Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Expectations are high ahead of Real Madrid’s debut at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as they face Al Hilal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Wednesday.
The match marks Xabi Alonso’s first official game as Real Madrid head coach. Although the former Madrid midfielder and ex-Bayer Leverkusen boss has had just over a week with the squad, all eyes will be on what early changes he has implemented.
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Under former coach Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid covered among the least distance on the pitch and rarely applied a high press, instead relying on the pace of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo to hit on the break.
Alonso favored a high-pressing style at Leverkusen, with his players disrupting opponents’ buildup from the back. Whether he can instill that mentality in Madrid after only a few sessions, particularly in Miami’s heat, remains to be seen.
At Leverkusen, Alonso frequently deployed a back three with attacking full-backs. It is unclear if he will adopt a similar system with Madrid.
The arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool supports the use of wing-backs, and the England international appears poised to make his Real Madrid debut, along with Dean Huijsen, who signed from Bournemouth.
Huijsen impressed during the recent international break. His height and composure on the ball offer Madrid added flexibility, and it’s easy to envision Mbappe and Vinicius exploiting gaps behind Al Hilal’s defense as Huijsen delivers long passes from deep.
Vinicius remains under scrutiny following a disappointing domestic campaign, while Alonso must also finalize his central midfield pairing, likely Fede Valverde and possibly Dani Ceballos.
Al Hilal’s lineup features several players familiar to Spanish fans, including former Barcelona and Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, forward Malcom, and former Atletico Madrid left-back Renan Lodi.
With a sell-out crowd expected, the match promises to provide a strong benchmark of the Saudi League’s level against one of Europe’s top clubs.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion has signed Italian international central defender Diego Coppola from Hellas Verona for an undisclosed fee.
Lautaro Martinez (R) of FC Inter vies with Diego Coppola of Hellas Verona during the Serie A 19th round football match between FC Inter and Hellas Verona in Milan, Italy, Jan. 6, 2024. (Photo by Alberto Lingria/Xinhua)
Coppola has agreed a five-year contract with ‘the Seagulls’ and will help cover for the loss of Spain international Dean Huijsen, who signed for Madrid earlier in the summer for 50 million pounds (68 million U.S. dollars).
Coppola, who is currently with the Italian U-21 side at the European Championships in Slovakia, made his debut for Hellas Verona in 2021 and made 81 first team appearances for the club.
“Diego is an exciting addition for the club. Although he is still young, he is tall, strong and mobile, and he will give us a real physical presence,” commented Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler on the club website.
Hurzeler highlighted the “impressive progress” the defender has made, adding he “deserved his call-up to the Italian national team.”
Coppola is Brighton’s second signing of the summer, with striker Charalampos Kostoulas also arriving from Greek outfit Olympiakos.
In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, co-operation with reliable partners is more important than ever. With G7 partners, Canada will build a new era of collaboration – one rooted in mutual support and resilient partnerships. Canada is ready to lead.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, concluded his participation in the 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Under Canada’s Presidency, this G7 deepened co-operation with joint statements in the following areas:
Prime Minister Carney also announced the following measures in support of Ukraine:
An additional $2 billion in military assistance this year.
The disbursement of a $2.3 billion loan to Ukraine through the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans mechanism.
The allocation of $57.4 million in security-related assistance.
Canada will also be taking action to build stronger economies and international systems:
$391.3million to catalyze private capital toward economic growth and development projects around the world.
Up to $185.6 million to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of artificial intelligence.
$120.4 million to global wildfire prevention, response, and recovery.
$80.3 million to build reliable critical minerals supply chains.
$22.5 million to accelerate the development and use of quantum technologies.
Up to $544 million in guarantees for new development financing in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While our threats cross borders, so do our partnerships and opportunities. In these areas of common interest, Canada is leading G7 co-operation to deliver stability, security, and prosperity.
Quote
“In Kananaskis, Canada’s Presidency showed that we’re ready to create new international partnerships, deepen alliances, and lead member nations into a new era of global co-operation. Canada has the resources the world wants and the values to which others aspire. Canada is meeting this moment with purpose and strength.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)
June 17, 2025
Today, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), andCongresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced a resolution recognizing the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith, a Black mother who was declared brain dead in February 2025 and has since been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana Smith is being taken off life support today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.
Representative Sara Jacobs said: “My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms. Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”
Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them.
“From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family.”
“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”
Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.
The resolution urges the government to:
Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.
Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.
Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.
The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)
June 17, 2025
Today, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), andCongresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced a resolution recognizing the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith, a Black mother who was declared brain dead in February 2025 and has since been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana Smith is being taken off life support today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.
Representative Sara Jacobs said: “My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms. Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”
Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them.
“From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family.”
“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”
Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.
The resolution urges the government to:
Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.
Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.
Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.
The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
St. Petersburg, June 18 (Xinhua) — The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), a key economic event in Russia, opened on Wednesday.
According to Anton Kobyakov, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the SPIEF Organizing Committee, 20,000 representatives from 140 countries and territories are taking part in it, which indicates the high demand for this platform, where practical solutions are developed that determine the directions of international cooperation and sustainable development in the new global conditions.
In 2025, SPIEF is being held under the motto “Common Values — the Basis for Growth in a Multipolar World.” The Kingdom of Bahrain was the guest country of the forum. The 2025 business program includes more than 150 sessions covering a wide range of topics. The main thematic areas were “World Economy: New Platform for Global Growth,” “Russian Economy: New Quality of Growth,” “Man in the New World,” “Living Environment,” and “Technology: Striving for Leadership.”
The forum is taking place in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21, and is being held for the 28th time. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi urges China, Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech during the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]
ASTANA, June 17 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Central Asian countries to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and forge ahead toward the goal of building a China-Central Asia community with a shared future under the guidance of the China-Central Asia Spirit.
Xi made the remarks in his keynote speech at the second China-Central Asia Summit hosted by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also attended the summit.
Xi pointed out that during their meeting in Xi’an two years ago, they jointly outlined the Xi’an Vision for China-Central Asia cooperation. Two years on, China and Central Asian countries have further deepened and substantiated Belt and Road cooperation, he said, recalling advanced cooperation in various fields.
The core framework of the China-Central Asia mechanism is largely in place, and the consensus at the first Summit has been implemented across the board, Xi said, adding that the path of cooperation among the countries is steadily widening, and their friendship is blooming ever more brightly.
Xi stressed that the cooperation between China and Central Asian countries is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward via openness and win-win cooperation of the new era.
Xi said building on their collective efforts over the years, the six countries have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of “mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development.”
The spirit connotes four aspects of practices. First, Xi said that China and Central Asian countries practice mutual respect and treat each other as equals, and all countries, big or small, are equal, adding that the six countries handle issues through consultation and make decisions by consensus.
Second, he said that China and Central Asian countries seek to deepen mutual trust and enhance mutual support, firmly support each other in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and do not do anything harmful to the core interests of any party.
Third, Xi said China and Central Asian countries pursue mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and strive for common development, view each other as priority partners, and share development opportunities together, adding that they accommodate each other’s interests, and work to build a win-win and symbiotic relationship.
Fourth, he said China and Central Asian countries help each other in time of need and stand together through thick and thin, supporting each other in choosing development paths suitable to respective national conditions and in taking domestic matters into their own hands, adding that the countries work together to address various risks and challenges, and uphold regional security and stability.
This China-Central Asia Spirit is an important guideline for their endeavor to carry forward friendship and cooperation from generation to generation, and the six countries should always uphold it and let it shine forever, Xi noted.
Today, unprecedented changes are unfolding at a faster pace across the globe, thrusting the world into a new state of heightened turbulence and volatility, Xi pointed out, noting that a strong belief in fairness and justice, and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only way to maintain world peace and achieve common development.
There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars, and unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others, he noted.
Maintaining that history should move forward, not backward, and the world should be united, not divided, Xi said humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle, but should instead build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Xi called on the six countries to act on the China-Central Asia Spirit, and enhance cooperation with renewed vigor and more practical measures.
To achieve this, he made five points.
First, China and Central Asian countries should stay committed to the fundamental goal of unity, and always trust and support each other, he said.
China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi noted, adding that with a firm belief in an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood as well as a strong dedication to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China interacts with Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and sincerity, and the six countries always wish their neighbors well.
The six countries will sign together a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation to enshrine the principle of everlasting friendship in the form of law, he said, deeming it as a new landmark in the history of the relations of the six countries and a pioneering initiative in China’s diplomatic engagement with its neighbors, which constitutes a milestone for today and a foundation for tomorrow.
Second, China and Central Asian countries should optimize the cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient and more deeply integrated, Xi said.
Recalling that the six countries have agreed to designate 2025 and 2026 as the Years of High-Quality Development of China-Central Asia Cooperation, he said that all sides should focus the cooperation on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green mining, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges, roll out more projects on the ground and foster new quality productive forces.
He said China has decided to establish three cooperation centers, i.e. on poverty reduction, on education exchange, and on desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework.
China supports Central Asian countries in developing livelihood and development projects, Xi said, adding that China will provide 3,000 training opportunities to Central Asian countries in the next two years.
Third, China and Central Asian countries should develop a security framework for peace, tranquility and solidarity, step up regional security governance, deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, jointly prevent and thwart extreme ideologies, and resolutely fight terrorism, separatism and extremism, so as to maintain peace and stability in the region, Xi said.
China will do its best to help Central Asian countries combat terrorism and transnational organized crime and safeguard cybersecurity and biosecurity, he said.
Fourth, China and Central Asian countries should cement the bonds of shared vision, mutual understanding and mutual affection between peoples, he noted, saying that China will enhance cooperation between legislatures, political parties, women, youth, media and think tanks with Central Asian countries, conduct in-depth exchange of governance experience, and is ready to set up more cultural centers, university branches and Luban Workshops in Central Asia to train more high-caliber talent for Central Asian countries.
China supports deepening subnational cooperation with Central Asia, Xi said, adding that China and Central Asian countries should nurture heart-to-heart connections at central and subnational levels, between official and non-governmental actors, and from adjacent to broader areas.
Fifth, China and Central Asian countries should uphold a fair and equitable international order and an equal and orderly world structure, stand ready to work with all parties to defend international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, he said, recalling that in the strenuous times of war, Chinese and Central Asian peoples supported each other through adversity, and jointly made important contributions to the cause of justice of humanity.
He also noted the need to promote the correct view of history, defend the fruits of the victory of World War II, uphold the UN-centered international system, and provide more stability and certainty for world peace and development.
Xi pointed out that China is building a great modern socialist country in all respects and advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world, he said, noting that China is ready to embrace higher-quality cooperation and deepen the integration of interests with Central Asian countries, so as to achieve common development and strive for new progress in China-Central Asia cooperation.
Tokayev and the other four Central Asian leaders unanimously stated that the China-Central Asia mechanism has become an important platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation, as well as for advancing the economic and social development of Central Asian countries.
In a world full of uncertainties, the strategic significance of the mechanism has become increasingly prominent, and China’s growing prosperity and strength are benefiting its neighboring countries, they said, noting that China is a strategic partner and a true friend that Central Asian countries can always count on.
The Central Asian countries highly value the model of cooperation with China based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, and look forward to deepening all-round cooperation with China and expanding trade and investment, the five leaders added.
They also expressed the hope to jointly pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote cooperation in such fields as industry, agriculture, science and technology, infrastructure, new energy and connectivity, strengthen regional security collaboration, and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges in fields like culture, education and tourism.
The leaders of the five Central Asian countries expressed their intention to build the China-Central Asia mechanism into a model of regional cooperation, share development and prosperity, jointly promote peace and stability, and build a closer community with a shared future.
The five parties highly appreciate China’s constructive role in international and regional affairs, and actively support the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi.
They also expressed the willingness to closely coordinate and cooperate with China to firmly safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, and jointly defend international equity and justice.
During the summit, Xi and the heads of state of the Central Asian nations signed the Astana Declaration of the second China-Central Asia Summit, and a treaty on eternal good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.
The meeting also announced the signing of 12 cooperation agreements regarding the Belt and Road cooperation, facilitation of personnel exchanges, green mining, trade, connectivity, industry and customs.
At the summit, China signed multiple sister city agreements with the five Central Asian countries, thus the pairs of sister cities between the two sides have exceeded 100.
Xi and other leaders also witnessed the inauguration of three China-Central Asia cooperation centers and a trade platform, namely the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification prevention and control cooperation center, as well as the China-Central Asia smooth trade cooperation platform.
All parties also agreed that China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pose for a group photo in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Japarov, Rahmon, Berdimuhamedov and Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese President Xi Jinping walks into the venue of the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech during the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]Chinese President Xi Jinping, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev witness inauguration of the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center, the China-Central Asia education exchange cooperation center, the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center and the China-Central Asia trade facilitation cooperation platform in Astana, Kazakhstan, June 17, 2025. The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana on Tuesday. Tokayev chaired the summit. Xi, Japarov, Rahmon, Berdimuhamedov and Mirziyoyev attended the summit. [Photo/Xinhua]
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Carbon Streaming Corporation (Cboe CA: NETZ) (OTCQB: OFSTF) (FSE: M2Q) (“Carbon Streaming” or the “Company”) today provides a corporate update and announces legend removal process for all U.S. investors from the 2021 Financings (as defined below).
Highlights:
Restrictive Legend Removal: The Company has finalized the process to offer qualifying U.S. investors who participated in the 2021 Financings (as defined below) the opportunity to remove the restrictive legend on share certificates at no cost to the investor. This legend on the share certificates renders the securities “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 and restricts these investors from selling stock.
Cash Conservation Update: In February 2025, the Company converted US$18.0 million to Canadian dollars at an exchange rate of 1.42. Since then, the US dollar to Canadian dollar exchange rate has decreased to 1.36 as of June 16, 2025, resulting in a foreign exchange gain of approximately US$0.8 million on that portion of the cash. The Company currently holds US$37.0 million (C$50.3 million) in cash, remains debt-free, and has no outstanding legal payables.
Credit Portfolio Update: The Company currently holds 532,720 carbon credits from cookstove projects and 18,990 carbon credits from water purification projects under the Community Carbon Stream. A breakdown of credit vintage, project ID and registry information is provided below.
Notice of Arbitration: The Company has filed a Notice of Arbitration in Ontario against Will Solutions Inc.
AGM Reminder: The Company’s Annual General Meeting (the “AGM”) of holders of common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) will be held on June 18th, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. (Vancouver time), at the offices of Farris LLP, 25th Floor, 700 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Restrictive Legend Removal:
The Company has finalized the process to offer qualifying U.S. investors who participated in the 2021 Financings (defined below) the opportunity to remove the restrictive legend from their share certificates—or from book-entry shares, as applicable—without the need for the shareholder to pay for a legal opinion, regardless of whether a particular shareholder intends to sell or actually sells the shares into the public market. This service is being provided at no cost to all qualifying investors. This legend on the share certificates renders the securities “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 and restricts these investors from selling stock.
The blanket opinion provides that the removal of the restrictive legend is now permissible under Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933.
While removing the legend is permissible, it is not required. Shareholders are not required to take any action if they prefer to keep the restrictive legend in place.
Marin Katusa, CEO of the Company, stated “The vast majority of the capital raised for Carbon Streaming came from the financings throughout the 2021 calendar year. Since those financings in 2021, over 700 U.S. residents who invested in those financings have been unable to deposit their shares into a brokerage firm or freely sell those shares because of the restrictive legend that is applied to U.S. investors investing in private placements.
The typical process to remove a restrictive legend is done on a one-off basis, meaning each U.S resident must complete the removal of the restrictive legend on their own. This is the first time a publicly listed Canadian company, such that we are aware, has offered the removal of the restrictive legend through a digitalized process applicable to a large group of U.S. investors (over 700 shareholders at the same time) to simplify and expediate the process of removing the restrictive U.S. legend.
We approached DealMaker in early 2025 with the concept to digitalize the legend removal process for the U.S. investors. The Company worked with DealMaker on the 2021 Financings where all subscription forms were digitalized and the funding process was completed.
I am especially proud of the innovation of this potential solution to U.S. legend removals, as it will ultimately cost less than 5% of the quotes the Company initially received to obtain a global opinion letter for the removal the U.S. restrictive legend through the traditional process. In addition, DealMaker has agreed to not charge for their services.”
Eligibility for Blanket Removal
Holders of Common Shares are eligible if they are US residents, non affiliates and acquired the Common Shares pursuant to:
that certain private placement of special warrants issued on July 20, 2021,
that certain private placement of Common Shares issued on March 11, 2021,
that certain private placement of Common Shares issued on May 12, 2021,
that certain private placement of Common Share issued on January 27, 2021,
that certain private placement of units, with each unit consisting of one Common Share and one share purchase warrant to purchase one Common Share, issued on December 22, 2020, and
that certain private placement of units, with each unit consisting of one Common Share and one share purchase warrant to purchase one Common Share, issued on December 16, 2020.
(collectively, the “2021 Financings”)
Timing and Process to Participate in Blanket Removal
Holders who are eligible will receive an email from DealMaker on or about June 23, 2025 with instructions on how to participate.
If you are a U.S. investor and do not want to register your shares into a brokerage account or sell your shares, then no action is required. This service is being offered by the Company to U.S. investors who acquired their shares in the 2021 Financings, are not affiliates and who have the restrictive legend on their share certificates—or book-entry shares, as applicable and wish to deposit them in a brokerage account or sell their shares in the public market.
Marin Katusa, CEO, further added: “DealMaker handled the 2021 Financings for the Company which included the digitalizing subscription forms and managing the subscription wires from the investors in a professional, efficient and low-cost manner. We strongly believe that this innovative solution we have created with DealMaker to remove the U.S. restrictive legends will be equally successful. We are grateful for DealMaker’s innovative approach and commitment to excellence, which continues to streamline our investor communications and elevate the overall experience for our shareholders.”
Cash Conservation
As of June 16, 2025, the Company has US$37.0 million in cash (C$50.3 million), remains debt-free, and has no outstanding legal payables. With cash generated from the sale of carbon credits held by the Company, interest earned on the Company’s cash balance, and substantial reductions in operating expenses to date, the Company expects a significant improvement in operating cash flow in 2025 when compared to previous years. The Company currently has three full-time employees and a part-time CFO, with a combined annual base compensation of approximately US$0.5 million, while the CEO and Board of Directors are not collecting any salaries, fees, nor equity-based compensation of any kind.
Carbon credits held by the Company as of June 16, 2025
Project
Registry
Project ID
Vintage
Credits available for sale
Uganda cookstove project
Gold Standard
GS12119
2022
53,801
GS10967
2023
129,383
GS12119
2023
199,340
GS12120
2023
41,514
GS12120
2024
15,432
439,470
Uganda household safe water project
Gold Standard
GS10968
2022
38
GS10968
2023
14,373
14,411
Tanzania cookstove project
Verra
VCS2676
2022
27,492
VCS2676
2023
60,788
88,280
Mozambique cookstove project
Gold Standard
GS11211
2022
1,401
Gold Standard
GS12638
2023
3
Gold Standard
GS12638
2024
296
Gold Standard
GS11211
2024
3,270
4,970
Malawi household safe water project
Gold Standard
GS11245
2022
988
Gold Standard
GS11245
2023
3,310
Gold Standard
GS11245
2024
281
4,579
The Company has been in discussions with several different parties regarding the sale of its existing carbon credits. While current market pricing for cookstoves remains weak, the Company continues to advance its marketing efforts. A new initiative by the Company leverages AI-driven analysis of public disclosures to identify active buyers of environmental attributes. This effort is helping the Company more effectively target potential buyers for its current credit inventory, without incurring additional cost.
Notice of Arbitration – Will Solutions.
On June 16, 2025, the Company delivered a written Notice of Arbitration in Ontario to Will Solutions Inc. and the ADR Chambers. As previously disclosed, in the third quarter of 2024, the Company exercised its contractual rights to terminate the purchase sale agreement dated June 20, 2022 with Will Solutions Inc. (the “Sustainable Community Stream”) as a result of, among other things, the failure of Will Solutions Inc. to meet its milestone related to the registration of its Ontario project and its failure to develop and implement the project in accordance with the project plan (including continued delays in project development activities and lower-than-expected project enrollments). The Company has advanced $4.0 million of the upfront deposit to Will Solutions Inc. under the Sustainable Community Stream. The Company will continue to pursue all of its rights and interests.
2025 Annual General Meeting
The Company’s AGM will be held on June 18th, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. (Vancouver time), at the offices of Farris LLP, 25th Floor, 700 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
About Carbon Streaming
Carbon Streaming’s focus is on projects that generate high-quality carbon credits and have a positive impact on the environment, local communities, and biodiversity, in addition to their carbon reduction or removal potential.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the impact of the Company’s restructuring strategies, including evaluation of strategic alternatives; the ability of the Company to execute on expense reductions and savings from operating cost reduction measures; statements with respect to cash conservation; its sales strategy; supporting the Company’s carbon streaming and royalty partners; statements with respect to the eligibility, timing, process and completion of restrictive legend removal; statements with respect to the expected improvement in operating cash flow in 2025 when compared to previous years; statements with respect to the effectiveness and cost of AI-driven analysis of public disclosures to identify active buyers of environmental attributes; statements regarding the Company’s intention to pursue all of its rights and interests under the Sustainable Community Stream; and statements with respect to the timing of the Company’s AGM.
When used in this news release, words such as “estimates”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “will”, “believes”, “intends” “should”, “could”, “may” and other similar terminology are intended to identify such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is based on the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. They should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: general economic, market and business conditions and global financial conditions, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and stock market volatility; volatility in prices of carbon credits and demand for carbon credits; change in social or political views towards climate change, carbon credits and environmental, social and governance initiatives and subsequent changes in corporate or government policies or regulations and associated changes in demand for carbon credits; the Company’s expectations and plans with respect to current litigation, arbitration and regulatory proceedings; limited operating history for the Company’s current strategy; concentration risk; inaccurate estimates of project value, which may impact the ability of the Company to execute on its growth and diversification strategy; dependence upon key management; impact of corporate restructurings; the inability of the Company to optimize cash flows or sufficiently reduce operating expenses; reputational risk; risks arising from competition and future acquisition activities failure or timing delays for projects to be registered, validated and ultimately developed and for emission reductions or removals to be verified and carbon credits issued (and other risks associated with carbon credits standards and registries); foreign operations and political risks including actions by governmental authorities, including changes in or to government regulation, taxation and carbon pricing initiatives; uncertainties and ongoing market developments surrounding the validation and verification requirements of the voluntary and/or compliance markets; due diligence risks, including failure of third parties’ reviews, reports and projections to be accurate; dependence on project partners, operators and owners, including failure by such counterparties to make payments or perform their operational or other obligations to the Company in compliance with the terms of contractual arrangements between the Company and such counterparties; failure of projects to generate carbon credits, or natural disasters such as flood or fire which could have a material adverse effect on the ability of any project to generate carbon credits; volatility in the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; the effect that the issuance of additional securities by the Company could have on the market price of the Company’s common shares or warrants; global health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics; and the other risks disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated as of March 31, 2025 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this news release. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
London, United Kingdom, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Topnotch Crypto, a global player in the cloud mining sector, has officially launched its free cloud mining mobile application. Designed to simplify digital asset mining for everyday users, the new app leverages artificial intelligence and renewable energy to deliver efficient, 24/7 automated mining without the need for hardware or technical expertise.
The application aims to make digital asset mining more accessible by offering a streamlined, mobile-first experience. Built with a focus on energy efficiency, the app runs on 100% green power sourced from Nordic wind and solar infrastructure. Its AI-based computing system dynamically allocates resources to optimize performance and reduce energy costs.
“We developed this app to lower the barrier of entry into digital asset mining,” said a spokesperson from Topnotch Crypto. “With just a smartphone, users can now participate in the growing digital economy in a secure and sustainable way.”
The app also allows users to monitor mining performance, manage digital assets, and access support directly from their mobile device. It is available on both Android and iOS platforms.
This launch comes at a time when the global cloud mining industry is projected to grow rapidly. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of approximately 47% between 2025 and 2028. Solutions that combine cloud infrastructure, AI, and green energy are increasingly seen as foundational to the next era of digital mining.
About Topnotch Crypto
Topnotch Crypto was legally established in 2020 under British supervision. With “zero threshold, low risk, and high transparency” as its core advantages, it has built a new channel to crypto assets for global users.
Visit https://topnotchcrypto.com to register now and share the stable passive income and unlimited growth opportunities under the wave of digital gold with 8 million users around the world!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of financial loss. You are strongly advised to perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.
OMAHA, Neb., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP (NYSE: GHI) (the “Partnership”) announced that the Board of Managers of Greystone AF Manager LLC (“Greystone Manager”) declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s Beneficial Unit Certificate (“BUC”) holders of $0.30 per BUC.
The cash distribution will be paid on July 31, 2025 to all BUC holders of record as of the close of trading on June 30, 2025. The BUCs will trade ex-distribution as of June 30, 2025.
Commenting on the Partnership’s quarterly distribution, Chief Executive Officer Ken Rogozinski stated, “Persistently high interest rates, coupled with higher capitalization rates, have combined to create a more muted environment for sales of certain high quality joint venture properties within our investment portfolio, particularly in Texas markets. As a result, we are reducing our quarterly distribution to appropriately align with the current operating environment. Our quarterly distribution equates to a 9.5% annualized distribution yield based on our net book value as of March 31, 2025, which we believe is attractive in the current operating environment.”
Greystone Manager is the general partner of America First Capital Associates Limited Partnership Two, the Partnership’s general partner. Distributions to the Partnership’s BUC holders, including regular and any supplemental distributions, are determined by Greystone Manager based on a disciplined evaluation of the Partnership’s current and anticipated operating results, financial condition and other factors it deems relevant. Greystone Manager continually evaluates the factors that go into BUC holder distribution decisions, consistent with the long-term best interests of the BUC holders and the Partnership.
The Partnership also announced that Vantage at Fair Oaks, a 288-unit market rate multifamily property located in Boerne, TX (the “Property”), was publicly listed for sale by Institutional Property Advisors Texas at the direction of the Property-owning entity’s managing member. The Partnership’s non-controlling investment in the Property was originated in September 2021 and the Partnership contributed equity totaling $12.0 million to date. Construction of the Property was completed in May 2023. Consistent with past Vantage property sales, the managing member controls the listing and sales process under the terms of the Property-owning entity’s operating agreement, with the Partnership entitled to certain net proceeds upon the successful completion of the sale of the Property.
About Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP
Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP was formed in 1998 under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act for the primary purpose of acquiring, holding, selling and otherwise dealing with a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds which have been issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for affordable multifamily, seniors and student housing properties. The Partnership is pursuing a business strategy of acquiring additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments on a leveraged basis. The Partnership expects and believes the interest earned on these mortgage revenue bonds is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Partnership seeks to achieve its investment growth strategy by investing in additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments as permitted by its Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated December 5, 2022, (the “Partnership Agreement”), taking advantage of attractive financing structures available in the securities market, and entering into interest rate risk management instruments. Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP press releases are available at www.ghiinvestors.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include, but are not limited to, phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe objectives, plans, or goals also are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Partnership. The Partnership cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied, or projected by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: defaults on the mortgage loans securing our mortgage revenue bonds and governmental issuer loans; the competitive environment in which the Partnership operates; risks associated with investing in multifamily, student, senior citizen residential properties and commercial properties; general economic, geopolitical, and financial conditions, including the current and future impact of changing interest rates, inflation, and international conflicts (including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war) on business operations, employment, and financial conditions; uncertain conditions within the domestic and international macroeconomic environment, including monetary and fiscal policy and conditions in the investment, credit, interest rate, and derivatives markets; adverse reactions in U.S. financial markets related to actions of foreign central banks or the economic performance of foreign economies, including in particular China, Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom; the general condition of the real estate markets in the regions in which the Partnership operates, which may be unfavorably impacted by pressures in the commercial real estate sector, incrementally higher unemployment rates, persistent elevated inflation levels, and other factors; changes in interest rates and credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategies the Partnership may undertake in relation to such changes, and the effect such changes may have on the relative spreads between the yield on investments and cost of financing; the aggregate effect of elevated inflation levels over the past several years, spurred by multiple factors including expansionary monetary and fiscal policy, higher commodity prices, a tight labor market, and low residential vacancy rates, which may result in continued elevated interest rate levels and increased market volatility; the Partnership’s ability to access debt and equity capital to finance its assets; current maturities of the Partnership’s financing arrangements and the Partnership’s ability to renew or refinance such financing arrangements; local, regional, national and international economic and credit market conditions; recapture of previously issued Low Income Housing Tax Credits in accordance with Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code; geographic concentration of properties related to investments held by the Partnership; changes in the U.S. corporate tax code and other government regulations affecting the Partnership’s business; and the other risks detailed in the Partnership’s SEC filings (including but not limited to, the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K). Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.
If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, the developments and future events concerning the Partnership set forth in this press release may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our expectations and beliefs to change. The Partnership assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless obligated to do so under the federal securities laws.
OMAHA, Neb., June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP (NYSE: GHI) (the “Partnership”) announced that the Board of Managers of Greystone AF Manager LLC (“Greystone Manager”) declared a cash distribution to the Partnership’s Beneficial Unit Certificate (“BUC”) holders of $0.30 per BUC.
The cash distribution will be paid on July 31, 2025 to all BUC holders of record as of the close of trading on June 30, 2025. The BUCs will trade ex-distribution as of June 30, 2025.
Commenting on the Partnership’s quarterly distribution, Chief Executive Officer Ken Rogozinski stated, “Persistently high interest rates, coupled with higher capitalization rates, have combined to create a more muted environment for sales of certain high quality joint venture properties within our investment portfolio, particularly in Texas markets. As a result, we are reducing our quarterly distribution to appropriately align with the current operating environment. Our quarterly distribution equates to a 9.5% annualized distribution yield based on our net book value as of March 31, 2025, which we believe is attractive in the current operating environment.”
Greystone Manager is the general partner of America First Capital Associates Limited Partnership Two, the Partnership’s general partner. Distributions to the Partnership’s BUC holders, including regular and any supplemental distributions, are determined by Greystone Manager based on a disciplined evaluation of the Partnership’s current and anticipated operating results, financial condition and other factors it deems relevant. Greystone Manager continually evaluates the factors that go into BUC holder distribution decisions, consistent with the long-term best interests of the BUC holders and the Partnership.
The Partnership also announced that Vantage at Fair Oaks, a 288-unit market rate multifamily property located in Boerne, TX (the “Property”), was publicly listed for sale by Institutional Property Advisors Texas at the direction of the Property-owning entity’s managing member. The Partnership’s non-controlling investment in the Property was originated in September 2021 and the Partnership contributed equity totaling $12.0 million to date. Construction of the Property was completed in May 2023. Consistent with past Vantage property sales, the managing member controls the listing and sales process under the terms of the Property-owning entity’s operating agreement, with the Partnership entitled to certain net proceeds upon the successful completion of the sale of the Property.
About Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP
Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP was formed in 1998 under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act for the primary purpose of acquiring, holding, selling and otherwise dealing with a portfolio of mortgage revenue bonds which have been issued to provide construction and/or permanent financing for affordable multifamily, seniors and student housing properties. The Partnership is pursuing a business strategy of acquiring additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments on a leveraged basis. The Partnership expects and believes the interest earned on these mortgage revenue bonds is excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes. The Partnership seeks to achieve its investment growth strategy by investing in additional mortgage revenue bonds and other investments as permitted by its Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, dated December 5, 2022, (the “Partnership Agreement”), taking advantage of attractive financing structures available in the securities market, and entering into interest rate risk management instruments. Greystone Housing Impact Investors LP press releases are available at www.ghiinvestors.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include, but are not limited to, phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe objectives, plans, or goals also are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of the Partnership. The Partnership cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, implied, or projected by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: defaults on the mortgage loans securing our mortgage revenue bonds and governmental issuer loans; the competitive environment in which the Partnership operates; risks associated with investing in multifamily, student, senior citizen residential properties and commercial properties; general economic, geopolitical, and financial conditions, including the current and future impact of changing interest rates, inflation, and international conflicts (including the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war) on business operations, employment, and financial conditions; uncertain conditions within the domestic and international macroeconomic environment, including monetary and fiscal policy and conditions in the investment, credit, interest rate, and derivatives markets; adverse reactions in U.S. financial markets related to actions of foreign central banks or the economic performance of foreign economies, including in particular China, Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom; the general condition of the real estate markets in the regions in which the Partnership operates, which may be unfavorably impacted by pressures in the commercial real estate sector, incrementally higher unemployment rates, persistent elevated inflation levels, and other factors; changes in interest rates and credit spreads, as well as the success of any hedging strategies the Partnership may undertake in relation to such changes, and the effect such changes may have on the relative spreads between the yield on investments and cost of financing; the aggregate effect of elevated inflation levels over the past several years, spurred by multiple factors including expansionary monetary and fiscal policy, higher commodity prices, a tight labor market, and low residential vacancy rates, which may result in continued elevated interest rate levels and increased market volatility; the Partnership’s ability to access debt and equity capital to finance its assets; current maturities of the Partnership’s financing arrangements and the Partnership’s ability to renew or refinance such financing arrangements; local, regional, national and international economic and credit market conditions; recapture of previously issued Low Income Housing Tax Credits in accordance with Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code; geographic concentration of properties related to investments held by the Partnership; changes in the U.S. corporate tax code and other government regulations affecting the Partnership’s business; and the other risks detailed in the Partnership’s SEC filings (including but not limited to, the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K). Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.
If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or if any of the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements proves to be incorrect, the developments and future events concerning the Partnership set forth in this press release may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our expectations and beliefs to change. The Partnership assumes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, unless obligated to do so under the federal securities laws.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine & Research looks at sexual function of transgender adults who had taken puberty blockers during adolescence.
Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:
“I should start by saying that I’m no expert in sexual medicine, and certainly not in the sexual problems and issues faced by trans people. It does seem to me, as a non-expert, that much of the information in this new study will be useful to those who do work with trans people on these matters (and to trans people themselves).
“I do, however, have expertise in the design and interpretation of research studies, and because of that I have some doubts about the interpretation of some of the findings, including how they are described in the press release. (The press release does generally match what is said in the research paper.)
“The research paper tells us that, of their group who had been treated with puberty blockers and later with gender-affirming hormones, 58% of the trans men and 50% of the trans women reported at least one sexual dysfunction. 52% of the trans men and 40% of the trans women said they were satisfied with their sex lives. My doubts are mostly about some comparisons within these groups in the study, and particularly about comparisons with other groups that weren’t in the study (trans people who did not have puberty blockers, and cis people).
“The first issue to note is that the number of participants was pretty small for trans men (50 of them) and very small for trans women (just 20). This in itself limits how far the findings can be generalized beyond people attending the clinic where the research was done.
“But how do these rates of sexual dysfunction compare to other groups? Are those percentages large or small? Some comparisons between groups are made in the research paper and reported in the press release, and here I have some doubts.
“Some comparisons are made within the participants in the study. For instance, a quote in the release says, “There was also no difference between people who started puberty blockers early or later in puberty.” That does generally match what the research paper says. However, this was an observational study. In observational studies, there are always doubts about what is causing what. That’s because there will be differences between the groups being compared in terms of other factors, and perhaps the other factors are causing any observed differences in the outcomes. This extends to doubts about whether a lack of difference between people who got puberty blockers at different stages is because the stage of starting the blockers has no real effect – maybe it does have an effect but that is masked by some other factors.
“Typically in this kind of study, the researchers would make statistical adjustments to try to allow for the effects of other factors that differed between subgroups of the participants. But in this study, that could not be done because the number of participants was too small. So there must remain some doubt about whether the puberty stage when puberty blockers began does affect the level of sexual problems later. It might not, or it might.
“However, the researchers make comparison with other groups too, groups on which this study did not itself collect any data. It’s always very awkward to make comparisons between findings from different studies that might use different measurement methods – different questionnaires in this case – and possibly very different populations of participants, where differences in other factors may be very important.
“In the research paper, the researchers make informal comparisons about the level of sexual problems between the people in their own study, who all had puberty blockers and then, later, gender-affirming hormones, with people in a different study who had gender-affirming treatment that started in adulthood, and so had no puberty blockers. They report that the other study (reference 26 in the new paper) found that 54% of sexually active trans men and 69% of sexually active trans women reported at least one sexual difficulty. Those rates are higher than the rates in the new study, but (as the paper points out) there are several differences between the new study and the one used for comparison. But nevertheless the press release says, “The frequency of sexual problems was consistent with previous studies among transgender adults who did not start hormone therapy until adulthood.” Given the small numbers of participants, and the fact that there are reasonably substantial differences between the two studies in terms of sexual difficulties, I think that’s going a bit too far.
“Also, part of a quote in the press release says, “This [the level of satisfaction with their sex lives of the participants in the new study] corresponds to the sexual satisfaction of the cisgender population.” I think that’s going too far as well: The research article quotes rates of sexual dysfunction in cis women in young women in the Netherlands and adult women in the US as 42% and 43% respectively, and in the new study, 50% of the trans women reported at least one sexual dysfunction. (But remember there were only 20 trans women in the new research.) For adult cis men in the US and England, the researchers quote that 31% and 34% reported sexual dysfunction. In the new study, 58% of the trans men reported at least one sexual dysfunction.
“I think the best we can say is that all these percentages are in roughly the same ballpark. But does it make sense to say that they ‘correspond’? How far does it make sense at all to compare data on adults, on average much older than the people in the new study, and to compare recent data (in the new study) with data going back to1998 and 2000 for the UK and US results? And anyway, to what extent might all these figures represent what participants want to tell researchers, rather than what they truly think about their own sex lives?”
Dr Channa Jayasena, Associate Professor in Reproductive Endocrinology, Imperial College London, said:
“Puberty blockers ‘switch off’ a hormone signal from the brain which tells the body to develop male or female adult characteristics. Puberty blockers are approved in many countries to stop puberty in children with gender dysphoria who do not want to go through puberty aligned with their birth sex. In the UK, puberty blockers cannot be given, and a clinical trial is planned to investigate how well they treat symptoms in children with gender dysphoria.
“The current study used questionnaires to investigate rates of sexual problems in patients who had been treated with puberty blockers starting from the ages of 11-18 years. The size and design of the study is like other studies investigating sexual symptoms in patients. The authors found that about half of transgender individuals who were given puberty blockers between ages 11 and 18 years reported sexual satisfaction as adults; the authors state that levels of sexual satisfaction reported in their study were similar to levels of satisfaction reported previously for individuals starting treatment for gender dysphoria as adults. It would have been helpful to have included another group of young people without gender dysphoria, to judge how much gender dysphoria affects sexual satisfaction. In addition, we currently do not know whether puberty blockade alters sexual satisfaction for young people with gender dysphoria if given
‘Sexual satisfaction and dysfunction in transgender adults following puberty suppression treatment during adolescence’ by Isabelle S. van der Meulen et al. was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine & Research at 01:01 UK time on Wednesday 18 June 2025.
The Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15-17, 2025, with the objective of building stronger economies by making communities safer and the world more secure, promoting energy security and accelerating the digital transition, as well as fostering partnerships of the future.
Five decades after its founding in 1975, the G7 continues to demonstrate its value as a platform for advanced economies to coordinate financial and economic policy, address issues of peace and security, and cooperate with international partners in response to global challenges.
G7 Leaders focused on economic developments. In a context of rising market volatility and shocks to international trade, as well as longer-term trends toward fragmentation and global imbalances, they discussed the need for greater economic and financial stability, technological innovation, and an open and predictable trading regime to drive investment and growth. They considered ways to collaborate on global trade to boost productivity and grow their economies, emphasizing energy security and the digital transition. They acknowledged that both are underpinned by secure and responsible critical mineral supply chains and that more collaboration is required, within and beyond the G7. Leaders undertook to safeguard their economies from unfair non-market policies and practices that distort markets and drive overcapacity in ways that are harmful to workers and businesses. This includes de-risking through diversification and reduction of critical dependencies. Leaders welcomed the new Canada-led G7 initiative – the Critical Minerals Production Alliance – working with trusted international partners to guarantee supply for advanced manufacturing and defence.
G7 Leaders expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. They recognized that Ukraine has committed to an unconditional ceasefire, and they agreed that Russia must do the same. G7 Leaders are resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions. The G7 met with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Mark Rutte to discuss their support for a strong and sovereign Ukraine, including budgetary defence and recovery and reconstruction support.
G7 Leaders reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. They exchanged on the evolving situation, following Hamas’s terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, and the active conflict between Israel and Iran. Leaders discussed the importance of unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of all hostages and an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Leaders also talked about the need for a negotiated political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that achieves lasting peace. Leaders affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, and were clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. They underlined the importance of protecting civilians. They expressed their readiness to coordinate to safeguard the stability of international energy markets. They urged that the resolution of this crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza. G7 Leaders released a statement on recent developments between Israel and Iran.
Leaders highlighted the importance of a free, open, prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law, and discussed growing economic cooperation with the region. They stressed the importance of constructive and stable relations with China, while calling on China to refrain from market distortions and harmful overcapacity, tackle global challenges and promote international peace and security. Leaders discussed their ongoing serious concerns about China’s destabilizing activities in the East and South China Seas and the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They expressed concern about DPRK’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and the need to jointly address DPRK cryptocurrency thefts fueling these programs. The need to resolve the abductions issue was also raised. Leaders acknowledged the links between crisis theatres in Ukraine, the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Leaders discussed other instances of crisis and conflict, including in Africa and Haiti.
The G7 Leaders underscored their resolve to ensure the safety and security of communities. They condemned foreign interference, underlining the unacceptable threat of transnational repression to rights and freedoms, national security and state sovereignty. Leaders highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration to promote border security and counter migrant smuggling and illicit synthetic drug trafficking, noting recent successes. They stressed the need to work with countries of origin and transit countries. Leaders discussed the impacts of increasingly extreme weather events around the world. They highlighted the need for more international collaboration to prevent, fight and respond to wildfires, which are destroying homes and ecosystems, and driving pollution and emissions.
The G7 welcomed participation in the Summit by the President of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, President of the Republic Korea, Lee Jae-myung, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, as well as UN Secretary General, António Guterres, and President of the World Bank, Ajaypal Singh Banga. Together, they identified ways to collaborate on energy security in a changing world, with a focus on advancing technology and innovation, diversifying and strengthening critical mineral supply chains, building infrastructure, and mobilizing investment. They discussed just energy transitions as well as sustainable and innovative solutions to boost energy access and affordability, while mitigating the impact on climate and the environment. They talked about the consequences of growing conflicts for shared prosperity, including energy security, and the need to work towards a shared peace.
Leaders and guests had a productive discussion on the importance of building coalitions with reliable partners – existing and new – that include the private sector, development finance institutions and multilateral development banks, to drive inclusive economic growth and advance sustainable development. The upcoming United Nations’ Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development was raised as an opportunity to continue these discussions, including on private capital mobilization.
G7 Leaders agreed to collaborate with partners on concrete outcomes that deliver for everyone. To this end, they agreed to six joint statements. Their commitments included:
Securing high-standard critical mineral supply chains that power the economies of the future.
Driving secure, responsible and trustworthy AI adoption across public and private sectors, powering AI now and into the future, and closing digital divides.
Boosting cooperation to unlock the full potential of quantum technology to grow economies, solve global challenges and keep communities secure.
Mounting a multilateral effort to better prevent, fight and recover from wildfires, which are on the rise around the world.
Protecting the rights of everyone in society, and the fundamental principle of state sovereignty, by continuing to combat foreign interference, with a focus on transnational repression.
Countering migrant smuggling by dismantling transnational organized crime groups.
G7 Leaders welcomed the endorsement by many outreach partners of the Critical Minerals Action Plan and the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter.
Discussions at the Kananaskis Summit were informed by the recommendations of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC), which stressed the social and economic benefits of gender equality, and of all G7 engagement groups.
The G7 remains committed to working with domestic and international stakeholders and partners, including local governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, industry and international organizations, to advance shared priorities.
The G7 will continue its work under Canada’s presidency throughout 2025, and looks forward to France’s leadership in 2026.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Adriana Smith’s Family Was Denied the Right to Make Medical Decisions for Months, After She Was Declared Brain Dead, Due to Georgia Abortion Ban
Pressley Joins Williams, Jacobs in Introducing Resolution Condemning Anti-Abortion Laws that Denied Smith’s Dignity and Human Rights
Adriana’s Son Chance was Delivered via Postmortem Emergency C-Section and Adriana Will be Taken Off Life Support
Resolution Text (PDF)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement on the tragic case of Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old Georgia mother who was declared brain dead in February and had been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. The Georgia hospital where Adriana died indicated that the state’s extreme abortion ban mandated Adriana remain on life support because she was 9 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via a postmortem emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana is being taken off life support today.
“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”
In light of this solemn update, Congresswoman Pressley joined Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) in introducing a resolution recognizing the deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith.
The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.
“I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them. From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams.
“My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. “Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”
Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.
The resolution urges the government to:
Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.
Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.
Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.
The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.
A copy of the resolution text can be found here.
On June 5, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor demanding justice for Adriana Smith and sharing her family’s story. Pressley connected the horrific mistreatment of Adriana Smith to the brutal history of medical violence Black women have faced in America for centuries.
Last month, as Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Rep. Pressley and Co-Chair Diana DeGette (CO-01) released a statement calling for the state of Georgia and the hospital in question to respect the fundamental rights of Adriana Smith and her family and condemned GOP abortion bans.
SINGAPORE, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (Nasdaq: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining, today announced that it intends to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, US$300.0 million principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “notes”) in a private placement (the “offering”) to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company also intends to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the notes are first issued, up to an additional US$45.0 million principal amount of notes.
The notes will be general senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will accrue interest payable semiannually in arrears. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, Class A ordinary shares par value US$0.0000001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A ordinary shares”) or a combination of cash and Class A ordinary shares, at its election. The interest rate, initial conversion rate, repurchase or redemption rights and certain other terms of the notes will be determined at the time of pricing of the offering.
Use of Proceeds
The Company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the zero-strike call option transaction and to pay the cash consideration for the concurrent note exchange transactions, each as described below. The Company intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of the additional notes for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes as described above.
Zero-Strike Call Option Transaction
In connection with the pricing of the notes, the Company intends to enter into a privately negotiated zero-strike call option transaction with one of the initial purchasers or its affiliate (the “option counterparty”) and, having an expiration date that is scheduled to occur shortly after the maturity date of the notes. Pursuant to the zero-strike call option transaction, the Company would pay a premium for the right to receive, without further payment, a specified number of Class A ordinary shares (subject to customary adjustment), with delivery thereof by the option counterparty at expiry, subject to early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction in whole or in part at the option counterparty’s discretion. In the case of settlement at expiration or upon any early settlement, the option counterparty would deliver to the Company the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the zero-strike call option transaction or the portion thereof being settled early. The zero-strike call option transaction is intended to facilitate privately negotiated derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares between the option counterparty (or its affiliate) and certain investors in the notes by which those investors will be able to hedge their investment in the notes. Those activities, which are expected to occur concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the offering, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes at that time.
The option counterparty (or its affiliate) may modify its hedge positions by entering into or unwinding derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling Class A ordinary shares or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions at any time following the pricing of the notes and shortly before or after the expiry or early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction, and, the Company has been advised that the option counterparty may unwind its derivative transactions and/or purchase or sell the Class A ordinary shares in connection with the expiry of the zero-strike call option transaction or any early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction at the option counterparty’s discretion, including any early settlement relating to any conversion, repurchase or redemption of the notes. Those activities could also increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) or decrease (or reduce the size of any increase in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes.
If the zero-strike call option transaction fails to become effective, whether or not the offering is completed, the option counterparty may unwind its hedge positions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares, which could adversely affect the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and, if the notes have been issued, the market price of the notes.
Concurrent Note Exchange Transaction
Concurrently with the pricing of the notes in the offering, the Company expects to enter into one or more privately negotiated transactions with one or more holders of 8.50% convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “August 2029 notes”) to exchange for cash and Class A ordinary shares certain of its August 2029 notes on terms to be negotiated with each holder (each, a “note exchange transaction”). The terms of each note exchange transaction will depend on a variety of factors. No assurance can be given as to how much, if any, of the August 2029 notes will be exchanged or the terms on which they will be exchanged. This press release is not an offer to exchange the August 2029 notes, and the offering of the notes is not contingent upon the exchange of the August 2029 notes.
In connection with any note exchange transaction, the Company expects that holders of the August 2029 notes who agree to have their August 2029 notes exchanged and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the “hedged holders”) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying the Class A ordinary shares and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares. The amount of the Class A ordinary shares to be purchased by the hedged holders or in connection with such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historical average daily trading volume of the Class A ordinary shares. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares, including concurrently with the pricing of the notes. The Company cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or the Class A ordinary shares.
The notes and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, any state securities laws or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.
This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Bitdeer Technologies Group
Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to Bitdeer’s expectations regarding the proposed terms and the completion, timing and size of the proposed offering, the note exchange transactions and the zero-strike call option transaction, the expected use of proceeds from the sale of the notes and potential impact of the foregoing or related transactions on the market price of the Class A ordinary shares or the trading price of the notes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions, whether Bitdeer will offer the notes, enter into the note exchange transactions and the zero-strike call option transaction or be able to consummate the proposed offering, the note exchange transactions and the zero-strike call option transaction at the anticipated size or on the anticipated terms, or at all, and the satisfaction of closing conditions related to the proposed offering and the note exchange transactions, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as those discussed in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Bitdeer’s control. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Investor Relations Orange Group Yujia Zhai bitdeerir@orangegroupadvisors.com
Public Relations BlocksBridge Consulting Nishant Sharma bitdeer@blocksbridge.com
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF: Warnock, Ossoff Secure Over $14 Million in Federal Funding for Georgia Airports through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport in Albany will receive $1,757,262 for infrastructure improvements
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will receive $11,398,769 for taxiway upgrades, road construction, and more
Additional communities receiving federal funding include BLAIRSVILLE, BUTLER, CANON, COCHRAN, MONROE, PEACHTREE CITY
Senator Warnock:“Georgia is one of the most important aviation states in the nation, and I will always be committed to ensuring our economy and infrastructure can reach new heights”
Senator Ossoff:“Georgia’s airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. Alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, we are pleased to announce this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for airport upgrades across the State of Georgia”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced new federal investments to upgrade Georgia’s airports through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation championed by the senators for its investments in Georgia. Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced airports in Savannah, Albany, and six additional communities across Georgia will receive a total of $14,107,485 for infrastructure upgrades. The federal funding will be used for taxiway and runway upgrades, road construction, a planning study, and more.
“This new investment is a testament to the good we can accomplish when we center the people in policymaking,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Georgia is one of the most important aviation states in the nation, and I will always be committed to ensuring our economy and infrastructure can reach new heights.”
“Georgia’s airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. Alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, we are pleased to announce this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for airport upgrades across the State of Georgia. Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s infrastructure for years to come,” said Senator Ossoff.
More information on these federal grants can be found below:
Locality
Airport
Description
Amount
Albany
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport
Taxiway upgrades, pavement upgrades
$1,757,262
Blairsville
Blairsville Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Butler
Butler Municipal Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$110,000
Canon
Franklin-Hart Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$201,744
Cochran
Cochran Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Monroe
Cy Nunnally Memorial Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Peachtree City
Atlanta Regional Falcon Field
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$162,710
Savannah
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Taxiway upgrades, road construction, planning study, expanded apron space
$11,398,769
A longtime champion for Georgia’s aviation industry, last year Senator Warnock secured provisions in the FAA Reauthorization law that will help transform the aviation industry, including provisions to bolster the aviation workforce pipeline and invest in our aviation economy. In May 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced more than $13 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade and help maintain Georgia’s regional airports. Last summer, Senator Warnock toured Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, as well as Savannah Tech’s Crossroads Aviation Campus to meet with current students who are training to work at Gulfstream or in Georgia’s aviation economy. In 2023, Senator Warnock visited Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to review progress on federally funded projects, including construction of a security checkpoint expansion. In April 2023, Senator Warnock met with local aviation workers and leaders at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Chamblee, Georgia to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing workers on the frontlines of the aviation industry; following his visit, the Senator introduced the AIRWAYS Act to strengthen the aviation workforce by recruiting and training future industry workers from all zip codes. Additionally, in 2022 Senators Warnock and Ossoff secured $13.5 million to update nine airports across Georgia, including Augusta Regional Airport and Columbus Airport. The awards announced today were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included at least $619 million for Georgia’s airports to improve efficiency, upgrade terminals, and more.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF: Warnock, Ossoff Secure Over $14 Million in Federal Funding for Georgia Airports through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport in Albany will receive $1,757,262 for infrastructure improvements
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport will receive $11,398,769 for taxiway upgrades, road construction, and more
Additional communities receiving federal funding include BLAIRSVILLE, BUTLER, CANON, COCHRAN, MONROE, PEACHTREE CITY
Senator Warnock:“Georgia is one of the most important aviation states in the nation, and I will always be committed to ensuring our economy and infrastructure can reach new heights”
Senator Ossoff:“Georgia’s airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. Alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, we are pleased to announce this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for airport upgrades across the State of Georgia”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced new federal investments to upgrade Georgia’s airports through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation championed by the senators for its investments in Georgia. Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced airports in Savannah, Albany, and six additional communities across Georgia will receive a total of $14,107,485 for infrastructure upgrades. The federal funding will be used for taxiway and runway upgrades, road construction, a planning study, and more.
“This new investment is a testament to the good we can accomplish when we center the people in policymaking,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Georgia is one of the most important aviation states in the nation, and I will always be committed to ensuring our economy and infrastructure can reach new heights.”
“Georgia’s airports are a key driver of job creation and economic competitiveness. Alongside Senator Reverend Warnock, we are pleased to announce this funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for airport upgrades across the State of Georgia. Our bipartisan infrastructure law will continue to deliver long-overdue upgrades to Georgia’s infrastructure for years to come,” said Senator Ossoff.
More information on these federal grants can be found below:
Locality
Airport
Description
Amount
Albany
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport
Taxiway upgrades, pavement upgrades
$1,757,262
Blairsville
Blairsville Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Butler
Butler Municipal Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$110,000
Canon
Franklin-Hart Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$201,744
Cochran
Cochran Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Monroe
Cy Nunnally Memorial Airport
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$159,000
Peachtree City
Atlanta Regional Falcon Field
Runway infrastructure upgrades
$162,710
Savannah
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
Taxiway upgrades, road construction, planning study, expanded apron space
$11,398,769
A longtime champion for Georgia’s aviation industry, last year Senator Warnock secured provisions in the FAA Reauthorization law that will help transform the aviation industry, including provisions to bolster the aviation workforce pipeline and invest in our aviation economy. In May 2025, Senators Warnock and Ossoff announced more than $13 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to upgrade and help maintain Georgia’s regional airports. Last summer, Senator Warnock toured Gulfstream headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, as well as Savannah Tech’s Crossroads Aviation Campus to meet with current students who are training to work at Gulfstream or in Georgia’s aviation economy. In 2023, Senator Warnock visited Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to review progress on federally funded projects, including construction of a security checkpoint expansion. In April 2023, Senator Warnock met with local aviation workers and leaders at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in Chamblee, Georgia to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing workers on the frontlines of the aviation industry; following his visit, the Senator introduced the AIRWAYS Act to strengthen the aviation workforce by recruiting and training future industry workers from all zip codes. Additionally, in 2022 Senators Warnock and Ossoff secured $13.5 million to update nine airports across Georgia, including Augusta Regional Airport and Columbus Airport. The awards announced today were made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included at least $619 million for Georgia’s airports to improve efficiency, upgrade terminals, and more.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Central Asian countries to advance high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and jointly move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for China and Central Asia guided by the “China-Central Asian spirit.”
Xi Jinping made the statement in his keynote speech at the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit, which was chaired by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The summit was also attended by Presidents Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan.
Xi Jinping recalled that during the previous summit in Xi’an, China, two years ago, the leaders of the six countries jointly formulated the “Xi’an vision” for China-Central Asia cooperation. Over the past two years, he added, China and the Central Asian countries have deepened and given concrete content to cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, achieving progress in various areas of cooperation.
According to the Chinese leader, the framework of the China-Central Asia mechanism has basically been formed, the agreements of the first summit are being comprehensively implemented, the paths of cooperation are steadily expanding, and the blossoming flowers of friendship are becoming ever brighter.
Xi Jinping noted that through years of joint efforts, the six countries have formed a “China-Central Asian spirit” based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance, and advancing joint modernization through high-quality development.
As the Chinese President pointed out, the “China-Central Asian spirit” has set important guidelines for friendship and cooperation from generation to generation, and this spirit should be steadily maintained and continuously developed by the six countries.
In the context of accelerating changes unseen in a century, today’s world is entering a new period of global upheaval and transformation, Xi Jinping said, stressing that only unwavering adherence to the principles of honesty, fairness, mutual benefit and win-win will help safeguard world peace and achieve common development.
Xi Jinping called on the six countries to follow the “China-Central Asia spirit” and enhance cooperation with greater enthusiasm and pragmatism.
In this regard, he put forward a five-point proposal.
First, China and Central Asian countries should unswervingly adhere to the original aspiration for unity based on mutual trust and mutual support.
Second, China and Central Asian countries should optimize the framework for pragmatic, highly effective and deeply integrated cooperation.
Third, China and Central Asian countries should build a security architecture based on peace, tranquility and common interests. They should strengthen regional security governance, steadily deepen cooperation in law enforcement and security, jointly prevent and counter the spread of extremist ideology, resolutely combat the “three evil forces” (terrorism, separatism and extremism), and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.
Fourth, China and the Central Asian countries should strengthen the cultural ties of common thoughts and moral principles, mutual understanding and closeness between the peoples. China is ready to intensify cooperation with the Central Asian countries at the levels of legislative bodies, political parties, women’s and youth organizations, media and think tanks, conduct in-depth exchanges of public administration experience, open new cultural centers, university branches and “Lu Ban Workshops” in the Central Asian countries to train highly qualified personnel for these countries.
Fifth, China and Central Asian countries should uphold a fair, reasonable, equitable and orderly international order. They should jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, oppose hegemonism and power politics, and actively promote the construction of an equitable and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits everyone.
In conclusion, the Chinese President noted that China is currently comprehensively promoting the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.
He stressed that regardless of changes in the international situation, China will unswervingly adhere to the policy of opening up to the outside world. China hopes to work with Central Asian countries to establish higher-quality cooperation and deepen the integration of interests, so as to achieve common prosperity and promote continuous new achievements in China-Central Asia cooperation, Xi Jinping concluded. –0–
End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. This mission will not result in a Board discussion.
Monrovia, Liberia: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team, led by Mr. Daehaeng Kim, Mission Chief for Liberia, visited Monrovia from June 4 – 17, 2025, to conduct the 2025 Article IV Consultation and the Second Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement.
At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Kim issued the following statement:
“The IMF staff held engaging and constructive discussions with the authorities on recent macroeconomic developments, the economic outlook, and medium-term policy priorities under the Article IV Consultation, as well as the performance and policies supported by the Extended Credit Facility arrangement.
“The authorities have continued to make progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability, and their commitment to reform remains strong. Slow mining activity and fiscal adjustment were key factors that moderated economic activity in 2024. A significant reduction in unproductive expenditures combined with recovery of tax revenues contributed to an impressive fiscal outturn, with the primary fiscal balance improving from a deficit of 4.2 percent of GDP in 2023 to a surplus of 1.3 percent of GDP in 2024. Inflation reached 13.1 percent in February 2025, driven primarily by domestic food prices, but has come down to 11.7 percent in May. The current account has improved significantly. Overall, program performance has been broadly satisfactory.
“The medium-term outlook has been marked down due to the sudden stop of aid flows and less favorable global environment. The growth outlook is supported by a rebound in mining activity, a recovery in agriculture and sustained growth in manufacturing and services. Inflation is projected to return to single digits, supported by prudent fiscal and monetary policies and projected lower global food and crude oil prices. The current account is expected to narrow further, while the debt-to-GDP remains on a sustainable path.
“Policy dialogue under the Article IV Consultation focused on structural reforms to tackle significant development needs, mitigate climate risks, and promote private sector growth and economic diversification to achieve sustained and inclusive growth.
“IMF staff and the authorities have reached understandings on most key macroeconomic policies for the second review of the ECF arrangement. Discussions on a few outstanding issues will continue virtually, with the goal of finalizing the staff level agreement (SLA) in the coming weeks.
“IMF staff express its gratitude to the authorities and all other counterparts for their warm hospitality and constructive engagement.”
“The team met with the leadership of the national legislature, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Augustine K. Ngafuan, Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, Mr. Henry F. Saamoi, senior government officials, development partners, representatives of the private sector and civil society.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Innovative Welsh exporter puts Britain at the forefront of global immunisation efforts
UK Export Finance supports renewable energy tech company Dulas to deliver life-saving vaccine refrigerators to over 80 countries worldwide.
Government backing helps secure British manufacturing jobs and strengthen UK’s position in global health innovation
A Welsh renewable energy company is helping to protect millions of people against preventable diseases in developing countries with backing from UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency – and HSBC UK.
The Machynlleth-based company developed the world’s first mass-produced solar-powered vaccine refrigerator in 1982. Since then, its pioneering technology has supported vital immunisation efforts for some of the hardest-to-reach communities in over 80 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
In 2022, following the challenges of the Covid pandemic, Dulas approached Stephen Wilson, UKEF’s Export Finance Manager for Wales. Through Wilson’s assistance, HSBC UK provided a £600,000 finance package backed by UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF). This finance enabled the Welsh company to future-proof its operations and maintain consistent production capabilities.
Since that first financial package, the successful partnership between Dulas, UKEF and HSBC UK has been reviewed and renewed annually, with new facilities for £600,000 in 2023 and £800,000 in 2024. This has enabled the company to provide critical equipment to even more immunisation programmes across the world.
The company has grown to employ around 100 staff at its headquarters in Mid Wales, its branch office in Inverness (Scotland) and its manufacturing facility in Bognor Regis (West Sussex).
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports, said:
We’re committed to removing barriers to trade and helping more businesses of all sizes across the country reach new overseas markets.
I’m delighted to see Dulas expanding production of their world-leading technology thanks to government support.
Jo Stephens, Secretary of State for Wales, said:
Dulas is a fantastic success story and demonstrates how Welsh expertise can lead to a brilliant UK-wide and global operation.
I’m delighted to see UK Export Finance supporting a Welsh business that is not only driving our economy forward but also contributing to international goals in health and renewable energy.
As the only UK manufacturer of vaccine fridges certified with the World Health Organisation’s Performance, Quality and Safety standard (PQS), Dulas’s cold chain products can be confidently deployed by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations across programmes worldwide. Research and development support from the Welsh Government has helped Dulas to enhance its product portfolio and meet the stringent PQS accreditation.
Tim Reid, CEO at UK Export Finance, said:
Dulas exemplifies the best of British innovation – combining renewable energy expertise with life-saving healthcare technology.
Their story provides a fantastic example how UK Export Finance can help our businesses supply vital equipment across the globe, while supporting quality manufacturing jobs at home.
Ruth Chapman, Executive Managing Director at Dulas, said:
The GEF facility has been an invaluable tool for our export business, supporting us to manage our business in a challenging, but very rewarding, sector.
We are very proud to manufacture our products within the UK and to contribute towards global efforts to eradicate common childhood illnesses, and international humanitarian efforts.
Orders for Dulas’s vaccine fridges often follow unpredictable situations such as conflict or natural disasters. Although buyers may request a high number of units – ranging last year between 100 to 300 per order – the frequency of orders can fluctuate significantly. UKEF’s support has enabled Dulas to smooth out the peaks and troughs between production and demand, ensuring cash flow and consistent factory operations.
Lyndsey Connor, Relationship Director, Corporate Banking at HSBC UK, said:
At HSBC UK, we’re committed to supporting innovative businesses as they expand into global markets. Dulas exemplifies the type of forward-thinking company that drives sustainable economic growth and creates skilled jobs in Wales and elsewhere in the UK.
Working alongside UKEF, we’ve been able to provide a financing solution that addresses Dulas’ unique business cycle challenges.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
New plans to supercharge UK cyber sector
The UK’s growing cyber security sector will be boosted by millions in new investment and a new Cyber Growth Action Plan, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
New Cyber Growth Action Plan to boost jobs and innovation, growing the UK’s £13.2 billion cyber sector.
Up to £16 million in new funding to turn cutting edge innovation into new business, and boost cyber startups
Cyber experts from defence and big tech set to advise government on public sector cybersecurity, amid growing threats.
The UK’s growing and cutting edge cyber security sector will be boosted by millions in new investment and a roadmap for growth, as part of the Plan for Change.
The government has today [Wednesday 18 June] set out the Cyber Growth Action Plan that will chart a course for the UK’s thriving cyber industry, including the technologies, processes, and services designed to protect digital systems, to continue to grow – with the sector already generating £13.2 billion in annual revenue and supporting over 67,000 jobs in 2024.
Led by independent experts at University of Bristol and Imperial College London’s Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance, the Plan will examine the strengths of the UK’s cyber sector and provide a roadmap for its future growth. This will culminate with a set of recommendations later this summer for government to plot out what steps can be taken to deliver maximum impact.
On top of this, up to £16 million in new investment has been announced in 2 cyber sector programmes to kickstart growth. Up to £10 million in additional funding will be invested in the CyberASAP programme over the next 4 years, which will support the UK’s cutting edge academic cyber sector to turn their research into commercial companies. The programme has already supported the creation of 34 spin-out companies which have raised over £43 million in investment. The new funding aims to generate a further 25 spin-outs by 2030 and attract £30 million in additional investment.
To build on the work of the government’s current cyber accelerator Cyber Runway, up to £6 million will be also allocated to support cyber startups and SMEs – helping firms scale, access new markets through trade missions, and strengthen the UK’s wider cyber ecosystem. By backing researchers and entrepreneurs, these programmes will ensure the UK remains a global leader in cyber innovation and growth. This investment will unlock more jobs, support innovation, and bolster Britain’s cyber security.
Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said:
Cyber security is essential to our economic strength and national resilience. Today’s announcement is backed by investment showing we’re serious about making the UK a global leader in cyber innovation and protection.
Through our Plan for Change, we’re backing the sector to create high-quality jobs through the Cyber Growth Action Plan and ensuring our public services are built on secure foundations with the expert support of the Government Cyber Advisory Board.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said:
Today’s investment will help to turn innovative ideas into successful businesses up and down the country, and the new research will support our mission to grow the economy.
Recent cyber attacks show just how important it is we foster the development of the sector – delivering the double dividend of high paying jobs as well as strengthening the country’s cyber security.
The Growth Action Plan is due to report later this summer and will feed into the forthcoming National Cyber Strategy, ensuring the UK remains resilient and competitive in an increasingly interconnected world. This is central to the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at driving innovation, creating high-quality jobs and securing long-term economic resilience.
The review is set to cover the supply and demand of cyber goods and services such as protective monitoring and encryption, to understand opportunities for growth. The research will aim to spot new trends and potential areas to capitalise on – as well as explore emerging technologies including AI and Quantum, and identify opportunities to strengthen Britain’s competitive edge. This will in turn protect our digital economy and the new growth which is fundamental to the government’s Plan for Change.
Simon Shiu, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Bristol and leading the project, said:
The UK Cyber Sector is successful and growing, but so too are the challenges as demonstrated by recent events which have affected businesses and consumers. Based on input from all parts of the Cyber Sector, this project will make independent recommendations to accelerate growth in Cyber, but also to increase cyber-resilience in the other sectors critical to UK security, industry, and prosperity.
Professor Nigel Brandon, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Imperial, said:
The Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance (CSEP) at Imperial is uniquely placed to work with the University of Bristol on this important work in a rapidly growing and key sector for the UK economy. This work is aligned with our ambition to help drive economic growth by boosting the UK’s innovation capacity, productivity and competitiveness.
Senior cybersecurity experts from defence, big tech companies, AI labs, academia and more are also advising the government on public sector cybersecurity. Cyber leaders from BAE Systems, Santander, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Google DeepMind will form the new iteration of the Government Cyber Advisory Board, which will play a key role in supporting the government’s goal to strengthen the public sector’s cyber resilience. This aligns with the government Cyber Security Strategy and underpins the delivery of secure digital services across government.
The cyber sector will be a key focus of the upcoming Industrial Strategy – becoming a central pillar of the government’s Plan for Change to kick-start growth and put more money in people’s pockets across the UK. Cyber security has become a central part of the government’s plans to secure the economy and drive growth across the country as part of its Plan for Change.
Earlier this year, the Technology Secretary set out his ambition for the forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill which includes proposals to protect the UK’s supply chains, critical national services, and IT service providers and suppliers and is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this year.
As part of the new measures, hospitals and energy suppliers are set to boost their cyber defences, protecting public services and safeguarding growth.
Notes to editors
You can find the Terms of Reference for the growth review here.
The new board members of the Government Cyber Advisory Board include:
Daniel Cuthbert (co-chair), Global Head of Cyber Security Research, Santander
Bella Powell (co-chair), Government Cyber Director, Government Digital Service
Daniel Card, Cyber Security Consultant
Cate Pye, Global Partner Lead for Digital Trust and Cyber Security, PA Consulting
Heather Bedson, Head of Information Security, BPP
Jeff Moss, President of DEF CON Communications Inc
Jen Ellis, Cyber Security Consultant
Asif Matadar, CEO and Founder, cyberwargames.ai
Dr Simon Parkinson, Professor of Cyber Security, University of Huddersfield
Julia Spain, Partner, Ashurst Risk Advisory
Nicole Fowler, Chief Information Security Officer, Bank of Ireland UK
Thomas Harvey, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Santander UK
Richard Palk, Managing Director Security, Accenture UK
Sam Kirby-French, Group CISO, BAE Systems
Phil Legg, Professor in Cyber Security, University of the West of England
Mark Evans, Principal Security Strategist, Amazon Web Services
Sarah Armstrong-Smith, Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft
Ian Thompson, Senior Government Cyber Advisor, Middle East and North Africa, Google
Eleanor Sim, Director Security Strategy and Architecture, Chief Security Architect, Bupa
Euan Birch, Head of Cyber Security Operations, SP Energy Networks
Vijay Bolina, Chief Information Security Officer, Head of Cybersecurity Research, DeepMind
Daniel Cuthbert (industry co-chair):
It is an honour to co-chair the UK Government Cyber Advisory Board (GCAB). Our strength comes from the close partnership between public and private sector experts, drawing on a wide range of experience to help protect the UK. As cyber threats continue to evolve, strong cyber security is essential to safeguarding our economy, protecting public services, and supporting everyday life. The diversity of expertise on the board plays a vital role in ensuring the UK remains resilient, innovative and secure.
Ian Thompson:
The Government Cyber Advisory Board plays a vital role in bringing together expertise from across government and a wide set of industry sectors. This cross-sector collaboration not only accelerates the sharing of best practices and experience but also ensures balanced perspectives and mutual learning — something I’m personally finding invaluable.
Sarah Armstrong-Smith:
From laggards to leaders – in an era where cyber-attacks are coming thick and fast, GCAB has the opportunity to take a commanding role, setting the right path and principles for how the UK should respond to this systemic threat. This requires a whole-of-society approach to build collective resilience that inspires confidence in times of uncertainty.
Cate Pye:
I’m delighted to be part of the GCAB, it is a really pivotal part of making sure that the whole of the UK contribute to our cyber security as this becomes increasingly essential to the way we live and work. It is also an exemplar of how government and industry can work as one team to really change the way both government and the private sector pragmatically address cyber challenges together, building trust and competency in both.
Asif Matadar:
It has been an absolute honour to serve as an inaugural member of the Government Cyber Advisory Board. This initiative has already delivered concrete improvements in how government organisations anticipate and mitigate cyber threats, embedding best practice across government. I am therefore delighted that my term has been extended for a further year, during which I will continue to apply my expertise in incident response, cyber skills development and emerging technologies to support the UK government’s mission of building a world‑class, resilient cyber estate by 2030.
Euan Birch:
GCAB reflects the best of trusted public-private partnerships, embedding strategic collaboration and shared responsibility at the heart of government. As a member, I value the opportunity to support government in its mission to strengthen the UK’s resilience to cyber attacks and help secure its position as a global leader.
Heather Bedson:
Being part of the GCAB is an opportunity to drive change and improve the Government’s cyber resilience by using expertise from a wide range of industries. I enjoy being part of the GCAB, as it’s an opportunity to share my experiences while collaborating with colleagues across the sector who I might not have otherwise met.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter Introduces Resolution Congratulating St. Joesph’s Hospital in Savannah for 150 years of Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter introduced a resolution celebrating the 150th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.
In 1997, St. Joseph’s began its joint affiliation with Candler Hospital, forming the largest and most experienced health care provider in Southeast Georgia.
“Since 1875, the fantastic staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital have served the people of Georgia’s First Congressional District faithfully. They have worked tirelessly to save lives and keep our friends and neighbors healthy. We are so grateful for their 150 years of resolute service to our district and excited for the many years to come,” said Rep. Carter.
“Throughout St. Joseph’s Hospital’s history, we have been blessed with steadfast support from our community leaders. That support continues today, and we are grateful for this recognition from Congressman Carter, celebrating our 150th anniversary of serving the healthcare needs of southeast Georgia,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s/Candler.
Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined America Reports on Fox News to discuss the conflict in the Middle East.
*Click the photo above or here to watch*
Partial Transcript
Hagerty on Trump preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon: “What you’ve heard President [Donald] Trump say time and again, is that he’s not going to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I think you’ve also heard President Trump say that he doesn’t want us to engage in more of these endless wars. So, whatever President Trump does—and I know that he’s three steps ahead of everybody else here—whatever he does, it’s going to be putting America’s interest first. It’s going to be bringing Iran to a point where they do not have a nuclear weapon. That’s the stated objective, and it’s going to have to happen very, very quickly. I don’t think the timeframe that Senator [Tim] Kaine is considering is relevant to this situation at all. President Trump wants to see the carnage come to an end. He’s been clear about that here. He’s been clear about that with Ukraine. He wants to see the loss of lives over. This regime has been extremely difficult to deal with. I’ve seen President Trump deal with this regime before. I served in his administration last time. The ‘Maximum Pressure Campaign’ that he imposed was working. Regretfully, the Biden administration put us back on this same train that [former President Barack] Obama had us on, with respect to Iran marching its way toward a nuclear weapon. President Trump is not going to allow that to happen. He’s had a much more difficult hand to deal with here. That’s why the Israelis have stepped in. They’ve seen the threat. They’re doing what they need to do. And whatever decision President Trump takes, I can assure you this: he’s going to be taking America’s interest to heart. And again, basic principles here, he wants to see an end of the carnage. He wants to see that end come fast, and he’s not going to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”
Hagerty on the need to resolve the situation quickly: “What I want to be clear about is President Trump has never articulated the need for a regime change. What he wants to do is to bring the Iranians to the table. The Iranians ought to look at this very, very carefully and realize President Trump is not going to allow them to have a nuclear weapon. They may need to consider what the consequence will be if they don’t get to the table and make a deal fast. He’s offering them an offramp here. I think the window’s closing, though. This needs to be resolved quickly.”
Hagerty on Trump’s America First approach: “I know who the person is responsible for making this decision with the United States. I’m not getting ahead of him. This is President Trump’s decision with respect to that. But I’ll say this: the Iranian people will ultimately make the decision, and if the Ayatollahs continue down this path toward a nuclear weapon, I think the decision’s going to become very clear for the Iranian people too. Again, the Ayatollahs need to wake up. They need to consider the options that they have right now, and those options have narrowed dramatically. This needs to stop, and I think President Trump’s going to make certain that it does in a way that advances America’s interests.”
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 18 (Xinhua) — China and five Central Asian countries on Tuesday agreed to jointly combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and strongly condemned any form of them.
Six countries – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – outlined the corresponding position in the Astana Declaration, issued following the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit.
The parties committed to combating threats such as cross-border penetration of terrorist groups, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and cybercrime in order to ensure consistent and successful progress of joint projects and to counter security challenges through joint efforts.
The parties expressed the common opinion that a stable, developing and prosperous Central Asia meets the common interests of the peoples of the six countries and the entire international community.
The six countries declared their readiness to work with the international community to assist the Afghan people in maintaining peace and stability, restoring social infrastructure and integrating into regional and global economic systems.
They expressed support for building a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, free from the threats of terrorism and drugs. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
ASTANA, June 18 (Xinhua) — China and Central Asian countries agreed on Tuesday to firmly adhere to the principles of multilateralism, universally recognized norms of international law and basic norms of international relations.
Six countries – China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – enshrined these commitments in the Astana Declaration, issued following the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit.
The parties reaffirmed their firm commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as well as respect for the independence, equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
The parties agreed to promote a more just international order by building an equitable and orderly multipolar world and promoting inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.
China and the Central Asian countries pledged to uphold the key role of the United Nations in ensuring international peace, security and sustainable development, uphold universal values such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, and resist the politicization of human rights issues. –0–
SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed June 13 in San Diego alleging that 13 Guatemalan nationals are part of a Guatemala-based cocaine trafficking organization operating out of La Mesilla and Democracia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala, which is on the Guatemala-Mexico border. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The indictment was returned on May 31, 2019. Among the individuals charged are Baldemar Calderon-Carrillo, aka “Don Valde,” and his son, Walfre Donaldo Calderon-Calderon, aka “El Teniente Jr.”
On June 13, special agents with ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego received information that Calderon-Carrillo, the lead defendant in the indictment, had been killed during a June 8 shootout with Mexican authorities. U.S. agents continue to obtain information confirming the details of Calderon-Carrillo’s death. Video of the incident was posted on various news outlets and on social media showing Mexican law enforcement in a shootout with members of a drug trafficking organization.
In January 2023, one of Calderon-Carrillo’s sons, Edgar Yovani Calderon-Calderon, aka “Panon,” who is charged in the same indictment, was arrested in Paris, France. Edgar Yovani Calderon-Calderon was extradited to the United States from France in March 2024 and pleaded guilty in February to international cocaine distribution conspiracy charges.
As part of his plea agreement, Calderon-Calderon admitted that since at least 2017, up to and including May 31, 2019, he conspired with others to distribute cocaine in Guatemala and elsewhere, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe the cocaine would be unlawfully imported into the United States.
Calderon-Calderon admitted that he participated in the distribution of large quantities of cocaine in Guatemala on behalf of a drug trafficking organization based in La Mesilla, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. From Huehuetenango, the cocaine was transported to co-conspirators operating near the Guatemala-Mexico border, into Mexico, and ultimately smuggled into the United States. As part of his plea agreement, Calderon-Calderon admitted that the conspiracy involved at least 550 kilograms of cocaine. On May 30, Calderon-Calderon was sentenced to 87 months in prison.
The remaining defendants charged in the indictment are fugitives.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Mokhtari.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and French authorities provided substantial assistance to secure the arrest and extradition of Edgar Yovani Calderon-Calderon.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
PM meeting with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 17 June 2025
The Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the G7 Summit this afternoon.
The Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy of Ukraine at the G7 Summit this afternoon.
Their meeting followed an extensive session with wider partners, focused on maintaining momentum to secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister and President agreed to drive forward the next stage of military support – adding that a strong Ukraine is essential to guarantee peace in the long term. They agreed to convene the next Coalition of the Willing meeting in the coming weeks.
They also discussed ramping up the economic pressure on Putin, with the Prime Minister updating the President on the new sanctions announced by the United Kingdom today.
They agreed there should be no place to hide for those who fund Putin’s war machine.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Over 500,000 homes to be built through new National Housing Bank
£16bn of new public investment will help build over 500,000 new homes, unlocking over £53bn of private investment, as part of the government’s Plan for Change
Hundreds of thousands of extra homes will be delivered thanks to a bold new government-backed ‘housing bank’ that will unlock billions in private sector investment to turbocharge housebuilding.
The National Housing Bank, a subsidiary of Homes England, will be publicly owned and backed with £16 billion of financial capacity, on top of £6bn of existing finance to be allocated this Parliament, in order to accelerate housebuilding and leverage in £53 billion of additional private investment, creating jobs and delivering over 500,000 new homes.
The trailblazing approach will see Homes England, the national housing and regeneration agency, able to issue government guarantees directly and have greater autonomy and flexibility to make the long-term investments that are needed to reform the housing market and deliver strong returns.
With long-term, flexible capital, the National Housing Bank will be able to act as a consistent partner to the private sector, bringing the stability and certainty that housing developers and investors need to make delivery happen. It will also support SMEs with new lending products and enable developers to unlock large, complex sites through infrastructure finance.
Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner:
“We‘re turning the tide on the housing crisis we inherited – whether that’s fixing our broken planning system, investing £39 billion to deliver more social and affordable homes, or now creating a National Housing Bank to lever in vital investment.
“This government is delivering reform and investing in Britain’s renewal through our Plan for Change. Our foot is firmly on the accelerator when it comes to making sure a generation is no longer locked out of homeownership – or ensuring children don’t have to grow up in unsuitable temporary accommodation, and instead have the safe and secure home they deserve.”
The Bank will deploy some of the £2.5 billion in low-interest loans announced at the Spending Review to support build social and affordable homes.
It builds on £39 billion investment announced at the Spending Review for a new 10-year Affordable Homes Programme, which is the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation, supporting our Plan for Change milestone to build 1.5 million homes.
This comes ahead of the government’s 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy to be published tomorrow. The strategy will set out a £725 billion plan to rebuild the UK over the coming decade, bringing together for the first time economic, social and housing infrastructure.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:
“Our Spending Review last week delivered the biggest cash injection into social and affordable housing in 50 years as we progress on our promise to build 1.5 million homes.
“As part of our Plan for Change, the new National Housing Bank will unlock £53 billion of additional private investment—giving more working people the security of home ownership and investing in Britain’s renewal.”
Because we reformed our fiscal rules, we can invest through government-backed institutions, like the new National Housing Bank, to attract private investment and make sure money flows into projects that deliver real benefits for working people and communities.
The Bank will help unlock a wide range of sites, including larger ones which struggle to get up front lending given their risk and complexity, using a mixture of equity investment, loans and guarantees to leverage global institutional capital into UK housing, reducing risk at the early stages of development.
It will also support SME lending by establishing additional lending alliances with private sector partners and leverage in additional capital and expertise, including providing revolving credit facilities to help SMEs to grow and build out their housing pipeline more quickly. This follows proposals previously announced to bolster the capabilities of SME developers, which provide local jobs and train construction apprentices, by streamlining and simplifying overly complex planning rules.
Homes England Chair Pat Ritchie said:
“Establishing the National Housing Bank, as a part of Homes England, builds on the Agency’s expertise at providing a wide range of finance to partners and places to unlock the delivery of new housing and mixed-use schemes.
“The National Housing Bank also responds to calls from the housing sector, mayors and local leaders to increase the scale of available public and private finance for housing and regeneration, provide a broader range of flexible debt, equity and guarantee products, and enable more timely decision making.”
The government will also work with the Mayor of London to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund, and support housing regeneration around London Euston, to help deliver London’s ambition to build around 80,000 homes per year. In Greater Manchester, the Housing Investment Loan Fund will be extended to deliver thousands of new homes over the next ten years.
A programme of investment including £5 billion grant funding for infrastructure and land from the new National Housing Delivery Fund will complement capital investment from the National Housing Bank. This package will drive growth and transform places, boosting housing supply on otherwise unviable large and complex sites, and support land assembly, remediation and up-front infrastructure delivery such as utilities and schools.
Paul Rickard, Chief Executive Officer, Pocket Living:
“The creation of this National Housing Bank, alongside the recent spending review and other policy announcements, is a huge boost for housing delivery. We particularly welcome the recognition of the importance of SME developers with one of the banks focus’ being new funding options for SMEs and the freedom for the public and private sector to innovate together to deliver more homes. We have been working closely with government to ensure that the SME sector has capacity, certainty, and flexibility and we are delighted this is now being delivered.”
Stephen Teagle, CEO, Partnerships & Regeneration, Vistry Group:
“This announcement underlines the government’s commitment to use all the tools available to drive delivery and tackle the housing crisis head-on.
“Establishing the new National Housing Bank as a subsidiary of Homes England will help bring schemes forward at pace, ensure alignment with other programmes and gain traction with developers and investors keen to leverage investment and drive delivery. It recognises that long-term place making and long-term investment go hand in hand. Paired with last week’s measures this is further evidence of a government with an innovative and clear-sighted focus on addressing the years of under supply of new homes to build vibrant communities for the future.
“Through Vistry’s unique partnerships model, we look forward to continue working with Homes England and all our partners to maximise the benefits of this new initiative.”
Phil Mayall, Managing Director, Muse Places:
“Today’s announcement is hugely exciting for the regeneration and housing sector. Muse has long advocated the need for a longer-term, partnership approach to the delivery of housing in areas of most need and the new National Housing Bank achieves this at scale. We very much look forward to working in partnership with the Bank and the Government to deliver at pace.”
Charlie Nunn, Group Chief Executive, Lloyds Banking Group:
“A new National Housing Bank as part of Homes England is a powerful commitment towards building essential housing across the UK, at pace and at scale. As the MADE partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and Homes England demonstrates, by providing greater certainty and risk-sharing for developers, SME housebuilders, regional and local authorities, while strengthening public-private partnerships for institutional investors, we can accelerate the flow of private finance and deliver more homes in the places they’re needed most.”
Greg Reed, CEO, Places for People:
“The catalytic combination of a generationally significant affordable programme and the creation of a National Housing Bank is truly game changing for the provision of social housing in this country.”
Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation:
“The National Housing Bank is another welcome, innovative initiative from the government and a clear statement of intent on fixing the housing crisis. Alongside the ambitious new Affordable Homes Programme and the long-term certainty provided by the new rent settlement announced at the Spending Review, the £2.5bn low-cost loans for social housing providers will bolster our sector’s capacity to get building. We will continue to work with the government to deliver the truly affordable homes so many people across the country need.”
Notes to editors:
· The Bank will be publicly owned and designated as a Public Financial Institution (PuFin) to make a long-term return for government aligned with the requirements set out in the 2025 Financial Transaction Control Framework. It will give the housing sector the certainty, flexibility and the capacity to deliver at scale, and will work with mayors and local leaders to back housing projects that meets regional priorities.
The National Housing Bank will:
Provide a wider range of debt, equity and guarantee products that support SMEs to accelerate their housebuilding and grow their businesses more rapidly.
Expand the use of lending alliances with the private sector, which significantly increases access to finance for housebuilders.
Support the unlocking of large and complex sites to increase confidence and boost housing supply through the provision of infrastructure finance and guarantees.
Work with Mayors and local leaders to develop integrated packages of financial support to deliver their housing and regeneration priorities, alongside wider land and grant funding.
Provide the low-interest loans announced at the Spending Review to support the delivery of more social and affordable homes – recognising their importance in tackling the housing crisis.
The £16bn is additional to MHCLG’s existing financial guarantee programme, with £6bn of existing finance to be allocated this Parliament. will have greater freedoms and flexibilities to make long-term investments to tackle the housing crisis.
The new National Housing Bank will be a publicly owned subsidiary of Homes England, designated as a Public Financial Institution (PuFin) that is aligned with the requirements set out in the 2025 Financial Transaction Control Framework.
Following this announcement MHCLG and Homes England will work with the Greater London Authority, and established Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to agree how to support them to deliver on regional housing priorities.
As part of this, MHCLG and Homes England may agree that some of this £16bn allocation for the National Housing Bank will be devolved to the GLA or Mayoral Strategic Authorities – and would therefore be delivered outside the remit of the Bank, but with the same targets and objectives
The National Housing Bank is a permanent institution which will deliver debt, equity and guarantees. In many cases CDEL grant will also be a critical part of the capital stack to deliver large scale, complex and transformational housing regeneration and infrastructure projects.
To support this, alongside these financial products MHCLG will provide c.£5bn CDEL grant to invest across the country. This CDEL grant will sit alongside the financial products delivered by the National Housing Bank to ensure large, transformative and otherwise unviable projects nationwide can be delivered.
Statement of the Co-Chairs of the United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution — France and Saudi Arabia — and of the Co-Chairs of its Working Groups – Qatar, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Norway, Senegal, Spain, Türkiye, United Kingdom, the European Union, and the League of Arab States:
We express our deep concern over the recent developments and continued escalation in the region, which has regrettably necessitated the decision to suspend the United Nations High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. These events are a stark reminder of the fragility of the current situation and the urgent need to restore calm, uphold international norms, and reinvigorate diplomacy.
In light of these circumstances, we reaffirm our full commitment to the objectives of the Conference and to continuing its work without interruption. The Roundtables, to be convened shortly, will proceed as an integral part of the Conference process. Building on the contributions of the Working Groups, they will serve to consolidate clear and coordinated commitments and reaffirm the collective resolve to implement the two-State solution.
The Co-Chairs will announce the convening of the high-level segment at the soonest possible opportunity, in line with their commitment to continuing the work and objectives of the Conference.
Now more than ever, the situation compels us to double our efforts to call for upholding international law, respecting the sovereignty of states, and advancing peace, liberty, and dignity for all peoples of the region. We remain resolute in our shared determination to support all efforts to bring an end to the war in Gaza, achieve a just and lasting resolution of the Palestinian question through the implementation of the two-State solution, and ensure stability and security for all countries in the region.
The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, met today with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in the margins of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. The meeting focused on the UN80 initiative to reform the United Nations system and enhance its efficiency, as well as on Italy’s role within the Organisation, with particular reference to the UNIFIL mission and Italy’s co-presidency, together with Ethiopia, of the next Food Systems Summit to be held in Addis Ababa on 28-29 July.
President Meloni also shared with the Secretary-General the need to continue working to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, to stop the fighting and allow humanitarian aid to enter the Strip.