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Category: Finance

  • MIL-OSI: Nearly 100,000 Participations Recorded! HTX’s 12th Anniversary “Mars Program” Special Event Ignites a Frenzy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PANAMA CITY, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to announce the overwhelming success of its “Mars Program” special event, a cornerstone of its 12th-anniversary celebrations. With nearly 100,000 participation counts already, this program underscores HTX’s dedication to driving Web3 innovation and fostering a vibrant community. The excitement intensifies with the impending space journey of Justin Sun, Advisor to HTX, marking the official launch of HTX’s 12th anniversary and ushering in a new era for the crypto space. Collaborating with esteemed ecosystem partners, HTX is actively distributing a substantial prize pool of up to $300,000, inviting global users to participate in this celebratory occasion.

    $300,000 Up for Grabs at HTX

    Event Details: https://www.htx.com/microapps/en-us/double-invite-retail/round-about?activityId=175187356313785&inviter_id=11357320

    A Dream of Space: HTX’s 12 Years of Innovation

    Since its inception in 2013, HTX has supported tens of millions of users worldwide, offering a wide range of services that include trading, asset management, and on-chain ecosystems. The platform remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing blockchain technology and fostering financial liberalization.

    HTX celebrates its 12th anniversary under the theme “Breaking Boundaries”. A space journey is a fitting tribute to the platform’s forward-looking vision—one that embraces technological innovation, human potential, and the ambition to reach new heights. More than a symbolic act, this cosmic voyage represents the fearless spirit of exploration that defines the Web3 era.

    “Mars Program” Sparks Global Participation

    To ensure widespread participation in the excitement of the space journey, HTX has meticulously launched the “Mars Program” special event series, offering a total prize pool of up to $300,000. Users who visit the “Mars Program” event page before July 30 and complete tasks like trading, subscribing to Earn products, inviting friends, or posting in the community can earn entries into a prize draw with rewards including TRX, Cashback Vouchers, Margin Interest Vouchers, Futures Trial Bonuses, APY Booster Coupons, and more.

    The event, launched on July 10, has experienced a continuous surge in popularity, attracting enthusiastic participants from across the globe. As of July 14, the event has accumulated nearly 100,000 participation counts, distributed almost 80,000 USDT in rewards, and awarded nearly 30 grand prizes of 888 TRX each. The event is still in full swing, demonstrating HTX’s strong user activity and market influence.

    Leading Web3 Development with Esteemed Sponsors

    The “Mars Program” special event is a collaborative effort between HTX and multiple TRON ecosystem projects. These pivotal partners of HTX are dedicated to driving innovation and practical applications within the Web3 ecosystem in their respective domains. Together with HTX, they are collectively striving to construct a more open, interconnected, and trustworthy blockchain future. Event sponsors include:

    SunPump: The TRON ecosystem’s first platform for fair launch meme coins.

    APENFT: The first NFT fair-launch platform in the TRON ecosystem, offering one-stop tools to empower creators, collectors, and projects.

    JUST Protocol: The TRON network’s first decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.

    WINkLink: The first comprehensive oracle project in the TRON ecosystem, providing accurate and stable external digital currency price information for decentralized applications (DApps).

    BitTorrent: The world’s largest decentralized P2P communication protocol.

    Steemit: The first and foremost social platform on the Steem blockchain, launched in 2016.

    SunGenX: An AI-driven meme coin issuance assistant launched by SunPump, operating within the TRON ecosystem.

    Forward Outlook

    The “Mars Program” special event delivered outstanding results, setting a high note for HTX’s 12th-anniversary celebration. This landmark occasion serves not only as a reflection of HTX platform’s growth trajectory but also powerfully showcases the dynamic vitality of the Web3 ecosystem. Moving forward, HTX will reinforce its user-centric and technology-driven philosophy, actively expanding its global strategic presence, and fostering collaborative partnerships to build a more open, interconnected, and sustainable blockchain world.

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com.

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by HTX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. 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/4c0381e1-e76e-4506-96b3-a6691d732b36

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tomb Raider video game composer jailed for Covid loan fraud

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Tomb Raider video game composer jailed for Covid loan fraud

    Composer sentenced for Bounce Back Loan abuse following Insolvency Service investigations

    • Video game composer Peter Connelly has been jailed after fraudulently obtaining a second Covid Bounce Back Loan for his company
    • Connelly, known for his work on Tomb Raider, inflated his company’s turnover during the first few months of the pandemic in 2020
    • Insolvency Service investigations have also resulted in the 52-year-old being banned as a company director for six years

    A video game composer and sound designer who fraudulently applied for a Covid loan has been jailed.

    Durham-based Peter Connelly, best known for his work on the Tomb Raider series, overstated his company’s turnover to obtain a second Bounce Back Loan of £37,500 in 2020 when businesses were only entitled to a single loan.

    Connelly had previously secured a legitimate Bounce Back Loan worth £22,000 one month earlier.

    The 52-year-old, of Lambton Court, Peterlee, was jailed for 16 months at a hearing of Durham Crown Court on Thursday 17 July.

    He was also disqualified as a company director for six years.

    David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Peter Connelly blatantly disregarded the rules of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, designed to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic.

    Connelly not only secured two loans when businesses were only allowed one, but deliberately inflated his company’s turnover to receive more money than he was entitled to.

    The Insolvency Service is the lead agency for tackling Bounce Back Loan misconduct and we remain committed to ensuring fraudsters who stole from the public purse during a national emergency are brought to justice.

    Connelly was the sole director of Peter Connelly Limited, established in June 2008.

    The company was known as Universal Sound Design Limited up until November 2012, and it described its trading as “sound recording and music publishing activities”.

    Connelly’s first application for a Bounce Back Loan was in May 2020, when he secured £22,000. This application was within the rules of the scheme.

    However, one month later in June 2020, Connelly applied to a different bank for a Bounce Back Loan of £37,500, claiming his company’s turnover for 2019 was £150,000.

    Insolvency Service analysis revealed his turnover was just over £58,000, meaning he substantially inflated it on his second application.

    Connelly also falsely declared that this was the only loan he had applied for.

    In interviews, Connelly told the Insolvency Service that he had been given the opportunity to re-imagine the music for the Tomb Raider soundtrack. This was a significant project which had the potential to be very lucrative, he added.

    To complete the project, Connelly said he had taken out personal loans and sold his car.

    However, Connelly said everything stalled at the start of the pandemic.

    Peter Connelly Limited went into liquidation in August 2021. Neither loan had been repaid at this time.

    Connelly himself entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) in June 2022, a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner to repay his debts.

    The IVA remains active.

    Further information

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death – Maningrida

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating following the death of a 47-year-old male in Maningrida this afternoon.

    Around 12:55pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male had been located unresponsive in his residence in the community.

    Police and clinic staff attended; however, the male was pronounced deceased and crime scene was established.

    His cause of death currently remains unknown. 

    Further investigation identified that on Thursday 17 July 2025, the male had allegedly been involved in a domestic violence disturbance between himself and a male and female known to him.

    Investigations remain ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information about the incident make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25191987. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call to address widening insurance protection gap

    Source: Government of South Africa

    With the surge in natural disasters in the last decade, the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Lesetja Kganyago, has called on leaders in the Group of Twenty (G20) to bridge the gap in the natural catastrophe insurance protection gap.

    The gap refers to the difference between total economic losses and insured losses caused by natural catastrophe (NatCat) events.

    “Addressing the Natural Catastrophe Insurance protection gap is both urgent and consequential for both developed and emerging market economies.

    “The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing, causing significant damage to property and infrastructure, impacting lives and livelihoods, and resulting in tremendous loss of life. The risks are global, but the burden is deeply unequal,” Kganyago explained.

    The Governor was speaking during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings in Durban on Thursday. 

    He was addressing senior leaders from governments, central banks and supervisors,  the private sector, and international organisations at a side event that discussed strategies and solutions for addressing  the widening insurance protection gap.

    NatCat protection gaps present a global challenge, affecting both advanced and emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs), and therefore require global responses. 

    In recent decades, damages and losses from NatCat events have surged due to the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change.

    While insurance markets play a crucial role in mitigating the financial impacts stemming from these damages, their ability to offer adequate coverage is increasingly being challenged, leading to a widening insurance protection gap against NatCat events.

    “In many emerging and developing economies, the costs of these disasters are magnified by limited financial and significant lack of insurance protection.

    “Globally, it is estimated that over half of natural disaster losses remain uninsured. In EMDEs, that figure often exceeds 70%. South Africa, for example, is estimated at 71% and India at around 91%. This leaves households, businesses and governments dangerously exposed, compounding economic shock and slowing development for years or even decades,” the Governor said.

    Emerging market and developing economies face disproportionately higher protection gaps due to low insurance penetration, affordability challenges, underdeveloped insurance markets, and insufficient access to risk models and data.

    Significant insurance protection gaps are also observed in advanced economies, including Europe. In recent years, promoting insurance protection against NatCat events has become an important priority for policymakers and the international community.

    “From a central banking perspective and financial stability perspective, this is not a peripheral issue but a core issue. Uninsured losses from natural disasters can undermine economic stability, threaten the solvency of financial institutions and disrupt credit flows.

    “Moreover, when governments must step in with emergency funds or debt finance reconstruction, it places additional strain on already limited fiscal space,” he said.

    For central banks, policymakers and supervisors, bridging this protection gap is part of building macro financial resilience, the Governor said.

    Call for improved mechanisms

    “It calls for stronger risk sharing mechanisms, improved data and modelling of climate related risks and innovative insurance solutions such as parametric instruments, catastrophe bonds and regional risk pools.

    “More importantly, it requires a coordinated and collaborative effort across governments, insurance supervisors, the private sector, international organisations, multilateral development institutions and local communities to embed financial resilience into our climate and development strategies,” Kganyago said.

    He encouraged the global leaders to recognise that resilience is not built in the aftermath of disasters but in the deliberate and proactive planning and actions before they occur.

    “Insurance is not a luxury; it is a foundational and critical tool for sustainable development. Let’s think boldly about how we can address this protection gap beyond innovative products to include appropriate policies and regulations that are inclusive, accessible and tailored to jurisdictional instances, especially considering the realities of EMDEs,” the Governor said.

    The G20 South African Presidency, in collaboration with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the World Bank Group (WBG), hosted this side event during the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings.

    The event focused on improving financial resilience and enhancing broader disaster risk mitigation strategies by identifying and addressing insurance protection gaps.

    Input paper 

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024 until 30 November 2025 under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.

    This initiative forms part of the G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) priority of scaling up finance for adaptation and just transitions, as discussed in an IAIS-WBG input paper, which will be published next week.

    The paper serves as a ‘guide for action’ to help jurisdictions narrow NatCat insurance protection gaps. The paper outlines practical and implementable actions that governments, supervisors, and the insurance industry can take, with a particular focus on EMDEs. 

    From 21 July 2025, the input paper can be accessed on the G20 SFWG website: https://g20sfwg.org/document-repository/.
    – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Mint Miner Launches Cloud Mining™: Free Bonuses and Guaranteed Crypto Returns for Everyone

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mint Miner, a leading global digital asset infrastructure provider, today officially launched its next-generation Cloud Mining™ platform, making it easy to earn cryptocurrencies without technical expertise.

    Offering a $15 sign-up bonus, fixed daily income, and zero maintenance fees, Mint Miner Cloud Mining™ opens the door for retail and institutional investors to participate in sustainable, transparent cryptocurrency mining—all from their smartphones.

    Whether you’re a newbie looking for risk-free or an experienced crypto holder seeking reliable returns, Mint Miner Cloud Mining™ offers a fast and easy path to passive income through Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and other cryptocurrencies.

    Mint Miner main features and advantages:
    Platform-friendly interface: Provide users with a clear and visible dashboard panel to view mining data in real time.

    ●New users can get $15 after registration and get a free trial contract with a daily reward of $0.6, without any prepayment.

    ●Fixed-rate mining contract
    A variety of contract packages are available with flexible terms. Each contract clearly lists the daily income and total income at maturity.

    ●No hidden fees, worry-free and labor-saving
    No hardware, no electricity, no maintenance. What you see is what you get – and predictable income.

    ●Support multiple assets
    Withdraw and recharge with BTC, ETH, USDT (ERC-20 and TRC-20), LTC, XRP, SOL, BCH, USDC, etc.

    ●Generous referral program
    Invite friends and family or share on your social platform to get monthly commission rewards.

    ●Global Coverage
    All contracts are supported by globally distributed mining farms that are powered by renewable energy and provide 24/7 multilingual support to ensure a seamless experience.

    Joining Mint Miner and starting cloud mining is very simple:
    1. Start registration – Open the Mint Miner official website and fill in your username, email, and password to complete the registration.
    2. Choose a contract – Choose a contract that fits your budget, and multiple types of contracts are available
    Here is a partial list of contracts:
    [New User Experience Contract]: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, maturity income: $100 + $10
    [Avalon Miner A13]: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, maturity income: $500 + $30.5
    [Bitcoin Miner S19 XP+ Hyd]: Investment amount: $1,500, contract period: 9 days, maturity income: $1,500 + $178.2
    [ETC Miner E9 Pro]: Investment amount: $3,200, contract period: 14 days, maturity income: $3,200 + $672
    [Antminer L7 ]: Investment amount: $5,200, contract period: 20 days, maturity income: $5,200 + $1,612
    [Bitcoin MinerS21+ Hyd]: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 28 days, maturity income: $10,000 + $4,760

    For more contracts, please log in to the Mint Miner official website

    1.  Start mining – View daily income growth in the dashboard and withdraw or reinvest at any time.

    Mint Miner’s mission is clear: to democratize cryptocurrency mining and make it accessible to everyday users. With Mint Miner CloudMining™, the future way to earn cryptocurrency income is accessible, automated, and powered by green energy.

    Join Mint Miner and start mining now – cryptocurrency never stops.

    Mint Miner’s CloudMining™ is not just a smart platform, but a step towards inclusive finance in the digital economy. With predictable profits, global coverage, and zero technical barriers to entry, the platform transforms the once complex world of cryptocurrency mining into an accessible experience for everyone.

    Media Contact:
    Contact Email: info@mintminer.com
    Official Website: https://mintminer.com/

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.5 (EPT/RI)-NCC Group plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.5 (EPT/RI)

    PUBLIC DEALING DISCLOSURE BY AN EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER WITH RECOGNISED INTERMEDIARY STATUS DEALING IN A CLIENT-SERVING CAPACITY
    Rule 8.5 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)        Name of exempt principal trader: Investec Bank plc
    (b)        Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 NCC Group plc
    (c)        Name of the party to the offer with which exempt principal trader is connected: Investec is Joint Broker to NCC Group plc
    (d)        Date dealing undertaken: 17th July 2025
    (e)        In addition to the company in 1(b) above, is the exempt principal trader making disclosures in respect of any other party to this offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        DEALINGS BY THE EXEMPT PRINCIPAL TRADER

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(b), copy table 2(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchases/ sales Total number of securities Highest price per unit paid/received Lowest price per unit paid/received

    Ordinary shares

    Purchases

    		 75,693 149 144.4

    Ordinary shares

    Sales

    		 110,693 150.4 144.4

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
    N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    N/A N/A N/A N/A

    3.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the exempt principal trader making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)        the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)        the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
    None
    Date of disclosure: 18thJuly 2025
    Contact name: Priyali Bhattacharjee
    Telephone number: +91 9768034903

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The project of SPbGASU students will be implemented in the Leningrad region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    From left to right: Dean of the Faculty of Architecture Andrey Surovenkov, CEO of the company “Friedlander Paints”, expert of the import substitution catalog “NOSTROY”, member of the urban planning council of the Leningrad region Anna Smirnova, People’s Architect of the Russian Federation, President of the Union of Architects of Russia, Academician of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Construction of Russia Nikolay Shumakov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Urban Development Policy, Chief Architect of the Leningrad Region Sergey Lutchenko, Ilya Edemsky

    Students of the Faculty of Architecture of SPbGASU took all three prize places in the student competition to create a mural for the boarding school “Krasnye Zori” in the Leningrad Region. The winner was recognized as a second-year student Sofia Andreeva. Second place was taken by Ekaterina Shirshova (3rd year), third – by Irina Abramova (3rd year). The award ceremony took place in the Union of Architects of St. Petersburg in the Polovtsov mansion.

    The competition was organized by the Council for Architecture and Urban Development of the Leningrad Region and the North-West of the Russian Federation, the companies “BaltInvest-Project” and “Kraski Friedlander”. The jury included the President of the Union of Architects of Russia Nikolay Shumakov and the First Deputy Chairman of the Committee – Chief Architect of the Leningrad Region Sergey Lutchenko.

    The goal of the competition was to develop a sketch of a mural for the boarding school “Red Dawns”. Thus, the contestants were faced with the task of transforming a typical building, devoid of individuality, and creating a bright, positive atmosphere for the students.

    In total, more than 80 applications were submitted to the competition from students from various universities in the city.

    The winning project will be implemented by one of the developers from the Leningrad Region, and the necessary paints will be provided by the company “Friedlander Paints” – the general sponsor of the competition.

    “For us, the competition is an incredibly interesting experience, which we will definitely continue and develop. The creative enthusiasm of young architects inspired us to organize a new, more interesting competition with cool prizes in the near future,” announced Ilya Edemsky, chief architect of the BaltInvest-Proekt company.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launchpool Lists Caldera (ERA) with over 2.6M in Token Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has announced the listing of Caldera (ERA) for spot trading. Caldera is a rollup platform on Ethereum that enables horizontal scaling and interoperability between rollups. Trading for the ERA/USDT pair began on 17 July 2025, 15:30 (UTC), with withdrawals available from 18 July 2025, 16:30 (UTC).

    Bitget will launch a Launchpool campaign offering 2,666,600 ERA in total rewards. Eligible users can participate by locking BGB, BTC or ETH during the event, which runs from 18 July 2025, 05:00 to 21 July 2025, 05:00 (UTC). In the BGB locking pool, users can lock between 5 to 50,000 BGB, with maximum limits determined by their VIP tier, for a chance to earn a share of 1,000,000 ERA. In the BTC pool, users can lock between 0.0001 and 23 BTC to receive a portion of 833,300 ERA. In the ETH pool, users can lock between 0.002 and 450 ETH to grab a share of 833,300 ERA.

    Caldera is a Web3 infrastructure platform that streamlines the creation of customizable Ethereum L2 rollups, enabling developers to configure elements like gas tokens, data availability layers, and technology stacks including Arbitrum, Optimism, and zkSync. At its core is the Metalayer protocol, designed to unify rollups by facilitating shared liquidity and efficient cross-chain communication. With support for over 50 rollups, Caldera powers a growing ecosystem that manages between $400–600 million in TVL and serves 27 million wallets, making it a critical player in Ethereum’s broader scaling architecture.

    Bitget continues to expand its offerings, positioning itself as a leading platform for cryptocurrency trading. The exchange has established a reputation for innovative solutions that empower users to explore crypto within a secure CeDeFi ecosystem. With an extensive selection of over 800 cryptocurrency pairs and a commitment to broaden its offerings to more than 900 trading pairs, Bitget connects users to various ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Base, and TON. The addition of Caldera into Bitget’s portfolio marks a significant step toward expanding its ecosystem by embracing niche communities and fostering innovation in decentralized economies, further solidifying its role as a gateway to diverse Web3 projects and cultural movements.

    For more details on Caldera, visit here.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

    Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ad44618-7b23-4379-b633-042ee5973b16

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Union and European Union join hands to promote and invest in Circular Economy and Sustainable Growth

    Source: APO


    .

    The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) officially announced the launch of the Continental Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) for Africa (2024–2034) today. Introduced by Moses Vilakati, AU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment, and Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, the plan is designed to advance sustainability, drive economic growth, and enhance resource efficiency across Africa over the next decade.

    The CEAP focuses on transitioning African economies to a circular model by reducing waste, promoting resource reuse, and encouraging recycling. As a key component of the African Union’s Agenda 2063,  the initiative was developed with co-financing and technical support from the European Union. The CEAP offers a strategic framework for sustainable investments aligned with the Europe-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package and international partnerships. The CEAP will focus on priority sectors including agriculture, packaging, energy, construction, manufacturing, electronics, technology, as well as the fashion and textiles industries.

    Following a comprehensive approach, the CEAP will:

    • Foster Circular Economy Across Sectors: The plan seeks to promote sustainable practices in key areas such as agriculture, industry, and energy by transforming waste into resources and encouraging innovation in resource management.

    • Improve Waste Management: CEAP will enhance waste management systems and recycling infrastructure, particularly through the application of green technologies and local innovations.

    • Create Green Jobs: The initiative aims to generate millions of green jobs and foster sustainable entrepreneurship, particularly among young and women.

    • Enhance Regional Cooperation: The plan will facilitate cross-border collaboration to share best practices, align policies, and create a collective impact across the continent.

    • Build Climate Resilience: By reducing consumption and promoting sustainable production, CEAP will help mitigate climate change and support biodiversity conservation.

    AU Commissioner Moses Vilakati said “The launch of the Continental Circular Economy Action Plan is a pivotal moment for Africa’s sustainable development. Through this collaboration with the EU, we are setting the stage for a green, inclusive, and resilient future. This plan represents a unique opportunity for Africa to lead in the global circular economy and tackle the challenges of climate change head-on.”

    EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall added “The CEAP is a landmark initiative that builds on the strong partnership between the EU and AU. It is an opportunity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and reduce environmental impact. By adopting circular economy principles, we can achieve sustainable development and build a stronger future for both Africa and Europe.”

    The launch of CEAP reflects the joint commitment of the African Union and the European Union to tackle global environmental challenges and advance sustainable development. Both unions are actively supporting its implementation by providing financial assistance, technical expertise, and capacity-building resources to ensure its success across all African countries. The overarching goal, however, is for the CEAP to serve as a transformative driver of sustainable economic growth throughout the continent. To achieve this, the AU is seeking additional support from international partners, including development banks and the private sector. 

    The CEAP was launched on the sidelines of the African Ministerial Conference on Environment, with attendance from African Ministers of Environment, representatives from Regional Economic Communities, UN Agencies, the private sector, and Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), who  showcased their circular economy initiatives.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Angola: Authorities must respect and ensure the right to freedom of peaceful assembly

    Source: APO


    .

    Angolan authorities must respect and ensure the right of peaceful assembly and guarantee that nationwide protests planned for 19 and 26 July against high cost of living, are facilitated and protected, said Amnesty International.

    The organization has documented how members of the Rapid Intervention Police and the Service for Criminal Investigation repressed similar protests held in Luanda, on 12 July where at least two people were critically injured, and 17 others were arrested.

    “Police must refrain from violating the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including through the use of unnecessary and excessive force against protestors as witnessed in past protests, including on 12 July, where some of the protesters were arbitrarily arrested and others injured following unlawful use of force by the police,” said Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns in East and Southern Africa.

    “Angolan authorities must immediately open independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations of human rights violations committed by members of the Angola Police and to bring the perpetrators to account in a fair trial”.

    “Authorities must refrain from harassing and intimidating those who exercise their right of peaceful assembly”.

    Background

    Members from civil society organizations, such as Movement Fúria 99, from the Union for Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and from the Angola Students Movement called for a two-day protest on 12 and 19 July 2025, following high fuel and transportation costs. On 12 July, thousands of people joined the protest, which was planned to start at the São Paulo Square and to end at the Maianga Square, in front of the National Assembly, in Luanda. The protest was impeded by the Police.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: No Longer Just Holding: PFMCrypto Unleashes Next-Gen XRP Earnings Through AI Liquidity Mining

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the crypto market heats up and XRP edges toward the $2.3 milestone, PFMCrypto is redefining how everyday users and professionals earn mining rewards. The company has officially launched “XRP Liquidity Mining”, the world’s first AI-powered multi-asset cloud mining vault, enabling users to mine multiple cryptocurrencies simultaneously—while dynamically reallocating computing power to maximize real-time returns.
    Now live on both web and mobile platforms, this innovative service offers a fully automated crypto earnings strategy that mines XRP, BTC, DOGE, ETH, and other major assets. No hardware, technical setup, or prior experience is required—users can get started with just $10 and begin receiving stable daily payouts from day one.

    Why XRP Liquidity Mining Is a Game-Changer for Passive Crypto Income?
    Unlike traditional mining models that lock users into a single coin or fixed contract, PFMCrypto’s Liquidity Mining is powered by its proprietary AI engine, AURA. This intelligent system continuously analyzes key variables such as asset price, mining difficulty, network demand, and energy costs—automatically reallocating resources to the most profitable cryptocurrencies in real time.
    “Liquidity Mining is like putting your crypto earnings on autopilot,” said PFMCrypto’s CEO. “Whether XRP is surging or Bitcoin’s network adjusts, our system instantly adapts—ensuring your capital is always working at peak efficiency.”

    Key Features of PFMCrypto’s XRP Liquidity Mining:
    –  Multi-Asset Mining: A single deposit mines XRP, BTC, DOGE, ETH, and more.
    –  AI Revenue Optimization: Smart resource allocation for maximum daily yield.
    –  Low Entry Barrier: Start with just $10 (plus a $10 welcome bonus for new users).
    –  Stable Daily Returns: Earnings paid in stablecoins or your preferred crypto.
    –  Fully Cloud-Based: No mining rigs, no noise, no heat—100% remote access.
    –  Institutional-Grade Security: Multi-layer custody infrastructure to safeguard user assets.

    Investor Demand Surges as XRP Momentum Builds
    Ripple’s recent $125 million settlement with the U.S. SEC has revived investor confidence in XRP’s long-term prospects. Analysts are now forecasting a 95% likelihood of an XRP ETF approval by early Q4—potentially unlocking billions in institutional capital.
    “PFMCrypto’s XRP Liquidity Mining couldn’t be better timed,” said the company’s Chief Market Strategist. “This offering provides diversified exposure and stable income—without the volatility of direct trading.”

    Sample Liquidity Mining Plans:
    $100 Plan – 2-Day Term – Earn $3.00 per day (plus $2 bonus)
    $1,000 Plan – 9-Day Term – Earn $13.10 per day
    $5,000 Plan – 30-Day Term – Earn $78.50 per day
    $10,000 Plan – 40-Day Term – Earn $180.00 per day
    All contracts guarantee full principal return upon maturity, and users may withdraw profits instantly at any time—providing maximum flexibility with minimal risk.

    Trusted by Over 9.2 Million Users in 192 Countries
    Since its founding in 2018, PFMCrypto has earned a reputation for delivering high-performance, transparent mining solutions. Today, its platform supports over 9.2 million users globally, offering both beginners and institutions access to secure, AI-optimized passive income streams.

    Get Started with Liquidity Mining in 3 Simple Steps:
    1.  Sign Up – Create an account and receive a $10 welcome bonus.
    2.  Choose a Mining Plan – Select your preferred term and budget
    3.  Start Earning Daily – Sit back as PFMCrypto’s AI engine mines for you

    About PFMCrypto
    PFMCrypto is a global pioneer in AI-powered cloud mining and decentralized finance solutions. Founded in 2018, the platform enables remote mining for XRP, BTC, ETH, DOGE, LTC, and SOL—offering high-yield, low-risk opportunities for users across 192 countries.

    Start your smarter mining journey today: https://pfmcrypto.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: MoneyHero Group Announces Winners of the SingSaver Best-Of Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, July 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia, successfully hosted the inaugural MoneyHero Group Presents: SingSaver Best-Of Awards gala on 17 July 2025. The event celebrated credit cards, investment products, insurance offerings, and digital banks that deliver the most exceptional value to Singapore consumers.

    The gala was well attended by over 170 guests, including senior executives from leading financial institutions, industry experts, and members of the media. This milestone event underscored MoneyHero’s commitment to promoting financial literacy and driving excellence within Singapore’s personal finance landscape.

    Beyond recognising excellence, the event fostered valuable connections across MoneyHero’s extensive network of partnerships, strengthening collaboration and supporting the continued growth of the personal finance ecosystem in Singapore.

    A total of 45 awards were presented across categories, such as credit cards, digital banks, investment products, and insurance. Winners this year included:

    • Best Credit Card for Travel Rewards: UOB Visa Signature Card
    • Best Credit Card for Dining: HSBC Live+ Credit Card
    • Best Credit Card for Shopping: OCBC Rewards Card
    • Best Credit Card for Everyday Spending: DBS yuu Card
    • Best Premium Credit Card: Citi Prestige Card
    • Best Credit Card for Simple Cashback: SCB Simply Cash Credit Card
    • Best Digital Bank for Seamless Onboarding: Trust Bank
    • Best Digital Bank for Integrated Investing Options: MariBank
    • Best Brokerage for Global Trading Experience for Everyday Investors: Tiger Brokers
    • Best Brokerage for US, SG, and HK Stocks: Webull Singapore
    • Best Brokerage for Beginner Investors in Singapore: Moomoo Singapore
    • Best Overall Travel Insurance Plan: FWD Premium
    • Top-Selling Insurance Provider on SingSaver: MSIG Insurance
    • Best Global Insurance Provider: Allianz Partners

    A full list of awardees and details of the judging methodology are available at:
    https://www.singsaver.com.sg/campaign/best-of-awards-2025

    Rohith Murthy, CEO of MoneyHero, said: “The inaugural MoneyHero Group Presents: SingSaver Best-Of Awards was a landmark event that brought together the personal finance community to recognise and celebrate products that deliver exceptional value to Singaporeans. By uniting our partners through this annual event, we aim to strengthen collaboration and foster innovation across the ecosystem—an approach we plan to extend to all markets where we operate. We sincerely thank the winners, nominees, judges, and attendees for their valuable contributions to this milestone event and their shared commitments to advancing financial empowerment.”

    Catherine Pang, Sales Director at Allianz Partners Singapore said: “We are honoured to be recognised in SingSaver Best-of Awards 2025. At Allianz Partners, our mission has always been to provide travellers with peace of mind through comprehensive, accessible, and responsive travel insurance solutions. This award is a reflection of the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our team to deliver exceptional service — from seamless digital claims to round-the-clock emergency assistance. We are proud to stand alongside SingSaver and MoneyHero Group in empowering consumers to make informed financial decisions, and we remain committed to protecting every journey, near or far.”

    Gourab Kundu, Head of Digital Growth for Asia South at Citi Wealth said: “We’re honoured that the Citi Prestige and Citi Cash Back credit cards have been recognised at the inaugural SingSaver Best-of Awards 2025. This recognition is a testament to our customer-centric focus, bringing the best proposition to our clients. Moving forward, we will continue to enhance our value proposition for customers to ensure our product offerings fit their lifestyles and their needs.”

    Disclaimer

    The information provided on this press release is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. While MoneyHero reviews and compares financial products to help consumers make informed decisions, it does not offer or provide personalised recommendations or investment advisory services. Consumers should always conduct their own research or consult a licensed financial professional before making any financial decisions.

    MoneyHero has made reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in this press release is accurate and up to date as at the date of publication. However, MoneyHero makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and accepts no liability (including liability to third parties) for any loss or damage arising from any error or omission in compiling or presenting such information, or reliance on the information provided.

    ​​​​​About SingSaver  

    SingSaver, part of MoneyHero Group (Nasdaq: MNY) – a market leading personal finance aggregation and comparison company in Greater Southeast Asia. Founded in May 2015, SingSaver has always been committed to matching consumers with the right financial products they need — from credit cards to personal loans, investing accounts to insurance policies, and much more. SingSaver helps thousands of consumers improve their money health with easy-to-use comparison platform along with impartial product reviews and extensive finance articles. For a full discovery, visit https://www.singsaver.com.sg/ 

    About MoneyHero Group

    MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) is a leading personal finance aggregation and comparison platform, as well as a digital insurance brokerage provider in Greater Southeast Asia. The Company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.  Its brand portfolio includes B2C platforms MoneyHero, SingSaver, Money101, Moneymax and Seedly, as well as the B2B platform Creatory.  The Company also retains an equity stake in Malaysian fintech company, Jirnexu Pte. Ltd., parent company of Jirnexu Sdn. Bhd., the operator of RinggitPlus, Malaysia’s largest operating B2C platform. MoneyHero had over 260 commercial partner relationships as at 31 March 2025, and had approximately 5.7 million Monthly Unique Users across its platform for the three months ended 31 March 2025. The Company’s backers include Peter Thiel—co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the Founders Fund—and Hong Kong businessman, Richard Li, the founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group. To learn more about MoneyHero and how the innovative fintech company is driving APAC’s digital economy, please visit www.MoneyHeroGroup.com.

    For inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    MoneyHero IR Team
    IR@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    Media Relations:
    MoneyHero PR Team
    Press@MoneyHeroGroup.com

    Photo 1:

    Group picture of all the guests and winners at the SingSaver Best-Of Awards.

    Photo 2:

    Rohith Murthy, CEO of MoneyHero Group, delivers the keynote address for the SingSaver Best-Of Awards.

    Photo 3:

    Guests at the SingSaver Best-Of Awards.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7405961-02c5-4496-9e76-6aca94a93d2f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/858e3357-72d6-4eb2-8650-68361bf3d98e

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9caddd16-d470-4e76-9d64-0554c9fd42a6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Equinor ASA: Share buy-back – second tranche for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Please see below information about transactions made under the second tranche of the 2025 share buy-back programme for Equinor ASA (OSE:EQNR, NYSE:EQNR, CEUX:EQNRO, TQEX:EQNRO).

    Date on which the buy-back tranche was announced: 30 April 2025.
    The duration of the buy-back tranche: 16 May to no later than 21 July 2025.

    Further information on the tranche can be found in the stock market announcement on its commencement dated 30 April 2025, available here: https://newsweb.oslobors.no/message/644796

    From 14 July to 17 July 2025, Equinor ASA has purchased a total of 1,265,968 own shares at an average price of NOK 267.7138 per share.

    The second tranche of the 2025 share buy-back programme for Equinor ASA has now been completed.

    Overview of transactions:

    Date Trading venue Aggregated daily volume (number of shares) Daily weighted average share price (NOK) Total daily transaction value (NOK)
             
    14 July OSE 420,000 274.3443 115,224,606.00
      CEUX      
      TQEX      
             
    15 July OSE      
      CEUX      
      TQEX      
             
    16 July OSE 430,000 265,4404 114,139,372.00
      CEUX      
      TQEX      
             
    17 July OSE 415,968 263.3692 109,553,159.39
      CEUX      
      TQEX      
             
    Total for the period OSE 1,265,968 267.7138 338,917,137.39
      CEUX      
      TQEX      
             
    Previously disclosed buy-backs under the tranche OSE 15,111,220 256.7267 3,879,452,952.92
    CEUX      
    TQEX      
    Total 15,111,220 256.7267 3,879,452,952.92
             
    Total buy-backs under the tranche (accumulated) OSE 16,377,188 257.5760 4,218,370,090.30
    CEUX      
    TQEX      
    Total 16,377,188 257.5760 4,218,370,090.30

    Following the completion of the above transactions, Equinor ASA owns a total of 25,565,943 own shares, corresponding to 1.00% of Equinor ASA’s share capital, including shares under Equinor’s share savings programme (excluding shares under Equinor’s share savings programme, Equinor owns a total of 16,377,188 own shares, corresponding to 0.64% of the share capital).

    This is information that Equinor ASA is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and that is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Appendix: A overview of all transactions made under the buy-back tranche that have been carried out during the above-mentioned time period is attached to this report and available at www.newsweb.no.

    Contact details:

    Investor relations
    Bård Glad Pedersen, senior vice president Investor Relations,
    +47 918 01 791

    Media
    Sissel Rinde, vice president Media Relations,
    +47 412 60 584

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ambassador Han Jing Attends the Opening Ceremony of the First Invest Zambia International Conference

    Source: APO


    .

    On July 16, the first Invest Zambia International Conference was held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. The three-day event, themed “Driving Generational Transformative Investments through Joint Ventures and Partnerships”, attracted participation from government departments, enterprises, financial institutions, industry organizations and diplomats from over 20 countries, totaling more than 1,500 attendees.

    Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. He stated that Zambia has created a stable, predictable, and investor-friendly environment with immense development potential in sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and processing. Investors from various countries, including China, have made significant contributions to Zambia’s economic and social development. The Zambian government will strive to foster a better business environment and welcomes global investors to establish joint ventures in Zambia, boosting economic growth, job creation, value addition and technological innovation.

    Ambassador Han Jing was present and delivered remarks. He noted that the practical cooperation between China and Zambia has flourished dynamically under the strategic guidance of the two head of state. China is Zambia’s largest source of investment, second-largest trading partner and the largest sponsor of this conference. Chinese enterprises, active across all sectors of Zambia’s economy and society, are vital participants and contributors to the nation’s development. The Chinese government consistently requires all Chinese enterprises to operate in compliance with laws and regulations and actively fulfill social responsibilities. Simultaneously, Ambassador Han stated China’s expectation that the Zambian government and all sectors of society will create a more favorable environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in Zambia.

    Prior to the opening ceremony, Ambassador Han Jing accompanied President Hichilema on a tour of the Chinese enterprises exhibition. During the opening ceremony, they jointly witnessed the signing of multiple investment cooperation agreements between Chinese enterprises and Zambian counterparts in fields including power construction and new energy vehicles.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Zambia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Second quarter 2025 operational update 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second quarter 2025 operational update 

    BW Energy will publish its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 on 1 August 2025. Today, the company provides preliminary operational figures.

    Net production attributable to BW Energy was 2.9 million barrels of oil (mmbbls) in the second quarter 2025, equivalent to 32.3 thousand barrels of oil per day (kbopd), from the Dussafu license in Gabon (73.5% working interest) and the Golfinho field in Brazil (100% working interest).

      Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024
    Production (mmbbls) 2.9 3.2 2.1
    Dussafu 2.4 2.6 1.4
    Golfinho 0.5 0.7 0.7
           
    Production (kbopd) 32.3 36.0 23.6
    Dussafu 26.6 28.7 15.6
    Golfinho 5.7 7.3 8.0
           
    Net volume sold (mmbbls) 2.8 3.7 1.9
    Dussafu1 2.3 3.2 0.9
    Golfinho 0.5 0.5 1
    1incl. Domestic market obligations (DMO) 0.07 0.07 0.03
    1incl. State profit oil 0.30 0.32 0.17
           
    Quarter-end stock inventory (mmbbls) 0.5 0.2  
    Dussafu -0.2 -0.4  
    Golfinho 0.7 0.6  
           
    Average realised price (USD)  66.7 74.8 83.8
    Dussafu 66.2 74.8 81.1
    Golfinho 69.1 75.0 86.4
            
    Operational costs2 (USD per barrel) 20.4 16.5 28.5
    Dussafu 14.3 9.9 19.8
    Golfinho 49.0 42.2 45.4


    2) Operating costs exclude Royalties, Tariffs, Workovers, Domestic Market Obligation purchases, Production Sharing costs in Gabon, and incorporates the impact of IFRS 16 adjustments.

    Reporting

    BW Energy will publish its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 on 1 August at 07:00 CEST. Management will host a webcast presentation later the same day at 14:00 CEST, followed by a live Q&A session. The webcast will be available at www.bwenergy.no.

    For further information, please contact:

    Martin Seland Simensen, VP Investor Relations BW Energy

    +47 416 92 087, martin.simensen@bwenergy.no

    About BW Energy:

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Second quarter 2025 operational update 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Second quarter 2025 operational update 

    BW Energy will publish its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 on 1 August 2025. Today, the company provides preliminary operational figures.

    Net production attributable to BW Energy was 2.9 million barrels of oil (mmbbls) in the second quarter 2025, equivalent to 32.3 thousand barrels of oil per day (kbopd), from the Dussafu license in Gabon (73.5% working interest) and the Golfinho field in Brazil (100% working interest).

      Q2 2025 Q1 2025 Q2 2024
    Production (mmbbls) 2.9 3.2 2.1
    Dussafu 2.4 2.6 1.4
    Golfinho 0.5 0.7 0.7
           
    Production (kbopd) 32.3 36.0 23.6
    Dussafu 26.6 28.7 15.6
    Golfinho 5.7 7.3 8.0
           
    Net volume sold (mmbbls) 2.8 3.7 1.9
    Dussafu1 2.3 3.2 0.9
    Golfinho 0.5 0.5 1
    1incl. Domestic market obligations (DMO) 0.07 0.07 0.03
    1incl. State profit oil 0.30 0.32 0.17
           
    Quarter-end stock inventory (mmbbls) 0.5 0.2  
    Dussafu -0.2 -0.4  
    Golfinho 0.7 0.6  
           
    Average realised price (USD)  66.7 74.8 83.8
    Dussafu 66.2 74.8 81.1
    Golfinho 69.1 75.0 86.4
            
    Operational costs2 (USD per barrel) 20.4 16.5 28.5
    Dussafu 14.3 9.9 19.8
    Golfinho 49.0 42.2 45.4


    2) Operating costs exclude Royalties, Tariffs, Workovers, Domestic Market Obligation purchases, Production Sharing costs in Gabon, and incorporates the impact of IFRS 16 adjustments.

    Reporting

    BW Energy will publish its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2025 on 1 August at 07:00 CEST. Management will host a webcast presentation later the same day at 14:00 CEST, followed by a live Q&A session. The webcast will be available at www.bwenergy.no.

    For further information, please contact:

    Martin Seland Simensen, VP Investor Relations BW Energy

    +47 416 92 087, martin.simensen@bwenergy.no

    About BW Energy:

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 6.6% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • Sensex, Nifty open lower amid FII selling pressure

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian equity indices opened lower on Friday, with heavyweights such as Axis Bank and Bharti Airtel among the top losers on the BSE benchmark.

    At 9:25 am, the Sensex was down 171 points or 0.21% at 82,087, while the Nifty slipped 35 points or 0.14% to 25,075.

    In the Sensex pack, M&M, Tata Steel, Power Grid, L&T, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Tata Motors, BEL, NTPC, TCS, Trent, and Maruti Suzuki emerged as top gainers. On the other hand, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Eternal (Zomato), HUL, Sun Pharma, Bajaj Finance, ICICI Bank, Titan, and Bajaj Finserv were among the major losers.

    On the sectoral front, auto, IT, PSU banks, metal, realty, media, energy, infrastructure, PSE, and commodities witnessed gains, while financial services, FMCG, and private banks traded in the red.

    “In July so far, India has underperformed most global markets, with the Nifty slipping by 1.6%. A key contributor to the decline has been consistent selling by FIIs. There’s a clear pattern in FII activity this year,” said Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    “They were net sellers in the first three months, turned buyers for the next three, and now in the seventh month, the trend has again shifted toward selling — unless some positive triggers reverse the current downtrend,” he added.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) remained net sellers for the second consecutive session on July 17, offloading equities worth ₹3,694 crore. Meanwhile, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) continued their buying streak for the ninth straight session, purchasing equities worth ₹2,820 crore.

    Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, noted that the Nifty ended lower for the fifth time in seven sessions on Thursday, but still held above the rising trendline drawn from the May 9 lows.

    “Technically, Thursday’s daily candle formed a bearish engulfing pattern, which aligns with our earlier view — that a close above 25,245 and then 25,340 was necessary for bulls to regain control. Hence, 25,000 remains a crucial support level, while 25,340 acts as key resistance,” he said.

    In Asia, markets were mostly trading in the green, with Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Jakarta posting gains, while Tokyo and Seoul traded lower. US markets closed higher on Thursday, buoyed by positive investor sentiment.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposes Housing And Transportation, Energy And Water Funding Measures That Fail To Support Americans Facing Rising Housing, Energy And Transportation Costs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted in full Committee against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Appropriations and FY 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations measures.

    The FY 2026 housing and transportation bill proposes to spend $89.9 billion for HUD, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Department of Transportation, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a decrease of $4.5 billion from the FY 2025 enacted level.

    The $57.3 billion Energy and Water Appropriations bill funds the Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) civil works programs and various energy programs. This is a decrease of nearly $776 million from the FY 2025 enacted level.

    “While these measures fund many critical Hawai‘i priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against both bills because of massive cuts to federal program that help everyday Americans with rising housing, transportation and energy costs,” explained Case.

    The Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill included some important wins for Hawai‘i requested by Case including $5.5 million for Case’s Community Funding Projects (described below), as well as $18.3 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant and $28 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund (for both of which programs the President’s budget has proposed $0). It also included Case’s request to continue funding for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which plays a crucial role in enhancing the safety of the helicopter and small aircraft industry through accident investigation, analysis and recommendations to prevent future incidents, including several fatal accidents throughout Hawai‘i.

    Despite these positives, Case said the bill poses significant risks to vulnerable communities by exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis and undercutting critical housing support systems. The bill eliminates the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the only federal program dedicated to developing new affordable rental and homeownership options. It also defunds the PRO Housing Program, which empowers local governments to address housing shortages. Together, these actions remove essential tools for expanding the affordable housing supply.

    The bill further harms Americans aspiring to homeownership by stripping funding from housing counseling assistance. The net effect of the bill threatens nearly 415,000 households that rely on HUD assistance, putting them at risk of eviction and housing instability.

    The Energy and Water Appropriations bill also included numerous wins for Hawai‘i requested by Case, including funding for USACE programs that aid in the preservation of Hawaii’s coastlines across all seven inhabited islands. Specifically, the bill includes $2 million to study avenues of protection for public infrastructure on small beaches from erosion and damage caused by storms and natural wave currents; $18 million for regional sediment management, construction, operations and regulatory functions in the coastal zone; and $38 million for programs which manage aquatic weeds in public waters.

    Notably, one of Case’s highest priorities, an instruction to the USACE to complete a major update study for Honolulu Harbor, was included in the bill. This provision directs the USACE to investigate modifications to Honolulu Harbor to better handle the impacts of military operations in the state and throughout the Indo-Pacific as a whole, which can open up additional federal resources for the planned improvements of Honolulu Harbor. Also included in the bill is $9.5 million for USACE program that aids in the planning, designing and construction of small projects for commercial navigation purposes such as channels, breakwaters and jetties. This funding will aid in the investigation of best practices for Honolulu Harbor modifications.

    Despite these positives, Case opposed the measure in light of the widespread elimination of funding to advance clean, affordable and secure energy for Americans. The bill slashes vital clean energy funding nationwide, with Hawai‘i set to experience a cut of 31% on federal funding for clean energy projects and investments.

    “While the Energy and Water Appropriations measures fund many critical Hawai‘i and priorities I requested, regrettably the bill will increase energy costs for American families by revoking more than $5 billion in clean energy investments.

    “Without these federally funded programs and incentives, we risk falling dangerously behind our clean energy goals,” said Case. 

    Through his assignment on the Committee, Case secured the following seven Member-designated Community Project Funding (CPF) projects across the two bills that specifically focused on local needs in Hawai‘i:

    ·      $2 million for the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation to repair Aloha Tower, including replacing its 40-foot mast, repairing the crown of the tower and replacing its windows to weatherproof the landmark. This funding is essential to maintain Aloha Tower’s structural integrity, enhance public access and ensure that it remains a celebrated symbol of Honolulu’s history for generations to come.

    ·      $1 million for the City and County of Honolulu for its Waikīkī Vista Project. This project converts former Tokai University and Hawai‘i Pacific University classrooms into a consolidated, family-friendly emergency shelter and additional affordable housing units for low-income families. This investment will directly enhance the City’s ability to reduce family homelessness and expand affordable housing inventory in one of Hawaii’s most housing-challenged areas.

    ·      $850,000 for the City and County of Honolulu to support its Safe Harbor Support for Housing Survivors of Domestic Violence project. This funding will expand the Domestic Violence Action Center’s successful housing program by supporting property acquisition and staffing to increase safe and stable housing options for survivors and their children.

    ·      $850,000 for Kalihi Waena Elementary School to construct a new single-span pedestrian bridge with American with Disabilities Act-compliant access between Kūhiō Park Terrace and the school. The new bridge will replace dangerously deteriorating infrastructure and ensure safe and equitable access for students and community members.

    ·      $300,000 for Highlands Intermediate School to modernize and expand its media center infrastructure. The renovation will create a collaborative, technology-driven learning environment that fosters student creativity, innovation and digital literacy.

    ·      $250,000 for the Hawai‘i State Parks System and Hawai‘i Nature Center to upgrade educational and operational facilities, including classroom expansion and replacement of a sustainable wetland wastewater system supporting environmental education for thousands of Title I students annually.

    ·      $250,000 for the Hawai‘i State Broadband Office for broadband infrastructure development in our local community centers. Funding will be used toward essential network enhancements, including rewiring, electrical system upgrades and the installation of Wi-Fi access points to ensure reliable, high-speed connectivity.

    The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member and must be subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/services/funding-disclosures.htm.  


    Transportation-HUD Funding Bill

    More specifically, the bill includes the following funding requested by Case for programs to improve access to affordable housing in Hawai‘i and nationwide:

    ·      $18.3 million for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant Program, which supports the building, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable homes.

    ·      $5 million for core housing research partnerships with Native Hawaiian serving institutions among other minority serving institutions.

    ·      $56 million for the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity Program.

    ·      $17 billion for project-based rental assistance.

    ·      $5.6 billion for the Community Development Fund, which includes $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block Grant formula program.

    ·      $4 billion for the Homeless Assistance Grants.

    Transportation and infrastructure programs requested and secured by Case include:

    ·      $380 million for the Maritime Security Program, $123 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program and $30 million for assistance to small shipyards like Kalaeloa/Barbers Point.

    ·      $64 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to improve the safety and long-term viability of our highways.

    ·      $23 billion for the FAA, including $10 billion to fully fund air traffic control operations and allow the FAA to hire 2,500 air traffic controllers to replace the retiring workforce.

    ·      $15 billion for the Federal Transit Administration.

    A summary of the Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill is available here.

    Energy and Water Funding Bill

    More specifically, the bill includes the following energy and water-related programs and provisions requested and secured by Case and of specific benefit to Hawai‘i: 

    ·      Language directing the USACE to investigate modifications to Honolulu Harbor to better accommodate the impacts of military operations in the state and throughout the Indo-Pacific as a whole.

    ·      $2 million for the USACE’s beach erosion and hurricane and storm damage reduction activities.

    ·      $40 million for flood control and coastal emergencies efforts.

    ·      $18 million for the USACE’s National Coastal Mapping Program, which provides high-resolution elevation and imagery data along the U.S. shorelines on a recurring basis which can provide a better understanding of human uses, issues and constraints in coastal regions.

    ·      $12 million for the USACE’s Aquatic Plant Control Program, which conducts research and development of biological, chemical, cultural and ecological capabilities for controlling invasive aquatic plants.

    ·      Language modifying a clean energy program under DOE that has been widely beneficial for Hawai‘i. The newly named Energy Technology Innovation Office, previously known as the Energy Transitions Initiative, supports island and remote communities by providing personalized technical and financial assistance. Case recently introduced legislation make to make this program permanent. (See here for more details.)

    ·      Language directing the DOE to investigate potential benefits of having small-modular nuclear reactors as a source of clean, domestically sourced electricity for remote, noncontiguous U.S. areas such as Hawai‘i.

    A summary of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill is available here. 

    These two bills are the 6th and 7th of twelve separate bills developed and approved by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year. The bills now move on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.   

    ###

     

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consulting on sustainable investment labels

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Today the Albanese Labor Government is starting consultation on sustainable investment product labelling, to give investors more confidence to put more capital to work in sustainable products.

    The release of this paper is a key step in implementing the Government’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap.

    The Roadmap is all about helping to mobilise the capital required for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower, modernising our financial markets and maximising the economic opportunities from net zero.

    This consultation paper seeks views from investors, companies and the broader community on a framework for sustainable investment product labels.

    These labels will help investors and consumers identify, compare, and make informed decisions about sustainable investment products to understand what ‘sustainable’, ‘green’ or similar words mean when they’re applied to financial products.

    A more robust and clear product labelling framework will help investors and consumers invest in sustainable products with confidence and help tackle greenwashing.

    This is another practical step in the Roadmap to improve how we measure progress, manage risk, demonstrate results and mobilise the investment we need to reach net zero and other sustainability goals.

    This phase of consultation will run from 18 July to 29 August and help the Government refine its design principles for the framework.

    The consultation paper is available on the Treasury consultation hub.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom and Acting Governor Kounalakis honor fallen CDCR Parole Agent

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 17, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued the following statement regarding the death of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Parole Agent Joshua Lemont Byrd:

    “This is a heartbreaking loss. Agent Byrd served with integrity and courage — and we’re forever grateful. We are keeping his family in our prayers and we join the men and women of CDCR in mourning this tragedy.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    On July 17, at approximately 12:50 p.m., Parole Agent Byrd was shot inside the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) office located in Oakland. Agent Byrd was immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries. A suspect has been detained by Oakland Police Department officers.

    Agent Byrd, 40, joined CDCR as a cadet at CDCR’s correctional officer academy in June 2014. After serving as a correctional officer and correctional sergeant, he joined the DAPO Oakland office as a parole agent in October 2024.

    He leaves a wife and children.

    In honor of Agent Byrd, flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown at half-staff. This is the first line-of-duty loss for CDCR since 2018.  

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Scientists could be accidentally damaging fossils with a method we thought was safe

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mathieu Duval, Adjunct Senior Researcher at Griffith University and La Trobe University, and Ramón y Cajal (Senior) Research Fellow, Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH)

    185,000-year-old human fossil jawbone from Misliya Cave, Israel. Gerhard Weber, University of Vienna, CC BY-ND

    Fossils are invaluable archives of the past. They preserve details about living things from a few thousand to hundreds of millions of years ago.

    Studying fossils can help us understand the evolution of species over time, and glimpse snapshots of past environments and climates. Fossils can also reveal the diets or migration patterns of long-gone species – including our own ancestors.

    But when living things turn to rock, discerning those details is no easy feat. One common technique for studying fossils is micro-computerised tomography or micro-CT. It’s been used to find the earliest evidence of bone cancer in humans, to study brain imprints and inner ears in early hominins, and to study the teeth of the oldest human modern remains outside Africa, among many other examples.

    However, our new study, published today in Radiocarbon, shows that despite being widely regarded as non-destructive, micro-CT may actually affect fossil preservation and erase some crucial information held inside.

    Preserving precious specimens

    Fossils are rare and fragile by nature. Scientists are constantly evaluating how to balance their impact on fossils with the need to study them.

    When palaeontologists and palaeoanthropologists (who work on human fossils) analyse fossils, they want to minimise any potential damage. We want to preserve fossils for future generations as much as possible – and technology can be a huge help here.

    Micro-CT works like the medical CT scans doctors use to peek inside the human body. However, it does so at a much smaller scale and at a greater resolution.

    This is perfect for studying small objects such as fossils. With micro-CT, scientists can take high-resolution 3D images and access the inner structure of fossils without the need to cut them open.

    These scans also allow for virtual copies of the fossils, which other scientists can then access from anywhere in the world. This significantly reduces the risk of damage, since the scanned fossils can safely remain in a museum collection, for example.

    Micro-CT is popular and routinely used. The scientific community widely regards it as “non-destructive” because it doesn’t cause any visual damage – but it could still affect the fossil.

    Jaw bone of the human fossil species Homo antecessor from Spain. Left: micro-CT scan with a cutting plane to visualise the inner structures, bone and teeth; right: 3D reconstruction based on the high-resolution micro-CT images.
    Laura Martín-Francés

    How does micro-CT imaging work?

    Micro-CT scanning uses X-rays and computer software to produce high-resolution images and reconstruct the fossil specimens in detail. Typically, palaeontologists use commercial scanners for this, but more advanced investigations may use powerful X-ray beams generated at a synchrotron.

    The X-rays go through the specimen and are captured by a detector on the other end. This allows for a very fine-grained understanding of the matter they’ve passed through – especially density, which then provides clues about the shape of the internal structures, the composition of the tissues, or any contamination.

    The scan produces a succession of 2D images from all angles. Computer software is then used to “clean up” these high-resolution images and assemble them into a 3D shape – a virtual copy of the fossil and its inner structures.

    Example of micro-CT results on a hominin fossil known as Little Foot, from southern Africa.

    But X-rays are not harmless

    X-rays are a type of ionising radiation. This means they have a high level of energy and can break electrons away from atoms (this is called ionisation).

    In living tissue, ionising radiation can damage cells and DNA, although the level of damage will depend on the duration and intensity of exposure. X-rays and CT scans used in medicine generally have a very low risk since the exposure of the human body is reduced as much as possible.

    However, despite what we know about the impact of X-rays on living cells, the potential impact of X-rays on fossils through micro-CT imaging has never been deeply investigated.

    What did our study find?

    Using standard settings on a typical micro-CT scanner, we scanned several modern and fossil bones and teeth from animals. We also measured their collagen content before and after scanning.

    Collagen is useful for many analytical purposes, such as finding out the age of the fossils using radiocarbon dating, or for stable isotope analysis – a method used to infer the diet of the extinct species, for example. The collagen content in fossils is usually much lower than in modern specimens because it slowly breaks down over time.

    After comparing our measurements with unscanned samples taken from the same specimens, we found two things.

    First, the radiocarbon age remained unchanged. In other words, micro-CT scanning doesn’t affect radiocarbon dating. That’s the good news.

    The bad news is that we did observe a significant decrease in the amount of collagen present. In other words, the micro-CT scanned samples had about 35% less collagen than the samples before scanning.

    This shows micro-CT imaging has a non-negligible impact on fossils that contain collagen traces. While this was to be expected, the impact hasn’t been experimentally confirmed before.

    It’s possible some fossil samples won’t have enough collagen left after micro-CT scanning. This would make them unsuitable for a range of analytical techniques, including radiocarbon dating.

    What now?

    In a previous study, we showed micro-CT can artificially “age” fossils later dated with a method called electron spin resonance. It’s commonly used to date fossils older than 50,000 years – beyond what the radiocarbon method can discern.

    This previous study and our new work show that micro-CT scanning may significantly and irreversibly change the fossil and the information it holds.

    Despite causing no visible damage to the fossil, we argue that in this context the technique should no longer be regarded as non-destructive.

    Micro-CT imaging is highly valuable in palaeontology and palaeoanthropology, no doubt about that. But our results suggest it should be used sparingly to minimise how much fossils are exposed to X-rays. There are guidelines scientists can use to minimise damage. Freely sharing data to avoid repeated scans of the same specimen will be helpful, too.

    Mathieu Duval receives funding from the Spanish State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación). He is currently the recipient of a Ramón y Cajal fellowship (RYC2018-025221-I) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ‘‘ESF Investing in your future”. This work is also part of Spanish Grant PID2021-123092NB-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE, and by ‘‘ERDF A way of making Europe”.

    Laura Martín-Francés receives funding from Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions of the EU Ninth programme (2021-2027) under the HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01-Project: 101060482.

    – ref. Scientists could be accidentally damaging fossils with a method we thought was safe – https://theconversation.com/scientists-could-be-accidentally-damaging-fossils-with-a-method-we-thought-was-safe-258827

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Michael Wilson, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate in Men’s Mental Health, The University of Melbourne

    Breakups hurt. Emotional and psychological distress are common when intimate relationships break down. For some people, this distress can be so overwhelming that it leads to suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

    This problem seems especially the case for men. Intimate partner problems including breakups, separation and divorce feature in the paths to suicide among one in three Australian men aged 25 to 44 who end their lives.

    Men account for three in every four suicides in many nations worldwide, including Australia. So improving our understanding of links between relationship breakdown and men’s suicide risk has life-saving potential.

    Our research, published today, is the first large-scale review of the evidence to focus on understanding men’s risk of suicide after a breakup. We found separated men were nearly five times more likely to die by suicide compared to married men.

    What did we find?

    We brought together findings from 75 studies across 30 countries worldwide, involving more than 106 million men.

    We focused on understanding why relationship breakdown can lead to suicide in men, and which men are most at risk. We might not be able to prevent breakups from happening, but we can promote healthy adjustment to the stress of relationship breakdown to try and prevent suicide.

    Overall, we found divorced men were 2.8 times more likely to take their lives than married men.

    For separated men, the risk was much higher. We found that separated men were 4.8 times more likely to die by suicide than married men.

    Most strikingly, we found separated men under 35 years of age had nearly nine times greater odds of suicide than married men of the same age.

    The short-term period after relationship breakdown therefore appears particularly risky for men’s mental health.

    What are these men feeling?

    Some men’s difficulties regulating the intense emotional stress of relationship breakdown can play a role in their suicide risk. For some men, the emotional pain tied to separation – deep sadness, shame, guilt, anxiety and loss – can be so intense it feels never-ending.

    Many men are raised in a culture of masculinity that often encourages them to suppress or withdraw from their emotions in times of intense stress.

    Some men also experience difficulties understanding or interpreting their emotions, which can create challenges in knowing how to respond to them.

    Overall, our research found relationship breakdown may lead to suicide for some men because of the complex interaction between the individual (emotional distress) and interpersonal (changes in their social network and availability of support) impacts of a breakup.

    Many of these impacts don’t seem to feature in the paths to suicide after a breakup for women in the same way.

    Breakups also impact social networks

    As intimate relationships become more serious, we tend to spend less time investing in our friendships, especially if juggling the demands of a career and family.

    Many men, especially in heterosexual relationships, rely on their intimate partner as a primary source of social and emotional support – often at the expense of connections outside their relationship.

    This can create a risky situation if relationships break down, as it seems many men are left with little support to turn to. This rang true in our research, as men’s social disconnection and loneliness seemed to increase their suicide risk following relationship breakdown.

    We also know people can struggle to know how to support men after a breakup. Research has found some men who ask for support are told to just “get back on the horse”. Such a response invalidates men’s pain and reinforces masculine stereotypes that relationship breakdown doesn’t affect them.

    So, what can we do?

    There is no simple answer to preventing suicide following relationship breakdown, but a range of opportunities exist.

    We can intervene early, by educating young people with the skills to end relationships healthily, handle rejection and regulate the difficult emotions of a breakup.

    We can embed support groups and other opportunities for connection and peer support in relationship services that are regularly in contact with those navigating separation, to help combat loneliness.

    We can ensure mental health practitioners are equipped with the skills necessary to engage and respond effectively to men who seek help following a breakup, to help keep them safe until they can get back on their feet.

    Most importantly, if men come to any of us seeking support after a breakup, we can remember that time is often a great healer. The best we can do is sit with men in their pain, rather than try and get them to stop feeling it. This connection could be life-saving.

    Support and information is available at Relationships Australia and MensLine Australia. If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Michael Wilson works for The University of Melbourne and consults to Movember. He receives funding from the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, provided by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne.

    Jacqui Macdonald receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Medical Research Future Fund and the Australian Research Council. She convenes the Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium and she is on the Movember Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee.

    Zac Seidler has been awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant. He is also the Global Director of Research with the Movember Institute of Men’s Health. He advises government on men’s suicide, masculinities, violence prevention and social media policy.

    – ref. Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men – https://theconversation.com/separated-men-are-nearly-5-times-more-likely-to-take-their-lives-than-married-men-258196

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Durbin, Welch, Colleagues Condemn DOJ’s Baseless Voter Fraud Investigations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Durbin, Welch, Colleagues Condemn DOJ’s Baseless Voter Fraud Investigations

    On John Lewis National Day of Action, Senators request access to Civil Rights Division Memo that changes mission statement to investigating voter fraud

    Senators: “Taken together, the Department is clearly pursuing an anti-voter, partisan agenda aligned with 2020 election deniers and conspiracy theorists”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on John Lewis National Day of Action, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led 13 Senators in raising the alarm on the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division’s policy shift to focus on unsubstantiated voter fraud investigations. The Senators pushed Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon to share the recent staff memorandum reportedly changing the mission statement of the Civil Rights Division Voting Section away from defending voting rights. The Department of Justice has repeatedly refused Ranking Member Padilla’s oversight requests to access this memo.

    The letter comes as the DOJ’s Voting Section made a sweeping request asking Colorado to provide all 2024 federal election records and maintain any remaining 2020 election records, in addition to seeking voter rolls from at least nine other states. The Voting Section is also pursuing cases in Arizona, Wisconsin, and North Carolina based on baseless claims of election irregularities or fraud. They also criticized the Voting Section for abandoning efforts to protect voting rights, including dropping its lawsuit challenging Georgia’s Senate Bill 202, withdrawing its claims in redistricting cases in Texas, and revoking its requests to orally argue before the Supreme Court for Louisiana redistricting cases.

    “We write out of grave concern for the reported changes to the mission and work of the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, which appear to redirect the Section’s focus towards the extremely rare instances of voter fraud and noncitizen voting. Since its creation by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Division has been charged with enforcing the civil and criminal provisions of federal laws that protect the civil rights of Americans, including the right to vote,” wrote the Senators.

    “Taken together, the Department is clearly pursuing an anti-voter, partisan agenda aligned with 2020 election deniers and conspiracy theorists. We urge you to change course and take a nonpartisan approach to protecting voters’ rights that is grounded in facts and the law, not unfounded speculation and conspiracy theories,” continued the Senators.

    The Senators also expressed concern about the reduction of lawyers in the Voting Section as well as the appointment of Acting Chief Maureen Riordan, a former line attorney in the Section, who has been associated with election skeptics and worked for the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), a leading anti-voting legal group. Riordan has appeared on “Stop the Steal” architect Cleta Mitchell’s podcast and made accusations of political bias in the Voting Section, while voicing her disagreement with the Section’s pursuit of cases aimed at protecting voting rights and access to the ballot box for racial minorities.

    Additionally, they highlighted the DOJ’s attacks against election officials, wasting limited resources to examine how existing laws could be used to criminally charge state and local election officials.

    “This clear attempt to intimidate these hardworking individuals, whose work holds up our democracy will not go unchallenged,” added the Senators. “The Department must abandon this effort and instead focus on working on actual problems facing election officials, which includes protecting these officials from the ongoing threats and harassment.”

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Durbin, and Welch, the letter was also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Earlier this year, Padilla and his Democratic Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues demanded answers from the DOJ concerning the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department’s Civil Rights Division. The Senators separately called for Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, to immediately hold an oversight hearing with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, a San Francisco-based lawyer leading the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, on its politicization. During her Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing in February, Senator Padilla criticized Dhillon for her alarming track record of restricting the right to vote, spreading disinformation about the 2020 election, and perpetuating discriminatory laws.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Assistant Attorney General Dhillon:

    We write out of grave concern for the reported changes to the mission and work of the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section, which appear to redirect the Section’s focus towards the extremely rare instances of voter fraud and noncitizen voting. Since its creation by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Division has been charged with enforcing the civil and criminal provisions of federal laws that protect the civil rights of Americans, including the right to vote.

    To start, we are unable to fully understand the Section’s work as the Department has repeatedly refused requests for the memorandum you sent to employees of the Civil Rights Division—which was reported by the Associated Press in May 2025—highlighting the new mission statement for the Voting Section. This refusal to cooperate with such a simple and specific congressional information request is alarming, and we once again renew our request for basic transparency to review this document and confirm these reports are accurate.

    We are particularly concerned about the Voting Section’s unprecedented and intrusive request for significant amounts of election data from the state of Colorado. This overly broad and burdensome request appears to have limited justification and raises alarming questions regarding what the Department intends to do with this information, and which states are next to be targeted. This initial request demands a full, public explanation and exacerbates ongoing concerns about the sharing and misuse of voter data by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

    Public reporting and court filings also indicate that the Voting Section is down to a small number of attorneys and that Maureen Riordan—who previously worked for an anti-voting rights group and has associated with individuals who perpetuated falsehoods around the 2020 election, has been appointed as Acting Chief. This raises questions about whether the Section has abandoned its longstanding mission to conduct meaningful voter protection work and will instead act to perpetuate the myth of widespread voter fraud.

    Ms. Riordan’s documented disregard for established legal precedent in the voting rights context is troubling and should disqualify her from leading the Section. For instance, Ms. Riordan recently appeared on election-denier Cleta Mitchell’s podcast and expressed disapproval of the Department’s previous challenges to racial discrimination in the electoral process. Ms. Riordan also joined Ms. Mitchell in spreading false claims of widespread voting by noncitizens and criticizing as negligent states’ voter roll maintenance, among other inflammatory comments. 

    With the significant changes occurring at the Department, we are paying close attention to the Division’s work and are alarmed at how the Section is now using its limited resources. In addition to the recent action in Colorado, the Voting Section is pursuing alleged infractions about proper semantics of “and/or” language on Arizona’s voter registration form, and the Section is requesting that the U.S. Election Assistance Commission withhold any future election security funding for the Wisconsin Elections Commission based on alleged violations of federal elections laws. The Voting Section is also attempting to pursue a partisan agenda by suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections over the same baseless voter registration claim that was at issue in the Republican challenger’s failed attempt to nullify election results to regain a seat on North Carolina’s Supreme Court.

    Recent reporting also indicates the Department is using its limited resources to determine how existing laws could be used against state and local election officials to charge them criminally as they administer elections. This clear attempt to intimidate these hardworking individuals, whose work holds up our democracy will not go unchallenged. The Department must abandon this effort and instead focus on working on actual problems facing election officials, which includes protecting these officials from the ongoing threats and harassment.

    As its priorities shift, the Department is also withdrawing from cases that it has been engaged in for years that are meant to protect the right to vote, including dropping its lawsuit challenging Georgia’s Senate Bill 202, dropping all its claims in several consolidated cases in Texas around redistricting, and withdrawing its requests to participate in oral arguments before the Supreme Court for consolidated cases involving redistricting in Louisiana. Through these actions, it is clear that the Department has abandoned any work protecting the voting rights of communities of color, despite its core mission to enforce the protections of the Voting Rights Act.

    Taken together, the Department is clearly pursuing an anti-voter, partisan agenda aligned with 2020 election deniers and conspiracy theorists. We urge you to change course and take a nonpartisan approach to protecting voters’ rights that is grounded in facts and the law, not unfounded speculation and conspiracy theories.

    We respectfully request specific responses to these concerns and your prompt response in sharing the new mission statement for the Voting Section with Congress without further delay.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More invitations issued to the Economic Reform Roundtable

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Today we have issued another round of invitations to the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable.

    The Roundtable is all about building consensus on long term economic reform, with a focus on resilience, productivity and budget sustainability.

    The latest round of invitees includes expert voices on economic policy, leaders with broad industry and policy experience, and important perspectives from regulators, the public sector and the states.

    It’s an outstanding group of people who we believe will make a big contribution to the future direction of economic reform.

    They are thought leaders who have been chosen for their ability to make meaningful contributions across a broad range of areas and across each of the three days.

    More invitations will be issued for participants to attend specific sessions, as the agenda takes shape.

    While we can’t invite representatives from every industry or organisation, everyone has the chance to have their say in this process with online submissions still open.

    Roundtable invitations issued today include:

    Sue Lloyd‑Hurwitz AM, Chair, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

    Kerry Schott, Chair, Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel

    Matt Comyn, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Bank of Australia

    Scott Farquhar, Chair, Tech Council of Australia

    Cath Bowtell, Chair, IFM Investors

    Ben Wyatt, Board Member, Woodside, and former Treasurer of Western Australia

    Ken Henry AC, Chair, Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation

    Andrew Fraser, Chair, Australian Retirement Trust, Chancellor, Griffith University and former Treasurer of Queensland

    Allegra Spender MP, Federal Independent Member for Wentworth

    Daniel Mookhey MLC, Chair, Board of Treasurers and NSW Treasurer

    Gina Cass‑Gottlieb, Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

    Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of the Treasury

    Invitations issued last month:

    Danielle Wood, Chair, Productivity Commission

    Sally McManus, Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

    Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions

    Liam O’Brien*, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

    Joseph Mitchell*, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions

    Bran Black, Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Australia

    Andrew McKellar, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

    Innes Willox, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Industry Group

    Matthew Addison, Chair, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia

    Cassandra Goldie, Australian Council of Social Service

    Ted O’Brien, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer

    *These participants will attend as alternates for the Secretary and President of the ACTU.

    Biographies

    Sue Lloyd‑Hurwitz AM

    Sue is the Chair of National Housing Supply and Affordability Council; a non‑executive director of Rio Tinto, Macquarie Group and INSEAD; and a Fellow of the University of Sydney Senate. Previously, Sue was CEO and Managing Director of Mirvac and President of Chief Executive Women.

    Dr Kerry Schott AO

    Kerry is a Director of AGL, Chair of the Carbon Market Institute and Chair of the Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel. Recently, she was Chair of the New South Wales Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, Chair of the Advisory Board to EnergyCo NSW, and an Adviser to Aware Super. Kerry brings extensive experience in transport, infrastructure and energy, across both business and government sectors.

    Matt Comyn

    Matt is the CEO and Managing Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Matt has over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, including as Managing Director of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s biggest digital business, CommSec, and brings extensive experience in digital adoption.

    Scott Farquhar

    Scott is the Co‑Founder of Atlassian, one of the world’s leading software collaboration companies and Australia’s first tech unicorn. Scott is a Founding Member and Chair of the Tech Council of Australia and is also the Co‑Founder of Skip Capital, a private fund investing in exceptional tech and infrastructure entrepreneurs.

    Cath Bowtell

    Cath is the Chair of IFM Investors, Industry Super Holdings and is a Director of Industry Fund Services. Cath has worked for many years in senior roles in both the superannuation industry and union movement. Cath is also currently the Chair of the Jobs and Skills Australia Ministerial Advisory Board.

    The Hon Ben Wyatt

    Ben is a former Treasurer of Western Australia and holds a number of current board positions, including for Woodside. Ben held a number of ministerial positions in WA and became the first Indigenous treasurer of an Australian parliament. Ben brings extensive knowledge of public policy, finance, international trade and Indigenous affairs.

    Dr Ken Henry AC

    Ken is an Australian economist and former public servant, including as Secretary of the Department of the Treasury from 2001 to 2011. Ken has held numerous positions in both government and the private sector, and is currently Chair of the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, the Nature Finance Council, and Wildlife Recovery Australia.

    The Hon Andrew Fraser

    Andrew is the Chair of the Australian Retirement Trust, Chancellor of Griffith University and a Director of the Bank of Queensland. He also works in the charity sector, where he serves as the Chair of Orange Sky Australia. Andrew is a former Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland, and brings broad experience across the private and public sectors, and the charitable and education sectors.

    Allegra Spender MP

    Allegra is the Federal Independent Member for Wentworth. Prior to entering Parliament, Allegra worked as a business analyst at McKinsey, a policy analyst with UK Treasury and was later the Managing Director at Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd. Allegra was also previously the Chair of the Sydney Renewable Power Company, and CEO of the Australian Business and Community Network.

    The Hon Daniel Moohkey MLC

    Daniel is NSW Treasurer and the current Chair of the Board of Treasurers. Daniel has been a member of the NSW Legislative Council for over ten years and has delivered three Budgets in his over two years as the Treasurer of NSW.

    Gina Cass‑Gottlieb

    Gina is Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Gina has over 30 years’ experience advising on merger, competition and regulatory matters in Australia and New Zealand. Gina brings broad and deep experience on consumer and competition issues across the economy.

    Dr Steven Kennedy PSM

    Steven is Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and was previously Secretary to the Treasury. Prior to this, Steven was Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development between September 2017 and August 2019. In a public service career spanning more than 30 years, Steven has held a series of other senior positions.

    Jenny Wilkinson PSM

    Jenny Wilkinson commenced as Secretary to the Australian Treasury in June 2025, becoming the first woman to hold this position in its 124‑year history. Jenny was previously Secretary of the Department of Finance. During her career, Jenny has held other senior positions in Commonwealth Treasury, the Parliamentary Budget Office, the Department of Industry, the Department of Climate Change, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Wilson, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate in Men’s Mental Health, The University of Melbourne

    Breakups hurt. Emotional and psychological distress are common when intimate relationships break down. For some people, this distress can be so overwhelming that it leads to suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

    This problem seems especially the case for men. Intimate partner problems including breakups, separation and divorce feature in the paths to suicide among one in three Australian men aged 25 to 44 who end their lives.

    Men account for three in every four suicides in many nations worldwide, including Australia. So improving our understanding of links between relationship breakdown and men’s suicide risk has life-saving potential.

    Our research, published today, is the first large-scale review of the evidence to focus on understanding men’s risk of suicide after a breakup. We found separated men were nearly five times more likely to die by suicide compared to married men.

    What did we find?

    We brought together findings from 75 studies across 30 countries worldwide, involving more than 106 million men.

    We focused on understanding why relationship breakdown can lead to suicide in men, and which men are most at risk. We might not be able to prevent breakups from happening, but we can promote healthy adjustment to the stress of relationship breakdown to try and prevent suicide.

    Overall, we found divorced men were 2.8 times more likely to take their lives than married men.

    For separated men, the risk was much higher. We found that separated men were 4.8 times more likely to die by suicide than married men.

    Most strikingly, we found separated men under 35 years of age had nearly nine times greater odds of suicide than married men of the same age.

    The short-term period after relationship breakdown therefore appears particularly risky for men’s mental health.

    What are these men feeling?

    Some men’s difficulties regulating the intense emotional stress of relationship breakdown can play a role in their suicide risk. For some men, the emotional pain tied to separation – deep sadness, shame, guilt, anxiety and loss – can be so intense it feels never-ending.

    Many men are raised in a culture of masculinity that often encourages them to suppress or withdraw from their emotions in times of intense stress.

    Some men also experience difficulties understanding or interpreting their emotions, which can create challenges in knowing how to respond to them.

    Overall, our research found relationship breakdown may lead to suicide for some men because of the complex interaction between the individual (emotional distress) and interpersonal (changes in their social network and availability of support) impacts of a breakup.

    Many of these impacts don’t seem to feature in the paths to suicide after a breakup for women in the same way.

    Breakups also impact social networks

    As intimate relationships become more serious, we tend to spend less time investing in our friendships, especially if juggling the demands of a career and family.

    Many men, especially in heterosexual relationships, rely on their intimate partner as a primary source of social and emotional support – often at the expense of connections outside their relationship.

    This can create a risky situation if relationships break down, as it seems many men are left with little support to turn to. This rang true in our research, as men’s social disconnection and loneliness seemed to increase their suicide risk following relationship breakdown.

    We also know people can struggle to know how to support men after a breakup. Research has found some men who ask for support are told to just “get back on the horse”. Such a response invalidates men’s pain and reinforces masculine stereotypes that relationship breakdown doesn’t affect them.

    So, what can we do?

    There is no simple answer to preventing suicide following relationship breakdown, but a range of opportunities exist.

    We can intervene early, by educating young people with the skills to end relationships healthily, handle rejection and regulate the difficult emotions of a breakup.

    We can embed support groups and other opportunities for connection and peer support in relationship services that are regularly in contact with those navigating separation, to help combat loneliness.

    We can ensure mental health practitioners are equipped with the skills necessary to engage and respond effectively to men who seek help following a breakup, to help keep them safe until they can get back on their feet.

    Most importantly, if men come to any of us seeking support after a breakup, we can remember that time is often a great healer. The best we can do is sit with men in their pain, rather than try and get them to stop feeling it. This connection could be life-saving.

    Support and information is available at Relationships Australia and MensLine Australia. If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Michael Wilson works for The University of Melbourne and consults to Movember. He receives funding from the Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship, provided by the Australian Commonwealth Government and the University of Melbourne.

    Jacqui Macdonald receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council’s Medical Research Future Fund and the Australian Research Council. She convenes the Australian Fatherhood Research Consortium and she is on the Movember Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee.

    Zac Seidler has been awarded an NHMRC Investigator Grant. He is also the Global Director of Research with the Movember Institute of Men’s Health. He advises government on men’s suicide, masculinities, violence prevention and social media policy.

    – ref. Separated men are nearly 5 times more likely to take their lives than married men – https://theconversation.com/separated-men-are-nearly-5-times-more-likely-to-take-their-lives-than-married-men-258196

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New search area for Melissa Trussell

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police – including from the specialist Water Operations Unit – are today conducting a fresh search on Garden Island for the remains of Melissa Trussell.

    A previously unsearched area of water and mangroves on the northern side of Garden Island will be the focus of today’s search.

    This new location has been identified in a comprehensive cold case review of the original investigation that has also resulted in new leads being pursued by Major Crime Investigation Branch detectives.

    The review has also led to numerous exhibits in the case being re-submitted to Forensic Science SA for fresh DNA testing using advanced techniques unavailable at the time of Rosemary’s murder and Melissa’s disappearance in May 2000.

    Melissa, aged 15 years and her mother, Rosemary Brown, aged 33 years, were last seen leaving their home in Blair Athol at about 2.30am on Saturday 13 May 2000. The body of Melissa’s mother, Rosemary Brown was found in mangroves at Garden Island on 2 July 2000.

    “As part of the renewed investigation, we have identified a previously unsearched area and we’re hopeful that we can find the remains of Melissa,” Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, Officer in Charge of Major Crime Investigation Branch said.

    “This search demonstrates that we will not give up looking for answers.

    “We will continue to investigate this matter and will not stop until we can provide closure and hopefully justice for the loved ones of both Rosemary Brown and Melissa Trussell.”

    Earlier this month, family of Melissa released a public plea for information exactly 25 years since Rosemary’s body was discovered in mangroves at Garden Island

    “We would like to thank the public for new information provided to Crime Stoppers following this appeal,” Detective Superintendent Fielke added.

    “We urge anyone with any information on this case, no matter how minute, to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.”

    Rewards up to $1,000,000 will be paid by the Government of South Australia, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, to anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Melissa Trussell (Brown) (and/or leading to the location and recovery of the victim’s remains).

    Rewards up to $200,000 will be paid by the Government of South Australia, at the discretion of the Commissioner of Police, to anyone who provides information and assistance that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Rosemary Brown.

    Police are today searching for the remains of Melissa Trussell after identifying a new search area on Garden Island.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Illegal Alien Charged for Orchestrating ‘Kidnapping’ Hoax

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Liars like Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon are fueling an 830% increase in assaults against ICE  

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the following statement after the Department of Justice, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles, arrested and filed charges against Mexican illegal alien Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon for fabricating a false story to smear federal law enforcement. 

    Earlier this month, legacy media ran with a false story that ICE agents and bounty hunters “kidnapped” Calderon at gunpoint and held her hostage in a warehouse. After her family held a press conference orchestrated by their attorney, ICE spent days investigating the kidnapping claims and searching for her — at times, literally detention cell to detention cell.  

    “Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon was never arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters—this criminal illegal alien scammed innocent Americans for money and diverted limited DHS resources from removing the worst of the worst from Los Angeles communities. Politicians and activist media peddled these smears that were designed to demonize law enforcement and evade accountability. Calderon will now face justice and the media and politicians who swallowed and pushed this garbage should be embarrassed.”

    Calderon is charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers and if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe urged to diversify trade markets over US tariff coercion, supply chains disruption

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

    As Washington presses ahead with additional tariffs on products from the European Union (EU) and beyond, European officials and experts are urging the diversification of trade markets to mitigate the damage that such coercive financial statecraft is inflicting on global supply chains.

    TARIFF GAME SETTING OFF CHAIN REACTION

    U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that his administration would impose 30 percent tariffs on EU and Mexican exports, arguing that bilateral trade had long been unbalanced and lacked reciprocity.

    Trucks wait to enter the Container Terminal Tollerort in Hamburg, Germany, May 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

    The Irish Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described the tariff threat as “volatile” and “not helpful at all.” “That poses a challenge for Ireland, for Europe, for the world,” she told Xinhua at a press conference in London.

    Countries across Europe have been warning about the impact of the seemingly unrelenting tariff assaults on their economies.

    The Bank of Slovenia estimated that U.S. tariffs could indirectly disrupt the broader European value chain and impact about 15,000 jobs in Slovenia, a significant number in a country of just 2.1 million people.

    The Bank of England also said in its latest Financial Stability Report that the global economy faces rising downside risks, citing U.S. tariffs, and despite a new trade agreement between Britain and the United States in May, a further escalation in trade disputes globally could amplify financial stress and drag on economic growth in Britain.

    Companies of all sizes, from those exporting to the U.S. to manufacturers heavily reliant on global supply chains, are feeling the strain that the tariffs are placing on their operations.

    Neb Chupin, founder of Croatia’s Hermes International, a successful fig jam producer in the U.S. market, said, “With 10 percent tariffs, we are losing about 20,000 U.S. dollars a week. What would happen with 30 or even 50 percent tariffs? I cannot even sleep at night as the situation is very unstable.”

    With 40 percent of exports going to the U.S., Finland’s pharmaceutical industry could also be severely affected by potential U.S. tariffs. Johanna Sipola, deputy CEO of Keskuskauppakamari, or the Finnish Chamber of Commerce, called the tariffs “unrealistic” and warned that the greater risk is the uncertainty they create.

    “If the tariffs were implemented, the repercussions for international pharmaceutical production would be significant. The industry’s delivery chains are unusually global, and even minor disruptions can trigger substantial changes in medicine prices and demand,” Sipola said.

    Beyond the immediate effects, the high-stakes tariff game is setting off a chain reaction across global supply chains and geopolitical dynamics.

    Gavran Igor, an economic analyst from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the longer-term impact of the tariffs could prove even more damaging for Balkan manufacturers that are integrated into EU-based industries, particularly automotive supply chains.

    Czech Republic’s Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said that exports to the United States account for less than 3 percent of the country’s total exports. However, the country would also be indirectly affected through its European partners who purchase Czech goods and components.

    STRENGTHENING COOPERATION WITH MULTI-PARTNERS URGED

    Inevitably, even countries with modest trade ties to the world’s largest economy can still feel the ripple effects of Washington’s unpredictability. In response, experts recommend that European nations broaden their trade partnerships, especially with China, Southeast Asia and other regions.

    “Europe must, in the long term, become more independent from the American market. A joint free trade zone with the ASEAN countries and the rapid ratification of the agreement with Mercosur are urgently needed,” Dirk Jandura, president of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services, said in a statement after Trump’s new tariff announcement.

    Mario Boselli, chairman of the Italy China Council Foundation, said that the shifting dynamics might prompt Europe to reconsider its external economic strategy. In his view, strengthening cooperation with China is a “highly strategic choice.”

    “If economies, like the EU, China, the United Kingdom, Brazil and India, keep global trade open, the U.S. tariffs’ impact on global supply chains will be lower. That’s the opportunity,” said Carlo Altomonte, associate professor of the Department of Social and Political Sciences of Bocconi University in Milan.

    Martin Geissler, Partner at the management consultancy Advyce & Company, echoed the suggestions by sharing Germany’s auto industry as an example. “German automakers have often not yet recognized the growth prospects that exist in Africa and many emerging countries,” Geissler said, contrasting this with China’s strategic engagement with multi-partners.

    Bernardo Mendia, Secretary General of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is leading a Portuguese delegation to the ongoing China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing.

    A key factor driving Portugal’s participation this year, in his words, is the rise of protectionism, logistical disruptions and geopolitical shifts. In the face of these challenges, China offers a distinctive platform to develop innovative solutions, business models, and collaborative partnerships, he said.

    Looking ahead, experts believe that Washington’s trade policies could ultimately backfire on the U.S. economy itself.

    “The U.S. needs many of our industrial products, which cannot be easily replaced in the short term. This allows German manufacturers of these goods to largely pass on the tariffs in their prices to the detriment of the U.S. economy,” said Juergen Matthes, head of International Economic Policy, Financial and Real Estate Markets Research Unit at the German Economic Institute. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Huge boost for UK industry as Government powers ahead with cuts to electricity costs

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Huge boost for UK industry as Government powers ahead with cuts to electricity costs

    The Government has announced a huge boost to UK industry as it powers ahead with its plan to cut electricity costs.

    • Plans to slash electricity network costs for energy-intensive businesses by 90% are set in motion as Government launches new consultation.
    • Around 500 of UK’s most energy-intensive firms set to save up to £420m a year when current 60% discount on network charging costs increases to 90% from 2026.
    • Shows UK getting on with delivering announcements in Modern Industrial Strategy that will level the playing field for British businesses, backed by Plan for Change

    Around 500 of the UK’s most energy-intensive businesses such as British Steel and INEOS are set for a huge boost as the Government powers ahead with a 90% discount for businesses’ network charging costs.

    Delivering on its promise in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy launched last month to slash energy costs for heavy industry, the Government today (18 July) launches a four-week consultation on its plans to increase the discount on businesses’ electricity network charges from 60% to 90%.

    The landmark new support is expected to save around 500 of Britain’s most energy-intensive firms in key sectors like steel, ceramics, glass and chemicals up to £420m per year from 2026 when in force and bring the UK’s industrial energy prices in line with European competitors, helping secure jobs and attract new investment as part of the Plan for Change.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This government is on the side of British industry. When we make promises we deliver on them. That’s why we’re wasting no time in powering ahead with our plans to tackle energy costs for great British businesses and level the playing field.

    The cornerstone of our modern Industrial Strategy, this landmark new support will meet a longstanding need from industry which other governments shirked – paving the way for new investment and job creation at the heart of our Plan for Change.

    The launch of the consultation on the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme, part of the Government’s British Industry Supercharger package of measures to tackle industrial electricity costs, will seek industry’s views on the 30% uplift and double the window which businesses have to apply for support through the scheme from one month to two.

    Network charges are the costs paid by electricity network users for access to the service and are already discounted by 60% for some of the UK’s biggest industrial businesses through the NCC scheme since April 2024, saving businesses millions of pounds every month.

    The proposals in the consultation launched today would see their costs fall by around a further £7 per megawatt hour (/MWh) bringing electricity prices more into line with European countries such as France and Germany.

    The news follows Deloitte’s latest survey of finance officers which has found the UK is the joint top location for investment in the world, and new data from Make UK and BDO which finds that manufacturing in the UK has recovered to 2019, pre-pandemic, levels in every region, with 12,000 new jobs created in the year to March 2024.

    The uplift follows other new landmark support for British industry announced in last month’s modern Industrial Strategy, with the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme expected to slash energy costs by up to 25 percent for over 7,000 businesses.

    This scheme, which government will consult on shortly and is due to come into force in 2027, will cut costs for thousands of electricity-intensive businesses in key manufacturing sectors like aerospace, automotive and chemicals, supporting hundreds of thousands of skilled jobs by exempting firms from paying levies like the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market.

    A new Connections Accelerator Service will also come into force by the end of 2025, streamlining access to the UK electricity grid for major investment projects to speed up delivery and bring new high-quality jobs and economic growth.

    New powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, currently before Parliament, could also allow the Government to reserve grid capacity for strategically important projects, cutting waiting times and unlocking growth in key sectors.

    Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, and Chair of Energy Intensive Users Group, said:

    Increasing network charge compensation under the Government’s Supercharger scheme is a very welcome and much-needed step towards achieving competitive electricity prices for the UK’s steel sector and other foundation industries.

    These reforms reflect solutions that UK Steel has long advocated to address the persistent challenge of uncompetitive industrial electricity costs. While more still needs to be done, this is meaningful progress.

    Truly competitive energy prices are essential to unlocking investment, creating jobs, accelerating decarbonisation, and securing the long-term future of steelmaking in the UK.

    Investment Minister Baroness Gustafsson visited Special Melted Products – an historic British advanced manufacturing firm which currently benefits from the 60% network charging discount – in Sheffield yesterday to welcome the news, as well as a major investment in the company from Taiwanese firm Walsin Lihwa, set to create over 200 skilled jobs by 2028.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Government’s modern Industrial Strategy can be found here.
    • The consultation will be published on Gov.UK later today here.
    • The total estimated value of the network charging compensation component of the Supercharger (at 90%) is £310-420m this year (in 2025 prices).
    • The NCC uplift will provide an estimated additional £7-10/MWh discount to eligible businesses.

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: From holding coins to income: LET Mining builds a passive income system for XRP

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Among them, XRP is eye-catching and its price has soared because it has a strong technical network that can process a large number of transactions per second. Ripple’s cooperation with mainstream financial institutions and institutional investors in the field of cross-border payments will also benefit it.

    However, the token is still volatile and speculative. The cloud mining service launched by LET Mining allows users to use XRP payments, start a planned cloud computing power contract, and obtain passive income every day, so that users are not affected by the price of tokens and can obtain stable income every day.

    Core advantages of LET Mining platform
    ● XRP direct recharge participation: users can directly use XRP to purchase cloud computing power without currency exchange or cumbersome operations, which is more efficient and provides a better experience.

    ● Daily stable income, withdrawable at any time: mining income is settled daily and automatically distributed to the account balance. Users can withdraw or reinvest at any time to maximize income.

    ● High transparency and contract visualization: each input and output income is transparent and traceable throughout the process;

    ● Security guarantee: cold and hot wallets are separated to ensure asset security;

    How to quickly start cloud mining with XRP? Only 4 steps:

    1. Register an account
    Visit the LET Mining official website: https://letmining.com/, register to get a new user $12 registration reward.

    2. Recharge XRP
    Select “XRP Recharge” in the account, the system will generate an XRP wallet address, copy the address and transfer it from the exchange or personal wallet. (50XRP is enough to participate)

    3. Choose a contract plan
    The platform provides a variety of cloud mining contracts, including short-term stable, long-term compound interest and high return types, free to choose.

    ●Experience Contract: Investment amount: $100, contract period: 2 days, daily income of $4, expiration income: $100 + $8
    ●BTC Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $500, contract period: 5 days, daily income of $6, expiration income: $500 + $30
    ●DOGE Classic Hash Power: Investment amount: $3,200, contract period: 22 days, daily income of $46.08, expiration income: $3,200 + $1,013.76
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $5,000, contract period: 29 days, daily income of $76.5, expiration income: $5,000 + $2,218.5
    ●BTC Advanced Hash Power: Investment amount: $10,000, contract period: 43 days, daily income of $174, expiration income: $10,000 + $7,482

    (Click here to view more high-yield contract details)

    4. Start income
    After the contract is activated, the system will issue you mining income in proportion every day, which can be withdrawn to the XRP wallet address at any time, truly achieving “holding coins to make money” and easily enjoying digital passive income.

    From static holding to active income generation: a strategy suitable for every investor

    In today’s volatile crypto market, simply waiting for the price of the currency to rise will not give you a continuous advantage. Especially when the market is sideways or volatile, it is particularly important to have a passive income plan that can generate sustainable cash flow. The cloud mining strategy provided by LET Mining is a solution for investors to “reap profits no matter how the market changes.”

    Conclusion: Your XRP is not just a number, but also a tool for producing assets

    LET Mining turns XRP into a digital machine that “works” for you every day, without investing a lot of time and energy, but can continue to generate income. For crypto investors who are looking for a steady growth path, this is a perfect attempt to balance flexibility and efficient returns.

    Join LET Mining now and turn your XRP into a digital asset that appreciates every day, making “holding coins” truly the first step to “wealth freedom.”

    Official website: https://letmining.com/
    Contact email: info@letmining.com

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    The MIL Network –