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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SLW’s speaking notes on labour, manpower development and retirement protection policy areas tabled at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the speaking notes of the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on labour, manpower development and retirement protection policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Finance Committee today (April 9):

    Chairman and Honourable Members,

         Recurrent government spending on labour and manpower development in 2025-26 is estimated to be $3,480 million, representing an increase of about $350 million (11.1 per cent) over the revised estimate of $3,140 million last year. It accounts for 0.6 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure. I will highlight the key areas of work in respect of the relevant areas in the coming year.

    Abolishing the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) offsetting arrangement

         The abolition of the MPF offsetting arrangement will take effect on May 1 this year, alongside the launch of a 25-year subsidy scheme on the same date. I would like to remind employers again that the abolition has no retrospective effect, and the pre-transition portion of severance payment (SP) and long service payment for existing employees can still be offset after May 1. Dismissing employees before the abolition takes effect will not save money. 

    Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

         The Labour Department (LD) has implemented the ESLS since September 4, 2023, to suspend the general exclusion of the 26 job categories as well as unskilled or low-skilled posts from labour importation under the previous Supplementary Labour Scheme for two years. As at March this year, the ESLS received over 12 000 applications for importing about 107 000 workers. During the period, over 7 800 applications involving around 54 000 imported workers were approved. The LD is reviewing the ESLS, including its coverage, operation and implementation arrangements; measures to promote and ensure employment priority for local workers; measures to protect the rights and benefits of imported workers; as well as other requirements and matters relating to the ESLS. The Government will take full account of the views of stakeholders, including employer associations and labour organisations, in mapping out the way forward. 

    Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW)

         The SMW rate will be raised from the prevailing level of $40 per hour to $42.1 on May 1, providing further protection to low-income employees. Moreover, the Government is firming up a new annual review mechanism for future SMW rates. The first rate derived under the new mechanism is expected to take effect on May 1 next year.

    Amending the Trade Unions Ordinance (TUO)

         The Government also proposes to amend the TUO to better safeguard national security and strengthen the regulatory regime for trade unions. The Labour Advisory Board (LAB) and the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Manpower supported the amendment proposals. The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo this month.

    Relaxing the “continuous contract” requirement under the Employment Ordinance (EO)

         Based on the consensus reached by the LAB, the Government is amending the EO to relax the working hours threshold of the “continuous contract” requirement, enabling more employees to enjoy fuller protection. The Government will introduce the Bill into the LegCo this month.

    Increasing the ceiling of ex gratia payment on SP under the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund (PWIF)

         The Government on March 21 this year increased the ceiling of ex gratia payment on SP under the PWIF from $100,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement to $200,000 plus 50 per cent of any excess entitlement, further strengthening the protection for the rights of employees affected by business closures. 

    Strengthening youth employment services

         The LD in January this year enhanced the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Youth Employment Scheme to relax the eligibility requirements to include young people aged 29 or below with sub-degree or higher qualifications, and increase the limit of allowance granted to enterprises to $12,000 per young person per month. The LD also raised the upper age limit for participants of the Youth Employment and Training Programme to 29 and introduced workplace attachment opportunities in the GBA to enhance young people’s employability.

    Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme

         The LD on July 15 last year launched the three-year Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme. The response is very favourable. As at March this year, the Scheme recorded over 38 000 participants and more than 16 000 placements, mobilising more older and middle-aged persons to join the employment market.

    Enhancing occupational safety and health (OSH)

         The LD is highly concerned about the levels of OSH risks across different industries, as well as the changes in these risks, with a particular focus on the construction industry. On top of routine OSH inspections, the LD conducts special enforcement operations, safety audit inspections and in-depth inspections targeting high-risk processes and construction sites with poor safety performance. In addition, the LD has stepped up district patrols targeting minor repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works to curb unsafe work activities.

         The LD will also enhance the application of technology by introducing small unmanned aircraft in the second half of this year to assist with inspections, evidence collection, law enforcement operations, etc.

         Last year, the LD brought the remaining four elements of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Safety Management) Regulation into operation and revised the Code of Practice on Safety Management to strengthen the safety management system. The LD also revised the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety and the Code of Practice for Safety and Health at Work in Confined Spaces to further strengthen bamboo scaffolding safety and enhance OSH in confined space works. Following the revision of the Guidance Notes on Prevention of Trapping Hazard of Tail Lifts in March this year, the LD will revise the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Tower Cranes and the Guidance Notes on Safe Use of Power-operated Elevating Work Platforms in 2025-26 to enhance the safety requirements for operating the relevant machinery.

    Talent attraction 

         To address the labour shortage across industries, the Government, on top of the ongoing promotion of local training, has also implemented various well-received talent attraction measures, including the launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) since the end of 2022.

         As at end-March this year, over 460 000 applications were received under various talent admission schemes, of which over 300 000 were approved. During the same period, a total of about 203 000 talents arrived in Hong Kong. Some of them brought along families to settle in Hong Kong, and about 189 000 spouses of the approved applicants and their children under the age of 18 arrived in Hong Kong. These incoming talents and their families bring about a positive impact on Hong Kong’s labour force and add new impetus to the local economy. The first batch of visas under the TTPS have started to expire from end-December last year, with nearly 10 000 TTPS visas estimated to expire by the middle of the year. As only a small number of applications have been processed at present, we will analyse in detail the relevant statistics when a certain number of applications for extension of stay have been accumulated and release them at an opportune time.

         The Government is reforming various aspects of the talent admission regime to continue to strive to trawl for and retain talents. We have also initiated the arrangements under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme for proactively inviting top-notch and leading talents to come to Hong Kong for development, which have been endorsed by the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents led by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Under the new mechanism, we will, having regard to various development needs of our country and Hong Kong, proactively persuade the target top-notch talents to settle in Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong as the focal point of international high-calibre talents. The Government will provide throughout the process various personalised facilitations to the invitees. It is well appreciated that these top-notch talents are highly sought after worldwide. To avoid affecting the lobbying, we will not disclose the specific operational details about the invitation mechanism.

         In addition, to address the acute manpower shortage in the local skilled trades, we will enhance the General Employment Policy and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals to allow young and experienced non-degree talents with relevant professional and technical qualifications to come to Hong Kong to join the skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage. Meanwhile, the 2023 Policy Address announced the launch of the two-year pilot Vocational Professional Admission Scheme (VPAS). The number of eligible programmes in the 2025/26 admission cohort will be increased to 34. While applications will be only open next year upon the graduation of the first batch of eligible non-local students, we have noticed that since the announcement of VPAS, many non-local students have been attracted to enrol in the eligible programmes that had difficulties enrolling local students in the past. The Vocational Training Council will enhance its promotional efforts and support non-local graduates in applying under the scheme for staying in Hong Kong for one year to seek jobs relevant to their disciplines.

         Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) provides comprehensive one-stop support to incoming talents. It organises online and offline workshops (including Cantonese learning courses), seminars and job fairs centred on living, employment and entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, as well as social inclusion activities (including the Talent+ Volunteer Programme), to help incoming talents settle in Hong Kong, and promote Hong Kong’s advantages to the world and recruit talents. HKTE organised the inaugural Global Talent Summit．Hong Kong (GTS) in May 2024 and will organise the second GTS early next year to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international hub for high-calibre talents.

    Reform of the Employees Retraining Board

         The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) is taking forward its reform and has since early this year implemented short-term measures to enhance its services, including lifting the restriction on educational attainment of trainees. In the medium to long term, the ERB will rename the organisation, enhance training and employment support services, strengthen research capabilities, and formulate a pertinent training framework. The ERB will submit an implementation plan to the Government by the end of this year. The Government will continue to work with the ERB to implement the reform, with a view to enhancing local manpower training, upskilling and re-skilling.

         To encourage more young people to participate in the Apprenticeship Scheme and join the relevant trades, each registered apprentice, for a period of three years starting from 2024-25, is provided with an additional training allowance of $1,000 per month, and graduated apprentices will be subsidised to undertake upskilling courses of relevant trades. Meanwhile, the VTC receives subvention to organise short in-service training courses with a view to meeting the market demand. 

    Manpower projection

         The LWB released the report on the 2023 Manpower Projection in 2024, projecting that Hong Kong will face an overall manpower shortage of 180 000 by 2028, with over one-third being skilled technical workers. We would commence a mid-term update of the 2023 Manpower Projection in late 2025, with the findings expected to be available in 2026.

         Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EPFO Leverages Enhanced Digital Services for UAN Generation and Activation Using Aadhaar Face Authentication via UMANG App

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 09 APR 2025 1:55PM by PIB Delhi

    The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched a revolutionary step towards digital empowerment by introducing Universal Account Number (UAN) generation and activation using Aadhaar Face Authentication Technology (FAT) through the UMANG Mobile App. This contactless and secure service marks a major leap in providing hassle-free and fully digital experiences to crores of EPFO members.

    Simplifying the UAN Process for Employees

    Until now, UANs were largely generated by employers using employee data submitted to EPFO. While Aadhaar details were validated, inaccuracies in fields such as father’s name, mobile number, or date of birth were common. These errors often required corrections during claim processing or while accessing other EPFO services. In many cases, the UAN was not even communicated to the employee, and mobile numbers were missing or incorrect, making direct communication difficult. Furthermore, UAN activation through Aadhaar OTP validation on EPFO Member portal was a separate process to be completed by the member causing confusion.

    In the financial year 2024-25 alone, out of 1.26 crore UANs allotted, only 44.68 lakh (35.30%) were activated by members. Several reminders were given to employers to get employees to activate their UAN using Aadhaar OTP so that in future any benefit under the Employment Linked Scheme could be potentially provided using DBT.

    New Aadhaar FAT-Based Process: Direct and Secure

    To address these persistent challenges, EPFO has now enabled direct UAN generation and activation using Face Authentication via the UMANG App. This service can be used by both employees and employers and offers several key benefits:

    • 100% validation of Aadhaar and user using Face Authentication.
    • All data of user is pre-populated directly from Aadhaar database.
    • Mobile number of user is matched with mobile registered with Aadhaar.
    • UAN activation on EPFO portal simultaneously completed during generation process.
    • UAN generation directly done by Employee himself/herself and e-UAN card PDF can be downloaded by Employee removing any dependency with Employer.
    • At the time of employment, Employee can hand copy of e-UAN card PDF and UAN to Employer for onboarding with EPFO.
    • Access to EPFO services such as passbook viewing, KYC updates, claim submission, and more are immediately unlocked.

    The process steps are as follows:

    • Download Umang App from Playstore and install.
    • Download AadhaarFaceRD App from Playstore and install.
    • Open UMANG App and go to “UAN Allotment and Activation” under UAN services Through Face Auth.
    • Enter Aadhaar Number and Mobile linked with Aadhaar (this will be matched with Mobile registered with Aadhaar for sending OTP).
    • Tick on Checkbox for consent.
    • Validate OTP received.
    • Camera will be enabled to capture live photo image – Once the color outline of image turns green from red means that image capture is successful (This is similar to how anyone uses Digiyatra app)
    • After matching with image in Aadhaar database, UAN will be generated and sent by SMS to mobile.
    • After generating UAN, the Employee can download the UAN card from the UMANG App or Member Portal (UAN is auto-activated in the Member Portal)

    UAN Activation for Existing Members

    Members who already have a UAN but have not yet activated, can now easily activate their UAN through the UMANG App.

    Enhanced Security Through Biometric Authentication

    Biometric authentication using Face Authentication provides a higher level of security compared to traditional methods such as demographic or OTP-based authentication. It ensures accurate and tamper-proof identity verification at the very entry point into the EPFO system.

    This secure verification will also pave the way for a wide range of self-service options for members, eliminating the need for employer or Regional Office intervention in many future services.

    Employers encouraged to use UAN generation through FAT mode for higher efficiency and lower errors

    Accordingly, employers are advised to adopt and promote this method immediately and assist first-time employees in generating their UANs using face authentication. This will ensure timely and authenticated registration into the EPFO system.

    Collaboration with My Bharat

    EPFO will also promoting digital life certificate through Jeevan Pramaan using the Face Authentication Technology by collaborating with volunteers from MY Bharat to provide services to pensioners at their doorstep shortly.

    ******

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2120326) Visitor Counter : 166

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Report on “Financial Services in the Era of Generative AI: Facilitating Responsible Adoption”

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
     
    The Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR), the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF), today (April 9) released a new Applied Research report, titled “Financial Services in the Era of Generative AI: Facilitating Responsible Adoption”.
     
    This report provides an overview of the evolution of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenA.I.) and its broader implications for both the financial services industry and financial regulators. The report draws on the findings from a survey and interviews that gathered the views of market participants on the current state of GenA.I. adoption among local financial institutions, the expected trajectory of GenA.I. development in Hong Kong, and the strategies employed for risk management and talent development.
     
    The report finds that the adoption of GenA.I. is progressing steadily across the financial services industry in Hong Kong, with 75 per cent of the surveyed financial institutions have already implemented at least one GenA.I. use case, or are currently piloting and designing use cases and exploring potential investment areas. This ratio is expected to increase to 87 per cent within the next three to five years. There are challenges hindering adoption, including concerns regarding model accuracy, data privacy and security, as well as constraints related to resources and talent. However, the emergence of less resource-intensive models and maturing technology, coupled with regulatory engagement, are likely to contribute to the broadening of GenA.I. adoption over time. Based on these findings, the report outlines some considerations aimed at facilitating responsible GenA.I. adoption by the financial services industry in Hong Kong.
     
         “We hope that the findings of this report can help inform best practices for addressing GenA.I. adoption challenges in the financial services industry, and contribute to discussions on responsible innovation and adoption, as well as industry-wide capacity building,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the AoF and Executive Director of the HKIMR, Mr Enoch Fung.
                                                                                                                              
    The report is available on the AoF/HKIMR website.
     
    About the AoF

    The AoF is set up with full collaboration amongst the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Securities and Futures Commission, the Insurance Authority and the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. By bringing together the strengths of the industry, the regulatory community, professional bodies and the academia, it aims to serve as (i) a centre of excellence for developing financial leadership; and (ii) a repository of knowledge in monetary and financial research, including applied research.
     
    About the HKIMR

    The HKIMR is the research arm of the AoF. Its main remit is to conduct research in the fields of monetary policy, banking and finance that are of strategic importance to Hong Kong and the Asia region. The Applied Research studies undertaken by the HKIMR are on topics that are highly relevant to the financial industry and regulators in Hong Kong, and they aim to provide insights on the long-term development strategy and direction of Hong Kong’s financial industry.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — Esquire Developments Ltd

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — Esquire Developments Ltd

    How Homes England supported an ambitious developer based in Kent.

    Home Building Fund Developer Case Study: Esquire Developments Ltd

    Esquire Developments Ltd, an award-winning SME housebuilder, was established in 2011 and currently delivers approximately 120 homes annually across Kent and the South East.

    Esquire Developments approached Homes England to support their project Millers Field, a 1.21-acre site in Maidstone, Kent and we provided a £2.68 million loan to transform the site into 9 attractive family homes.

    Esquire Developments is known for its dedication to quality and sustainability, achieving up to 50% carbon reduction in their developments compared to current building standards. They also prioritise sourcing materials and supply chains locally, and all the homes in this project were equipped with air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging stations.

    Following the successful completion of Millers Field, Homes England has supported Esquire Developments with a second scheme, Hill Farm in Sittingbourne, which is made up of 30 homes, 3 key worker homes and an overflow carpark for Demelza Children’s Hospice situated next to the development.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — Kingswood Homes, Lancashire

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — Kingswood Homes, Lancashire

    Watch our film to see how Homes England has supported a regional house builder to significantly grow their housing output.

    Kingswood Homes

    Kingswood Homes, a mid-sized developer operating in the north-west and south-west of England, approached Homes England for support in 2020 after struggling to build a pipeline of sites due to funding constraints.    

    The phased nature of house building projects often means that sites become self-funding after around two thirds of the project have completed, as the builder can use the resulting sales income to repay the debt and meet ongoing construction costs. However, this means it is difficult for smaller builders to invest funds in their next project until the last house on a site has been sold.   

    Homes England provided development finance funding on four Kingswood residential schemes before developing an innovative new multi-site loan facility in 2020, which allows cash that would normally be used to repay debt, to instead be used to fund future costs, including site acquisitions.     

    With Homes England support Kingswood has grown from building 36 homes per year in 2016 to over 100 homes per annum and it is anticipated that with continued support, it will remain on track to meet the annual 200 homes target within the next three to four years.

    Paul Jones, Managing Director of Kingswood said: 

    Kingswood has proven that with appropriate financial support, small house builders can grow into medium sized businesses and play a role in helping to address the sustainable quality housing requirements set by government.  Homes England has been brilliant in understanding the financial support that we needed in order to deliver that growth and enable Kingswood to potentially access corporate finance in future years.  

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — The PG Group

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — The PG Group

    A development loan from Homes England helped The PG Group transform a derelict site in Bristol into a vibrant new neighbourhood

    The Carriageworks is a landmark brownfield site in Bristol which has been derelict for the past 30 years. A listed building, it was originally a Victorian commercial building used for the manufacture of horse drawn carriages. Having acquired the site in 2017, the PG Group proposed a place making scheme of apartments and retail units at the site in central Stokes Croft.

    However, the group encountered numerous challenges in bringing the site forward, with rising construction costs, complex planning negotiations, contractor availability, high levels of remediation and a lack of funding options available in the market.

    This is where Homes England stepped in, approving an initial loan to fund the development of 124 new homes and retail commercial units on the ground floor.

    Assisted by close communication with the local community throughout the process, the scheme has proved an unqualified success, with all homes sold and the market square providing Stokes Croft with a new focal point.

    Stuart Gaiger, Managing Director at PG Group, said:

    The Carriageworks has been one of the most technically challenging sites that the PG Group has undertaken. Combining difficult ground conditions, an ambitious scheme delivering residential accommodation and a strong placemaking theme, all delivered on a brownfield site in Bristol’s busy city centre.

    Given the challenges we faced, we were delighted be able to work with the team at Homes England who rapidly became valued partners. Their unique approach allowed us to deliver much needed residential, affordable housing and the community vision for placemaking aspects of the scheme.

    In addition, through support from Homes England we were able to more than treble the number of affordable homes on the site.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — V&A Homes

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — V&A Homes

    Watch our film to find out how our funding helped a regional housebuilder to deliver an outstanding waterfront scheme.

    V&A Homes Yorkshire Ltd

    V&A homes is a family-run SME developer based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Waterside, a stunning nine-home scheme overlooking the River Nidd, was their second Homes England-supported development. 

    The brownfield site, a former abattoir, is located on a steep waterside location which required complex groundworks to complete the build. Homes England worked closely with the team at all stages to provide both financial and specialist support. 

    Today all three townhouses and six semi-detached homes are occupied, with residents benefitting from spectacular views and outstanding design.    

    Following the success of Waterside, V&A homes is now completing a scheme of homes opposite Thirsk Racecourse and are working on their next scheme which will deliver 60 new homes in Sharow near Ripon. 

    Victoria Denman, Managing Director of V&A Homes said:

    We first worked with Homes England after agreeing a land deal to bring our first development to market. From the outset I found the experience of working with the team extremely supportive. I was guided with care and consideration through the process and given reassurance at all stages. We are now working on a scheme which will deliver 60 homes – our biggest project to date. We wouldn’t have grown as we have without the great partnership we have developed with the agency.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — Sky-House Co

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — Sky-House Co

    A development loan from Homes England helped newly-established housebuilder Sky-House Co to grow its business

    Sky-House development

    In 2017, Sky-House was a newly established, Yorkshire-based developer with a vision to create high-quality, urban ‘back-to-back’ housing for the 21st century, complete with balconies, rooftop garden spaces and shared pocket parks. Specifically, it had plans for a new, 44-home community, Waverley, located on a brownfield site, a former colliery, near Sheffield.

    As a new developer the company struggled to secure the finance from the private sector that it needed to bring forward this concept. But Homes England was attracted to the strong place-making ethos of the scheme, its aim to reduce carbon output, and the targeted ownership group of first-time buyers and lower income families and provided £3.2m in development finance.

    The completed scheme was an undeniable success. Sales demand exceeded expectations, and it was well received by the design and development community, with several award nominations.

    Importantly, Homes England was able to help Sky-House to utilise the equity and profit released from Waverley to fund the land acquisition of Oughtibridge Mill. Alongside this, it provided £3.7m of additional development funding.

    The scheme, comprising 40 eco-friendly homes with riverside balconies, private roof gardens and woodland views, is adjacent to a new development by David Wilson homes. The development has already secured two award wins.

    David Cross, Managing Director of Sky House, said:

    It is no understatement to say that without Homes England’s support we wouldn’t have been able to start even our first development.

    From Waverley Phase 1 to Oughtibridge Mill, we will complete 84 homes alongside commercial space, and we now have close to 400 homes and commercial space on the drawing board and a secure pipeline of funding and sites for the next 3 to 5 years.

    By accessing Homes England’s support, we have shifted from developer to housebuilder and now, more importantly, to place maker with close to 40 full and part time staff across the business alongside a growing cabinet of awards. All the team at Homes England have been amazing and we cannot thank them enough- all we can do is keep delivering great homes.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — Windyridge Property Investments

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — Windyridge Property Investments

    Watch our film to see how Homes England has supported a new SME developer to deliver a scheme of starter homes in West Bromwich.

    Home Building Fund Developer Case Study: Windyridge

    In March 2022 Homes England supported Windyridge Property Investments, a new entrant SME developer, with a £1.4 million development loan to deliver Sienna Way, a scheme comprising of 9 homes based in West Bromwich. As a first-time developer, Windyridge had experienced numerous funding barriers before receiving support from the Home Building Fund. Funding was legally contracted in 54 days from credit approval, demonstrating Homes England’s ability to provide SMEs access to much needed funding at pace.  

    Our regional team worked closely with the developer to design a flexible funding structure that incorporated possible delays in build completions and generous timeframes to sell the homes.  

    Completed in July 2023, Sienna Way meets the latest energy efficiency standards and provides a high-quality living environment for first time buyers, key workers and young families. Features include private courtyards, electric car charging points and underfloor heating. The scheme uses locally sourced, sustainable products, minimising waste in the construction process. 

    Jatinder Singh Gakhal, Managing Director, Windyridge said:

    As a new SME housing developer, we found securing development funding particularly challenging given the macro-economic factors affecting the construction industry. However, thanks to the team at Homes England, who provided exceptional support and guidance throughout the application process, we swiftly secured a development loan to fully fund our scheme. We strongly recommend SMEs consider Homes England funding to help unlock their future development sites.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Building Fund — EDG Ironmonger Ltd

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Case study

    Home Building Fund — EDG Ironmonger Ltd

    A development loan from Homes England helped EDG to convert a derelict vacant office building to create 37 apartments for first-time buyers and key workers in central Coventry.

    EDG development

    In 2021, Homes England worked for the second time with EDG Ironmonger Ltd (“EDG”) to provide the SME housebuilder with a development loan.

    The funding helped EDG to convert a derelict vacant office building to create 37 apartments for first-time buyers and key workers in central Coventry. The funding was legally contracted in 111 days from credit approval, demonstrating that even during challenging times, Homes England can provide SMEs with access to much needed funding at pace.

    This was the second development loan to EDG which enabled them to deliver complex projects in areas with largely unproven values. The first scheme was the conversion of a mixed-use scheme including 63 apartments, known as The Co-Operative in Coventry City Centre.

    The Co-Operative was difficult to ‘traditionally’ fund due largely to unproven residential values in the location. The barriers were overcome with development funding from Homes England and EDG were able to complete the scheme ahead of schedule, under budget. The loan facility was repaid two years early and the scheme has proven residential values within the city and acted as a catalyst for other developers.

    Neil Edginton, Managing Director of EDG, said:

    This is our second deal in Coventry with Homes England and we are keen to do many more. Homes England has a shared ambition of supporting the creation of outstanding homes, so we are aligned entirely, which really assists us in the delivery of complex projects.

    The Homes England team were true partners in both projects, and we look forward to continuing and growing our successful working relationship with the team there.

    More information about the Home Building Fund can be found on our Home Building Fund — development finance page, or you can get in touch with one of our regional specialists. You can:

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CBB and SWIFT Hold Annual SWIFT User Group Meeting in Bahrain

    Source: Central Bank of Bahrain

    Published on 9 April 2025

    Manama, Bahrain – 9 April 2025: The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has partnered with SWIFT to hold the annual SWIFT national user group meeting in Bahrain. The event was held on Tuesday, 8th April 2025, at the InterContinental Regency Hotel, with the participation of over 60 representatives from various licensed financial institutions in the Kingdom.

    The meeting provided attendees with the latest updates from SWIFT, including SWIFT’s Global Payment Innovation (GPI) designed to improve cross-border payments for both clients and banks. The session also highlighted the Pre-Val service, which aims to reduce potential errors in payment messages by pre-validating payment data before transmission.

    On this occasion, Mr. Yousef Rashid Al Fadhel, Executive Director of Corporate Services at CBB and Chairperson of Bahrain’s SWIFT User-Group, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with SWIFT to gather Bahrain’s user members. Through this event, we hope to contribute to boosting the competitive potential of all parties, while enabling them to meet the developments of the thriving payment landscape.”

    The meeting also focused on the qualifications behind the ISO 20022 certification, a global standard for exchanging electronic data between financial institutions. In addition to the objectives of the Group of Twenty (G20), the premier forum for international economic cooperation.

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: CoinShares Announces Executive Change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    April 9, 2025 | SAINT HELIER, Jersey | CoinShares International Limited (“CoinShares” or “the Group”) (Nasdaq Stockholm: CS; US OTCQX: CNSRF), a leading global investment company specialising in digital assets, today announced the departure of Frank Spiteri, Head of Asset Management, and member of the executive committee, from the Group.

    CoinShares’ strong existing team will continue to uphold the high standards that clients and partners have come to expect under the leadership of its executive committee. 

    As part of Mr. Spiteri’s departure arrangements, the Company confirms the following:

    1. Termination of Options: the Company will repurchase 1,019,995 vested stock options previously issued to Mr. Spiteri under the Company’s employee incentive program and such stock options will be cancelled following completion of the transaction outside the market.
    2. Share Repurchase: The Company has entered into an agreement to buy back 435,500 ordinary shares from Mr. Spiteri and his related parties. This repurchase will be executed as a block transaction.
    3. Both transactions were concluded at an average consideration per share of  66.42 SEK

    Each of the transactions have been approved by the Board of Directors and are in compliance with applicable securities regulations.

    CoinShares remains focused on delivering its strategic roadmap and continuing to offer further value to its investors, partners, and shareholders.

    About CoinShares

    CoinShares is a leading global digital asset manager that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment management, trading and securities to a wide array of clients that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals. Founded in 2013, the firm is headquartered in Jersey, with offices in France, Stockholm, the UK, and the US. CoinShares is regulated in Jersey by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, in France by the Autorité des marchés financiers, in the US by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. CoinShares is publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker CS and the OTCQX under the ticker CNSRF.

    For more information on CoinShares, please visit: https://coinshares.com
    Company  | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com
    Investor Relations | +44 (0)1534 513 100 | enquiries@coinshares.com 

    PRESS CONTACT

    CoinShares
    Benoît Pellevoizin
    bpellevoizin@coinshares.com

    M Group Strategic Communications
    Peter Padovano
    coinshares@mgroupsc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Overhaul of local audit will restore trust in broken system

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Overhaul of local audit will restore trust in broken system

    Road to recovery outlined in new commitments for local audit reform to streamline and fix the fragmented and broken system.

    • Road to recovery outlined in new commitments for local audit reform to streamline and fix the fragmented and broken system
    • Reform will ensure local authorities get their books in order to restore transparency, provide better value for taxpayers and create effective public early warning system
    • And up to £49 million in funding announced to support local authorities in clearing the backlog as part of the Plan for Change

    New reforms to repair the ‘broken’ local audit system will boost taxpayers’ confidence  in council spending and streamline the sector so it’s fit-for-purpose, legal and decent.  

    Today, 16 commitments have been set out to achieve this, including simplifying financial reporting requirements and increasing capacity to avoid reliance on a small number of auditors.  

    The reforms will be backed by up to £49 million of support to help councils clear their backlogs and cover the additional cost of restoring audit assurance. Releasing funds to councils will be reliant on compliance with statutory backstops and linked to the publication of audited accounts and audit fees being paid.  

    In addition, a further £15m of grant was paid to local bodies in March 2025 as part of an existing package to help meet the wider costs of meeting audit requirements and fees. 

    Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon OBE said:

    We inherited a broken local audit system, not fit for purpose, inefficient, fragmented and with a massive backlog.

    Taxpayers’ expect and deserve to have confidence in the way their money is being spent locally.  A functioning local audit system is the bedrock of local transparency and accountability so we are fixing the foundations of local government as part of our Plan for Change.

    We are working in lock-step with local bodies to clear the backlog and move towards a simplified streamlined system.

    The 16 new measures follow an open consultation on the local audit strategy, which attracted hundreds of responses. 

    The measures build on an existing commitment to set up the Local Audit Office as an independent and unified body, which will stop fragmentation in the system by co-ordinating functions spread across different organisations including the Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd, the National Audit Office and the Financial Reporting Council.   

    These reforms will be crucial to fixing the foundations and bringing long-term stability to local government as committed in the Plan for Change. 

    Further information:

    • Up to £49 million in funding for clearing the local audit backlog will be paid in two stages during 2025/26,  in the form of a non-ring-fenced grant. Allocations will be based on the size of bodies’ audit fees and the number of modified audit opinions received.   Allocations will be reviewed before the second stage of payments in 2025/26 to take into account revised cost estimates.
    • Funding of £15 million for 2024/25 was paid on 31 March  to eligible local government bodies towards the rise in audit fee expenditure. This includes allocations to 537 eligible bodies allocated as a proportion of Public Sector Audit Appointment fee scales.
    • The full government response to the local audit reform strategy consultation can be found on Gov.uk here.
    • Following the 13 December 2024 backstop, the system has taken a significant step forward. The vast majority of bodies (approximately 95%) published audited accounts for all years up to and including financial year 2022/23.
    • While the government has been clear the broken system requires fundamental long-term fixes that cannot happen overnight, decisive and immediate action has already begun. In July, we announced a series of backstop dates to clear the backlog of hundreds of missing and overdue accounts which resulted in 95% of audited accounts being published.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Museums can now apply for £20 million of funding to invest in their future

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Museums can now apply for £20 million of funding to invest in their future

    Treasured civic museums supported with new £20 million grant to help safeguard access to local culture and secure their futures

    • Funding will ensure museums can continue to serve communities, care for and share collections, and tell our national story at a local level
    • Support will boost access to culture, delivering the government’s Plan for Change by increasing opportunities for all

    Museums across England can now apply for a share of £20 million to safeguard community access to their collections and invest in upgrading their services. 

    The new £20 million Museum Renewal Fund, which is now open to applications, is designed to support valued regional museums, with a local authority link. It will improve public access to collections and buildings, as well as community and educational programmes which will help ensure they are fit for the future.

    These museums help keep memories alive across generations through their broad, diverse public collections. As well as being a crucial resource for schools, they help communities to connect with their local story by highlighting an area’s distinctive industrial, archaeological, natural and artistic heritage.

    The money will boost community programmes, support and grow schools activities, driving more visitors to museums. It will also enhance revenue generation, investing in organisational change and IT upgrades, whilst also supporting jobs in the local community. 

    This follows the announcement from the Culture Secretary last month of the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth and increase opportunities for people across the country.

    Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

    Our local and civic museums are the storytellers of our nation’s history, with a shared mission to educate, inspire and entertain. 

    They are key to preserving our national heritage at a local level through their collections and creative programmes, which draw in thousands of people from across the country, driving the growth and opportunity central to our Plan for Change. I am delighted that we have been able to provide this support, helping them to continue to flourish. 

    The programme will be delivered by Arts Council England and will run from April 2025 until March 2026. It will be open to regional and local museums, with a funding or governance link to a local authority, across England to support them to safeguard access and services and invest in resilience measures. 

    The government is committed to working in partnership with local councils and leaders, as co-investors in culture. 

    Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, commented:

    Regional museums make a vitally important contribution to the way people engage with culture where they live and gain a deeper understanding of their communities and place. It is therefore vital that access to their collections is protected for generations to come. The Museum Renewal Fund will help these cherished institutions address immediate pressures and enable them to look ahead and plan a sustainable future serving their communities.

    Notes to editors: 

    • In February, Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy announced more than £270 million in funding for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector in a major boost for growth. 

    • The online portal to apply for the Museum Renewal Fund will open at 10am on 9 April 2025. Full guidance, including eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on the Arts Council England website. 

    • This Fund is intended to safeguard public access to nationally and regionally significant collections at risk, as set out in the eligibility criteria. Museum Renewal grantees will be expected to undertake additional work to boost business and financial sustainability beyond 31 March 2026.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX DAO Launches $HTX Holding-Based Voting Mechanism, Ushering in a New Era of Decentralized Governance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX DAO recently unveiled its official $HTX Holding-Based Voting Mechanism. This significant development marks a pivotal shift in HTX DAO’s governance system, transitioning from “proposal discussion” to “on-chain decision-making”. This launch propels HTX DAO closer to its vision of becoming the “People’s Exchange”, setting a new benchmark for financial democratization within the Web3 landscape.

    Participate in Voting: https://www.htxdao.com/en-us/proposals  

    Governance Evolution: From Community Input to On-Chain Action

    Since the inception of the HTX DAO Forum, the community has actively engaged in robust discussions on key areas including asset listings, fee optimization, and ecosystem incentives. The introduction of the $HTX Holding-Based Voting Mechanism now completes the “proposal-voting-execution” governance cycle. This crucial step reflects HTX DAO’s systematic restructuring into a clearly defined “three-layer governance framework”.

    • Foundation Layer: The Foundation Layer establishes the governance value of the $HTX token based on a “one token, one vote” principle. Serving as both a core trading medium and a vital governance token, $HTX leverages on-chain holding verification on the TRON network, ensuring governance rights are securely vested in actual token holders.
    • Execution Layer: A standardized HIP (HTX Improvement Proposal) process has been established as the formal framework for all governance proposals. Distinct from the initial draft governance process, all proposals submitted via HIP are immutably recorded within the governance system, creating a permanent record of DAO decisions that will serve as a long-term governance reference.
    • Supervisory Layer: Establishes a committee comprising early initiators, core contributors, and community representatives to ensure balanced ecosystem governance. This body assumes essential decentralized development responsibilities, including governance system construction, financial oversight, and governance support.

    In contrast to traditional exchanges with centralized governance, $HTX empowers its holders to directly influence major platform decisions via on-chain voting. This equitable system, where voting power is directly proportional to individual holding amounts, ensures fair governance rights and the equitable distribution of benefits, fostering a truly decentralized governance ecosystem driven by $HTX holders.

    $HTX: Empowering Holders Through Governance and Rewards

    HTX DAO’s innovative governance model presents two compelling core advantages for the community: the direct influence granted by holdings and the tangible economic incentive of votes.

    Holding $HTX provides a direct voice and the means to actively participate in the ecosystem’s governance.. By casting votes, holders directly shape the platform’s future direction, a revolutionary departure from the traditional CEX model where users often passively adhere to established directives. Future Voting initiatives are anticipated to encompass critical decisions such as asset listings and delistings, participation in “Trade to Earn” events, management of risk reserve funds, and the prioritization of new product feature development.

    The HTX DAO governance roadmap reveals future integration of rewards like fee rebates and governance incentives, making participation a profitable activity that encourages long-term $HTX holding. This forward-thinking system design creates a powerful positive feedback loop: “greater involvement → improved decisions → enhanced ecosystem value → direct feedback of rewards”.

    Pioneering a Blended CeFi/DeFi Governance Paradigm

    The essence of HTX DAO’s innovation lies within a pioneering “financial free hub” governance experiment: it strategically blends the operational efficiency and robust regulatory structure of a centralized exchange (CEX) with the open governance and strong community consensus inherent in a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). Inspired by successful DAO models like Curve and Velodrome, the launch of HTX DAO’s voting function is another key step in bridging CEX and DAO principles, with the potential to pioneer a new paradigm of diverse collaboration at the governance layer.

    As user sovereignty gains prominence, the DAO mechanism offers a measurable route to financial democratization by linking fee revenue, ecosystem benefits, and other elements to governance participation. Within this “financial free hub” experiment, HTX DAO is redefining the relationship between trading platforms and users – evolving from a traditional service provider to a collaborative community that shares in its value.

    As every $HTX holder transforms into a crucial decision-making node within the ecosystem, and each individual vote actively contributes to the platform’s continuous evolution, the emergence of a fully autonomous financial ecosystem within the Web3 era can be collectively anticipated and witnessed. HTX DAO’s meticulously designed framework serves as the guide toward a truly decentralized “financial free hub.”

    About HTX DAO

    As a multi-chain deployed decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), HTX DAO demonstrates an innovative governance approach. It pioneers a blended CeFi/DeFi paradigm, including listing and community governance, through its focus on building an exchange DAO and a free financial hub ecosystem. Unlike traditional corporate structures, it adopts a decentralized governance structure composed of a diversified group, jointly committed to the success of this organization. This unique ecosystem advocates openness and encourages all DAO participants to propose ideas that can promote the development of HTX DAO.

    Contact information

    Website: www.htxdao.com

    Email Address: media@htxdao.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by HTX. 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. 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. 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.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.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.

    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 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/3fb48056-5476-426d-a23f-4fa3188977ff

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Washington is waging a trade war against itself

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Washington has once again reverted to its coercive playbook of issuing ultimatums, escalating trade tensions on Monday by demanding that China abandon its legitimate countermeasures or face a new round of tariff hikes.

    The timing of this latest threat — just days ahead of a new wave of country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of its trading partners on Wednesday — reeks of desperation.

    If Washington believes that ramping up pressure can compel Beijing to give in, it is engaging in wishful thinking. China has been firm in its stance, refusing to bow down to Washington’s ultimatum, vowing to respond in kind, and fighting to the end.

    As the U.S. administration under Donald Trump is scrambling to remodel global free trade into a zero-sum game, it would do well to recall a consistent truth: trade wars produce no winners. The United States is far from immune to the economic wounds of the trade war it has ignited. American markets are already feeling the strain, businesses face growing uncertainties, and the risk of recession is ballooning.

    During Trump’s first term, his trade war inflicted significant damage on the U.S. economy — leading to higher consumer prices, financial strains on American farmers, and manufacturing slowdowns as companies struggled with the rising costs of imported materials.

    “The trade war has not to date provided economic help to the U.S. heartland: import tariffs on foreign goods neither raised nor lowered U.S. employment in newly-protected sectors; retaliatory tariffs had clear negative employment impacts, primarily in agriculture,” said a recent research from the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research.

    Given the broader scale of Washington’s latest trade war, the consequences are likely to be much worse. Tariffs will not protect U.S. industries; instead, they will inflate costs for manufacturers, disrupt global supply chains and burden consumers already grappling with inflation.

    Washington’s decision to escalate tariffs on China and other trading partners is a grave mistake that needs to be corrected.

    In an interconnected global economy, resorting to protectionism is not a sign of strength — but shortsightedness and arrogance. If Washington is truly committed to building a better future, it must move away from the illusion of unilateral control and return to the principles of respect, equality and cooperation. Anything less risks accelerating the United States’ economic decline. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: GeeMee Attended Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco, Highlighted Insights on Mobile Gaming Trends

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RENO, Nev., April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The mobile gaming industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with developers worldwide seeking innovative approaches to balance monetization requirements with exceptional user experiences. GeeMee participated in the 2025 Game Developers Conference (GDC) held in San Francisco, and its team engaged with global developers and industry leaders to identify key trends that will shape the future of mobile gaming in the coming years.

    GeeMee Insights of GDC 2025

    Engaging with the Global Developer Community

    GDC 2025 reflected an industry at a critical inflection point. Publishers are actively seeking sustainable growth drivers beyond their anticipated major releases, as the mobile gaming sector faces the dual challenge of reigniting growth momentum while adapting to increasingly sophisticated user expectations.

    Discussions and presentations at GDC 2025 highlighted three key innovations that are reshaping the industry’s future: cloud gaming, immersive 3D/VR/AR experiences, and AI-driven user-generated content (UGC). These technologies have evolved beyond theoretical concepts to become essential components of successful gaming strategies.

    Cloud Gaming: Democratizing Access

    Cloud gaming is transforming the industry by making high-quality games accessible on any device, regardless of hardware limitations. Despite infrastructure challenges in emerging markets, this technology represents a promising avenue for global expansion, particularly for reaching users who would otherwise be excluded by traditional hardware requirements. This breakthrough creates new distribution channels, revenue streams, and opportunities in previously untapped market segments.

    Immersive Technologies: Exploring New Frontiers

    VR and AR continue to attract significant attention, offering less saturated markets compared to traditional mobile and console gaming. According to a 2024 Newzoo market report, immersive games generate substantially higher revenue per user than standard mobile titles, creating new paths for monetization.

    As hardware costs decrease and user adoption increases, immersive technologies are transitioning from niche interests to mainstream opportunities. This shift is particularly valuable for developers seeking less competitive market segments with higher monetization potential.

    AI-Driven UGC: Empowering Creators

    User-generated content has emerged as perhaps the most promising growth driver, with a majority of publishers at GDC identifying it as a top priority for 2025-2026. While social video platforms capture a significant portion of Gen Z’s digital attention, substantial growth potential remains in the UGC capabilities within gaming environments.

    According to GeeMee’s survey conducted during GDC 2025, advancements in generative AI tools are significantly reducing obstacles to UGC creation within games. Developers report substantial decreases in content creation time when these tools are properly implemented. For publishers of live service games, well-developed UGC platforms offer both monetization opportunities and a sustainable approach to content creation that reduces development costs while enhancing player engagement.

    GeeMee Solutions: AI-Driven Advertising for the Modern Gaming Ecosystem

    Balancing Monetization and User Experience

    GeeMee addresses the industry’s central challenge: balancing monetization with user experience. The company’s AI-driven approach to advertising aligns perfectly with the industry’s shift toward practical AI applications rather than theoretical possibilities. GeeMee delivers practical solutions to developers’ challenges through intelligent optimization and personalized advertising. Our technology consistently outperforms traditional ad delivery methods, driving higher engagement and conversion rates.

    Global Partnerships and Cross-Regional Expertise

    GDC 2025 enabled GeeMee to establish partnerships with independent developers and major publishers from the around world. GeeMee’s cross-regional approach provides unique insights into diverse market needs. This global perspective allows the company to address region-specific challenges that other ad technology providers might overlook, such as:

    • Optimizing ad delivery for regions with variable connectivity
    • Adapting monetization strategies to regional payment preferences
    • Customizing ad content to align with cultural expectations

    Through these partnerships, GeeMee receives direct feedback from developers worldwide, enabling us to tailor solutions to regional needs and establish a global network dedicated to advancing mobile game advertising.

    Seamless Advertising Integration

    GeeMee’s solutions center on “seamless advertising integration” – a non-intrusive approach that naturally incorporates ads into gameplay without disrupting the user experience. Powered by intelligent algorithms and lightweight tools, this technology enables ads to feel like a natural part of the game rather than an interruption.

    Our ad solutions allow developers to focus on game design while GeeMee handles monetization optimization. By eliminating technical barriers to effective advertising implementation, developers can deploy advanced ad strategies with minimal resources and compete more effectively in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

    In comparative testing conducted by GeeMee’s research team in Q1 2025, our playable ads and interactive advertising experiences demonstrated substantially higher engagement rates compared to static ads, resulting in measurable improvements in player retention for our partners.

    GeeMee’s Vision for the Future of Game Advertising

    GDC 2025 has reinforced three key insights that will guide GeeMee’s continued innovation:

    1. AI-driven personalization is no longer optional but essential for effective monetization
    2. User experience must remain paramount even as monetization pressures increase
    3. Cross-regional expertise provides critical competitive advantages in a global market

    As the mobile gaming landscape continues to evolve, GeeMee remains committed to leveraging innovative technology to enhance both monetization outcomes and user experiences. We are collaborating with developers worldwide to shape the future of game advertising.

    For more information about GeeMee’s solutions, visit the GeeMee website. Developers interested in implementing GeeMee’s AI-driven advertising technology can explore implementation guides at the GeeMee solution or contact the team directly. The company’s blog regularly features industry insights, technical deep dives, and success stories from partners across the global mobile industry.

    Organization: GeeMee
    Contact Person: Renie Whitney
    Website: www.geemee.ai
    Email: renie.w@geemee.ai

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by the GeeMee. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa29ebcd-bf1b-4738-9324-1116926f45c0

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SIA surprise inspections uncover illegal security in Brighton

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    SIA surprise inspections uncover illegal security in Brighton

    A recent SIA-led joint operation investigating unlicensed door staff in Brighton led to three arrests.

    On Friday 4 April the Security Industry Authority (SIA), together with Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE) and Sussex Police, conducted unannounced inspections at three venues in Brighton.

    The SIA planned the inspections to check that security workers in the city’s night-time economy were properly licensed and had the right to work in the UK. The choice of venues came as a result of intelligence relating to the use of counterfeit licences.

    The inspecting team didn’t find any security operatives working without licences during the inspection itself. However, they uncovered evidence showing that unlicensed operatives had recently worked illegally as door supervisors at two of the venues.

    HOIE arrested and bailed one door supervisor for not having the right to work in the UK. The security company that employed him will be considered for a civil penalty, which could be as much as £60,000. HOIE detained a second door supervisor, pending removal, for working in breach of his visa conditions. A search of the door supervisor’s home address revealed a third individual, who was also arrested for working in breach of their visa conditions

    Kirsty Grant, the SIA Criminal Investigations Officer who led the inspection, said:

    We would like to thank Home Office Immigration Enforcement and Sussex Police for working with us on this operation. It’s crucial for public safety that door supervisors are properly trained and licensed. People who abuse the system are putting venue customers at risk. They are also putting themselves at risk of arrest and potentially imprisonment and deportation. Security companies should take note: deploying unlicensed staff or failing to conduct basic identity and right to work checks on your employees can be very expensive and lead to a criminal record.

    Background

    The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK, reporting to the home secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

    For media enquiries only, please contact  media.enquiries@sia.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Global markets crash on tariff fears

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, the United States, April 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Major stock indexes across the globe plunged sharply on Monday, as investors dumped riskier assets amid mounting fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

    Panic sentiments took hold of the market once trading opened in the morning. The day of April 7, with similarities to the 1987 stock market crash, is being seen as another “Black Monday” by analysts and the media.

    Washington’s controversial new set of tariffs has stirred tensions since its announcement on Wednesday, hitting global markets hard, sparking backlash from other countries and drawing widespread criticism from economists and investors.

    Global turbulence 

    Major markets across the globe witnessed a turbulent day.

    Three major benchmarks of the U.S. stock market met with major setbacks on Monday.

    The S&P 500 Index, which is composed of 500 leading companies listed in the United States, dived as much as 21.41 percent from its record high on Feb. 19 and entered the technical territory of the bear market in the morning session.

    As of 9:40 a.m. Eastern time (1340 GMT), the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.63 percent, the S&P 500 shed 3.14 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped by 3.85 percent.

    Later, false reports that the White House would pause most of Trump’s tariffs for 90 days had pumped up the market, leading to a sudden surge. However, as the White House denied the news, the market declined again. The up and down within hours indicate how desperate investors were for any potential relief from the tariffs.

    All the leading European benchmark indexes opened in the red on Monday, down by 4 to 7 percent compared with the closing prices on the previous trading day.

    Britain’s blue-chip stock index, the FTSE 100, dropped by about 5 percent, France’s CAC 40 went down by over 5 percent, and the pan-European STOXX 600 index dropped over 6 percent in morning trade.

    Germany’s DAX index was among the hardest-hit, opening down by 9.5 percent before paring back part of the losses later in the morning. The significant gains since the beginning of the year have thus been almost completely wiped out.

    The S&P/ASX 200 — Australia’s benchmark share market index — closed down 4.2 percent on Monday in a plunge worth more than 100 billion Australian dollars (60.1 billion U.S. dollars). The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that it was the index’s biggest one-day fall since May 2020.

    Singapore’s Straits Times Index on Monday plunged by 8.7 percent at the open. The sharp drop marked the index’s steepest single-day decline since an 8.9 percent plunge during the 2008 global financial crisis, and exceeded the 8.4 percent fall seen in March 2020 amid COVID-19.

    A pedestrian passes a screen showing stock market information in Tokyo, Japan, April 7, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Fear and fury 

    The aggressive tariffs that triggered the global stock market plunge have drawn widespread criticism of the U.S. government, amid fear and fury across the globe.

    Trump’s tariffs have a shocking effect on stock markets, Gilles Moec, chief economist at AXA Group, told Les Echos, a French economy-specialized daily.

    “This shock has no real precedent in history, which amplifies market volatility because investors have no point of reference,” he said.

    Moec noted that the current damage to global stock markets is “entirely self-inflicted by the U.S. authorities,” unlike past stock market crises which were reflections of then macroeconomic situations.

    Richard Branson, British entrepreneur and co-founder of Virgin Group, said it is time for Washington to change course. “Otherwise, America will face ruin for years to come,” he warned.

    Branson noted that companies should be given enough time to adapt, and the current market response is preventable.

    Hasan Tevfik, a research analyst at advisory firm MST Marquee, also warned of severe consequences for the U.S. economy.

    “The U.S. economy has endured a barrage of headwinds, all self-inflicted, and the end consequence will be a contraction in the economy that was humming along, exceptionally, over the last couple of years,” he told the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

    This photo taken on April 7, 2025 shows a screen at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Independent Australian economist Saul Eslake noted the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s next decisions and what he called the “madness” of the White House. He warned that the impact on the Australian economy was likely to be worse than the Treasury’s forecast that the country is well-placed to avoid a recession despite the “damage” being done by the U.S. tariffs.

    Doom and gloom 

    Investors have lost trillions of dollars since the tariff announcement on Wednesday. Recession odds are rising, and massive trade wars are looming. With no constructive response in sight, market confidence has been severely hit.

    DBS economists in a weekly review released on Monday noted that global markets and economies are still struggling to absorb the seismic tariff shock, with risk aversion and market selloff.

    “The key reason for that is that despite the spate of announcements, there is still substantial fear that more measures are to come. Perhaps more critical is the notion that nations trying to do a deal with the U.S. will not be able to rest easy upon signing agreements, as no deal with the U.S. seems to be reliable any longer,” wrote DBS economists Taimur Baig and Radhika Rao.

    David Gerald, president of the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), told The Straits Times, “If tariffs are sustained, they could contribute to higher inflation and slower global growth, which may in turn trigger further volatility and potential sell-offs in markets globally, including Singapore.”

    Germany’s Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become the next chancellor, also fears that U.S. trade policy could further escalate the turmoil in global stock markets. “The situation on international equity and bond markets is dramatic and threatens to worsen further.”

    JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned on Monday, “The recent tariffs will likely increase inflation and are causing many to consider a greater probability of a recession.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: FUN Token unveils 2025 roadmap to transform gaming into a rewarding digital economy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FUN Token, a pioneer at the intersection of Web3 and gaming, has revealed its ambitious roadmap for 2025–2026, marking a bold new chapter in the evolution of digital entertainment. With a clear mission to revolutionize the gaming landscape, FUN is building a closed-loop, player-first ecosystem where games are more than play—they’re a pathway to real value.

    Gaming is broken—FUN Token is here to fix it

    In a world where players are bombarded with ads and pushed into endless in-app purchases, FUN flips the script. We’re building a player-first ecosystem where gamers get paid to play. No more paywalls, no more attention traps—just seamless gameplay, real rewards, and a token economy that values your time and skill. FUN Token is re-empowering the player and redefining what gaming should be.

    Mission: Play with purpose, earn with FUN

    At the heart of the FUN Token project is a simple but transformative idea: empower gamers to earn tangible value doing what they love. By embedding FUN as the core currency across a growing portfolio of games, the team aims to unify the fragmented Web3 gaming space into a seamless, rewarding experience for players worldwide.

    The core strategy: How FUN is redefining the game

    The FUN roadmap is anchored on four powerful pillars:

    • Closed-loop ecosystem: One wallet. One login. Endless games. FUN is creating a frictionless environment where players can move effortlessly between titles, with all progress, rewards, and identity preserved.
    • Token utility & buy-and-burn engine: Players earn FUN tokens in-game. Revenues from those games are then used to buy FUN on the open market and burn it—reducing supply and boosting token value over time.
    • Gamified rewards & retention: XP systems, loot boxes, streaks, and seasonal quests all reward active participation. FUN is building for stickiness—turning casual players into loyal, lifetime users.
    • Strategic partnerships: By integrating FUN into third-party titles, the team is positioning the token as the “Universal Currency of the Gamingverse.” One token to connect them all.

    The FUN Grand Plan: From foundation to domination

    The roadmap is aggressive, high-impact, and laser-focused on scaling:

    Q2 2025 – Launch the foundation

    • Release 10 mobile games across Android and iOS
    • Launch web-based FUN Wallet
    • Introduce Unified Login for cross-game access
    • Kickstart the “Earn-While-You-Play” movement

    Q3 2025 – Spark the network effect

    • Add 10 more viral/hyper-casual games
    • Reach 1M+ players and 100K+ wallet users
    • Launch achievement systems and daily missions
    • Begin Buy-and-Burn token mechanics
    • Establish first wave of third-party game partnerships

    Q4 2025 – Scale the ecosystem

    • Expand to 30 total games
    • Hit 5M+ users, 500K+ wallets
    • Launch mobile FUN Wallet (iOS & Android) with staking and rewards
    • Introduce NFTs, leaderboards, and community quests
    • Onboard mid-size external studios

    Q1 2026 – Dominate Web3 gaming

    • Grow to 40 games across genres
    • Reach 10M+ players, 1M+ wallet holders
    • Add multi-chain and fiat support in FUN Wallet
    • Integrate FUN into external game economies
    • Host the inaugural Global FUN Gaming Summit

    A universe of FUN awaits

    FUN Token invites players, developers, and investors to join the movement and be part of the ecosystem that’s set to reshape the future of entertainment.

    About FUN Token

    FUN Token is on a mission to become the default digital currency of gaming. Powered by Web3 technology and backed by a vibrant, self-sustaining economy, FUN is creating a unified ecosystem where every game, action, and user contributes to a dynamic gaming universe. Learn more at https://funtoken.io/

    FUNToken.io Socials:
    X.com/FUNtoken_io
    t.me/officialFUNToken

    Contact:
    Lukas Meier
    pr@funtoken.io

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by FUNToken. 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. 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. 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.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.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.

    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 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/e878754a-16b5-426d-b40f-f8437971dda1

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/02e9beb7-a442-4eee-b09c-f3194758d79e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the Eminent Persons Dialogue: ASEAN Financial Integration in a Multipolar World

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today attended the Eminent Persons Dialogue: ASEAN Financial Integration in a Multipolar World, held on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event brought together eminent persons from across the public and private sectors in the region to reflect on the success stories and challenges in advancing regional financial integration, to commemorate the 10th anniversary since the inception of the ASEAN Economic Community.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the Eminent Persons Dialogue: ASEAN Financial Integration in a Multipolar World appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – State of play: EU support to Ukraine – Payments, reform and investment, use of immobilised Russian assets – 09-04-2025

    Source: European Parliament 2

    Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has provided Ukraine with financial, military and humanitarian support on an unprecedented level. To date, the support to Ukraine from ‘Team Europe’ – comprising the EU and its Member States – amounts to €143 billion. This support includes macro-financial assistance, financial support through the Ukraine Facility, humanitarian aid and military assistance from Member States and through the European Peace Facility, as well as support to EU Member States hosting Ukrainian refugees. The disbursement of EU payments under the Ukraine Facility is conditional on Ukraine implementing the Ukraine Plan, an ambitious plan for reform and investment drafted by Ukraine’s government and endorsed by the EU. The European Commission and the Ukrainian government publish data on the progress of the reforms and on the disbursal of payments. Those data form the basis for a Ukraine Facility Dialogue, which ensures the democratic scrutiny of the EU’s support to Ukraine. In addition to the Ukraine Facility, Regulation (EU) 2024/2773 provides for a €18.1 billion EU macro-financial assistance loan for Ukraine as part of a €45 billion G7 loan. Furthermore, a Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism was established, which uses extraordinary revenues originating from Russian sovereign assets immobilised in the G7 member states to repay loans and the associated interest costs. The rights, responsibilities and obligations provided for in the framework agreement under the Ukraine Facility, referred to in Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2024/792, will apply to the macro-financial assistance loan in order to ensure seamless political and financial management of both. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the confiscation of the immobilised Russian sovereign assets as such – instead of just using the extraordinary revenues – to finance further support for Ukraine and the country’s reconstruction.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leisure travel tops charts for reasons people choose rail

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Leisure travel tops charts for reasons people choose rail

    The railway network connects people across the country, fuelling business, growth and opportunity.

    • new research from the Department for Transport shows that leisure is the most common reason for travelling by train
    • post-pandemic trends continue as results show the most common days to commute by train are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
    • whether its visiting friends and family, going on holiday or the usual commute, our railway provides vital connections across the country, boosting growth and fuelling our economy as part of the Plan for Change

    Passengers are more likely to take the train for leisure travel while commuters would rather take the train midweek are the key takeaways from a new research report published today (9 April 2025) by the Department for Transport (DfT).

    The railway connects communities across the country, moving people to get to work, education, healthcare and leisure. It provides vital infrastructure essential for delivering growth, providing opportunity and raising living standards as part of the Plan for Change.

    The government is undertaking a once in a generation overhaul of the rail network, bringing train operating companies into public ownership and setting up Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train together to put passengers first.

    In order to better understand how passengers use the railway and deliver a network that works for their needs, DfT did an investigation into the reasons passengers take the train. The report found that:

    • 54% respondents said they were travelling for leisure
    • 30% were commuting for work or education
    • 15% were travelling for business
    • 61% said they travelled by rail for leisure at least once a month
    • 41% said they used the railway for commuting at least once a week, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being the most popular days

    This shows a return to midweek office working, demonstrating how essential the railway is for connecting people to get to work, providing a path for opportunity and catalysing economic growth.

    Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said:

    Our railway is the backbone of our economy, connecting people across the country and fuelling business, growth and opportunity, supporting the Plan for Change.

    This research shows thousands of passengers choose the train for their leisure travel. To go and see family and friends, go on holiday or go to big events whether its concerts, festivals or a football match, the train is the best way to get there.

    Resetting industrial relations has meant there have been no national strikes since 9 May 2024, which has protected passengers from significant disruption and delays, avoiding further impacts to the hospitality industry and wider economy. This has meant the network has been able to start getting its financial footing back, with green shoots appearing in rail revenue with an increase of 8% from the latest quarter (October to December 2024) compared to the same quarter in 2023. Public ownership will turn the page on fragmentation and mean every penny can be spent for the benefit of passengers rather than private shareholders.

    A key barrier to more people taking the train is still a lack of consistency in reliable services as delays and cancellations mean people miss days of work, hospital appointments or social events. The latest passenger data shows cancellations in the latest quarter (October to December 2024) was 5.1%, with 70,000 fully cancelled trains across the network.

    The government is determined to drive up performance, and the Rail Minister is meeting with all train operators to address concerns and demand immediate action. On top of this, last month the Transport Secretary announced a new era of rail accountability, making performance information available at over 1,700 stations showing the punctuality and reliability of trains visiting those stations.

    This year’s rail sale was the biggest one yet, encouraging more people to take the train with over one million tickets sold and top destinations including Manchester, York and London Bridge. Great British Railways will have a relentless focus on putting passengers at the centre of every journey, encouraging more people to take the train by improving standards and driving up performance.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Plus or minus: HSE students discuss the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Students from the International Institute of Economics and Finance and the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations discussed the positive and negative aspects of the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy during a debate.

    © MIEF

    On April 2, a student debate was held, jointly organized by ICEF and FMEI on the topic “The Impact of Sanctions on the Russian Economy”. The students were divided into two “mixed” teams in advance, each of which was offered a position to defend in the debate.

    The debate began with a short presentation of the teams’ positions. The team led by ICEF student Daria Tochilina, defending the position “Sanctions rather have a positive effect on the Russian economy”, emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector, which has shown significant growth since the introduction of sanctions in 2014. They also drew attention to the stability of the Russian financial sector, which has demonstrated positive dynamics and sufficient independence from the international payment system. The foundations for this, including the creation of its own payment system, were laid during the same period.

    The team noted that companies that had previously borrowed on international markets and transferred profits abroad had now switched to the domestic market. This led to a reduction in capital outflow, including due to the restrictions introduced. As a result, the savings rate in Russia, which is one of the main growth factors, has increased. The team also used the example of the oil and gas sector to show Russia’s diversification in the choice of trading partners, which has a positive effect on strengthening international relations and the revenue of companies in this sector.

    The team led by FMEiMP student Gleb Lopatin, who presented the thesis “Sanctions rather have a negative impact on the Russian economy”, focused on the growth of transaction costs when redirecting commodity and financial flows. The team also noted problems with settlements that arose due to the disconnection of a large number of banks from SWIFT. Other negative factors, especially in the long term, were limited access to innovative products and the outflow of human capital.

    In the second, “cold” part of the debate, the teams took turns asking each other questions. Thus, the “negative influence” team put forward a counterexample to the opponents’ argument about the creation of an analogue of SWIFT in the Russian Federation (SPFS) and the introduction of alternative forms of payment about additional difficulties associated with the ban on the use of SPFS by foreign companies. The students also noted the example of “stuck” payments in India in 2023, which demonstrates that many of the problems that arose were new in nature and the financial system was not always prepared for them. The “positive” influence team responded to the question about the effect of international companies leaving Russia with statistics on the accelerated development of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia associated with the emergence of “niches” in the market. Data on the growth of salaries and real disposable incomes of the population in Russia in 2023-24 were presented.

    The third part of the debate was the most heated, as participants had the opportunity to ask questions without observing the order, and even interrupt their opponents. In this part, the teams returned to discussing the effects on individual sectors and economic agents. High dividends of Lukoil, successes in the development of the IT and electronics market were noted, but also problems with payments and individual services in Russia. The departure of individual companies, on the one hand, created new opportunities for Russian business, but, on the other hand, in a number of cases, negatively affected the supply and orders for local manufacturers (the example of IKEA).

    The moderator of the discussion, Director for the Development of Teaching Excellence A. V. Dementyev, played an important role in the debate. Andrey Viktorovich regulated the “degree” of the discussion and asked both teams pointed questions. Thus, at first he suggested that both teams give a clear definition of “sanctions” for further discussion, and during the discussion he asked the team for the “positive effect” to think about the choice between the position of “sanctions do not work” and “sanctions are useful”, and he suggested that the team for the “negative impact” highlight the structural long-term and short-term effects of the sanctions.

    Following the debate, the jury, consisting of Deputy Director of the Department of Eurasian Integration of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation S.A. Raschukov, Head of the Monitoring Department of the Department for Control over External Restrictions of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation V.A. Filippov, Deputy Director of the ICEF O.O. Zamkov, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations A.K. Morozkina, Deputy Head of the Scientific and Methodological Department of the ICEF N.E. Kogutovskaya, determined the winner. It was the team in defense of “positive” effects, which demonstrated greater flexibility in adapting to different areas of discussion. It should be borne in mind that it was not the positive or negative effect itself that was assessed, but the persuasiveness of the teams in presenting each of these positions. The participants in the debate noted during the debate that it is impossible to unambiguously determine the prevalence of positive or negative effects. In the short and long term, negative effects may be more pronounced, while in the medium term – positive ones. At the same time, the impact of sanctions on different sectors of the economy and different economic agents varies.

    The debates were energetic, the participants showed a high level of involvement and activity, and the jury highly appreciated the level of preparation and performance of both teams! We wish the guys further success!

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Wins Best Crypto Exchange MENA 2025 at World Business Outlook Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Toobit, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has been named Best Crypto Exchange MENA 2025 at the World Business Outlook Awards. This accolade highlights Toobit’s outstanding performance, innovation, and commitment to delivering secure and efficient trading experiences across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

    The World Business Outlook Awards celebrates excellence in business leadership, innovation, and market influence each year, spotlighting industry leaders who set new benchmarks in their respective sectors.

    “Toobit is honored to receive this recognition,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer of Toobit. “MENA presents exciting opportunities for digital asset growth, and we are happy to work with our many partners within the region to expand access to crypto education as well as adoption.”

    The MENA region has recently emerged as a hub for cryptocurrency activity. In the United Arab Emirates alone, the cryptocurrency market is projected to reach a transaction value of US$1.53 billion in 2025, with over 30% of its population—approximately 3 million people—owning digital assets. This rapid market growth is representative of the region’s rising influence in the global digital asset space.

    Toobit’s foray into the MENA region is not the platform’s first expansion into the wider cryptocurrency markets. In July 2024, the exchange formally ventured into South Korea, responding to a burgeoning demand for crypto derivatives in the APAC region.

    For more information about the World Business Awards 2025, visit: https://worldbusinessoutlook.com/awards/

    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 press release 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. 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. 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.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.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.

    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 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/fe4b1882-6204-43c3-80f8-86523e3b53d1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: $731 Billion In Home Equity Expected To Be Locked-In Due To “Negative Credit Shocks” Homeowners Will Face This Year

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Palo Alto, California, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new economic analysis from Point highlights a growing challenge for American homeowners: accessing their home equity in times of financial need. According to the report, approximately 4.6 million homeowners with a mortgage experience a labor market shift each year that potentially negatively impacts their credit scores—potentially locking them out of traditional home equity lending options. In total, this represents an estimated $731 billion in “trapped” home equity.

    For decades, home equity has served as a financial safety net, helping homeowners manage life’s major expenses, from home renovations to medical bills. However, the report identifies two fundamental shifts in the post-pandemic economy that are reshaping access to home equity: persistently high interest rates and the normalization of non-traditional career paths.

    Key Findings:

    • Point estimates that roughly 9% of homeowners with a mortgage experience a job loss, pay reduction, or transition to self-employment in a typical year. These events can lower credit scores and restrict access to home equity loans and lines of credit.
    • Homeowners facing a negative credit shock collectively hold an estimated $731 billion in home equity that they may be unable to access due to credit constraints.
    • High interest rates significantly increase the cost of borrowing against home equity, making traditional options like cash-out refinancing less viable.
    • The rise of “jungle gym” careers—characterized by frequent job transitions, gig work, and self-employment—has increased financial volatility, further exacerbating credit-related barriers to home equity access.

    Regional Impact:
    The report finds that homeowners across all regions of the U.S. are affected at similar rates:

    • Northeast: $149 billion in “locked-in” home equity
    • South: $247 billion
    • Midwest: $121 billion
    • West: $284 billion

    “Millions of homeowners are facing a financial paradox: they’ve built up significant home equity but are unable to access it precisely when they need it most,” said Aaron Terrazas, economist for Point. “With traditional home equity lending increasingly out of reach for many Americans, the industry is just starting to adapt to these new economic realities and develop innovative ways to provide homeowners with the financial flexibility they need precisely when they need it.”

    Recent labor market trends further highlight the financial pressures homeowners face. In 2025 alone, U.S. employers and the federal government have announced over 275,000 job cuts, with significant reductions in the federal workforce due to restructuring efforts. Economic conditions have evolved rapidly in recent weeks, and ensuring flexible and accessible lending solutions will be increasingly critical for maintaining financial stability among homeowners.

    Read the entire report on negative credit shocks here. 

    About Point

    Point is the leading home equity platform making homeownership more valuable and accessible. Point’s flagship product, the Home Equity Investment (HEI), empowers homeowners to unlock their equity to eliminate debt, get through periods of financial hardship, and diversify their wealth – without adding to their monthly expenses. Point has worked with more than 10,000 homeowners, unlocking $1 billion in home equity. Point’s HEI enables investors to access a previously untapped asset class – owner-occupied residential real estate. Founded in 2015 by Eddie Lim, Eoin Matthews, and Alex Rampell, Point is backed by top investors, including Westcap, Andreessen Horowitz, Ribbit Capital, Greylock Partners, Bloomberg Beta, Atalaya Capital Management, Alpaca VC, and Prudential. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. For more information, please visit www.point.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Aiden Labs Launches $ADN Token, Revolutionizing AI-Powered Web3 Experiences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Aiden Labs, a visionary platform at the intersection of artificial intelligence and blockchain, has officially launched its $ADN token—marking a major leap forward in its mission to transform how users interact with Web3 through AI-driven solutions. At the core of this innovation is Aiden’s decentralized ecosystem, built to empower investors, creators, and communities with intelligent tools and transparent infrastructure.

    CHARLESTOWN, Nevis West Indies, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Following its highly anticipated Initial DEX Offering (IDO) across leading launchpads, such as Kommunitas, Kingdom Starter, Spores Network, Poolz Finance, and Huostarter Aiden Labs has solidified its position as a trailblazer in the rapidly evolving AI and blockchain landscape. The IDO attracted significant attention from both crypto-native investors and AI tech enthusiasts, all eager to be part of a platform redefining digital interaction and content creation.

    As artificial intelligence continues to gain traction across industries, Aiden Labs is seizing the opportunity to embed powerful AI agents within the decentralized Web3 fabric. Its flagship product, Lunar, is an AI-powered DeFAI agent that acts as a personal investment advisor—delivering real-time insights, risk assessments, and security analytics, thanks to its integration with CertiK.

    But Aiden’s ecosystem goes far beyond investment tools. It includes an AI content creation platform, enabling users to generate high-quality images, videos, and research outputs; and a NFT-powered Launchpad, where community engagement and token holding translate to enhanced allocation and launch access. With these innovations, Aiden Labs is creating a scalable and intelligent ecosystem built for the next wave of Web3 adoption.

    Aiden Labs combines key technologies and unique differentiators to deliver a cutting-edge Web3 experience. Built on EVM-compatible smart contracts and powered by IPFS distributed storage, the platform ensures decentralization, data privacy, and fast, transparent access. Leveraging advanced large language models like GPT, Claude, and Gemini, Aiden offers conversational AI and natural language processing for intelligent, human-like interactions, enhancing both search and investment analysis. Its blockchain-integrated content creation tools empower creators with full ownership and monetization rights, while the native $ADN token powers access to premium AI features, Launchpad participation, DeFAI consultations, and more—making it the backbone of Aiden’s dynamic ecosystem.

    The $ADN token serves as the core utility within the Aiden Labs ecosystem, unlocking a wide range of benefits for holders. It provides access to Lite and Plus packages on the AI platform, supports pay-per-use features like image and video generation, research queries, and DeFAI investment consultations, and grants priority allocations on the NFT-powered Launchpad based on token tier. Additionally, $ADN holders gain voting rights for governance decisions, enjoy enhanced staking rewards when paired with NFTs, and can access exclusive AI tools and gated communities. As the ecosystem expands, the demand and value of $ADN continue to grow, solidifying its role as a foundational element of Aiden’s long-term vision.

    During its IDO on Kommunitas and other platforms, Aiden Labs achieved over 60% of its funding target within the first six hours and was fully subscribed in under 48 hours. This enthusiastic response reflects the growing demand for intelligent, user-focused blockchain applications. Aiden’s post-IDO strategy includes expanding its AI and blockchain capabilities, onboarding new strategic partners, and initiating token buybacks funded through platform revenue—all designed to enhance the long-term value and utility of the $ADN token.

    Looking ahead, Aiden Labs is set to expand across multiple chains, integrate new generative AI models, and scale its suite of user-centric products. With its unique blend of AI precision, blockchain security, and decentralized design, Aiden aims to become a cornerstone of the intelligent Web3 economy. By offering users and developers a transparent, efficient, and powerful toolkit, Aiden Labs is setting the standard for the future of decentralized, AI-enhanced digital ecosystems.

    About Aiden Labs
    Aiden Labs is an AI-powered Web3 platform dedicated to building secure, intelligent, and decentralized tools for the next generation of digital users. Its native token, $ADN, fuels a vibrant ecosystem spanning investment analysis, content creation, and token launches. With strategic alliances, cutting-edge technology, and a user-first philosophy, Aiden Labs is redefining what’s possible in Web3.

    Contact:
    Hyojin Jang
    info@aidenlabs.ai

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Aiden Labs. 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. 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. 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.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.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.

    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 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/b887c255-9f23-4d40-ba6c-9dff50a95f62

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-US economic, trade relations mutually beneficial, win-win in nature: white paper

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, and cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation harms both, said a white paper released by China’s State Council Information Office on Wednesday.

    Maintaining the stable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is in the fundamental interest of both nations and peoples, which is also conducive to global economic development, according to the white paper titled “China’s Position on Some Issues Concerning China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations.”

    Noting that China and the United States are important partners of trade in goods, the white paper said the bilateral trade is highly complementary as the two countries play to their comparative strengths.

    China never deliberately pursues a trade surplus, and the trade balance in goods between China and the United States is both an inevitable result of the structural issues in the U.S. economy and a consequence of the comparative advantages and international division of labor between the two countries, the white paper said.

    The white paper noted that trade in services between China and the United States has maintained rapid growth, while the two countries are important two-way investment partners.

    As the two largest economies in the world, the economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States has generated substantial benefits for both sides, with enterprises and consumers in both countries reaping tangible benefits through bilateral trade and investment, according to the white paper. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Premier Li: China, EU to boost ties

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday that China is ready to work with the European side to promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations.

    Li said that China-EU relations are showing a momentum of steady growth. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, and the development of bilateral relations faces important opportunities, he said.

    Li noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa at the beginning of this year, which sets the tone and charts the course for deepening China-EU relations.

    China and the EU are each other’s most important trading partners, he said, adding that their economies are highly complementary and interests are closely intertwined.

    Li pledged China’s willingness to work with the EU to maintain sound and smooth high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, and resolve each other’s concerns through dialogue and consultation.

    The two sides should promote the holding of new China-EU high-level dialogues in the strategic, economic and trade, green, and digital fields at an early date, he said.

    Li pointed out that the United States has recently announced indiscriminate tariffs on all its trading partners, including China and the EU, under various pretexts, which is a typical case of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.

    The resolute measures taken by China are not only to safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests but also to defend international trade rules and international fairness and justice, Li said, noting that all human beings live in the same global village and no country can thrive in isolation.

    Protectionism leads nowhere, and only openness and cooperation represent the right path for mankind, Li added.

    China and the EU, as strong advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, as well as staunch defenders and supporters of the World Trade Organization (WTO), should enhance communication and coordination, expand mutual openness, jointly safeguard free and open trade and investment, and maintain the stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, so as to inject more stability and certainty into both sides and the world economy, Li said.

    China’s macro policy this year has taken full account of various uncertainties and has sufficient reserve of policy tools to hedge against adverse external impacts, Li said, adding that China is fully confident in maintaining sustained and healthy economic development.

    China will continue to unswervingly expand opening-up, strengthen cooperation and share development opportunities with the EU countries and other countries in the world, he said.

    Noting that the EU always attaches great importance to its relations with China, von der Leyen said it is crucial for EU-China relations to maintain continuity and stability under current circumstances.

    The European side looks forward to holding a new EU-China leaders’ meeting at an appropriate time to review the past, look into the future, and jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations, she said.

    The European side is willing to promote high-level dialogue with China in various fields and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such fields as economy, trade, green economy and climate change, von der Leyen added.

    She noted that the tariffs imposed by the United States have severely impacted international trade, causing a serious impact on Europe, China and vulnerable countries.

    The EU and China are committed to upholding the fair and free multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and safeguarding the sound and steady development of global economic and trade relations, which serves the common interests of both sides and the world at large, von der Leyen said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE helps keep soft targets safe from terrorism through interagency co-operation in Turkmenistan

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE helps keep soft targets safe from terrorism through interagency co-operation in Turkmenistan

    Participants in an interactive OSCE workshop on protecting soft targets from terrorism through interagency co-operation in Ashgabat, 1 April 2025. (OSCE/Kamila Sabyrrakhim) Photo details

    From schools and places of worship to shopping malls, any public place can become a target for terrorists and violent extremists. To enhance the protection of these soft targets, practitioners from over twenty Turkmen government agencies came together for an interactive workshop held by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on 1 and 2 April.
    Participants discussed the current threat landscape, risk and crisis management, and human rights considerations. Through a scenario-based exercise of a potential terrorist attack, they also practiced physical security measures, hostile reconnaissance detection, and evacuation and invacuation procedures.
    During his opening remarks, Geldimyrat Haldurdyyev, Head of Law and International Relations Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan, said, “The global nature of the threat of international terrorism has necessitated the unification of international efforts to combat it. Turkmenistan, as a proponent of a policy of peace and good neighbourliness — especially relevant against the backdrop of the challenging global situation, where armed conflicts are erupting in various parts of the world, posing a serious threat to all of humanity — reaffirms, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions on the prevention and fight against terrorism, its unequivocal condemnation of terrorist acts in all their forms. It remains fully committed to the efforts of the international community in combating this evil.”
    Experts from the Berlin Police Department and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism also took part in the event and shared their experience and good practices.
    “By fostering collaboration among stakeholders with diverse expertise, we can collectively identify vulnerabilities, share best practices, and develop tailored solutions to combat terrorism, all while ensuring our measures remain grounded in respect for human rights,” said Bernd Heinze, Ambassador of Germany to Turkmenistan.
    “Terrorism seeks to undermine the very values that unite the OSCE participating States,” said John McGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “In order to better protect soft targets, it is essential to have a good understanding of how attackers behave and make decisions, what risks are present and what possible mitigation measures may be required.”
    The workshop is the first activity conducted in Turkmenistan under the OSCE extrabudgetary project PROTECT. The event was designed to gather feedback and inputs from national beneficiaries on technical needs, and was organized with financial support from Germany.

    MIL OSI Europe News –