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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HM Revenue & Customs

    Joe provides an insight into his training within HMRC Legal Group

    I am a fourth seat trainee in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Legal Group’s European and International Law advisory team. The team advises on, drafts and helps negotiate a range of international agreements, including Free-Trade Agreements and Double Taxation Treaties.

    I studied Philosophy and Politics as my undergraduate degree, focussing my studies on human rights and the regulation of transnational enterprises. I suspected that a career in law was the best opportunity apply these interests in practice; however, as a non-law graduate I was reluctant to immediately volunteer for the expense and stress of two more years of study in the form of the GDL and LPC. So, after graduating, I moved abroad to pursue a career playing and coaching rugby; the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to that ambition but provided me the opportunity to start an online law conversion.

     I applied for the role at HMRC as I thought that first-hand experience of the legislative process and regular precedent setting litigation would provide a great opportunity to develop my career as a solicitor; but also because the tax arena seemed to offer a lot of variety, encompassing my interests in both public law and commercial questions.

    All trainees start in litigation for their first year, though pupils spend 6 months of this seconded to Chambers. My first seat was in VAT litigation so after three years of intensive study, I arrived at HMRC braced for mountains of paperwork and long days of dense tax calculations. Instead, waiting on my desk were various packets of lentil-based snacks and the deceptively knotty legal question; are these crisps, or at least similar to crisps? I spent the seat thinking about other such questions, like what distinguishes cosmetic surgery from medical care. During this seat I visited the Supreme Court assisting a senior lawyer and saw my own case feature in national newspapers.

    For my second seat I applied for HMRC’s Enforcement and Illicit Finance litigation Team. The question for this team was less frequently whether someone owes tax, but how HMRC can actually collect it from them. My tasks ranged from advocating on HMRC’s behalf in the magistrates Court to instructing counsel at fast pace on High Court Proceedings, attending the Court of Appeal and working with international law enforcement to seize overseas assets.

     As a trainee you will get give your own cases to run as part of a cross-HMRC case team with tax and policy experts, so you can stretch yourself in an environment surrounded by expert lawyers and tax professionals, who are all very generous with their time. Your role is to co-ordinate this team and ask the right questions to tease the legal arguments out of your clients. In this respect the skills I developed playing teams sports were as important as my legal knowledge.  

    In your second year you move into an advisory team. In my first six months I worked on a mix of human rights and technical tax advice as part of the Personal Tax and Welfare team. I drafted my statutory instrument, which was a particular highlight, and fed into a major budget measure. It can feel like a drastic transition from the more adversarial world of litigation, but the training is extensive with HMRC running internal induction courses alongside the wider GLP offering.

    The advisory lawyers cover a wide variety of tasks, with my final seat feeling like an entirely new role.  I didn’t study EU or International Law as part of my law conversion, but having the lawyers who drafted the treaties sat next to you in the office is always a good starting point!

    Whilst the HMRC training contract will be of particular interest for anyone who wants a career in public law, I think it is really important to understand the breadth of the department’s work. There is regular precedent setting litigation with engages questions of employment and commercial law, and advisory teams that span the breadth of civil and criminal practice.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Best Gold IRA Company 2025: Augusta Precious Metals Review Announced by Affiliate Credo

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Affiliate Credo, a financial content expert and SEO-driven review publisher, has officially named Augusta Precious Metals the Best Overall Gold IRA Company of 2025, based on its commitment to transparency, educational value, and commitment to long-term customer support.

    In its newly released announcement, Affiliate Credo highlights Augusta as the standout company among dozens of other gold IRA providers. The announcement is based on factual analysis and draws from market research, client feedback, and publicly available trust ratings and reviews. Augusta is praised for its ethical approach to helping Americans open gold IRA accounts without pressure or confusion.

    Augusta Leads the 2025 List of Gold IRA Companies

    In the Affiliate Credo announcement of the review, Augusta Precious Metals earned the #1 position among the best Old IRA companies due to several key strengths:

    • A strong educational foundation led by Harvard-trained economist economist Devlyn Steele
    • Transparent pricing and spreads
    • Lifetime customer support
    • A client-first, no-pressure philosophy and rollover process

    These factors are rare in an industry often criticized for aggressive sales tactics and unclear pricing.

    “We’ve analyzed the space thoroughly,” said the Affiliate Credo team. “Augusta isn’t just compliant — they lead with clarity and trust, which makes them the top pick for anyone considering a gold IRA in 2025.”

    A Safer Gold IRA Investing Experience for 50+ Americans

    Affiliate Credo’s announcement places particular emphasis on Augusta’s suitability for retirees and pre-retirees. For investors over the age of 50 looking to explore the best gold IRA accounts, Augusta’s structure is especially appealing when considering their:

    • No-pressure 1-on-1 web conference with on-staff precious metals specialists
    • Simple 4-step setup rollover process, guided by their a in-house support team
    • Independent custodians and secure storage options

    With an A+ rating from the BBB, AAA rating from BCA, and endorsements from well-known public figures, Augusta continues to build trust with cautious investors looking to diversify their retirement savings.

    Those researching the space are advised to read “10 Gold Dealer Lies” and “15 Bad Reasons to Buy Gold”, two exclusive reports that help buyers recognize common misleading tactics used by some providers.

    Download here: https://affiliatecredo.com/buyerbeware

    What Makes Augusta Different?

    As noted in the Affiliate Credo release, Augusta offers real value through education and clarity. Their services include:

    • One-on-one web conference designed by a Harvard-trained economist
    • A detailed explanation of how physical gold and silver IRAs work
    • Tools that help investors assess a company’s reliability before investing with them

    Take the Next Step with Confidence

    If you’re exploring the best options for a Gold IRA in 2025 and want to make an informed decision, Affiliate Credo recommends starting with these trusted resources that prioritize clarity and investor protection.

    Start by reviewing the following educational tools:

    • Gold IRA Comparison Checklist – Understand the most important criteria when choosing between Gold IRA providers.
      Access the full checklist and guide here: https://affiliatecredo.com/augustachecklist
    • Buyer Beware Reports – Learn what to avoid in the precious metals market with two fact-based resources:
      “10 Gold Dealer Lies” and “15 Bad Reasons to Buy Gold”
      Read them here: https://affiliatecredo.com/buyerbeware
    • Recognition Highlight – Discover why Augusta has been highlighted by major financial publishers for its professionalism and client-first approach.
      See the mention here: https://affiliatecredo.com/highlight

    National Recognition for Simplicity and Trust

    Outlets such as Money.com and others have spotlighted highlighted Augusta as a standout gold IRA provider thanks to its straightforward service model and strong track record of client satisfaction.

    This recognition reflects Augusta’s reputation for delivering a clear, supportive experience tailored for retirement-age investors. For those entering the Gold IRA space for the first time, this level of guidance and professionalism can make a meaningful difference.

    Learn more about this recognition: https://affiliatecredo.com/highlight

    Why Augusta Tops the 2025 Rankings

    In Affiliate Credo’s comparison, Augusta excelled in five key areas:

    1.   Education-first approach, not sales-driven pressure

    2.   No hidden commissions or fees

    3.   High third-party trust scores, including 1,000+ five-star reviews

    4.   Lifetime customer support, not just during initial account setup

    5.   Compliance-focused practices, avoiding risky language or guarantees

    “Other companies promise. Augusta educates,” the announcement notes. “That difference matters more than ever in 2025.”

    Who Is Augusta Best For?

    According to the report, Augusta is ideal for:

    • Individuals 50+ seeking safer retirement investing
    • Anyone opening or rolling over gold IRA accounts
    • Those who want a free gold IRA kit and comparison tools
    • Investors tired of pushy sales and hidden fees

    Although Augusta’s $50,000 minimum may not suit every investor, those who qualify benefit from exceptional support and structure.

    Final Statement from Affiliate Credo

    “Too many Americans are entering the gold IRA space without understanding what matters most…,” concludes the Affiliate Credo team. “That’s why we’re announcing Augusta Precious Metals as the top gold IRA company of 2025 — and encouraging investors to start with facts, not fear.”

    About Affiliate Credo

    Affiliate Credo provides expert-level comparison content, reviews for finance and retirement-related industries. Known for its transparent product analysis and SEO strategies, the platform helps readers make smarter decisions at every step of the buyer’s journey.

    New York, USA
    Email: hennadii.kamentsov@affiliatecredo.com
    Website: https://affiliatecredo.com

    Disclaimer: Augusta Precious Metals is not a financial advisory firm. This announcement does not constitute financial or tax advice. Always consult with a licensed professional before making investment decisions.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc7369ec-c03d-49fe-9e0d-266a1485a456

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: Threatening diversity, threatening growth: the business effects of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans agendas

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Matteo Winkler, Professeur associé en droit et fiscalité, HEC Paris Business School

    Recent months have seen a dramatic shift in US policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These changes carry deep economic consequences. President Donald Trump’s executive orders aim to ban DEI initiatives in federal agencies and contractors, and private companies have felt pressure to weaken or drop their DEI programmes. Trump has framed what was once a corporate safeguard against discrimination as “illegal and immoral”, marking a stark reversal in legal and business norms. Federal judges have blocked some of Trump’s orders, or elements of them, and some legal processes are ongoing.

    Transgender rights have become a lightning rod in this shifting landscape. The barrage of federal directives seeks to challenge – or outright eliminate – protections in areas ranging from health care to education to the military. Beyond the immediate harm to trans individuals, these policies pose threats to multinational companies that have long defended inclusive workplace values. Their leaders must now navigate a cultural minefield where staying silent risks public backlash, while openly supporting trans employees can invite legal and political complications. The business repercussions of this moral issue could affect everything from brand reputation to talent retention.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    The economic imperative of DEI initiatives

    There is a growing ensemble of research suggesting that DEI policies are not just nice-to-have but a corporate imperative. This year, the World Economic Forum reported that organizations that include DEI in their core business strategies improve performance, innovation and employee satisfaction. These findings are in line with other studies, which have consistently demonstrated that inclusive workplaces not only attract top talent but perform better financially and have higher returns on assets and net income.

    With regard to people identifying as LGBTI+, a 2024 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development highlighted that inclusive policies enable LGBTI+ individuals to achieve their full employment and productivity potential, benefiting both their well-being and society at large. Moreover, according to Open for Business, a think tank whose mission is making a case for LGBTQ+ inclusion in private and public settings, companies with “larger LGBTQ+ workforce benefit from diverse perspectives but also foster environments where innovation and productivity thrive”. It has also been found that human rights violations against LGBTI+ people diminish economic output at the micro level, suggesting that inclusive societies are more likely to experience robust economic growth.




    À lire aussi :
    Business schools are facing challenges to their diversity commitments. They must reinforce them to train leaders effectively


    Research has also shown that trans-inclusive business practices have long been associated with innovation, employee satisfaction and market competitiveness. Companies that provide gender-neutral bathroom access, introduce the inclusive use of pronouns and support employees’ gender transitions have been proven to foster relational authenticity in the workplace.

    Discrimination and exclusion, by contrast, not only harm individuals but also impede economic growth by limiting the available talent pool and reducing overall productivity. In September 2024, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported that “laws and policies designed to restrict or prevent access or supports for transgender and nonbinary people” endanger LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies, leading to increased fear, lack of safety and a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ violence. More generally, these laws and policies can also deter businesses from investing in regions perceived as discriminatory. Also in September, the Movement Advancement Project identified that the lack of legal protection against discrimination contributes to economic instability for LGBTQ+ families, which can lead to wage gaps, job insecurity and reduced access to benefits, ultimately contributing to reduced consumer spending and lower economic participation.

    Language targeting trans rights and visibility

    Despite the benefits of DEI initiatives, the current US administration has sought to enact several policies aimed at dismantling them, resulting in organizations, both public and private, to suspend funding for DEI and outreach programmes. In Trump’s executive orders, anything – policy, programme or initiative – related to or benefitting trans people in access to healthcare, academic research, scientific inquiry, school policies, personal safety, participation in sports, and military service is now rejected as “gender ideology extremism”.

    Targeting sports, education and the military is functional to an ideological battle aimed at erasing spaces where trans people are most vulnerable. These spaces are also formative arenas in shaping national identity and the public perception of DEI initiatives. When they become politicized, they can also affect how businesses frame their values, manage risks and engage with their different stakeholders.




    À lire aussi :
    Anti-DEI guidance from Trump administration misinterprets the law and guts educators’ free speech rights


    The anti-trans executive orders begin by redefining the term “sex” for interpretations of federal law. According to the text of “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to Federal Government”, a person is either male or female, which is determined by their reproductive cells at conception – a definition in which biology takes precedence over individual rights and legal protections. “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” weaponizes this “biological truth” by threatening to cut off federal funds to schools that allow trans athletes to participate in them. “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” equates being transgender with medical or physical incapacity despite no evidence suggesting that trans service members negatively impact military readiness. “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling” seeks to prevent schools from teaching about gender identity, which would strip trans youth of critical support systems. And “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” describes gender-affirming healthcare as “destructive”.

    The ripple effects of this anti-trans rhetoric extend into the private sector, compelling businesses to reevaluate their DEI strategies in fear of backlash or scrutiny. Even before the last US presidential election, companies such as Ford, Harley-Davidson and Lowe’s withdrew their participation in the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. In the wake of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans orders, organizers of various Pride events in the US and Canada learned that some corporations, including longtime sponsors, had decided not to fund them. And according to the New York Times, some companies erased language and terms related to DEI from annual reports filed this year, including Dow Chemical, whose reference to LGBTQ+ employee resource groups disappeared from its public documents.

    Navigating between inclusive values and anti-DEI pressure

    Three patterns seem to be emerging on how companies are navigating the tension between values that are inclusive of LGBTI+ people and the growing pressure to scrub DEI commitments within the US context. For the moment, these patterns do not reflect formalized strategies but adaptive responses to an environment that has grown in complexity in a very short time. Some corporate actions reflect deliberate strategy aimed at protecting global consistency, while others appear more reactive, shaped by local market pressures.

    The first pattern involves establishing a sort of internal firewall between US and international operations. Banco Santander provides a clear example of this approach. Thus far, it has maintained global DEI commitments such as tying executive bonuses to increased gender equality in leadership. This group stated that such targets would not be applied to countries where governmental policies target DEI. In this pattern, DEI programmes are maintained abroad but are dismantled in the US to minimize political exposure in the latter.

    The second approach, observed at accounting firm Deloitte, is a cultural split between US operations and those overseas: while entities under the same global brand may still share data, practices, or strategic frameworks internally, they now adopt publicly distinct positions on DEI. Deloitte UK has remained vocal on its DEI commitments, highlighting the cultural and political fault lines that multinationals must now navigate.

    The third approach is a retraction of DEI altogether. Target offers a striking example. In 2023, under increased political and consumer pressure, the company rolled back some of its LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts by reducing the number of Pride-related items for sale. In 2025, four days after Trump’s inauguration, Target announced it would “end its three-year DEI goals”, cease reporting to the Corporate Equality Index and “end a program focused on carrying more products from Black- or minority-owned businesses”, as reported by CNBC. The moves resulted in considerable public criticism, and more notably, coincided with a marked drop in foot traffic – “nearly 5 million fewer visits” over a four-week period – revealing reputational and financial risks associated with the abandoning of DEI policies. By contrast, bulk retailer Costco, which said three days after the inauguration that its shareholders voted against a proposal seen as unfriendly to the company’s DEI programmes, “saw nearly 7.7 million more visits” during that same stretch.




    À lire aussi :
    A boycott campaign fuels tension between Black shoppers and Black-owned brands – evoking the long struggle for ‘consumer citizenship’


    In light of the evidence, it is clear that undermining DEI initiatives poses substantial risks – not just to human dignity, but to economic competitiveness. Businesses and policymakers must recognize that DEI is not merely a social or ethical imperative but a core strategy for growth and innovation. By fostering environments where all individuals can thrive, we unlock the full potential of our workforce and ensure sustainable economic growth.

    Conversely, discriminatory policies contribute to social instability, brain drain and economic stagnation. In the United States, the rollback of DEI initiatives and the marginalization of transgender individuals threaten to erode the nation’s ability to uphold human rights and maintain business competitiveness. History demonstrates that exclusionary policies ultimately harm societies rather than strengthen them. The question remains whether the US can afford to sacrifice social stability and economic growth in pursuit of ideological battles. The evidence suggests that it cannot.

    Matteo Winkler is a member of the Open for Business Academic Committee. He has received funding from the HEC Foundation.

    Marcelle Laliberté is a member of Women in Aerospace Europe and HEC We&Men, and a contributor to the UN`s High Advisory Board on Governing AI for Humanity.

    – ref. Threatening diversity, threatening growth: the business effects of Trump’s anti-DEI and anti-trans agendas – https://theconversation.com/threatening-diversity-threatening-growth-the-business-effects-of-trumps-anti-dei-and-anti-trans-agendas-255040

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Toobit Launches Gift, Now Supports Crypto Gifting on Telegram

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Award-winning global digital asset trading platform Toobit today announces the launch of the Toobit Gifts Mini App on Telegram. This new feature allows users to send and receive cryptocurrency directly within the messaging app without the need for wallet addresses.

    Currently available to members of the Toobit Telegram community, users can choose between two gifting formats: Standard Gifts, where the total amount is split evenly among recipients, and Lucky Gifts, which introduces an element of surprise by distributing randomized amounts.

    To send a gift, users simply link their verified Toobit account to Telegram, select a gift type, confirm the amount, and send it—all within a few taps.

    “With Toobit Gifts, we’re making crypto more social, approachable, and convenient,” said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer at Toobit. “We’re meeting our users where they already are—in daily conversations—and giving them a secure, seamless way to share crypto in real time, helping integrate digital assets into everyday experiences.”

    Once received via Telegram, a Toobit Gift can be claimed with a single tap and is instantly credited to the user’s Toobit account. Claimed gifts are stored in the recipient’s Spot account and can be withdrawn at any time. Users can track all incoming and outgoing gift transactions directly through the Toobit app.

    The launch of Toobit Gifts follows a series of recent product rollouts, including Toobit Convert, which offers instant, zero-fee crypto swaps, and Toobit Earn, a program delivering over 250,000 USDT in staking rewards.

    About Toobit

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

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

    Contact: Davin C.

    Email: market@toobit.com

    Website: www.toobit.com

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5739988b-ffbf-4c2f-9ca9-997d4cdc82fc

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Retired Police Officer Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison for Obstructing Justice

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant, John T. Mantanona, age 67, was sentenced by designated Senior District Judge John C. Coughenour in the District Court of Guam to 60 months imprisonment for Obstructing Justice by Endeavoring to Influence a Juror, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1503.  The Court also ordered two years of supervised release, a $30,000 fine, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

    From October 12, 2018, through November 13, 2018, Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood conducted a federal jury trial in the criminal case of United States v. Raymond Martinez and Juanita Moser, 15-CR-00031.  Mantanona was retired from the Guam Police Department, including work as an FBI task force officer.  Martinez and Moser hired him as an investigator during the trial.  Mantanona tried to influence Gregorio Tyquiengco while Tyquiengco served as a juror in the case.  During the trial, and prior to jury deliberations, Mantanona contacted Tyquiengco to discuss what verdict Tyquiengco would render and to influence him to vote “NG” (not guilty) despite the evidence against Martinez and Moser.  Mantanona also wanted Tyquiengco to persuade other jurors to do the same, with the intent to cause a hung jury and mistrial.  A mistrial was declared on November 13, 2018.  Mantanona met with Tyquiengco and gave him $1,000, in addition to $100 afterward.

    Tyquiengco pled guilty to Contempt of Court, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 401(3).  He was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment and one year of supervised release. Tyquiengco was also ordered to reimburse the district court for any money he received for serving as a federal juror.

    William Topasna Mantanona pled guilty to False Statement to Government Agent, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2). During a wiretapped telephone conversation, he communicated with his brother, John T. Mantanona, to facilitate the above-described scheme.  He later falsely denied this conduct during an investigative interview with a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations.  On August 26, 2021, the district court sentenced William Topasna Mantanona to six months imprisonment, two years of supervised release, and a mandatory $5,000 fine.

    “The public should have faith in our justice system, which includes fair and impartial court proceedings.  Mantanona violated this fundamental concept of trial by jury.  The Department of Justice will hold accountable those who obstruct justice,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.   “I applaud our law enforcement partners for pursuing an investigation beyond the initial crimes by Martinez and Moser.”

    “Great trust is placed in those who call law enforcement their mission,” said Homeland Security Investigations Hawaii Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “Violating that trust by working to dilute the integrity of our judicial process is a complete betrayal of that mission and brings down every person who seeks to serve the public.  This sentence sends a clear message to those currently in or retired from law enforcement that if you break that trust, there will be consequences.”

    “The FBI’s anti-corruption work remains one of our highest priorities. Those who criminally influence jurors and their deliberations through bribery strike at the very foundation of our criminal justice system,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “Mr. Mantanona tampered with the integrity of our legal process, and in so doing, attempted to deny our community the justice it deserves. As reflected by this investigation, the FBI is committed to protecting our legal system and will bring to justice those who act to corrupt it.”

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas in the District of Guam.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Invitation to townhall meeting for shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Orrön Energy AB (“Orrön Energy” or “the Company”) is pleased to invite shareholders to a townhall meeting in Stockholm on Tuesday, 20 May at 18:30 CEST. 

    During the townhall, a presentation will be given by the Company’s CEO, Daniel Fitzgerald, and CFO, Espen Hennie, outlining the Company’s performance, strategy, and future outlook. The townhall will offer shareholders the opportunity to meet and ask questions to representatives of the Company’s Board of Directors and management team.

    More information and registration can be found on: www.orron.com/townhall2025

    For further information, please contact:

    Robert Eriksson
    Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
    robert.eriksson@orron.com

    Jenny Sandström
    Communications Lead
    Tel: +41 79 431 63 68
    jenny.sandstrom@orron.com

    Orrön Energy is an independent, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm: “ORRON”) renewable energy company within the Lundin Group of Companies. Orrön Energy’s core portfolio consists of high quality, cash flow generating assets in the Nordics, coupled with greenfield growth opportunities in the Nordics, the UK, Germany and France. With significant financial capacity to fund further growth and acquisitions, and backed by a major shareholder, management and Board with a proven track record of investing into, leading and growing highly successful businesses, Orrön Energy is in a unique position to create shareholder value through the energy transition.

    Forward-looking statements
    Statements in this press release relating to any future status or circumstances, including statements regarding future performance, growth and other trend projections, are forward-looking statements. These statements may generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “will”, “would” or similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that could occur in the future. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to several factors, many of which are outside the company’s control. Any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made and the company has no obligation (and undertakes no obligation) to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Attachment

    • Orrön Energy – Press Release Townhall invitation 2025 – 24042025en

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: MYT Netherlands Parent B.V. (“Mytheresa”) and Richemont announce the successful completion of Mytheresa’s acquisition of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (“YNAP”)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MYT Netherlands Parent B.V. (“Mytheresa”) and Richemont announce the successful completion of Mytheresa’s acquisition of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (“YNAP”)

    24 April 2025 – Mytheresa (NYSE:MYTE) successfully closed its acquisition of YNAP from Richemont (SWX:CFR), through its subsidiary Richemont Italia Holding S.P.A., following the fulfillment of all conditions including receipt of all unconditional approvals from the relevant regulatory authorities.

    Mytheresa is now YNAP’s sole shareholder which it will fully consolidate under the MYT Netherlands Parent B.V. umbrella. The company will be renamed “LuxExperience B.V.” and will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the trade name “LuxExperience” and a new ticker symbol of “LUXE”, effective 1 May 2025.

    In exchange for all shares of YNAP and a net cash position of €555m and no financial debt, Richemont has received 49,741,342 shares in Mytheresa, representing 33% of Mytheresa’s fully diluted share capital post issuance of the consideration shares.

    Nora Aufreiter, Chair of the Supervisory Board of MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., said: “The successful acquisition marks a milestone in the great success story of Mytheresa. Our company will become a group that includes some of the best retail banners in digital luxury. We will use our proven strength to execute on our strategic plans and create even more value for our shareholders, brand partners, customers and employees. We are confident that in the course of the integration and restructuring we will become one of the strongest and most resilient global players in the digital luxury sector.”

    The store brands Mytheresa, NET-A-PORTER, MR PORTER, YOOX and THE OUTNET will be strengthened in their differentiated and complementary profiles. Significant synergies will be achieved primarily through a shared infrastructure and technology platform as well as operational efficiency improvements. The off-price division – consisting of YOOX and THE OUTNET – will be separated from the luxury division to enable a much simpler and more efficient operating model under the new roof. YNAP’s white label service business will be discontinued as soon as the Richemont Maisons’ online stores powered by YNAP have been migrated to their own chosen platforms.

    Forward-looking statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact or relating to present facts or current conditions included in this press release are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Mytheresa’s current expectations and projections relating to the completed transaction and the operation of the combined companies; its financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business, including statements relating to financing activities, future sales, expenses, and profitability; future development and expected growth of our business and industry; our ability to execute our business model and our business strategy; having available sufficient cash and borrowing capacity to meet working capital, debt service and capital expenditure requirements for the next twelve months; and projected capital spending. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that Mytheresa has made in light of its industry experience and perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this press release, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond Mytheresa’s control) and assumptions. Although Mytheresa believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect its actual operating and financial performance and cause its performance to differ materially from the performance anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Mytheresa believes these factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that the completed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of YNAP to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their brand partners and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; the risk that problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of YNAP and Mytheresa, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; the risk that the combined company may be unable to achieve cost-cutting synergies or that it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies; Mytheresa’s ability to effectively compete in a highly competitive industry; Mytheresa’s ability to respond to consumer demands, spending and tastes; general economic conditions, including economic conditions resulting from deteriorating geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions, such as the recent global trade war that escalated after the U.S. imposed tariffs on countries across the globe, and the adoption of retaliatory tariffs by those countries, that may adversely impact consumer demand; Mytheresa’s ability to acquire new customers and retain existing customers; consumers of luxury products may not choose to shop online in sufficient numbers; the volatility and difficulty in predicting the luxury fashion industry; Mytheresa’s reliance on consumer discretionary spending; and Mytheresa’s ability to maintain average order levels and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, Mytheresa’s actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements.

    Mytheresa undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

    The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If any such risks or uncertainties materialize or if any of the assumptions prove incorrect, Mytheresa’s results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements it makes.

    You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements represent Mytheresa’s management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made.

    Further information on these and other factors that could affect Mytheresa’s financial results is included in filings it makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) from time to time, including the section titled “Risk Factors” in its annual report on Form 20-F and on Form 6-K (reporting its quarterly results). These documents are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the SEC Filings section of the Investor Relations section of our website at: https://investors.mytheresa.com.

    About Mytheresa

    Mytheresa is one of the leading luxury multi-brand digital platforms shipping to over 130 countries. Founded as a boutique in 1987, Mytheresa launched online in 2006 and offers ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories for womenswear, menswear, kidswear as well as lifestyle products and fine jewelry. The highly curated edit of up to 250 brands focuses on true luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Loewe, Loro Piana, Moncler, Prada, Saint Laurent, The Row, Valentino, and many more. Mytheresa’s unique digital experience is based on a sharp focus on high-end luxury shoppers, exclusive product and content offerings, leading technology and analytical platforms as well as high quality service operations. The NYSE listed company reported € 913.6 million GMV in fiscal year 2024 (+7% vs. FY23).
    For more information, please visit https://investors.mytheresa.com/.

    “LuxExperience” will be the trade name for LuxExperience B.V., a Dutch company with limited liability, upon completion of the renaming of MYT Netherlands Parent B.V.

    About Richemont

    At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity. Richemont’s ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term.

    Richemont operates in three business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, dunhill, G/FORE, Gianvito Rossi, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey, Serapian as well as Watchfinder & Co. Find out more at https://www.richemont.com/.

    Richemont ‘A’ shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, Richemont’s primary listing, and are included in the Swiss Market Index (‘SMI’) of leading stocks. The ‘A’ shares are also traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Richemont’s secondary listing.

    Investor Relations Contacts
    Mytheresa.com GmbH
    Stefanie Muenz
    phone: +49 89 127695-1919
    email: investors@mytheresa.com

    Media Contacts for public relations
    Mytheresa.com GmbH
    Sandra Romano
    mobile: +49 152 54725178
    email: sandra.romano@mytheresa.com

    Media Contacts for business press
    Mytheresa.com GmbH
    Lisa Schulz
    mobile: +49 151 11216490
    email: lisa.schulz@mytheresa.com

    Media Contacts for business press
    BOC Consult GmbH
    Ruediger Assion
    mobile: +49 176 2424 7691
    email: ruediger.assion@boc-consult.com

    Richemont Contacts
    Investor / analyst enquiries: +41 22 721 30 03; investor.relations@cfrinfo.net
    Media enquiries: +41 22 721 35 07; pressoffice@cfrinfo.net; richemont@teneo.com

    Source: MYT Netherlands Parent B.V.

    Click here for a printer-friendly version in English (PDF)

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: 5 ways to tackle Australia’s backlog of asylum cases

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Ghezelbash, Professor and Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney

    People who apply for asylum in Australia face significant delays in having their claims processed. These delays undermine the integrity of the asylum system, erode public confidence and cause significant distress to people seeking asylum.

    There are, at the time of writing, 28,691 applications for a protection visa awaiting a decision at the Department of Home Affairs. At least 43,308 applications await review at the Administrative Review Tribunal.

    For people seeking asylum who have their initial applications refused and seek review in the Administrative Review Tribunal and in the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the process can often take more than ten years.

    Whoever wins the upcoming election inherits the daunting task of addressing this issue.

    Our research evaluated data on Australia’s previous attempts to increase efficiency of asylum processing. We also examined international best practice for designing fair and fast procedures, including lessons from recent successful asylum reforms in Switzerland.

    Here are five ways to make Australia’s asylum process more efficient.

    1. Recognise fairness enhances efficiency

    In most countries with asylum systems, processing is neither fair nor fast.

    When trying to increase efficiency, many governments have limited the ability of a person seeking asylum to fairly put forward their case.

    Australia, the United States, and many countries across Europe have introduced accelerated or fast-track procedures that drop essential safeguards including:

    • the right to an interview
    • access to legal assistance, and
    • the opportunity to respond to information that undermines their claim for asylum.

    But these efforts don’t just undermine fairness. They also contribute to slower processing.

    Such measures tend to lead to more appeals, and more cases being overturned by courts and tribunals. This contributes to longer delays.

    Our research into Australia’s now-abolished fast-track procedures demonstrates this. This policy was introduced by the Coalition government in 2014, with the aim of speeding up processing and reducing the backlog of asylum applications.

    It included the creation of a new streamlined review process before the Immigration Assessment Authority. Applicants were generally not interviewed or allowed to put forward new information.

    The resulting system was not only unfair; it was also excruciatingly slow.

    Four in five cases were appealed to the court. About 37% of these were overturned. The delays created by increased litigation clearly counteracted any time saved.

    One of the best ways to improve the efficiency of asylum processing is to ensure applicants can present their cases effectively from the outset.

    2. Fund legal representation for those who can’t afford a lawyer

    Research shows legal assistance increases efficiency.

    Lawyers can help assist people to prepare and present their case properly, and ensure that they get a fair hearing (reducing the chance of a lengthy appeal).

    Promisingly, in 2023 the federal government announced A$48 million in funding for legal services for people seeking asylum.

    It’s crucial this funding is maintained, and is sufficient to meet demand.

    3. Invest in decision-makers

    Once a person lodges their claim for asylum, it’s first assessed by the Department of Home Affairs. If the application is denied, the applicant can seek review at the Administrative Review Tribunal, which reassesses the merits of the application.

    If the tribunal rejects the claim, the court can conduct a limited review focusing only on whether the decision was lawfully made.

    A fast process is only possible if we have enough of all these decision-makers across the system.

    This requires investment in training and hiring suitably qualified decision-makers who are equipped to handle the volume and complexity of asylum claims.

    This is underway. The federal government has invested $58 million in October 2023 towards hiring additional Administrative Review Tribunal members and Federal Circuit and Family Court judges for asylum cases. It’s also hiring more staff at the Department of Home Affairs.

    Australia’s next government should consider taking a data-driven approach to calculate the decision-making capacity required for existing and future caseload.

    4. Prioritise simple cases for faster processing

    Not all asylum cases are equally complex; some can be resolved relatively quickly.

    Australia needs a robust and transparent triaging system to identify and prioritise simpler cases for faster processing.

    This would significantly improve overall efficiency and allow decision-makers to focus on more complex cases.

    The Department of Home Affairs’ current approach to triaging is a “last in, first out” system that prioritises new asylum applications for rapid processing.

    However, this leads to substantial unfairness for applicants who lodged their claims earlier, who may face long processing delays.

    The department needs an approach to streaming based on case complexity, to ensure all cases are finalised as quickly as possible.

    5. Better coordination across decision-making bodies

    The various bodies involved in asylum processing – including the Administrative Review Tribunal, the Federal Circuit and Family Court and the Department of Home Affairs – need to coordinate to improve efficiency and cut delays.

    Any government reforms aimed at increasing the efficiency of asylum procedures must be system-wide.

    By taking a holistic view, we can ensure that increased efficiency at one stage does not inadvertently create bottlenecks or inefficiencies in another.

    A fundamental shift

    Overall, Australia needs a fundamental shift that recognises fairness contributes to, rather than detracts from efficiency.

    That shift is essential for developing a fair and fast asylum process that will serve the best interests of applicants, the government and the Australian public.

    Daniel Ghezelbash receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Robert Bosch Foundation. He is a board member of Refugee Advice and Casework Services, Wallumatta Legal, and the Access to Justice and Technology Network. He is also a Special Counsel at the National Justice Project.

    Keyvan Dorostkar receives an Australian government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

    Mia Bridle receives an Australian government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

    – ref. 5 ways to tackle Australia’s backlog of asylum cases – https://theconversation.com/5-ways-to-tackle-australias-backlog-of-asylum-cases-254071

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Gang Conflict Warrant issued in Eastern District

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    To be attributed to Detective Inspector Marty James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:

    Eastern District Police have today been issued a Gang Conflict Warrant, following several incidents stemming from ongoing tensions between Mongrel Mob and Black Power.

    At around 10:45pm on Tuesday night, shots were fired at houses in Wairoa associated with both gangs, and a Napier house connected to one of the gangs was targeted this morning. 

    We’re also aware of a number of alleged gang-related incidents in Wairoa that have not been reported to us, including assaults, vehicle rammings, other damage to cars, and threatening behaviour.

    A significant operation is under way across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay in response to this senseless violence between the two gangs, and the Gang Conflict Warrant issued today gives us valuable additional powers to draw on.

    The Gang Conflict Warrant is issued under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act and gives us special powers to search vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms, weapons and vehicles.

    The violence we are seeing from these two gangs – particularly those incidents where firearms are involved – is absolutely unacceptable in our communities.

    The residents of our communities have the right to be able to go about their daily lives without fearing for their safety from gang-related violence. They’ve had enough and so have we.

    As part of our investigation into the recent offending, officers in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will be stopping vehicles with links to gang members and searching gang-related addresses. 

    Officers will also be maintaining a highly visible presence in our communities to provide reassurance.

    We are determined to hold those responsible for the recent offending to account and gang members should be on notice that we will not tolerate this ongoing violence.

    Today we arrested two men in relation to the incident in Wairoa on Tuesday night. The two men – aged 18 and 35 – have been charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons. Further arrests are likely in the coming days.
     

    ENDS
     

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Residents of the Technopolis Moscow SEZ have launched 37 new drugs on the market

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Pharmaceutical enterprises of the special economic zone (SEZ) Technopolis Moscow brought 37 new drugs to the market in 2024. Among them are drugs for the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic myelogenous leukemia and others. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

    “The capital plays a key role in the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry and strengthening the country’s medicinal sovereignty. On the instructions of Sergei Sobyanin, the city has created a set of effective tools to support the industry, which allows for the regular introduction of popular drugs to the market and an increase in production volumes. Today, eight resident enterprises produce vital drugs in the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone; during their operation, they have produced products worth over 74 billion rubles. In 2024, three companies from the capital’s SEZ brought 37 new drugs to the market for the treatment of socially significant diseases,” said Maxim Liksutov.

    The production facilities of pharmaceutical enterprises are located at two sites: Alabushevo and Pechatniki. In addition, they are participants in the largest pharmaceutical cluster in the country.

    “Offset contracts are concluded with pharmaceutical companies from the Moscow SEZ, under the terms of which the enterprises produce innovative drugs, and the city guarantees their purchase. The enterprises have high-tech production lines, modern laboratories, invest in research and development work. All this contributes to the creation of new effective drugs,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy

    Anatoly Garbuzov.

    In March 2023, the Russian Ministry of Health registered the first Russian original drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, developed by scientists from the Russian biotechnology company Biocad and the Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov. The innovative drug reduces the immune-inflammatory process in the central nervous system, which reduces the number of exacerbations in patients with multiple sclerosis.

    The resident of the SEZ Technopolis Moscow invested more than one billion rubles in the development and research of the drug. Production successfully began last year on the territory of the Alabushevo site. Since then, the enterprise has produced more than seven thousand packages of the product.

    The company “R-Opra” (the group of companies “R-Pharm”) is also actively developing new types of drugs for the treatment of oncological, autoimmune, asthmatic and other diseases.

    The project to create a modern pharmaceutical production complex at the capital’s SEZ site became possible thanks to an offset contract, said Gennady Degtyarev, General Director of the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone. In 2024, the resident opened a production site for the production of drugs in the form of soft gelatin capsules, which are used in the treatment of oncological diseases. In addition, last year the company mastered more than 10 new medicinal products for the treatment of socially significant diseases.

    Another company, a resident of the Moscow SEZ, Amedart, opened import-substituting production of 26 new drugs at the Pechatniki site in 2024. Among them are, for example, drugs for the treatment of oncological diseases and the therapy of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The start of production of these critically important drugs is a significant step in providing Russian patients with affordable and high-quality medicines.

    New modern equipment allows the resident to annually produce up to 10 million packages of antiretroviral drugs for HIV therapy and up to one million packages of antitumor drugs. The company’s portfolio includes a total of more than 100 items included in the list of vital drugs. Their production capacity reaches 15 million packages per year.

    Sobyanin opened the Kalashnikov concern complex in Technopolis MoscowSobyanin told what new industrial enterprises will open in Moscow

    SEZ Technopolis Moscow is a territory with a special legal status, where a preferential regime of entrepreneurial activity for investors operates. The area of the facilities where high-tech enterprises are located exceeds 390 hectares. SEZ Technopolis Moscow has been a leader in international and national industry ratings for several years.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153087073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Applications are now open for the National Prize in Financial and Economic Journalism

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In Russia, the best journalistic works in the field of economics and finance will be selected as part of the annual national award “Finkor”. Applications for participation in the competition can be submitted until August 10 on the website fincor.rf.

    “Finance and economics are the basis for the stable development of society and the state. It is necessary for not only specialists in the field to be aware of what is happening, but also for all citizens of our country. Journalism serves as a bridge between the world of finance and the general public. The ability to talk about complex topics in an accessible language requires great skill and knowledge. It has already become a tradition to award the authors of the best journalistic works in the field of economics and finance at the Moscow Financial Forum. I am sure that this year we will also discover new names and recognize professionals, the best in their field,” said Irina Okladnikova, First Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation.

    This year, the competition for the award is being held for the fourth time. Representatives of Russian mass media, including radio and television broadcast editors, teams and individual publicists — professional journalists, representatives of online publications, authors of Telegram channels and bloggers covering economics and finance, as well as students of specialized faculties of Russian universities are invited to participate.

    “Economic and financial information is one of the most in-demand in the modern world. The constantly changing situation in the Russian and international economy requires journalists to painstakingly work with figures and facts, the ability to clearly present complex information and quickly convey it to readers. The Fincor Prize helps to identify the best practices in covering financial and economic processes and increase interest in these topics on the part of journalists. During the award, the number of submitted works has increased almost fourfold – from more than 200 applications in 2022 to almost 800 last year,” said

    Maria Bagreeva, Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Head of the Moscow Department of Economic Policy and Development.

    To participate, you must submit articles, interviews, reports, recordings of television broadcasts, podcasts, radio programs and other journalistic materials, as well as journalistic projects published in print or online publications, posted on the Internet, in Telegram channels, on radio or television in the period from August 1, 2024 to August 1, 2025.

    The award ceremony will take place within the framework of the IX Moscow Financial Forum, which will be held in the Manezh in the fall. Detailed information about the nominations and the award regulations are posted on the website fincor.rfYou can also apply for participation there.

    The Fincor National Award was established in 2022 by the Moscow City Economic Policy Complex jointly with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation.

    Its goal is to identify best practices for covering financial and economic processes in the country.

    The partners of the award this year are the Research Financial Institute of the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, the Vmeste Media platform, the Free Economic Society of Russia, the Union of Journalists of Russia, the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, the A.S. Griboyedov Moscow University, the Moscow University of Finance and Law, the St. Petersburg State University of Economics, the Institute of Media of the Research University Higher School of Economics, the Higher School of Journalism of Tomsk State University and the youth center of the Union of Journalists of Russia.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153088073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Eurocastle Releases Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EUROCASTLE INVESTMENT LIMITED

                                                                                                                                                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact:        
    Oak Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited
    Company Administrator
    Attn: Nicole Barnes
    Tel: +44 1481 723450        

    Eurocastle Releases Fourth Quarter and Year End 2024 Financial Results

    Guernsey, 24 April 2025 – Eurocastle Investment Limited (Euronext Amsterdam: ECT) today has released its annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

    • IFRS NAV of €22.08 million, or €22.05 per share vs €21.34 per share as at Q3 2024 and €21.77 per share as at YE 2023, reflecting an increase in the value of the Company’s holding in a Luxembourg fund under the New Investment Strategy, following the closing of its first investment in October 2024.
    • Adjusted Net Asset Value (“NAV”) of €11.35 million1, or €11.34 per share2 vs. €10.91 per share in Q3 2024 and €11.12 per share as at YE 2023.

            The tables below summarise the NAV by segment:

                         
        YE 2024 NAV   Q3 2024 NAV   YE 2023 NAV
        €’m € p.s.   €’m € p.s.   €’m € p.s.
    New Investment Strategy – Greece   5.77 5.76   0.11 0.11   0.10 0.10
    Legacy Italian Real Estate Funds   0.06 0.06   0.06 0.06   0.08 0.08
    Net Corporate Cash3   12.28 12.26   17.47 17.45   17.83 17.86
    Legacy German Tax Asset   3.97 3.97   3.73 3.72   3.73 3.73
    IFRS NAV   22.08 22.05   21.37 21.34   21.74 21.77
                       
    Legacy German Tax Reserve4   (5.99) (5.97)   (5.44) (5.43)   (5.46) (5.46)
                       
    Adjusted NAV before Liquidation Reserve   16.09 16.08   15.93 15.91   16.28 16.31
                       
    Liquidation Reserve4   (4.74) (4.74)   (5.00) (5.00)   (5.18) (5.19)
                       
    Adjusted NAV   11.35 11.34   10.93 10.91   11.10 11.12
    Ordinary shares outstanding   1,001,555   1,001,555   998,555
                         
                         

    As at 31 December 2024, the Company’s assets mainly comprise:

                1.   €12.28 million, or €12.26 per share, of net corporate cash, which is available to continue seeking investments under the New Investment Strategy.

                2.   €5.77 million, or €5.76 per share, in the Company’s first investment under the New Investment Strategy, a share in a Luxembourg fund which has opportunistically acquired a boutique retail complex in an affluent part of Athens, Greece.

                3.   A tax asset of €3.97 million, or €3.97 per share, representing amounts paid (and associated interest) in relation to additional tax assessed against a legacy German property subsidiary where the Company won the first instance of its appeal in December 2024. The German tax authorities have since appealed the decision and the Company is waiting for the date of the next hearing.

                4.   Residual interests in two legacy Italian Real Estate Fund Investments with an NAV of €0.06 million, or €0.06 per share, where the underlying properties have been fully sold, with both funds now in liquidation.

    2024 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

    FY 2024 Overview

    During 2024, having largely concluded its Realisation Plan, the Company made significant progress in implementing the New Investment Strategy by establishing the platform through which it can raise third party capital and make investments, while also closing on the first acquisition made as part of this strategy.

    Highlights

    • New Investment Strategy – In August 2024, Eurocastle launched a Luxembourg regulated fund, European Properties Investment Fund S.C.A., SICAV RAIF (“EPIF” or the “Fund”), through which it expects to invest alongside selected external co-investors. EPIF initially closed with Eurocastle committing to invest €8 million alongside a €2 million commitment from its JV Partner. EPIF is now being marketed to potential investors with a target size of €100 million.
    • In addition to generating attractive risk adjusted returns on its share of any investments made, Eurocastle also anticipates receiving market standard management and incentive fees from external investors. The Company sees the Fund as an attractive opportunity to earn enhanced returns on the capital it invests while also building a meaningful base for future investments.
    • In October 2024, the Fund made its first acquisition, being part of a boutique retail complex in an affluent part of Athens with Eurocastle investing a total of €5.5 million into the Fund. The asset was acquired from one of the largest Greek banks out of a distressed situation. As at the end of 2024, Eurocastle’s 80% share in the NAV of EPIF is €5.8 million. In parallel with executing this first investment, EPIF has been underwriting a number of additional opportunities.
    • Legacy Italian Real Estate Funds –The remaining NAV for these investments of €0.06 million, or €0.06 per share, reflects cash currently reserved in the funds that is expected to be released once the fund manager resolves certain potential liabilities and liquidates each fund.
    • Legacy German Tax Matter – Prior to 2024, the Company had paid a net amount of €3.7 million in relation to the Legacy German tax matter against which it has raised a corresponding tax asset (together with associated interest). The Company, in pursuing the reimbursement of this amount through the German fiscal court, won the first instance of its appeal in December 2024. Shortly after, the German tax authorities appealed the decision through the German federal tax court and the Company is currently waiting to be notified of the date of the hearing. In the meantime, €2.5 million of the €3.7 million of additional tax paid by the Company, being the additional tax assessed before late payment interest, is accruing interest at 6% per annum, which would be paid to the Company should it finally prevail in the case.
    • The remaining potential exposure, associated with the same point under dispute, is estimated to be €1.7 million. This relates to the years 2013 to 2015 which remain subject to ongoing tax audits. Notwithstanding the Company’s expectation that the tax matter will eventually be resolved in the Company’s favour, as at 31 December 2024, the full potential liability of €6.0 million, or €5.97 per share (including associated defence costs and interest accrued), is fully reserved for within the Additional Reserves.
    • Additional Reserves – As at 31 December 2024, of the total Additional Reserves of €10.7 million, €6.0 million related to the legacy German tax matter with the balance of approximately €4.7 million in place to allow for future costs and potential liabilities while the Company pursues in parallel the New Investment Strategy. The Board anticipates reviewing the appropriate level of reserves once it has further clarity on the amount of commitments received by EPIF.

    Subsequent Events

    On April 23rd, 2025, EPIF successfully held its first investor close, securing €16 million of commitments from 10 investors taking the total fund size to €26 million. Currently, a significant number of potential additional commitments are at advanced stage of due diligence, with a further close expected in May 2025.

    The commitments closed on 23 April 2025 will reduce Eurocastle’s interest in the Fund from 80% to approximately 31%. As a result, the new investors will reimburse Eurocastle an estimated total of €3.5 million of the €5.5 million it had invested to date in EPIF. This reimbursement is to align Eurocastle’s revised pro rata share of the capital called plus compensatory interest. The amount to be paid to Eurocastle is substantially in line with the relevant share of Eurocastle’s valuation of its interest in EPIF as at 31 December 2024.

           
         

    Income Statement for the Fourth Quarter 2024, Full Year 2024 and Full Year 2023

    Q4 2024 FY 2024 FY 2023
      € Thousands € Thousands € Thousands
    Portfolio Returns      
    New Investment Strategy – Greece unrealised fair value movement 429 273 –
    Legacy Italian NPLs & Other Loans realised gain                          – – 2
    Legacy Italian Real Estate Funds unrealised fair value movement                        – (18) (50)
    Fair value movement on Investments                       429 255 (48)
    Other Income 100 113 2
    Interest income                            345 827                            519
    Loss on foreign currency translation                             – (1) (2)
    Total income                        874 1,194 471
           
    Operating Expenses      
    Manager base and incentive fees 42 103 94
    Remaining operating expenses 115 745 1,012
    Other operating expenses 157 848 1,106
    Total expenses 157 848 1,106
           
    Net profit/(loss) for the period/year 717 346 (635)
    € per share 0.72 0.35 (0.64)
      Balance Sheet and Adjusted NAV Reconciliation as at 31 December 2024 New Strategy Investments Greece Legacy Italian

    Investments

    Corporate Total Total
              2024 2023
        € Thousands € Thousands € Thousands € Thousands € Thousands
    Assets          
      Other assets – – 315 315 210
      Legacy German tax asset – – 3,974 3,974 3,727
      Investments – New Investment Strategy – Greece 5,770 – – 5,770 –
      Investments – Legacy Italian Real Estate Funds – 64 – 64 82
      Cash, cash equivalents and treasury investments          
      Cash and cash equivalents – – 12,415 12,415 13,951
      Treasury investments – – – – 4,236
    Total assets 5,770 64 16,704 22,538 22,206
    Liabilities          
      Trade and other payables   – 389 389 425
      Manager base and incentive fees   – 63 63 41
    Total liabilities   – 452 452 466
    IFRS Net Asset Value 5,770 64 16,252 22,086 21,740
    Liquidation cash reserve – – (4,748) (4,748) (5,185)
    Legacy German tax cash reserve – – (2,008) (2,008) (1,728)
    Legacy German tax asset – – (3,974) (3,974) (3,727)
    Adjusted NAV 5,770 64 5,522 11,356 11,100
    Adjusted NAV (€ per Share) 5.76 0.06 5.52 11.34 11.12

    NOTICE:

    This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014.

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    For investment portfolio information, please refer to the Company’s most recent Financial Report, which will be available on the Company’s website (www.eurocastleinv.com).

    ABOUT EUROCASTLE

    Eurocastle Investment Limited (“Eurocastle” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company. On 8 July 2022, the Company announced the relaunch of its investment activity and is currently in the early stages of pursuing its new strategy by initially focusing on opportunistic real estate in Greece with a plan to expand across Southern Europe. For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.com.

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, future commitments to sell real estate and achievement of disposal targets, availability of investment and divestment opportunities, timing or certainty of completion of acquisitions and disposals, the operating performance of our investments and financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “potential”, “intend”, “expect”, “endeavor”, “seek”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “overestimate”, “underestimate”, “believe”, “could”, “project”, “predict”, “project”, “continue”, “plan”, “forecast” or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is limited. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, its actual results and performance may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results or stated expectations including the risks regarding Eurocastle’s ability to declare dividends or achieve its targets regarding asset disposals or asset performance.


    1 In light of the Realisation Plan announced in November 2019, the Adjusted NAV as at 31 December 2024 reflects additional reserves for future costs and potential liabilities, which have not been accounted for under the IFRS NAV (“Additional Reserves”). No commitments for these future costs and potential liabilities existed as at 31 December 2024.
    2 Per share calculations for Eurocastle as at 31 December 2024 are based on 1,001,555 shares in issue. YE 2023 NAV per share based on 998,555 shares; Q3 2024 NAV per share based on 1,001,555 shares.
    3 Reflects corporate cash net of accrued liabilities and other assets.

    4 Reserves that were put in place when the Company realised the majority of its investment assets in 2019 in order for the Company to continue in operation and fund its
    future costs and potential liabilities. These reserves are not accounted for under IFRS.

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Haffner Energy unveils Hynoca® Flex 500 IG: A flexible, cost-effective alternative to grey hydrogen and fossil fuels

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Haffner Energy unveils Hynoca® Flex 500 IG: A flexible, cost-effective alternative to grey hydrogen and fossil fuels

    Cogeneration of hydrogen and electricity offers a unique solution for managing random hydrogen demand

    Vitry-le-François, France – April 24, 2025, 08:00am (CET)

    Haffner Energy introduces Hynoca® Flex 500 IG, a line of hydrogen production units capable of producing 12 tonnes of green hydrogen per day to be delivered under €3/kg without subsidies. Hynoca®Flex 500 IG also enables the production of cost-competitive renewable electricity to manage fluctuations in hydrogen demand or ensure energy autonomy.

    “The expectations for hydrogen are extremely high, but they remain significantly constrained by the chicken-and-egg problem and the high cost of green hydrogen production,” said Philippe Haffner, Co-founder and CEO of Haffner Energy. “Our Hynoca® Flex 500 IG solution simultaneously addresses both challenges, in a market worth over €100 billion worldwide. This is a major milestone for our company, which is expected to have a significant impact on our 2025 results, and which should also enable us to build up our order book for the coming years. More generally, it’s clearly a major paradigm shift for the global hydrogen ecosystem.”

    Thanks to existing subsidies, grants or tax credits available in most developed countries, green hydrogen is now clearly cost-competitive with grey (fossil-based) hydrogen, while providing much more flexibility and bringing a carbon-free solution. Not only does hydrogen and electricity cogeneration provide a unique solution for managing fluctuating hydrogen demand, it can also ensure energy autonomy of the system or even create opportunities in off-grid locations.

    A major breakthrough for the hydrogen market

    With unmatched flexibility, optimized energy efficiency (80%), and near-independence from power grids, Hynoca® Flex 500 IG emerges as a scalable decentralized alternative to grey hydrogen and fossil fuels. The technology is modular and standardized, which ensures reliable and replicable deployment at scale. Available worldwide, the first units can be reserved starting today, with commissioning of the first units early 2027.

    A significant EBITDA contribution starting this year

    Hynoca® Flex 500 IG is expected to make a significant contribution to Haffner Energy’s revenue – and above all to its EBITDA – for the current fiscal year, notably through paying engineering studies. The company reiterates its objective to reach EBITDA breakeven by March 31, 2026.

    Cost-effective, modular green hydrogen

    Hynoca® Flex 500 IG combines performance and modularity to meet industrial and mobility needs:

    • Flexible production, requiring minimal or no grid dependency
    • Optimization of CAPEX and OPEX, ensuring that hydrogen can be commercialized under €3/kg without subsidies Over 80% energy efficiency, maximizing process performance
    • Rapid deployment, free from grid infrastructure constraints
    • Standardized design, ensuring predictable performance and simplified integration

    A syngas with unmatched competitiveness

    Hynoca® Flex 500 IG generates highly competitive syngas, the precursor to hydrogen. Its low cost opens up new economic opportunities beyond hydrogen production.

    • Profitable peak-hour electricity generation: The cost of syngas is so competitive that it enables power production during peak hours, making it an economically viable solution to balance hydrogen demand fluctuations.
    • Operational security without rigid contracts: This flexibility allows plant operators to maintain stable production without requiring rigid offtake agreements.

    By combining hydrogen and electricity generation, Hynoca® Flex 500 IG ensures continuous operation, optimizing revenue streams and enhancing economic resilience, making final investment decisions (FID) easier.

    A strategic complement to electrolysis and power-to-liquid (PTL)

    Each Hynoca® Flex 500 IG unit generates 58,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ per year, a key resource for PTL (e-fuels) production and a critical enabler for hydrogen from electrolysis.

    • 58,000 tonnes of renewable CO₂ can convert 5,230 tonnes of hydrogen into 42,000 tonnes of e-methanol (or 18,000 tonnes of e-SAF), easy to transport and store
    • 5,230 tonnes of hydrogen is the volume produced each year by 60 MW of electrolyzer capacity (4,000 hours/year load factor)
    • Strategic synergy between Hynoca® Flex 500 IG and electrolysis plants, structuring the hydrogen economy

    Hynoca® Flex 500 IG not only delivers competitive hydrogen, but it also supports the expansion of electrolysis by providing a reliable source of competitive biogenic CO2.

    Proven, standardized technology for industrial scale deployment

    Hynoca® Flex 500 IG builds on Hynoca® technology, already operational at the Center for hydrogen production, testing and training in Marolles, France. This unit has been producing hydrogen that meets mobility standards.

    Scaling up this technology ensures industrial continuity with no technical risks, optimizing implementation for large-scale projects.

    Hynoca® process accepts all possible organic renewable feedstocks, including agricultural residues, sludge, manure, municipal sorted waste, and woody by-products, supporting a circular, low-carbon economy with a near-zero carbon footprint. Compatibility with all organic feedstocks means considerably lower costs, while at the same time significantly improving security of supply.

    Each Hynoca®Flex 500 IG unit consumes approximately 31,000 tonnes of dry plant-based biomass per year.

    Reservations system to manage market demand

    A recent market survey conducted by Haffner Energy indicates that demand for Hynoca® Flex 500 IG will far exceed the company’s current industrial and commercial capacity.

    To structure production and ensure timely deployment, a reservations system is currently being prepared and will open in 2025 Q3. In the meanwhile, requests for quotations can be made to the company in advance.

    Reservations, which will involve the payment of an upfront fee, constitute a win/win system for the company and its customers, allowing in particular:

    • Guarantee that customers will be served in the face of demand that is expected to far exceed supply
    • Secure delivery timelines and fixed pricing
    • Substantial savings on typical FID (Final Investment Decision) costs
    • Assistance with feedstock sourcing plans

    This system prioritizes committed clients while allowing flexibility for project development, helping to align industrial production capacity with actual market needs.

    About Haffner Energy

    Haffner Energy is a French company providing solutions for the production of competitive clean fuels. With 32 years of experience converting biomass into renewable energies, it has developed innovative proprietary biomass thermolysis and gasification technologies to produce renewable gas, hydrogen and methanol, as well as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The company also contributes to regenerating the planet, through the co-production of biogenic CO2 and biocarbon (or char/biochar). Haffner Energy is listed on Euronext Growth. (ISIN code: FR0014007ND6 – Ticker: ALHAF).

    Media relations

    HAFFNER ENERGY

    Laure BOURDON

    laure.bourdon@haffner-energy.com
    +33 (0) 7 87 96 35 15

    Sales relations

    sales@haffner-energy.com

    Investor relations

    investisseurs@haffner-energy.com

    Attachment

    • PR_Hynoca Flex 500 IG ENG_VF

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Flow Traders Leadership Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Flow Traders Leadership Update

    Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Flow Traders Ltd. (Euronext: FLOW) announces that Mike Kuehnel has conveyed to the Board of Flow Traders Ltd. his intention not to seek re-election as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for another full term at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM). He will leave Flow Traders at the end of August to pursue a new opportunity. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Mike has agreed to be nominated for re-election as CEO at the upcoming AGM on 13 June 2025, with his renewed term extending until 31 August 2025. The Board has initiated a search for his successor.

    Furthermore, Marc Jansen will be nominated for election as Executive Director of Flow Traders Ltd. at the forthcoming AGM. Marc has played an instrumental role in developing and expanding Flow Traders’ trading footprint. He is also a current member of the Management Board of Flow Traders B.V., the firm’s largest operating entity. In addition, Marc Jansen and Alex Kieft will be appointed as Co-Chief Trading Officers, effective immediately. They will jointly manage the Global Trading Division, focusing on expanding the Company’s trading operations across multiple asset classes and geographies.

    Mike Kuehnel
    Mike joined Flow Traders in August 2021 and was elected as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in September 2021 and subsequently appointed to the role of CEO in February 2023. During his term, Mike has been instrumental in systematically strengthening the firm by enhancing its position as a leading globally diversified trading firm. Specifically, in 2024, he initiated Flow Traders’ Trading Capital Expansion Plan, which successfully contributed to the firm’s second-best financial year in its 20-year history.

    Under Mike’s leadership, and in collaboration with the entire leadership team, the firm has launched several strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency through automation as well as enhancing the firm’s structure with the objective of building a fully scalable organization. As part of the firm’s strategy, Mike has played a pivotal role in developing Flow Traders’ global leadership team and in attracting key talent to enhance the firm’s capability set. Subsequently, Mike has facilitated new strategic partnerships across global financial markets, allowing the firm to capitalize on new revenue opportunities to accelerate the growth of the Flow Traders.

    Marc Jansen
    Marc joined Flow Traders in 2013 as a Trader and became Head of Trading EMEA in 2018. He continued playing a pivotal role in building out the firm’s trading operations, when he moved to the Americas, where he assumed the role of Managing Director, before being appointed Head of Trading with a focus on Digital Assets in 2021. He became Global Head of Trading and Management Board Member of Flow Traders B.V. in January 2024. Effective immediately, Marc will be appointed as Co-Chief Trading Officer.

    Alex Kieft
    Alex joined Flow Traders in 2014 as a Trader and was appointed Head of Trading EMEA in 2019, followed by Global Head of Trading with a focus on equities in 2022. Effective immediately, Alex will be appointed as Co-Chief Trading Officer and will lead the firm’s Global Trading Division alongside Marc Jansen.

    Rudolf Ferscha, Chairman of the Board, stated:
    “Flow Traders has evolved beyond its foundational trading focus, marking a significant transition that enables us to capitalize on new opportunities and forge strategic partnerships, thereby advancing our long-term strategic ambitions. This transformation has been successfully initiated and managed under Mike’s leadership, and on behalf of the entire Board, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for his numerous contributions to the firm. 

    We fully respect his decision to pursue another opportunity outside the firm and wish him every success in his future endeavors. We also thank him for his dedication to developing this strengthened leadership team. Under Mike’s guidance, the leadership team has driven the firm’s growth and expansion in recent years, notably with the successful launch of the Trading Capital Expansion Plan last year, leading to the second-best financial year in our 20-year history.

    Additionally, we are thrilled to appoint Marc and Alex as Co-Chief Trading Officers. Both Marc and Alex are esteemed leaders with a proven track record of shaping and accelerating our trading strategies across various asset classes and geographies. Their promotion reflects our dedication to strengthening our leadership and accelerating growth within our Trading Division. With a long-term focus on both talent and capital, we aim to intensify efforts in both traditional and digital asset markets, marking Flow Traders’ next phase of growth.”

    Mike Kuehnel, CEO of Flow Traders, added:
    “Throughout my tenure at Flow Traders, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of technology and innovation on global financial markets. These experiences have reinforced my conviction to engage more broadly in the field of artificial intelligence, prompting my decision not to seek another full term as CEO.

    I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved, as evidenced by our strengthened position as a globally diversified trading firm. Equally, I take pride in the development and growth of our global leadership team. Cultivating and attracting talent has been a pivotal focus during my four years, and I am thrilled about the current standing of this team. I have full confidence in Flow Traders’ future, and its ability to grow and become an even more significant force in promoting transparency, efficiency, and resilience within global financial markets.

    I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Board and all my colleagues at Flow Traders, it has been an exceptionally rewarding privilege to work alongside you. Serving as your CFO and CEO over the past four years has been an honor, and I am genuinely excited about the firm’s future.”

    Notes

    • Following shareholder approval at the 2025 AGM, Mike’s re-election as CEO and Executive Director will run until 31 August 2025
    • Following shareholder approval at the 2025 AGM and regulatory vetting, Marc’s election as Executive Director of Flow Traders Ltd. will be effective for a term of four years
    • In the notice for the 2025 Annual General Meeting, scheduled to be published on 2 May, all necessary information will be included in accordance with the nominations outlined in this press release

    Contact Details

    Flow Traders Ltd.

    Investors
    Eric Pan
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:        investor.relations@flowtraders.com

    Media
    Laura Peijs
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:        press@flowtraders.com

    About Flow Traders
    Flow Traders is a leading trading firm providing liquidity in multiple asset classes, covering all major exchanges. Founded in 2004, Flow Traders is a leading global ETP market marker and has leveraged its expertise in trading European equity ETPs to expand into fixed income, commodities, digital assets and FX globally. Flow Traders’ role in financial markets is to ensure the availability of liquidity and enabling investors to continue to buy or sell financial instruments under all market circumstances, thereby ensuring markets remain resilient and continue to function in an orderly manner. In addition to its trading activities, Flow Traders has established a strategic investment unit focused on fostering market innovation and aligned with our mission to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the financial ecosystem. With over two decades of experience, we have built a team of over 600 talented professionals, located globally, contributing to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture and delivering the company’s mission.

    Important Legal Information

    This press release is prepared by Flow Traders Ltd. and is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and you must not rely on the content of this document when making any investment decisions. The information in this document does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and is not to be regarded as investor marketing or marketing of any security or financial instrument, or as an offer to buy or sell, or as a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, securities or financial instruments.

    The information and materials contained in this press release are provided ‘as is’ and Flow Traders Ltd. or any of its affiliates (“Flow Traders”) do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This press release is not intended to be, and shall not constitute in any way a binding or legal agreement, or impose any legal obligation on Flow Traders. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, are those of their respective owners. All rights reserved. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Flow Traders. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced without the prior written permission of Flow Traders.

    This press release may include forward-looking statements, which are based on Flow Traders’ current expectations and projections about future events, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. Words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “project”, “believe”, “could”, “hope”, “seek”, “plan”, “foresee”, “aim”, “objective”, “potential”, “goal” “strategy”, “target”, “continue” and similar expressions or their negatives are used to identify these forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not outside the control of Flow Traders. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date at which they are made. Flow Traders expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law.

    Financial objectives are internal objectives of Flow Traders to measure its operational performance and should not be read as indicating that Flow Traders is targeting such metrics for any particular fiscal year. Flow Traders’ ability to achieve these financial objectives is inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Flow Traders’ control, and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions that are subject to change. As a result, Flow Traders’ actual results may vary from these financial objectives, and those variations may be material.

    Efficiencies are net, before tax and on a run-rate basis, i.e. taking into account the full-year impact of any measure to be undertaken before the end of the period mentioned. The expected operating efficiencies and cost savings were prepared on the basis of a number of assumptions, projections and estimates, many of which depend on factors that are beyond Flow Traders’ control. These assumptions, projections and estimates are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and actual results may differ, perhaps materially, from those projected. Flow Traders cannot provide any assurance that these assumptions are correct and that these projections and estimates will reflect Flow Traders’ actual results of operations.

    By accepting this document you agree to the terms set out above. If you do not agree with the terms set out above please notify legal.amsterdam@nl.flowtraders.com immediately and delete or destroy this document.

    Market Abuse Regulation
    This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Flow Traders 1Q 2025 Trading Update

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Flow Traders 1Q 2025 Trading Update

    Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Flow Traders Ltd. (Euronext: FLOW) announces its unaudited 1Q 2025 trading update.

    Highlights

    • Flow Traders recorded Net Trading Income of €140.2m and Total Income of €135.1m in 1Q25, an increase of 10% and 4% when compared to €127.1m and €129.6m in 1Q24, respectively.
    • Flow Traders’ ETP Value Traded increased by 24% in 1Q25 to €507bn from €409bn in 1Q24.
    • Fixed Operating Expenses were €50.8m in the quarter, an increase of 15% when compared to the €44.1m in 1Q24, due mostly to increased employee and technology expenses.
    • Total Operating Expenses were €72.7m in 1Q25, an increase of 7% when compared to the €67.9m in 1Q24, due to higher Fixed Operating Expenses.
    • EBITDA was €62.3m in the quarter, an increase of 1% when compared to €61.6m in 1Q24. EBITDA margin was 46% in 1Q25 vs. 48% in 1Q24.
    • Net Profit came in at €36.3m in 1Q25, yielding a basic EPS of €0.84 and diluted EPS of €0.82, a 21% decrease compared to a Net Profit of €45.9m, basic EPS of €1.05, and diluted EPS of €1.04 in 1Q24.
    • Trading Capital stood at €803m at the end of 1Q25, a 32% and 4% increase from €609m and €775m at the end of 1Q24 and 4Q24, respectively, and generated a 68% return on average trading capital1.
    • Shareholders’ equity was €787m at the end of 1Q25, compared to €631m at the end of 1Q24 and €767m at the end of 4Q24.
    • Flow Traders employed 619 FTEs at the end of 1Q25, compared to 601 at the end of 1Q24 and 609 at the end of 4Q24.

    Leadership Update

    In a separate release today, Flow Traders announced that Mike Kuehnel has conveyed to the Board his intention not to seek re-election as CEO for another full term at the 2025 AGM. He will leave Flow Traders at the end of August of this year, to pursue a new opportunity. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Mike has agreed to be nominated for re-election as CEO at the upcoming AGM on 13 June 2025, his renewed term extending until 31 August 2025. The Board has initiated a search for his successor.

    Furthermore, Marc Jansen will be nominated for election as Executive Director of Flow Traders Ltd. and in addition, Marc Jansen and Alex Kieft will be appointed as Co-Chief Trading Officers, effective immediately.

    Financial Overview

    €million 1Q25 1Q24 Change YTD25 YTD24 Change
    Net trading income 140.2 127.1 10% 140.2 127.1 10%
    Other income (5.1) 2.5 NM (5.1) 2.5 NM
    Total income 135.1 129.6 4% 135.1 129.6 4%
    Revenue by region2            
    Europe 79.9 68.5 17% 79.9 68.5 17%
    Americas 11.4 41.3 (72%) 11.4 41.3 (72%)
    Asia 43.7 19.9 120% 43.7 19.9 120%
    Fixed employee expenses 24.3 20.7 18% 24.3 20.7 18%
    Technology expenses 17.4 15.8 10% 17.4 15.8 10%
    Other expenses 9.1 7.7 19% 9.1 7.7 19%
    Fixed operating expenses 50.8 44.1 15% 50.8 44.1 15%
    Variable employee expenses 22.0 23.8 (8%) 22.0 23.8 (8%)
    Total operating expenses 72.7 67.9 7% 72.7 67.9 7%
    EBITDA 62.3 61.6 1% 62.3 61.6 1%
    Interest expenses 0.4 – NM 0.4 – NM
    Lease expenses 0.5 0.6 (8%) 0.5 0.6 (8%)
    Depreciation & amortisation 4.7 4.3 11% 4.7 4.3 11%
    Impairment of intangible assets 10.5 – NM 10.5 – NM
    Profit/(loss) on equity-accounted investments (1.8) (0.4) 375% (1.8) (0.4) 375%
    Profit before tax 44.3 56.4 (21%) 44.3 56.4 (21%)
    Tax expense 8.0 10.6 (24%) 8.0 10.6 (24%)
    Net profit 36.3 45.9 (21%) 36.3 45.9 (21%)
    Basic EPS3 (€) 0.84 1.05 (21%) 0.84 1.05 (21%)
    Fully diluted EPS4 (€) 0.82 1.04 (21%) 0.82 1.04 (21%)
    EBITDA margin 46% 48%   46% 48%  

    Revenue by Region

    €million 1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    Europe 58.5 33.1 33.6 42.6 68.4 48.6 70.2 86.9 79.9
    Americas 32.8 9.3 22.0 18.1 41.3 13.4 20.8 18.2 11.4
    Asia 19.2 9.0 12.1 13.6 19.9 14.2 23.6 53.8 43.7

    Value Traded Overview

    €billion 1Q25 1Q24 Change YTD25 YTD24 Change
    Flow Traders ETP Value Traded 507 409 24% 507 409 24%
    Europe 245 152 61% 245 152 61%
    Americas 213 229 (7%) 213 229 (7%)
    Asia 49 27 81% 49 27 81%
    Flow Traders non-ETP Value Traded 1,217 1,146 6% 1,217 1,146 6%
    Flow Traders Value Traded 1,724 1,555 11% 1,724 1,555 11%
    Equity 861 819 5% 861 819 5%
    FICC 774 691 12% 774 691 12%
    Other 89 45 100% 89 45 100%
    Market ETP Value Traded5 14,425 11,981 20% 14,425 11,981 20%
    Europe 882 597 48% 882 597 48%
    Americas 11,065 9,965 11% 11,065 9,965 11%
    Asia 2,478 1,419 75% 2,478 1,419 75%
    Asia ex China 645 439 47% 645 439 47%

    Trading Capital

      1Q23 2Q23 3Q23 4Q23 1Q24 2Q24 3Q24 4Q24 1Q25
    Trading Capital (€m) 647 574 585 584 609 624 668 775 803
    Return on Avg Trading Capital1 67% 65% 56% 49% 50% 58% 62% 69% 68%
    Average VIX7 21.0 16.7 15.1 15.4 13.9 14.2 17.1 17.3 18.5

    Market Environment

    Europe

    Equity trading volumes in the quarter across major exchanges saw meaningful increases when compared to the same period a year ago, while market volatility also increased . Fixed Income trading volumes on MTFs increased slightly compared to the same period a year ago.

    Americas

    Equity trading volumes in the U.S. increased compared to the same period a year ago, but at a much lower level when compared to the other regions, while market volatility increased. Fixed Income trading volumes in the U.S. also increased slightly when compared to the same period a year ago, while volatility declined.

    Asia

    Equity trading volumes in Asia were mixed as Hong Kong and China saw significant increases while Japan experienced declines when compared to the same period a year ago. Market volatility increased across the board in Hong Kong, China and Japan when compared to the same period a year ago.

    Digital Assets

    Within Digital Assets, which trades across regions on a 24/7 basis, trading volumes in cryptocurrencies increased when compared to the same period a year ago. However, net fund flows into cryptocurrency ETFs declined significantly compared to a year ago given the spot Bitcoin ETF launches in the U.S. in January 2024.

    Outlook

    Fixed operating expenses guidance for the year remains unchanged and is expected to be in the range of €190-210m given additional technology investments and targeted additions of subject matter experts in growth areas, partially offset by expected operational efficiency gains.

    CEO Statement

    Mike Kuehnel, CEO
    “Flow Traders posted a strong set of results in the first quarter, with the strength in the Equity segment in Europe and Asia in the quarter offsetting the lower contribution from Digital Assets when compared to the first quarter of 2024. The results serve as further confirmation of our diversification strategy and our ability to capture opportunities as they arise. The 68% return on average trading capital in the quarter also further validates our strategic decision to retain more profits to reinvest back into the company under the Trading Capital Expansion Plan, announced in July last year.

    During the quarter, market trading volumes increased meaningfully across Europe and Asia given the macroeconomic uncertainty raised by the prospect of tariffs from the U.S. and the potential impact to the global economy. Volumes were particularly elevated in Hong Kong and China given the continued investor interest in China following the stimulus unveiled by the government in the fourth quarter of last year. Similarly, volumes increased meaningfully in Europe given the market outperformance, as investors looked to rotate their investments given the seismic geopolitical shift in the U.S. and its ramifications on Europe. The Americas had a more muted quarter when compared with the other regions as we allocated more of our capital to regions with greater dislocations. Regardless of where the activities were in the quarter, Flow Traders continued to provide liquidity to our counterparty base and was able to leverage trading opportunities given the breadth of our global trading operation.

    In Digital Assets, while the value of cryptocurrencies pulled back post the U.S. presidential inauguration, we continue to see positive sentiment shifts by regulators in not only the U.S. but also in places like Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. The first Consensus conference in Asia, held in Hong Kong in February, demonstrated the increasing institutional interest and adoption of digital assets and the underlying technology in the region. As one of the earliest adopters, Flow Traders remains instrumental in providing liquidity to this asset class on a 24/7 basis and bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital assets ecosystems.

    Looking forward to the rest of 2025, we remain committed to enhancing our trading capabilities by strategically investing in cutting-edge technology and talent. This approach aligns seamlessly with our growth and diversification strategy. We anticipate that these investments, coupled with our Trading Capital Expansion Plan, will drive top-line growth for the firm over time.”

    Preliminary Financial Calendar

    13 June 2025                AGM
    31 July 2025                1H25 Results

    Analyst Conference Call and Webcast

    The 1Q25 trading update analyst conference call will be held at 10:00 am CEST on Thursday 24 April 2025. The presentation can be downloaded at https://www.flowtraders.com/investors/results-centre and the conference call can be followed via a listen-only audio webcast. A replay of the conference call will be available on the company website for at least 90 days.

    Contact Details

    Flow Traders Ltd.

    Investors
    Eric Pan
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:        investor.relations@flowtraders.com

    Media
    Laura Peijs
    Phone:         +31 20 7996799
    Email:        press@flowtraders.com

    About Flow Traders

    Flow Traders is a leading trading firm providing liquidity in multiple asset classes, covering all major exchanges. Founded in 2004, Flow Traders is a leading global ETP market marker and has leveraged its expertise in trading European equity ETPs to expand into fixed income, commodities, digital assets and FX globally. Flow Traders’ role in financial markets is to ensure the availability of liquidity and enabling investors to continue to buy or sell financial instruments under all market circumstances, thereby ensuring markets remain resilient and continue to function in an orderly manner. In addition to its trading activities, Flow Traders has established a strategic investment unit focused on fostering market innovation and aligned with our mission to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the financial ecosystem. With over two decades of experience, we have built a team of over 600 talented professionals, located globally, contributing to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture and delivering the company’s mission.

    Notes

    1. Return on average trading capital defined as LTM NTI divided by the average of the prior and current end of period trading capital.
    2. Revenue by region includes NTI, Other Income, and inter-company revenue.
    3. Weighted average shares outstanding: 1Q25 – 43,394,080; 4Q24 – 43,066,302; 1Q24 – 43,515,359.
    4. Determined by adjusting the basic EPS for the effects of all dilutive share-based payments to employees.
    5. Source – Flow Traders analysis.
    6. Starting in 3Q24, average VIX is calculated as the average of VIX daily closing prices.

    Important Legal Information

    This press release is prepared by Flow Traders Ltd. and is for information purposes only. It is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and you must not rely on the content of this document when making any investment decisions. The information in this document does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice and is not to be regarded as investor marketing or marketing of any security or financial instrument, or as an offer to buy or sell, or as a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell, securities or financial instruments.

    The information and materials contained in this press release are provided ‘as is’ and Flow Traders Ltd. or any of its affiliates (“Flow Traders”) do not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and materials and expressly disclaim liability for any errors or omissions. This press release is not intended to be, and shall not constitute in any way a binding or legal agreement, or impose any legal obligation on Flow Traders. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, are those of their respective owners. All rights reserved. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Flow Traders. No part of it may be redistributed or reproduced without the prior written permission of Flow Traders.

    This press release may include forward-looking statements, which are based on Flow Traders’ current expectations and projections about future events, and are not guarantees of future performance. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. Words such as “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “project”, “believe”, “could”, “hope”, “seek”, “plan”, “foresee”, “aim”, “objective”, “potential”, “goal” “strategy”, “target”, “continue” and similar expressions or their negatives are used to identify these forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future whether or not outside the control of Flow Traders. Such factors may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as at the date at which they are made. Flow Traders expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law.

    Financial objectives are internal objectives of Flow Traders to measure its operational performance and should not be read as indicating that Flow Traders is targeting such metrics for any particular fiscal year. Flow Traders’ ability to achieve these financial objectives is inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Flow Traders’ control, and upon assumptions with respect to future business decisions that are subject to change. As a result, Flow Traders’ actual results may vary from these financial objectives, and those variations may be material.

    Efficiencies are net, before tax and on a run-rate basis, i.e. taking into account the full-year impact of any measure to be undertaken before the end of the period mentioned. The expected operating efficiencies and cost savings were prepared on the basis of a number of assumptions, projections and estimates, many of which depend on factors that are beyond Flow Traders’ control. These assumptions, projections and estimates are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and actual results may differ, perhaps materially, from those projected. Flow Traders cannot provide any assurance that these assumptions are correct and that these projections and estimates will reflect Flow Traders’ actual results of operations.

    By accepting this document you agree to the terms set out above. If you do not agree with the terms set out above please notify legal.amsterdam@nl.flowtraders.com immediately and delete or destroy this document.

    All results published in this release are unaudited.

    Market Abuse Regulation

    This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

    Attachment

    • 1Q25 Press Release

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Auchincloss and Senator Warren Call on SEC to Explain Legal Loophole for Trump’s Meme Coins

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jake Auchincloss (Massachusetts, 4)

    March 21, 2025

    Washington, DC – Representative Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.-04), Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) demanding answers about a new SEC Division of Corporate Finance Staff Statement that could shield President Donald Trump’s recently launched meme coins from regulatory scrutiny. The lawmakers’ letter comes as the SEC’s Crypto Task Force hosts its first roundtable in a series purportedly designed to determine the extent of the SEC’s authority to police crypto markets for fraud and scams. 

    “[T]he U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Division of Corporate Finance (Division) released a Staff Statement asserting that ‘persons who participate in the offer and sale of meme coins’ are not subject to federal securities laws. The Staff Statement comes just weeks after President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump launched their own meme coins, $TRUMP and $MELANIA, and conveniently presents a legal interpretation that could shield the President’s and First Lady’s coins from regulatory scrutiny,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    In the letter the lawmakers raise concerns about the timing and implications of this policy shift, which asserts that individuals who participate in the offer and sale of meme coins are not subject to federal securities laws. The statement, released by the agency just weeks after Donald and Melania Trump debuted their own meme coins, comes amid a broader pattern of SEC actions that benefit cryptocurrency firms at the expense of retail investors.  

    “The Staff Statement is, notably, just one of many recent SEC actions aiming to arbitrarily deregulate the cryptocurrency industry. In just the past two months, for example, the SEC has dropped ten major lawsuits and investigations against cryptocurrency platforms such as Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken,” wrote the lawmakers. 

    The SEC Staff Statement declaring that the SEC will not enforce the law against crypto coins like President Trump’s  comes ahead of the first SEC-hosted roundtable on cryptocurrency of the Trump Administration.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Exor Press Release – Tender Offer Result

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO, OR TO ANY PERSON LOCATED OR RESIDENT IN AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

    Amsterdam, 24 April 2025

    EXOR ANNOUNCES OVERSUBSCRIBED TENDER OFFER,
    AS PART OF €1 BILLION SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAM

    Exor N.V. (“Exor” or the “Company”) announces the results of the Tender Offer set out in the Offer Memorandum published by the Company on 26 March 2025 (the “Offer Memorandum”). The Tender Offer closed at 17:40 CET on 23 April 2025.

    22,965,749 Ordinary Shares were validly tendered by Qualifying Shareholders in the Tender Offer and, following application of the scaling-down mechanism set out in the Offer Memorandum, 12,254,495 Ordinary Shares will be purchased at a price per Ordinary Share of EUR 81.6027 (the Strike Price), for a total consideration of EUR 1 billion. This represents 5.5% of the Ordinary Shares issued in the share capital of Exor. The Strike Price of the Tender Offer, determined in the manner described in the Offer Memorandum is equal to the Reference VWAP +2%.

    The aggregate value (at the Strike Price) of the Ordinary Shares validly tendered by Qualifying Shareholders at a price at or below the Strike Price (or as Strike Price Tenders) exceeded EUR 1 billion, and hence the Tender Offer is oversubscribed. Because the Tender Offer is oversubscribed, tenders will be accepted as follows, in line with the Offer Memorandum:

    • all Strike Price Tenders will be purchased in full;
    • all tenders at a price below the Strike Price (excluding Strike Price Tenders) will be purchased in full;
    • tenders at the Strike Price will be scaled down by 38.15% so that the total consideration for the Ordinary Shares purchased in the Tender Offer does not exceed EUR 1 billion; and
    • all tenders at a price higher than the Strike Price will be rejected and will not be purchased in the Tender Offer.

    The settlement of the Tender Offer is expected to take place on or around 28 April 2025.

    In accordance with the Irrevocable Undertaking by Giovanni Agnelli B.V., 6,985,062 Ordinary Shares will be purchased from Giovanni Agnelli B.V. as part of the Tender Offer. After settlement, Giovanni Agnelli B.V. will hold 114,714,169 Ordinary Shares, representing 51.9% of the Ordinary Shares issued in the share capital of the Company before the share cancellation.

    Following settlement, Exor will start the process of cancelling the 12,254,495 Ordinary Shares acquired as part of the Tender Offer and 950,000 Ordinary Shares currently held in treasury, representing 6.0% of the Ordinary Shares issued in the share capital of Exor. In addition, Exor will cancel the 6,985,062 Special Voting Shares to be retransferred to Exor in connection with the Tender Offer and 1,462,186 Special Voting Shares currently held in treasury.

    Terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meaning assigned to them in the Offer Memorandum.

    Qualifying Shareholders whose Ordinary Shares were validly tendered and accepted by the Company are still entitled to participate at the forthcoming AGM, which will be held on 22 May 2025, and cast their vote on such Ordinary Shares (and any corresponding Special Voting Shares) in the usual manner, provided that these Ordinary Shares were held in an intermediary account participating in the Euronext Securities Milan system (formerly known as Monte Titoli), or on the Company’s Loyalty Register, as applicable, on the record date.

    About Exor

    Exor N.V. (AEX: EXO) has been building great companies since its foundation by the Agnelli Family. For more than a century, Exor has made successful investments worldwide, applying a culture that combines entrepreneurial spirit and financial discipline. Its portfolio is principally made up of companies in which Exor is the largest shareholder including Ferrari, Stellantis, Philips and CNH.

    Regulated Information

    This press release contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014).

    Restrictions

    This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer or invitation, or a solicitation of any offer or invitation, to purchase any Ordinary Shares or other securities.

    Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE (“Goldman Sachs”), which is authorised and regulated by the European Central Bank and the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Die Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) and Deutsche Bundesbank in Germany, is acting exclusively as Dealer Manager to Exor and to no-one else in connection with the Tender Offer. Neither Goldman Sachs nor its affiliates, nor their respective partners, directors, officers, employees or agents are responsible to any other person than Exor for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs or for providing advice in connection with the Tender Offer.

    ING Bank N.V. (“ING“) is directly supervised by the European Central Bank as part of the Single Supervisory Mechanism and regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank and the Dutch Autoriteit Financiële Markten, and is acting as Dealer Manager and Tender Agent exclusively for Exor and for no-one else in connection with the Tender Offer and will not be responsible to any person other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of ING or for providing assistance in connection with the Tender Offer.

    Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on the Dealer Managers under their respective legal or regulatory regime: (i) none of the Dealer Managers or any persons associated or affiliated with either of them accepts any responsibility whatsoever or makes any warranty or representation, express or implied, in relation to the contents of the Offer Memorandum, including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by, or on behalf of it, Exor or the members of the Board, in connection with Exor and/or the Tender Offer; and (ii) each of the Dealer Managers accordingly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which they might otherwise be found to have in respect of the Offer Memorandum or any such statement.

    Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

    This announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms anticipates, believes, could, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, projects, should or will, or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances.

    Forward-looking statements may, and often do, differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect Exor’s current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Group and its operations, results of operations, and growth strategy. Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations (including the Market Abuse Regulation and applicable stock exchange rules), Exor is not under any obligation and Exor expressly disclaims any intention or obligation (to the maximum extent permitted by law) to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Dealer Managers and Tender Agent

    Goldman Sachs and ING each act as a Dealer Manager, and together as the Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer. ING acts as Tender Agent for the Tender Offer.

    Further information

    Public announcements in connection are available on the dedicated tender offer website of the Company at https://www.exor.com/pages/investors-media/shareholders-corner/share-buyback.

    For any questions related to this announcement, please contact Exor’s Investor Relations at
    ir@exor.com or +31 (0)20 240 2 222.

    Attachment

    • Exor Press Release – Tender Offer Result

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Dassault Systèmes: Solid start to the year with strong subscription growth, EPS at the high end of guidance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — April 24, 2025

    Dassault Systèmes: Solid start to the year with strong subscription growth, EPS at the high end of guidance

    Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today reports its IFRS unaudited estimated financial results for the first quarter 2025 ended March 31, 2025. The Group’s Board of Directors approved these estimated results on April 23, 2025. This press release also includes financial information on a non-IFRS basis and reconciliations with IFRS figures in the Appendix.

    Summary Highlights1  

    (unaudited, non-IFRS unless otherwise noted,
    all growth rates in constant currencies)

    • 1Q25: Software revenue increased by 5% driven by recurring revenue up 7%;
    • 1Q25: Strong subscription growth of 14%, bringing New business up 7%;
    • 1Q25: 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue growth of 17%;
    • 1Q25: Diluted EPS up 5% (6% as reported) to €0.32;
    • 1Q25: Cash flow from operations grew 21%, as reported, to €813 million (IFRS);
    • FY25: Full year objectives unchanged, total revenue growth of 6-8% and diluted EPS of €1.36-€1.39.

    Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Executive Officer Commentary

    Pascal Daloz, Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Executive Officer, commented:

    “In February this year we announced Gen 7, the new generation of representation of our customers’ virtual universes – we call it 3D UNIV+RSES. This seventh generation of MODSIM data, powered by AI and spatial computing, makes the 3DEXPERIENCE the next-generation platform for knowledge and know-how, establishing it as a global IP management platform. Early customer feedback confirms that platform-based AI leveraging virtual twins creates competitive advantage. 

    We’ve had a solid start to the year. In the first quarter, the Manufacturing Industries sector performed well led by Aerospace & Defense and High Tech, along with Transportation & Mobility in China, Japan and US. At the same time, we’re accelerating in Sovereign Infrastructure, where energy, security, and AI capabilities – through high-performance data centers – are becoming strategic imperatives for nations and territories.

    We are committed to being the trusted partner for our customers – helping them stay ahead, while strengthening our leadership position for the long term and raising barriers to entry.”

    Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Financial Officer Commentary

    (revenue, operating margin and diluted EPS (‘EPS’) growth rates in constant currencies,
    data on a non-IFRS basis)

    Rouven Bergmann, Dassault Systèmes’ Chief Financial Officer, commented:

    “In the first quarter, our revenue is driven by strong subscription growth of 14%. As a result, recurring revenue now represents 86% of software revenue, highlighting the resilience of our business model. Regarding operational efficiency, we reached the upper end of our EPS guidance and saw strong growth in operating cash flow, increasing by 21% as reported.

    Entering 2025, our approach was to provide a risk-adjusted financial outlook. Since then, the introduction of new tariffs has created a more volatile market environment, which could lead to longer decision-making cycles. That said, our pipeline remains solid, and our current visibility aligns with the midpoint of our full year guidance.

    Therefore, we keep our 2025 outlook of 6-8% total revenue growth and 7-10% EPS growth unchanged. In addition, we are slightly adjusting our operating margin target, expecting a year-over-year expansion of 50-70 basis points, versus 70-100 basis points prior, to gain additional flexibility and invest in Gen 7 to support our long-term growth.”

    Financial Summary

    In millions of Euros,
    except per share data and percentages
      IFRS   Non-IFRS
      Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Change in constant currencies   Q1 2025 Q1 2024 Change Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue   1,573.0 1,499.7 5% 4%   1,573.0 1,499.7 5% 4%
    Software Revenue   1,432.7 1,352.8 6% 5%   1,432.7 1,352.8 6% 5%
    Operating Margin   19.4% 21.6% (2.3)pts     30.9% 31.1% (0.2)pt  
    Diluted EPS   0.20 0.21 (9)%     0.32 0.30 6% 5%

    First Quarter 2025 Versus 2024 Financial Comparisons

    (unaudited, IFRS and non-IFRS unless otherwise noted,
    all revenue growth rates in constant currencies)

    • Total Revenue: Total revenue in the first quarter grew by 4% to €1.57 billion, and software revenue increased by 5% to €1.43 billion. Subscription & support revenue rose by 7%; recurring revenue represented 86% of software revenue, up 2 basis points versus last year. Licenses and other software revenue declined by 10% to €198 million. Services revenue was down 6% to €140 million, during the quarter.
    • Software Revenue by Geography: Revenue in the Americas increased by 7% to represent 43% of software revenue. This growth acceleration is driven by Aerospace & Defense, Transport & Mobility and High-Tech. Despite tariff uncertainty, Europe increased by 1%, led by good growth in Aerospace & Defense. Europe represented 36% of software revenue. In Asia, revenue increased by 5%, driven by India, Southeast Asia and Korea. Asia represented 22% of software revenue.
    • Software Revenue by Product Line:
      • Industrial Innovation software revenue increased by 8% to €793 million. This strong broad-based performance was led by CATIA, ENOVIA, DELMIA and NETVIBES. Industrial Innovation software represented 55% of software revenue.
    • Life Sciences software revenue was stable at €293 million, accounting for 20% of software revenue. MEDIDATA was impacted by continued CRO2 headwinds, while benefiting from the steady dynamic with Large Pharma and Mid-Market.
    • Mainstream Innovation software revenue increased by 2% to €347 million. SOLIDWORKS had a slow start to the year, but saw solid bookings and good momentum in 3DEXPERIENCE adoption. CENTRIC PLM was impacted by timing of renewals, after an exceptional year of growth in 2024. Mainstream Innovation represented 24% of software revenue, during the period.
    • Software Revenue by Industry: Aerospace & Defense, High Tech and Industrial Equipment were among the best performers during the quarter.
    • Key Strategic Drivers: 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue increased by 17%, driven by Aerospace & Defense, High Tech and Transportation & Mobility, along with opportunities in the sovereign infrastructure domain. 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue represented 39% of 3DEXPERIENCE eligible software revenue. Cloud software revenue grew by 7% and represented 25% of software revenue during the period. 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud software revenue increased by 41%.
    • Operating Income and Margin: IFRS operating income declined by 6% to €304 million, as reported. Non-IFRS operating income increased by 3% in constant currencies to €486 million (up 4% as reported). The IFRS operating margin stood at 19.4% compared to 21.6% in the first quarter of 2024. The non-IFRS operating margin totaled 30.9% versus 31.1% during the same period last year.
    • Earnings per Share: IFRS diluted EPS was €0.20, down 9% as reported. Non-IFRS diluted EPS grew to €0.32, up 6% as reported, or 5% in constant currencies.
    • Cash Flow from Operations (IFRS): Cash flow from operations totaled €813 million, an increase of 21% relative to the same period last year with strong cash collection. Cash flow from operations was principally used for the acquisition of ContentServ for €191 million (net of €11 million of cash acquired), repurchase of Treasury Shares for €80 million, repayment of debt for €59 million and €56 million for investments in CAPEX.
    • Balance Sheet (IFRS): Dassault Systèmes had a net cash position of €1.79 billion as of March 31, 2025, an increase of €0.33 billion, compared to €1.46 billion for the year ending December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents totaled €4.24 billion at the end of March 2025.

    Financial Objectives for 2025

    Dassault Systèmes’ second quarter and 2025 financial objectives presented below are given on a non-IFRS basis and reflect the principal 2025 currency exchange rate assumptions for the US dollar and Japanese yen as well as the potential impact from additional non-Euro currencies:

               
          Q2 2025 FY 2025  
      Total Revenue (billion) €1.520 – €1.580 €6.567 – €6.667  
      Growth 2 – 6% 6 – 7%  
      Growth ex FX 3 – 7% 6 – 8%  
               
      Software revenue growth * 3 – 7% 6 – 8%  
        Of which licenses and other software revenue growth * (6) – 1% 2 – 6%  
        Of which recurring revenue growth * 5 – 8% 7 – 8%  
     

    Services revenue growth *

    3 – 7%

    4 – 6%  
               
      Operating Margin 29.8% – 29.9% 32.3% – 32.6%  
               
      EPS Diluted €0.30 – €0.31 €1.36 – €1.39  
      Growth (1) – 3% 7 – 9%  
      Growth ex FX 1 – 5% 7 – 10%  
               
      US dollar $1.10 per Euro $1.09 per Euro  
      Japanese yen (before hedging) JPY 155.0 per Euro JPY 156.4 per Euro  
      * Growth in Constant Currencies      

    These objectives are prepared and communicated only on a non-IFRS basis and are subject to the cautionary statement set forth below.

    The 2025 non-IFRS financial objectives set forth above do not take into account the following accounting elements below and are estimated based upon the 2025 principal currency exchange rates above: no significant contract liabilities write-downs; share-based compensation expenses, including related social charges, estimated at approximately €213 million (these estimates do not include any new stock option or share grants issued after March 31, 2025); amortization of acquired intangibles and of tangibles reevaluation, estimated at approximately €353 million, largely impacted by the acquisition of MEDIDATA and lease incentives of acquired companies at approximately €1 million.

    The above objectives also do not include any impact from other operating income and expenses, a net principally comprised of acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets; from one-time items included in financial revenue; from one-time tax effects; and from the income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments. Finally, these estimates do not include any new acquisitions or restructuring completed after March 31, 2025.

    Corporate Announcements

    • January 23, 2025: MEDIDATA and Tigermed Renew Strategic Partnership Aimed at Accelerating Clinical Trials Globally
    • February 4, 2025: Dassault Systèmes and Volkswagen Group Implement the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform to Optimize Vehicle Development
    • February 4, 2025: Dassault Systèmes Reveals “3D UNIV+RSES” and Related AI-Based Services
    • February 4, 2025: MEDIDATA Advances New Frontiers for Life Sciences Through Patient-Centric Experiences, AI-Powered Innovations, and New Patient Engaging Alliances
    • February 25, 2025: Dassault Systèmes Announces Centric Software’s Acquisition of AI-Powered PXM Solution, Contentserv
    • February 25, 2025: Dassault Systèmes Reveals the Next Dimension of Product Design and Manufacturing with Apple Vision Pro
    • February 26, 2025: Dassault Systèmes Enters the Next Phase of Its Living Heart Project with AI-Powered Virtual Twins
    • March 19, 2025: Dassault Systèmes Intensifies the MEDIDATA Commitment to Patient Experience with Investment in Click Therapeutics for Digital Therapeutics beyond Clinical Trials
    • March 20, 2025: ICON Becomes the First Large Clinical Research Organization to Fully Integrate Medidata Clinical Data Studio, Streamlining Data Management and Review

    Today’s Webcast and Conference Call Information

    Today, Thursday, April 24, 2025, Dassault Systèmes will host, from Paris, a webcasted presentation at 9:00 AM London Time / 10:00 AM Paris time, and will then host a conference call at 8:30 AM New York time / 1:30 PM London time / 2:30 PM Paris time. The webcasted presentation and conference calls will be available online by accessing investor.3ds.com.

    Additional investor information is available at investor.3ds.com or by calling Dassault Systèmes’ Investor Relations at +33.1.61.62.69.24.

    Investor Relations Events

    • Capital Markets Day: June 6, 2025
    • Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: July 24, 2025
    • Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: October 23, 2025
    • Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Release: February 11, 2026

    Forward-looking Information

    Statements herein that are not historical facts but express expectations or objectives for the future, including but not limited to statements regarding the Group’s non-IFRS financial performance objectives are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on Dassault Systèmes management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or performances may differ materially from those in such statements due to a range of factors.

    The Group’s actual results or performance may be materially negatively affected by numerous risks and uncertainties, as described in the “Risk Factors” section 1.9 of the 2024 Universal Registration Document (‘Document d’enregistrement universel’) filed with the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) on March 18, 2025, available on the Group’s website www.3ds.com.

    In particular, please refer to the risk factor “Uncertain Global Environment” in section 1.9.1.1 of the 2024 Universal Registration Document set out below for ease of reference:

    “In light of the uncertainties regarding economic, business, social, health and geopolitical conditions at the global level, Dassault Systèmes’ revenue, net earnings and cash flows may grow more slowly, whether on an annual or quarterly basis, mainly due to the following factors:

    • the deployment of Dassault Systèmes’ solutions may represent a large portion of a customer’s investments in software technology. Decisions to make such an investment are impacted by the economic environment in which the customers operate. Uncertain global geopolitical, economic and health conditions and the lack of visibility or the lack of financial resources may cause some customers, e.g. within the automotive, aerospace, energy or natural resources industries, to reduce, postpone or cancel their investments, or to reduce or not renew ongoing paid maintenance for their installed base, which impact larger customers’ revenue with their respective sub-contractors;
    • the political, economic and monetary situation in certain geographic regions where Dassault Systèmes operates could become more volatile and negatively affect Dassault Systèmes’ business, and in particular its revenue, for example, due to stricter export compliance rules or the introduction of new customs barriers or controls on the exchange of goods and services;
    • continued pressure or volatility on raw materials and energy prices could also slow down Dassault Systèmes’ diversification efforts in new industries;
    • uncertainties regarding the extent and duration of costs inflation could adversely affect the financial position of Dassault Systèmes; and
    • the sales cycle of the Dassault Systèmes’ products – already relatively long due to the strategic nature of such investments for customers – could further lengthen.

    The occurrence of crises – health and political crises in particular – could have consequences both for the health and safety of Dassault Systèmes’ employees and for the Company. It could also adversely impact the financial situation or financing and supply capabilities of Dassault Systèmes’ existing and potential customers, commercial and technology partners, some of whom may be forced to temporarily close sites or to cease operations. A deteriorating economic environment could generate increased price pressure and affect the collection of receivables, which would negatively affect Dassault Systèmes’ revenue, financial performance and market position.

    Dassault Systèmes makes every effort to take into consideration this uncertain outlook. Dassault Systèmes’ business results, however, may not develop as anticipated. Furthermore, due to factors affecting sales of Dassault Systèmes’ products and services, there may be a substantial time lag between an improvement in global economic and business conditions and an upswing in the Company’s business results.

    In preparing such forward-looking statements, the Group has in particular assumed an average US dollar to euro exchange rate of US$1.10 per €1.00 as well as an average Japanese yen to euro exchange rate of JPY155.0 to €1.00, before hedging for the second quarter 2025. The Group has assumed an average US dollar to euro exchange rate of US$1.09 per €1.00 as well as an average Japanese yen to euro exchange rate of JPY156.4 to €1.00, before hedging for the full year 2025. However, currency values fluctuate, and the Group’s results may be significantly affected by changes in exchange rates.   

    Non-IFRS Financial Information

    Readers are cautioned that the supplemental non-IFRS financial information presented in this press release is subject to inherent limitations. It is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for IFRS measurements. The supplemental non-IFRS financial information should be read only in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. Furthermore, the Group’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled “non-IFRS” measures used by other companies. Specific limitations for individual non-IFRS measures are set forth in the Company’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on March 18, 2025.

    In the tables accompanying this press release the Group sets forth its supplemental non-IFRS figures for revenue, operating income, operating margin, net income and diluted earnings per share, which exclude the effect of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ deferred revenue, share-based compensation expense and related social charges, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangibles reevaluation, certain other operating income and expense, net, including impairment of goodwill and acquired intangibles, the effect of adjusting lease incentives of acquired companies, certain one-time items included in financial revenue and other, net, and the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments and certain one-time tax effects. The tables also set forth the most comparable IFRS financial measure and reconciliations of this information with non-IFRS information.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com

    ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens.
    With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 370 000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact.
    For more information, visit www.3ds.com

    Dassault Systèmes Investor Relations Team                        FTI Consulting

    Beatrix Martinez: +33 1 61 62 40 73                                Arnaud de Cheffontaines: +33 1 47 03 69 48

                                                                    Jamie Ricketts : +44 20 3727 1600

    investors@3ds.com

    Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts

    Corporate / France        Arnaud MALHERBE        

    arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com        

    +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73

    © Dassault Systèmes. All rights reserved. 3DEXPERIENCE, the 3DS logo, the Compass icon, IFWE, 3DEXCITE, 3DVIA, BIOVIA, CATIA, CENTRIC PLM, DELMIA, ENOVIA, GEOVIA, MEDIDATA, NETVIBES, OUTSCALE, SIMULIA and SOLIDWORKS are commercial trademarks or registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes, a European company (Societas Europaea) incorporated under French law, and registered with the Versailles trade and companies registry under number 322 306 440, or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Use of any Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries trademarks is subject to their express written approval.

    APPENDIX TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this and other documents may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.    

    Glossary of Definitions

    Non-IFRS Financial Information

    Acquisitions and Foreign Exchange Impact

    Condensed consolidated statements of income

    Condensed consolidated balance sheet

    Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

    IFRS – non-IFRS reconciliation

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES – Glossary of Definitions

    Information in Constant Currencies

    Dassault Systèmes has followed a long-standing policy of measuring its revenue performance and setting its revenue objectives exclusive of currency in order to measure in a transparent manner the underlying level of improvement in its total revenue and software revenue by activity, industry, geography and product lines. The Group believes it is helpful to evaluate its growth exclusive of currency impacts, particularly to help understand revenue trends in its business. Therefore, the Group provides percentage increases or decreases in its revenue and expenses (in both IFRS as well as non-IFRS) to eliminate the effect of changes in currency values, particularly the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, relative to the euro. When trend information is expressed “in constant currencies”, the results of the “prior” period have first been recalculated using the average exchange rates of the comparable period in the current year, and then compared with the results of the comparable period in the current year.

    While constant currency calculations are not considered to be an IFRS measure, the Group believes these measures are critical to understanding its global revenue results and to compare with many of its competitors who report their financial results in U.S. dollars. Therefore, Dassault Systèmes includes this calculation for comparing IFRS revenue figures as well non-IFRS revenue figures for comparable periods. All information at constant currencies is expressed as a rounded percentage and therefore may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.

    Information on Growth excluding acquisitions (“organic growth”)

    In addition to financial indicators on the entire Group’s scope, Dassault Systèmes provides growth excluding acquisitions effect, also named organic growth. In order to do so, the data relating to the scope is restated excluding acquisitions, from the date of the transaction, over a period of 12 months.

    Information on Industrial Sectors

    The Group provides broad end-to-end software solutions and services: its platform-based virtual twin experiences combine modeling, simulation, data science and collaborative innovation to support companies in the three sectors it serves, namely Manufacturing Industries, Life Sciences & Healthcare, and Infrastructure & Cities.

    These three sectors comprise twelve industries:

    • Manufacturing Industries: Transportation & Mobility; Aerospace & Defense; Marine & Offshore; Industrial Equipment; High-Tech; Home & Lifestyle; Consumer Packaged Goods – Retail. In Manufacturing Industries, Dassault Systèmes helps customers virtualize their operations, improve data sharing and collaboration across their organization, reduce costs and time-to-market, and become more sustainable;
    • Life Sciences & Healthcare: Life Sciences & Healthcare. In this sector, the Group aims to address the entire cycle of the patient journey to lead the way toward precision medicine. To reach the broader healthcare ecosystem from research to commercial, the Group’s solutions connect all elements from molecule development to prevention to care, and combine new therapeutics, medical practices, and Medtech;
    • Infrastructure & Cities: Infrastructure, Energy & Materials; Architecture, Engineering & Construction; Business Services; Cities & Public Services. In Infrastructure & Cities, the Group supports the virtualization of the sector in making its industries more efficient and sustainable, and creating desirable living environments.

    Information on Product Lines

    The Group’s product lines financial reporting include the following financial information:

    • Industrial Innovation software revenue, which includes CATIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, DELMIA, GEOVIA, NETVIBES, and 3DEXCITE brands;
    • Life Sciences software revenue, which includes MEDIDATA and BIOVIA brands;
    • Mainstream Innovation software revenue which includes SOLIDWORKS, as well as its CENTRIC PLM and 3DVIA brands.

    Starting from 2022, OUTSCALE became a brand of the Group, extending the portfolio of software applications. As the first sovereign and sustainable operator on the cloud, OUTSCALE enables governments and corporations from all sectors to achieve digital autonomy through a Cloud experience and with a world-class cyber governance.

    GEOs

    Eleven GEOs are responsible for driving the development of the Company’s business and implementing its customer‑centric engagement model. Teams leverage strong networks of local customers, users, partners, and influencers.

    These GEOs are structured into three groups:

    • the “Americas” group, made of two GEOs;
    • the “Europe” group, comprising Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and made of four GEOs;
    • the “Asia” group, comprising Asia and Oceania and made of five GEOs.

    3DEXPERIENCE Software Contribution

    To measure the relative share of 3DEXPERIENCE software in its revenues, Dassault Systèmes calculates the percentage contribution by comparing total 3DEXPERIENCE software revenue to software revenue for all product lines except SOLIDWORKS, MEDIDATA, CENTRIC PLM and other acquisitions (defined as “3DEXPERIENCE Eligible software revenue”).

    Cloud revenue

    Cloud revenue is generated from contracts that provide access to cloud-based solutions (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), cloud solution development and cloud managed services. These offerings are delivered by Dassault Systèmes through its own cloud infrastructure or by third-party cloud providers. They are available through different deployment methods: Dedicated cloud, Sovereign cloud and International cloud. Cloud solutions are generally offered through subscription-based models or perpetual licenses with support and hosting services.

    New business

    New business is the combination of subscription revenue and licenses & other software revenue.

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data, percentages, headcount and exchange rates)

    Non-IFRS key figures exclude the effects of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ contract liabilities (deferred revenue), share-based compensation expense, including related social charges, amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation, lease incentives of acquired companies, other operating income and expense, net, including the acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets, certain one-time items included in financial loss, net, certain one-time tax effects and the income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments.

    Comparable IFRS financial information and a reconciliation of the IFRS and non-IFRS measures are set forth in the separate tables within this Attachment.

    In millions of Euros, except per share data, percentages, headcount and exchange rates Non-IFRS reported
    Three months ended
    March 31,

    2025

    March 31,

    2024

    Change Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue € 1,573.0 € 1,499.7 5% 4%
             
    Revenue breakdown by activity        
    Software revenue 1,432.7 1,352.8 6% 5%
    Of which licenses and other software revenue 198.1 218.5 (9)% (10)%
    Of which subscription and support revenue 1,234.6 1,134.3 9% 7%
    Services revenue 140.2 146.8 (4)% (6)%
             
    Software revenue breakdown by product line        
    Industrial Innovation 793.1 731.4 8% 8%
    Life Sciences 292.6 284.7 3% 0%
    Mainstream Innovation 347.1 336.7 3% 2%
             
    Software Revenue breakdown by geography        
    Americas 611.1 553.6 10% 7%
    Europe 513.2 503.2 2% 1%
    Asia 308.4 296.0 4% 5%
             
    Operating income € 486.1 € 466.5 4%  
    Operating margin 30.9% 31.1%    
             
    Net income attributable to shareholders € 420.1 € 397.2 6%  
    Diluted earnings per share € 0.32 € 0.30 6% 5%
             
    Closing headcount 26,225 25,780 2%  
             
    Average Rate USD per Euro 1.05 1.09 (3)%  
    Average Rate JPY per Euro 160.45 161.15 (0)%  

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    ACQUISITIONS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE IMPACT

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros Non-IFRS reported o/w growth at constant rate and scope o/w change of scope impact at current year rate o/w FX impact on previous year figures
    March 31,

    2025

    March 31,

    2024

    Change
    Revenue QTD 1,573.0 1,499.7 73.3 52.6 0.9 19.8

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages)

    In millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages IFRS reported
    Three months ended
    March 31, March 31,
    2025 2024
    Licenses and other software revenue 198.1 218.5
    Subscription and Support revenue 1,234.6 1,134.3
    Software revenue 1,432.7 1,352.8
    Services revenue 140.2 146.8
    Total Revenue € 1,573.0 € 1,499.7
    Cost of software revenue (1) (129.2) (111.9)
    Cost of services revenue (131.1) (131.8)
    Research and development expenses (348.6) (311.4)
    Marketing and sales expenses (446.5) (420.3)
    General and administrative expenses (120.4) (105.1)
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation (88.3) (93.3)
    Other operating income and expense, net (4.4) (1.8)
    Total Operating Expenses (1,268.5) (1,175.6)
    Operating Income € 304.5 € 324.1
    Financial income (loss), net 30.3 30.2
    Income before income taxes € 334.8 € 354.2
    Income tax expense (75.5) (68.3)
    Net Income € 259.4 € 286.0
    Non-controlling interest 1.2 (0.3)
    Net Income attributable to equity holders of the parent € 260.5 € 285.7
    Basic earnings per share 0.20 0.22
    Diluted earnings per share € 0.20 € 0.21
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 1,312.3 1,313.6
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in millions) 1,332.2 1,331.1

            (1) Excluding amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation.

    IFRS reported

     

    Three months ended March 31, 2025
    Change (2) Change in constant currencies
    Total Revenue 5% 4%
    Revenue by activity    
    Software revenue 6% 5%
    Services revenue (4)% (6)%
    Software Revenue by product line    
    Industrial Innovation 8% 8%
    Life Sciences 3% 0%
    Mainstream Innovation 3% 2%
    Software Revenue by geography    
    Americas 10% 7%
    Europe 2% 1%
    Asia 4% 5%

                    (2) Variation compared to the same period in the prior year.

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros IFRS reported
    March 31, December 31,
    2025 2024
    ASSETS    
    Cash and cash equivalents 4,242.9 3,952.6
    Trade accounts receivable, net 1,709.5 2,120.9
    Contract assets 34.3 30.1
    Other current assets 464.8 464.0
    Total current assets 6,451.5 6,567.6
    Property and equipment, net 928.7 945.8
    Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 7,597.6 7,687.1
    Other non-current assets 358.9 345.5
    Total non-current assets 8,885.2 8,978.3
    Total Assets € 15,336.7 € 15,545.9
    LIABILITIES    
    Trade accounts payable 199.5 259.9
    Contract liabilities 1,716.0 1,663.4
    Borrowings, current 411.4 450.8
    Other current liabilities 1,109.7 1,147.4
    Total current liabilities 3,436.6 3,521.5
    Borrowings, non-current 2,043.3 2,042.8
    Other non-current liabilities 887.9 900.9
    Total non-current liabilities 2,931.3 2,943.7
    Non-controlling interests 14.3 14.1
    Parent shareholders’ equity 8,954.5 9,066.6
    Total Liabilities € 15,336.7 € 15,545.9

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES

    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

    (unaudited; in millions of Euros)

    In millions of Euros IFRS reported
    Three months ended
    March 31, March 31, Change
    2025 2024
    Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent 260.5 285.7 (25.2)
    Non-controlling interest (1.2) 0.3 (1.4)
    Net income 259.4 286.0 (26.6)
    Depreciation of property and equipment 50.5 47.6 2.8
    Amortization of intangible assets 89.6 95.2 (5.6)
    Adjustments for other non-cash items 16.1 37.7 (21.6)
    Changes in working capital 397.4 204.4 193.0
    Net Cash From Operating Activities € 813.0 € 670.9 € 142.1
           
    Additions to property, equipment and intangibles assets (55.9) (57.2) 1.2
    Payment for acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (193.8) (4.5) (189.2)
    Other (37.8) 22.3 (60.1)
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities € (287.5) € (39.4) € (248.1)
           
    Proceeds from exercise of stock options 22.2 21.3 0.8
    Repurchase and sale of treasury stock (80.1) (131.1) 51.0
    Acquisition of non-controlling interests (0.2) (2.6) 2.5
    Repayment of borrowings (58.9) (0.1) (58.8)
    Repayment of lease liabilities (22.6) (24.0) 1.4
    Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities € (139.6) € (136.5) € (3.0)
           
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (95.7) 32.7 (128.4)
           
    Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents € 290.3 € 527.7 € (237.4)
           
           
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period € 3,952.6 € 3,568.3  
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period € 4,242.9 € 4,095.9  

    DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
    SUPPLEMENTAL NON-IFRS FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    IFRS – NON-IFRS RECONCILIATION
    (unaudited; in millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages)

    Readers are cautioned that the supplemental non-IFRS information presented in this press release is subject to inherent limitations. It is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and should not be considered as a substitute for IFRS measurements. Also, the Group’s supplemental non-IFRS financial information may not be comparable to similarly titled “non-IFRS” measures used by other companies. Further specific limitations for individual non-IFRS measures, and the reasons for presenting non-IFRS financial information, are set forth in the Group’s Document d’Enregistrement Universel for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the AMF on March 18, 2025. To compensate for these limitations, the supplemental non-IFRS financial information should be read not in isolation, but only in conjunction with the Group’s consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.

    In millions of Euros, except per share data and percentages Three months ended March 31, Change
    2025 Adjustment(1) 2025 2024 Adjustment(1) 2024 IFRS Non-IFRS(2)
    IFRS Non-IFRS IFRS Non-IFRS
    Total Revenue € 1,573.0 – € 1,573.0 € 1,499.7 – € 1,499.7 5% 5%
    Revenue breakdown by activity                
    Software revenue 1,432.7 – 1,432.7 1,352.8 – 1,352.8 6% 6%
    Licenses and other software revenue 198.1 – 198.1 218.5 – 218.5 (9)% (9)%
    Subscription and Support revenue 1,234.6 – 1,234.6 1,134.3 – 1,134.3 9% 9%
    Recurring portion of Software revenue 86%   86% 84%   84%    
    Services revenue 140.2 – 140.2 146.8 – 146.8 (4)% (4)%
    Software Revenue breakdown by product line                
    Industrial Innovation 793.1 – 793.1 731.4 – 731.4 8% 8%
    Life Sciences 292.6 – 292.6 284.7 – 284.7 3% 3%
    Mainstream Innovation 347.1 – 347.1 336.7 – 336.7 3% 3%
    Software Revenue breakdown by geography                
    Americas 611.1 – 611.1 553.6 – 553.6 10% 10%
    Europe 513.2 – 513.2 503.2 – 503.2 2% 2%
    Asia 308.4 – 308.4 296.0 – 296.0 4% 4%
    Total Operating Expenses € (1,268.5) € 181.6 € (1,086.9) € (1,175.6) € 142.4 € (1,033.2) 8% 5%
    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges (88.5) 88.5 – (46.7) 46.7 –    
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation (88.3) 88.3 – (93.3) 93.3 –    
    Lease incentives of acquired companies (0.4) 0.4 – (0.7) 0.7 –    
    Other operating income and expense, net (4.4) 4.4 – (1.8) 1.8 –    
    Operating Income € 304.5 € 181.6 € 486.1 € 324.1 € 142.4 € 466.5 (6)% 4%
    Operating Margin 19.4%   30.9% 21.6%   31.1%    
    Financial income (loss), net 30.3 0.6 30.9 30.2 1.0 31.2 1% (1)%
    Income tax expense (75.5) (21.6) (97.1) (68.3) (31.6) (99.9) 11% (3)%
    Non-controlling interest 1.2 (0.9) 0.2 (0.3) (0.3) (0.5) N/A (141)%
    Net Income attributable to shareholders € 260.5 € 159.6 € 420.1 € 285.7 € 111.5 € 397.2 (9)% 6%
    Diluted Earnings Per Share (3) € 0.20 € 0.12 € 0.32 € 0.21 € 0.08 € 0.30 (9)% 6%

    (1) In the reconciliation schedule above, (i) all adjustments to IFRS revenue data reflect the exclusion of the effect of adjusting the carrying value of acquired companies’ contract liabilities (deferred revenue); (ii) adjustments to IFRS operating expense data reflect the exclusion of the amortization of acquired intangible assets and of tangible assets revaluation, share-based compensation expense, including related social charges, lease incentives of acquired companies, as detailed below, and other operating income and expense, net including acquisition, integration and restructuring expenses, and impairment of goodwill and acquired intangible assets; (iii) adjustments to IFRS financial loss, net reflect the exclusion of certain one-time items included in financial loss, net, and; (iv) all adjustments to IFRS income data reflect the combined effect of these adjustments, plus with respect to net income and diluted earnings per share, certain one-time tax effects and the income tax effect of the non-IFRS adjustments.

    In millions of Euros, except percentages Three months ended March 31, Change
    2025

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2025

    Non-IFRS

    2024

    IFRS

    Share-based compensation expense and related social charges Lease incentives of acquired companies 2024

    Non-IFRS

    IFRS Non-

    IFRS

    Cost of revenue (260.3) 4.9 0.1 (255.2) (243.8) 2.9 0.2 (240.6) 7% 6%
    Research and development expenses (348.6) 32.5 0.1 (316.0) (311.4) 17.9 0.3 (293.2) 12% 8%
    Marketing and sales expenses (446.5) 24.5 0.1 (421.9) (420.3) 13.7 0.1 (406.5) 6% 4%
    General and administrative expenses (120.4) 26.6 0.0 (93.8) (105.1) 12.3 0.0 (92.7) 15% 1%
    Total   € 88.5 € 0.4     € 46.7 € 0.7      

    (2) The non-IFRS percentage increase (decrease) compares non-IFRS measures for the two different periods. In the event there is non-IFRS adjustment to the relevant measure for only one of the periods under comparison, the non-IFRS increase (decrease) compares the non-IFRS measure to the relevant IFRS measure.
    (3) Based on a weighted average 1,332.2 million diluted shares for Q1 2025 and 1,331.1 million diluted shares for Q1 2024, and, for IFRS only, a diluted net income attributable to the sharehorlders of € 260.5 million for Q1 2025 (€ 285.7 million for Q1 2024). The Diluted net income attributable to equity holders of the Group corresponds to the Net Income attributable to equity holders of the Group adjusted by the impact of the share-based compensation plans to be settled either in cash or in shares at the option of the Group.


    1 IFRS figures for 1Q25: total revenue at €1.57 billion, operating margin of 19.4% and diluted EPS at €0.20.

    2 Contract Research Organizations

    Attachment

    • Dassault Systèmes: Solid start to the year with strong subscription growth, EPS at the high end of guidance

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Nokia Corporation

    Interim report
    24 April 2025 at 08:00 EEST

    Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025

    Network Infrastructure delivers strong net sales growth to start 2025

    • Infinera acquisition completed during Q1, increasing Nokia’s scale in Optical Networks and with hyperscalers. Integration underway with many portfolio decisions already taken. Positive momentum with customers, with Q1 seeing strong order intake for Infinera driven by growth in hyperscalers.
    • Q1 net sales declined 3% y-o-y on a constant currency and portfolio basis (-1% reported) due to a challenging prior year comparison in Nokia Technologies. Network Infrastructure grew 11% on a constant currency and portfolio basis while Cloud and Network Services grew 8%. Mobile Networks grew 2%.
    • Comparable gross margin in Q1 decreased 820bps y-o-y to 42.3% (reported decreased 820bps to 41.5%), half of which is related to lower net sales in Nokia Technologies. It was also impacted by a contract settlement charge with net impact of EUR 120 million in Mobile Networks.
    • Q1 comparable operating margin decreased 990bps y-o-y to 3.6% (reported up 1 020bps to -1.1%), mainly due to lower gross margin and increased operating expenses resulting from targeted investments for long-term growth.
    • Q1 comparable diluted EPS for the period of EUR 0.03; reported diluted EPS for the period of EUR -0.01.
    • Q1 free cash flow of EUR 0.7 billion, net cash balance of EUR 3.0 billion.
    • Full year 2025 outlook unchanged with comparable operating profit of between EUR 1.9 billion and 2.4 billion and free cash flow conversion from comparable operating profit of between 50% and 80%.

    This is a summary of the Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025 published today. Nokia only publishes a summary of its financial reports in stock exchange releases. The summary focuses on Nokia Group’s financial information as well as on Nokia’s outlook. The detailed, segment-level discussion will be available in the complete financial report hosted at www.nokia.com/financials. A video interview summarizing the key points of our Q1 results will also be published on the website. Investors should not solely rely on summaries of Nokia’s financial reports and should also review the complete reports with tables.

    JUSTIN HOTARD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ON Q1 2025 RESULTS

    In the following quote, net sales growth rates are on a constant currency and portfolio basis.
    Since joining Nokia as President and CEO three weeks ago, I’ve had great engagements with some of our customers, partners and employees. I see great potential for Nokia, and my early focus is on capital allocation to ensure we both drive efficiency and invest sufficiently in the right growth segments for long-term value creation. I am impressed with our core technology base across our portfolio including in RAN and core as well as in IP, Optical and Fiber technologies. In speaking with customers, it is clear we play a critical role as a trusted partner operating their mobile and fixed networks and have the potential to expand our presence in hyperscale, enterprise and defense markets. Spending the time with our employees I’ve been excited by their innovative spirit, energy and drive to unlock Nokia’s full potential.

    Our first quarter financial performance saw a net sales decline of 3%. However, excluding the catch-up element of licensing deals signed in the prior year, sales grew 7%. Our operating margin declined year-on-year due to the challenging prior year comparison in Nokia Technologies and a one-time charge in Mobile Networks, while profitability improved in both Network Infrastructure and Cloud and Network Services.

    Network Infrastructure net sales grew 11% with all units contributing to growth and its backlog increased. The highlight of the first quarter was the completion of the Infinera acquisition. Our expanded Optical Networks business had a strong first quarter with 15% net sales growth along with several important design wins, particularly with hyperscalers. We have initiated the integration of Infinera and made many important roadmap decisions which we communicated to customers in early April. We are on track to deliver our synergy targets and I believe this acquisition has significant value creation potential for Nokia.

    In Mobile Networks we continue to see positive signs of stabilization with further wins in addition to those we discussed last quarter. Today we have announced an important contract extension with T-Mobile US. Regarding our financial performance, net sales grew 2% but profitability was impacted by an unexpected one-time contract settlement with a net impact of EUR 120 million. The settlement related to a project for a single customer that started shipping in 2019 and the settlement fully resolves the situation.

    Cloud and Network Services delivered net sales growth of 8% and we continue to see strong demand in the market for our 5G Core offers with additional footprint won at AT&T, Boost Mobile, Ooredoo Qatar and Telefónica. Nokia Technologies continued its execution with further deals signed in the quarter that increased the contracted annual net sales run-rate to approximately EUR 1.4 billion.

    Looking forward, we are not immune to the rapidly evolving global trade landscape however based on early customer feedback, I believe our markets should prove to be relatively resilient. In 2025, we continue to expect strong net sales growth in Network Infrastructure, growth in Cloud and Network Services and largely stable net sales for Mobile Networks. In Nokia Technologies we expect approximately EUR 1.1 billion of operating profit.

    Regarding the tariff situation, there could be some short-term disruption. We will continue to utilize the flexibility of our global manufacturing network to minimize impact of the evolving tariff landscape. Based on what we see today, we currently expect a EUR 20 to 30 million impact to our comparable operating profit in the second quarter from the current tariffs. Given the lack of visibility, we have not taken an assumption related to tariffs in the second half of 2025.

    In terms of our outlook for the financial year 2025, we will continue to focus on investing in future growth opportunities and we now have an unexpected charge impacting Mobile Networks. Considering these factors, while achieving the top-end of the range will now be more challenging, our comparable operating profit guidance remains between EUR 1.9 and 2.4 billion. Our free cash flow guidance remains between 50% and 80% of comparable operating profit.

    In the coming months I will continue to listen and learn from customers, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders. I will provide an update with our Q2 results and I look forward to presenting our complete value creation vision for Nokia at our capital markets day which we now expect to hold in November.

    Justin Hotard
    President and CEO

    FINANCIAL RESULTS

    EUR million (except for EPS in EUR) Q1’25 Q1’24 YoY change
    Reported results      
    Net sales 4 390 4 444 (1)%
    Gross margin % 41.5% 49.7% (820)bps
    Research and development expenses (1 145) (1 125) 2%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (728) (693) 5%
    Operating (loss)/profit (48) 405 (112)%
    Operating margin % (1.1)% 9.1% (1 020)bps
    (Loss)/profit from continuing operations (60) 451  
    Profit/(loss) from discontinued operations — (13)  
    (Loss)/profit for the period (60) 438  
    EPS for the period, diluted (0.01) 0.08  
    Net cash and interest-bearing financial investments 2 988 5 137 (42)%
    Comparable results      
    Net sales 4 390 4 444 (1)%
    Constant currency and portfolio YoY change(1)             (3%)
    Gross margin % 42.3% 50.5% (820)bps
    Research and development expenses (1 115) (1 076) 4%
    Selling, general and administrative expenses (587) (584) 1%
    Operating profit 156 600 (74)%
    Operating margin % 3.6% 13.5% (990)bps
    Profit for the period 153 512 (70)%
    EPS for the period, diluted 0.03 0.09 (67)%
    Business group results Network
    Infrastructure
    Mobile
    Networks
    Cloud and Network Services Nokia
    Technologies
    Group Common and Other
    EUR million Q1’25 Q1’24 Q1’25 Q1’24 Q1’25 Q1’24 Q1’25 Q1’24 Q1’25 Q1’24
    Net sales 1 722 1 439 1 729 1 682 567 546 369 757 4 23
    YoY change 20%   3%   4%   (51)%   (83)%  
    Constant currency and portfolio YoY change(1) 11%   2%   8%   (52)%   (83)%  
    Gross margin % 40.6% 40.8% 30.9% 40.9% 45.9% 39.4% 100.0% 100.0%    
    Operating profit/(loss) 135 85 (152) (32) 14 (37) 259 658 (99) (75)
    Operating margin % 7.8% 5.9% (8.8)% (1.9)% 2.5% (6.8)% 70.2% 86.9%    

    (1) This metric provides additional information on the growth of the business and adjusts for both currency impacts and portfolio changes. The full definition is provided in the Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025.

    SHAREHOLDER DISTRIBUTION

    Dividend

    The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting 2025 to be held on 29 April 2025 authorizes the Board to resolve on the distribution of an aggregate maximum of EUR 0.14 per share to be paid in respect of the financial year 2024. The authorization would be used to distribute dividend and/or assets from the reserve for invested unrestricted equity in four installments during the authorization period unless the Board decides otherwise for a justified reason. Subject to approval by the Annual General Meeting, the Board is expected to resolve on the amount and timing of each distribution so that the preliminary record and payment dates will be as set out in the Board’s proposal to the Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, the first expected record date would be 5 May 2025 and the expected payment date would be 12 May 2025. The actual dividend payment date outside Finland will be determined by the practices of the intermediary banks transferring the dividend payments.

    Share buyback program

    On 27 June 2024, Nokia announced its intention to acquire Infinera in a transaction that valued Infinera at US$1.7 billion equity value with up to 30% of the consideration to be paid in Nokia American depositary shares, depending on the elections of Infinera shareholders. To offset the dilution from the transaction to Nokia shareholders, on 22 November 2024 Nokia announced a share buyback program targeting to repurchase 150 million shares. This share buyback program was completed on 2 April 2025. Under this program, Nokia repurchased 150 million of its own shares at an average price per share of approximately EUR 4.69. The repurchases reduced the company’s unrestricted equity by approximately EUR 703 million and the repurchased shares were cancelled on 23 April 2025.

    OUTLOOK

    The outlook provided below reflects the acquisition of Infinera.

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

    1Please refer to Alternative performance measures section in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025 for a full explanation of how these terms are defined.

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

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

      Full year 2025 Comment
    Group Common and Other operating expenses approximately EUR 400 million  
    Comparable financial income and expenses Positive EUR 50 to 150 million  
    Comparable income tax rate ~25%  
    Cash outflows related to income taxes EUR 500 million (update) Mainly reflecting evolving regional mix and the inclusion of Infinera
    Capital Expenditures EUR 650 million (update) Reflecting the inclusion of Infinera
    Recurring gross cost savings EUR 400 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies
    Restructuring and associated charges related to cost savings programs EUR 250 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies
    Restructuring and associated cash outflows EUR 400 million Related to ongoing cost savings program and not including Infinera-related synergies

    ADDITIONAL TOPICS

    Completion of Infinera acquisition

    On 28 February 2025, Nokia announced the completion of the acquisition of Infinera Corporation, pursuant to the definitive agreement announced on 27 June 2024. Infinera, the San Jose based global supplier of innovative open optical networking solutions and advanced optical semiconductors, has become part of the Nokia group effective as of the closing with Nokia holding 100% of its equity and voting rights. The total purchase consideration was EUR 2.5 billion, consisting of cash proceeds, Nokia shares in the form of American Depositary Shares, the fair value of the portion of Infinera’s performance and restricted shares attributable to pre-combination services that were replaced with Nokia’s share-based payment awards and the fair value of Infinera’s convertible senior notes in line with relevant bond indentures. For more information regarding the acquisition, refer to Note 3. Acquisitions in Nokia Corporation Interim Report for Q1 2025.

    “Constant currency and portfolio net sales growth” alternative performance metric

    In Q1 2025, Nokia has introduced a new alternative performance metric (APM), “constant currency and portfolio net sales growth”. Constant currency and portfolio net sales growth is presented on a constant currency basis and also assumes certain specific acquisitions had already been owned during both periods and as if disposals had already occurred in both comparison periods. This has been added to mainly consider the acquisition of Infinera and is an evolution of the constant currency APM that had been previously used.

    RISK FACTORS

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

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

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

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

    ANALYST WEBCAST

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

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR

    • Nokia’s Annual General Meeting 2025 is planned to be held on 29 April 2025.
    • Nokia plans to publish its second quarter and half year 2025 results on 24 July 2025.
    • Nokia plans to publish its third quarter and January-September 2025 results on 23 October 2025.

    About Nokia

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

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

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

    Inquiries:

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

    Nokia

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

    Attachment

    • 2025 Q1 Nokia_ Earnings_release_English

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: This may be as good as it gets: NZ and Australia face a complicated puzzle when it comes to supermarket prices

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Meade, Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research, Griffith University

    Daria Nipot/Shutterstock

    With ongoing cost of living pressures, the Australian and New Zealand supermarket sectors are attracting renewed political attention on both sides of the Tasman.

    Allegations of price gouging have become a political issue in the Australian federal election. At the same time, the New Zealand government has announced that “all options” are on the table to address a lack of competition in the sector – including possible breakup of the existing players.

    But it is not clear breaking up the supermarkets or other government interventions will improve the sector for shoppers and suppliers.

    In 2022, I co-authored a government-commissioned analysis looking at whether New Zealand’s two main supermarket groups should be forced to sell some of their stores to create a third competing chain.

    We found it was possible under some scenarios that breakup could benefit consumers. But key uncertainties and implementation risks meant consumers could lose overall.

    A lot hinges on whether breakup causes supermarkets’ input costs to rise or product variety to fall. Even in more positive scenarios at least some consumers could be left worse off.

    Watchdog concerns

    Competition authorities – the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and New Zealand’s Commerce Commission – have conducted supermarket sector studies. They each expressed concern at significant barriers to entry and expansion in the sector and supermarkets’ resulting high levels of profitability.

    This year, the ACCC concluded margins earned by Australia’s main supermarkets are among the highest of supermarket businesses in comparable countries. Similarly, in 2022 the Commerce Commission found New Zealand’s supermarkets were earning excess profits of around NZ$430m a year.

    While high profits might mean that market power is being abused, it could also mean managers are doing a good job. Or have had a great run of luck. Alternative explanations for high profits would need to be ruled out before putting fingers on regulatory triggers.

    New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis says everything is on the table when it comes to addressing the concentration of the supermarket sector.
    Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

    Barriers to entry

    The starting point is to acknowledge that high profits and prices go hand in hand with barriers to entry and challenges in achieving economies of scale.

    In other words, some sectors are less competitive than others simply because a lack of demand or high costs make it unprofitable for additional competitors to either enter or remain in the market.

    Countries like Australia and New Zealand, with low population densities and large service areas, face high costs of nationwide supply. They also face significant shipping distances from other countries. This limits the ability of overseas entrants using their existing buying and supply infrastructures.

    That said, some barriers to entry might be artificial or caused by existing firms stifling new competitors.

    Existing supermarkets in both countries have gained controlling stakes in the land needed to set up new supermarkets – something regulatory settings can prevent.

    Another challenge for new chains is the process of getting planning and land use consents – something policymakers can address.

    This points to key elements of a test for whether supermarkets are charging too much. One is a recognition that there can be natural reasons for limited competition, and unless technologies or consumer preferences change that will remain the case.

    Another is a focus on the things that can be changed – whether at the firm or policy level – in a way that benefits consumers and suppliers. Finally, policymakers need to consider whether the benefits of implementing them outweigh the costs.

    Testing the market

    Building on work developed by Nobel economist Oliver Williamson, a “three-limb test” was used in the 2017 government-commissioned assessment of fuel pricing in New Zealand that I co-authored. The same could be used to assess the supermarket sector.

    That three-limb test asks

    • are there features of the existing industry structure and conduct giving cause for concern
    • can those causes for concern be remedied
    • would the benefits of remedying those concerns outweigh the costs of doing so?

    If the answer to all three limbs is yes, that suggests suppliers are charging too much (or delivering too little) since there are practical ways to improve on the status quo.

    A virtue of such a test is that is can be applied in any sector where there are high firm concentration, barriers to entry and high profit margins.

    Importantly, the test looks beyond just what firms are (or are not) doing and asks whether policy and regulatory settings are ripe for improvements too.

    The test is also pragmatic – it shouldn’t trigger changes unless they are clearly expected to do more good than harm. This is important if interventions are risky, costly or irreversible, especially in sectors that are important to all of us.

    Politicians on both sides of the Tasman are floating the possibility of supermarket breakup, among other possible interventions. The three-limb test helps to identify whether any proposed interventions are a good idea and whether supermarket prices are higher than they need to be.

    Richard Meade co-authored a 2022 study funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment examining the costs and benefits of breaking up New Zealand’s major supermarkets. The views expressed in this article are his own, and do not purport to represent those of any other party or organisation.

    – ref. This may be as good as it gets: NZ and Australia face a complicated puzzle when it comes to supermarket prices – https://theconversation.com/this-may-be-as-good-as-it-gets-nz-and-australia-face-a-complicated-puzzle-when-it-comes-to-supermarket-prices-254987

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Applications are now being accepted for two internships in the Moscow Government

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Applications are now being accepted for two internships in the Moscow Government for young professionals. Graduates and students of specialized educational institutions are invited to join the program.

    The internship will last six months. Students will be able to combine it with their studies, because they themselves choose a convenient schedule – full-time or part-time. Official employment and salary are also provided.

    Moscow transport

    Graduating students will be able to become part of a large Moscow transport team and work on projects in one of seven areas: Information Technologies, Transport Environment, Transport Management, HR City, Media City, Legal Space, and Urban Economics and Finance.

    80 young specialists have already joined the first internship stream in Moscow transport. Since February, they have been gaining unique experience and helping to develop the most significant city projects, including driverless trams, a high-speed railway, the Big Circle Line of the metro, Moscow Parking, and river transport.

    The new stream, which will begin on August 1, promises to be no less informative. Beginning specialists will be able to learn all the intricacies of working in one of the best transport systems in the world and apply their knowledge, skills and talents to solve difficult but interesting problems.

    During the internship, each participant in the program will be supported by an experienced mentor who will help them adapt to the new place and teach them how to effectively handle all assignments.

    Applicants can apply for an internship on the Moscow Government career portalThen they will have to take a test, record a video business card and meet with the manager.

    Veterinary Internship

    Students and graduates of specialized colleges and universities will be able to gain their first experience in one of the 26 clinics of the State Budgetary Institution “Moscow Veterinary Association”. The organization is part of the State Veterinary Service of the capital and ensures the protection of citizens from the spread of diseases common to humans and animals, as well as the veterinary safety of food products.

    Beginning specialists will be able to choose one of four areas: medical and preventive, surgical, therapeutic and diagnostic. Under the guidance of experienced doctors, young people will learn how to conduct outpatient appointments, collect anamnesis, give injections, make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In addition, interns will learn how to work with documents and electronic databases in the field of veterinary medicine. The most goal-oriented and responsible guys can become permanent employees of state veterinary clinics.

    Thus, Olga Kozyreva, a graduate of the veterinary faculty of the International Veterinary Academy named after K.I. Skryabin, was hired as an outpatient doctor after just one month of internship at the Station for the Control of Animal Diseases of the Eastern and South-Eastern Districts.

    “I always dreamed of treating animals and helping them. The decision to come to this internship was connected with the desire to gain practical experience, which is impossible to master only at a desk at the institute. I wanted to immerse myself in the real work of the clinic, learn to make decisions in stressful situations and understand how the process is organized from the inside,” said Olga Kozyreva.

    To take part in a veterinary internship, you need to fill out a questionnaire on the career portal Moscow Government and take several online tests on logic and motivation. The best candidates will advance to the second stage of the competition, during which they will spend a test day in one of the capital’s clinics.

    The Personnel Services Department has been running an internship program in the Moscow Government since 2011. During this time, more than 2.5 thousand young specialists have joined the work on capital projects and helped make our city even more convenient and comfortable to live in.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/153104073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: “Devastating Loss”: Senator Murray Slams Trump Gutting Women’s Health Initiative—WHI is the Largest and Most Influential National Study of Women’s Health & Based out of Fred Hutch in Seattle

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI from Science: “NIH guts its first and largest study centered on women”
    ICYMI: In Senate Forum on NIH Research, Senator Murray Highlights How Trump and Elon’s Devastating Funding Cuts and Mass Layoffs are Putting Lifesaving Research At Risk
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chairof the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and former Chair of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education & Related Agencies Subcommittee released the following statement on the Trump administration gutting the historic Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the largest National Institutes of Health (NIH) effort studying the health needs of women. WHI has enrolled more than 160,000 participants in clinical trials and tracked the health of many thousands more over more than three decades since its inception in the early 1990s. There are currently over 42,000 participants that are actively involved. WHI’s findings have had a major influence on women’s health care, reducing rates of cancer and other diseases, and influencing clinical guidelines for multiple health factors.
    Yesterday, WHI investigators were informed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will terminate WHI Regional Center (RC) contracts at the end of their current fiscal year, September 2025. According to the WHI Funding Announcement issued yesterday, the WHI Clinical Coordinating Center, which is based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, will continue operations until January 2026, after which time its funding remains uncertain. “The full implications of these funding cuts are still being determined, but these contract terminations will significantly impact ongoing research and data collection—especially the detailed participant health event data collected by RC staff. The loss of this critical data stream would severely limit WHI’s ability to generate new insights into the health of older women, one of the fastest-growing segments of our population,” the notice read.
    “This is a devastating loss for women’s health research. It’s unacceptable and truly tragic that the Trump administration has decided to pull the plug on one of the most influential studies in the world and one that has led to enormous breakthroughs in preventing chronic disease—a stated goal of HHS leadership—and helping women everywhere live healthier and longer lives.
    “The Women’s Health Initiative has not only led to major advancements in our understanding of women’s health issues, especially in older women, but it has paved the way for a generation of researchers focused on women’s health—which has long been overlooked and underfunded. Now, Trump, Elon, and our pro-disease Health Secretary RFK Jr. are taking an axe to a study that has helped millions of Americans live healthier lives and have better treatment options—yet another example of how this administration is hell-bent on cutting health research to the bone without a clue and without a care for the consequences.
    “Destroying the Women’s Health Initiative is an unbelievably shortsighted move that will have an immense long-term cost for our country—in undiscovered treatments and cures, the loss of vast amounts of data to improve women’s health, and a less healthy population overall.
    “This is an unconscionable loss—and I am calling on every one of my colleagues, especially my Republican colleagues who understand the importance of supporting research into women’s health, to join me in demanding that the Trump administration immediately reverse course.”
    Senator Murray has been leading the charge against the Trump administration’s efforts to gut lifesaving research at NIH and fire en masse more than 1,300 skilled scientists and grants administrators at the agency. When the Trump administration attempted to illegally cap indirect cost rates at 15 percent, Senator Murray immediately and forcefully condemned the move, led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter decrying the proposed change, and introduced amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution to reverse it, which Republicans blocked.
    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Senator Murray has always championed women’s health care and fought to boost investments in women’s health care research in particular. As the former Chair of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education & Related Agencies Subcommittee, Senator Murray has fought for increases in women’s health research programs across NIH, including the Implementing a Maternal Health and Pregnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative and the Office of Research on Women’s Health. As the top Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee, Murray led negotiations and passage of the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016, bipartisan legislation that provided $4.8 billion over the next 10 years to invests in a wide range of health priorities including with regards to women’s health care. Murray leads and has repeatedly introduced the Jeanette Acosta Invest in Women’s Health Act, which would increase women’s access to preventive and lifesaving cancer screenings. Murray has also been a strong advocate for women veterans’ health care—transforming the VA over decades to meet the needs of women veterans, whether by authoring and passing the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act in 2010, helping to pass the Deborah Sampson Act and MAMMO Act to address gender disparities at VA and expand access to breast cancer screening and treatment at VA, or by delivering annual funding as an appropriator to help VA provide the necessary care for women veterans.
    Last year as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray delivered a record $900 million investment in women veterans’ health care, as well as a $300 million funding boost for NIH. Senator Murray also leads landmark bipartisan legislation endorsed by Halle Berry to boost menopause research and, for the first time, coordinate the federal government’s existing programs related to menopause and mid-life women’s health. Earlier this month, Senator Murray introduced separate bipartisan legislation to require VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) to research and study the effects of menopause on women servicemembers and women veterans
    Over her years as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee, she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai delivers remarks at International Holocaust Remembrance Day event

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai pays respects to Pope Francis  
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te visited the Taipei Archdiocesan Curia to pay respects in a memorial ceremony for His Holiness Pope Francis. As officiant of the ceremony, President Lai burned incense and presented flowers, fruits, and wine to pay his respects to Pope Francis. At the direction of the master of ceremonies, the president then bowed three times in front of Pope Francis’s memorial portrait, conveying his grief and deep respect for the late pope. After hearing of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21, President Lai promptly requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express sincere condolences from the people and government of Taiwan to the Vatican. The president also instructed Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) to convey condolences to the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature in Taiwan.  

    Details
    2025-04-23
    President Lai meets US CNAS NextGen fellows
    On the morning of April 23, President Lai Ching-te met with fellows from the Shawn Brimley Next Generation National Security Leaders Program (NextGen) run by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of the United States for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The president pointed out that we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, and form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment and bring about even closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, allowing us to reduce the trade deficit and generate development that benefits both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Ms. Michèle Flournoy, chair of the CNAS Board of Directors, is a good friend of Taiwan, and she has made major contributions to Taiwan-US relations through her long-time efforts on various aspects of our cooperation. I am happy to welcome Chair Flournoy, who is once again leading a NextGen Fellowship delegation to Taiwan. CNAS is a prominent think tank focusing on US national security and defense policy based in Washington, DC. Its NextGen Fellowship has fostered talented individuals in the fields of national security and foreign affairs. This year’s delegation is significantly larger than those of the past, demonstrating the increased importance that the next generation of US leaders attach to Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. The Taiwan Strait, an issue of importance for our guests, has become a global issue. There is a high degree of international consensus that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are indispensable elements in global security and prosperity. Facing military threats from China, Taiwan proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we are actively implementing military reforms, enhancing whole-of-society defense resilience, and working to increase our defense budget to more than 3 percent of GDP. Second, we are strengthening our economic resilience. As Taiwan’s economy must keep advancing, we can no longer put all our eggs in one basket. We are taking action to remain firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence and marketing worldwide. In these efforts, we are already seeing results. Third, we are standing side-by-side with other democratic countries to demonstrate the strength of deterrence and achieve our goal of peace through strength. And fourth, Taiwan is willing, under the principles of parity and dignity, to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China towards achieving peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This April 10 marked the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act. We thank the US government for continuing its arms sales to Taiwan over the years, supporting Taiwan’s efforts to enhance its national defense capabilities and jointly maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to strengthen collaboration on the development of both our defense industries as well as the building of non-red supply chains. This will yield even more results and further deepen our economic and trade partnership. The US is now the main destination for outbound investment from Taiwan. Moving forward, we will promote our “Taiwan plus one” policy, that is, new arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. And our government will form a “Taiwan investment in the US team” to expand investment. We hope this will bring Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation even closer and, through mutually beneficial assistance, allow us to generate development that benefits both our sides while reducing our trade deficit. In closing, thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. We hope your trip is fruitful and leaves you with a deep impression of Taiwan. We also hope that going forward you continue supporting Taiwan and advancing even greater development for Taiwan-US ties.  Chair Flournoy then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for making time to receive their delegation. Referring to President Lai’s earlier remarks, she said that it is quite an impressive group, as past members of this program have gone on to become members of the US Congress, leading government experts, and leaders in the think-tank world and in the private sector. She remarked that investing in this group is a wonderful privilege for her and that they appreciate President Lai’s agreeing to take the time to engage in exchange with them. Chair Flournoy emphasized that they are visiting Taiwan at a critical moment, when there is so much change and volatility in the geostrategic environment, a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of unpredictability. She stated that given our shared values, our shared passion for democracy and human rights, and our shared interests in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, this is an important time for dialogue, collaboration, and looking for additional opportunities where we can work together towards regional peace and stability.

    Details
    2025-04-18
    President Lai meets US delegation from Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific
    On the afternoon of April 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Senator Pete Ricketts, chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy. In remarks, President Lai said we hope to promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US, to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation. The president said that by deepening cooperation, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. He said a more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome you all to Taiwan. I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Chairman Pete Ricketts and Ranking Member Chris Coons for their high regard and support for Taiwan. Chairman Ricketts has elected to visit Taiwan on his first overseas trip since taking up his new position in January. Ranking Member Coons made a dedicated trip to Taiwan in 2021 to announce a donation of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the US government. He also visited last May, soon after my inauguration, continuing to deepen Taiwan-US exchanges. Thanks to support from Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons, the US Congress has continued to introduce many concrete initiatives and resources to assist Taiwan through the National Defense Authorization Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, bringing the Taiwan-US partnership even closer. For this, I want to again express my gratitude. There has long been bipartisan support in the US Congress for maintaining security in the Taiwan Strait. Faced with China’s persistent political and military intimidation, Taiwan will endeavor to reform national defense and enhance whole-of-society defense resilience. We will also make special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP, up from the current 2.5 percent, so as to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. We look forward to Taiwan and the US continuing to work together to maintain peace and stability in the region. We will also promote our Taiwan plus one policy, that is, new industrial arrangements for Taiwan plus the US. We hope to leverage the strengths of both sides and reinforce our links in such areas as the economy, trade, and technological innovation, jointly promoting prosperity and development. We believe that by deepening cooperation through the Taiwan plus one policy, Taiwan and the US will be better positioned to work together on building non-red supply chains. A more secure and sustainable economic and trade partnership will allow us to address the challenges posed by geopolitics, climate change, and the restructuring of global supply chains. In closing, I wish Chairman Ricketts and Ranking Member Coons a smooth and successful visit. Chairman Ricketts then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his hospitality. He said that he and his delegation have had a wonderful time meeting with government officials, industry representatives, and the team at the American Institute in Taiwan. Highlighting that Taiwan has long been a friend and partner of the US, he said their bipartisan delegation to Taiwan emphasizes long-time bipartisan support in the US Congress for Taiwan, and though administrations change, that bipartisan support remains. Chairman Ricketts stated that the US is committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and that they want to see peace across the Taiwan Strait. He also stated that the US opposes any unilateral change in the status of Taiwan and that they expect any differences between Taiwan and China to be resolved peacefully without coercion or the threat of force. To that end, he said, the US will continue to assist Taiwan in its self-defense and will also step up by bolstering its own defense capabilities, noting that there is broad consensus on this in the US Congress. Chairman Ricketts stated that they want to see Taiwan participate in international organizations and memberships where appropriate, and encourage Taiwan to reach out to current and past diplomatic allies to strengthen those bilateral relationships. He pointed out that the long economic relationship between the US and Taiwan is important for our as well as the entire world’s security and prosperity. He also noted that there are many opportunities for us to continue to grow the economic relationship that will help create more prosperity for our respective peoples and ensure that we are more secure in the world. Chairman Ricketts emphasized that they made this trip early on in the new US administration to work with Taiwan to develop three points: security, diplomatic relations, and the economy. He stated that in the face of rising aggression from communist China, the US will provide commensurate help to Taiwan in self-defense and that they will continue to provide the services and tools needed. In closing, Chairman Ricketts once again thanked President Lai for the hospitality and said he looks forward to dialogue on how we can continue these relationships. Ranking Member Coons then delivered remarks. Mentioning that their delegation also visited the Philippines on this trip, he said that there and in Taiwan, they have been focused on peace, stability, and security, and the ways for deepening and strengthening economic and security relations. He noted that 46 years ago, the US Senate passed the Taiwan Relations Act, adding that it was strongly bipartisan when enacted and that support for it is still strongly bipartisan today. Its core commitment, he said, is that the US will be engaged and will be a partner in ensuring that any dispute or challenge across the strait will be resolved peacefully, and that Taiwan will have the resources it needs for its self-defense. Ranking Member Coons said that between people, friendships are deepest and most enduring when they are based not just on interests but on values, and that the same is true between the US and Taiwan. Free press, free enterprise, free societies, democracy – these core shared values, he said, anchor our friendship and partnership, making them deeper. He remarked that they are grateful for the significant investment in the US being made by companies from Taiwan, but what anchors our partnership, in addition to these important investments and investments being made by Taiwan in its own security, are the values that mobilize our free-enterprise spirit and our commitment to free societies. In Europe in recent years, Ranking Member Coons said, an aggressive nation has tried to change boundaries and change history by force. He said that the US and dozens of countries committed to freedom have come to the aid of Ukraine to defend it, help it stabilize, and secure its future. So too in this region of the world, he added, the US and a bipartisan group in the US Senate are committed to stable, secure, peaceful relations and to deterring any unilateral effort to change the status quo by force. In closing, he said he is grateful for a chance to return to Taiwan after the pandemic and that he looks forward to our conversation, our partnership, and the important work we have in front of us. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene.

    Details
    2025-04-17
    President Lai meets New Zealand delegation from All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan  
    On the morning of April 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan. In remarks, President Lai thanked the government of New Zealand for reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait on multiple occasions since last year. He also stated that this year, the Taiwan-New Zealand economic cooperation agreement (ANZTEC) is being implemented in its complete form. The president expressed hope that deeper collaboration in such fields as smart agriculture, food manufacturing, biomedicine, the digital economy, and clean energy, as well as exchanges among our indigenous peoples, will allow our economies and industries to continue evolving as they adapt to the challenges arising from global changes. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I extend a warm welcome to all of our guests. New Zealand’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Taiwan was established in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the deepening of Taiwan-New Zealand relations. I would like to thank Members of Parliament Stuart Smith and Tangi Utikere for leading this delegation, and thank all our guests for demonstrating support for Taiwan through action. We currently face a rapidly changing international landscape. Authoritarian regimes continue to converge and expand. Democracies must actively cooperate and jointly safeguard peace, stability, and the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region. Since last year, the government of New Zealand has on multiple occasions reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for these statements and demonstrations of support. This year, ANZTEC is being implemented in its complete form. We look forward to exploring even more diverse markets with New Zealand. Deeper collaboration in such fields as smart agriculture, food manufacturing, biomedicine, the digital economy, and clean energy, as well as exchanges among indigenous peoples, will allow our economies and industries to continue evolving as they adapt to the challenges arising from global changes. Taiwan and New Zealand share the universal values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights, and parliamentary diplomacy is a tradition practiced by democracies around the world. Looking ahead, our parliamentary exchanges and mutual visits are bound to become more frequent. This will enable us to explore even more opportunities for cooperation and further deepen and solidify the democratic partnership between Taiwan and New Zealand. Thank you once again for making the long journey to visit us. I wish you a fruitful and successful trip. I also hope that everyone can take time to see more of Taiwan, try our local cuisine, and learn more about our culture. I hope our guests will fall in love with Taiwan. MP Smith then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great pleasure and an honor to be received by President Lai. The MP, noting that President Lai already covered many of the points he planned to make, went on to say that New Zealand and Taiwan share many values. He indicated that both are trading nations that rely on easy access for imports and exports, and that is why freedom of navigation is so important. That is why New Zealand had a naval vessel sail through the Taiwan Strait, he said, to underline the importance of freedom of navigation and our mutual security. MP Smith said that they look forward to building stronger relationships and enhancing the trade between our two nations. He added that New Zealand has much to offer in the field of geothermal energy to assist Taiwan, and mentioned that New Zealand is third largest in terms of the number of rocket launchers for satellites, which could assist Taiwan with communications in the future. New Zealand has other products as well, he said, but looks for assistance from Taiwan’s technology and technological sector. Lastly, MP Smith stated that he looks forward to a long and prosperous relationship between Taiwan and New Zealand. MP Utikere then delivered remarks, indicating that like Taiwan, New Zealand is a nation that is surrounded by ocean, which means that they rely on strong partnerships with communities of interest all around the globe. He said that the all-party parliamentary friendship group that was established and that they are a part of goes a long way in ensuring that a secure relationship between our two parliaments can continue to prosper. The MP also thanked Taiwan’s Representative to New Zealand Joanne Ou (歐江安) and her team for their work, which has ensured the success of the delegation’s visit. He said that the delegation experienced meetings with ministers in Taiwan’s government, members of the legislature, and those from the non-government organization sector as well. He also said that they enjoyed the opportunity to visit Wulai, and that the strength of the connections between the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand is something that certainly landed with members of the delegation. MP Utikere noted that he will take up President Lai’s offer on experiencing more of Taiwan, and will spend a few extra days in Tainan, which he understands has a very special place in the president’s heart, adding that he looks forward to his time and experiences there. The MP concluded his remarks by saying that this will be a relationship that continues to go from strength to strength. After their remarks, the New Zealand delegation sang the Māori song “Tutira Mai Nga Iwi” to extend best wishes to Taiwan. Also in attendance at the meeting were New Zealand Members of Parliament Jamie Arbuckle, Greg Fleming, Hamish Campbell, Cameron Luxton, and Helen White.  

    Details
    2025-04-15
    President Lai meets delegation led by Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone 
    On the afternoon of April 15, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone and his wife. In remarks, President Lai thanked Tuvalu for its staunch and long-term backing of Taiwan’s international participation. The president said he looks forward to our nations deepening bilateral ties in such areas as agriculture, medicine, education, and information and communications technology and working together toward greater peace, prosperity, and development in the Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I extend a very warm welcome to Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and Madame Corinna Ituaso Laafai as they lead this delegation to Taiwan. Our distinguished guests are the first delegation from Tuvalu that I have received at the Presidential Office this year. During my visit to Tuvalu last year, I met and exchanged views with Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and the ministers present. I am delighted to meet you again today and thank you once again for the hospitality you accorded my delegation. The culture of Tuvalu and the warmth of its people are not easily forgotten. Tuvalu’s support for Taiwan has also touched us deeply. I want to take this opportunity to thank Tuvalu for staunchly backing Taiwan’s international participation over the past several decades. Our two countries have supported each other like family and have together made contributions in the international arena. Last Tuesday, I received the credentials of Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae and expressed my hope for Taiwan and Tuvalu continuing to deepen bilateral relations. This visit by Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone is an important step in that regard. Our two countries will be signing a labor cooperation agreement and an agreement concerning the recognition of training and certification of seafarers. This will expand bilateral cooperation at multiple levels and bring our relations even closer. Taiwan and Tuvalu are maritime nations and share the values of democracy and freedom. Our two countries have stood shoulder to shoulder to protect marine resources and address the challenges posed by climate change and authoritarianism, and we aspire to work toward greater peace, prosperity, and development in the Pacific region. Our nations have produced fruitful results in such areas as agriculture, medicine, education, and information and communications technology. I anticipate that, with the support of Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone and our distinguished guests, we can continue to employ a more diverse range of strategies to begin a new chapter in our diplomatic partnership. Together, we can make even greater and more concrete contributions to regional development. Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his kind words of welcome and the warm hospitality extended to his delegation. On behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, he conveyed their gratitude to the president and the people of Taiwan for the generous support, as well as for the enduring friendship we share. He said that Taiwan’s steadfast commitment to our bilateral relationship has been instrumental in advancing our shared values of democracy, resilience, and sustainable development. From vital development assistance to cooperation in health, education, and climate change resilience, he added, Taiwan’s contributions have made a significant impact on the lives of the people of Tuvalu.  For Taiwan’s recent generous donation of shoes for Tuvaluan primary school students, Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone expressed thanks to President Lai. He commented that these gifts, which underscore a deep commitment to the welfare of their youth, transcend mere material support; they are symbols of care, friendship, and hope for the future generations. Noting that our bilateral relationship is built on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for sustainable development in the Pacific, he expressed confidence that this partnership will continue to flourish and will serve as a beacon of cooperation and solidarity within our region.  The delegation also included Tuvalu Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Trade Paulson Panapa; Minister of Public Works, Infrastructure Development and Water Ampelosa Tehulu, and was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Tuvalu Ambassador Faavae.

    Details
    2025-04-06
    President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
    On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Executive Director Of Non-Profit Serving Oakland Youth Pleads Guilty To Embezzling Over $500,000 From Organization

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – Howard Solomon, also known as Solomon Howard, pleaded guilty today to one count of mail fraud and one count of tax evasion in connection with embezzling from his former employer, the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA), a non-profit organization that serves low-income youth in East Oakland neighborhoods and communities through a variety of programming, including after-school boxing lessons.

    Solomon, 38, of Oakland, Calif., who served as the Executive Director of EOBA from late 2016 until 2021, was charged by information in February 2025.  In pleading guilty, Solomon admitted to a multi-year mail fraud scheme in which he embezzled at least $549,000 from his former employer.  

    According to court documents and the plea agreement, after being added in September 2016 as an authorized signatory on EOBA bank accounts at Wells Fargo Bank, Solomon transferred EOBA funds out of the Wells Fargo accounts into accounts he controlled at other banking institutions.  He also deposited charitable contributions to EOBA into the accounts he controlled, some of which were business accounts and others of which were his personal accounts.  Solomon acknowledged that he took these actions without informing or seeking authority from EOBA board members or any other person affiliated with EOBA.

    As one example, Solomon admitted that he deposited into a personal account a $50,000 donation that EOBA received in October 2019.  The $50,000 donation was made to EOBA in connection with a December 2019 appearance by Stephen Curry and Ayesha Curry on the Ellen DeGeneres Show for a segment known as “Ellen’s Greatest Night of Giveaways,” during which the Currys delivered various gifts to EOBA, including a $50,000 check from the show.  

    Solomon used the embezzled funds and donations to pay for personal expenses that had no connection to his job, including vacation expenses, a Ford Explorer, and Amazon purchases for personal use.  

    Solomon also admitted to tax evasion by failing to disclose the money he embezzled from EOBA as income and misstating expenses associated with two alleged businesses that Solomon claimed lost money on his tax filings for the years 2017 through 2021.  In total, Solomon caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $287,185.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge of the Oakland Field Office Linda Nguyen made the announcement.

    Solomon’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 14, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.  He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gain of the fraud, and restitution of at least $549,132 to the East Oakland Boxing Association for the mail fraud count under 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and restitution of at least $287,185 to the IRS for the tax evasion count under 26 U.S.C. § 7201.  Any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas R. Green is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Amala James and Alycee Lane.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by IRS-CI.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Oakland Man Sentenced To Nearly Six Years In Federal Prison For Unlawful Firearms And Ammunition Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – Michael Tatum was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.  U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White handed down the sentence.

    Tatum, 35, of Oakland, pleaded guilty on Jan. 23, 2024, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).  In pleading guilty, Tatum admitted that, during a search of his residence in February 2022, law enforcement found that he illegally possessed five loaded firearms, including two loaded assault rifle-style firearms, two firearms loaded with high-capacity magazines, and one stolen firearm, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  Law enforcement also seized $148,531.05 in U.S. currency from Tatum’s residence.  At the time, Tatum had a prior felony conviction.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King made the announcement.

    In addition to the 70-month prison term, Judge White ordered Tatum to serve a three-year period of supervised release and to forfeit his interest in the recovered firearms, ammunition, and currency.  The defendant will begin serving the sentence on July 22, 2025.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Dahlke and Charles Bisesto prosecuted this case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen and Amala James.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by HSI and California Highway Patrol. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: MEDIA ADVISORY: Coast Guard to offload more than $214 million of cocaine in San Diego 

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    04/23/2025 09:10 PM EDT

    Who:  Rear Adm. Joanna Hiigel, acting deputy commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, U.S. Coast Guard, Capt. Robert Kinsey, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball commanding officer and crew, Mr. Brian Clark, special agent in charge, DEA, San Diego Field Office; Mr. Kevin Murohy, deputy special agent in charge, Homeland Security Investigations, San Diego Field Office.  What: U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) crew to offload approximately 18,898 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of more than $214.3 million.   When: 9:00 a.m., Thursday  Where: 10th Ave Marine Terminal – 1800 Crosby Rd, San Diego, CA 92101 

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Transcript of April 2025 Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    April 23, 2025

    Speakers:

    Vitor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Davide Furceri, Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department

    Moderator: Tatiana Mossot, Moderator, Senior Communications Officer

    The Moderator: Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening for our viewers around the world. I am Tatiana Mossot with the IMF Communications Department, and I will be your host for today’s press briefing on the Spring Meetings 2025 Fiscal Monitor named “Fiscal Policy Under Uncertainty.” I am pleased to introduce the Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department, Vitor Gaspar. He is joined by Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, and Davide Furceri, Division Chief of the Fiscal Affairs Department. Good morning, Vitor, Era, and Davide.

    Before taking your questions, let me start our briefing by turning to Vitor for his opening remarks. Vitor, the floor is yours.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Good morning. Many thanks for your kind introduction. Thank you all for your interest in the Fiscal Monitor, covering fiscal policies around the world. Since the last Fiscal Monitor in October 2024, global economic prospects have significantly deteriorated and risks to the economic outlook are elevated and tilted to the downside. Uncertainty is very high, and confidence has been weakening. Financial markets have partially corrected, and financing conditions have tightened.

    Global public debt is very high and rising. According to the WEO reference projection in 2025, it will rise above 95 percent of GDP. It is higher and growing faster than pre‑pandemic. It will be approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade, surpassing the pandemic peak, but global numbers hide a wide diversity across countries. In the figure, every bubble represents a country. The larger the bubble, the larger the country’s GDP. The figure shows debt levels on the vertical axis and debt growth on the horizontal axis compared to pre‑pandemic. The higher the bubble in the figure, the more debt has increased compared to 2019.

    119 countries are above the horizontal axis. For these countries, public debt is higher than pre‑pandemic. The further to the right in the figure, the faster debt grows compared to pre‑pandemic trends. Bubbles as you can see are all over the chart. That illustrates a wide diversity across countries. Therefore, fiscal policies must vary in line with country‑specific factors and circumstances, but in the face of turbulent and threatening times ahead, resilience is needed everywhere. Countries should redouble efforts to keep their own fiscal house in order.

    Let us zoom in on the top, the right top quadrant. Countries in the quadrant have public debt higher and rising faster. This group includes 59 countries. That is about one third of the 175 countries in the chart. But their economies represent 80 percent of world GDP. Their economic weight makes them the main drivers of global trends. You can see many large bubbles in this quadrant. No surprise. Most large economies, including the largest, are there.

    Now, let us focus on the remaining two thirds of countries in the world. There are 116 countries in the group that represent about 20 percent of world GDP. In the chart that you are looking at, the blue line represents all countries except for the 59 that I have mentioned before. The two lines in the chart representing the world and representing the remaining 116 countries evolve similarly up to the year of the pandemic. After 2020, as you can see, the trends diverge. The two lines actually cross in 2023. For these 116 countries, aggregate public debt is now well below pandemic levels, but going forward, it is very flat, indicating a stabilization of public debt at high levels. But the distinctive feature of the current conjuncture is uncertainty. One must go beyond referenced projections.

    In the words of the Managing Director, trade policy uncertainty is off the charts. Upside risk to public debt projections dominates the outlook. The October 2024 Fiscal Monitor introduced a novel tool to quantify the distribution of debt risks around the referenced projection. We call it public debt at risk. According to this tool, global public debt three years ahead would come at 117 percent of GDP in a severe adverse scenario.

    Recent developments with sharpening, increasing, and persistent uncertainty, tightening financing conditions push public debt at risk even higher. In a fast-changing and perilous world, Ministers of Finance must act urgently and decisively. They face stark tradeoffs and painful choices. Policymakers should invest their political capital in building confidence and trust. That starts with keeping their own houses in order. That is especially important in a situation that tested the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system. Putting the house in order involves three policy priorities.

    First, fiscal policy should be part of overall stability‑oriented macroeconomic policies. Second, fiscal policy should in most countries aim at reducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium‑term framework. Third, fiscal policy should, together with other threshold policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy tradeoffs. In these times of high uncertainty, fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that can contribute to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all.

    Ministers of Finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long view. My colleagues and I are ready to answer any questions that you may have.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. We will now open the floor to your questions, but before we do that, a couple of ground rules, please. If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand first, wait until I call you and a colleague will give you the microphone. When you ask your questions, please identify yourself and the network you are working for. And for colleagues online, please ask your questions on Webex, and we will come to you.

    QUESTION: According to the report, tariffs and trade tensions have increased uncertainty and risks to economic growth. How can affected countries manage the negative impact on public confidence and growth, especially considering the high level of public debt and financial challenges they are already facing?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Thank you very much for your question. That allows me to summarize again the top‑level message from the Fiscal Monitor. Global public debt, as you said, is high, rising, and we always emphasize it is also risky. It rose above $100 trillion in 2024, and that was a headline six months ago. In the IMF referenced projections, that will continue rising, approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade.

    But what we emphasize most at this point in time is the unusually elevated degree of uncertainty. To repeat the quote from the Managing Director, “Trade policy uncertainty is literally off the charts.” There is, therefore, a sense of urgency in policymaking. According to our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool, our estimates for three years ahead point to debt at risk at 117 percent of GDP for the world, which is a level that has not been seen in many decades.

    But even that extreme adverse scenario may be under‑estimating tail risks because trade and geoeconomic uncertainty has escalated, financing conditions tightened, financial market volatility is visible from headlines, and spending pressures have intensified further. So, in those conditions, the point about countries keeping their own houses in order is crucial, and that is instrumental to deliver resilience and sustained growth from a long‑term perspective.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. As you may have seen, there are two chapters, the second one is on emerging markets. And I think Era and Davide; we have some questions for you too.

    QUESTION: Given the current global economic slow‑down, what are the specific challenges and impacts faced by emerging and developing countries and what policy measures can be implemented to mitigate these effects?

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me start with what we see as some of the key sources of uncertainty that emerging market and developing economies are facing. Vitor had laid out some of the broader issues but let me highlight three. So, in addition to the fact that we see growth prospects being marked down across the board, and we see that emerging markets and developing economies could be impacted through trade, financial and commodity channels, let me highlight three specific risks. The first is escalating uncertainty about tariffs and associated policies. In the Fiscal Monitor, we find that geoeconomic uncertainty, in particular, an escalation of geoeconomic uncertainty actually can push up debt over the medium term by about 4.5 percentage points. For emerging market economies in particular, it could be as high as 6 percent of GDP.

    Why is this the case? Because essentially, with higher geoeconomic uncertainty, that can dampen growth prospects, it lowers revenues because consumption production tends to fall. It also leads to higher spending, so as a result, fiscal positions deteriorate and debt increases. That is one important source of risks.

    A second source of risks is more volatile financial conditions. In the U.S., for instance, or other systemically important economies can spillover into emerging market and developing economies. And it can do so by raising sovereign borrowing costs. So, our analysis in the Fiscal Monitor shows that at 100 basis point increase in U.S. nominal Treasury yields translates into 100 basis point increase in emerging market economies’ borrowing costs. And this lasts for several months.

    A third source of risk is that we have seen that debt levels are high in many emerging markets and developing economies, so interest expenses are commensurately very high, and they are eating up a larger share of the budget. So, our analysis shows that 1 percentage point of GDP increase in interest expenses results in crowding out of other essential items within the budget, such as social spending and infrastructure investment. So, as Vitor pointed out, in this environment, it is very, very important for countries to put their own fiscal house in order.

    What does that mean? Country specifics will vary, but what it really means is that countries need to think about putting in place a gradual fiscal adjustment within a credible medium‑term fiscal framework. For EMDEs, where tax revenues are low, they can mobilize additional revenues by expanding the tax base. They can eliminate energy subsidies and other types of subsidies that can be distortionary. They can find ways to reprioritize spending. And most importantly, they can think about the policies that are needed to boost growth because that really can help ease these fiscal tradeoffs.

    QUESTION: My question is about energy subsidies and perhaps pension reforms, which are not related to emerging markets but pretty much the same problem. It is when the margin exists in many countries when you want to have some fiscal space. But in those many countries you have already social tensions that are quite high, so what are the possibilities for countries to make those reforms that are highly unpopular most of the time if they want to have this margin created?

    Ms. Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk about energy subsidies and my colleague Davide can speak a little bit about pension reforms. As you correctly pointed out, countries need to reduce debt. They need to create fiscal space. And energy subsidies and pension reforms can be important reforms that countries can undertake to generate fiscal savings. So, when we look at energy subsidy reforms in particular, energy, they account for about 1.5 percent of GDP on average in emerging markets and developing economies. And reforming them can have tremendous benefits for the economy. So let me enumerate some of them.

    First, it increases energy efficiency in the economy. Secondly, it generates fiscal savings that can then be used to increase other types of social spending and needed priority infrastructure investments. And finally, many of these subsidies tend to be highly regressive, so they do not necessarily benefit the poorest segment or the most vulnerable segments of society.

    In our Fiscal Monitor Chapter 2, what we did is we developed a novel real‑time measure of public sentiment. This is the sentiment of households, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to gauge how governments can leverage strategies in order to make these kinds of reforms acceptable. There are a number of things that we found that are specific to energy subsidy reforms that I would like to talk about.

    The first is that we found that reforms that are—or changes that take place gradually have greater success of being implemented. To give you an example, Colombia very recently had an energy subsidy reform. They implemented it over a two‑year period, that was preannounced, so that people had time to adjust.

    A second strategy that we found successful—to be successful in shaping the acceptability of these reforms is that there was timely implementation of accompanying measures. And countries that put in place accompanying measures to really protect and support the most vulnerable, countries that put in place measures up‑front and invested in social programs and social infrastructure that was very visible to the public had a greater chance of succeeding.

    We also found that policies that were well‑communicated, that built consensus, that explained the tradeoffs to people had a much higher success of being accepted by the general public. For example, Morocco made it very clear that there was going to be a comprehensive communication strategy at the very beginning, at the very outset, and the message that was conveyed was that subsidies were a poor instrument for providing social support. A host of these strategies can be used by countries to implement these politically challenging reforms.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: The chapter also deals with pension reforms. We know that in many countries, spending on pensions is quite high. Just to give you a couple of numbers, in the case of advanced economies, it is 8 percent of GDP; in emerging market, about four. This spending is projected to increase due to increasing life expectancy and retirement. Reforming the pension system is important to generate fiscal savings but also to sustain labor‑force participation, as well as employment.

    Some of the key messages that we find in the chapter on reforms touch upon some of the issues that Era mentioned, gradual and timly of the reform. But for pension, what we find is that strategic communication and stakeholder engagement has been especially important. Indeed, there are cases of countries that have succeeded in implementing significant reform, for example, presenting an increasing retirement age as part of the reform that was trying to sustain adequate benefit levels. Or in some cases they were creating bipartisan commissions where they were engaging with stakeholders to hear their concerns and think about implementing the reform in the best way.

    An important issue when we think about pension reform is strengthening financial literacy and making sure that various stakeholders will talk about the potential benefits and cost of various pension schemes. Thank you.

    The Moderator: Very last one before we move to the U.S. and the other countries and regional and then we will move to other topics.

    QUESTION: I still want to focus on Chapter 2 because we are talking about developing economies and public sentiment. Era, when you were talking, you talked about subsidies being discretionary, not making the budgets, you know, complete and all of that, but we also know for many developing countries and even frontier economies, they are under pressure to cut back energy subsidies to ease debt burdens, yet these same subsidies often help keep the lights on for millions of families, low‑income families and businesses. You talked about growth earlier on. So, without these low‑income businesses, how would you also get growth? How does the IMF suggest governments manage this delicate balance and enable these countries to rationalize subsidies while safeguarding energy subsidies and cushioning the most vulnerable without leaving them behind because we are torn between having to think that subsidies are really 100 percent bad, so I really wanted to comment on that.

    Then on Nigeria, energy subsidy reforms that were seen have sparked protests and public frustrations, reflecting a top balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity. How do you think that Nigeria can navigate this difficult path and what specific measures can the IMF suggest ensuring that these reforms are fair, inclusive and accepted by the public. Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk in more detail about subsidies. Thank you for your question. These are challenging reforms to undertake. Why? Because they impact people’s, small firms’ pocketbooks immediately. An increase in energy prices as the government is moving towards cost recovery, pricing impacts pocketbooks immediately. This is a very tangible impact. Whereas the benefits that I spoke of, which are energy efficiency, the ability to reallocate fiscal savings take time to materialize. They are much more diffuse. Everyone benefits from those, but the pocket impact is felt immediately. This is why it is important as we note in our chapter, this is why it is important to have—for governments to think about a comprehensive strategy on how to implement these reforms. When you look at public sentiment across different sort of steps of these reforms, what we find that is really important is that countries that put in place compensatory mechanisms — whether this is cash transfers or more targeted transfers — really for those people who need it most have an easier time in carrying out these types of reforms. So in environments where the public does not trust the government, where there is weak accountability, doing these things up‑front in a very visible way, increasing support for social programs makes it very tangible to the public that the government is going to be doing this, and it is going to be accountable, if you will, for the fiscal savings that will be generated.

    QUESTION: Good morning. As risks for the fiscal outlook have intensified and debt levels may rise even further, as stated in the Fiscal Monitor, how worried are you about any sort of global debt crisis or regional crises that can appear, considering slower growth and new spending pressures on countries?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: As you heard yesterday, recession and crisis more than an individual nature are not in our reference projections, although, of course, part of the role of the Fiscal Monitor is precisely to systemically look at risks and vulnerabilities, and our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool is one of the instruments to do exactly that.

    Now, one point which I believe is very important is that precisely because risks and uncertainty are so elevated right now, there is a sense of urgency in policy action. Why? Because there is still time to adopt policies that improve resilience, and there is still time to think through what are the most relevant vulnerability scenarios that apply to individual countries, to regions, or even to broader systems. And it is very important to do that result systemically so that one is ready if and when a crisis comes. Our experience during the pandemic showed that countries that had easy access to financial markets and ample fiscal space did substantially better than others at managing the shocks associated with the pandemic.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room.

    QUESTION: My question is that you just mentioned the public debt remains very elevated and also this would cause fiscal space to continue to narrow down in many countries, including some major economies. So, what consequence will this bring to the world global economy if this kind of situation continues to develop?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: So I think that the answer that I gave to the question just now applies, given these elevated risks and uncertainties, it is crucial that countries focus on keeping their own house in order since situations around the world are so diverse, as Era emphasized, that will imply different policies in different countries. But the crucial thing is that in a situation that is as fast changing as the one we are facing now and where risks and uncertainties are so elevated, there is an urgency in acting to improve fiscal space, build buffers, and, therefore, be in a position to ensure resilience and sustain growth.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room. The gentleman with the red shirt, please.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. Allow me to back‑pedal to the EMDEs. The Fiscal Monitor speaks about the need to widen the tax base. A number of frontier market economies have been rolling out significant economic present stacks and minimum top‑up tax in line with the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. But now this puts them in the cross‑hairs with the Trump administration, and many are now wondering whether they should be rolling back. So which pathway does the Fund see sustainable, considering many are looking at preferential access to the American market?

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Regarding the tax, I think it is important to make three important points. The first is that in the current situation where many emerging market and developing countries are characterized by three factors, one, foreign aid is declining; second, we have seen that increasing financial volatility can increase interest rates in these countries. This is in a situation where interest rates over revenue for many countries is about 10 percent of GDP. Third, [volatile] financial conditions also implies that less flows will go to these countries. The point that we make in the Fiscal Monitor is that revenue and revenue mobilization can be a stable source for financing significant spending for social benefit or public investment. How we should strengthen revenue mobilization, typically there are three sorts of arrows that you can go. One is expanding the tax base. Second, eliminate tax exemptions. Third, which is also important, and that the IMF does a lot of work in terms of capacity development is strengthening tax administrations. When we think about the tax strategy, we have to consider all of these three elements, and for many emerging markets and developing countries, there are significant potential tax gains that can be achieved.

    The Moderator: Yes, please.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Just one word of addition. Davide correctly pointed out these three very important elements, broadening the tax base, dealing with tax expenditures and strengthening revenue administration. Yesterday I participated in a high‑level panel precisely on the mobilization of resources, and these three elements were repeated by the Ministers of Pakistan, Paraguay and Rwanda, and they found this frame relevant in their own experience of trying to improve the capacity of their countries to mobilize revenues.

    The Moderator: We have two questions online. I think this one will be for you, Era, about Spain. Yesterday they revised upwards the growth of Spain and have already highlighted the good performance of the Spanish economy. What should this country do with these good growth results regarding its fiscal policies in the short and medium term? And we will have another one for South Africa online.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for the question. Given Spain’s relatively strong fiscal position as well as economic position, there is scope now to front‑load some of the adjustment that they were thinking about because public debt levels in Spain still remain very high, although they have come down from the pandemic peaks. They still remain very high. This would be really important to put debt firmly down on a downward trajectory.

    Accumulative adjustment of about 3 percent of GDP over the next three years, say 2025 to 2029, similar to the one that was envisaged in terms of magnitude by the authorities but more frontloaded, would help achieve the goal. Now, as Vitor has pointed out, we are encouraging countries to bring debt down for a number of reasons. This is important because you want to reduce debt risks. This is important because countries should either expand or replenish the buffers that were diminished in the wake of the pandemic and also because of ongoing uncertainties. Finally, because countries will need—countries like Spain will need to spend on other areas, population aging, climate, defense and such.

    The Moderator: Just before we go to South Africa, any other European question? One time, two time, no European question in the room. OK.

    QUESTION: Thank you. The question on South Africa but also on the broader region: On South Africa, the IMF is quite significantly more pessimistic on the fiscal trajectory than our own government, which sees debt stabilizing, whereas the IMF sees it rising close to 90 percent of GDP at the end of the decade. Why are you so much more pessimistic of the authorities’ promised consolidation? But also on the region, sub‑Saharan Africa more broadly, how do you see the impact of what is happening globally on the region’s ability to borrow and particularly to borrow in international markets, and given a lot of the countries in the region are in debt distress or close to debt distress, what impact will that have on the economies of the sub‑Saharan Africa? Thank you.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you very much. Briefly on South Africa, the general government deficit in South Africa was about 6 percent of GDP in 2024. We project the fiscal deficit in 2025, although this is subject to considerable—all projections are subject to considerable uncertainties at this juncture to be around 6.6 percent of GDP. This is mainly driven by higher spending. Some of the differences stem from the fact that our projections are based on much more conservative assumptions regarding the buoyancy of the tax system, as well as the extent of primary spending compression that can be undertaken. So that really accounts for differences in projections between the two countries and also the path of debt going forward. Let me turn it over to Davide.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Yes, more broadly and on financing costs for sub‑Saharan African regions, let me point out two factors. The first is that, of course, we have seen interest rates rising. So, this increasing interest rate in many countries, including South Africa, is basically driven by two factors. You have sort of an interest rate in main advanced economies that has been on a rising trend. On the positive side, in many countries, especially those with better fiscal positions, you actually have seen spreads, so the difference between the domestic interest rate and the foreign interest rate declines. However, and this is something that we point out in the Fiscal Monitor, that increased risk, increase of risk of uncertainty, financial market volatility, can turn things around. In other words, we see that increasing financial market volatility globally can lead to an increase in spreads.

    The second point is that one part we have seen for many low‑income countries since the pandemic is they are relying much more on domestic issuance of debt rather than on the foreign market. This is on one hand sort of offset some of the challenges like to the global environment but also increase some sort of domestic vulnerability, because sometimes the interest rates rise. There are things that are important to think about this strategy. But definitely, as we mentioned, interest rate is a source of rising in terms of revenue is a source of concern. Let me make the point again that we made, I think strengthening fiscal buffers, revenue mobilization are important elements to reduce — to have this trend to decline.

    The Moderator: Thank you. I believe we received some questions for Latin America and, yes, there are some reporters in the room. Yes, please, the lady in the third row here.

    QUESTION: Thank you. You already talked about emerging markets, but focusing on Latin America, I want to know which one—you already have talked about it too, but which one is the biggest fiscal risk and what should economies in Latin America should be thinking about doing in terms of growing and accepting new investment, for example, to confront the situation abroad? Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for your question. Many of the risks that other emerging market economies face, countries in Latin America obviously also face, we have already talked at length about that. But I am going to talk about a few things that are specific to many of the countries in Latin America. So, there is two challenges that limit fiscal flexibility in Latin America. The first is that there are spending rigidities. What I mean by that is there is a lot of amounts of spending that is mandatory, on pensions, on wages, on transfers. This leaves very little room for fiscal flexibility.

    At the same time, like many other emerging markets and developing economies, spending pressures are on the rise. There are growing demands for social services, for infrastructure, for adopting to climate change, and all of these are putting pressures on the budget. Now, when you look at what has happened since the pandemic, countries have made ambitious plans to consolidate their budget. There have been ambitious announcements of fiscal consolidation plans, but at the same time expenditure increases have outpaced revenue gains. So, for many countries in the region, we see debt levels continuing to rise. And the challenge here is that we are in a world with greater uncertainty than we were even six months ago. So, it is really important for countries in the region to implement at a minimum the announced fiscal consolidation plan and to do this within credible medium‑term frameworks. Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have fiscal rules. So to implement these rules, to spend efficiently, to think about the types of fiscal reforms that are needed, whether it is revenue mobilization in countries where revenue‑to‑GDP ratios are low, whether it is spending prioritization or reprioritization, to create the room that is needed for priority investments and social spending and infrastructure and such.

    The Moderator: Thank you. One last question.

    QUESTION: I am from Thailand. I want to ask about the overall trend of the public debt, especially for the ASEAN 5. It would be great if you could mention specifically on Thailand.

    The Moderator: I think we had the Nigeria question to answer too, and we will close there. Thank you.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Let me start with Nigeria. So, Nigeria managed to do a very difficult reform that was important to deliver fiscal savings. The authorities also scaled up transfers, technical transfers. What we think there is, what is important to act on two pillars. One is to generate additional fiscal savings. We mentioned revenue mobilization. To really scale up spending on social protection, spending on investment, in a way as was mentioned, many countries, they need to spend, and there I want to go back to Vitor’s first remarks. We encourage countries to spend very wisely. Strengthening prioritization in terms of spending, strengthening the efficiency of spending is important. Final important message we would like to give for Nigeria but also for other countries is that fiscal institutions are very important. Having a medium‑term fiscal framework, Public Financial Management are key important because on the one hand they try to help the fiscal anchor, so they set apart for the fiscal adjustment, but also reduce the fiscal uncertainty per se. So as Vitor mentioned, we want the fiscal to be a source of stability and not a source of uncertainty, and that is where fiscal institutions have an important role to play.

    The Moderator: Thank you. Very quickly, Era.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: On ASEAN, there is a huge variation in fiscal positions across the region. On average, the ASEAN region debt‑to‑GDP ratios are lower than they are in other emerging market and developing economies. That said, in Thailand, relative to the other countries in ASEAN, debt levels are slightly more elevated, over 60 percent of GDP. Our advice has been that fiscal policy should be prudent and parsimonious, given all the reasons we have discussed over the course of this morning. So, measures that are needed to smooth adjustment in light of higher tariffs should be thought of in a wise way, temporary, targeted measures in the context of tariff uncertainty, and ongoing consolidation plans implemented to bring debt down in a sustainable manner.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/04/24/tr-042325-fm-press-briefing

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Transcript of April 2025 Fiscal Monitor Press Briefing

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    April 23, 2025

    Speakers:

    Vitor Gaspar, Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director, Fiscal Affairs Department
    Davide Furceri, Division Chief, Fiscal Affairs Department

    Moderator: Tatiana Mossot, Moderator, Senior Communications Officer

    The Moderator: Good morning, good afternoon, and good evening for our viewers around the world. I am Tatiana Mossot with the IMF Communications Department, and I will be your host for today’s press briefing on the Spring Meetings 2025 Fiscal Monitor named “Fiscal Policy Under Uncertainty.” I am pleased to introduce the Director of the IMF Fiscal Affairs Department, Vitor Gaspar. He is joined by Era Dabla‑Norris, Deputy Director of the Fiscal Affairs Department, and Davide Furceri, Division Chief of the Fiscal Affairs Department. Good morning, Vitor, Era, and Davide.

    Before taking your questions, let me start our briefing by turning to Vitor for his opening remarks. Vitor, the floor is yours.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Good morning. Many thanks for your kind introduction. Thank you all for your interest in the Fiscal Monitor, covering fiscal policies around the world. Since the last Fiscal Monitor in October 2024, global economic prospects have significantly deteriorated and risks to the economic outlook are elevated and tilted to the downside. Uncertainty is very high, and confidence has been weakening. Financial markets have partially corrected, and financing conditions have tightened.

    Global public debt is very high and rising. According to the WEO reference projection in 2025, it will rise above 95 percent of GDP. It is higher and growing faster than pre‑pandemic. It will be approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade, surpassing the pandemic peak, but global numbers hide a wide diversity across countries. In the figure, every bubble represents a country. The larger the bubble, the larger the country’s GDP. The figure shows debt levels on the vertical axis and debt growth on the horizontal axis compared to pre‑pandemic. The higher the bubble in the figure, the more debt has increased compared to 2019.

    119 countries are above the horizontal axis. For these countries, public debt is higher than pre‑pandemic. The further to the right in the figure, the faster debt grows compared to pre‑pandemic trends. Bubbles as you can see are all over the chart. That illustrates a wide diversity across countries. Therefore, fiscal policies must vary in line with country‑specific factors and circumstances, but in the face of turbulent and threatening times ahead, resilience is needed everywhere. Countries should redouble efforts to keep their own fiscal house in order.

    Let us zoom in on the top, the right top quadrant. Countries in the quadrant have public debt higher and rising faster. This group includes 59 countries. That is about one third of the 175 countries in the chart. But their economies represent 80 percent of world GDP. Their economic weight makes them the main drivers of global trends. You can see many large bubbles in this quadrant. No surprise. Most large economies, including the largest, are there.

    Now, let us focus on the remaining two thirds of countries in the world. There are 116 countries in the group that represent about 20 percent of world GDP. In the chart that you are looking at, the blue line represents all countries except for the 59 that I have mentioned before. The two lines in the chart representing the world and representing the remaining 116 countries evolve similarly up to the year of the pandemic. After 2020, as you can see, the trends diverge. The two lines actually cross in 2023. For these 116 countries, aggregate public debt is now well below pandemic levels, but going forward, it is very flat, indicating a stabilization of public debt at high levels. But the distinctive feature of the current conjuncture is uncertainty. One must go beyond referenced projections.

    In the words of the Managing Director, trade policy uncertainty is off the charts. Upside risk to public debt projections dominates the outlook. The October 2024 Fiscal Monitor introduced a novel tool to quantify the distribution of debt risks around the referenced projection. We call it public debt at risk. According to this tool, global public debt three years ahead would come at 117 percent of GDP in a severe adverse scenario.

    Recent developments with sharpening, increasing, and persistent uncertainty, tightening financing conditions push public debt at risk even higher. In a fast-changing and perilous world, Ministers of Finance must act urgently and decisively. They face stark tradeoffs and painful choices. Policymakers should invest their political capital in building confidence and trust. That starts with keeping their own houses in order. That is especially important in a situation that tested the resilience of individual economies, not to mention the entire system. Putting the house in order involves three policy priorities.

    First, fiscal policy should be part of overall stability‑oriented macroeconomic policies. Second, fiscal policy should in most countries aim at reducing public debt and rebuilding buffers to create space to respond to spending pressures and other economic shocks through a credible medium‑term framework. Third, fiscal policy should, together with other threshold policies, aim at improving potential growth, thereby easing policy tradeoffs. In these times of high uncertainty, fiscal policy must be an anchor for confidence and stability that can contribute to a competitive economy, delivering growth and prosperity for all.

    Ministers of Finance must build trust, tax fairly, spend wisely and take the long view. My colleagues and I are ready to answer any questions that you may have.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. We will now open the floor to your questions, but before we do that, a couple of ground rules, please. If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand first, wait until I call you and a colleague will give you the microphone. When you ask your questions, please identify yourself and the network you are working for. And for colleagues online, please ask your questions on Webex, and we will come to you.

    QUESTION: According to the report, tariffs and trade tensions have increased uncertainty and risks to economic growth. How can affected countries manage the negative impact on public confidence and growth, especially considering the high level of public debt and financial challenges they are already facing?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Thank you very much for your question. That allows me to summarize again the top‑level message from the Fiscal Monitor. Global public debt, as you said, is high, rising, and we always emphasize it is also risky. It rose above $100 trillion in 2024, and that was a headline six months ago. In the IMF referenced projections, that will continue rising, approaching 100 percent of GDP by the end of the decade.

    But what we emphasize most at this point in time is the unusually elevated degree of uncertainty. To repeat the quote from the Managing Director, “Trade policy uncertainty is literally off the charts.” There is, therefore, a sense of urgency in policymaking. According to our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool, our estimates for three years ahead point to debt at risk at 117 percent of GDP for the world, which is a level that has not been seen in many decades.

    But even that extreme adverse scenario may be under‑estimating tail risks because trade and geoeconomic uncertainty has escalated, financing conditions tightened, financial market volatility is visible from headlines, and spending pressures have intensified further. So, in those conditions, the point about countries keeping their own houses in order is crucial, and that is instrumental to deliver resilience and sustained growth from a long‑term perspective.

    The Moderator: Thank you, Vitor. As you may have seen, there are two chapters, the second one is on emerging markets. And I think Era and Davide; we have some questions for you too.

    QUESTION: Given the current global economic slow‑down, what are the specific challenges and impacts faced by emerging and developing countries and what policy measures can be implemented to mitigate these effects?

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me start with what we see as some of the key sources of uncertainty that emerging market and developing economies are facing. Vitor had laid out some of the broader issues but let me highlight three. So, in addition to the fact that we see growth prospects being marked down across the board, and we see that emerging markets and developing economies could be impacted through trade, financial and commodity channels, let me highlight three specific risks. The first is escalating uncertainty about tariffs and associated policies. In the Fiscal Monitor, we find that geoeconomic uncertainty, in particular, an escalation of geoeconomic uncertainty actually can push up debt over the medium term by about 4.5 percentage points. For emerging market economies in particular, it could be as high as 6 percent of GDP.

    Why is this the case? Because essentially, with higher geoeconomic uncertainty, that can dampen growth prospects, it lowers revenues because consumption production tends to fall. It also leads to higher spending, so as a result, fiscal positions deteriorate and debt increases. That is one important source of risks.

    A second source of risks is more volatile financial conditions. In the U.S., for instance, or other systemically important economies can spillover into emerging market and developing economies. And it can do so by raising sovereign borrowing costs. So, our analysis in the Fiscal Monitor shows that at 100 basis point increase in U.S. nominal Treasury yields translates into 100 basis point increase in emerging market economies’ borrowing costs. And this lasts for several months.

    A third source of risk is that we have seen that debt levels are high in many emerging markets and developing economies, so interest expenses are commensurately very high, and they are eating up a larger share of the budget. So, our analysis shows that 1 percentage point of GDP increase in interest expenses results in crowding out of other essential items within the budget, such as social spending and infrastructure investment. So, as Vitor pointed out, in this environment, it is very, very important for countries to put their own fiscal house in order.

    What does that mean? Country specifics will vary, but what it really means is that countries need to think about putting in place a gradual fiscal adjustment within a credible medium‑term fiscal framework. For EMDEs, where tax revenues are low, they can mobilize additional revenues by expanding the tax base. They can eliminate energy subsidies and other types of subsidies that can be distortionary. They can find ways to reprioritize spending. And most importantly, they can think about the policies that are needed to boost growth because that really can help ease these fiscal tradeoffs.

    QUESTION: My question is about energy subsidies and perhaps pension reforms, which are not related to emerging markets but pretty much the same problem. It is when the margin exists in many countries when you want to have some fiscal space. But in those many countries you have already social tensions that are quite high, so what are the possibilities for countries to make those reforms that are highly unpopular most of the time if they want to have this margin created?

    Ms. Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk about energy subsidies and my colleague Davide can speak a little bit about pension reforms. As you correctly pointed out, countries need to reduce debt. They need to create fiscal space. And energy subsidies and pension reforms can be important reforms that countries can undertake to generate fiscal savings. So, when we look at energy subsidy reforms in particular, energy, they account for about 1.5 percent of GDP on average in emerging markets and developing economies. And reforming them can have tremendous benefits for the economy. So let me enumerate some of them.

    First, it increases energy efficiency in the economy. Secondly, it generates fiscal savings that can then be used to increase other types of social spending and needed priority infrastructure investments. And finally, many of these subsidies tend to be highly regressive, so they do not necessarily benefit the poorest segment or the most vulnerable segments of society.

    In our Fiscal Monitor Chapter 2, what we did is we developed a novel real‑time measure of public sentiment. This is the sentiment of households, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to gauge how governments can leverage strategies in order to make these kinds of reforms acceptable. There are a number of things that we found that are specific to energy subsidy reforms that I would like to talk about.

    The first is that we found that reforms that are—or changes that take place gradually have greater success of being implemented. To give you an example, Colombia very recently had an energy subsidy reform. They implemented it over a two‑year period, that was preannounced, so that people had time to adjust.

    A second strategy that we found successful—to be successful in shaping the acceptability of these reforms is that there was timely implementation of accompanying measures. And countries that put in place accompanying measures to really protect and support the most vulnerable, countries that put in place measures up‑front and invested in social programs and social infrastructure that was very visible to the public had a greater chance of succeeding.

    We also found that policies that were well‑communicated, that built consensus, that explained the tradeoffs to people had a much higher success of being accepted by the general public. For example, Morocco made it very clear that there was going to be a comprehensive communication strategy at the very beginning, at the very outset, and the message that was conveyed was that subsidies were a poor instrument for providing social support. A host of these strategies can be used by countries to implement these politically challenging reforms.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: The chapter also deals with pension reforms. We know that in many countries, spending on pensions is quite high. Just to give you a couple of numbers, in the case of advanced economies, it is 8 percent of GDP; in emerging market, about four. This spending is projected to increase due to increasing life expectancy and retirement. Reforming the pension system is important to generate fiscal savings but also to sustain labor‑force participation, as well as employment.

    Some of the key messages that we find in the chapter on reforms touch upon some of the issues that Era mentioned, gradual and timly of the reform. But for pension, what we find is that strategic communication and stakeholder engagement has been especially important. Indeed, there are cases of countries that have succeeded in implementing significant reform, for example, presenting an increasing retirement age as part of the reform that was trying to sustain adequate benefit levels. Or in some cases they were creating bipartisan commissions where they were engaging with stakeholders to hear their concerns and think about implementing the reform in the best way.

    An important issue when we think about pension reform is strengthening financial literacy and making sure that various stakeholders will talk about the potential benefits and cost of various pension schemes. Thank you.

    The Moderator: Very last one before we move to the U.S. and the other countries and regional and then we will move to other topics.

    QUESTION: I still want to focus on Chapter 2 because we are talking about developing economies and public sentiment. Era, when you were talking, you talked about subsidies being discretionary, not making the budgets, you know, complete and all of that, but we also know for many developing countries and even frontier economies, they are under pressure to cut back energy subsidies to ease debt burdens, yet these same subsidies often help keep the lights on for millions of families, low‑income families and businesses. You talked about growth earlier on. So, without these low‑income businesses, how would you also get growth? How does the IMF suggest governments manage this delicate balance and enable these countries to rationalize subsidies while safeguarding energy subsidies and cushioning the most vulnerable without leaving them behind because we are torn between having to think that subsidies are really 100 percent bad, so I really wanted to comment on that.

    Then on Nigeria, energy subsidy reforms that were seen have sparked protests and public frustrations, reflecting a top balance between fiscal responsibility and social equity. How do you think that Nigeria can navigate this difficult path and what specific measures can the IMF suggest ensuring that these reforms are fair, inclusive and accepted by the public. Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Let me talk in more detail about subsidies. Thank you for your question. These are challenging reforms to undertake. Why? Because they impact people’s, small firms’ pocketbooks immediately. An increase in energy prices as the government is moving towards cost recovery, pricing impacts pocketbooks immediately. This is a very tangible impact. Whereas the benefits that I spoke of, which are energy efficiency, the ability to reallocate fiscal savings take time to materialize. They are much more diffuse. Everyone benefits from those, but the pocket impact is felt immediately. This is why it is important as we note in our chapter, this is why it is important to have—for governments to think about a comprehensive strategy on how to implement these reforms. When you look at public sentiment across different sort of steps of these reforms, what we find that is really important is that countries that put in place compensatory mechanisms — whether this is cash transfers or more targeted transfers — really for those people who need it most have an easier time in carrying out these types of reforms. So in environments where the public does not trust the government, where there is weak accountability, doing these things up‑front in a very visible way, increasing support for social programs makes it very tangible to the public that the government is going to be doing this, and it is going to be accountable, if you will, for the fiscal savings that will be generated.

    QUESTION: Good morning. As risks for the fiscal outlook have intensified and debt levels may rise even further, as stated in the Fiscal Monitor, how worried are you about any sort of global debt crisis or regional crises that can appear, considering slower growth and new spending pressures on countries?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: As you heard yesterday, recession and crisis more than an individual nature are not in our reference projections, although, of course, part of the role of the Fiscal Monitor is precisely to systemically look at risks and vulnerabilities, and our public‑debt‑at‑risk tool is one of the instruments to do exactly that.

    Now, one point which I believe is very important is that precisely because risks and uncertainty are so elevated right now, there is a sense of urgency in policy action. Why? Because there is still time to adopt policies that improve resilience, and there is still time to think through what are the most relevant vulnerability scenarios that apply to individual countries, to regions, or even to broader systems. And it is very important to do that result systemically so that one is ready if and when a crisis comes. Our experience during the pandemic showed that countries that had easy access to financial markets and ample fiscal space did substantially better than others at managing the shocks associated with the pandemic.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room.

    QUESTION: My question is that you just mentioned the public debt remains very elevated and also this would cause fiscal space to continue to narrow down in many countries, including some major economies. So, what consequence will this bring to the world global economy if this kind of situation continues to develop?

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: So I think that the answer that I gave to the question just now applies, given these elevated risks and uncertainties, it is crucial that countries focus on keeping their own house in order since situations around the world are so diverse, as Era emphasized, that will imply different policies in different countries. But the crucial thing is that in a situation that is as fast changing as the one we are facing now and where risks and uncertainties are so elevated, there is an urgency in acting to improve fiscal space, build buffers, and, therefore, be in a position to ensure resilience and sustain growth.

    The Moderator: Thank you. We will get back to this part of the room. The gentleman with the red shirt, please.

    QUESTION: Thank you very much. Allow me to back‑pedal to the EMDEs. The Fiscal Monitor speaks about the need to widen the tax base. A number of frontier market economies have been rolling out significant economic present stacks and minimum top‑up tax in line with the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. But now this puts them in the cross‑hairs with the Trump administration, and many are now wondering whether they should be rolling back. So which pathway does the Fund see sustainable, considering many are looking at preferential access to the American market?

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Regarding the tax, I think it is important to make three important points. The first is that in the current situation where many emerging market and developing countries are characterized by three factors, one, foreign aid is declining; second, we have seen that increasing financial volatility can increase interest rates in these countries. This is in a situation where interest rates over revenue for many countries is about 10 percent of GDP. Third, [volatile] financial conditions also implies that less flows will go to these countries. The point that we make in the Fiscal Monitor is that revenue and revenue mobilization can be a stable source for financing significant spending for social benefit or public investment. How we should strengthen revenue mobilization, typically there are three sorts of arrows that you can go. One is expanding the tax base. Second, eliminate tax exemptions. Third, which is also important, and that the IMF does a lot of work in terms of capacity development is strengthening tax administrations. When we think about the tax strategy, we have to consider all of these three elements, and for many emerging markets and developing countries, there are significant potential tax gains that can be achieved.

    The Moderator: Yes, please.

    Mr. Vitor Gaspar: Just one word of addition. Davide correctly pointed out these three very important elements, broadening the tax base, dealing with tax expenditures and strengthening revenue administration. Yesterday I participated in a high‑level panel precisely on the mobilization of resources, and these three elements were repeated by the Ministers of Pakistan, Paraguay and Rwanda, and they found this frame relevant in their own experience of trying to improve the capacity of their countries to mobilize revenues.

    The Moderator: We have two questions online. I think this one will be for you, Era, about Spain. Yesterday they revised upwards the growth of Spain and have already highlighted the good performance of the Spanish economy. What should this country do with these good growth results regarding its fiscal policies in the short and medium term? And we will have another one for South Africa online.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for the question. Given Spain’s relatively strong fiscal position as well as economic position, there is scope now to front‑load some of the adjustment that they were thinking about because public debt levels in Spain still remain very high, although they have come down from the pandemic peaks. They still remain very high. This would be really important to put debt firmly down on a downward trajectory.

    Accumulative adjustment of about 3 percent of GDP over the next three years, say 2025 to 2029, similar to the one that was envisaged in terms of magnitude by the authorities but more frontloaded, would help achieve the goal. Now, as Vitor has pointed out, we are encouraging countries to bring debt down for a number of reasons. This is important because you want to reduce debt risks. This is important because countries should either expand or replenish the buffers that were diminished in the wake of the pandemic and also because of ongoing uncertainties. Finally, because countries will need—countries like Spain will need to spend on other areas, population aging, climate, defense and such.

    The Moderator: Just before we go to South Africa, any other European question? One time, two time, no European question in the room. OK.

    QUESTION: Thank you. The question on South Africa but also on the broader region: On South Africa, the IMF is quite significantly more pessimistic on the fiscal trajectory than our own government, which sees debt stabilizing, whereas the IMF sees it rising close to 90 percent of GDP at the end of the decade. Why are you so much more pessimistic of the authorities’ promised consolidation? But also on the region, sub‑Saharan Africa more broadly, how do you see the impact of what is happening globally on the region’s ability to borrow and particularly to borrow in international markets, and given a lot of the countries in the region are in debt distress or close to debt distress, what impact will that have on the economies of the sub‑Saharan Africa? Thank you.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you very much. Briefly on South Africa, the general government deficit in South Africa was about 6 percent of GDP in 2024. We project the fiscal deficit in 2025, although this is subject to considerable—all projections are subject to considerable uncertainties at this juncture to be around 6.6 percent of GDP. This is mainly driven by higher spending. Some of the differences stem from the fact that our projections are based on much more conservative assumptions regarding the buoyancy of the tax system, as well as the extent of primary spending compression that can be undertaken. So that really accounts for differences in projections between the two countries and also the path of debt going forward. Let me turn it over to Davide.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Yes, more broadly and on financing costs for sub‑Saharan African regions, let me point out two factors. The first is that, of course, we have seen interest rates rising. So, this increasing interest rate in many countries, including South Africa, is basically driven by two factors. You have sort of an interest rate in main advanced economies that has been on a rising trend. On the positive side, in many countries, especially those with better fiscal positions, you actually have seen spreads, so the difference between the domestic interest rate and the foreign interest rate declines. However, and this is something that we point out in the Fiscal Monitor, that increased risk, increase of risk of uncertainty, financial market volatility, can turn things around. In other words, we see that increasing financial market volatility globally can lead to an increase in spreads.

    The second point is that one part we have seen for many low‑income countries since the pandemic is they are relying much more on domestic issuance of debt rather than on the foreign market. This is on one hand sort of offset some of the challenges like to the global environment but also increase some sort of domestic vulnerability, because sometimes the interest rates rise. There are things that are important to think about this strategy. But definitely, as we mentioned, interest rate is a source of rising in terms of revenue is a source of concern. Let me make the point again that we made, I think strengthening fiscal buffers, revenue mobilization are important elements to reduce — to have this trend to decline.

    The Moderator: Thank you. I believe we received some questions for Latin America and, yes, there are some reporters in the room. Yes, please, the lady in the third row here.

    QUESTION: Thank you. You already talked about emerging markets, but focusing on Latin America, I want to know which one—you already have talked about it too, but which one is the biggest fiscal risk and what should economies in Latin America should be thinking about doing in terms of growing and accepting new investment, for example, to confront the situation abroad? Thank you.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: Thank you for your question. Many of the risks that other emerging market economies face, countries in Latin America obviously also face, we have already talked at length about that. But I am going to talk about a few things that are specific to many of the countries in Latin America. So, there is two challenges that limit fiscal flexibility in Latin America. The first is that there are spending rigidities. What I mean by that is there is a lot of amounts of spending that is mandatory, on pensions, on wages, on transfers. This leaves very little room for fiscal flexibility.

    At the same time, like many other emerging markets and developing economies, spending pressures are on the rise. There are growing demands for social services, for infrastructure, for adopting to climate change, and all of these are putting pressures on the budget. Now, when you look at what has happened since the pandemic, countries have made ambitious plans to consolidate their budget. There have been ambitious announcements of fiscal consolidation plans, but at the same time expenditure increases have outpaced revenue gains. So, for many countries in the region, we see debt levels continuing to rise. And the challenge here is that we are in a world with greater uncertainty than we were even six months ago. So, it is really important for countries in the region to implement at a minimum the announced fiscal consolidation plan and to do this within credible medium‑term frameworks. Many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean region have fiscal rules. So to implement these rules, to spend efficiently, to think about the types of fiscal reforms that are needed, whether it is revenue mobilization in countries where revenue‑to‑GDP ratios are low, whether it is spending prioritization or reprioritization, to create the room that is needed for priority investments and social spending and infrastructure and such.

    The Moderator: Thank you. One last question.

    QUESTION: I am from Thailand. I want to ask about the overall trend of the public debt, especially for the ASEAN 5. It would be great if you could mention specifically on Thailand.

    The Moderator: I think we had the Nigeria question to answer too, and we will close there. Thank you.

    Mr. Davide Furceri: Let me start with Nigeria. So, Nigeria managed to do a very difficult reform that was important to deliver fiscal savings. The authorities also scaled up transfers, technical transfers. What we think there is, what is important to act on two pillars. One is to generate additional fiscal savings. We mentioned revenue mobilization. To really scale up spending on social protection, spending on investment, in a way as was mentioned, many countries, they need to spend, and there I want to go back to Vitor’s first remarks. We encourage countries to spend very wisely. Strengthening prioritization in terms of spending, strengthening the efficiency of spending is important. Final important message we would like to give for Nigeria but also for other countries is that fiscal institutions are very important. Having a medium‑term fiscal framework, Public Financial Management are key important because on the one hand they try to help the fiscal anchor, so they set apart for the fiscal adjustment, but also reduce the fiscal uncertainty per se. So as Vitor mentioned, we want the fiscal to be a source of stability and not a source of uncertainty, and that is where fiscal institutions have an important role to play.

    The Moderator: Thank you. Very quickly, Era.

    Ms. Era Dabla‑Norris: On ASEAN, there is a huge variation in fiscal positions across the region. On average, the ASEAN region debt‑to‑GDP ratios are lower than they are in other emerging market and developing economies. That said, in Thailand, relative to the other countries in ASEAN, debt levels are slightly more elevated, over 60 percent of GDP. Our advice has been that fiscal policy should be prudent and parsimonious, given all the reasons we have discussed over the course of this morning. So, measures that are needed to smooth adjustment in light of higher tariffs should be thought of in a wise way, temporary, targeted measures in the context of tariff uncertainty, and ongoing consolidation plans implemented to bring debt down in a sustainable manner.

    The Moderator: Thank you very much

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stacks of cocaine unpacked in Mt Wellington

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Five duffle bags stacked with bricks of cocaine valued at close to $30 million have been unpacked at a Mount Wellington business.

    Yesterday afternoon Police were called to the Carbine Road premises after a worker unloading a shipping container of building materials located the bags.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill, of Auckland City CIB, says more than 75 packages of cocaine wrapped in cellophane were located in the duffle bags.

    “An investigation between Police and Customs is now under way following yesterday’s seizure.

    “The joint investigation will focus on the movements of the container and its eventual destination,” he says.

    “What we do know is that the container transited through Central America in late March 2025 on its way to New Zealand.

    “Cocaine is a highly addictive drug and causes a concerning level of harm in our communities.

    “This is a significant find and will put a noticeable dent in the availability of this illegal drug in the district and the harm caused by it.”

    Customs’ Acting Investigations Manager, Rachael Manning says: “Customs is committed to working in collaboration with Police to play our part in preventing drugs from reaching our communities, where they cause significant social harm.

    “We will continue to provide intelligence and investigative support to our Police partners to identify and hold those responsible to account.”

    No arrests have been made and at this stage Police are not releasing any further details as investigations remain ongoing.

    If you have any information that may assist Police in identifying and locating those involved in the supply of drugs or organised criminal groups you can report information to the Police via 105 if it’s after the fact or 111 if it is happening now.

    Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 24, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Jade Power Announces Director Appointment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jade Power Trust (“Jade Power” or the “Trust”) (NEX:JPWR.H) is pleased to announce the appointment of an independent director, Bruce McCannel, to the Board of Directors of Jade Power Administrator Inc., effective immediately.

    Bruce is currently a corporate consultant primarily focused on government and stakeholder engagement and communications strategies. Holding a Master of Public Administration degree, Bruce worked in budget development for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Finance, was an Executive Director for the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, and was on the board of directors for the Canadian Parks Council. When he was the head coach of the University of Regina Cougars Track and Field program, Bruce was a member of the board of directors for Saskatchewan Athletics and the Excel Athletika Track and Field Club.

    David Barclay, Chief Executive Officer stated “We look forward to working with Bruce on the Board. We are excited by the value that his experience in government and stakeholder relations will bring to the Trust.”

    For further information please contact:

    David Barclay
    Chief Executive Officer
    +1 954-895-7217
    david.barclay@bellsouth.net

    About Jade Power

    The Trust, through its direct and indirect subsidiaries in Canada, the Netherlands and Romania, was formed to acquire interests in renewable energy assets in Romania, other countries in Europe and abroad that can provide stable cash flow to the Trust and a suitable risk-adjusted return on investment. All material information about the Trust may be found under Jade Power’s issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release contain forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “anticipates”, “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may” and “will”. The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Trust. Details of the risk factors relating to Jade Power and its business are discussed under the heading “Business Risks and Uncertainties” in the Trust’s annual Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023, a copy of which is available on Jade Power’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Trust. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, Jade Power expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Neither the TSXV nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

    April 24, 2025
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