly offset by growth in hybrid bonding revenue which more than doubled versus H1-24. Orders decreased by 17.0% due to the timing of customer orders for hybrid bonding systems and a lack of new product introductions in high-end smartphones. H1-25 operating and net income decreased by 8.0% and 16.2%, respectively, versus H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and a 2.7-point reduction in gross margin from a less favorable product mix, adverse net forex effects from the decline of the USD versus the euro and increased interest expense related to Besi’s Senior Note issuance in July 2024. Liquidity remained strong with cash and deposits of € 490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increasing by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024.

    We believe the outlook for Besi’s business in H2-25 has improved in recent weeks based on customer feedback and order trends subsequent to quarter end. Expanded capex budgets for AI infrastructure have been confirmed by each of the leading industry players in recent quarters with new use cases emerging in cloud and edge computing along with co-packaged optics. Advanced packaging is one of the key ways to achieve AI system differentiation, develop innovative consumer edge AI devices and provide the most energy-efficient data center performance. Advanced packaging demand for AI applications remains strong given new device introductions expected in 2026-2028. We believe we are well positioned in the fastest-growing advanced packaging market segments including data centers, photonics, AI-enhanced PCs and mobile devices and EVs/autonomous driving.

    As such, orders for our hybrid bonding systems are expected to increase significantly in H2-25 versus both H1-25 and H2-24 in both advanced logic and HBM4 memory applications as customers advance their technology roadmaps for new product introductions in 2026 and 2027. Customer interest in our TCB Next system for both memory and logic applications has also expanded significantly. TCB Next cycle times have improved with shipments anticipated in Q4-25 from orders received in Q2-25. We also anticipate increased orders for 2.5D advanced packaging systems for AI-related datacenter applications from both global IDMs and Asian subcontractors. In addition, there are early signs of a recovery in our mainstream assembly markets principally related to increased demand by Asian subcontractors for high-end mobile applications and high-performance computing applications for consumer markets.

    For Q3-25, we anticipate that revenue will decline by approximately 5-15% versus Q2-25. However, orders for Q3-25 are expected to increase significantly on a sequential basis due to increased demand for hybrid bonding and 2.5D advanced packaging applications. Besi’s gross margin is anticipated to decline to a range of 60-62% in Q3-25 due to the adverse impact of a 12.8% decline in the value of the USD versus the euro in the first half of 2025. Operating expenses in Q3-25 are expected to be flat plus or minus 5% versus Q2-25 despite increased R&D spending.”

    Share Repurchase Activity
    During the quarter, Besi spent € 20.7 million to repurchase approximately 196,000 of its ordinary shares at an average price of € 105.80 per share. As of June 30, 2025, € 72.2 million of the current € 100 million share repurchase authorization has been used to repurchase approximately 644,000 ordinary shares at an average price of € 111.96 per share. As of June 30, 2025, Besi held approximately 2.0 million shares in treasury, equivalent to 2.5% of shares outstanding.

    Investor and media conference call
    A conference call and webcast for investors and media will be held today at 4:00 pm CET (10:00 am EDT). To register for the conference call and/or to access the audio webcast and webinar slides, please visit www.besi.com.

    Important Dates

    • Publication Q3/Nine-month results
    • Publication Q4/Full year results

    October 23, 2025
    February 2026

    Basis of Presentation
    The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. Reference is made to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our 2024 Annual Report, which is available on www.besi.com.

    Contacts:
    Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO
    Andrea Kopp-Battaglia, Senior Vice President Finance
    Claudia Vissers, Executive Secretary/IR coordinator
    Edmond Franco, VP Corporate Development/US IR coordinator
    Michael Sullivan, Investor Relations
    Tel. (31) 26 319 4500
    investor.relations@besi.com

    About Besi
    Besi is a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment supplying a broad portfolio of advanced packaging solutions to the semiconductor and electronics industries. We offer customers high levels of accuracy, reliability and throughput at a lower cost of ownership with a principal focus on wafer level and substrate assembly solutions. Customers are primarily leading semiconductor manufacturers, foundries, assembly subcontractors and electronics and industrial companies. Besi’s ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: BESI). Its Level 1 ADRs are listed on the OTC markets (symbol: BESIY) and its headquarters are located in Duiven, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website at www.besi.com.

    Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements about management’s future expectations, plans and prospects of our business that constitute forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses, timing of purchases of assembly equipment by customers, gross margins, operating results and capital expenditures. The use of words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “can”, “intend”, “believes”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “forecast”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The financial guidance set forth under the heading “Outlook” contains such forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, including any inability to maintain continued demand for our products; failure of anticipated orders to materialize or postponement or cancellation of orders, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 and other global pandemics and the associated adverse impacts on the global economy, financial markets, global supply chains and our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers; failure to develop new and enhanced products and introduce them at competitive price levels; failure to adequately decrease costs and expenses as revenues decline; loss of significant customers, including through industry consolidation or the emergence of industry alliances; lengthening of the sales cycle; acts of terrorism and violence; disruption or failure of our information technology systems; consolidation activity and industry alliances in the semiconductor industry that may result in further increased customer concentration, inability to forecast demand and inventory levels for our products; the integrity of product pricing and protection of our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, conflict minerals regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations, particularly to the extent occurring in the Asia Pacific region where we have a substantial portion of our production facilities; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our diverse operations; any inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including as a result of restrictions on immigration, travel or the availability of visas for skilled technology workers.

    In addition, the United States and other countries have recently levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods and could significantly increase or impose new tariffs on a broad array of goods. They have imposed, and may continue to impose, new trade restrictions and export regulations. Increased or new tariffs and additional taxes, including any retaliatory measures, trade restrictions and export regulations, could negatively impact end-user demand and customer investment in semiconductor equipment, increase Besi’s supply chain complexity and manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products or restrict our ability to sell products, provide services or purchase necessary equipment and supplies. Any or all of the foregoing factor could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, investors should consider those additional risk factors set forth in Besi’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including our statutory consolidated statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Consolidated Statements of Operations
         
    (€ thousands, except share and per share data) Three Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
      2025 2024 2025 2024
             
    Revenue 148,101 151,176 292,246 297,490
    Cost of sales 54,410 52,908 106,833 100,951
             
    Gross profit 93,691 98,268 185,413 196,539
             
    Selling, general and administrative expenses 30,629 30,514 63,587 70,155
    Research and development expenses 19,571 18,503 39,073 36,422
             
    Total operating expenses 50,200 49,017 102,660 106,577
             
    Operating income 43,491 49,251 82,753 89,962
             
    Financial expense, net 5,693 1,045 8,652 1,634
             
    Income before taxes 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328
             
    Income tax expense 5,748 6,261 10,545 12,404
             
    Net income 32,050 41,945 63,556 75,924
             
    Net income per share – basic 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97
    Net income per share – diluted 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97
    Number of shares used in computing per share amounts:
    – basic
    – diluted 1

    79,184,703
    81,288,679

    79,281,533
    81,941,471

    79,206,267
    81,405,308

    78,231,430
    82,023,808

    ______________________
    1) The calculation of diluted income per share assumes the exercise of equity settled share based payments and the conversion of all Convertible Notes outstanding

    Consolidated Balance Sheets
     
    (€ thousands) June
    30, 2025
    (unaudited)
    March
    31, 2025
    (unaudited)
    December
    31, 2024
    (audited)
    ASSETS      
           
    Cash and cash equivalents 330,170 405,736 342,319
    Deposits 160,000 280,000 330,000
    Trade receivables 178,615 170,440 181,862
    Inventories 96,977 103,836 103,285
    Other current assets 53,821 46,099 40,927
           
    Total current assets 819,583 1,006,111 998,393
           
    Property, plant and equipment 51,089 42,868 44,773
    Right of use assets 13,799 15,161 15,726
    Goodwill 44,857 45,610 46,010
    Other intangible assets 103,933 98,622 96,677
    Investment property 5,206
    Deferred tax assets 27,494 29,240 31,567
    Other non-current assets 1,303 1,347 1,330
           
    Total non-current assets 247,681 232,848 236,083
           
    Total assets 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476
           
           
    Bank overdraft –   840 776
    Current portion of long-term debt –   2,042
    Trade payables 47,458 46,598 52,630
    Other current liabilities 95,530 111,170 111,531
           
    Total current liabilities 142,988 158,608 166,979
           
    Long-term debt 526,184 525,493 525,653
    Lease liabilities 10,873 11,770 12,350
    Deferred tax liabilities 10,523 10,416 10,320
    Other non-current liabilities 19,915 19,328 17,910
           
    Total non-current liabilities 567,495 567,007 566,233
           
    Total equity 356,781 513,344 501,264
           
    Total liabilities and equity 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476
    Consolidated Cash Flow Statements
         
    (€ thousands)
    Three Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
    Six Months Ended
    June 30,
    (unaudited)
      2025 2024 2025 2024
             
    Cash flows from operating activities:        
             
    Income before income tax 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328
             
    Depreciation and amortization 7,458 6,980 14,765 13,793
    Share based payment expense 4,342 6,916 8,783 23,816
    Financial expense, net 5,694 1,045 8,653 1,634
             
    Changes in working capital (11,032) (46,694) (13,145) (49,945)
    Interest (paid) received 3,726 3,893 839 5,062
    Income tax paid (21,988) (15,428) (23,563) (17,517)
             
    Net cash provided by operating activities 25,998 4,918 70,433 65,171
             
    Cash flows from investing activities:        
    Capital expenditures (11,764) (3,216) (13,497) (8,866)
    Capitalized development expenses (7,320) (4,912) (14,057) (9,575)
    Acquisition of investment property (5,206) (5,206)
    Repayments of (investments in) deposits 120,000 85,000 170,000 95,000
             
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 95,710 76,872 137,240 76,559
             
    Cash flows from financing activities:        
    Proceeds from (payments of) bank lines of credit (840) (776)
    Proceeds from (payments of) debt (2,042) (2,042)
    Payments of lease liabilities (1,111) (1,063) (2,225) (2,106)
    Purchase of treasury shares (20,721) (14,810) (42,785) (29,589)
    Dividends paid to shareholders (172,811) (171,534) (172,811) (171,534)
             
    Net cash used in financing activities (197,525) (187,407) (220,639) (203,229)
             
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (75,817) (105,617) (12,966) (61,499)
    Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and
      cash equivalents
    251 798 817 256
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the
       period
    405,736 232,053 342,319 188,477
             
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 330,170 127,234 330,170 127,234
    Supplemental Information (unaudited)
    (€ millions, unless stated otherwise)
                             
    REVENUE Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Per geography:                        
    China 37.5   25%   40.5   28%   42.8   28%   45.5   29%   57.5   38%   58.5   40%  
    Asia Pacific (excl. China) 66.1   45%   56.3   39%   53.5   35%   51.6   33%   54.1   36%   43.6   30%  
    EU / USA / Other 44.5   30%   47.3   33%   57.1   37%   59.5   38%   39.6   26%   44.2   30%  
                             
    Total 148.1   100%   144.1   100%   153.4   100%   156.6   100%   151.2   100%   146.3   100%  
                             
    ORDERS Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Per geography:                        
    China 44.4   35%   39.7   30%   40.4   33%   45.4   30%   43.3   23%   51.1   40%  
    Asia Pacific (excl. China) 60.7   47%   51.7   39%   38.8   32%   69.3   46%   72.0   39%   45.0   35%  
    EU / USA / Other 22.9   18%   40.5   31%   42.7   35%   37.1   24%   69.9   38%   31.6   25%  
                             
    Total 128.0   100%   131.9   100%   121.9   100%   151.8   100%   185.2   100%   127.7   100%  
                             
    Per customer type:                        
    IDM 71.9   56%   48.1   36%   61.2   50%   84.5   56%   122.4   66%   53.5   42%  
    Foundries/Subcontractors 56.1   44%   83.8   64%   60.7   50%   67.3   44%   62.8   34%   74.2   58%  
                             
    Total 128.0   100%   131.9   100%   121.9   100%   151.8   100%   185.2   100%   127.7   100%  
                             
    HEADCOUNT June 30, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Sep 30, 2024 Jun 30, 2024 Mar 31, 2024
                             
    Fixed staff (FTE) 1,831   88%   1,820   88%   1,812   93%   1,807   87%   1,783   86%   1,760   88%  
    Temporary staff (FTE) 239   12%   251   12%   134   7%   271   13%   279   14%   236   12%  
                             
    Total 2,070   100%   2,071   100%   1,946   100%   2,078   100%   2,062   100%   1,996   100%  
                             
    OTHER FINANCIAL DATA Q2-2025 Q1-2025 Q4-2024 Q3-2024 Q2-2024 Q1-2024
                             
    Gross profit 93.7   63.3%   91.7   63.6%   98.2   64.0%   101.2   64.7%   98.3   65.0%   98.3   67.2%  
                             
                             
    Selling, general and admin expenses:                        
    As reported 30.6   20.7%   33.0   22.9%   28.6   18.6%   27.3   17.4%   30.5   20.2%   39.6   27.1%  
    Share-based compensation expense (4.3 -2.9%   (4.4 -3.1%   (2.9 -1.8%   (3.4 ) -2.1%   (6.9 ) -4.6%   (16.9 ) -11.6%  
                             
    SG&A expenses as adjusted 26.3   17.8%   28.6   19.8%   25.7   16.8%   23.9   15.3%   23.6   15.6%   22.7   15.5%  
                             
                             
    Research and development expenses:                        
    As reported 19.6   13.2%   19.5   13.5%   19.0   12.4%   18.9   12.1%   18.5   12.2%   17.9   12.2%  
    Capitalization of R&D charges 7.3   4.9%   6.7   4.6%   5.4   3.5%   4.4   2.8%   4.9   3.2%   4.7   3.2%  
    Amortization of intangibles (3.9 ) -2.6%   (3.7 ) -2.5%   (3.9 ) -2.5%   (3.9 ) -2.5%   (3.6 ) -2.3%   (3.6 ) -2.4%  
                             
    R&D expenses as adjusted 23.0   15.5%   22.5   15.6%   20.5   13.4%   19.4   12.4%   19.8   13.1%   19.0   13.0%  
                             
                             
    Financial expense (income), net:                        
    Interest income (3.4 )   (5.0 )   (5.1 )   (5.2 )   (3.0 )   (4.0 )  
    Interest expense 6.4     6.3     6.1     5.7     2.1     2.8    
    Net cost of hedging 2.3     1.8     2.0     1.9     1.4     1.6    
    Foreign exchange effects, net 0.4     (0.1 )   0.9     (0.8 )   0.5     0.2    
                             
    Total 5.7     3.0     3.9     1.6     1.0     0.6    
                             
                             
    Operating income (as % of net sales) 43.5   29.4%   39.3   27.2%   50.6   33.0%   55.1   35.2%   49.3   32.6%   40.7   27.8%  
                             
    EBITDA (as % of net sales) 50.9   34.4%   46.6   32.3%   58.0   37.8%   62.4   39.8%   56.2   37.2%   47.5   32.5%  
                             
    Net income (as % of net sales) 32.1   21.6%   31.5   21.9%   59.3   38.6%   46.8   29.9%   41.9   27.7%   34.0   23.2%  
                             
    Effective tax rate 15.2%     13.2%     -27.0%     12.6%     13.0%     15.3%    
                             
                             
    Income per share                        
    Basic 0.40     0.40     0.75     0.59     0.53     0.44    
    Diluted 0.40     0.40     0.74     0.59     0.53     0.44    
                             
    Average shares outstanding (basic) 79,184,703 79,228,071 79,402,192 79,630,787 79,281,533 77,181,326
                             
    Shares repurchased                        
    Amount 20.7     22.1     22.4     27.8     14.8     14.8    
    Number of shares 195,647 186,869  198,450  230,807  105,042  101,049 
                             
                             
    Gross cash 490.2     685.7     672.3     637.4     257.2     447.1    
                             
    Net cash (36.0 )   159.4     143.8     110.7     74.4     180.9    
                             

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Workshops and a tour of the plant: how the Summer School of Engineering and Economics 2025 is going

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 22, a busy lecture day was held for the participants of the Summer Engineering and Economics School – 2025. Young scientists from the GGNTU named after academician M.D. Millionshchikov – a partner of the State University of Management in the project of the Advanced Engineering School “RosGeoTech” – held 2 master classes.

    Assistant of the Department of Automation of Technological Processes and Production of the Institute of Power Engineering Ayub Sadulaev spoke about smart control of the water level as part of the development of a laboratory complex based on OWEN. The audience learned details about the development device: levels of automated control systems, increasing efficiency through automation of processes, features of the control system and the use of the laboratory complex in real conditions.

    Assistant of the Department of Technological Machines and Equipment of the Institute of Oil and Gas Yusup Taramov presented the engineering solutions of the university, created on the basis of the engineering development center of GGNTU, and highlighted their role in the scientific and technical process. The speaker noted that the Engineering Development Center solves real engineering problems and trains a new generation of engineers in the areas of the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and unmanned aircraft systems. Yusup Taramov also spoke about examples of successful projects implemented by students and the experience of cooperation with local enterprises.

    The staff of the Engineering Project Management Center and the Reverse Engineering Laboratory of the State University of Management conducted practical training for students as part of the activities of the State University of Management Student Design Bureau “Innovative Solutions”.

    During the practical lesson “Car Structure”, which was conducted by the Laboratory specialist Denis Yudin, the participants not only understood the design of modern cars, but also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different types of basic car components by design.

    Vladimir Kutkov and Nikita Akinshin, specialists from the Engineering Project Management Center, spoke about the history of the development of unmanned aircraft systems, the most popular and universal designs of modern drones, the features of intelligent systems, and the autonomy of UAS during the practical course “Device of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”

    On July 23, participants of the Summer Engineering and Economics School 2025 visited the Demikhovsky Machine-Building Plant (JSC DMZ), which is part of JSC Transmashholding.

    The guests were greeted by the plant’s CEO Vladimir Chekalin and HR and Transformation Director Yulia Smirnova, who spoke about the development of the enterprise, its products and the current state of production. In 2025, the Demikhovsky Machine-Building Plant celebrates its 90th anniversary since its foundation. Today, DMZ is the leading enterprise for the production of electric trains in Russia. The plant produces EP2DM DC electric trains and EP3D AC electric trains. The trains manufactured by the enterprise are successfully operated in all climatic zones of the Russian Federation, as well as in the CIS countries.

    At the Exhibition Center, the excursion participants learned about the history of the Demikhovsky Machine-Building Plant, seeing documents, awards, photographs of events, employees, veterans of JSC DMZ, models of electric trains and narrow-gauge rolling stock. A unique exhibit of the museum is an interactive miniature railway, reflecting the geography of the operation of DMZ electric trains. It recreates natural landscapes and exact copies of railway stations in the regions where electric trains manufactured at the plant run – Moscow Region, the Far East, Armenia and Kazakhstan. The model presents real regions of operation and rolling stock, which is used in these areas.

    Young scientists visited production shops: mechanical assembly, electrical installation, welding, wagon assembly, repair and others. In addition to the production of wagons and electric trains, the plant carries out major repairs of passenger rolling stock, manufactures wheel sets for metro cars, electric trains and rail buses.

    Excursions to production facilities are traditionally an integral part of the program of the engineering and economics school. A visit to the Demikhovsky Machine-Building Plant, organized with the support and participation of the TMH Corporate University, allowed young scientists to see the work of an enterprise in the real sector of the economy, immerse themselves in the production environment and get acquainted with modern technologies and processes.

    The opening of the “Summer Engineering and Economics School – 2025” was reported in this article.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance Launches JPX: The First 2X Leveraged ETF on JPM (JP Morgan)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs, a leader in thematic and leveraged exchange-traded funds, today announced the launch of a new innovative ETF: the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF (Ticker: JPX). JPX provides investors with amplified 2X daily exposure to the performance of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), empowering retail investors to capitalize on high-growth opportunities in the financial services without the need for a margin account.

    JPX seeks to deliver daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the daily performance of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial powerhouse known for its leadership in banking, asset management, and investment services. JPX utilizes derivatives such as swaps and options to achieve its leveraged objectives, offering precise exposure to these dynamic companies.

    “JPX represents Defiance’s continued commitment to pioneering leveraged ETFs that give investors amplified access to transformative companies,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “JPMorgan’s dominance in financial innovation makes JPX a timely addition to our lineup, allowing active investors to pursue high-growth strategies in resilient sectors.”

    Why JPMorgan Chase & Co.?
    JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a cornerstone of the global economy, with a market-leading position in consumer banking, corporate & investment banking, and asset & wealth management. As digital transformation accelerates in finance, JPM continues to innovate with fintech integrations, blockchain applications, and sustainable investing initiatives, positioning it for sustained growth amid economic shifts.

    An investment in JPX is not an investment in JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.

    About Defiance
    Founded in 2018, Defiance is at the forefront of ETF innovation. Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs. Our first-mover leveraged single-stock ETFs empower investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies, providing precise leverage exposure without the need to open a margin account.

    IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

    The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectuses can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

    There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment.

    JPM Risks. The Funds invest in swap contracts and options that are based on the share prices of JPM. This subjects the Funds to the risk that the respective share prices decrease. If the share price of JPM decreases, the Funds will likely lose value and, as a result, the Funds may suffer significant losses. Therefore, as a result of the Funds’ exposure to the values of JPM, the Funds may also be subject to the following risks:

    Underlying Securities Trading Risk. The trading prices of JPM may be highly volatile and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors.

    Underlying Securities Performance Risk. JPM may fail to meet publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause its share price to decline.

    Financial Services Industry Risk (JPX). The financial services industry can be significantly affected by regulatory changes, economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, and competitive pressures.

    Derivatives Risks. The Funds’ derivative investments carry risks such as an imperfect match between the derivative’s performance and its underlying assets, and the potential for loss of principal, which can exceed the initial investment.

    Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

    Leverage Risk. As part of the Funds’ principal investment strategy, the Funds will make investments in swap contracts and options. These derivative instruments provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the Underlying Securities, as well as the potential for greater loss.

    Compounding Risk. The Funds have a single day investment objective, and performance for any other period is the result of compounding daily returns for each trading day. The effects of compounding will likely cause the performance of a Fund to be either greater than or less than the Underlying Security’s performance times the stated multiple in the Fund’s investment objective, before accounting for fees and fund expenses.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Funds’ expenses and reduce performance. Frequent trading may also cause adverse tax consequences for investors in the Funds due to an increase in short-term capital gains.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Funds are non-diversified, they may invest a greater percentage of their assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if they were diversified funds.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk of the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.

    New Fund Risk. As newly formed funds, they have no operating history, providing a limited basis for investors to assess performance or management.

    Brokerage commissions may be charged on trades.

    Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    David Hanono, info@defianceetfs.com, 833.333.9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6fcf824-f9fc-4d50-a76d-7c63a7166247

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Defiance Launches JPX: The First 2X Leveraged ETF on JPM (JP Morgan)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Defiance ETFs, a leader in thematic and leveraged exchange-traded funds, today announced the launch of a new innovative ETF: the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF (Ticker: JPX). JPX provides investors with amplified 2X daily exposure to the performance of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), empowering retail investors to capitalize on high-growth opportunities in the financial services without the need for a margin account.

    JPX seeks to deliver daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the daily performance of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial powerhouse known for its leadership in banking, asset management, and investment services. JPX utilizes derivatives such as swaps and options to achieve its leveraged objectives, offering precise exposure to these dynamic companies.

    “JPX represents Defiance’s continued commitment to pioneering leveraged ETFs that give investors amplified access to transformative companies,” said Sylvia Jablonski, CEO of Defiance ETFs. “JPMorgan’s dominance in financial innovation makes JPX a timely addition to our lineup, allowing active investors to pursue high-growth strategies in resilient sectors.”

    Why JPMorgan Chase & Co.?
    JPMorgan Chase & Co. is a cornerstone of the global economy, with a market-leading position in consumer banking, corporate & investment banking, and asset & wealth management. As digital transformation accelerates in finance, JPM continues to innovate with fintech integrations, blockchain applications, and sustainable investing initiatives, positioning it for sustained growth amid economic shifts.

    An investment in JPX is not an investment in JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.

    About Defiance
    Founded in 2018, Defiance is at the forefront of ETF innovation. Defiance is a leading ETF issuer specializing in thematic, income, and leveraged ETFs. Our first-mover leveraged single-stock ETFs empower investors to take amplified positions in high-growth companies, providing precise leverage exposure without the need to open a margin account.

    IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

    The Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses must be considered carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other important information about the investment company. Please read carefully before investing. A hard copy of the prospectuses can be requested by calling 833.333.9383.

    Defiance ETFs LLC is the ETF sponsor. The Fund’s investment adviser is Tidal Investments, LLC (“Tidal” or the “Adviser”).

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. As an ETF, the funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. A portfolio concentrated in a single industry or country, may be subject to a higher degree of risk.

    There is no guarantee that the Fund’s investment strategy will be properly implemented, and an investor may lose some or all of its investment.

    JPM Risks. The Funds invest in swap contracts and options that are based on the share prices of JPM. This subjects the Funds to the risk that the respective share prices decrease. If the share price of JPM decreases, the Funds will likely lose value and, as a result, the Funds may suffer significant losses. Therefore, as a result of the Funds’ exposure to the values of JPM, the Funds may also be subject to the following risks:

    Underlying Securities Trading Risk. The trading prices of JPM may be highly volatile and could continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors.

    Underlying Securities Performance Risk. JPM may fail to meet publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause its share price to decline.

    Financial Services Industry Risk (JPX). The financial services industry can be significantly affected by regulatory changes, economic conditions, interest rate fluctuations, and competitive pressures.

    Derivatives Risks. The Funds’ derivative investments carry risks such as an imperfect match between the derivative’s performance and its underlying assets, and the potential for loss of principal, which can exceed the initial investment.

    Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

    Leverage Risk. As part of the Funds’ principal investment strategy, the Funds will make investments in swap contracts and options. These derivative instruments provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure to the Underlying Securities, as well as the potential for greater loss.

    Compounding Risk. The Funds have a single day investment objective, and performance for any other period is the result of compounding daily returns for each trading day. The effects of compounding will likely cause the performance of a Fund to be either greater than or less than the Underlying Security’s performance times the stated multiple in the Fund’s investment objective, before accounting for fees and fund expenses.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Funds’ expenses and reduce performance. Frequent trading may also cause adverse tax consequences for investors in the Funds due to an increase in short-term capital gains.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Funds are non-diversified, they may invest a greater percentage of their assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if they were diversified funds.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk of the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.

    New Fund Risk. As newly formed funds, they have no operating history, providing a limited basis for investors to assess performance or management.

    Brokerage commissions may be charged on trades.

    Distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC.

    David Hanono, info@defianceetfs.com, 833.333.9383

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6fcf824-f9fc-4d50-a76d-7c63a7166247

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-Evening Report: Reserve Bank says unemployment rise was not a shock, inflation on track

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra

    Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock has fleshed out the central bank’s thinking behind its surprise decision to keep interest rates on hold this month.

    In a speech today to the Anika Foundation, Bullock said there has been:

    meaningful progress in bringing inflation down.

    But the Reserve Bank is waiting for confirmation that underlying inflation has actually moved back towards the mid-point of its 2% to 3% target band:

    We still think it will show inflation declining slowly towards 2.5%, but we are looking for data to support this expectation.

    The governor was pleased to see the progress on inflation did not come at the cost of jobs growth. Employment has remained around an all-time high as a proportion of the population. Comparable countries have not managed as well as this.

    The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates twice this year, and said policy is leaning towards further cuts by the end of the year.

    The dual mandate

    The Reserve Bank’s 2-3% inflation target is well known. But it is not the sole focus of policymakers. The bank actually has a dual mandate of inflation and employment, which was the topic of Bullock’s annual speech to Sydney’s financial community.

    The Reserve Bank Act charges the bank’s monetary policy board with setting monetary policy:

    in a way that, in the Board’s opinion, best contributes to:

    (i) price stability in Australia; and

    (ii) the maintenance of full employment in Australia.

    Full employment has been enshrined in legislation as a goal of the central bank since the 1940s.

    Last week, the monthly employment report unexpectedly showed a jump in unemployment to 4.3% in June after five months as 4.1% as more people looked for work.

    In her speech, Bullock said while some of the coverage suggested the increase was a shock, the employment figures over the whole of the June quarter were in line with the bank’s forecasts.

    She did not think it would have meant a different decision at the last board meeting if it had been known then.

    Are the twin goals in conflict or complementary?

    Some other central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve, also have dual mandates.

    In the long run, there is no conflict between these goals. In the governor’s words:

    Low and stable inflation – or price stability – is a prerequisite for strong and sustainable employment growth because it creates favourable conditions for households and businesses to plan, invest and create jobs without having to worry about inflation.

    Even in the short run, the two goals often involve no conflict. When the economy is overheating, inflation is high and unemployment low, so it is clear interest rates should be raised. During a recession, inflation is low and unemployment high, so it is clear interest rates should be lowered.

    But there are times when the implications from the two goals clash. A surge in oil prices, for example, could lead to both higher inflation (suggesting interest rates should be raised) and weaker economic activity (suggesting interest rates should be lowered).

    The governor said the bank’s response may depend on the likely longevity of such a shock:

    If a supply disruption is temporary and modest, monetary policy should mostly ‘look through’ it. Raising interest rates makes little sense if inflation is expected to ease once temporary supply disruptions are resolved – it would only weaken the job market.

    By contrast, when a supply shock is likely to have a longer lasting effect on the economy and inflation there may be stronger grounds for monetary policy to respond.

    The outlook

    In its latest published forecasts, in May, the bank said that if, as markets expected, it lowers its cash rate target to 3.4% by the end of the year, then unemployment would rise marginally, to 4.3%, while its preferred measure of underlying inflation drops to 2.6%.

    The Reserve Bank will release its updated forecasts after its next policy meeting on August 12, when it is also expected to cut interest rates.

    Better monthly inflation data on the way

    The Reserve Bank governor has made clear she regards the quarterly inflation series as a better guide than the current monthly series. At her May press conference she said:

    We get four readings on inflation a year.

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics has announced it is upgrading the monthly consumer price index (CPI) with effect from the October 2025 reading. It will then have the same coverage as the current quarterly CPI. But it will still be a more volatile measure than the quarterly.

    The bank will go through a learning experience becoming familiar with the new monthly series.




    Read more:
    Australia’s inflation rate is to go monthly. Be careful what you wish for


    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist at the Reserve Bank.

    ref. Reserve Bank says unemployment rise was not a shock, inflation on track – https://theconversation.com/reserve-bank-says-unemployment-rise-was-not-a-shock-inflation-on-track-261759

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Murray–Darling Basin Plan Evaluation is out. The next step is to fix the land, not just the flows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Stewardson, CEO One Basin CRC, The University of Melbourne

    Yarramalong Weir is one of many barriers to the passage of fish in the Murray-Darling Basin. Geoff Reid, One Basin CRC

    A report card into the A$13 billion Murray–Darling Basin Plan has found much work is needed to ensure the ecology of Australia’s largest river system is properly restored.

    The assessment, by the Murray–Darling Basin Authority, is the most comprehensive to date.

    The authority says the river system is doing better now than it would have without the plan, which aims to ensure sustainable water use for the environment, communities and industries. But it found there is more to be done.

    We are water, economics and environmental researchers with many years of experience working in the Murray-Darling Basin. We agree more work is needed, but with a more local focus, to restore the basin to health.

    This requires more than just more water for the environment. Coordinated local efforts to restore rivers and the surrounding land are desperately needed. There’s so much more to the river system than just the water it contains.

    Preparing for the 2026 Basin Plan Review (Murray–Darling Basin Authority)

    What’s the plan?

    The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s food bowl. But for too long, the health of environment was in decline – rivers were sick and wildlife was suffering. The river stopped flowing naturally to the sea because too much water was being taken from it.

    Poor land management has also degraded the river system over time. Floodplain vegetation has been damaged, the river channel has been re-engineered, and pest plants and animals have been introduced.

    The Murray-Darling Basin Plan was established in 2012. It aimed to recover water for the environment and safeguard the long-term health of the river system, while continuing to support productive agriculture and communities. It demanded more water for the environment and then described how this water would be delivered, in the form of targeted “environmental flows”.

    Since 2012, the allocation of water to various uses has gradually changed. So far, 2,069 billion litres (gigalitres) of surface water has been recovered for the environment. Combined with other earlier water recovery, a total of about 28% of water previously diverted for agriculture, towns and industry is now being used by the environment instead.

    A mixed report card

    The evaluation released today is the first step towards a complete review of the plan next year. The 2026 review will make recommendations to Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt. It will then be up to him to decide whether any changes are needed.

    It is a mixed report card. Ecological decline has been successfully halted at many sites. But sustained restoration of ecosystems across the basin is yet to be achieved, and native fish populations are in poor condition across 19 of the basin’s 23 catchments.

    Climate change is putting increasing pressure on water resources. More intense and frequent extreme climate events and an average 20–30% less streamflow (up to 50% in some rivers) are expected by mid-century.

    The evaluation also called for better policy and program design. Specifically, flexible programs have proven more effective than prescriptive, highly regulated programs.

    Finally, the report also highlights that the cost of water reform is increasing.

    Direct buybacks of water licences, mostly from irrigators, account for around two-thirds of the water recovered for the environment under the basin plan. Buybacks are the simplest and most cost-effective way to recover water but are controversial because of concerns about social and economic impacts.

    Much of the remaining water has been recovered through investment in more efficient water supply infrastructure, with water savings reserved for environmental use.

    The authority suggests different approaches will be needed for additional water recovery.

    Having plenty of native vegetation on river banks is important for river health.
    Geoff Reid, One Basin CRC

    Healthy rivers need more than water

    For the past two decades, measures to restore the Murray-Darling Basin have focused largely on water recovery. But research suggests attention now needs to be paid to other, more local actions.

    In March, one author of this article – Samantha Capon – identified nine priority actions to restore Australia’s inland river and groundwater ecosystems at local levels. They included:

    • revegetating land alongside waterways
    • retiring some farmland
    • modifying barriers to fish movements
    • installing modern fish screens on irrigation pumps.

    The study estimated such actions would cost around A$2.9 billion a year, if completed over the next 30 years.

    Works to restore vegetation or other environmental conditions at these critical habitats will only occur with landholders, as well as Traditional Owners.

    That’s because most of the basin’s wetlands and floodplain areas are on private property, including in irrigation districts.

    Irrigator involvement is needed to place fish screens on private irrigation pumps or retire farmland. There is a growing interest and some early experience in using private irrigation channels to deliver environmental water. This also requires local partnerships.

    The basin plan should include targets for environmental outcomes, not just water recovery. This will allow the benefits from local restoration measures and environmental flows to be included when tracking the plan.

    Such ecosystem accounting tools already exist. Research is urgently needed to make these tools both locally relevant and suitable for the basin plan.

    Time for a local approach

    To date, water for the environment under the basin plan has been recovered largely through centralised government-led programs. Decisions around the delivery of environmental flows are also largely in the hands of government agencies.

    But other local restoration actions are also needed.

    A business-as-usual approach would leave responsible agencies struggling to complete these vital local measures with limited funding, resources and accountability.

    Michael Stewardson is a member of the Advisory Committee on Social, Economic and Environmental Science, which advises the Murray Darling Basin Authority,, although he is not representing the views of this committee in this article. The committee is established under Section 203 of the Water Act 2007.
    Michael Stewardson is the CEO of the One Basin CRC, which is jointly funded under the commonwealth Cooperative Research Centre Program and by its partners listed here: https://onebasin.com.au/
    These partners include: state and federal government agencies including the Murray Darling Basin Authority; irrigation infrastructure operators (government owned and non-government), natural resource management agencies (government and non-government); agriculture businesses, industry organisation and R&D organisations; local government organisations; consulting companies in the water sector; technology companies; education and training organisations; and research organisation. Partners contribute to the One Basin CRC in the form of in-kind and cash contributions. The One Basin CRC is also funded by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office under its FlowMER program. The views in this article do not necessarily represent the views of these partner and funding organisations.
    Michael Stewardson has previously received research funding from the Australian Research Council and both state and federal government agencies.

    Neville Crossman is a Program Leader for Adaptation and Innovation in the One Basin CRC. He is a past employee of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (2018-2024). He has worked closely with a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout his career.

    Samantha Capon receives funding from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), NSW DCCEEW, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation. She is a member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Advisory Committee for Social, Economic and Environmental Science (ACSEES), but is not representing the view of this committee in this article. Samantha has worked closely with NRM agencies, a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout her career.

    Seth Westra is the Research Director for the One Basin CRC. He receives funding from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), NSW DCCEEW and the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW). Seth is Research Director of the One Basin Cooperative Research Centre, Director of the Systems Cooperative, and has worked closely with NRM agencies, a range of State and federal government agencies and many researchers, industry and community members in the Murray-Darling Basin throughout his career.

    ref. The Murray–Darling Basin Plan Evaluation is out. The next step is to fix the land, not just the flows – https://theconversation.com/the-murray-darling-basin-plan-evaluation-is-out-the-next-step-is-to-fix-the-land-not-just-the-flows-261840

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • EU’s von der Leyen says China ties are at ‘inflection point’ at tense summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for an “essential” rebalancing of trade ties with China during a tense summit on Thursday with President Xi Jinping, saying ties stood at an “inflection point”, according to a pool report.

    Expectations were low for the summit marking 50 years of diplomatic ties after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling over its format, with the duration abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing’s request.

    Von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa met Xi at the start of an event set to be dominated by thorny issues ranging from trade frictions to the Ukraine war.

    “As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances. We have reached an inflection point,” von der Leyen told Xi during the meeting in the Great Hall of the People.

    She was referring to the EU’s trade deficit with China, which ballooned to a historic 305.8 billion euros ($360 billion) last year.

    “Rebalancing of our bilateral relation is essential … It is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns and come forward with real solutions.”

    However, Xi urged the EU to “make correct strategic choices” during the meeting, state broadcaster CCTV said, in a veiled criticism of Brussels’ hawkish stance on China.

    “The more severe and complex the international situation, the more China and the EU must strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation,” Xi told von der Leyen and Costa, it said.

    “Chinese and European leaders should … make correct strategic choices that meet the expectations of the people.”

    The weeks before the summit were dominated by tit-for-tat trade disputes and hawkish European rhetoric, such as a July 8 accusation by von der Leyen that China was flooding global markets as a result of its overcapacity and “enabling Russia’s war economy”.

    Shortly before the summit, however, von der Leyen struck a more conciliatory tone, describing it as an opportunity to “both advance and rebalance our relationship” in a post on X on Thursday.

    “I’m convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation,” von der Leyen added.

    The two EU officials are set to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang later. Both sides are hoping to reach a modest joint statement on climate, currently one of the only bright spots in EU-China cooperation.

    State news agency Xinhua also appeared to downplay Beijing’s rivalry with the 27-member bloc, saying China was a “critical partner” for Europe, with a range of shared interests.

    “China is a critical partner to Europe, not a systemic rival,” it said in a commentary.

    The two shared interests in trade, climate, and global governance, it said, adding, “These areas of common ground should not be eclipsed by isolated points of friction.”

    The EU defines China as a “partner, competitor and systemic rival”, which frames its strategic approach to China policy.

    At the summit, European leaders are also expected to raise topics such as electric vehicles and Chinese industrial overcapacity.

    China launched rare earth export controls in April that disrupted supply chains worldwide, leading to temporary stoppages in European automotive production lines the following month.

    But its exports of rare earth magnets to the EU surged in June by 245% from May, to stand at 1,364 metric tons, though that was still 35% lower than the year-earlier figure, customs data showed.

    The EU is likely to seal a trade deal with the United States for a broad tariff of 15% on its exports after intense negotiations, avoiding a harsher 30% figure threatened by President Donald Trump.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Launches Flagship International Futures Tournament (TIFT) with 3,000,000 USDT Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Toobit, the award-winning global cryptocurrency exchange, today announces the official launch of its highly anticipated Toobit International Futures Tournament (TIFT). Featuring a massive 3,000,000 USDT in total prizes, TIFT is set to be one of the most exhilarating trading competitions of the year, inviting top-tier traders from across the globe to put their strategies to the test and claim their share of the monumental prize pool.

    Traders can register now to take advantage of exclusive early bird incentives. Participants who register early will receive a 10 USDT sign-up bonus from a 20,000 USDT prize pool. An additional 20 USDT bonus is available for early registrants who achieve a futures trading volume exceeding 30,000 USDT during the tournament, drawn from a 30,000 USDT pool. These bonuses are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

    TIFT offers a dynamic competition structure designed to ignite the competitive spirit in every trader, featuring intense team and individual challenges. Beyond the lucrative prizes, TIFT offers an unparalleled platform for traders to benchmark their skills, learn from top performers, and elevate their trading strategies in a high-stakes, real-time environment.

    Here’s what TIFT has in store:

    Team Expedition

    Unite with a squad and strategize for a share of the 1,500,000 USDT prize pool. Rewards are distributed among Captains and top-performing team members.

    Solo Summit

    Climb the leaderboard and conquer the 600,000 USDT prize pool by outperforming the competition based on trading volume.

    Climber’s Cache

    Participate in daily draws to win from a 790,000 USDT pool of bonuses, including USDT, DOGE, TON, and exclusive Toobit merchandise.

    Early Bird & Team Captain Incentives

    Get in early and lead the charge. An additional 100,000 USDT is allocated for early registrants and Team Captains.

    “We’re thrilled to kick off the Toobit International Futures Tournament,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer at Toobit. “This competition offers an incredible opportunity for traders to showcase their skills and earn rewards. TIFT is all about fostering a vibrant, competitive, and engaging environment, empowering our community with diverse ways to participate and win. We’re excited to witness the strategies unfold and celebrate the achievements of our participants.”

    Key dates to remember:

    • Early Bird Registration: July 23, 2025, 10:00 UTC – July 30, 2025, 10:00 UTC
    • Team Creation Period: July 23, 2025, 10:00 UTC – August 1, 2025, 23:59 UTC
    • User Registration Period: July 23, 2025, 10:00 UTC – August 25, 2025, 10:00 UTC
    • Team/Solo Competition Period: August 4, 2025, 00:00 UTC – August 25, 2025, 10:00 UTC
    • Climber’s Cache Draw Period: July 23, 2025, 10:00 UTC – August 25, 2025, 10:00 UTC

    Register on the TIFT page. For complete rules and prize details, visit the Toobit announcement page.

    About Toobit

    Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfolds—an award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover what’s next.

    For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram

    Contact: Davin C.
    Email: market@toobit.com
    Website: www.toobit.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4fa03ae1-03ce-4b08-9d58-abb5c6697641

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: INVL Renewable Energy Fund I company REFI Sun aims to raise up to EUR 15 million in public bond offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is seeking to raise up to EUR 15 million through an offering of bonds issued by REFI Sun, a company the fund owns. The bonds will be offered publicly to retail and institutional investors in the Baltic countries from 28 July to 15 August. 

    The bonds have a maturity of 2.5 years. The fixed interest rate on the debt securities will be set in the range of 7.5% to 8.5% and announced at completion of the offering. Interest will be paid to investors quarterly. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will provide guarantees to all holders of the REFI Sun bonds. 

    “Construction of the fund’s renewable energy projects in Romania and Poland is gaining momentum, so there is also a growing need for financing, which in part we aim to meet by issuing new bonds. Most of the money raised from investors will be used to refinance a loan previously obtained by one of the fund’s companies, the rest will go to the fund’s solar power plant construction projects,” says Liudas Liutkevičius, Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    REFI Sun seeks to raise up to EUR 15 million in a public offer in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia under a base prospectus for EUR 25 million bond programme approved by the Bank of Lithuania. The minimum investment amount is EUR 1,000.  

    The lead arranger of the bond program is Artea Bank. Evernord will also participate in the placement in Lithuania, while LHV Pank and Signet Bank acting as distribution partners in Estonia and Latvia. The certified advisor to the issuer is the Sorainen law firm, while the bondholders’ trustee is the company Audifina. It is planned that the debt securities will be listed on the First North alternative securities market operated by Nasdaq Vilnius within three months after the issue date. 

    More information about the bond issue and the offering process is available on the website of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    An online presentation and question-and-answer session for investors (in English) will be held on 31 July at 10:00. The link to join the session is here. An online presentation and Q&A session for investors in the Lithuanian language will be held on the same day at 14:00; the link to join that session is here.    

    In February 2025, the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I’s company REFI Energy successfully completed an EUR 8 million public offering of bonds with an annual interest rate of 8%. Demand for the bonds exceeded the issue size 1.7 times, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the Fund’s management team and strategy.   

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is focusing on the Polish and Romanian markets, where the fund’s managers see big growth potential. Total capacity of the fund’s portfolio of projects in development in these markets is 389 MW. 

    In Romania, the fund is investing in projects for 8 solar plants with a combined capacity of 356 MW. In Poland, it is developing solar park projects with over 32 MW in capacity. Investments in  Romania and Poland are expected to exceed EUR 250 million. The fund has invested over EUR 90 million in acquisition and construction of the projects as of June 2025. Construction of all the solar parks should be completed by the end of 2027. 

    To date the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I has raised EUR 73.9 million from investors through investment units and bonds. 

    About the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I  

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I was established on 20 July 2021 by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States, as a sub-fund for informed investors. It invests in early- and mid-stage renewable energy projects (solar), including the construction of new power plants, the development and/or acquisition of the infrastructure necessary for the operation of power plants, and effective management of existing power plants in the European Union and member states of the European Economic Area. 

    INVL Asset Management is part of Invalda INVL, the leading Baltic asset management group. 

    Further information:
    Liudas Liutkevičius
    Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
    liudas.liutkevicius@invl.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: INVL Renewable Energy Fund I company REFI Sun aims to raise up to EUR 15 million in public bond offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I managed by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltics, is seeking to raise up to EUR 15 million through an offering of bonds issued by REFI Sun, a company the fund owns. The bonds will be offered publicly to retail and institutional investors in the Baltic countries from 28 July to 15 August. 

    The bonds have a maturity of 2.5 years. The fixed interest rate on the debt securities will be set in the range of 7.5% to 8.5% and announced at completion of the offering. Interest will be paid to investors quarterly. The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I will provide guarantees to all holders of the REFI Sun bonds. 

    “Construction of the fund’s renewable energy projects in Romania and Poland is gaining momentum, so there is also a growing need for financing, which in part we aim to meet by issuing new bonds. Most of the money raised from investors will be used to refinance a loan previously obtained by one of the fund’s companies, the rest will go to the fund’s solar power plant construction projects,” says Liudas Liutkevičius, Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    REFI Sun seeks to raise up to EUR 15 million in a public offer in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia under a base prospectus for EUR 25 million bond programme approved by the Bank of Lithuania. The minimum investment amount is EUR 1,000.  

    The lead arranger of the bond program is Artea Bank. Evernord will also participate in the placement in Lithuania, while LHV Pank and Signet Bank acting as distribution partners in Estonia and Latvia. The certified advisor to the issuer is the Sorainen law firm, while the bondholders’ trustee is the company Audifina. It is planned that the debt securities will be listed on the First North alternative securities market operated by Nasdaq Vilnius within three months after the issue date. 

    More information about the bond issue and the offering process is available on the website of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I. 

    An online presentation and question-and-answer session for investors (in English) will be held on 31 July at 10:00. The link to join the session is here. An online presentation and Q&A session for investors in the Lithuanian language will be held on the same day at 14:00; the link to join that session is here.    

    In February 2025, the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I’s company REFI Energy successfully completed an EUR 8 million public offering of bonds with an annual interest rate of 8%. Demand for the bonds exceeded the issue size 1.7 times, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the Fund’s management team and strategy.   

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I is focusing on the Polish and Romanian markets, where the fund’s managers see big growth potential. Total capacity of the fund’s portfolio of projects in development in these markets is 389 MW. 

    In Romania, the fund is investing in projects for 8 solar plants with a combined capacity of 356 MW. In Poland, it is developing solar park projects with over 32 MW in capacity. Investments in  Romania and Poland are expected to exceed EUR 250 million. The fund has invested over EUR 90 million in acquisition and construction of the projects as of June 2025. Construction of all the solar parks should be completed by the end of 2027. 

    To date the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I has raised EUR 73.9 million from investors through investment units and bonds. 

    About the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I  

    The INVL Renewable Energy Fund I was established on 20 July 2021 by INVL Asset Management, the leading alternative asset manager in the Baltic States, as a sub-fund for informed investors. It invests in early- and mid-stage renewable energy projects (solar), including the construction of new power plants, the development and/or acquisition of the infrastructure necessary for the operation of power plants, and effective management of existing power plants in the European Union and member states of the European Economic Area. 

    INVL Asset Management is part of Invalda INVL, the leading Baltic asset management group. 

    Further information:
    Liudas Liutkevičius
    Managing Partner of the INVL Renewable Energy Fund I
    liudas.liutkevicius@invl.com

    The MIL Network

  • UAE Central Bank mandates phase-out of SMS and email OTP authentication by March 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) has issued a directive requiring all financial institutions to eliminate SMS and email-based one-time password (OTP) authentication for customer transactions by March 31, 2026. This move, aimed at bolstering digital banking security, will affect banks, finance companies, exchange houses, insurers, and payment service providers across the UAE, marking a significant shift toward more secure, risk-based authentication technologies.

    Traditional OTP methods, delivered via SMS or email, are increasingly vulnerable to phishing, SIM swapping, and SS7 protocol exploits. To counter these threats, the CBUAE is mandating the adoption of advanced authentication methods, such as Emirates Face Recognition, biometric verification, and mobile-based soft tokens.

    Starting July 25, 2025, UAE banks will begin transitioning customers to app-based authentication for all domestic and international financial transactions. Leading institutions like Emirates NBD, ADIB, and FAB have already adopted biometric and in-app solutions for most online banking activities. Customers will need to enable app-based verification features to authorize transactions, replacing the reliance on SMS or email OTPs. The CBUAE has set a phased implementation, with full compliance required by March 2026.

    The UAE’s move aligns with global trends, as countries like Singapore and Malaysia phase out SMS-based OTPs due to similar security concerns. The Monetary Authority of Singapore, for instance, mandated a similar shift in 2024, citing rising phishing scams. The CBUAE’s directive is part of its broader Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme, which includes initiatives like the planned launch of a retail central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital dirham, in late 2025.

  • MIL-OSI: Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tanate Phutrakul to step down as CFO at 2026 AGM

    ING announced today that Tanate Phutrakul will step down from his position as CFO and member of the Executive Board of ING. Tanate will leave ING as of the Annual General Meeting in April 2026, after 24 years at ING of which seven on the Executive Board. 

    Karl Guha, chairman of ING’s Supervisory Board said: “It has been a privilege to work with Tanate. I have come to know him as a man of good grace, integrity, and high standards. He has been instrumental in helping steer ING to a better place of strong performance and delivering on our promises. We are fortunate to still have him on our executive team until the AGM and wish him every success in the next phase of his life.”

    Steven van Rijswijk, CEO of ING said: “I want to thank Tanate for his many years serving ING. While it is never easy to see a colleague leave, after seven years as CFO on the board it is a logical moment for Tanate to step down. With his deeply professional and pleasant approach, he has played a pivotal role in guiding ING through a turbulent period for the bank, the sector and the world. He has done so with his trademark calmness and has been an invaluable part of our executive team. His contributions in making ING the strong and financially sound bank it is today, which enables our current growth strategy, can hardly be overestimated. We look forward to continue to work with Tanate in the coming months.”

    Tanate Phutrakul said: “It has been and still is a pleasure to serve as a board member of ING, having helped shape the bank into what it is. It has been a wonderful journey. Many thanks for the kind support of Steven and my fellow board members and especially to the many ING colleagues I have worked with over the years.”

    Tanate joined ING in 1998 as managing director of ING Barings Securities Thailand. From 2003 until 2008 he served as head of Wholesale Banking and chief financial officer of TMB Bank in Thailand. In successive years he served as CFO of ING’s Operations and IT unit, ING Retail Banking International and ING Belgium. In 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Board as CFO of ING Group. 

    The search for a successor has been initiated and announcements will be made in due course. 

    Note for editors
    For further information on ING, please visit www.ing.com. Frequent news updates can be found in the Newsroom. Photos of ING operations, buildings and its executives are available for download at Flickr.

    ING PROFILE
    ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank’s more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 100 countries.

    ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N).

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    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Australian Life Sciences Venture Capital firm Brandon Capital announces Fund Six final close totalling over A$439m

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MELBOURNE, Australia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brandon Capital, Australasia’s leading life sciences venture capital firm, today announced the final close of its sixth fund at A$439 million.

    Joining existing investors Hesta, Host Plus, CSL and QIC are the WA Government and Australia’s sovereign investor in manufacturing capability, the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).

    This final close of Brandon BioCatalyst Fund Six (BB6) will see Brandon Capital continue to invest in emerging biomedical technologies with strong commercial potential, translating these exciting discoveries into high-growth firms that positively impact human health.

    To date, Brandon Capital has raised over A$1 billion across previous funds with notable Fund Six investments to date including AdvanCell (radiopharma), PolyActiva (glaucoma implant), Myricx Bio (ADC) and CatalYm (oncology).

    Dr Chris Nave, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Brandon Capital, “We’re excited to welcome the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation to our sixth fund, joining HESTA, Hostplus, CSL, QIC and the WA Government. Closing at $439 million, BB6 is our largest fund to date, and we remain committed to advancing breakthrough biomedical innovations through our unwavering scientific rigour and disciplined capital allocation, in pursuit of exceeding our investors’ expectations.”

    The firm has a track record of advancing its portfolio companies to commercialisation. Recent Brandon Capital portfolio company announcements include FDA approvals for a hypertension therapy from George Medicines and a left ventricular cardiac resynchronisation device developed by EBR Systems, with Q-Sera’s blood collection tubes that produce high-quality serum faster and more reliably, recently approved in Japan.

    Brandon Capital has an active portfolio of over 30 companies with 17 in clinical trials, four advancing or in-market, a promising preclinical pipeline and several actively contributing to Australia’s high-skilled manufacturing sector growth.

    Collectively supporting over 270 high-skilled Australian jobs are: surgical imaging innovator, OncoRes Medical, which has developed the first ‘real-time’ in cavity probe to improve cancer surgery outcomes; late-stage biotech PolyActiva, which is developing a long-term treatment for glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness; needle-free patch for vaccine delivery Vaxxas, and radiopharmaceutical company AdvanCell, which is developing novel therapies for the treatment of a range of cancers.

    NRFC CEO David Gall said, “Medical science has long development timelines, and it is important for the NRFC to make early and considered investments in the sector to attract the talent and capital that we will need to build our local commercialisation capabilities. If we want medical science jobs and industries to exist in Australia in ten years, we need to invest in them today.”

    Brandon Capital, headquartered in Australia with offices in the UK and US, has established a transcontinental presence that strengthens collaboration across regions. Australian portfolio companies gain access to UK/EU/US capital, expertise, and pharma networks, while international companies benefit from Australia’s world-class clinical trial and research capabilities.

    About Brandon Capital – www.brandoncapital.vc

    Brandon Capital is Australasia’s leading life sciences venture capital firm, with offices in Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK. Its unique model includes proprietary deal flow through Brandon BioCatalyst, a collaboration of over 50 of ANZ’s leading medical research institutions, and its immersive corporate services structure enables portfolio companies to focus on research commercialisation. With more than 30 active companies in its portfolio, Brandon Capital has been sourcing and supporting the transition of world-leading science into world-leading businesses for nearly two decades.

    For further information please contact

    Media – Australia
    Kirrily Davis, E: kdavis@bcpvc.com M: +61 (0)401 220228

    Media – International
    Sue Charles, Charles Consultants E: sue.charles@charles-consultants.com M: +44 (0)7968 726585

    Chris Gardner, E: Chris@CGComms.onmicrosoft.com M: +44 (0)7956 031077

    About the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC)

    The NRFC invests to diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy. It has $15 billion to invest using direct loans, equity investments and loan guarantees. The NRFC investment mandate covers seven priority areas including value-add in resources; transport; medical science; defence capability; renewables and low emission technologies; value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries; and enabling capabilities. 

    The NRFC’s role is to invest in Australian businesses and projects that design, refine and make in order to transform capability, grow jobs and a skilled workforce, and diversify our economy. NRFC is a corporate Commonwealth entity, established by the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation Act 2023 (NRFC Act) in September 2023.

    For more information, visit nrf.gov.au 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden, Collins introduce bipartisan legislation to create disaster relief fund for loggers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) today introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, which would establish a new program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support loggers who have lost income due to natural disasters.

    Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) are original cosponsors of the legislation, while Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) is the lead cosponsor in the House. 

    Current law excludes loggers from the kinds of disaster relief and assistance available to other industries, including fishermen and farmers, when natural disasters strike. Under the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act, a disaster declaration from the president or governor would unlock federal assistance eligibility for logging businesses with at least a 10 percent loss in revenue or volume compared to the prior year. Covered damage would include high winds, fire, flooding, insect infestation and drought. 

    “You can’t write the story of Maine without loggers. Our forest products industry has provided for generations of Mainers and continues to be the economic bedrock of many rural communities. There must be a safety net to ensure one particularly bad season cannot uproot logging families and communities” Golden said. “I’m proud of our loggers, and I’m proud of the rock-solid coalition we’re building to support them. ”

    “Maine’s forest products industry has long supported good‑paying jobs and helped grow local economies across our state. Loggers are at the heart of that industry, but devastating storms in recent years have severely impacted the ability of logging businesses to operate at full capacity,” Senator Collins said. “This bipartisan bill would provide targeted financial assistance to help loggers recover from federally declared disasters, so that they can continue their important work, sustain rural communities, and contribute to our state’s economy.”

    “In Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District, our forest products industry has created good paying jobs and driven our local economies,” Stauber said. “Unfortunately, this crucial industry is currently facing a wide variety of threats, from wildfires and drought to insect infestation. Minnesota’s loggers have supported our communities for generations, and it is now our turn to support them. That’s why I am proud to introduce legislation with my friend, Congressman Jared Golden, to establish a new program through the USDA that will provide financial assistance to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have seen their bottom line impacted by natural disasters. I look forward to seeing this legislation help ensure Minnesota’s forest products industry remains strong and resilient.”

    In December 2023, Maine’s logging industry lost $2.6 million after just one particularly severe storm — with a survey released by the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast later finding that more than 90 percent of the industry’s businesses suffered damage to equipment or logistics. In total, Maine’s economy lost $5.5 million due to the loss in logging revenue and productivity that winter.

    “Generations of loggers have spent their lifetimes powering our state’s economy while providing for their families, which is why it is so important to protect and sustain this historic industry,”  Senator King said. “As natural disasters across Maine increase, the bipartisan Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act will help establish a new program within the USDA to support loggers who need assistance to overcome damage and lost income. The logging industry has supported rural Maine families and communities for hundreds of years, and it’s imperative that investments in our foresting community evolve for today’s challenges as we protect it for a sturdy future.” 

    “As Maine experiences more extreme weather events and natural disasters, it’s imperative that we protect our state’s loggers from potentially devastating financial impacts—just as we’ve long done for our fishermen and farmers,” Pingree, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said.“We’ve already seen the harmful impacts climate change has created for our forest products industry, from delayed harvests to damaged equipment and infrastructure. This common-sense, bipartisan legislation will provide real relief to the families and communities that rely on Maine’s forests for their livelihoods and wellbeing.”

    Logging industry leaders praised the bipartisan legislation: 

    • Dana Doran, executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast: “For too long, logging and forest trucking contractors in the Northeast have been left out of federal relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters, despite suffering losses as severe as those in other industries like fishing and farming that have received aid. The extreme weather our region has experienced in recent years has idled harvest operations for long periods, destroyed logging and timber hauling infrastructure, and driven up costs at a time when the logging industry is already grappling with unprecedented challenges and can least afford it. We are grateful to Congressmen Golden and the rest of Maine’s delegation for their leadership in this effort to secure fair treatment for these hard-working small family businesses, and we encourage swift passage of the Loggers Economic Assistance and Relief Act to provide the aid the industry deserves.”
    • Chuck Ames, president of SDR Logging, Sebec, ME: “I talk to loggers every day and most are struggling, but all they ask for is a level playing field with other industries. I believe this legislation is a step in the right direction toward treating loggers the same as farmers and fishermen. We are all harvesting natural resources, and are all impacted by natural disasters. I appreciate the efforts of Congressman Golden and the rest of Maine’s congressional delegation to recognize that and pass this bill on our behalf.”
    • Marc Greaney, president of Western Maine Timberlands, Fryeburg, ME: “I have been logging for decades in Western Maine, and in recent years have seen severe weather limit my company’s ability to harvest and truck wood for longer periods of time than ever before. When we can’t cut and move wood we don’t get paid, and this is happening at the same time that operating costs are continuing to rise, so I am grateful to Congressman Golden and the other members of Maine’s congressional delegation for attempting to provide disaster relief to loggers in the same way it has been provided to other industries in the past.”
    • Scott Dane, executive director of the American Loggers Council: “The timber industry invests in public and private stumpage (timber) years in advance. A multiyear timber portfolio is necessary to adjust for market and weather conditions. This is an essential element for a logger’s business plan. When unforeseen natural disasters such as drought, wildfire, winds, and invasive species infestations occur, the timber is lost. There are limited options, if any, to replace that timber with new tracts in a timely manner. These losses are extremely disruptive to a logger’s harvest plan and create a significant revenue loss. Congressman Golden’s Loggers Assistance and Relief Act is necessary to support the timber industry, similar to assistance programs for other natural resource and agricultural sectors. The American Loggers Council appreciates the Maine Congressional Delegation, and other sponsors, for this Bill and the security it will provide to logging and trucking businesses” 

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • From Gujarat to global: How PM Modi’s diaspora diplomacy took root in the UK

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London on Wednesday, he was greeted by thunderous chants of “Modi Modi”, “Bharat Mata ki Jai”, and “Vande Mataram” from the Indian community — an emphatic reminder of a diplomatic tradition he initiated decades ago, long before rising to India’s highest political office.

    This growing emotional and strategic connect with the Indian diaspora has become a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy under PM Modi, especially during his second term.

    The foundations of this approach were laid as early as 1993, when Narendra Modi — then BJP’s General Secretary in Gujarat and an emerging national figure — made an impromptu stop in the UK on his return from the United States. Although the visit was unplanned and brief, Modi ensured he connected with the Indian diaspora in the UK. He visited media hubs like Sunrise Radio and the Gujarati newspaper Naya Padkar, interacted with families in Croydon and Hastings, engaged in informal conversations, rode the London Underground, and exchanged ideas with everyday Indians living in Britain.

    “The seeds planted then would quietly nourish India’s diaspora diplomacy for decades to come,” the Modi Archive said in a post on X, while sharing a timeline of the Prime Minister’s engagements in the UK.

    By 1999, when Modi had become a key national figure and the BJP’s global voice, he returned to the UK for a five-day visit in October, shortly after the BJP’s sweeping national electoral victory. Then serving as BJP’s National General Secretary, Modi had just delivered a stellar performance in Gujarat — winning 20 out of 26 Lok Sabha seats and expanding the party’s grassroots presence from 1,000 to over 16,000 village units between 1985 and 1995. This visit was highlighted by a landmark event at the Swaminarayan School in Neasden, organised by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). Despite a cold drizzle, the hall was packed.

    Notable attendees included Lord Navnit Dholakia, MP Barry Gardiner (Chairman of Labour Friends of India), and C.B. Patel, editor of Gujarat Samachar.

    “BJP stands for nationalism and patriotism,” Narendra Modi was quoted as saying by the Modi Archive.

    During this visit, he expanded on India’s democratic traditions, the NDA’s policy vision, and paid homage to Gandhian ideals — illustrating the BJP’s ideological clarity and moral purpose. He framed the BJP not just as a political force, but as a cultural and civilizational movement rooted in tradition, religion, modernity, and democracy. He further asserted that India’s democratic ethos is admired across the world.

    In addition, Modi was honoured by the Lohana Mahajan community, where he commended overseas Indians for serving as authentic ambassadors of Indian civilisation. He also paid a visit to 10 Downing Street during the trip.

    Modi’s emphasis on global awareness continued during another visit to the UK in 2000. In September that year, he stopped in London en route to the World Hindu Conference in the Caribbean and the UN Peace Summit in the US. At the time, he was about to assume the influential position of BJP General Secretary (Organisation), a role only two others had held since the Jana Sangh era.

    During this short visit, Modi met British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and engaged in serious discussions on political stability in Asia, India’s regional situation, and the growing threat of international terrorism. He also met with members of the Overseas Friends of BJP and held teleconferences with C.B. Patel, updating them on the state of affairs in Gujarat and national security efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Terrorism is an evil against humanity — whether in India, the Middle East, or Northern Ireland,” Modi said.

    It was a prescient warning that came a full year before the 9/11 attacks, at a time when much of the world had yet to perceive terrorism as a shared global menace.

    In August 2003, two years after the devastating Bhuj earthquake in Gujarat, Modi returned to the UK as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

    The purpose was to thank members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom had mobilised support, resources, and aid for the affected people.

    “You are all the real friends of Gujarat, and I have come to reciprocate the loyalty. We have slept in the street of death and today I have come to repay a debt of friendship to those who helped us in our hour of need,” Modi said, addressing thousands at the packed Wembley Conference Centre.

    He praised the diaspora not just for their financial contributions but for their deep emotional ties with India, calling them “the true friends of Gujarat”.

    During this visit, he also inaugurated the Shakti Hall at the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice offices. True to his style, he spoke not just of the past, but also of the future.

    In a speech still fondly remembered by the editors of Asian Voice, Modi famously said, “IT is not Information Technology. IT is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology. It is Bharat Today. IT and IT equals IT. That means Information Technology and Indian Talent is India Tomorrow.”

    The visit also included a meeting with then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was in London at the time. Modi later met a delegation of political leaders and diaspora members on the South Bank of the River Thames, near Westminster Bridge, opposite the iconic Houses of Parliament.

    Even in 2011, when Gujarat marked its golden jubilee, he virtually brought the UK into the celebrations. He addressed a high-profile audience in Mayfair, London, through video conferencing while in Gandhinagar, stating, “The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history.”

    The event, hosted by Friends of Gujarat, Gujarat Samachar, and Asian Voice, brought together 90 distinguished guests including British MPs, Lords, and community leaders. Among them was Lord Gulam Noon, who had a direct and lively exchange with Modi.

    He used the opportunity to share his vision for the future. He announced the construction of the Mahatma Mandir, a monumental tribute rising from the soil of 18,000 villages — and including ‘mitti’ sent by Gujaratis living abroad.

    “In this Golden Jubilee celebration, we have decided to build a Mahatma Mandir. We have collected earth from 18,000 villages in Gujarat to make this monument. We have also collected earth from abroad, especially the UK,” he said.

    The message was clear: for Narendra Modi, the diaspora has never been a passive audience.

    It has always been, and continues to be, an integral part of India’s journey — a partner in progress and a powerful force in shaping India’s global image.

    Now, as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi continues to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions made by overseas Indians in deepening people-to-people ties and in promoting India’s image and influence across the globe.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI: STMicroelectronics Reports 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PR No: C3349C

    STMicroelectronics Reports 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results

    • Q2 net revenues $2.77 billion; gross margin 33.5%; operating loss of $133 million, including $190 million related to impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs; net loss of $97 million
    • H1 net revenues $5.28 billion; gross margin 33.5%; operating loss of $130 million, including $198 million related to impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs; net loss of $41 million
    • Business outlook at mid-point: Q3 net revenues of $3.17 billion and gross margin of 33.5%

    Geneva, July 24, 2025 – STMicroelectronics N.V. (“ST”) (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, reported U.S. GAAP financial results for the second quarter ended June 28, 2025. This press release also contains non-U.S. GAAP measures (see Appendix for additional information).

    ST reported second quarter net revenues of $2.77 billion, gross margin of 33.5%, operating loss of $133 million, and net loss of $97 million or -$0.11 diluted earnings per share (non-U.S. GAAP1 operating income of $57 million, and non-U.S. GAAP1 net income of $57 million or $0.06 diluted earnings per share).

    Jean-Marc Chery, ST President & CEO, commented:

    • “Q2 net revenues came above the mid-point of our business outlook range, driven by higher revenues in Personal Electronics and Industrial, while Automotive was slightly below expectations. Gross margin was in line with the mid-point of our business outlook range.
    • “On a year-over-year basis, Q2 net revenues decreased 14.4%, non-U.S. GAAP1operating margin decreased to 2.1% from 11.6% and non-U.S. GAAP1net income decreased to $57 million from $353 million.”
    • “First half net revenues decreased 21.1% year-over-year, with a decrease in all reportable segments. Non-U.S. GAAP1operating margin was 1.3% and non-U.S. GAAP1net income was $120 million.”
    • “In the second quarter, our book-to-bill ratio remained above one for Industrial, while Automotive was below parity. Bookings continued to increase sequentially.”
    • “Our third quarter business outlook, at the mid-point, is for net revenues of $3.17 billion, decreasing year-over-year by 2.5% and increasing sequentially by 14.6%; gross margin is expected to be about 33.5%; including about 340 basis points of unused capacity charges. On a sequential basis, our Q3 gross margin will be negatively impacted by about 140 basis points, mainly from currency effect and, to a lesser extent, the start of non-recurring cost related to our manufacturing reshaping program.”
    • “While we expect Q3 revenues to show a solid sequential growth enabling a continued year-over-year improvement, we are still operating amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Given these external factors, our priorities remain supporting our customers, accelerating new product introductions, and executing our company-wide program to reshape our manufacturing footprint and resize our global cost base.”

    Quarterly Financial Summary

    U.S. GAAP
    (US$ m, except per share data)
    Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024 Q/Q Y/Y
    Net Revenues $2,766 $2,517 $3,232 9.9% -14.4%
    Gross Profit $926 $841 $1,296 10.2% -28.5%
    Gross Margin 33.5% 33.4% 40.1% +10 bps – 660 bps
    Operating Income (Loss) $(133) $3 $375
    Operating Margin -4.8% 0.1% 11.6% -490 bps -1,640 bps
    Net Income (Loss) $(97) $56 $353
    Diluted Earnings Per Share $(0.11) $0.06 $0.38
    Non-U.S. GAAP2
    (US$ m, except per share data)
    Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024 Q/Q Y/Y
    Operating Income $57 $11 $375 429.6% -84.7%
    Operating Margin 2.1% 0.4% 11.6% 170 bps -950 bps
    Net Income $57 $63 $353 -9.1% -83.9%
    Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.06 $0.07 $0.38 -14.3% -84.2%

    Second Quarter 2025 Summary Review
    Reminder: on January 1, 2025 we made some adjustments to our segment reporting. Prior year comparative periods have been adjusted accordingly. See Appendix for more detail.

    Net Revenues by Reportable Segment3 (US$ m) Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024 Q/Q Y/Y
    Analog products, MEMS and Sensors (AM&S) segment 1,133 1,069 1,336 5.9% -15.2%
    Power and discrete products (P&D) segment 447 397 576 12.9% -22.2%
    Subtotal: Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS and Sensors (APMS) Product Group 1,580 1,466 1,912 7.8% -17.4%
    Embedded Processing (EMP) segment 847 742 906 14.1% -6.5%
    RF & Optical Communications (RF&OC) segment 336 306 410 10.1% -17.9%
    Subtotal: Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products (MDRF) Product Group 1,183 1,048 1,316 13.0% -10.1%
    Others 3 3 4
    Total Net Revenues $2,766 $2,517 $3,232 9.9% -14.4%

    Net revenues totaled $2.77 billion, representing a year-over-year decrease of 14.4%. Year-over-year net sales to OEMs and Distribution decreased 15.3% and 12.0%, respectively. On a sequential basis, net revenues increased 9.9%, 220 basis points better than the mid-point of ST’s guidance.

    Gross profit totaled $926 million, representing a year-over-year decrease of 28.5%. Gross margin of 33.5%, 10 basis points above the mid-point of ST’s guidance, decreased 660 basis points year-over-year, mainly due to product mix, lower manufacturing efficiencies and, to a lesser extent, higher unused capacity charges.

    Operating income decreased from $375 million in the year-ago quarter to an operating loss of $133 million. ST’s operating margin decreased 1,640 basis points on a year-over-year basis to -4.8% of net revenues, compared to 11.6% in the second quarter of 2024. Operating loss included $190M impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs for the quarter, reflecting impairment of assets and restructuring charges predominantly associated with the previously announced company-wide program to reshape our manufacturing footprint and resize our global cost base. Excluding these items, non-U.S. GAAP1 Operating income stood at $57 million in the second quarter.

    By reportable segment, compared with the year-ago quarter:

    In Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS and Sensors (APMS) Product Group:

    Analog products, MEMS and Sensors (AM&S) segment:

    • Revenue decreased 15.2% mainly due to a decrease in Analog.   
    • Operating profit decreased by 55.9% to $85 million. Operating margin was 7.5% compared to 14.5%.

    Power and Discrete products (P&D) segment:

    • Revenue decreased 22.2%.
    • Operating profit decreased from $61 million to an operating loss of $56 million. Operating margin was -12.5% compared to 10.6%.

    In Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products (MDRF) Product Group:

    Embedded Processing (EMP) segment:

    • Revenue decreased 6.5% mainly due to Custom Processing.
    • Operating profit decreased by 8.7% to $114 million. Operating margin was 13.5% compared to 13.8%.

    RF & Optical Communications (RF&OC) segment:

    • Revenue decreased 17.9%.
    • Operating profit decreased by 37.2% to $60 million. Operating margin was 17.9% compared to 23.4%.

    Net Earnings and diluted Earnings Per Share decreased to a negative $97 million and a negative $0.11 respectively compared to a positive $353 million and $0.38 respectively in the year-ago quarter. Non-U.S. GAAP1 Net income and diluted Earnings Per Share, stood at $57 million and $0.06 respectively in the second quarter of 2025.

    Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Highlights

            Trailing 12 Months
    (US$ m) Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024 Q2 2025 Q2 2024 TTM Change
    Net cash from operating activities 354 574 702 2,332 4,922 -52.6%
    Free cash flow (non-U.S. GAAP1) (152) 30 159 142 1,384 -89.7%

    Net cash from operating activities was $354 million in the second quarter compared to $702 million in the year-ago quarter.

    Net Capex (non-U.S. GAAP1), was $465 million in the second quarter compared to $528 million in the year-ago quarter.

    Free cash flow (non-U.S. GAAP1) was negative at $152 million in the second quarter, compared to positive $159 million in the year-ago quarter.

    Inventory at the end of the second quarter was $3.27 billion, compared to $3.01 billion in the previous quarter and $2.81 billion in the year-ago quarter. Days sales of inventory at quarter-end was 166 days, compared to 167 days for the previous quarter and 130 days for the year-ago quarter.

    In the second quarter, ST paid cash dividends to its stockholders totaling $81 million and executed a $92 million share buy-back, as part of its current share repurchase program.

    ST’s net financial position (non-U.S. GAAP4) remained strong at $2.67 billion as of June 28, 2025, compared to $3.08 billion as of March 29, 2025, and reflected total liquidity of $5.63 billion and total financial debt of $2.96 billion. Adjusted net financial position (non-U.S. GAAP1), taking into consideration the effect on total liquidity of advances from capital grants for which capital expenditures have not been incurred yet, stood at $2.31 billion as of June 28, 2025.

    Corporate developments

    On May 28, 2025, STMicroelectronics held its 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. All proposed resolutions were approved by the Shareholders.

    Business Outlook

    ST’s guidance, at the mid-point, for the 2025 third quarter is:

    • Net revenues are expected to be $3.17 billion, an increase of 14.6% sequentially, plus or minus 350 basis points.
    • Gross margin of 33.5%, plus or minus 200 basis points.
    • This outlook is based on an assumed effective currency exchange rate of approximately $1.14 = €1.00 for the 2025 third quarter and includes the impact of existing hedging contracts.
    • The third quarter will close on September 27, 2025.

    This business outlook does not include any impact of potential further changes to global trade tariffs compared to the current situation.

    Conference Call and Webcast Information

    ST will conduct a conference call with analysts, investors and reporters to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results and current business outlook today at 9:30 a.m. Central European Time (CET) / 3:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time (ET). A live webcast (listen-only mode) of the conference call will be accessible at ST’s website, https://investors.st.com, and will be available for replay until August 8, 2025.

    Use of Supplemental Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information

    This press release contains supplemental non-U.S. GAAP financial information.

    Readers are cautioned that these measures are unaudited and not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial measures. In addition, such non-U.S. GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled information from other companies. To compensate for these limitations, the supplemental non-U.S. GAAP financial information should not be read in isolation, but only in conjunction with ST’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    See the Appendix of this press release for a reconciliation of ST’s non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to their corresponding U.S. GAAP financial measures.

    Forward-looking Information

    Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended) that are based on management’s current views and assumptions, and are conditioned upon and also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated by such statements due to, among other factors: 

    • changes in global trade policies, including the adoption and expansion of tariffs and trade barriers, that could affect the macro-economic environment and may directly or indirectly adversely impact the demand for our products;
    • uncertain macro-economic and industry trends (such as inflation and fluctuations in supply chains), which may impact production capacity and end-market demand for our products;
    • customer demand that differs from projections which may require us to undertake transformation measures that may not be successful in realizing the expected benefits in full or at all;
    • the ability to design, manufacture and sell innovative products in a rapidly changing technological environment;
    • changes in economic, social, public health, labor, political, or infrastructure conditions in the locations where we, our customers, or our suppliers operate, including as a result of macro-economic or regional events, geopolitical and military conflicts, social unrest, labor actions, or terrorist activities;
    • unanticipated events or circumstances, which may impact our ability to execute our plans and/or meet the objectives of our R&D and manufacturing programs, which benefit from public funding;
    • financial difficulties with any of our major distributors or significant curtailment of purchases by key customers;
    • the loading, product mix, and manufacturing performance of our production facilities and/or our required volume to fulfill capacity reserved with suppliers or third-party manufacturing providers;
    • availability and costs of equipment, raw materials, utilities, third-party manufacturing services and technology, or other supplies required by our operations (including increasing costs resulting from inflation);
    • the functionalities and performance of our IT systems, which are subject to cybersecurity threats and which support our critical operational activities including manufacturing, finance and sales, and any breaches of our IT systems or those of our customers, suppliers, partners and providers of third-party licensed technology;
    • theft, loss, or misuse of personal data about our employees, customers, or other third parties, and breaches of data privacy legislation;
    • the impact of IP claims by our competitors or other third parties, and our ability to obtain required licenses on reasonable terms and conditions;
    • changes in our overall tax position as a result of changes in tax rules, new or revised legislation, the outcome of tax audits or changes in international tax treaties which may impact our results of operations as well as our ability to accurately estimate tax credits, benefits, deductions and provisions and to realize deferred tax assets;
    • variations in the foreign exchange markets and, more particularly, the U.S. dollar exchange rate as compared to the Euro and the other major currencies we use for our operations;
    • the outcome of ongoing litigation as well as the impact of any new litigation to which we may become a defendant;
    • product liability or warranty claims, claims based on epidemic or delivery failure, or other claims relating to our products, or recalls by our customers for products containing our parts;
    • natural events such as severe weather, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcano eruptions or other acts of nature, the effects of climate change, health risks and epidemics or pandemics in locations where we, our customers or our suppliers operate;
    • increased regulation and initiatives in our industry, including those concerning climate change and sustainability matters and our goal to become carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027;
    • epidemics or pandemics, which may negatively impact the global economy in a significant manner for an extended period of time, and could also materially adversely affect our business and operating results;
    • industry changes resulting from vertical and horizontal consolidation among our suppliers, competitors, and customers;
    • the ability to successfully ramp up new programs that could be impacted by factors beyond our control, including the availability of critical third-party components and performance of subcontractors in line with our expectations; and
    • individual customer use of certain products, which may differ from the anticipated uses of such products and result in differences in performance, including energy consumption, may lead to a failure to achieve our disclosed emission-reduction goals, adverse legal action or additional research costs.

    Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of our business to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Certain forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “are expected to”, “should”, “would be”, “seeks” or “anticipates” or similar expressions or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.

    Some of these risk factors are set forth and are discussed in more detail in “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2025. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this press release as anticipated, believed or expected. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

    Unfavorable changes in the above or other factors listed under “Item 3. Key Information — Risk Factors” from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, could have a material adverse effect on our business and/or financial condition.

    About STMicroelectronics

    At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    INVESTOR RELATIONS:
    Jérôme Ramel
    EVP Corporate Development & Integrated External Communication
    Tel: +41 22 929 59 20
    jerome.ramel@st.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS:
    Alexis Breton
    Corporate External Communications
    Tel: + 33 6 59 16 79 08
    alexis.breton@st.com

    STMicroelectronics N.V.      
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME      
    (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data ($))      
           
      Three months ended  
      June 28, June 29,  
      2025 2024  
      (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  
           
    Net sales 2,745 3,227  
    Other revenues 21 5  
    NET REVENUES 2,766 3,232  
    Cost of sales (1,840) (1,936)  
    GROSS PROFIT 926 1,296  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (420) (419)  
    Research and development expenses (514) (535)  
    Other income and expenses, net 65 33  
    Impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs (190)  
    Total operating expenses (1,059) (921)  
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (133) 375  
    Interest income, net 45 51  
    Other components of pension benefit costs (5) (4)  
    Loss on financial instruments, net (19) (1)  
    INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (112) 421  
    Income tax benefit (expense) 18 (67)  
    NET INCOME (LOSS) (94) 354  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (3) (1)  
    NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (97) 353  
           
    EARNINGS PER SHARE (BASIC) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (0.11) 0.39  
    EARNINGS PER SHARE (DILUTED) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (0.11) 0.38  
           
    NUMBER OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN CALCULATING DILUTED EPS 893.9 941.1  
           
    STMicroelectronics N.V.      
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME      
    (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data ($))      
           
      Six months ended  
      June 28, June 29,  
      2025 2024  
      (Unaudited) (Unaudited)  
           
    Net sales 5,257 6,670  
    Other revenues 26 27  
    NET REVENUES 5,283 6,697  
    Cost of sales (3,516) (3,958)  
    GROSS PROFIT 1,767 2,739  
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (810) (844)  
    Research and development expenses (1,004) (1,063)  
    Other income and expenses, net 115 93  
    Impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs (198)  
    Total operating expenses (1,897) (1,814)  
    OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (130) 925  
    Interest income, net 93 111  
    Other components of pension benefit costs (9) (8)  
    Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net 6 (1)  
    INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND NONCONTROLLING INTEREST (40) 1,027  
    Income tax benefit (expense) 4 (159)  
    NET INCOME (LOSS) (36) 868  
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (5) (3)  
    NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (41) 865  
           
    EARNINGS PER SHARE (BASIC) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (0.05) 0.96  
    EARNINGS PER SHARE (DILUTED) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT COMPANY STOCKHOLDERS (0.05) 0.92  
           
    NUMBER OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED IN CALCULATING DILUTED EPS 894.9 941.8  
           
           
    STMicroelectronics N.V.      
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS      
    As at June 28, March 29, December 31,
    In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024
      (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents 1,616 1,781 2,282
    Short-term deposits 1,650 1,650 1,450
    Marketable securities 2,363 2,528 2,452
    Trade accounts receivable, net 1,352 1,385 1,749
    Inventories 3,273 3,014 2,794
    Other current assets 1,267 1,050 1,007
    Total current assets 11,521 11,408 11,734
    Goodwill 313 299 290
    Other intangible assets, net 342 338 346
    Property, plant and equipment, net 11,437 11,178 10,877
    Non-current deferred tax assets 558 490 464
    Long-term investments 77 96 71
    Other non-current assets 1,215 1,114 961
      13,942 13,515 13,009
    Total assets 25,463 24,923 24,743
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Short-term debt 1,006 988 990
    Trade accounts payable 1,451 1,373 1,323
    Other payables and accrued liabilities 1,386 1,290 1,306
    Dividends payable to stockholders 257 16 88
    Accrued income tax 104 72 66
    Total current liabilities 4,204 3,739 3,773
    Long-term debt 1,951 1,889 1,963
    Post-employment benefit obligations 428 392 377
    Long-term deferred tax liabilities 48 48 47
    Other long-term liabilities 848 896 904
      3,275 3,225 3,291
    Total liabilities 7,479 6,964 7,064
    Commitment and contingencies      
    Equity      
    Parent company stockholders’ equity      
    Common stock (preferred stock: 540,000,000 shares authorized, not issued; common stock: Euro 1.04 par value, 1,200,000,000 shares authorized, 911,281,920 shares issued, 894,759,029 shares outstanding as of June 28, 2025) 1,157 1,157 1,157
    Additional Paid-in Capital 3,187 3,142 3,088
    Retained earnings 12,911 13,514 13,459
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 983 495 236
    Treasury stock (490) (582) (491)
    Total parent company stockholders’ equity 17,748 17,726 17,449
    Noncontrolling interest 236 233 230
    Total equity 17,984 17,959 17,679
    Total liabilities and equity 25,463 24,923 24,743
           
           
           
    STMicroelectronics N.V.      
           
    SELECTED CASH FLOW DATA      
           
    Cash Flow Data (in US$ millions) Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024
           
    Net Cash from operating activities 354 574 702
    Net Cash used in investing activities (332) (796) (628)
    Net Cash used in financing activities (191) (282) (112)
    Net Cash decrease (165) (501) (41)
           
    Selected Cash Flow Data (in US$ millions) Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024
           
    Depreciation & amortization 464 428 439
    Net payment for Capital expenditures (481) (538) (546)
    Dividends paid to stockholders (81) (72) (73)
    Change in inventories, net (140) (172) (136)
           

    Appendix
    ST
    Changes to reportable segments

    Following ST’s reorganization announced in January 2024 into two Product Groups and four reportable segments, we have made further progress in analyzing our global product portfolio, resulting in the following adjustments to our segments, effective starting January 1, 2025, without modifying subtotals at Product Group level: 

    • In Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS and Sensors (APMS) Product Group:
      • The transfer of VIPower products from Power and Discrete products (“P&D”) reportable segment to Analog products, MEMS and Sensors (“AM&S”) reportable segment.    
    • In Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products (MDRF) Product Group:
      • the newly created ‘Embedded Processing’ (“EMP”) reportable segment includes the former ‘MCU’ segment (excluding the RF ASICs mentioned below) as well as Custom Processing products (Automotive ADAS products).
      • the newly created ‘RF & Optical Communications’ (“RF&OC”) reportable segment includes the former ‘D&RF’ segment (excluding Automotive ADAS products) as well as some RF ASICs which were previously part of the former ‘MCU’ segment.

    We believe these adjustments are critical for implementing synergies and optimizing resources, which are necessary to fully deliver the benefits expected from our new organization.

    Our four reportable segments – within each Product Group – are now as follows: 

    • In Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS and Sensors (APMS) Product Group:
      • Analog products, MEMS and Sensors (“AM&S”) reportable segment, comprised of ST analog products (now including VIPower products), MEMS sensors and actuators, and optical sensing solutions.
      • Power and Discrete products (“P&D”) reportable segment, comprised of discrete and power transistor products (now excluding VIPower products).

    In this Press Release, “Analog” refers to analog products, “MEMS” to MEMS sensors and actuators and “Imaging” to optical sensing solutions.

    • In Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products (MDRF) Product Group:
      • Embedded Processing (“EMP”) reportable segment, comprised of general-purpose and automotive microcontrollers, connected security products and Custom Processing Products (Automotive ADAS)
      • RF & Optical Communications (“RF&OC”) reportable segment, comprised of Space, Ranging & Connectivity products, Digital Audio & Signaling Solutions and Optical & RF COT.

    In this Press release, “GPAM” refers to General purpose & automotive microcontrollers, “Connected Security” to connected security products, “Custom Processing” to automotive ADAS products.

    Prior year comparative periods have been adjusted accordingly.

    (Appendix – continued)
    ST Supplemental Financial Information

      Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024
    Net Revenues By Market Channel (%)          
    Total OEM 72% 71% 73% 76% 73%
    Distribution 28% 29% 27% 24% 27%
               
    €/$ Effective Rate 1.09 1.06 1.09 1.08 1.08
               
    Reportable Segment Data (US$ m)          
    Analog products, MEMS and Sensors (AM&S) segment          
    – Net Revenues 1,133 1,069 1,348 1,340 1,336
    – Operating Income 85 82 220 216 193
    Power and Discrete products (P&D) segment          
    – Net Revenues 447 397 602 652 576
    – Operating Income (Loss) (56) (28) 45 80 61
    Subtotal: Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS and Sensors (APMS) Product Group          
    – Net Revenues 1,580 1,466 1,950 1,992 1,912
    – Operating Income 29 54 265 296 254
    Embedded Processing (EMP) segment          
    – Net Revenues 847 742 1,002 898 906
    – Operating Income 114 66 181 146 126
    RF & Optical Communications (RF&OC) segment          
    – Net Revenues 336 306 366 357 410
    – Operating Income 60 43 95 84 96
    Subtotal: Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products (MDRF) Product Group          
    – Net Revenues 1,183 1,048 1,368 1,255 1,316
    – Operating Income 174 109 276 230 222
    Others (a)          
    – Net Revenues 3 3 3 4 4
    – Operating Income (Loss) (336) (160) (172) (145) (101)
    Total          
    – Net Revenues 2,766 2,517 3,321 3,251 3,232
    – Operating Income (Loss) (133) 3 369 381 375

    (a)   Net revenues of Others include revenues from sales assembly services and other revenues. Operating income (loss) of Others include items such as unused capacity charges, including incidents leading to power outage, impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs, management reorganization costs, start-up costs, and other unallocated income (expenses) such as: strategic or special research and development programs, certain corporate-level operating expenses, patent claims and litigations, and other costs that are not allocated to reportable segments, as well as operating earnings of other products. Others includes:

    (US$ m) Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q4 2024 Q3 2024 Q2 2024
    Unused capacity charges 103 123 118 104 84
    Impairment, restructuring charges and
    other related phase-out costs
    190 8

    (Appendix – continued)
    ST
    Supplemental Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information
    U.S. GAAP – Non-U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

    The supplemental non-U.S. GAAP information presented in this press release is unaudited and subject to inherent limitations. Such non-U.S. GAAP information is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered as a substitute for U.S. GAAP measurements. Also, our supplemental non-U.S. GAAP financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled non-U.S. GAAP measures used by other companies. Further, specific limitations for individual non-U.S. GAAP measures, and the reasons for presenting non-U.S. GAAP financial information, are set forth in the paragraphs below. To compensate for these limitations, the supplemental non-U.S. GAAP financial information should not be read in isolation, but only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

    ST believes that these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures provide useful information for investors and management because they offer, when read in conjunction with ST’s U.S. GAAP financials, (i) the ability to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of ST’s on-going operating results, (ii) the ability to better identify trends in ST’s business and perform related trend analysis, and (iii) to facilitate a comparison of ST’s results of operations against investor and analyst financial models and valuations, which may exclude these items.

    Non-U.S. GAAP Operating Income, Non-U.S. GAAP Net Earnings and Non-U.S. GAAP Earnings Per Share (non-U.S. GAAP measures)

    Operating income before impairment and restructuring charges and one-time items is used by management to help enhance an understanding of ongoing operations and to communicate the impact of the excluded items, such as impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs. Adjusted net earnings and earnings per share (EPS) are used by management to help enhance an understanding of ongoing operations and to communicate the impact of the excluded items like impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs attributable to ST and other one-time items, net of the relevant tax impact.

    Q2 2025
    (US$ m, except per share data)
    Gross Profit Operating Income (Loss) Net Earnings Corresponding Diluted EPS
    U.S. GAAP 926 (133) (97) (0.11)
    Impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs 190 190  
    Estimated income tax effect (36)  
    Non-U.S. GAAP 926 57 57 0.06
    H1 2025
    (US$ m, except per share data)
    Gross Profit Operating Income (Loss) Net Earnings Corresponding Diluted EPS
    U.S. GAAP 1,767 (130) (41) (0.05)
    Impairment, restructuring charges and other related phase-out costs 198 198  
    Estimated income tax effect (37)  
    Non-U.S. GAAP 1,767 68 120 0.13

    (Appendix – continued)

    Net Financial Position and Adjusted Net Financial Position (non-U.S. GAAP measures)

    Net Financial Position, a non-U.S. GAAP measure, represents the difference between our total liquidity and our total financial debt. Our total liquidity includes cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, if any, short-term deposits, and marketable securities, and our total financial debt includes short-term debt and long-term debt, as reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. ST also presents adjusted net financial position as a non-U.S. GAAP measure, to take into consideration the effect on total liquidity of advances received on capital grants for which capital expenditures have not been incurred yet.

    ST believes its Net Financial Position and Adjusted Net Financial Position provide useful information for investors and management because they give evidence of our global position either in terms of net indebtedness or net cash by measuring our capital resources based on cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, if any, short-term deposits and marketable securities and the total level of our financial debt. Our definitions of Net Financial Position and Adjusted Net Financial Position may differ from definitions used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited.

    (US$ m) Jun 28
    2025
    Mar 29
    2025
    Dec 31
    2024
    Sep 28
    2024
    Jun 29
    2024
    Cash and cash equivalents 1,616 1,781 2,282 3,077 3,092
    Short term deposits 1,650 1,650 1,450 977 975
    Marketable securities 2,363 2,528 2,452 2,242 2,218
    Total liquidity 5,629 5,959 6,184 6,296 6,285
    Short-term debt (1,006) (988) (990) (1,003) (236)
    Long-term debt (a) (1,951) (1,889) (1,963) (2,112) (2,850)
    Total financial debt (2,957) (2,877) (2,953) (3,115) (3,086)
    Net Financial Position (non-U.S. GAAP) 2,672 3,082 3,231 3,181 3,199
    Advances received on capital grants (361) (377) (385) (366) (402)
    Adjusted Net Financial Position (non-U.S. GAAP) 2,311 2,705 2,846 2,815 2,797

    (a)  Long-term debt contains standard conditions but does not impose minimum financial ratios. Committed credit facilities for $639 million equivalent, are currently undrawn.

    (Appendix – continued)

    Net Capex and Free Cash Flow (non-U.S. GAAP measures)

    ST presents Net Capex as a non-U.S. GAAP measure, which is reported as part of our Free Cash Flow (non-U.S. GAAP measure), to take into consideration the effect of advances from capital grants received on prior periods allocated to property, plant and equipment in the reporting period.

    Net Capex, a non-U.S. GAAP measure, is defined as (i) Payment for purchase of tangible assets, as reported plus (ii) Proceeds from sale of tangible assets, as reported plus (iii) Proceeds from capital grants and other contributions, as reported plus (iv) Advances from capital grants allocated to property, plant and equipment in the reporting period.

    ST believes Net Capex provides useful information for investors and management because annual capital expenditures budget includes the effect of capital grants. Our definition of Net Capex may differ from definitions used by other companies.

    (US$ m) Q2 2025 Q1
    2025
    Q4
    2024
    Q3
    2024
    Q2
    2024
    Payment for purchase of tangible assets, as reported (574) (587) (584) (669) (690)
    Proceeds from sale of tangible assets, as reported 4 2 2 1
    Proceeds from capital grants and other contributions, as reported 89 47 83 66 143
    Advances from capital grants allocated to property, plant and equipment 16 8 31 36 18
    Net Capex (non-U.S. GAAP) (465) (530) (470) (565) (528)

    Free Cash Flow, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure, is defined as (i) net cash from operating activities plus (ii) Net Capex plus (iii) payment for purchase (and proceeds from sale) of intangible and financial assets and (iv) net cash paid for business acquisitions, if any.

    ST believes Free Cash Flow provides useful information for investors and management because it measures our capacity to generate cash from our operating and investing activities to sustain our operations.

    Free Cash Flow reconciles with the total cash flow and the net cash increase (decrease) by including the payment for purchases of (and proceeds from matured) marketable securities and net investment in (and proceeds from) short-term deposits, the net cash from (used in) financing activities and the effect of changes in exchange rates, and by excluding the advances from capital grants received on prior periods allocated to property, plant and equipment in the reporting period. Our definition of Free Cash Flow may differ from definitions used by other companies.

    (US$ m) Q2 2025 Q1
    2025
    Q4
    2024
    Q3
    2024
    Q2
    2024
    Net cash from operating activities 354 574 681 723 702
    Net Capex (465) (530) (470) (565) (528)
    Payment for purchase of intangible assets, net of proceeds from sale (41) (14) (32) (20) (15)
    Payment for purchase of financial assets, net of proceeds from sale (51) (2)
    Free Cash Flow (non-U.S. GAAP) (152) 30 128 136 159

    1Non-U.S. GAAP. See Appendix for reconciliation to U.S. GAAP and information explaining why the Company believes these measures are important.
    2Non-U.S. GAAP. See Appendix for reconciliation to U.S. GAAP and information explaining why the Company believes these measures are important.
    3See Appendix for the definition of reportable segments.
    4Non-U.S. GAAP. See Appendix for reconciliation to U.S. GAAP and information explaining why the Company believes these measures are important.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation Report for Q2 and Half Year 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation

    Half year financial report
    24 July 2025 at 08:00 EEST

    Nokia Corporation Report for Q2 and Half Year 2025

    Solid performance offset by currency impact

    • Q2 comparable net sales declined 1% y-o-y on a constant currency and portfolio basis (2% reported) due to a 13% decline in Mobile Networks which had benefited from accelerated revenue recognition in the prior year. Network Infrastructure grew 8% while Cloud and Network Services grew 14%. Nokia Technologies grew 3%.
    • Comparable gross margin in Q2 was flat y-o-y at 44.7% (reported increased 10bps to 43.4%). Gross margins were broadly stable in Network Infrastructure and Mobile Networks and improved in Cloud and Network Services.
    • Q2 comparable operating margin decreased 290bps y-o-y to 6.6% (reported up 790bps to 1.8%), driven by a negative EUR 50 million venture fund impact which includes a EUR 60 million negative currency revaluation. Operating profit was also impacted by tariffs.
    • Q2 comparable diluted EPS for the period of EUR 0.04; reported diluted EPS for the period of EUR 0.02.
    • Q2 free cash flow of EUR 0.1 billion, net cash balance of EUR 2.9 billion.
    • As announced on 22 July 2025, full year 2025 comparable operating profit outlook revised to between EUR 1.6 and 2.1 billion (was between EUR 1.9 and 2.4 billion) with free cash flow conversion from comparable operating profit unchanged at between 50% and 80%.

    This is a summary of the Nokia Corporation Report for Q2 and Half Year 2025 published today. Nokia only publishes a summary of its financial reports in stock exchange releases. The summary focuses on Nokia Group’s financial information as well as on Nokia’s outlook. The detailed, segment-level discussion will be available in the complete financial report hosted at www.nokia.com/financials. Investors should not solely rely on summaries of Nokia’s financial reports and should also review the complete reports with tables.

    JUSTIN HOTARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ON Q2 2025 RESULTS

    In the following quote, net sales comments and growth rates are referring to comparable net sales and are on a constant currency and portfolio basis.

    During my first quarter as CEO, I’ve spent significant time engaging with our stakeholders. One message has stood out: Connectivity is becoming a critical differentiator in the AI supercycle, not only for communication service providers and hyperscalers, but also for new areas like defense and national security. With our portfolio in mobile and fiber access, data center, and transport networks, Nokia is uniquely positioned to be a leader in this market transition. Customer conversations have increased my optimism about our opportunity: There’s been a strong validation of what sets us apart – our technology, partnering culture, and the exceptional talent of our people.

    At the same time, our customers expect us to engage with them as one integrated company as they partner with us across our portfolio. Further it is clear we need to continue to evolve how we work so we move faster, improve productivity and focus on what brings value to our customers. As a result, we’re unifying our corporate functions to simplify how we work, build a more cohesive culture and begin to unlock operating leverage.

    We have a great opportunity to drive a unified vision for the future of networks, and I am looking forward to discussing our strategy and full value creation story at our Capital Markets Day in New York on November 19.

    Turning to our second quarter results, the significant currency fluctuations, particularly the weaker USD, had a meaningful impact on both our net sales and operating profit. On a constant currency and portfolio basis our overall net sales declined 1%, however excluding a settlement benefit in the prior year, sales would have grown 3%. Network Infrastructure grew 8% in Q2. Mobile Networks’ net sales declined 13%, primarily related to the aforementioned prior year settlement benefit and also due to project timing in India. Cloud and Network Services grew 14% with strong momentum in 5G Core. Nokia Technologies grew 3% and secured several new agreements in the quarter.

    Q2 comparable gross margin was stable year-on-year at 44.7%. Operating profit in the quarter was impacted by a non-cash negative impact to venture funds of EUR 50 million which included a EUR 60 million negative currency revaluation and the effect of tariffs we highlighted in Q1, contributing to our comparable operating margin declining 290 bps to 6.6%. Despite the cash impact of 2024 incentives during Q2, we had a strong cash performance and have generated free cash flow of over EUR 800 million in the first half.

    Q2 saw continued strong order momentum in Optical Networks with a book-to-bill well above 1, driven by new hyperscaler orders. We had several key wins in the quarter, including a deal with a large US communication service provider along with receiving our first award for 800G pluggables from a US hyperscaler. Across the group, Nokia generated 5% of sales in Q2 from hyperscalers. While we still have a lot of work ahead of us, I’m pleased with the progress we are making integrating Infinera, including executing on synergies. Additionally, the commercial momentum we are seeing reinforces the long-term value creation opportunity of the acquisition.

    Looking ahead we expect a stronger second half performance, particularly in Q4 consistent with normal seasonality. For the full year, the underlying business is trending largely as expected. We continue to expect strong growth in Network Infrastructure, growth in Cloud and Network Services and largely stable net sales in Mobile Networks on a constant currency and portfolio basis. In Nokia Technologies we expect approximately EUR 1.1 billion in operating profit.

    However, we are facing two headwinds to our full year operating profit outlook which are outside of our control, currency due to the weaker US Dollar, and tariffs. Currency has an approximately EUR 230 million negative impact relative to our expectations at the start of the year with EUR 90 million from non-cash venture fund currency revaluations. The current tariff levels are forecasted to impact operating profit by EUR 50 million to EUR 80 million inclusive of those in Q2. Considering these two headwinds, we decided it was prudent at this point to lower our comparable operating profit outlook to a range of EUR 1.6 billion to EUR 2.1 billion from the prior range of EUR 1.9 billion to EUR 2.4 billion.

    Justin Hotard
    President and CEO

    FINANCIAL RESULTS

    EUR million (except for EPS in EUR) Q2’25 Q2’24 YoY change Q1-Q2’25 Q1-Q2’24 YoY change
    Reported results            
    Net sales 4 546 4 466 2% 8 936 8 910 0%
    Gross margin % 43.4% 43.3% 10bps 42.5% 46.5% (400)bps
    Research and development expenses (1 161) (1 134) 2% (2 306) (2 259) 2%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (744) (715) 4% (1 472) (1 408) 5%
    Operating profit 81 432 (81)% 32 836 (96)%
    Operating margin % 1.8% 9.7% (790)bps 0.4% 9.4% (900)bps
    Profit from continuing operations 83 370 (78)% 24 821 (97)%
    Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations 13 (512)   13 (525)  
    Profit/(loss) for the period 96 (142)   36 296 (88)%
    EPS for the period, diluted 0.02 (0.03)   0.01 0.05 (80)%
    Net cash and interest-bearing financial investments 2 879 5 475 (47)% 2 879 5 475 (47)%
    Comparable results            
    Net sales 4 551 4 466 2% 8 941 8 910 0%
    Constant currency and portfolio YoY change(1)             (1%)             (2%)
    Gross margin % 44.7% 44.7% 0bps 43.5% 47.6% (410)bps
    Research and development expenses (1 126) (1 064) 6% (2 241) (2 140) 5%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (612) (610) 0% (1 199) (1 194) 0%
    Operating profit 301 423 (29)% 457 1 023 (55)%
    Operating margin % 6.6% 9.5% (290)bps 5.1% 11.5% (640)bps
    Profit for the period 236 328 (28)% 390 840 (54)%
    EPS for the period, diluted 0.04 0.06 (33)% 0.07 0.15 (53)%
    Business group results Network
    Infrastructure
    Mobile
    Networks
    Cloud and Network Services Nokia
    Technologies
    Group Common and Other
    EUR million Q2’25 Q2’24 Q2’25 Q2’24 Q2’25 Q2’24 Q2’25 Q2’24 Q2’25 Q2’24
    Net sales 1 904 1 522 1 732 2 078 557 507 357 356 3 4
    YoY change 25%   (17)%   10%   0%   (25)%  
    Constant currency and portfolio YoY change(1) 8%   (13)%   14%   3%   (25)%  
    Gross margin % 38.2% 38.4% 41.1% 41.8% 42.7% 37.5% 100.0% 100.0%    
    Operating profit/(loss) 109 97 77 182 9 (35) 255 258 (150) (78)
    Operating margin % 5.7% 6.4% 4.4% 8.8% 1.6% (6.9)% 71.4% 72.5%    

    (1) This metric provides additional information on the growth of the business and adjusts for both currency impacts and portfolio changes. The full definition is provided in the Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Report for Q2 and Half Year 2025.

    SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTION

    Dividend

    Under the authorization by the Annual General Meeting held on 29 April 2025, the Board of Directors may resolve on the distribution of an aggregate maximum of EUR 0.14 per share to be paid in respect of financial year 2024. The authorization will be used to distribute dividend and/or assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity in four installments during the authorization period unless the Board decides otherwise for a justified reason.

    On 24 July 2025, the Board resolved to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.04 per share. The dividend record date is 29 July 2025 and the dividend will be paid on 7 August 2025. The actual dividend payment date outside Finland will be determined by the practices of the intermediary banks transferring the dividend payments.

    As previously announced, on 29 April 2025 the Board resolved to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.04 per share. The dividend record date was 5 May 2025 and the dividend was paid on 12 May 2025. Following these distributions, the Board’s remaining distribution authorization is a maximum of EUR 0.06 per share.

    OUTLOOK

      Full Year 2025
    Comparable operating profit(1,2) EUR 1.6 billion to EUR 2.1 billion (adjusted from EUR 1.9 billion to 2.4 billion)
    Free cash flow(1) 50% to 80% conversion from comparable operating profit

    1Please refer to Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Report for Q2 and Half Year 2025 for a full explanation of how these terms are defined.
    2Outlook is based on a EUR:USD rate of 1.17 for the remainder of the year.

    The outlook and all of the underlying outlook assumptions described below are forward-looking statements subject to a number of risks and uncertainties as described or referred to in the Risk Factors section later in this report.

    Along with Nokia’s official outlook targets provided above, Nokia provides the below additional assumptions that support the group level financial outlook.

      Full year 2025 Comment  
    Q3 Seasonality   Normal seasonality would imply flat net sales sequentially into Q3. The business expects somewhat more challenging product mix along with continued R&D investment. Comparable operating margin expected to be largely stable sequentially.  
    Group Common and Other operating expenses Approximately EUR 400 million    
    Comparable financial income and expenses Positive EUR 50 to 150 million    
    Comparable income tax rate ~25%    
    Cash outflows related to income taxes EUR 500 million    
    Capital expenditures EUR 650 million    
    Recurring gross cost savings EUR 400 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies  
    Restructuring and associated charges related to cost savings programs EUR 250 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies  
    Restructuring and associated cash outflows EUR 400 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies  

    RISK FACTORS

    Nokia and its businesses are exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties which include but are not limited to: 

    • Competitive intensity, which is expected to continue at a high level as some competitors seek to take share;
    • Changes in customer network investments related to their ability to monetize the network;
    • Our ability to ensure competitiveness of our product roadmaps and costs through additional R&D investments;
    • Our ability to procure certain standard components and the costs thereof, such as semiconductors;
    • Disturbance in the global supply chain;
    • Impact of inflation, increased global macro-uncertainty, major currency fluctuations, changes in tariffs and higher interest rates;
    • Potential economic impact and disruption of global pandemics;
    • War or other geopolitical conflicts, disruptions and potential costs thereof;
    • Other macroeconomic, industry and competitive developments;
    • Timing and value of new, renewed and existing patent licensing agreements with licensees;
    • Results in brand and technology licensing; costs to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; on-going litigation with respect to licensing and regulatory landscape for patent licensing;
    • The outcomes of on-going and potential disputes and litigation;
    • Our ability to execute, complete, successfully integrate and realize the expected benefits from transactions;
    • Timing of completions and acceptances of certain projects;
    • Our product and regional mix;
    • Uncertainty in forecasting income tax expenses and cash outflows, over the long-term, as they are also subject to possible changes due to business mix, the timing of patent licensing cash flow and changes in tax legislation, including potential tax reforms in various countries and OECD initiatives;
    • Our ability to utilize our Finnish deferred tax assets and their recognition on our balance sheet;
    • Our ability to meet our sustainability and other ESG targets, including our targets relating to greenhouse gas emissions;

    as well the risk factors specified under Forward-looking statements of this release, and our 2024 annual report on Form 20-F published on 13 March 2025 under Operating and financial review and prospects-Risk factors.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Certain statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect Nokia’s current expectations and views of future developments and include statements regarding: A) expectations, plans, benefits or outlook related to our strategies, projects, programs, product launches, growth management, licenses, sustainability and other ESG targets, operational key performance indicators and decisions on market exits; B) expectations, plans or benefits related to future performance of our businesses (including the expected impact, timing and duration of potential global pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and the general or regional macroeconomic conditions on our businesses, our supply chain, the timing of market changes or turning points in demand and our customers’ businesses) and any future dividends and other distributions of profit; C) expectations and targets regarding financial performance and results of operations, including market share, prices, net sales, income, margins, cash flows, cost savings, the timing of receivables, operating expenses, provisions, impairments, tariffs, taxes, currency exchange rates, hedging, investment funds, inflation, product cost reductions, competitiveness, value creation, revenue generation in any specific region, and licensing income and payments; D) ability to execute, expectations, plans or benefits related to transactions, investments and changes in organizational structure and operating model; E) impact on revenue with respect to litigation/renewal discussions; and F) any statements preceded by or including “anticipate”, “continue”, “believe”, “envisage”, “expect”, “aim”, “will”, “target”, “may”, “would”, “could“, “see”, “plan”, “ensure” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from such statements. These statements are based on management’s best assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to them. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon our current expectations and views of future events and developments and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause these differences, include those risks and uncertainties identified in the Risk Factors above.

    ANALYST WEBCAST

    • Nokia’s webcast will begin on 24 July 2025 at 11.30 a.m. Finnish time (EEST). The webcast will last approximately 60 minutes.
    • The webcast will be a presentation followed by a Q&A session. Presentation slides will be available for download at www.nokia.com/financials.
    • A link to the webcast will be available at www.nokia.com/financials.
    • Media representatives can listen in via the link, or alternatively call +1-412-317-5619.

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR

    • Nokia plans to publish its third quarter and January-September 2025 results on 23 October 2025.

    About Nokia

    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    Inquiries:

    Nokia
    Communications
    Phone: +358 10 448 4900
    Email: press.services@nokia.com
    Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications

    Nokia
    Investor Relations
    Phone: +358 931 580 507
    Email: investor.relations@nokia.com

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  • MIL-OSI: Bigbank’s Unaudited Financial Results for Q2 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bigbank’s total gross loan portfolio reached a record high of 2.44 billion euros by the end of the quarter, up 141 million euros (+6%) quarter on quarter and 537 million euros (+28%) year on year, driven by the strategic product lines of business loans and home loans. Growth in the consumer loan portfolio was more modest. During the quarter, the business loan portfolio increased by 54 million euros (+7%) to 862 million euros, the home loan portfolio by 53 million euros (+8%) to 717 million euros and the consumer loan portfolio by 19 million euros (+2%) to 860 million euros. For the first time in Bigbank’s history, business loans also became the largest credit product line in terms of portfolio size.

    On the deposit side, the savings deposit portfolio recorded strong growth in the second quarter, increasing by 154 million euros to 1.3 billion euros (+13%). However, the term deposit portfolio decreased by 59 million euros to 1.34 billion euros during the quarter. The stabilising interest rate environment has made the interest rates on more flexible savings deposits competitive with those on term deposits. Therefore, many depositors have opted for savings deposits when their term deposits have matured. At the end of the second quarter, the current accounts opened for retail customers in Estonia totalled 3.4 million euros. All current account holders earn interest at the rate of 2%, the best available on the market. The Group’s total deposit portfolio grew by 96 million euros (+4%) quarter on quarter and by 393 million euros (+17%) year on year, reaching 2.65 billion euros.

    Bigbank’s net profit for the first six months of 2025 was 18.7 million euros. Net profit for the same period in 2024 was 15.8 million euros. In the second quarter, Bigbank’s net profit amounted to 8.9 million euros, down 0.5 million euros from the second quarter of 2024 (-5%). In the second quarter, Bigbank’s profit before income tax amounted to 11.5 million euros, up 0,3 million euros from the second quarter of 2024 (+3%).

    Interest income grew quarter on quarter, because the growth in the loan portfolio had a stronger impact than the decrease in interest rates during the year. Interest income for the second quarter amounted to 45.2 million euros, an increase of 1.8 million euros (+4%) year on year. Due to the growth of the deposit portfolio and an increase in the volume of bonds issued, interest expense grew by 0.6 million euros (+3%) to 19.5 million euros. As a result, Bigbank’s net interest income grew by 1.2 million euros (+5%) year on year to 25.7 million euros.

    The quality of the loan portfolio continued to improve in the second quarter: the net allowance for expected credit losses and provisions totalled 1.4 million euros, down 4.4 million euros year on year. This positive trend is mostly attributable to an improvement in the quality of the consumer loan portfolio in all three Baltic countries. The credit quality of home loans remained very good, while that of the business loan portfolio was stable. The share of stage 3 (non-performing) loans decreased by 3.8 million euros in the second quarter, accounting for 4.7% of the total loan portfolio at the end of the quarter (-0.4 pp from the end of the first quarter). The relatively high share of stage 3 loans is mainly due to a small number of larger loans which are well secured and therefore do not increase expected credit loss expenses.

    Bigbank’s strong team, which is the driving force behind growing business volumes, continued to expand. At the end of the second quarter of 2025, Bigbank had 613 employees: 378 in Estonia, 102 in Lithuania, 91 in Latvia, 22 in Finland, 15 in Bulgaria and 5 in Sweden. Salary expenses for the second quarter totalled 8.2 million euros, up 1.8 million euros year on year (+28%).

    The second quarter saw significant progress in the development of everyday banking products. At the beginning of the quarter, Bigbank became a direct member of the SEPA Credit Transfer scheme. This enabled the Group to become fully independent of other financial intermediaries in the euro area. Bigbank has been a direct member of the SEPA Instant Credit Transfer scheme, enabling it to make instant payments independently, since 2024. Another significant milestone was reached at the end of June with the launch of the Bigbank mobile app. Initially made available to retail customers of the Estonian business unit, the modern and convenient app is expected to be launched in Lithuania and Latvia in the coming quarters.

    The value of the Group’s investment property portfolio was 72.3 million euros at the end of the second quarter. A significant change to the property portfolio was the decrease in the value of the agricultural land in Estonia, which fell by 1.7 million euros (around 5%) due to an overall decline in transaction prices in the market during the quarter.

    Two bond issues also took place in the second quarter. In May, Bigbank issued Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds totalling 2.44 million euros, thereby increasing its Additional Tier 1 capital by the same amount. In June, Bigbank carried out the first in a series of public unsecured subordinated bond offerings (T2) under a new programme. Due to strong investor interest, Bigbank increased the volume of the T2 bond offering from 3 million euros to 6 million euros, thereby raising its Tier 2 capital by the same amount.

    In the second quarter, Moody’s Ratings affirmed all of the ratings and assessments that it had assigned to Bigbank AS last year.

    • Long-term and short-term deposit ratings: Ba1/NP
    • Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) and Adjusted BCA: ba2
    • Long-term and short-term Counterparty Risk Ratings: Baa2/P-2
    • Long-term and short-term Counterparty Risk Assessments: Baa2(cr)/P-2(cr)

    The outlook on the bank’s long-term deposit rating was revised from stable to negative.

    After the reporting date and before this report was authorised for issue, Bigbank received the decision of the Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority of 7 July 2025, which waived the previously applied minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities. According to the requirement, the Group had to maintain a minimum ratio of own funds and eligible liabilities to total risk exposure amount (TREA) of 12.49%. Bigbank complied with this requirement throughout its effective term and would be able to continue to do so in the future. There is no new minimum ratio requirement set by Financial Supervision and Resolution Authority.

    Income statement, in thousands of euros Q2 2025 Q2 2024 6M 2025 6M 2024
    Net interest income 25,773 24,464 51,336 50,021
    Net fee and commission income 2,550 2,245 5,073 4,409
    Net income (loss) on financial assets 694 2,007 2,645 3,078
    Net other operating income -1,120 -977 -2,015 -1,826
    Total net operating income 27,897 27,739 57,039 55,682
    Salaries and associated charges -8,258 -6,351 -15,735 -12,763
    Administrative expenses -2,875 -2,285 -5,626 -5,954
    Depreciation, amortisation and impairment -2,176 -2,100 -4,313 -4,152
    Other gains (losses) -1,796 1,090 -1,782 -1,329
    Total expenses -15,105 -9,646 -27,456 -24,198
    Profit before loss allowances 12,792 18,093 29,583 31,484
    Net expected credit loss allowances -1,289 -6,811 -5,924 -12,531
    Profit before income tax 11,503 11,282 23,659 18,953
    Income tax expense -2,616 -1,857 -4,917 -3,132
    Profit for the period from continuing operations 8,887 9,425 18,742 15,821
    Profit from discontinued operations 0 8 0 29
    Profit for the period 8,887 9,433 18,742 15,850
    Statement of financial position, in thousands of euros 30 June 2025 31 March 2025 31 Dec 2024 30 June 2024
    Cash and cash equivalents 468,770 487,160 448,661 626,081
    Debt securities at FVOCI 42,508 49,431 22,334 9,907
    Loans to customers 2,438,608 2,297,987 2,196,482 1,902,001
    Other assets 109,143 109,603 110,939 89,255
    Total assets 3,059,029 2,944,181 2,778,416 2,627,244
    Customer deposits and loans received 2,656,328 2,560,513 2,401,689 2,264,137
    Subordinated notes 104,147 95,943 91,668 88,148
    Other liabilities 17,871 16,885 15,290 22,113
    Total liabilities 2,778,346 2,673,341 2,508,647 2,374,398
    Equity 280,683 270,840 269,769 252,846
    Total liabilities and equity 3,059,029 2,944,181 2,778,416 2,627,244

    Compared to the unaudited financial results published for Q2 2024, the net interest income and the net allowance for expected credit losses for the first six months of 2024 have been adjusted, both reduced by 1.3 million euros. The adjustment is related to an identified error, where interest income from impaired financial assets had been accrued on the gross exposure of the financial assets, rather than on net basis. This correction does not impact the net profit for the first six months of 2024.

    Commentary by Martin Länts, chairman of the management board of Bigbank AS:

    In the second quarter of 2025, Bigbank continued its strong growth across all core business areas, bringing the consolidated total assets above the 3-billion-euro mark for the first time. The growth of the loan portfolio lifted its volume beyond 2.4 billion euros, representing an increase of nearly one-third year on year. Strategic segments such as business loans and home loans continued to drive growth.

    Alongside loan portfolio growth, its quality also improved. The net allowance for expected credit losses and provisions decreased by more than fourfold compared to the same period last year, totalling 1.4 million euros in the second quarter. This positive change is mainly attributable to improvements in the credit quality of the Baltic consumer loan portfolios, which also supported growth in the bank’s net profit. Net profit for the first half of 2025 was 18.7 million euros, of which 8.9 million euros were earned in the second quarter.

    The deposit portfolio also continued to grow both year on year and quarter on quarter. The primary growth driver was the savings deposit segment, the volume of which has reached a similar level as term deposits, totalling nearly 1.3 billion euros at the end of the second quarter. People have become increasingly active in searching for interest-bearing options for their funds, finding an attractive opportunity in Bigbank’s savings deposit product, but increasingly also in our current accounts.

    As the first bank in Estonia, we offer all current account holders the opportunity to earn 2% interest on their account balances while maintaining daily access to their funds. Although our current accounts have only recently been launched in Estonia, we already see that more than 25% of our retail banking customers of the business unit have opened an account. We will continue expanding our daily banking functionalities, an important milestone of which was the launch of the Bigbank mobile app at the end of June. We also plan to roll out current account services to the Latvian and Lithuanian markets in the coming quarters.

    In May and June, we successfully completed two bond issues. Both transactions support the continued rapid growth of the bank, ensure compliance with regulatory capital requirements, and facilitate further expansion of our home loan and business loan portfolios.

    We thank all investors, partners, and customers of Bigbank for your trust, which enables us to grow our business volumes and create long-term value.

    Bigbank AS (www.bigbank.eu), with over 30 years of operating history, is a commercial bank owned by Estonian capital. As of 30 June 2025, the bank’s total assets amounted to 3.1 billion euros, with equity of 281 million euros. Operating in nine countries, the bank serves more than 174,000 active customers and employs over 600 people. The credit rating agency Moody’s has assigned Bigbank a long-term bank deposit rating of Ba1, along with a baseline credit assessment (BCA) and an adjusted BCA of Ba2.

    Argo Kiltsmann
    Member of the Management Board
    Telephone: +372 5393 0833
    Email: argo.kiltsmann@bigbank.ee
    www.bigbank.ee

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