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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ethics and Integrity Commission to drive up standards across the public sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Ethics and Integrity Commission to drive up standards across the public sector

    A new Ethics and Integrity Commission will be established to drive up standards in public life, delivering on a key manifesto commitment.

    • Overhaul will simplify and strengthen standards system as government delivers on key manifesto promise 
    • Rule-breaking ministers who leave office following serious breach of Ministerial Code stopped from getting severance payments
    • Advisory Committee for Business Appointments abolished as financial sanctions introduced

    A new Ethics and Integrity Commission will be established to drive up standards in public life, delivering on a key manifesto commitment.

    The body will have an ambitious remit to uphold the highest ethical standards across the public sector.

    Rule-breaking ministers who leave office following a serious breach of the Ministerial Code will be stopped from getting pay-offs as part of the overhaul that will simplify and strengthen the standards system.

    The Prime Minister has made clear public service is a privilege and is committed to showing how politics can be a force for good. Since taking office last July, the government has made the choice to break away from old approaches, learn the lessons from previous years, and restore trust in government by ensuring ministers are held to the highest standards.

    The government will go further by establishing the Ethics and Integrity Commission, which will be created by strengthening and reforming the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said:

    This overhaul will mean there are stronger rules, fewer quangos and clearer lines of accountability.

    The Committee on Standards in Public Life has played an important role in the past three decades. These changes give it a new mandate for the future.

    But whatever the institutional landscape, the public will in the end judge politicians and government by how they do their jobs and how they fulfil the principles of public service.

    Ministers will give the Ethics and Integrity Commission a stronger mandate and an expanded role to help put ethics and integrity at the heart of every public sector organisation.

    Its wider remit will include a new obligation to report annually to the Prime Minister on the overall health of our standards system, and a new function of regular engagement with public sector bodies to assist them in the development of clear codes of conduct with effective oversight arrangements.

    The government is also providing a new commitment to respond to all Ethics and Integrity Commission reports in a reasonable timeframe following criticism that previous recommendations were simply ignored.

    The Ethics and Integrity Commission will be responsible for convening and coordinating ethics bodies, formalising cooperation and the sharing of best practice. It will be tasked with improving public understanding of the ethics system and will act as a ‘one-stop shop’ for members of the public looking for information on standards in public life.

    Lieutenant General (Retired) Doug Chalmers CB DSO OBE, who is Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, will be Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission.

    Ministerial Severance Payments

    Under further plans announced today, the eligibility for ministerial severance payments will be restricted.

    Currently, ministers are entitled to a severance payment equivalent to three months’ salary when they leave office for any reason and regardless of how long they’ve been in the job – even if it’s just a few days or weeks.

    Under the new changes, ministers who leave office following a serious breach of the Ministerial Code or having served fewer than six months will forgo their severance payment. Ministers who return to office within three months of leaving will forgo their salary until the end of that three-month period.

    The Business Appointment Rules 

    As part of the standards overhaul and the wider review of arms length bodies, the government will close the Advisory Committee for Business Appointments, which vets the jobs that ministers and senior officials take after leaving government to avoid conflicts of interest. Its functions will be split between the Civil Service Commission and the Prime Minister’s Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards.

    This will be accompanied by reforms to strengthen the business appointments system – which ensures former ministers and officials do not improperly profit personally from their experience in government. There has previously been criticism about the lack of sanctions. 

    Under the new changes, former ministers found to have seriously breached the Business Appointment Rules after leaving office will be asked to repay any severance payment received.

    The First Civil Service Commissioner has been asked to consider how the Business Appointment Rules could be strengthened further. The Civil Service Commission will also undertake regular audits of how individual government departments oversee the application of the rules for former civil servants.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Announces $1 Genesis Event Token Sale Ahead of $20 Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation blockchain ecosystem designed to democratize mining and digital asset ownership, has officially launched its Genesis Event, offering early participants the opportunity to purchase BTC-S tokens for just $1 — down from the current presale price of $13. With only 100 slots remaining, this limited-time event positions early supporters for a potential 1,900% ROI at the confirmed launch price of $20.

    How to Mine Bitcoin Solaris. Simpler, Smarter, Faster

    Forget outdated mining guides. Bitcoin Solaris is making mining accessible, scalable, and mobile-friendly through the upcoming Solaris Nova App. No barriers, no tech headaches.

    Here is how it works:

    • Download the Solaris Nova App (coming post-presale)
    • Available for mobile, desktop, and browser
    • Start mining BTC-S with one click
    • Device adapts mining power automatically based on performance
    • Earn BTC-S without expensive setups

    Why This Mining Is Revolutionary

    • Compatible with ASICs, GPUs, laptops, smartphones
    • Energy-efficient algorithms reduce unnecessary resource consumption
    • Biometric security, end-to-end encryption, remote management
    • Gamified achievements, leaderboards, and community engagement
    • Integrated wallet and tutorials make it beginner-friendly
    • In-app analytics for clear performance tracking

    Through the exciting release of the Solaris Nova App, mining becomes as easy as tapping a screen. This is what crypto mining should look like in the Web3 era.

    Bitcoin Solaris is not just for miners. Its Mining Power Marketplace allows users to rent or sell computing power via smart contracts, matching supply and demand in real-time. This ecosystem makes mining not just accessible but profitable for anyone.

    A Blockchain That Moves Like No Other Bitcoin Solaris Delivers

    Presale Frenzy. Why BTC-S Is Selling Out Fast

    Bitcoin Solaris is wrapping up its explosive presale at Phase 13. Current price sits at $13, but through the Genesis Event it drops to $1 for a short time. Launch price confirmed at $20.

    Key presale highlights:

    • Over $7.7M+ raised already
    • 15,800+ unique users involved
    • Shortest and most explosive presale in the market

    Genesis Event details:

    • Price rollback from $13 to $1 for a limited time
    • Only 100 slots left
    • ROI potential of 1900% when price returns to $20
    • A rare opportunity for early believers

    Genesis Event is a limited-time promotional offer where early participants can purchase the token at a special rollback price of $1. This is a wealth move, not just a presale.

    To receive tokens on launch day, Bitcoin Solaris recommends Trust Wallet or Metamask for seamless delivery.

    Influencers Are Already Talking

    • Token Empire spotlighted the scalability and speed of Bitcoin Solaris
    • Crypto Vlog praised the mobile-first mining revolution
    • Token Galaxy focused on energy efficiency and future potential

    These voices agree: BTC-S is doing things no other project is.

    Why Bitcoin Solaris Tech Outshines Traditional Mining

    • Base Layer delivers 3,000 TPS
    • Solaris Layer achieves 100,000 TPS with 2-second finality
    • Hybrid consensus combines decentralization with speed
    • Rust-based smart contracts support DeFi, gaming, enterprise
    • Cross-chain compatibility future-proofs adoption

    Mining rewards are simple to estimate through the calculator.

    Bitcoin Solaris simply offers the smarter, more scalable way forward.

    Final Verdict. Stop Mining. Start Owning

    Forget running up your electricity bill to chase old-school mining rewards. Bitcoin Solaris is offering $1 entries through its Genesis Event, slashing down from $13, with a $20 launch on the horizon. This is the moment crypto wealth gets simplified.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
    X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact:
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2dff3917-113d-4d8a-8ea4-21fdaedf8856

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc470fa2-349a-4c76-b108-8230c92660e4

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    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/59fae690-dbd5-45ad-9dba-ea1638d562c1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Congo and critical minerals: What are the costs of America’s peace?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Evelyn Namakula Mayanja, Assistant Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies, Carleton University

    In March 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) offered the country’s critical mineral reserves to the United States and Europe in exchange for security and stability.

    At the time, the March 23 (M23) militia insurgency was unleashing violence: killing civilians, committing sexual violence, displacing communities and looting mineral resources. Since 1996, eastern Congo has been engulfed in wars and armed conflicts driven by regional powers and more than 120 armed groups.

    The U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC raises critical questions: Is this a genuine path to sustainable peace, or a continuation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy to secure access to critical minerals through coercive diplomacy?



    Read more:
    4 things every peace agreement needs – and how the DRC-Rwanda deal measures up

    Global arms race for critical minerals

    The global shift toward renewable energy, digital infrastructure and military modernization has sparked a geopolitical scramble for critical and rare earth minerals.

    In early 2025, Trump signed a series of executive orders that introduced aggressive and imperial-style tactics to secure access to mineral wealth. He threatened Canada with annexation and tariffs, demanded access to Greenland’s resources and linked U.S. support for Ukraine to access to its mineral reserves.

    The DRC’s offer must be viewed through this lens of global resource competition.

    Congo’s critical mineral wealth

    The DRC holds some of the world’s richest deposits of critical minerals and metals. A 2012 article estimated the value of Congo’s untapped mineral wealth at US$24 trillion, a figure nearing the U.S. first-quarter 2025 GDP of $29.962 trillion.

    The DRC produces 70 per cent of the world’s cobalt, ranks fourth in copper, sixth in industrial diamonds and also possesses vast reserves of nickel and lithium, including the Manono deposit expected to yield 95,170 tonnes of crude lithium.

    But the struggle to control these resources has fuelled a cycle of armed violence, displacement and exploitation. Despite several peace agreements, peace and stability remain elusive.

    America’s interests in Congo

    U.S. involvement in Congo stretches back to the Cold War, when it played a role in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first elected prime minister who sought economic sovereignty.

    In 1996, the U.S. was accused of backing Rwanda and Uganda in the initial invasion of eastern Congo. A U.S. diplomat, “Mr. Hankins,” was quoted in Goma saying: “I am here …to represent American interests.”

    In 2024, President Joe Biden met Tshisekedi to advance the Lobito Corridor, a strategic trade route to counter China’s dominance in the region. Chinese companies currently control around 80 per cent of Congo’s copper market.

    When Trump signed the 2025 peace agreement, he openly stated the U.S. would gain “a lot of mineral rights … foreign trade and investment from the regional critical mineral supply chains.”

    U.S.-brokered peace deal

    The deal, however, prioritizes America’s access to minerals over the well-being of Congolese citizens. Historically, Congo’s mineral wealth has enriched elites and foreign powers while leaving its people impoverished and vulnerable. The new agreement could entrench existing inequalities and inflame tensions further.

    The U.S. has also cut off aid for war survivors, including emergency medical kits and antiretrovirals for rape victims, undermining humanitarian efforts.

    Crucially, the agreement overlooks:

    • The root causes and drivers of conflict at national, regional and international levels.

    • The role of Rwanda and Uganda, whose militaries and intelligence services have long been implicated in supporting groups like M23. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has referred to M23 as “our brothers” and threatened military action in Congo.

    • The voices of Congolese civil society, war survivors and the public, who were excluded from the negotiation process.

    • State fragility and institutional collapse — major enablers of protracted violence.

    • The grievances of Hutu and Tutsi communities in the DRC, deeply rooted in colonial and regional politics.

    • The presence of more than 120 armed groups, many of them proxies for foreign powers engaging in what some scholars call “geocriminality.”

    Between January and February 2025 alone, more than 7,000 people were killed in the DRC. The United Nations and several human rights organizations have documented mass atrocities, including crimes of genocidal magnitude.

    A path toward real peace

    The peace agreement fails to demand justice for crimes committed against the Congolese people. Nobel Peace laureate Denis Mukwege condemned the deal for “rewarding aggression, legitimizing the plundering of Congo’s natural resources, and sacrificing justice for a fragile peace.”

    It also ignores the roles of international mining corporations and external entities that have long profited from Congo’s instability.

    True and lasting peace in the DRC cannot be imposed from the outside. U.S.-led mineral extraction without justice risks deepening the crisis. Since 1999, UN peacekeepers have been deployed in the Congo , yet violence continues.

    Sustainable peace will require:

    • An end to impunity;

    • Thorough investigations into war crimes;

    • Regional truth-telling processes;

    • Justice and reparations for victims;

    • And most importantly, inclusion of Congolese voices in shaping their future.

    Without these commitments, the U.S. risks replicating a long history of exploitation, trading in minerals while ignoring the human cost.

    Evelyn Namakula Mayanja receives funding from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and from Carleton University

    – ref. Congo and critical minerals: What are the costs of America’s peace? – https://theconversation.com/congo-and-critical-minerals-what-are-the-costs-of-americas-peace-260567

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA Applied Safeguards for 190 States – IAEA Report

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Of the 190 States where the IAEA applied safeguards during 2024, 182 had CSAs in force, of which 137 also had APs in force. Of these 137 States, the IAEA concluded that “all nuclear material remained in peaceful activities” for 75 States. The IAEA drew this conclusion, also known as the ‘broader conclusion’, for the first time for Morocco. For 61 States, the IAEA was only able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities as evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities remained ongoing.

    For 31 States with a CSA but no AP in force, the IAEA was able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities.

    As of the end of 2024, three non-nuclear-weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had yet to bring CSAs into force pursuant to Article III of the Treaty. For these States, the IAEA could not draw any safeguards conclusions.

    For the three States in which the IAEA implemented safeguards pursuant to item-specific safeguards agreements (India, Israel and Pakistan), the IAEA concluded that “nuclear material, facilities or other items to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities”.

    Safeguards were also implemented in the five nuclear-weapon States party to the NPT under their respective voluntary offer agreements. For these five States (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America), the IAEA concluded that “nuclear material in selected facilities to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities or had been withdrawn from safeguards as provided for in the agreements.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ‘Collar, tag, microchip, bag’ – pawsome advice for city dog owners!

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    ‘Collar, tag, microchip, bag’ is the expression that City of Wolverhampton Council is asking everyone with a dog to keep in mind when they take their pooches out and about.

    The aim is to remind dog owners of their legal responsibilities including requirements under the city’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The council also wants to encourage a cleaner, more comfortable environment for all residents.

    The first 2 reminders – ‘collar, tag’ – highlight the legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar with an ID tag when in a public place.

    The tag must include the owner’s name and address, and ideally, a phone number. This requirement applies even if the dog is microchipped.

    Wearing a collar and tag helps reunite lost dogs with their owners and ensures their safety. Dogs found roaming without a collar and tag in public may be seized and taken into care. The management of stray dogs cost tax payers around £170,000 during the last financial year.

    In 2024, the council handled around 350 strays and took them to kennels while trying to contact their owners. This is a substantial increase on 2020 when 170 strays were collected.

    ‘Microchip’ reminds owners that it is a legal requirement to microchip all dogs over 8 weeks old, and the microchip details must be registered on an authorised database. Breeders must also microchip puppies before they leave their premises.

    ‘Bag’ refers to the requirement under the council’s current PSPO. The order was updated in 2023 and requires anyone in control of a dog to carry a suitable means of removing dog faeces, such as a bag.

    Dog owners are also required to clean up after their pets and anyone not carrying bags or clearing up after their dog can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

    To help make sure residents are aware of their responsibilities, officers from the council’s environmental protection team will be out and about at community events and a social media campaign will run throughout the coming months.

    Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We want to encourage all dog owners to follow the simple phrase help make our city clean and comfortable for everyone.

    “We know that the vast majority of dog owners are very responsible, but we still do see a lot of strays and, unfortunately, too many incidents where owners are not cleaning up after their pets.

    “This is unpleasant and can be very dangerous to health. It was also clear from the PSPO consultation that people agreed with the requirement to carry a means of disposing of their dog’s mess.

    “Therefore, I would encourage the city’s canine lovers to consider the handy checklist of ‘collar, tag microchip, bag’ and consider what they may need to tick off before going out with their pet.

    “We thank all dog owners for doing all they can to behave responsibly. You’re helping to make our city safer, cleaner and more comfortable for everyone.”

    To find out more about the campaign and the PSPO, please visit Responsible dog ownership.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Royal Welsh Show: ‘After countless U-turns, Labour must now also reverse its tax raid on Welsh farms’ – Plaid Cymru

    Source: Party of Wales

    Ann Davies MP and Llyr Gruffydd MS say UK Government should introduce a wealth tax instead of ‘targeting those who sustain our rural communities’

    On the first day of the Royal Welsh Show, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Agriculture Spokesperson Ann Davies MP has today called on the UK Government to reverse its planned changes to Agricultural Property Relief, warning that the policy will do “lasting harm” to Welsh family farms.

     

    Speaking from Llanelwedd, Ms Davies said that after repeated policy reversals, it is time for Labour to “add this damaging farm tax to the list.”

     

    Plaid Cymru’s Agriculture spokesperson in the Senedd, Llyr Gruffydd MS, said that most Welsh farmers are “cash poor” and that “many live a hand-to-mouth existence”.

     

    The UK Government plans to introduce a cap on Agricultural and Business Property Relief from April 2026, meaning family farms valued above that threshold could face inheritance tax for the first time in 40 years. Despite claims that only 500 farms per year will be affected, Welsh farming unions warn that the vast majority of productive family farms in Wales could fall into scope due to rising land, machinery and asset values.

     

    From the financial implications of restrictions and testing requirements to limit the spread of the Bluetongue virus, to the effects of prolonged dry and warm weather on crops and pasture, the new inheritance tax rules will be introduced amidst mounting financial pressures on farmers.

     

    Plaid Cymru is calling for:

     

    • A Wales-specific impact assessment that includes tenant and generational family farms

     

    • Protection for active food-producing family farms from inheritance tax

     

    • The introduction of a tax on extreme wealth – targeting assets worth over £10 million

     

    Ann Davies MP said:

    “After countless U-turns, Labour must now add its damaging farm tax to the list. Changes to Agricultural Property Relief represent a deeply unfair policy that targets the people who feed us, care for our land, and sustain our rural communities. It will do lasting harm to Welsh family farms.

    “It is a policy based on the assumption that farmers are rich – that is fundamentally wrong in Wales, where our upland farmers are guardians of the land and make very little profit. The UK Government admits it has done no Wales-specific assessment. That’s unacceptable, and it must change immediately.

    “Plaid Cymru believes that those with the broadest shoulders should pay their fair share. But the UK Government’s policy is too broad brush and targets the wrong people. Instead, the introduction of a tax on extreme wealth – a 2% tax on assets worth over £10 million – could raise over £20 billion a year. That is the fair and progressive way to fund public services and address inequality.

    “The Royal Welsh Show is a chance to celebrate everything our farmers contribute. But because of this policy, they’re anxious about their ability to continue producing food into the future. With Bluetongue requirements and intense drought intensifying already significant financial pressures on farmers, Labour must reverse course – and they must do it now.”

     

    Llyr Gruffydd added:

    “Most of our family farms are cash poor and many live a hand-to-mouth existence. They don’t have the capital to shoulder this huge tax burden.

    “Whilst it’s right to target those who buy land for tax avoidance purposes, our working family farms must not be caught in the crossfire. We have urged the Government to look at alternative approaches such as a clawback system that’s used successfully in other countries. This would only tax land if it’s subsequently sold within a specific number of years after inheritance.

    “Sadly, the Chancellor’s policy will force already struggling businesses to sell off their land, making them less sustainable in the future. Plaid Cymru will fight the family farm tax all the way.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Anna Karenina” Opens International Film-Opera Exhibition in Beijing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) — A film based on the musical “Anna Karenina” was screened in Beijing on Sunday to open the 9th International Film and Opera Exhibition of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) of China, the NCPA said in a statement on social media.

    The event will feature 16 films in various genres, including opera, play, dance drama and musical, presented by Chinese and overseas arts organizations.

    After the opening ceremony of the film exhibition, a film in the genre of a musical performance staged by the Moscow Operetta Theatre based on one of the greatest works of L.N. Tolstoy was shown on the big screen at the Beijing Performing Arts Center belonging to the NCIA. The leading roles were played by Ekaterina Guseva and Sergey Li.

    The film has received a warm response from Chinese viewers. “The stills from the film allow us to see more details. The strength and depth of Russian musicals are beautifully represented in this film,” one of them noted.

    “Even though I read the original novel, the musical movie really blew me away. The music is so infectious and the performances from the two leads are worthy of an acting textbook!” exclaimed another.

    “We aim to enable as many viewers as possible to experience the charm of performing arts, and to achieve mutual exchange and harmony between excellent Chinese traditional culture and world classical art,” said Ma Rongguo, deputy director of the National Center for Performing Arts.

    The film exhibition, co-organized by the NCIA and the China Film Group (CFGC), will run until November 30. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Senior Wells Fargo official still unable to leave China due to criminal investigation – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) — Mao Chengyue, a senior official at U.S. bank Wells Fargo, is currently unable to leave China due to her involvement in a criminal case being investigated by China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced at a regular press conference on Monday.

    According to the Chinese diplomat, China’s law enforcement agencies have now taken measures to restrict Mao Chengyue’s travel in accordance with the law.

    According to Chinese law, Mao Chengyue cannot leave China while the case is under investigation and is required to cooperate with the investigation, Guo Jiakun said.

    “Whether Chinese or foreigners, everyone in China must abide by Chinese laws,” he continued, adding that during the investigation, the Chinese side will protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

    “I would like to emphasize that this is an isolated case within the framework of the legal proceedings. China, as always, will welcome all those from all over the world who wish to travel and do business in China, and protect their rights and interests in accordance with the law,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman added. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel Attacks Houthi Military Facilities in Yemen’s Hodeida Port – IDF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    JERUSALEM/SANA, July 21 (Xinhua) — Israel has attacked Houthi military targets in the port of Hodeida in northwestern Yemen, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Monday.

    The Israeli Air Force reportedly struck military targets, including engineering equipment, fuel containers and ships used in military operations against Israel, as well as ships in port waters.

    According to the IDF, the port of Hodeida was used to transport weapons provided by the Iranian government.

    Earlier in the day, the Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV channel reported that Israel had launched a series of airstrikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeida. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • EU to ramp up retaliation plans as US tariff deal prospects dim

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union is exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the United States as prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington fade, according to EU diplomats.

    An increasing number of EU members, including Germany, are now considering using wide-ranging “anti-coercion” measures which would let the bloc target U.S. services and other sectors in the absence of a deal, diplomats say.

    The European Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the 27-member bloc, had appeared on course for a agreement in which the EU would still have faced a 10% U.S. tariff on most of its exports, with some concessions.

    Such hopes now seem dashed after President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 30% tariff by August 1, and following talks between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. counterparts in Washington last week.

    Sefcovic, who has said a 30% tariff would “practically prohibit” transatlantic trade, delivered a sober report on the current state of play to EU envoys on Friday, diplomats told Reuters.

    U.S. counterparts had come up with diverging solutions during his meetings, including a baseline rate that could be well above 10%, the EU diplomats added.

    “Each interlocutor seemed to have different ideas. No one can tell (Sefcovic) what would actually fly with Trump,” one diplomat said.

    Prospects of easing or removing 50% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium and 25% on cars and car parts appear limited.

    ‘NUCLEAR OPTION’

    Washington has also rejected the EU’s demand for a “standstill” arrangement, whereby no further tariffs would be imposed after a deal is struck. The rationale, according to diplomats, is that Trump’s hands cannot be tied on national security, the basis of Section 232 trade investigations into pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and timber.

    Accordingly, the mood has pivoted among EU countries, EU diplomats say, and they are more ready to react, even though a negotiated solution is their preferred option.

    The EU has one package of tariffs on 21 billion euros ($24.5 billion) of U.S. goods that is currently suspended until August 6. The bloc must still decide on a further set of countermeasures on 72 billion euros of U.S. exports.

    Discussions have also increased on using the EU’s wide-ranging “anti-coercion” instrument (ACI) that allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on member states to change their policies.

    Brought in more with China in mind, it would allow the bloc to target U.S. services, limit U.S. companies’ access to public procurement or financial services markets or restrict U.S. investment.

    France has consistently advocated using the ACI, but others have baulked at what some see as a nuclear option. Trump has warned he will retaliate if other countries take action against the United States.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a week ago that the ACI was created for extraordinary situations, adding: “We are not there yet.”

    The Commission would need a qualified majority of 15 countries making up 65% of the EU population to invoke it. It would not do so unless it was confident of passing it, but there are now growing signs of support building, with Germany among the countries saying it should be considered, EU diplomats say.

    (Reuters)

  • EU to ramp up retaliation plans as US tariff deal prospects dim

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union is exploring a broader set of possible counter-measures against the United States as prospects for an acceptable trade agreement with Washington fade, according to EU diplomats.

    An increasing number of EU members, including Germany, are now considering using wide-ranging “anti-coercion” measures which would let the bloc target U.S. services and other sectors in the absence of a deal, diplomats say.

    The European Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the 27-member bloc, had appeared on course for a agreement in which the EU would still have faced a 10% U.S. tariff on most of its exports, with some concessions.

    Such hopes now seem dashed after President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 30% tariff by August 1, and following talks between EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. counterparts in Washington last week.

    Sefcovic, who has said a 30% tariff would “practically prohibit” transatlantic trade, delivered a sober report on the current state of play to EU envoys on Friday, diplomats told Reuters.

    U.S. counterparts had come up with diverging solutions during his meetings, including a baseline rate that could be well above 10%, the EU diplomats added.

    “Each interlocutor seemed to have different ideas. No one can tell (Sefcovic) what would actually fly with Trump,” one diplomat said.

    Prospects of easing or removing 50% U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium and 25% on cars and car parts appear limited.

    ‘NUCLEAR OPTION’

    Washington has also rejected the EU’s demand for a “standstill” arrangement, whereby no further tariffs would be imposed after a deal is struck. The rationale, according to diplomats, is that Trump’s hands cannot be tied on national security, the basis of Section 232 trade investigations into pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and timber.

    Accordingly, the mood has pivoted among EU countries, EU diplomats say, and they are more ready to react, even though a negotiated solution is their preferred option.

    The EU has one package of tariffs on 21 billion euros ($24.5 billion) of U.S. goods that is currently suspended until August 6. The bloc must still decide on a further set of countermeasures on 72 billion euros of U.S. exports.

    Discussions have also increased on using the EU’s wide-ranging “anti-coercion” instrument (ACI) that allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on member states to change their policies.

    Brought in more with China in mind, it would allow the bloc to target U.S. services, limit U.S. companies’ access to public procurement or financial services markets or restrict U.S. investment.

    France has consistently advocated using the ACI, but others have baulked at what some see as a nuclear option. Trump has warned he will retaliate if other countries take action against the United States.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a week ago that the ACI was created for extraordinary situations, adding: “We are not there yet.”

    The Commission would need a qualified majority of 15 countries making up 65% of the EU population to invoke it. It would not do so unless it was confident of passing it, but there are now growing signs of support building, with Germany among the countries saying it should be considered, EU diplomats say.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia says it favours new round of peace talks with Ukraine, highlights gulf between them

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Kremlin said on Monday that Moscow was in favour of a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine but the two sides’ positions were diametrically opposed so there was a lot of diplomatic work to be done.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks this week, and that he wants to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that as soon as there was a definitive understanding of the date for the next round of talks then Moscow would announce it.

    “There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far,” Peskov said.

    Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three and a half years of war.

    (Reuters)

  • Russia says it favours new round of peace talks with Ukraine, highlights gulf between them

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Kremlin said on Monday that Moscow was in favour of a new round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine but the two sides’ positions were diametrically opposed so there was a lot of diplomatic work to be done.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday that Kyiv has sent Moscow an offer to hold another round of peace talks this week, and that he wants to speed up negotiations for a ceasefire.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that as soon as there was a definitive understanding of the date for the next round of talks then Moscow would announce it.

    “There is our draft memorandum, there is a draft memorandum that has been handed over by the Ukrainian side. There is to be an exchange of views and talks on these two drafts, which are diametrically opposed so far,” Peskov said.

    Ukraine and Russia have held two rounds of talks in Istanbul, on May 16 and June 2, that led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the remains of dead soldiers. But the two sides have made no breakthrough towards a ceasefire or a settlement to end almost three and a half years of war.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: XRP price rises, CJB Crypto one-day mining contract becomes more popular

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the rising prices of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as XRP, ETH and BTC, CJB Crypto has attracted more and more users. In order to meet the needs of users to obtain passive income from digital assets such as Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, etc., the platform innovatively launched the mobile-first “One-Day Mining Contract”. The service relies on cloud facilities deployed in global data centers for mining, and users can get returns within 24 hours.

    Founded in London in November 2016, CJB Crypto is a leading global registered cryptocurrency cloud mining service provider. The platform has invested in and built more than 100 large mining farms and data centers in Canada, Kazakhstan, the United States, Russia and other countries. Its business covers 175 countries and regions around the world, and has served more than 7.5 million users in total.

    Start your CJB Crypto mining journey

    Easy registration: New users can enjoy a $10 reward upon registration, and can also get $0.6 for daily check-in.

    Choose a contract: After successful registration, choose a suitable mining contract based on your investment goals and budget. The platform provides a variety of contract plans, which can be easily participated by both novice and experienced users.

    Referral Bonus (Affiliate Program):

    Recommend friends to join, and you have the opportunity to win up to $20,000 in extra income every month.

    After your friend successfully registers and completes the first mining contract, you can immediately receive a 3% reward of their contract amount (for example: if your friend buys a $10,000 contract, you get $300).

    Cumulatively invite a certain number of active users, and you will have the opportunity to receive a one-time fixed bonus of up to $50,000.

    Unlimited income potential! The invitation mechanism is transparent and traceable, truly realizing “zero investment, home income generation”.

    Rich contracts, adapt to diverse needs
    After selecting and activating the contract, the system will automatically handle the subsequent mining process. CJB Crypto uses advanced technology to ensure efficient mining and help you maximize your potential income.

    Example contract returns (average daily):

    $10 contract (period: 1 day): $0.60

    $100 contract (period: 2 days): $3.50

    $500 contract (period: 5 days): $6.25

    $1,000 contract (period: 10 days): $13.00

    $5,000 contract (period: 30 days): $75.00

    Click to explore more contract options.

    Flexible settlement, support for multiple cryptocurrencies
    Mining income is settled in USDT by default. But you can freely choose to exchange the income for mainstream digital assets such as XRP, Solana, ETH or BTC. Asset allocation, control at will.

    Reasons why CJB Crypto is popular
    Since its launch, the platform has gathered more than 7.5 million users worldwide, and its core advantages of “zero threshold, security, convenience and efficiency” have been widely recognized. A 70-year-old American user shared: “Through sign-in and invitation rewards, I can steadily increase my income by thousands of dollars every month. The platform’s smart mining really helps me achieve my passive income goal.” This is exactly the original intention of CJB Crypto to open smart mining services-to allow everyone to easily participate, share the growth dividends of digital assets, and experience the fun of multiple feedback.

    About CJB Crypto
    As the world’s leading compliant cloud mining platform, CJB Crypto is committed to serving mass investors, not just technical experts, with high-quality applications, green and environmentally friendly global cloud infrastructure and perfect support. The platform adheres to the principle of “user first, safety and efficiency, and controllable risks”, lowers the threshold for industry participation through technological innovation, and promotes the development of inclusive finance.

    For more details and how to participate: https://cjb.top/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP price rises, CJB Crypto one-day mining contract becomes more popular

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the rising prices of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as XRP, ETH and BTC, CJB Crypto has attracted more and more users. In order to meet the needs of users to obtain passive income from digital assets such as Ripple (XRP), Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, etc., the platform innovatively launched the mobile-first “One-Day Mining Contract”. The service relies on cloud facilities deployed in global data centers for mining, and users can get returns within 24 hours.

    Founded in London in November 2016, CJB Crypto is a leading global registered cryptocurrency cloud mining service provider. The platform has invested in and built more than 100 large mining farms and data centers in Canada, Kazakhstan, the United States, Russia and other countries. Its business covers 175 countries and regions around the world, and has served more than 7.5 million users in total.

    Start your CJB Crypto mining journey

    Easy registration: New users can enjoy a $10 reward upon registration, and can also get $0.6 for daily check-in.

    Choose a contract: After successful registration, choose a suitable mining contract based on your investment goals and budget. The platform provides a variety of contract plans, which can be easily participated by both novice and experienced users.

    Referral Bonus (Affiliate Program):

    Recommend friends to join, and you have the opportunity to win up to $20,000 in extra income every month.

    After your friend successfully registers and completes the first mining contract, you can immediately receive a 3% reward of their contract amount (for example: if your friend buys a $10,000 contract, you get $300).

    Cumulatively invite a certain number of active users, and you will have the opportunity to receive a one-time fixed bonus of up to $50,000.

    Unlimited income potential! The invitation mechanism is transparent and traceable, truly realizing “zero investment, home income generation”.

    Rich contracts, adapt to diverse needs
    After selecting and activating the contract, the system will automatically handle the subsequent mining process. CJB Crypto uses advanced technology to ensure efficient mining and help you maximize your potential income.

    Example contract returns (average daily):

    $10 contract (period: 1 day): $0.60

    $100 contract (period: 2 days): $3.50

    $500 contract (period: 5 days): $6.25

    $1,000 contract (period: 10 days): $13.00

    $5,000 contract (period: 30 days): $75.00

    Click to explore more contract options.

    Flexible settlement, support for multiple cryptocurrencies
    Mining income is settled in USDT by default. But you can freely choose to exchange the income for mainstream digital assets such as XRP, Solana, ETH or BTC. Asset allocation, control at will.

    Reasons why CJB Crypto is popular
    Since its launch, the platform has gathered more than 7.5 million users worldwide, and its core advantages of “zero threshold, security, convenience and efficiency” have been widely recognized. A 70-year-old American user shared: “Through sign-in and invitation rewards, I can steadily increase my income by thousands of dollars every month. The platform’s smart mining really helps me achieve my passive income goal.” This is exactly the original intention of CJB Crypto to open smart mining services-to allow everyone to easily participate, share the growth dividends of digital assets, and experience the fun of multiple feedback.

    About CJB Crypto
    As the world’s leading compliant cloud mining platform, CJB Crypto is committed to serving mass investors, not just technical experts, with high-quality applications, green and environmentally friendly global cloud infrastructure and perfect support. The platform adheres to the principle of “user first, safety and efficiency, and controllable risks”, lowers the threshold for industry participation through technological innovation, and promotes the development of inclusive finance.

    For more details and how to participate: https://cjb.top/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HBT Financial, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second Quarter Highlights

    • Net income of $19.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted share; return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.53%; return on average stockholders’ equity (“ROAE”) of 13.47%; and return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”)(1) of 15.55%
    • Adjusted net income(1) of $19.8 million; or $0.63 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA(1) of 1.58%; adjusted ROAE(1) of 13.87%; and adjusted ROATCE(1) of 16.02%
    • Asset quality remained strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.13% and net charge-offs to average loans of 0.12%, on an annualized basis
    • Net interest margin increased 2 basis points to 4.14% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1)increased 3 basis points to 4.19%

    BLOOMINGTON, Ill., July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today reported net income of $19.2 million, or $0.61 diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2025. This compares to net income of $19.1 million, or $0.60 diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2025, and net income of $18.1 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2024.

    J. Lance Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “During the second quarter of 2025, our team continued to deliver consistently strong earnings with adjusted net income(1) of $19.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share. This was driven by an increase in adjusted pre-provision net revenue(1) of 5.2%, compared to the first quarter of 2025. Adjusted ROAA(1) was 1.58% and adjusted ROATCE(1) was 16.02% for the second quarter while our net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis(1) increased 3 basis points to 4.19%. Our strong profitability coupled with an improvement in our accumulated other comprehensive income due to lower interest rates resulted in a $0.59 increase in our tangible book value per share(1) to $16.02, an increase of 3.8% for the quarter and 17.4% over the last 12 months.

    Our balance sheet remains strong as all capital ratios increased during the quarter and asset quality remained stable with nonperforming assets to total assets of only 0.13%. We saw a decrease in loans during the quarter as seasonal paydowns on grain elevator lines of credit caused a decrease in commercial and industrial loans and a higher amount of property sales caused higher payoffs in several other portfolios. We expect to see loan growth return in the third quarter of 2025 due to higher loan pipelines at the end of the second quarter than at the end of the first quarter and fewer payoffs projected.

    Our credit discipline, strong profitability and solid balance sheet give us confidence that we are prepared for a variety of economic and interest rate environments. Our capital levels and operational structure support attractive acquisition opportunities should the right opportunity arise.”
    ____________________________________
    (1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Adjusted Net Income

    In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, gains (losses) on closed branch premises, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments, and the tax effect of these pre-tax adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $19.8 million, or $0.63 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2025. This compares to adjusted net income of $19.3 million, or $0.61 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the first quarter of 2025, and adjusted net income of $18.1 million, or $0.57 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2024 (see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures).

    Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

    Net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 was $49.7 million, an increase of 2.0% from $48.7 million for the first quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to improved yields on debt securities and lower funding costs which were partially offset by a decrease in average loan balances.

    Relative to the second quarter of 2024, net interest income increased 5.6% from $47.0 million. The increase was primarily attributable to lower funding costs, improved yields on debt securities, and higher average loan balances. Additionally, a $0.5 million increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees contributed to the increase in net interest income.

    Net interest margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 4.14%, compared to 4.12% for the first quarter of 2025, and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1) for the second quarter of 2025 was 4.19%, compared to 4.16% for the first quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to improved yields on debt securities, which increased 11 basis points to 2.60%, and lower funding costs, which decreased 3 basis points to 1.29%.

    Relative to the second quarter of 2024, net interest margin increased 19 basis points from 3.95% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)(1) increased 19 basis points from 4.00%. The increase was primarily attributable to lower funding costs, higher yields on interest-earning assets, and an increase in nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees. The increase in the contribution of nonaccrual interest recoveries and loan fees accounted for 4 basis points of the increase in net interest margin.
    ____________________________________
    (1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    Noninterest Income

    Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2025 was $9.1 million, a 1.8% decrease from $9.3 million for the first quarter of 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustment, with a $0.8 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the second quarter 2025 results compared to a $0.3 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the first quarter 2025 results. Partially offsetting this decrease were seasonal increases in card income of $0.2 million and gains on sale of mortgage loans of $0.2 million.

    Relative to the second quarter of 2024, noninterest income decreased 4.9% from $9.6 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the MSR fair value adjustment, with a $0.8 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the second quarter 2025 results compared to a $0.1 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the second quarter 2024 results. Partially offsetting the decrease was a $0.2 million increase in wealth management fees.

    Noninterest Expense

    Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 was $31.9 million, nearly unchanged from the first quarter of 2025. A $0.6 million decrease in salaries expense, which was impacted by seasonal variations in vacation accruals, was largely offset by a $0.4 million increase in other noninterest expense and a $0.3 million increase in employee benefits expense, primarily driven by higher medical benefit costs.

    Relative to the second quarter of 2024, noninterest expense increased 4.6% from $30.5 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.7 million increase in employee benefits expense, primarily driven by higher medical benefit costs, a $0.3 million increase in other noninterest expense, and a $0.2 million increase in bank occupancy expense, primarily due to planned building maintenance and upgrades.

    Income Taxes

    During the second quarter of 2025 our effective tax rate increased to 27.0% when compared to 25.2% during the first quarter of 2025. This increase was primarily related to $0.3 million of additional tax expense related to the nonrecurring reversal of a stranded tax effect included in accumulated other comprehensive income, in connection with the maturity of a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge during the second quarter of 2025. Additionally, the first quarter of 2025 included a $0.2 million tax benefit from stock-based compensation that vested during the quarter.

    Loan Portfolio

    Total loans outstanding, before allowance for credit losses, were $3.35 billion at June 30, 2025, compared with $3.46 billion at March 31, 2025, and $3.39 billion at June 30, 2024. The $113.6 million decrease from March 31, 2025 was primarily attributable to $72.0 million of paydowns from property sales, a seasonal reduction of $25.1 million in grain elevator lines of credit included in the commercial and industrial segment, and additional payoffs across other segments. These reductions were partially offset by draws on existing loans in the construction and development segment and new originations to existing customers. Additionally, increases in the multi-family and commercial real estate – non-owner occupied segments were primarily due to completed projects being moved out of the construction and land development category.

    Deposits

    Total deposits were $4.31 billion at June 30, 2025, compared with $4.38 billion at March 31, 2025, and $4.32 billion at June 30, 2024. The $78.1 million decrease from March 31, 2025 was primarily attributable to higher outflows for tax payments by depositors and lower balances maintained in existing retail accounts which were partially offset by higher public funds balances.

    Asset Quality

    Nonperforming assets totaled $6.5 million, or 0.13% of total assets, at June 30, 2025, compared with $5.6 million, or 0.11% of total assets, at March 31, 2025, and $8.8 million, or 0.17% of total assets, at June 30, 2024. Additionally, of the $5.6 million of nonperforming loans held as of June 30, 2025, $1.9 million were either wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. government. The $0.9 million increase in nonperforming assets from March 31, 2025 was primarily attributable to higher nonperforming loan balances in the commercial and industrial and the construction and land development segments.

    The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.5 million for the second quarter of 2025. The provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $1.0 million increase in required reserves driven by changes in the economic forecast; a $0.8 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in qualitative factors; a $1.2 million decrease in required reserves driven by changes within the portfolio; and a $0.1 million decrease in specific reserves.
    The Company had net charge-offs of $1.0 million, or 0.12% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2025, compared to net charge-offs of $0.4 million, or 0.05% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the first quarter of 2025, and net charge-offs of $0.7 million, or 0.08% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2024. Charge-offs during second quarter of 2025 were primarily recognized in the commercial and industrial and one-to-four family residential segments.

    The Company’s allowance for credit losses was 1.24% of total loans and 741% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2025, compared with 1.22% of total loans and 825% of nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025. In addition, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded lending-related commitments totaled $3.1 million as of June 30, 2025, compared with $3.2 million as of March 31, 2025.

    Capital

    As of June 30, 2025, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III as summarized in the following table:

        June 30, 2025   For Capital
    Adequacy Purposes
    With Capital
    Conservation Buffer
             
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets   17.74 %   10.50 %
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets   15.60     8.50  
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio   14.26     7.00  
    Tier 1 leverage ratio   11.86     4.00  
                 

    The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets(1) increased to 10.21% as of June 30, 2025, from 9.73% as of March 31, 2025, and tangible book value per share(1) increased by $0.59 to $16.02 as of June 30, 2025, when compared to March 31, 2025.

    During the second quarter of 2025, the Company repurchased 135,997 shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $21.30 under its stock repurchase program. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $15.0 million of HBT Financial common stock under its stock repurchase program, which is in effect until January 1, 2026. As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $12.1 million remaining under the stock repurchase program.
    ____________________________________
    (1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

    About HBT Financial, Inc.

    HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of June 30, 2025, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.0 billion, total loans of $3.3 billion, and total deposits of $4.3 billion.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted ROAA, pre-provision net revenue, pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), adjusted pre-provision net revenue, adjusted pre-provision net revenue less charge-offs (recoveries), net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), adjusted efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, adjusted ROAE, ROATCE, and adjusted ROATCE. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” or “should,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies and financial markets (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) effects on the U.S. economy resulting from the threat or implementation of, or changes to, existing policies and executive orders including tariffs, immigration policy, regulatory or other governmental agencies, foreign policy and tax regulations; (iii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East), or other adverse events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iv) new and revised accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory banking agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (v) changes in local, state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business and any changes in response to bank failures; (vi) the imposition of tariffs or other governmental policies impacting the value of products produced by the Company’s commercial borrowers; (vii) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (viii) increased competition in the financial services sector, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and fintech companies, and the inability to attract new customers; (ix) technological changes implemented by us and other parties, including our third-party vendors, which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers, including the development and implementation of tools incorporating artificial intelligence; (x) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (xi) the loss of key executives and employees, talent shortages and employee turnover; (xii) changes in consumer spending; (xiii) unexpected outcomes or costs of existing or new litigation or other legal proceedings and regulatory actions involving the Company; (xiv) the economic impact on the Company and its customers of climate change, natural disasters and of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xv) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio, including as a result of changes in interest rates; (xvi) credit risks and risks from concentrations (by type of borrower, geographic area, collateral and industry) within our loan portfolio (including commercial real estate loans) and large loans to certain borrowers; (xvii) the overall health of the local and national real estate market; (xviii) the ability to maintain an adequate level of allowance for credit losses on loans; (xix) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and who may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xx) the ability to successfully manage liquidity risk, which may increase dependence on non-core funding sources such as brokered deposits, and may negatively impact the Company’s cost of funds; (xxi) the level of nonperforming assets on our balance sheet; (xxii) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xxiii) the occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches or failures of our third-party vendors’ information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, including as a result of sophisticated attacks using artificial intelligence and similar tools or as a result of insider fraud; (xxiv) the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management framework, and (xxv) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CONTACT:
    Peter Chapman
    HBTIR@hbtbank.com 
    (309) 664-4556

    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
             
        As of or for the Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
    Interest and dividend income   $ 63,919     $ 63,138     $ 62,824     $ 127,057     $ 124,785  
    Interest expense     14,261       14,430       15,796       28,691       31,069  
    Net interest income     49,658       48,708       47,028       98,366       93,716  
    Provision for credit losses     526       576       1,176       1,102       1,703  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     49,132       48,132       45,852       97,264       92,013  
    Noninterest income     9,140       9,306       9,610       18,446       15,236  
    Noninterest expense     31,914       31,935       30,509       63,849       61,777  
    Income before income tax expense     26,358       25,503       24,953       51,861       45,472  
    Income tax expense     7,128       6,428       6,883       13,556       12,144  
    Net income   $ 19,230     $ 19,075     $ 18,070     $ 38,305     $ 33,328  
                         
    Earnings per share – diluted   $ 0.61     $ 0.60     $ 0.57     $ 1.21     $ 1.05  
                         
    Adjusted net income (1)   $ 19,803     $ 19,253     $ 18,139     $ 39,056     $ 36,212  
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted (1)     0.63       0.61       0.57       1.23       1.14  
                         
    Book value per share   $ 18.44     $ 17.86     $ 16.14          
    Tangible book value per share (1)     16.02       15.43       13.64          
                         
    Shares of common stock outstanding     31,495,434       31,631,431       31,559,366          
    Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including all dilutive potential shares     31,588,541       31,711,671       31,666,811       31,649,766       31,734,999  
                         
    SUMMARY RATIOS                    
    Net interest margin *     4.14 %     4.12 %     3.95 %     4.13 %     3.95 %
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * (1)(2)     4.19       4.16       4.00       4.18       3.99  
                         
    Efficiency ratio     53.10 %     53.85 %     52.61 %     53.47 %     55.40 %
    Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)(2)     52.61       53.35       52.10       52.97       54.83  
                         
    Loan to deposit ratio     77.75 %     78.95 %     78.39 %        
                         
    Return on average assets *     1.53 %     1.54 %     1.45 %     1.53 %     1.34 %
    Return on average stockholders’ equity *     13.47       13.95       14.48       13.70       13.46  
    Return on average tangible common equity * (1)     15.55       16.20       17.21       15.87       16.03  
                         
    Adjusted return on average assets * (1)     1.58 %     1.55 %     1.45 %     1.56 %     1.45 %
    Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity * (1)     13.87       14.08       14.54       13.97       14.63  
    Adjusted return on average tangible common equity * (1)     16.02       16.36       17.27       16.18       17.42  
                         
    CAPITAL                    
    Total capital to risk-weighted assets     17.74 %     16.85 %     16.01 %        
    Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets     15.60       14.77       13.98          
    Common equity tier 1 capital ratio     14.26       13.48       12.66          
    Tier 1 leverage ratio     11.86       11.64       10.83          
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets     11.58       11.10       10.18          
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (1)     10.21       9.73       8.74          
                         
    ASSET QUALITY                    
    Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans *     0.12 %     0.05 %     0.08 %     0.09 %     0.03 %
    Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses     1.24       1.22       1.21          
    Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses     0.17       0.15       0.25          
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.13       0.11       0.17          
                                     

    ____________________________________

    (1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
    (2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%. 

    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
    Consolidated Statements of Income
     
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
    INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME                  
    Loans, including fees:                  
    Taxable $ 53,156     $ 53,369     $ 52,177     $ 106,525     $ 104,103  
    Federally tax exempt   1,215       1,168       1,097       2,383       2,191  
    Debt securities:                  
    Taxable   7,434       6,936       6,315       14,370       12,519  
    Federally tax exempt   457       469       521       926       1,118  
    Interest-bearing deposits in bank   1,544       1,065       2,570       2,609       4,522  
    Other interest and dividend income   113       131       144       244       332  
    Total interest and dividend income   63,919       63,138       62,824       127,057       124,785  
    INTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Deposits   12,835       12,939       14,133       25,774       27,726  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   —       22       129       22       281  
    Borrowings   30       109       121       139       246  
    Subordinated notes   469       470       469       939       939  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   927       890       944       1,817       1,877  
    Total interest expense   14,261       14,430       15,796       28,691       31,069  
    Net interest income   49,658       48,708       47,028       98,366       93,716  
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   526       576       1,176       1,102       1,703  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses   49,132       48,132       45,852       97,264       92,013  
    NONINTEREST INCOME                  
    Card income   2,797       2,548       2,885       5,345       5,501  
    Wealth management fees   2,826       2,841       2,623       5,667       5,170  
    Service charges on deposit accounts   1,915       1,944       1,902       3,859       3,771  
    Mortgage servicing   1,042       990       1,111       2,032       2,166  
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment   (751 )     (308 )     (97 )     (1,059 )     (17 )
    Gains on sale of mortgage loans   459       252       443       711       741  
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities   —       —       —       —       (3,382 )
    Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities   23       8       (96 )     31       (112 )
    Gains (losses) on foreclosed assets   14       13       (28 )     27       59  
    Gains (losses) on other assets   (128 )     54       —       (74 )     (635 )
    Income on bank owned life insurance   167       164       166       331       330  
    Other noninterest income   776       800       701       1,576       1,644  
    Total noninterest income   9,140       9,306       9,610       18,446       15,236  
    NONINTEREST EXPENSE                  
    Salaries   16,452       17,053       16,364       33,505       33,021  
    Employee benefits   3,580       3,285       2,860       6,865       5,665  
    Occupancy of bank premises   2,471       2,625       2,243       5,096       4,825  
    Furniture and equipment   575       445       548       1,020       1,098  
    Data processing   2,687       2,717       2,606       5,404       5,531  
    Marketing and customer relations   1,020       1,144       996       2,164       1,992  
    Amortization of intangible assets   694       695       710       1,389       1,420  
    FDIC insurance   551       562       565       1,113       1,125  
    Loan collection and servicing   360       383       475       743       927  
    Foreclosed assets   67       5       10       72       59  
    Other noninterest expense   3,457       3,021       3,132       6,478       6,114  
    Total noninterest expense   31,914       31,935       30,509       63,849       61,777  
    INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE   26,358       25,503       24,953       51,861       45,472  
    INCOME TAX EXPENSE   7,128       6,428       6,883       13,556       12,144  
    NET INCOME $ 19,230     $ 19,075     $ 18,070     $ 38,305     $ 33,328  
                       
    EARNINGS PER SHARE – BASIC $ 0.61     $ 0.60     $ 0.57     $ 1.21     $ 1.05  
    EARNINGS PER SHARE – DILUTED $ 0.61     $ 0.60     $ 0.57     $ 1.21     $ 1.05  
    WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING   31,510,759       31,584,989       31,579,457       31,547,669       31,621,205  
                                           
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
               
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024
    ASSETS          
    Cash and due from banks $ 25,563     $ 25,005     $ 22,604  
    Interest-bearing deposits with banks   170,179       186,586       172,636  
    Cash and cash equivalents   195,742       211,591       195,240  
               
    Interest-bearing time deposits with banks   —       —       520  
    Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value   773,206       706,135       669,055  
    Debt securities held-to-maturity   481,942       490,398       512,549  
    Equity securities with readily determinable fair value   3,346       3,323       3,228  
    Equity securities with no readily determinable fair value   2,609       2,629       2,613  
    Restricted stock, at cost   4,979       5,086       5,086  
    Loans held for sale   2,316       2,721       858  
               
    Loans, before allowance for credit losses   3,348,211       3,461,778       3,385,483  
    Allowance for credit losses   (41,659 )     (42,111 )     (40,806 )
    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses   3,306,552       3,419,667       3,344,677  
               
    Bank owned life insurance   24,320       24,153       24,235  
    Bank premises and equipment, net   68,523       67,272       65,711  
    Bank premises held for sale   140       190       317  
    Foreclosed assets   890       460       320  
    Goodwill   59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Intangible assets, net   16,454       17,148       19,262  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value   17,768       18,519       18,984  
    Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries   1,614       1,614       1,614  
    Accrued interest receivable   20,624       22,735       22,425  
    Other assets   37,553       38,731       59,685  
    Total assets $ 5,018,398     $ 5,092,192     $ 5,006,199  
               
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
    Liabilities          
    Deposits:          
    Noninterest-bearing $ 1,034,387     $ 1,065,874     $ 1,045,697  
    Interest-bearing   3,272,144       3,318,716       3,272,996  
    Total deposits   4,306,531       4,384,590       4,318,693  
               
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   556       2,698       29,330  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances   7,240       7,209       13,734  
    Subordinated notes   39,593       39,573       39,514  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   52,879       52,864       52,819  
    Other liabilities   30,702       40,201       42,640  
    Total liabilities   4,437,501       4,527,135       4,496,730  
               
    Stockholders’ Equity          
    Common stock   329       329       328  
    Surplus   297,479       297,024       296,430  
    Retained earnings   341,750       329,169       290,386  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (32,739 )     (38,446 )     (54,656 )
    Treasury stock at cost   (25,922 )     (23,019 )     (23,019 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   580,897       565,057       509,469  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,018,398     $ 5,092,192     $ 5,006,199  
    SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING   31,495,434       31,631,431       31,559,366  
                           
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
               
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024
               
    LOANS          
    Commercial and industrial $ 419,430   $ 441,261   $ 400,276
    Commercial real estate – owner occupied   317,475     321,990     289,992
    Commercial real estate – non-owner occupied   907,073     891,022     889,193
    Construction and land development   310,252     376,046     365,371
    Multi-family   453,812     424,096     429,951
    One-to-four family residential   451,197     455,376     484,335
    Agricultural and farmland   271,644     292,240     285,822
    Municipal, consumer, and other   217,328     259,747     240,543
    Total loans $ 3,348,211   $ 3,461,778   $ 3,385,483
                     
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024
               
    DEPOSITS          
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 1,034,387   $ 1,065,874   $ 1,045,697
    Interest-bearing deposits:          
    Interest-bearing demand   1,097,086     1,143,677     1,094,797
    Money market   831,292     812,146     769,386
    Savings   568,971     575,558     582,752
    Time   774,795     787,335     796,069
    Brokered   —     —     29,992
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,272,144     3,318,716     3,272,996
    Total deposits $ 4,306,531   $ 4,384,590   $ 4,318,693
                     
    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
       
      Three Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   March 31, 2025   June 30, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Average Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost *   Average Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost *   Average Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost *
                                       
    ASSETS                                  
    Loans $ 3,417,582     $ 54,371   6.38 %   $ 3,460,906     $ 54,537   6.39 %   $ 3,374,058     $ 53,274   6.35 %
    Debt securities   1,217,386       7,891   2.60       1,204,424       7,405   2.49       1,187,795       6,836   2.31  
    Deposits with banks   160,726       1,544   3.85       120,014       1,065   3.60       211,117       2,570   4.90  
    Other   12,519       113   3.66       12,677       131   4.19       12,588       144   4.60  
    Total interest-earning assets   4,808,213     $ 63,919   5.33 %     4,798,021     $ 63,138   5.34 %     4,785,558     $ 62,824   5.28 %
    Allowance for credit losses   (42,118 )             (42,061 )             (40,814 )        
    Noninterest-earning assets   270,580               276,853               283,103          
    Total assets $ 5,036,675             $ 5,032,813             $ 5,027,847          
                                       
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                                  
    Liabilities                                  
    Interest-bearing deposits:                                  
    Interest-bearing demand $ 1,125,787     $ 1,569   0.56 %   $ 1,120,608     $ 1,453   0.53 %   $ 1,123,592     $ 1,429   0.51 %
    Money market   813,531       4,463   2.20       807,728       4,397   2.21       788,744       4,670   2.38  
    Savings   569,193       374   0.26       569,494       370   0.26       592,312       393   0.27  
    Time   780,536       6,429   3.30       784,099       6,719   3.48       763,507       7,117   3.75  
    Brokered   —       —   —       —       —   —       38,213       524   5.51  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,289,047       12,835   1.57       3,281,929       12,939   1.60       3,306,368       14,133   1.72  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   1,420       —   0.05       8,754       22   1.02       30,440       129   1.70  
    Borrowings   7,225       30   1.70       12,890       109   3.41       13,466       121   3.60  
    Subordinated notes   39,582       469   4.76       39,563       470   4.82       39,504       469   4.78  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   52,871       927   7.03       52,856       890   6.83       52,812       944   7.18  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3,390,145     $ 14,261   1.69 %     3,395,992     $ 14,430   1.72 %     3,442,590     $ 15,796   1.85 %
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,044,539               1,045,733               1,043,614          
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   29,486               36,373               39,806          
    Total liabilities   4,464,170               4,478,098               4,526,010          
    Stockholders’ Equity   572,505               554,715               501,837          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,036,675             $ 5,032,813             $ 5,027,847          
                                       
    Net interest income/Net interest margin (1)     $ 49,658   4.14 %       $ 48,708   4.12 %       $ 47,028   3.95 %
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)       548   0.05           545   0.04           553   0.05  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)/
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (2) (3)    		     $ 50,206   4.19 %       $ 49,253   4.16 %       $ 47,581   4.00 %
    Net interest rate spread (4)         3.64 %           3.62 %           3.43 %
    Net interest-earning assets (5) $ 1,418,068             $ 1,402,029             $ 1,342,968          
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   1.42               1.41               1.39          
    Cost of total deposits         1.19 %           1.21 %           1.31 %
    Cost of funds         1.29             1.32             1.42  
                                             

    ____________________________________

    * Annualized measure.

    (1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
    (2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
    (3) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
    (4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
    (5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. 

    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
     
      Six Months Ended
      June 30, 2025   June 30, 2024
    (dollars in thousands) Average Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost *   Average Balance   Interest   Yield/Cost *
                           
    ASSETS                      
    Loans $ 3,439,124     $ 108,908   6.39 %   $ 3,372,640     $ 106,294   6.34 %
    Debt securities   1,210,941       15,296   2.55       1,200,871       13,637   2.28  
    Deposits with banks   140,483       2,609   3.75       189,207       4,522   4.81  
    Other   12,597       244   3.93       12,787       332   5.22  
    Total interest-earning assets   4,803,145     $ 127,057   5.33 %     4,775,505     $ 124,785   5.25 %
    Allowance for credit losses   (42,089 )             (40,526 )        
    Noninterest-earning assets   273,193               280,676          
    Total assets $ 5,034,249             $ 5,015,655          
                           
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                      
    Liabilities                      
    Interest-bearing deposits:                      
    Interest-bearing demand $ 1,123,212     $ 3,022   0.54 %   $ 1,125,638     $ 2,740   0.49 %
    Money market   810,645       8,860   2.20       800,714       9,467   2.38  
    Savings   569,343       744   0.26       601,768       836   0.28  
    Time   782,307       13,148   3.39       714,003       13,042   3.67  
    Brokered   —       —   —       60,181       1,641   5.48  
    Total interest-bearing deposits   3,285,507       25,774   1.58       3,302,304       27,726   1.69  
    Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   5,067       22   0.89       31,448       281   1.80  
    Borrowings   10,042       139   2.79       13,235       246   3.73  
    Subordinated notes   39,573       939   4.79       39,494       939   4.78  
    Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts   52,864       1,817   6.93       52,804       1,877   7.15  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities   3,393,053     $ 28,691   1.71 %     3,439,285     $ 31,069   1.82 %
    Noninterest-bearing deposits   1,045,133               1,040,007          
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities   32,404               38,457          
    Total liabilities   4,470,590               4,517,749          
    Stockholders’ Equity   563,659               497,906          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,034,249               5,015,655          
                           
    Net interest income/Net interest margin (1)     $ 98,366   4.13 %       $ 93,716   3.95 %
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (2)       1,093   0.05           1,128   0.04  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)/
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (2) (3)    		     $ 99,459   4.18 %       $ 94,844   3.99 %
    Net interest rate spread (4)         3.62 %           3.43 %
    Net interest-earning assets (5) $ 1,410,092             $ 1,336,220          
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   1.42               1.39          
    Cost of total deposits         1.20 %           1.28 %
    Cost of funds         1.30             1.39  

    ____________________________________
    (1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
    (2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
    (3) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
    (4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
    (5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. 

    HBT Financial, Inc.
    Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary
               
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024
               
    NONPERFORMING ASSETS          
    Nonaccrual $ 5,615     $ 5,102     $ 8,425  
    Past due 90 days or more, still accruing   9       4       7  
    Total nonperforming loans   5,624       5,106       8,432  
    Foreclosed assets   890       460       320  
    Total nonperforming assets $ 6,514     $ 5,566     $ 8,752  
               
    Nonperforming loans that are wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. Government $ 1,878     $ 1,350     $ 2,132  
               
    Allowance for credit losses $ 41,659     $ 42,111     $ 40,806  
    Loans, before allowance for credit losses   3,348,211       3,461,778       3,385,483  
               
    CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS          
    Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses   1.24 %     1.22 %     1.21 %
    Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans   741.92       825.38       484.34  
    Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans   740.74       824.74       483.94  
    Nonaccrual loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses   0.17       0.15       0.25  
    Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses   0.17       0.15       0.25  
    Nonperforming assets to total assets   0.13       0.11       0.17  
    Nonperforming assets to loans, before allowance for credit losses, and foreclosed assets   0.19       0.16       0.26  
                           
      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                       
    ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES                  
    Beginning balance $ 42,111     $ 42,044     $ 40,815     $ 42,044     $ 40,048  
    Provision for credit losses   595       496       677       1,091       1,237  
    Charge-offs   (1,252 )     (665 )     (870 )     (1,917 )     (1,097 )
    Recoveries   205       236       184       441       618  
    Ending balance $ 41,659     $ 42,111     $ 40,806     $ 41,659     $ 40,806  
                       
    Net charge-offs $ 1,047     $ 429     $ 686     $ 1,476     $ 479  
    Average loans   3,417,582       3,460,906       3,374,058       3,439,124       3,372,640  
                       
    Net charge-offs to average loans *   0.12 %     0.05 %     0.08 %     0.09 %     0.03 %
                                           

    ____________________________________

    * Annualized measure.

      Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands) June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025     2024
                       
    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES                  
    Loans $ 595     $ 496   $ 677   $ 1,091   $ 1,237
    Unfunded lending-related commitments   (69 )     80     499     11     466
    Total provision for credit losses $ 526     $ 576   $ 1,176   $ 1,102   $ 1,703
                                   
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Return on Average Assets
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                         
    Net income   $ 19,230     $ 19,075     $ 18,070     $ 38,305     $ 33,328  
    Less: adjustments                    
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises     (50 )     59       —       9       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities     —       —       —       —       (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment     (751 )     (308 )     (97 )     (1,059 )     (17 )
    Total adjustments     (801 )     (249 )     (97 )     (1,050 )     (4,034 )
    Tax effect of adjustments (1)     228       71       28       299       1,150  
    Total adjustments after tax effect     (573 )     (178 )     (69 )     (751 )     (2,884 )
    Adjusted net income   $ 19,803     $ 19,253     $ 18,139     $ 39,056     $ 36,212  
                         
    Average assets   $ 5,036,675     $ 5,032,813     $ 5,027,847     $ 5,034,249     $ 5,015,655  
                         
    Return on average assets *     1.53 %     1.54 %     1.45 %     1.53 %     1.34 %
    Adjusted return on average assets *     1.58       1.55       1.45       1.56       1.45  
                                             

    ____________________________________

    * Annualized measure.

    (1) Assumes a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Adjusted Earnings Per Share — Basic and Diluted
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025     2024
                         
    Numerator:                    
    Net income   $ 19,230   $ 19,075   $ 18,070   $ 38,305   $ 33,328
                         
    Adjusted net income   $ 19,803   $ 19,253   $ 18,139   $ 39,056   $ 36,212
                         
    Denominator:                    
    Weighted average common shares outstanding     31,510,759     31,584,989     31,579,457     31,547,669     31,621,205
    Dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units     77,782     126,682     87,354     102,097     113,794
    Weighted average common shares outstanding, including all dilutive potential shares     31,588,541     31,711,671     31,666,811     31,649,766     31,734,999
                         
    Earnings per share – basic   $ 0.61   $ 0.60   $ 0.57   $ 1.21   $ 1.05
    Earnings per share – diluted   $ 0.61   $ 0.60   $ 0.57   $ 1.21   $ 1.05
                         
    Adjusted earnings per share – basic   $ 0.63   $ 0.61   $ 0.57   $ 1.24   $ 1.15
    Adjusted earnings per share – diluted   $ 0.63   $ 0.61   $ 0.57   $ 1.23   $ 1.14
                                   
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Pre-Provision Net Revenue, Pre-Provision Net Revenue Less Net Charge-offs (Recoveries),
    Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue, and Adjusted Pre-Provision Net Revenue Less Net Charge-offs (Recoveries)
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                         
    Net interest income   $ 49,658     $ 48,708     $ 47,028     $ 98,366     $ 93,716  
    Noninterest income     9,140       9,306       9,610       18,446       15,236  
    Noninterest expense     (31,914 )     (31,935 )     (30,509 )     (63,849 )     (61,777 )
    Pre-provision net revenue     26,884       26,079       26,129       52,963       47,175  
    Less: adjustments                    
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises     (50 )     59       —       9       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities     —       —       —       —       (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment     (751 )     (308 )     (97 )     (1,059 )     (17 )
    Total adjustments     (801 )     (249 )     (97 )     (1,050 )     (4,034 )
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue   $ 27,685     $ 26,328     $ 26,226     $ 54,013     $ 51,209  
                         
    Pre-provision net revenue   $ 26,884     $ 26,079     $ 26,129     $ 52,963     $ 47,175  
    Less: net charge-offs     1,047       429       686       1,476       479  
    Pre-provision net revenue less net charge-offs   $ 25,837     $ 25,650     $ 25,443     $ 51,487     $ 46,696  
                         
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue   $ 27,685     $ 26,328     $ 26,226     $ 54,013     $ 51,209  
    Less: net charge-offs     1,047       429       686       1,476       479  
    Adjusted pre-provision net revenue less net charge-offs   $ 26,638     $ 25,899     $ 25,540     $ 52,537     $ 50,730  
                                             
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Net Interest Income (Tax-equivalent Basis) and Net Interest Margin (Tax-equivalent Basis)
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                         
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)                    
    Net interest income   $ 49,658     $ 48,708     $ 47,028     $ 98,366     $ 93,716  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)     548       545       553       1,093       1,128  
    Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   $ 50,206     $ 49,253     $ 47,581     $ 99,459     $ 94,844  
                         
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)                    
    Net interest margin *     4.14 %     4.12 %     3.95 %     4.13 %     3.95 %
    Tax-equivalent adjustment * (1)     0.05       0.04       0.05       0.05       0.04  
    Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * (1)     4.19 %     4.16 %     4.00 %     4.18 %     3.99 %
                         
    Average interest-earning assets   $ 4,808,213     $ 4,798,021     $ 4,785,558     $ 4,803,145     $ 4,775,505  
                                             

    ____________________________________

    * Annualized measure.

    (1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%. 

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent Basis) and Adjusted Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent Basis)
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                         
    Total noninterest expense   $ 31,914     $ 31,935     $ 30,509     $ 63,849     $ 61,777  
    Less: amortization of intangible assets     694       695       710       1,389       1,420  
    Noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangible assets   $ 31,220     $ 31,240     $ 29,799     $ 62,460     $ 60,357  
                         
    Net interest income   $ 49,658     $ 48,708     $ 47,028     $ 98,366     $ 93,716  
    Total noninterest income     9,140       9,306       9,610       18,446       15,236  
    Operating revenue     58,798       58,014       56,638       116,812       108,952  
    Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)     548       545       553       1,093       1,128  
    Operating revenue (tax-equivalent basis) (1)     59,346       58,559       57,191       117,905       110,080  
    Less: adjustments to noninterest income                    
    Gains (losses) on closed branch premises     (50 )     59       —       9       (635 )
    Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities     —       —       —       —       (3,382 )
    Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment     (751 )     (308 )     (97 )     (1,059 )     (17 )
    Total adjustments to noninterest income     (801 )     (249 )     (97 )     (1,050 )     (4,034 )
    Adjusted operating revenue (tax-equivalent basis) (1)   $ 60,147     $ 58,808     $ 57,288     $ 118,955     $ 114,114  
                         
    Efficiency ratio     53.10 %     53.85 %     52.61 %     53.47 %     55.40 %
    Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)     52.61       53.35       52.10       52.97       54.83  
    Adjusted efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)     51.91       53.12       52.02       52.51       52.89  
                                             

    ____________________________________
    (1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets and Tangible Book Value Per Share
    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024
                 
    Tangible Common Equity            
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 580,897     $ 565,057     $ 509,469  
    Less: Goodwill     59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net     16,454       17,148       19,262  
    Tangible common equity   $ 504,623     $ 488,089     $ 430,387  
                 
    Tangible Assets            
    Total assets   $ 5,018,398     $ 5,092,192     $ 5,006,199  
    Less: Goodwill     59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net     16,454       17,148       19,262  
    Tangible assets   $ 4,942,124     $ 5,015,224     $ 4,927,117  
                 
    Total stockholders’ equity to total assets     11.58 %     11.10 %     10.18 %
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets     10.21       9.73       8.74  
                 
    Shares of common stock outstanding     31,495,434       31,631,431       31,559,366  
                 
    Book value per share   $ 18.44     $ 17.86     $ 16.14  
    Tangible book value per share     16.02       15.43       13.64  
                             
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures –
    Return on Average Tangible Common Equity,
    Adjusted Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity and Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity
        Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended June 30,
    (dollars in thousands)   June 30,
    2025    		   March 31,
    2025    		   June 30,
    2024    		     2025       2024  
                         
    Average Tangible Common Equity                    
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 572,505     $ 554,715     $ 501,837     $ 563,659     $ 497,906  
    Less: Goodwill     59,820       59,820       59,820       59,820       59,820  
    Less: Intangible assets, net     16,782       17,480       19,605       17,130       19,970  
    Average tangible common equity   $ 495,903     $ 477,415     $ 422,412     $ 486,709     $ 418,116  
                         
    Net income   $ 19,230     $ 19,075     $ 18,070     $ 38,305     $ 33,328  
    Adjusted net income     19,803       19,253       18,139       39,056       36,212  
                         
    Return on average stockholders’ equity *     13.47 %     13.95 %     14.48 %     13.70 %     13.46 %
    Return on average tangible common equity *     15.55       16.20       17.21       15.87       16.03  
                         
    Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity *     13.87 %     14.08 %     14.54 %     13.97 %     14.63 %
    Adjusted return on average tangible common equity *     16.02       16.36       17.27       16.18       17.42  

    ____________________________________

    * Annualized measure.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Frontiersmen and Romantics: First Class of Online Master’s in Digital Urban Studies Graduates

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Finding funding for the Bakerloo line extension

    Source: Mayor of London

    Transport for London (TfL) has proposed an extension of the Bakerloo line from Elephant and Castle, to Lewisham, including the potential for a further extension beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.

    The project is estimated to cost between £5.2 billion to £8.7 billion (at 2021 prices), with an additional £800 million to £1.9 billion required to extend the line further to Hayes.1

    The scheme would support over 53,000 new homes along the route, transform access to public transport in southeast London, significantly reducing journey times and increasing sustainable travel options. However, questions remain over how this project will be funded.

    Tomorrow, the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee will hear from experts and TfL on the potential funding options for the Bakerloo line extension, and other new and future capital projects.

    Guests are:

    • Professor Tony Travers, Professor in Practice and Associate Dean, the London School of Economics
    • John Kavanagh, Programme Director, Infrastructure, Business LDN 
    • Chris Whitehouse, Technical Director, WSP 
    • Maurice Lange, Analyst, Centre for Cities 
    • Manish Gupta, Corporate Finance Director, TfL 
    • Lucinda Turner, Director of Spatial Planning, TfL

    The meeting will take place on Tuesday 22 July 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

    Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

    The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

    Follow us @LondonAssembly.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Receives Her German Counterpart on Her First Visit to Egypt to Discuss Strengthening the Strategic Economic Partnership Between the Two Countries

    Source: APO


    .

    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, received Ms. Reem Alabali-Radovan, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, at the Government Headquarters in New Alamein City during her visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, within the framework of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. The meeting comes as a follow-up to the fruitful discussions held during the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (Ff4D) in Seville, Spain.

    At the beginning of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat welcomed the German Minister on her first visit to Egypt and wished her success in her mission in the new German government, emphasizing the Arab Republic of Egypt’s appreciation for for the Egyptian-German economic relations, which represent a strategic partnership that reflects the keenness to advancing mutual interests and promoting development efforts, whether through bilateral governmental partnership, German investments in Egypt, and development cooperation efforts, adding that this visit marks a milestone in the process of cooperation between the two countries and reflects the depth of bilateral relations and common vision towards achieving sustainable development and economic growth.

    The two ministers discussed recent developments in Egyptian-German economic and investment relations, joint development projects, and explored new mechanisms for innovative financing, especially in light of the outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development held in Seville, Spain, and the need for the international community to contribute more to financing development in developing countries and emerging economies. They also discussed the implementation of the European Investment Guarantee Mechanism (EFSD+), which comes in light of the Egypt-EU strategic partnership and contributes to increasing foreign direct investments to the local and foreign private sector in Egypt, in addition to the preparations for the convening of the 2025 Egyptian-German governmental negotiations.

    The two sides also discussed the outcomes of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, noting the importance of implementing recommendations of the UN expert group report on addressing debt challenges in Global South countries, which included 11 outcomes, such as redirecting and replenishing existing resources from multilateral development banks and the IMF to enhance liquidity, adopting policies to extend maturities, financing debt buybacks, reducing debt servicing during crises, reforming the G20 Common Framework to include all middle-income countries, and updating IMF and World Bank debt sustainability analysis (DSA) to better reflect the situation of low- and middle-income countries, among other measures.

    The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation also reviewed the key features of Egypt’s national narrative for economic development, which aims to achieve a structural transformation in the Egyptian economy towards tradable and exportable sectors by strengthening macroeconomic policies, encouraging foreign direct investment, promoting industrial development, and supporting labor market and employment policies, noting that Egyptian-German relations are reflected in achieving these objectives.

    In this context, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat praised the success of the Egyptian-German Debt Swap Program, where the Egyptian government succeeded in signing debt swap agreements with a total value of €340 million to finance various development projects across multiple sectors, including the new tranche of the debt swap program worth €100 million for the period 2024–2026, explaining that the program contributed  to using the local currency equivalents of debt repayments to implement development projects in various sectors, including education and technical education, social protection, health, improving renewable energy supply. Ongoing coordination is underway to allocate €50 million from the program to support the energy pillar of the “NWFE” program, financing part of the local component for connecting ACWA Power (1) and (2) wind farms, with a total capacity of 1,100 MW. She reaffirmed that the Egyptian-German Debt Swap Program is a successful model for promoting financing for development.

    The discussion also touched on the Financial Cooperation Agreement between Egypt and Germany, which was signed on May 25, 2025, and includes a €118 million financing package in the form of concessional financing and financial contributions (complementary grants), and includes funding for the following projects: financial support for the Comprehensive Technical Education Initiative and the support for the establishment of 25 Egyptian Centers of Excellence. In the same context, the two sides also discussed the the status of the governmental negotiations to be held between the Egyptian and German sides at the end of this year, expressing their aspiration to enhance economic and development cooperation between the two governments, as well as allocating new financial contributions to finance development projects aimed at driving economic growth.

    Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that, In light of the success of the country platform for the “NWFE” program and the international community’s expansion of the concept of national platforms to mobilize investments, work is currently underway, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and other development partners, to launch the first national platform to mobilize financing and technical support for the industrial sector. This aligns with the national narrative for economic development to support the state’s efforts in localizing industry and encouraging domestic production, noting that the narrative sets a unified vision for the Egyptian economy to shift towards tradable sectors.

    H.E. also highlighted the importance of strengthening South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation through German collaboration to stimulate efforts to transfer Egyptian expertise in the field of development to developing and emerging countries, noting Egypt’s keenness to advance the prospects of joint cooperation in the field of water within the “NWFE” program with the German side.

    For her part, the German Minister expressed her aspiration to build on the Egyptian-German strategic relations and the progress achieved in recent years to further advance joint cooperation in light of regional and global challenges.

    In the same context, the two sides addressed the Egyptian-German economic cooperation portfolio, which currently amounts to approximately €1.6 billion, aiming to implement various development projects across priority sectors that contribute to sustainable economic development including energy, climate, water supply, sanitation, irrigation, migration, solid waste management, and enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, which are funded through multiple mechanisms, such as the Egyptian-German Debt Swap Program, concessional financing, financial contributions, and technical cooperation grants.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • UPI revolution pushes India to global lead in real-time digital payments

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India has firmly established itself as a global leader in real-time digital payments, with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at the forefront of this transformation. According to a recent IMF note titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability”, India’s digital infrastructure has become a global benchmark, with UPI now processing over 18 billion transactions each month.

    Launched in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India, UPI has redefined how Indians send and receive money – bringing together multiple bank accounts in a single mobile app for instant, secure, and low-cost transactions. In June 2025 alone, the platform handled transactions worth over ₹24.03 lakh crore, showing a 32% increase from the same period last year.

    UPI now accounts for 85% of all digital payments in India, serving 491 million individuals and 65 million merchants, and connecting 675 banks on a unified platform. Globally, it processes 640 million transactions daily, recently surpassing Visa’s volume, and now powers nearly 50% of all real-time payments worldwide.

    The system has expanded beyond India’s borders and is now live in seven countries, including Singapore, UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and France – marking its first entry into Europe. India is also pushing for UPI’s adoption among BRICS nations, aiming to enhance remittances and financial inclusion on a global scale.

    Backed by strong digital infrastructure, policy vision, and inclusive design, UPI is no longer just a domestic innovation but a model for the world. Its success signals India’s growing stature in global fintech and its commitment to building a cashless, connected, and inclusive digital economy.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Safety improvements made at at former colliery site

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Safety improvements made at at former colliery site

    The Mining Remediation Authority has completed essential safety work at the former Morton Colliery site in Derbyshire.

    Safety works being undertaken at the former Morton Colliery site.

    The works involved capping a disused mine shaft, clearing the old heapstead building around the shaft and demolishing a derelict electrical substation to help protect the public and ensure long-term safety for the local community.

    Although the 275m deep mine shaft, also known as the Morton Upcast shaft, was secure before we started the works, it had never been fully treated to modern standards. 

    The heapstead building and substation were in a secure area of the former colliery site, but had started to deteriorate and be occasionally vandalised and had become a safety concern 

    To provide a permanent, modern solution, the shaft was capped with a reinforced concrete slab – around 0.8 metres thick and placed at a depth of 6.5m below ground level. The heapstead building and substation were demolished and all the materials removed from the site.

    Safety works being undertaken at the former Morton Colliery site.

    James Walker, project manager for our public safety and subsidence team said:  

    We are committed to keeping people safe and providing peace of mind and these works demonstrate our ongoing efforts to mitigate risks associated with disused mining infrastructure and help create safer communities.

    With the works complete, plans for the future of the site, such as the development of a memorial garden can now also be considered so that the rich mining history of this area is acknowledged appropriately.

    Coal mine hazards can be reported to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 288 4242.

    For media enquiries contact the community response team

    Email communityresponse@miningremediation.gov.uk

    Telephone 0800 288 4211

    For emergency media enquiries (out of hours) call: 0800 288 4242.
    Only urgent media calls will be attended to.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New HMRC service announced for workers to take control of their tax affairs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New HMRC service announced for workers to take control of their tax affairs

    New PAYE service announced to save around 35 million taxpayers’ time.

    • New PAYE service to make tax system simpler and easier for around 35 million workers.
    • At least 90% of customer interactions with HMRC to be digital by 2030.
    • Reducing post and letters to save £50 million a year – equal to almost 1,500 full time nurses.

    Workers are set to take control of their tax affairs as the government today (21 July 2025) announces a new online Pay As You Earn (PAYE) service for around 35 million UK taxpayers as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) sets out more than 50 measures to transform the UK’s tax and customs system.

    The new online service for all PAYE taxpayers will make it simpler and easier to check and update their income, allowances, reliefs and expenses, and will be available via their Personal Tax Account or through the HMRC app.

    This service forms part of HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap launched today that sets out ambitious plans to become a digital first organisation by 2030, with 90% of customer interactions taking place digitally.

    The roadmap sets out more than 50 IT projects, services and measures that, once delivered, will transform the UK’s tax and customs systems, simplifying processes and making it easier to pay the tax that funds public services and deliver the government’s Plan for Change.

    The plans to modernise the tax and customs system, introduce new AI technologies and work with third parties and intermediaries will make it easier for taxpayers, businesses and intermediaries to interact with HMRC.

    The digital first approach will see HMRC automating tax wherever possible and offering new digital self-serve options across a number of tax regimes.

    Alongside the new PAYE service, HMRC will save £50 million a year – the equivalent of almost 1,500 full time nurses – by moving customer letters and reminders to a digital first approach, reducing the reliance on paper correspondence, by the 2028 to 2029 tax year. Paper post provision will remain for critical correspondence and for the digitally excluded.

    Increasing the use and investment in AI will enable customers to meet their tax obligations and allow HMRC to monitor the tax system in near real time. HMRC plans to introduce AI in work areas including:

    • HMRC advisers and caseworkers: using AI capability to automate call summaries and the use of internal GenAI Chat Assistants to support them in their work
    • Digital assistants: developing new AI-powered features to help customers easily navigate HMRC services and improve the ability to update HMRC’s content and guidance on GOV.UK
    • Compliance: delivering an automatic document identifier system for HMRC caseworkers to identify fraudulent documents during compliance activities by using a biometric likeness-liveness check

    HMRC will work with developers to create a set of principles which will set out HMRC’s expectations of how third parties use AI in software where it interacts with the department and the tax administration system. These principles will give developers the confidence to introduce AI functionality into their products in the UK and minimise the risk of those products introducing error or non-compliance.

    James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:

    We are going further and faster to make HMRC fit for the 21st century, including delivering a simpler and easier system for all PAYE workers.

    By 2030, taxpayers can expect a modern and innovative HMRC with cutting-edge AI, industry-leading customer service practices, and a laser focus on delivering taxpayer value for money by ensuring everyone pays their fair share.

    Mr Murray’s key priorities for the department are to improve day-to-day performance and the customer experience, reform and modernise the tax and customs system and to close the tax gap. As announced at the Spending Review 2025, £1.7 billion will be provided to HMRC over 4 years to fund an additional 5,500 compliance and 2,400 debt management staff – to ensure more of the tax owed is paid, to fund public services.

    HMRC is focusing on tackling wealthy offshore tax non-compliance, with an additional 400 people set to work on wealthy offshore tax risks. This includes experts in private sector wealth management, who will help find and tackle non-compliance more effectively and train HMRC compliance staff.

    JP Marks, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, said:

    The Government’s ambition is for a simpler tax and customs system and this roadmap sets out how HMRC will deliver a first-class experience that feels different to their customers.

    By 2030, UK citizens will experience a tax administration system that is more automated, more focused on self-service, and better set up to get things right first time so they can fulfil their tax obligations.

    The Transformation Roadmap sets out timescales for delivery and HMRC is committed to reporting on progress. Work is underway to deliver some of the measures set out in the roadmap this tax year, including:

    • extending the rollout of the SMS confirmation service to Self Assessment appeals, complaint cases and some PAYE services
    • improving Self Assessment registration service and streamlining the exit process for those customers who no longer need to file a Self Assessment tax return
    • expanding the rollout of the voice biometrics pilot to make customer verification easier when calling HMRC’s helplines
    • a new service to give employed parents, who are newly liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge, the choice to pay it directly through their tax code without needing to register for Self Assessment
    • launching an enhanced reward scheme for informants, targeting information on serious non‑compliance in large corporates, wealthy individuals, offshore and avoidance schemes. The new scheme will reward informants with compensation linked to a percentage of any tax taken

    Further measures and projects to be delivered as part of the roadmap include:

    • digitalising the Inheritance Tax service to provide a modern, easy-to-use system, that makes submitting returns and paying tax simpler and quicker.
    • launching a new service to allow agents to digitally submit information which may impact their client’s tax code
    • delivering a Digital Disclosure Service to allow customers and intermediaries to correct mistakes, pay liabilities and penalties for all taxes and duties
    • introducing an electronic trade documentation pilot to see how it could improve customs operations
    • progressing the Verifiable Credentials pilot with US Customs and Border Protection to test the use of new internationally interoperable digital credentials and identity standards

    HMRC wants to incentivise taxpayers to pay their tax on time by simplifying and strengthening penalties. In the 2023 to 2024 tax year, HMRC collected 94.7% of the total tax due. Those who meet their obligations and pay their tax on time should not be disadvantaged by the minority who don’t follow the rules. HMRC will update on modernising behavioural penalties later this year.

    New legislation will come into effect from April 2026 to tackle tax avoidance and fraud by umbrella companies. Many umbrella companies operate within the law but the dishonest few can mean taxpayers are left with large and unexpected tax bills. The legislation will make recruitment agencies that use umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay.

    Further information

    The Transformation Roadmap can be found on GOV.UK.

    The new AI principles for organisations who interact with HMRC and the tax administration system will be informed by government AI and GenAI frameworks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government initial response to Independent Water Commission’s final report

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Government initial response to Independent Water Commission’s final report

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed sets out the government’s initial response to the Independent Water Commission final report, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe.

    Good morning everyone. Welcome to this beautiful venue.

    I’ve just watched Sir Jon Cunliffe’s statement presenting his report.

    I’d like to start by thanking Sir Jon Cunliffe and his team for the huge amount of work they have put into reviewing the regulation of our water industry.

    He’s produced an outstanding report that I will respond to in more detail in the House of Commons this afternoon. But I’d like to make some initial comments now.

    It is clear the water industry is broken.  

    Our rivers, lakes and seas are polluted with record levels of sewage.  

    Water pipes have been left to crumble into disrepair.  

    Soaring water bills are straining family finances. 

    There are hosepipe bans across the country right now because not a single new reservoir has been built in over 30 years,  

    The lack of water infrastructure is holding back economic growth. 

    Water companies have been allowed to profit at the expense of the British people when they should have been investing to fix our broken water pipes.  

    A broken regulatory system let them get away with this.    

    Failing customers, investors and the environment.   

    The public expressed their fury in last year’s General Election, and they voted for change.     That change will now come.   

    In just one year, this government has put in place the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.  

    First, we restored accountability by giving the regulators more teeth with a ban on unfair bonuses, severe and automatic penalties for breaking the law, and jail sentences for serious offences.    

    Second, we have launched one of the biggest infrastructure projects in British history to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.  

    £104 billion pounds of private sector investment will rebuild the entire water network.  

    Upgrading crumbling pipes, repairing leaks and building new sewage treatment works around the country. 

    This is the biggest-ever investment in the water sector’s history and it allows me to make a new commitment to the country:  

    This government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half within five years. 

    This is the most ambitious sewage target the government has ever set.  

    Over a decade of national renewal, we will restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health. 

    The third building block for change is today’s final report from Sir Jon Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission.   

    It offers a blueprint for fixing our broken regulatory system so the failures of the past can never happen again.   

    I agree that water regulation has been too weak and too ineffective.   

    Having four separate regulators with overlapping and conflicting remits has created a merry-go-round that has failed customers and the environment.   

    Ofwat has failed to protect customers from water companies’ mismanagement of their hard-earned money.   

    Today I can announce that the Labour Government will abolish Ofwat.   

    In the biggest overhaul of water regulation in a generation we will bring water functions from four different regulators into one:  A single powerful regulator responsible for the entire water sector.   

    There are four further recommendations that the government can accept immediately and I will outline these in Parliament this afternoon.

    The new regulator will stand firmly on the side of customers, investors and the environment and prevent the abuses of the past. 

    For customers, it will oversee investment and maintenance so hardworking British families are never again hit by the shocking bill hikes we saw last year as customers paid the price of 14 years of failure by the previous government. 

    For investors, it will end the tangle of ineffective regulation and provide the clarity and direction required for a strong

    partnership between Government, the sector and investors to attract billions of pounds of new funding. 

    For the environment, it will cut all forms of pollution to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.   

    We will legislate to set up the new regulator, and I will provide more details of this in Parliament later today. 

    Ofwat will remain in place during the transition to the new regulator and I will ensure they provide the right leadership to oversee the current price review and investment plan during that time. 

    This Labour Government was elected to clean up water pollution.   

    We now have all the building blocks in place to make that happen.   

    This is our chance to make sure our children – and their children – can create the same wonderful memories we remember from our childhoods.  

    Splashing about in the waves on a beach, rowing along a river, without having to worry about toxic sewage pollution.  

    Today marks the start of a water revolution. 

    We are establishing a new partnership where water companies, investors, communities and the government will work together to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Presidents of Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BISHKEK, July 21 (Xinhua) — Talks were held in Bishkek on Monday between Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh as part of the latter’s state visit to the Kyrgyz Republic, the Kyrgyz president’s Telegram channel reported.

    The parties discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including politics, trade and economics, transport and agriculture. Particular attention was paid to digitalization, the development of cultural and humanitarian ties and tourism.

    S. Japarov emphasized that Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia are states historically linked by ties of friendship, the roots of which go back to ancient times. “Comprehensive cooperation with Mongolia is one of the priority areas of development of Kyrgyzstan’s foreign policy,” he noted.

    The President of Kyrgyzstan expressed confidence that the visit of the head of Mongolia will give a powerful impetus to further strengthening political dialogue, expanding trade and economic ties and developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

    In turn, U. Khurelsukh emphasized that this visit provides a good opportunity to jointly with the President of Kyrgyzstan to sum up the 30-year path of bilateral relations, assess the implementation of the agreements reached, and also determine priority areas and prospects for cooperation filled with specific economic content.

    “For Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan is an important partner in Central Asia and a kind of bridge connecting the region. We strive to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, especially in the trade and economic sphere,” the President of Mongolia noted.

    Following the talks, the heads of the two states signed a Joint Declaration on the establishment of a comprehensive partnership between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, as well as a number of other documents aimed at increasing cooperation. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Why it can be harder to sleep during the summer

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    By Timothy Hearn, Anglia Ruskin University

    As the days stretch long and the sun lingers late into the evening, most of us welcome summer with open arms. Yet for a surprising number of people, this season brings an unwelcome guest: insomnia.

    For these people, summer is a time of tossing and turning, early waking – or simply not feeling sleepy when they should. Far from just being a nuisance, this seasonal insomnia may chip away at mood, concentration and metabolic health.

    But why does insomnia spike in summer — and more importantly, what can be done about it? The answer lies in the light.

    Every tissue in the body owns a molecular “clock”. However, these clocks take their cue from a central timekeeper – the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus. This cluster of about 20,000 neurons synchronises the myriad cellular clocks to a near 24-hour cycle.

    It uses the external light detected by the eyes as a cue, driving the release of two different hormones: melatonin, which makes us sleepy and a pre-dawn surge cortisol to help us wake.

    In winter, this light cue is short and sharp. But in June and July, daylight can stretch on for 16 or 17 hours in the mid‑latitudes. That extra dose matters because evening light is the most potent signal for pushing the central timekeeper later. In summer melatonin shifts by roughly 30 minutes to an hour later, while dawn light floods bedrooms early and kills the hormone off sooner.

    This can have a big effect on the amount of sleep we get. One study monitored the sleep of 188 participants in the lab on three nights at different times of the year. The researchers found that total sleep was about an hour shorter in summer than winter.

    Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep — the sleep stage most strongly linked to emotional regulation and the consolidation of emotionally charged memories — accounted for roughly half the sleep loss in summer.

    The same team later tracked 377 patients over two consecutive years and showed that sleep length and REM sleep began a five‑month decline soon after the last freezing night of spring. Sleep length shrank by an average of 62 minutes, while REM decreased by about 24 minutes. Slow-wave sleep – the phase most critical for tissue repair, immune regulation and the consolidation of factual memories – reached its annual low around the autumn equinox.

    Both studies took place in a city bathed in artificial light – suggesting that even in modern environments our sleep remains seasonally affected.

    Big population surveys echo these findings. Among more than 30,000 middle‑aged Canadians, volunteers interviewed in midsummer said they slept eight minutes less than those interviewed in midwinter. The summer interviewees also reported greater insomnia symptoms in the fortnight after the autumn clock change – suggesting the abrupt time shift exacerbates underlying seasonal misalignment.

    One study also compared the effect of summer sleep in people living at very different latitudes – such as near the equator, where there’s little change in day length in the summer, and near the Arctic circle, where the differences are extreme. The study found that for people living in Tromsø, Norway, their self-reported insomnia and daytime fatigue rose markedly in summer. But for people living in Accra, Ghana (near the equator), these measures barely budged.

    This show just how strongly daylight – and the amount of daylight hours we experience – can affect our sleep quality. But it isn’t the only culprit of poor summertime sleep.

    Temperature is another factor that can spoil sleep during the summer months.

    Just before we fall asleep, our core body temperature begins a steep descent of roughly 1°C to help us fall asleep. It reaches its lowest point during the first half of the night.

    On muggy summer nights this can make falling asleep difficult. Laboratory experiments show that even a rise from 26°C to about 32°C increases wakefulness and reduces both slow-wave and REM sleep.

    Different people are also more vulnerable to summer insomnia than others. This has to do with your unique “chronotype” – your natural preference to rise early or sleep late.

    Evening chronotypes – “night owls” – already lean towards later bedtimes. They may stay up even later when it stays bright past 10pm. Morning chronotypes, on the other hand, may find themselves waking up even earlier than they normally do because of when the sun rises in the summer.

    Mood can amplify the effect. Research found people who suffered with mental health issues were more likely to experience difficulty sleeping in summer.

    Chronic anxiety, alcohol use and certain prescription drugs — notably beta blockers, which suppress melatonin — can all make sleep more elusive in summer.

    Reclaiming summer sleep

    Happily, there are many ways of fixing the issue.

    • Get some morning sunshine. Try to step outside within an hour of waking up – even if it’s just for 15 minutes. This tells the clock that the day has begun and nudges it to finish earlier that evening.

    • Create an artificial dusk. Around two hours before bed, close the curtains, turn off the lights and reduce the intensity of your phone screen’s blue light to help your melatonin rise on time.

    • Don’t let the dawn light in. Being exposed to the dawn light too early will wake you up. Blackout curtains or a contoured eye-mask can ensure you don’t wake before you’re rested.

    • Keep things cool. Fans, breathable cotton or linen sheets or a lukewarm shower before bed all help the body to achieve that crucial one-degree drop in core temperature needed to get a good night’s sleep.

    The deeper lesson here from chronobiology is that humans remain, biologically speaking, seasonal animals. While our industrialised lives flatten the calendar, our cells still measure day length and temperature just as plants and migratory birds do.

    By adapting and aligning our habits with those light signals, we might just be able to recapture some sleep – even during the warmer months.

    Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Grand ambition calls on city’s musicians to revive Victorian golden oldies

    Source: City of Leeds

    They were the boisterous barroom ballads that once rattled the rafters of Victorian music halls across Leeds.

    Now librarians are calling on the city’s modern-day musicians and singers to help them bring an incredible collection of vintage sheet music to life for the first time in more than a century.

    The array of late 19th and early 20th century songs is part of a vast collection at Leeds Central Library, which includes a combination of well-known musical classics alongside forgotten songs penned by local composers.

    Usually having comic, satirical or political themes, the raucous melodies would have been a hit with the eager crowds who packed into music halls and theatres which were hugely popular at the turn of the 20th century.

    With a small selection of sheet music currently on display outside the building’s newly refurbished music library, the search is now on for pianists and vocalists to perform more pieces at a series of events planned to celebrate Heritage Open Days this September.

    The library is keen to hear from local pianists and singers who think they can take on the challenge of performing the historic hits, some of which have not been played in more than a hundred years.

    Tunes which make up the collection include famed classics such as Ride a Cock Horse, billed as a “drawing room comic song” performed by Harry Liston, and George Leybourne’s “great comic song” The Organ Man which he both wrote and performed.

    They are joined by titles including The Parson and the Clerk, sung by G H MacDermott and The Mouse-Trap Man, also by George Leybourne.

    Other highlights include Mr and Mrs Baggs, described as “a most thrilling narrative giving an account of the frightful apparition, the appearance of which so affected Mrs B’s nerves that she was laid up for seven weeks after.”

    The front cover shows the eponymous, pyjama clad Mr Baggs brandishing a blunderbuss at a terrified cat as his horrified wife looks on.

    Lee Noon, music librarian at Leeds Central Library, said: “Music hall tunes like these were once a hugely popular part of leisure and entertainment in cities like Leeds, and would have been enjoyed by people of all different classes and backgrounds- they were very much the pop songs of their day.

    “Many of these songs won’t have been performed or heard by an audience for more than a century now, and we’d love to give people in Leeds the chance to experience them again and for our local musicians to try and recapture a bit of what was really the golden age of music halls.

    “Each of these pieces of music represents a little bit of the city’s musical history and it would be a really special moment to help bring them back to life again.”

    The music hall songs are just one element of Leeds Central Library’s huge collection of sheet music. One of the biggest collections in the UK, the library loans pieces to orchestras and musical institutions across the country.

    As well as a piano available to use, the building’s newly refurbished music library also includes specially created walk-in recording studios and podcasting facilities.

    Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said: “Our music library and its collection is an incredible resource for the city and a great example of the multi-faceted role which libraries have in our city and its communities.

    “Having such a historic and unique array of music housed in Leeds is a real privilege and it will be wonderful if we can involve local talent in performing some pieces to celebrate the city and its heritage.”

    Any pianists, singers and groups interested in performing some of the pieces this September can contact lee.noon@leeds.gov.uk using the subject line “Heritage Week Piano.”

    More information about Leeds Central Library including facilities and opening hours can be found at: Central Library | Leeds Library

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Health bosses won’t be rewarded for failure under new regulations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Health bosses won’t be rewarded for failure under new regulations

    NHS managers who commit serious misconduct won’t be able to take up other senior NHS roles, under plans to boost patient safety.

    • Managers who commit serious misconduct will be banned under proposals
    • Patients to benefit from proposals to professionalise NHS management
    • Whistleblowers will be protected under new regulations

    NHS managers who commit serious misconduct won’t be able to take up other senior NHS roles, under plans to boost patient safety.

    The new proposals set out by the Department of Health and Social Care will mean any leader who silences whistleblowers or behaves unacceptably will be banned from returning to a health service position.

    They set out the first steps to meet the government’s commitment to introduce professional standards for, and regulation of, NHS managers, with legislation set to be put forward to Parliament next year.

    Tens of thousands of clinical and non-clinical managers work in the NHS but there is currently no regulatory framework specifically for managers, like there is for doctors and nurses.

    Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said:

    I’m determined to create a culture of honesty and openness in the NHS where whistleblowers are protected, and that demands tough enforcement. If you silence whistleblowers, you will never work in the NHS again. We’ve got to create the conditions where staff are free to come forward and sound the alarm when things go wrong. Protecting the reputation of the NHS should never be put before protecting patient safety.

    I promised no more rewards for failure in the NHS, and these measures will deliver on it. Most NHS leaders are doing a fantastic job, but we need to stop the revolving door that allows managers sacked for misconduct or incompetence to be quietly moved to another well-paid role in another part of the NHS.

    The reforms we are making through our Plan for Change will slam the door in the face of unsuitable managers, while providing the training, support, and development to help NHS leaders thrive and lead the NHS into a brighter future.

    Reviews by Tom Kark KC, General Sir Gordon Messenger and the Infected Blood Inquiry all highlighted the need for strong, transparent and accountable leadership.

    The new proposals, developed following a public consultation, will strengthen health service leadership and professionalise NHS management as part of the 10 Year Health Plan.

    The consultation, launched in November last year, received more than 4,900 contributions on ways in which managers and leaders could be regulated.

    In response, the government will develop a proportionate regulatory system that focuses where need is greatest. It will ensure that those who have committed serious misconduct are no longer able to work in senior NHS management positions, preventing unacceptable behaviour and improving patient safety. 

    The statutory barring system will be for board-level directors and their direct reports within NHS bodies.

    Further legislation will set out new statutory powers for the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to disbar NHS leaders in senior roles who have committed serious misconduct.

    Separate NHSE professional standards for managers will establish a consistent, national set of expectations about NHS management and leadership competency and conduct.

    This follows last year’s announcement of a new College of Executive and Clinical Leadership to attract, develop and keep the best talent in NHS leadership.

    Regulation will come alongside support and development, with managers being given the tools they need to meet standards and succeed in their roles.

    Sam Allen, NHS National Director for Leadership and Management, said: 

    The 10 Year Health Plan was clear about the huge importance of excellent leadership and management, both to the quality of patient care and staff experience now, and to how we deliver the plan’s ambitions for the future.

    Managers will welcome this new regulatory framework, as part of the broader package of actions set out in the Plan to attract, develop, and retain the best possible leaders for the NHS of today and tomorrow.

    Accountability is a crucial part of this, and can only boost trust with patients, the public and other professionals.

    Tom Kark KC, author of the Kark Review, said:

    I am pleased that the recommendation made in my report into the application of the NHS Fit and Proper Person Test to create a power to disqualify Board Directors found guilty of serious misconduct is being implemented. 

    Along with the ongoing implementation of my other recommendations for improving Board competence, this is a positive move to strengthen management in the NHS by weeding out poor leadership.  This is good news for whistleblowers and those looking for accountability in senior management which has long been lacking.

    Rachel Power, chief executive of The Patients Association, said:

    Patients have told us they expect NHS managers to be held to the same high standards as clinical staff, and that should include consistent regulation. A clear, fair process to prevent those who commit serious misconduct from returning to senior roles will be an important step forward, and it’s vital that patient involvement continues to shape proposals as further regulation is considered.

    We’re pleased to see a commitment to meaningful support and development for NHS managers, because the best way to address serious failings is to help prevent them from happening in the first place.

    The proposals come as part of a package of essential reforms needed to rebuild the NHS so it is fit for the future through the government’s Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government to improve rules for building crab boats

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Document

    Resolution of July 17, 2025 No. 1075

    The government has amended the requirements for crab boat construction projects under the investment quota mechanism. After the agreement with the previous investor is terminated, new companies will be able to begin completing the vessels under the same conditions.

    The government has amended the requirements for projects to build crab vessels under the investment quota mechanism

    “The fishing shipbuilding industry is currently on the rise, including thanks to the deep modernization of production. The “keel quota” mechanism has restarted the process of creating a Russian fishing fleet. The amendments adopted by the Russian Government will allow us to quickly respond to changes in the situation and, in the event of shipbuilding companies or investors withdrawing from projects, without losing momentum, to involve other participants – for the successful and timely completion of the construction of new crab vessels,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev.

    The practice of recent years has shown that the existing regulatory framework made it difficult to complete the construction of crab vessels. If the agreements were terminated for any reason, then upon completion of construction it was impossible to ensure compliance with current requirements for industrial products and the conclusion of new investment contracts for the completion of such vessels. The discrepancy was identified during meetings in the format of incident No. 42 “Fishing vessels” chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev. Thus, the changes introduced by the Government will allow new contracts to be concluded with investors for the freed up shares of the investment quota.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Deputy Minister of Economic Development inspected the infrastructure of the Mamison resort

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 17, 2025, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Sergey Nazarov visited North Ossetia on a working visit. The main point of the trip was the all-season tourist and recreational complex “Mamison”, where an off-site meeting was held with the participation of the Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of North Ossetia Alania Marat Sokayev and representatives of “Kavkaz.RF”.

    During the meeting, key areas of further development of the resort were discussed, including the pace of construction of facilities and connection to utility networks. Sergey Nazarov inspected the transport, utilities and tourism infrastructure, including ski slopes, hotels, glampings and tent camps. In addition, the meeting participants tested the new Mamihdon trail from the upper cable car station to the tent camp (length over 4 km).

    Today, the resort has two cable cars, 14 km of ski slopes, hotels, cafes and year-round recreation facilities. Due to the national project “Tourism and Hospitality Industry”, 590 million rubles were allocated for infrastructure development in 2023-2024. In 2025-2027, financing in the amount of 150 million rubles is planned.

    Construction and installation works at the 110/10 kV Mamison substation have been fully completed. In December 2024, an agreement was concluded between JSC Kavkaz.RF and PJSC Rosseti North Caucasus, ensuring the technological connection of the resort facilities. The redistribution of capacity in the amount of 4480 kW allows for the launch of the infrastructure in normal mode.

    The main gas pipeline, 14.5 km long, is 90% complete, and 100% within the resort. Gas supply via this route is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

    The water intake unit with a capacity of 4,500 m³/day has been operating since 2014 and was transferred to the balance of the republican water utility in 2024. The resort is connected to the centralized water supply according to a temporary scheme: water comes directly from wells, bypassing reservoirs. This ensures the functioning of the facilities, but requires additional measures to modernize the system.

    “The creation of the Mamison resort is not only a contribution to the tourist attractiveness of North Ossetia, but also to the development of the entire economy of the region. Over the past two years, we have managed to overcome infrastructure barriers and move to the stage of stable operation. Today, the task is to ensure the stable operation of all engineering systems, involve investors and continue the comprehensive development of the resort,” emphasized Sergey Nazarov.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: State-owned companies’ purchases from SMEs exceeded 3.8 trillion rubles in the first half of 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    According to the results of the first half of 2025, the volume of purchases by government customers from small and medium-sized businesses under Federal Law 223 amounted to more than 3.8 trillion rubles, and the number of contracts exceeded 428 thousand. Almost 150 thousand SMEs became suppliers, which is 4.4% more than a year earlier.

    “The participation of small and medium-sized businesses in state-owned company purchases gives them access to a stable sales market. We see how the number of SME suppliers increases year after year and the range of purchased products expands. If earlier small businesses mainly purchased office supplies, furniture or paper, now it is increasingly industrial products. This indicates that small businesses are able to meet the demand of large companies in terms of quality and volume. Compared to the same period last year, the number of SME suppliers who concluded contracts as a result of state purchases increased by more than 6.3 thousand and reached almost 150 thousand from all regions of Russia. By the end of 2025, the total volume of purchases from SMEs may exceed 9 trillion rubles,” said Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak.

    Alexander Novak emphasized the need to meet the payment deadlines for contracts with small and medium businesses. According to him, this is of strategic importance, since timely payments ensure the stability of SMEs, preventing cash flow gaps and creating conditions for the development of enterprises.

    The leading regions in terms of the amount of purchases from small and medium businesses were Moscow (more than 1.2 trillion rubles), St. Petersburg (345 billion rubles), the Republic of Tatarstan (almost 250 billion rubles), Moscow Region (more than 200 billion rubles) and Sverdlovsk Region (almost 130 billion rubles).

    “We are noting the positive dynamics of growth in the volume of purchases from small and medium-sized businesses in a number of regions. The Republic of Tatarstan showed significant growth – almost 25 billion rubles, Samara and Rostov regions – more than 24 and 23 billion, respectively, the Donetsk People’s Republic – over 12 billion rubles, as well as the Yaroslavl region – more than 11.5 billion. The top ten leaders in terms of the rate of increase in purchases also included Primorsky Krai, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – with volumes of over 11.3 billion rubles, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – 11.3 billion, as well as the Irkutsk Region and the Udmurt Republic, where volumes exceeded 9 billion rubles. These results are an indicator of the active involvement of SMEs in the public procurement system and a reflection of targeted work to develop entrepreneurship in the regions,” commented Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

    For companies with state participation, there is a mandatory 25% quota for purchases from small and medium-sized businesses. It was established by the Government of the Russian Federation, and compliance is monitored by the SME Corporation and regional government agencies. Expanding the participation of small and medium-sized businesses in purchases under Federal Law No. 223 is one of the objectives of the federal project “Small and Medium-sized Entrepreneurship” of the national project “Efficient and Competitive Economy”.

    “Based on the results of the first half of 2025, manufacturing products came out on top in terms of purchase volumes from SME suppliers. Over the course of six months, the largest customers purchased over 1.3 trillion rubles worth of them. This is an important trend both for assessing the state of the SME sector in terms of competencies in supplying industrial products, including high-tech ones, and for continuing the qualitative growth of the segment. The leading industries also included services for scientific, engineering, technical and professional activities (209.1 billion rubles), as well as IT, where the purchase volume amounted to 170 billion rubles,” said Alexander Isaevich, CEO of the SME Corporation.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –