Category: KB

MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Package travel: better protection against bankruptcy and unforeseen events

Source: European Parliament

On Thursday, the Consumer Protection Committee adopted updated rules on package travel to clarify the rights of travellers when their journey is affected by unforeseen circumstances.

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) adopted its position on a revision of the EU package travel directive to enhance protection for travellers when a tour organiser goes bankrupt or unforeseen circumstances disrupt their holiday plans. The COVID-19 pandemic and the insolvency of Thomas Cook revealed weaknesses in the current rules.

Refund rights, insolvency protection and information requirements

MEPs backed the Commission proposal to clarify existing provisions to ensure travellers get a refund for pre-payments and services that have not yet been provided, as well as repatriation help, when their travel organiser goes bankrupt. The updated directive would clarify what counts as a travel package and list the kind of information to be provided to travellers before, during and after their trip.

Use of vouchers

The committee also agreed on new provisions to ensure consumers can refuse vouchers and instead choose to request a refund within 14 days. When a traveller accepts a voucher but does not use it, the unused worth of it should be paid back to the traveller when it expires. Vouchers should be valid for up to 12 months and extendable or transferable once. The traveller should also be able to choose whether to use it in one go or in parts.

Vouchers should be covered by insolvency guarantees and their value would have to correspond at least to the amount of the refund to which a traveller is entitled. Voucher holders should also have priority when choosing travel services, and be able to spend it on any travel service offered by the organiser.

Grounds for cancelling the trip

The updated directive clarifies the conditions for cancelling a trip. MEPs want to ensure that if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances arise at the travel destination or departure point before a trip, or affect the journey, travellers should be able to cancel without penalty and with a full refund. A traveller’s place of residence should not be relevant, MEPs argue.

Whether a cancellation is justifiable should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. However, MEPs say that official travel warnings issued up to 28 days before the scheduled departure should become important elements to be taken into account.

Level of pre-payments

MEPs have scrapped the Commission’s proposal that travel companies may not require a down-payment greater than 25% of the total package cost from the client until 28 days before the start of the travel, leaving this decision to individual member states.

Quote

Author of the report Alex Agius Saliba (S&D, MT) said after the vote: “These new rules for package travel update the protection of travellers with lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to make sure travellers are protected when booking a package deal. We are setting rules for vouchers, and giving consumers the right to cancel a package when extraordinary circumstances apply. A complaint handling mechanism with clear deadlines for travel operators to respond will make sure travellers can enforce their rights.”

Next steps

The draft position, adopted with 35 votes for, 1 against and 4 abstentions, will go to Parliament’s plenary for a debate and vote, probably in September. Once the plenary adopts its negotiating mandate, talks on the final shape of the law with the EU Council, who adopted its position in December 2024, can start.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – European Parliament Press Kit for the European Council of 26 – 27 June 2025

Source: European Parliament

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the summit, where she will address the heads of state or government at 11.00 and hold a press conference after her speech.

When: Press conference at around 11.45 on 26 June

Where: European Council press room and via Parliament’s webstreaming or EbS.

At their meeting in Brussels, the heads of state or government will focus on ways to bolster EU competitiveness. They will also discuss how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression – with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, how to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the EU’s response to the escalation in the Middle East. Leaders will also discuss migration and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Competitiveness

In a resolution, adopted on Thursday 19 June in response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal plan, Parliament stresses the need to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness. It underscores the importance of the EU’s newly established industrial decarbonisation bank, which MEPs consider vital for scaling up investment in clean technologies. The resolution addresses the importance of regulatory simplification and the need to streamline permitting procedures to support the transition and innovation efforts of small businesses. MEPs also support the action plan for affordable energy and want measures to boost cross-border energy infrastructure and to complete the energy union.

On 18 June, MEPs adopted a resolution highlighting the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at a time of significant economic uncertainty in Europe. They note that the RRF prevented the fragmentation of the EU internal market and promoted economic recovery in member states. MEPs are concerned that the short timeframe for the implementation of outstanding RRF funding poses challenges to the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have still to be reached. They urge the Commission to set up new programmes, which should be flexible and reactive to changing circumstances and guarantee predictability. MEPs also demand an 18-month extension for ongoing mature projects.

In a keynote speech at the event “Europe at the crossroads” on 13 May, Parliament President Roberta Metsola outlined her vision for a smarter, stronger and safer Europe. The President argued “the time of hypothetical crossroads is over. There is only one path left: forward and together”. She called for a different Europe, which is more realistic, more self-critical and supportive of its industries, with less regulation and more innovation. On the need to cut back regulation, she said: “Europe’s simplification agenda needs to signal the start of a new Europe and with the upcoming MFF, trigger an economic boom.”

Further reading

Clean Industrial Deal must marry industrial competitiveness with climate action

National recovery plans should add to EU resilience and strategic autonomy

Metsola calls to “re-launch Europe as a global power”

MEPs call for a more competitive EU that respects social and labour standards

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

On 16 June, Parliament debated the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression, the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians. You can watch the debate here. Parliament ill vote on a resolution on 9 July.

On 17 June, MEPs agreed to update the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement and extend it until the end of 2025, to continue facilitating the movement of goods in and out of the country. Concluded in June 2022, the agreement has facilitated the transport of vital goods such as fuel and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, and enabled Ukrainian exports such as grain, ore, and steel to reach the EU and beyond. Set to expire in June 2024, its application continued provisionally pending formal backing by MEPs and the EU Council of its extension until the end of 2025.

On 22 May, MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to reduce EU dependence on the two countries still further. Products targeted by the new tariffs include sugar, vinegar, flour and animal feed.

In a resolution adopted on 8 May, MEPs strongly condemn Russia’s “genocidal strategy”, with the support of Belarus, designed to erase Ukrainian identity. The forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, their illegal adoption, their assassination, and the forced Russification and militarisation must stop. Russia must report the identities and whereabouts of all deported Ukrainian children and ensure their well-being and safe and unconditional return. The Russian authorities must also, MEPs say, allow international organisations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNICEF, access to all deported Ukrainian children.

On 8 May, MEPs voted to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas for certain imports from Ukraine, such as iron and steel, due to expire on 5 June 2025.With the adoption of the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) Regulation, the EU liberalised trade with Ukraine by suspending trade defence measures on 4 June 2022. MEPs have now approved the proposed prolongation of these trade liberalisation measures, which focus steel, to provide Ukraine with vital export revenues

On 7 May, Parliament discussed with Commission President von der Leyen and Polish Minister for EU Affairs Szłapka how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focussed on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law.

Further reading

European Parliament backs extension of EU-Ukraine road transport agreement

Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods

Parliament backs extension of trade liberalisation measure for Ukrainian imports

The EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine

Joint statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

How the EU is supporting Ukraine

EU stands with Ukraine

European defence and security

On 18 June, MEPs outlined their expectations for the 24 – 26 June NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in a debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

On 24 April, the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy and Security and Defence have adopted their position on the proposed creation of a European defence industry programme (EDIP), designed to strengthen Europe’s defence industry, ramp up defence product manufacturing and provide more support for Ukraine. More specifically, MEPs backed measures to boost Europe’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), to strengthen EU defence and integrate the EU defence industry. They want the new programme to focus on improving the supply of weapons, ammunition and other crisis-relevant products, boosting manufacturing capacities and ensuring their ramp-up, reducing lead times for production and delivery, and increasing stockpiles. MEPs and Council are now negotiating the final shape of the law.

In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament calls on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security. This will mean, MEPs say, strengthening relationships with like-minded partners, and strongly diminishing reliance on non-EU countries. The EU needs “truly ground-breaking efforts” and actions “close to those of wartime”, say MEPs, who welcomed the recently tabled ReArm plan. To achieve peace and stability in Europe, the EU must support Ukraine and become more resilient itself, MEPs argue. The resolution says “Europe is today facing the most profound military threat to its territorial integrity since the end of the Cold War”. It calls on member states, international partners, and NATO allies to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.

Further reading

MEPs push for a more ambitious European defence industry programme

MEPs urge the EU to ensure its own security

“We cannot afford to depend on others to keep us safe”, Metsola tells EU leaders

“Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders

MEPs call on Europe to strengthen its defence capacity

Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”

Middle East

On 17 June, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas debated the situation in the Middle East. The debate focussed on the risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation, the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

On 17 June, the King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, addressed MEPs at a formal sitting in Strasbourg. Welcoming King Abdullah II of Jordan to the hemicycle, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “The European Parliament appreciates Jordan’s critical efforts in reducing regional tensions, in pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the return of hostages whilst also facilitating so much urgently needed humanitarian aid, as well as for the unwavering support for Palestinian and Syrian refugees and a two-State solution as a path to lasting peace.”

The King outlined two essential areas for action: first, supporting development, because a thriving Middle East creates opportunities that benefit us all; and second, strong, coordinated action to ensure global security. “Our mutual security won’t be assured until our global community acts, not only to end the three-year war in Ukraine, but also the world’s longest and most destructive flashpoint, the eight-decade-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.” King Abdullah II added: “Palestinians, like all people, deserve the rights to freedom, sovereignty, and, yes, statehood (…) The path to peace has been walked before. It can be again, if we have the courage to choose it, and the will to walk it together.”

On 21 May, Parliament discussed the EU’s response to the Israeli government’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages.

Further reading

King Abdullah II of Jordan: “A shameful version of humanity is unfolding in Gaza”

The EU must support the political transition and reconstruction of Syria

Western Balkans

In a vote on 24 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee backed North Macedonia’s EU path and called for bold reforms. Skopje must introduce constitutional changes, strengthen rule of law and fight corruption, MEPs say. The report underlines that EU accession is ultimately a matter of political will—both in enacting reforms and adopting constitutional amendments. MEPs call on all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to reach the required consensus, which would strengthen the country’s multi-ethnic character and accelerate EU progress.

In two reports adopted on 18 June, MEPs welcomed Montenegro´s objective to join the EU in 2028 and praised Moldova’s EU membership efforts. Parliament is calling for political stability in Montenegro and substantial progress regarding electoral and judicial reforms as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. MEPs stress that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process and point to the overwhelming support of its citizens and the majority of political actors for joining the EU in 2028. Parliament welcomes the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including EU sanctions against Russia, and commends Montenegro for its support for the international rules-based order at the United Nations.

Praising Moldova’s exemplary commitment to advancing its progress towards EU membership, Parliament recognises that EU-Moldova relations have entered a new phase. Cooperation has intensified alongside sustained efforts by the government in Chișinău to align Moldova’s laws with those of the EU (the so-called “EU acquis”). Despite significant internal and external challenges, such as the effects of Russia’s continuing war against neighbouring Ukraine and Moscow’s interference in Moldova’s democratic processes, MEPs are encouraged by the Moldovan government’s progress on meeting the EU’s enlargement requirements and the country’s ambition to open negotiations on more enlargement-related issues.

In a report adopted on 4 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee has praised Albania’s steadfast commitment to EU accession. MEPs highlight Albania’s broad political consensus and strong public support for joining the EU, alongside full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. While welcoming Albania’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made, MEPs stress the urgent need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. Enhancing media pluralism and transparency remains crucial to building public trust. Plenary will vote on the report on 9 July.

The Foreign Affairs Committee called urgently for reform and unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance EU accession and tackle corruption and division, in a report adopted on 4 June. MEPs reaffirm their strong support for BiH’s EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and in equality among all citizens. Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the committee acknowledged key reforms but expressed concern over stalled progress and weak implementation. The vote in plenary is scheduled for 9 July.

On 7 May, Parliament adopted two resolutions, saying Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and that Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption.

Kosovo has made notable strides in its electoral reforms, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights, say MEPs. However, challenges remain regarding judicial reforms, media freedom, public administration efficiency, and the digitalisation of public services. Continued commitment to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is essential for Kosovo to make progress on its European integration pathway, they stress.

Despite some progress in negotiations, Serbia still has major hurdles to overcome, according to MEPs. Belgrade needs to improve its internal political dialogue, protect the rule of law, and make anti-corruption reforms. It also has to work on reaching a comprehensive normalisation agreement with Kosovo, and fully align with EU foreign policy. Parliament calls on Serbia’s authorities to ensure the independence of key institutions, including media regulators such as the country’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media.

Further reading

European Parliament backs North Macedonia’s EU path, calls for bold reforms

Montenegro and Moldova: MEPs applaud EU membership progress

MEPs call on Albania to accelerate reforms and strengthen democratic institutions

Support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession amid urgent calls for reform

Parliament encourages Kosovo and Serbia to advance their EU accession reforms

Migration

On 18 June, Civil Liberties Committee MEPs backed proposals to give Europol and EU authorities more tools to fight migrant-smuggling and human trafficking. The proposed law would give the EU’s police agency Europol new tools to combat and investigate migrant-smuggling and human trafficking by coordinating the actions of EU national authorities. A European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) would be formally established within Europol to support cross-border investigations. . Parliament and Council are now negotiating on the final shape of the law.

On 19 May, Parliament and Council reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Once operational, the system will register the data, including biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, of third‑country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area on short‑stay visas. The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues. The idea behind the gradual implementation over 180 days is to prevent a simultaneous launch in all countries from compromising the system. During the roll-out period, the launch could be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues. The vote in plenary will take place on 8 July.

On 15 January, the Working Group on Asylum-Implementation of the Pact/CEAS (Common European Asylum System), formed by MEPs of all EP political groups, started to monitor the implementation of the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration. Chaired by Birgit Sippel (S&D, Germany), the Working Group will focus on scrutinising and monitoring the Common European Asylum System and the implementation of the Pact on Asylum and Migration.

Further reading

Migrant-smuggling: new resources and a stronger role for Europol

Border security: agreement on gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

MEPs kick off scrutiny work of the Asylum and Migration Pact

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: France: Gatewatcher secures €25 million EIB investment to accelerate growth and reinforce European cyber resilience
Source: European Investment Bank
- The EIB is backing Gatewatcher’s ambition to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty.
- The French firm, recently named the only “Visionary” in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant for network detection and response (NDR), will use the funding to boost innovation and continue to expand internationally.
- This transaction is part of the EIB Group’s ever-stronger commitment to security and defence, as reaffirmed by the Board of Governors at their annual meeting on 20 June.
Marking its largest venture debt investment in cybersecurity to date, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €25 million financing facility to Gatewatcher, a French company recognised as a European leader in cyber threat detection. Gatewatcher has developed an advanced network detection and response (NDR) platform that combines artificial intelligence and threat intelligence to deliver real-time visibility across all digital environments. The funds will accelerate the development of Gatewatcher’s advanced detection technologies and support its international expansion in a context of rising cyber threats and renewed focus on European autonomy.

EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle said: “Cybersecurity is a strategic sector within the defence industry. Having the capability to prevent cyberattacks, safeguard the integrity of infrastructure and data, and identify those responsible for attacks is now imperative for Europe’s security and the competitiveness of our economies. We are therefore proud to support the development of a company like Gatewatcher, which is fully dedicated to cybersecurity and whose results are already promising. The project is also fully in line with the EIB’s new strategy to finance the European security and defence sector.”

“This investment is a strong signal of trust from a major European institution. It represents a shared commitment to building a secure, digital future,” said CEO and founder of Gatewatcher Jacques de La Rivière. “This financing allows us to pursue our innovation efforts for our clients and partners, while accelerating the market launch of our latest AI solution. Our ambition is clear: to bring cutting-edge threat detection technologies to the broadest possible market, while contributing to the emergence of a robust European cybersecurity industry. This next phase of growth is first and foremost a collective one, driven by our teams and guided by a sense of responsibility to our ecosystem.”

The financing comes as Gatewatcher marks its tenth anniversary and continues to scale across Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. A pioneer in large-scale fundraising within the European cybersecurity sector, Gatewatcher is confirming its long-term vision, strategic independence and strength in a fiercely competitive global market with this new milestone. Its inclusion as the only fully European vendor, and the sole “Visionary” in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for network detection and response further confirms its role as a key player in Europe’s cyber defence ecosystem. Today, Gatewatcher’s technologies protect hundreds of public and private organisations, including critical infrastructure operators, governments and enterprises.

For the EIB Group, this transaction confirms its commitment to security and defence, just a few days after the Bank’s annual Board of Governors meeting on 20 June, where the 27 EU Member States approved the plan to increase the financing volume for 2025 to an unprecedented level of up to €100 billion. This revised ceiling will notably enable 3.5% of total financing to be dedicated to European security and defence. Further information on the EIB Group’s financing of security and defence projects is available here.

Background information

About EIB:

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high -impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security. In France, the EIB Group signed more than 100 operations in 2024 for a total amount of €12.6 billion, which made it possible to mobilise €62 billion in investments in the real economy. Nearly 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

About Gatewatcher:

Gatewatcher, a leader in cyber threat detection, has been protecting the networks of businesses and public institutions, including the most critical ones, since 2015. The Gatewatcher NDR Platform (network detection and response) combines artificial intelligence, dynamic and behavioural analytics techniques, and contextualised cyber threat intelligence (CTI). This enables unified, comprehensive visibility, real-time detection and mapping of systems, and an automated, prioritised response to attacks. Deployed across cloud, on-premise or sensitive infrastructure, and compatible with information technology, operational technology and internet of things environments, it secures all critical assets while streamlining operations through its integrated AI assistant. Gatewatcher combines technological power with operational peace of mind to align cybersecurity with your business objectives.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Where climate change and your energy bills meet

Source: European Investment Bank

In 2020, the European Investment Bank signed a €20 million loan to help the Polish city of Szczecin build and refurbish residential buildings for energy efficiency and comfort. This project is part of larger urban regeneration programme in the historic part of the city that limits vehicle traffic, encourages cycling and aims to attract more retailers.

Grażyna Szotkowska, president of the board for one of two housing agencies in Szczecin that used some of the funding from this loan, says the city is a leader in cutting emissions in housing. That’s because many of its big residential buildings are connected to the city’s central heating, rather than having small boilers in every apartment.

“We also are adding thick layers of insulation to many social housing buildings,” Szotkowska says. “Most importantly, they are getting triple-glazed windows, which are highly efficient in terms of energy loss but also block road noise. Better insulation and windows also mean lower energy consumption, which reduces the costs for the tenants.”

Lower expenses for homeowners, tenants and building owners is a topic energy experts always mention.

“Energy improvements are one of the main advantages of housing upgrades, as they help reduce energy bills for households while also cutting carbon emissions,” says Gladys Sevilla, an EIB loan officer who works on housing projects.

In other words, governments may like energy efficiency because it cuts carbon emissions or because it reduces the need to build new homes to beat the housing crisis. Residents like energy efficiency because it saves them money and increases the value of their homes.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – The European Commission – 25-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

The Commission is the EU institution that has the monopoly on legislative initiative as well as important executive powers in policies such as competition and external trade. It is the principal executive body of the European Union and is formed by a College of members composed of one Commissioner per Member State. The Commission oversees the application of Union law and respect for the Treaties by the Member States; it also chairs the committees responsible for the implementation of EU law. The former ‘comitology’ system has been replaced by new legal instruments, namely implementing and delegated acts.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: EU Fact Sheets – Education – 25-06-2025

Source: European Parliament

In accordance with the subsidiarity principle, education policies are decided at the level of the individual Member States. The role of the EU is therefore mainly a supporting and coordinating one. The main objectives of Union action in the field of education include encouraging mobility of students and staff, fostering mutual recognition of diplomas and periods of study, and promoting cooperation between higher education institutions.[1]

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Shop a Tipper does it again! Another success for council’s fly tipping scheme

Source: City of Wolverhampton

Following a report of dumped waste in Wednesfield and further information being provided by the witness, the council was able to bring the case to court.

As a result, the resident received a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton gift card for the details they reported through Shop a Tipper.

Officers are now reminding offenders that they are being watched – and warning them not to ignore council investigations.

In the latest prosecution, Paul Mansell, of Field Road in Dudley, pleaded guilty to one charge of fly tipping under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He also admitted one of obstruction under section 110 of The Environment Act 1995 for failing to comply with investigating officers’ requests for assistance.

During a hearing on 1 June, Dudley Magistrates Court fined Mansell £200, ordered him to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £80.

The costs awarded to the council will be reinvested back into its environmental crime service.

The court heard that at around 1.40pm on 30 August last year, a witness heard a van pull up outside a property in Hart Road, Wednesfield. A man got out of the van to pick up some scrap metal and put it in his van.

He then pulled a large cardboard box out of the vehicle and placed it in the road. He picked up more scrap metal before driving off and leaving the box in the road.

The box was full of wood, bubble wrap and other items. The witness dragged the box out of the road and onto the footpath and reported the incident to the council along with some images.

Council officers investigated and issued a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) to the registered keeper of the vehicle. No response was made so a reminder letter was sent. When no response was received to that, the council issued a notice requiring him to attend an appointment at the council.

When no contact was received and the appointment was missed, the council began the prosecution.

Under Shop a Tipper, residents are encouraged to report any incidents of fly tipping. If the information provided leads to successful identification, and Fixed Penalty Notices are issued and paid or a prosecution takes place, residents receive a £100 Enjoy Wolverhampton gift card.

Residents can contact 01902 552700 with information or report online at Fly-Tipping – Shop a Tipper.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, cabinet member for resident services at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Shop a Tipper has done it again! And it’s many thanks to the resident who came forward to provide us with the vital information.

“Fly tipping is a horrible and unhygienic crime, but Shop a Tipper allows residents to provide information and evidence which can help. This means our officers can investigate and bring people to justice.

“We continue to work hard to deter fly tipping through a variety of methods including our Shop a Tipper scheme, CCTV cameras, a drone and the increase in our Fixed Penalty Notice to £1,000.

“Suspected fly tippers should be aware that they are being watched – and they can’t ignore our investigations.”

Residents are reminded that waste can be disposed of free of charge at the council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) which are open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm. Centres are at Anchor Lane, Bilston and Shaw Road, Wolverhampton.

A bulky item collection service to dispose of big unwanted items is also available, find out more at Bulky item collection.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: HSE neurolinguists have found out which apps are best for helping to restore speech

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Scientists Center of Language and Brain HSE University has identified factors that make digital rehabilitation applications for patients with aphasia more effective. Feedback, a variety of game tasks, a long period of rehabilitation and constant contact with the attending physician were found to be the most important for restoring speech function. Articlepublishedin the journal NeuroRehabilitation.

Aphasia is a disorder in which there is a complete or partial loss of the ability to speak and perceive the speech of others, which is associated with damage to the areas of the brain responsible for speech functions. The main causes of aphasia are stroke, traumatic brain injury, inflammatory diseases of the brain, brain tumors, dementia.

Aphasia significantly reduces the quality of human life, so scientists have long been looking for effective methods to restore speech function. With the spread of smartphones and tablets, another promising and rapidly developing area of rehabilitation has emerged – “serious games” (SG) in applications.

This is a special type of digital games that are created not only for entertainment, but also to achieve specific educational, training or research goals. In the field of education, they help in the professional training of specialists, teaching students, and learning foreign languages. In healthcare, such games are used in the rehabilitation of patients.

With the help of applications, a person with aphasia can perform speech training tasks and gradually restore the lost ability. The effectiveness of such applications has already been proven, but it remained unclear what tasks and functions should be included in the applications and how long to work with them in order to achieve maximum success.

Scientists from the HSE Center for Language and Brain studied the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases and selected 18 articles devoted to testing mobile and computer applications for rehabilitation in aphasia.

The researchers paid special attention to situations where training led to greater results. For example, a patient trained in naming 100 words, but improved in naming 150 words, or was able to use the learned words not only in oral speech, but also in writing. Sometimes the use of smart games led to the development of related skills: for example, a person trained speech, but improved attention.

Fourteen out of 18 articles (78%) noted that patients’ use of the app had a positive effect. Most studies proved the app’s effectiveness by the primary criteria: exactly what was trained improved. And eight articles (44%) reported that the results exceeded expectations. Most often, the person could use the trained word in other contexts, such as in writing. In addition, two articles described improvements in other higher mental functions.

As the analysis showed, the efficiency of the applications was influenced by such factors as automatic feedback, variety of game tasks used in training, long periods of treatment, and patient-doctor interaction. The last point is especially important, since rehabilitation therapists additionally motivate the person and evaluate intermediate results.

“In our center, we are working on creating a game for the rehabilitation of patients with aphasia. A review of the research will help test it in the most effective mode, implement the functions necessary for successful operation. Existing applications often have few gamification elements; in fact, they are electronic collections of exercises. We will try to correct this shortcoming in order to increase user engagement,” said Georgy Gorshkov, a junior research fellow at the HSE Center for Language and Brain.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
EU leaders meet to decide on whether to back quick US trade deal or seek better terms

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

European Union leaders are to tell the European Commission on Thursday whether they want to reach a quick trade agreement with the United States on terms that favour Washington or keep fighting for a better deal.

A quick deal seems to be the preferred option for most, officials and diplomats said, as the EU can then seek to address the unfavourable bias with some rebalancing measures of its own.

“I support the Commission, I support the President of the European Commission in her endeavours to make progress on competitiveness. I also support the European Commission in all its endeavours to reach a trade agreement with the USA quickly,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

“I want us to get Mercosur off the ground and conclude further trade agreements. Europe is facing decisive weeks and months,” he said.

The Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the EU, will ask leaders of the EU’s 27 members meeting in Brussels how they want to respond to President Donald Trump’s July 9 deadline for a deal, now less than two weeks away.

The bloc has said it is striving for a mutually beneficial agreement, but as Washington looks set to stick to its 10% across-the board tariffs on most EU goods and threatening higher rates with prolonged talks, EU diplomats said a growing number of EU countries were now favouring a quick resolution.

“A trade war makes both sides of the Atlantic poorer and is just stupid. So I support the approach of the Commission president, who always kept calm and has negotiated for a result,” said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

“If that were to end in one-sided and unfair tariffs then we have to take proportionate and very targeted countermeasures.”

The bloc is already facing U.S. import tariffs of 50% on its steel and aluminium, 25% for cars and car parts, along with a 10% tariff on most other EU goods, which Trump has threatened could rise to 50% without an agreement.

The United States’ only completed trade deal to date is with Britain, with the broad 10% tariff still in place. U.S. officials say it will not go lower for any trading partner.

Some 23 of the leaders will come to Brussels straight from the NATO summit in the Hague. Few will want to follow accord there with an economic war.

“There is a group of EU countries that want to protect companies by seemingly accepting something they have gotten used to – a 10% baseline,” one EU diplomat said.

REBALANCING MEASURES

One question EU leaders face is whether it should respond with its own measures to such a baseline tariff.

The European Union has agreed, but not imposed, tariffs on 21 billion euros of U.S. goods and is debating a further package of tariffs on up to 95 billion euros of U.S. imports. Some EU countries favour watering it down.

Among the EU rebalancing options is a tax on digital advertising, which would hit U.S. giants like Alphabet Inc’s Google, Meta, Apple, X or Microsoft and eat into the trade surplus in services the U.S. has with the EU. The bloc has a trade surplus with the U.S. in goods.

The Commission has proposed an EU-U.S. deal to cut respective tariffs on industrial goods to zero, along with potential further EU purchases of liquefied natural gas and soybeans.

Washington has shown little obvious interest, preferring to highlight items it considers as barriers, such as EU value-added tax, environmental standards and rules on online platforms, on which the EU does not want to move.

On the sidelines of the summit, EU leaders will also seek to allay the concerns of Slovakia and Hungary over ending their access to Russian gas as foreseen by the EU’s plan to phase out all Russian gas imports by the end of 2027.

EU diplomats said EU leaders’ assurances over gas should allow the two countries to back the EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which they are now blocking.

Before the start of the summit however, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would demand a delay in voting for the sanctions until Slovak concerns were addressed.

(Reuters)

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tax Justice Aotearoa welcomes IRD discussion document on tax reform

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

Tax Justice Aotearoa has welcomed the release of Inland Revenue’s draft Long Term Insight Briefing, which looks at the possible future directions for New Zealand’s tax system.

The discussion document suggests a stable core structure of main bases that “comprehensively taxes the factors that are sought to be taxed”, coupled with the ability to “change rates on main bases to change the level of revenue.”

“We welcome the release of the draft LTIB as a useful contribution to the debate about what kind of tax system we want for the future,” says Glenn Barclay, Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa.

“Tax has become a hot topic and this document demonstrates some of the challenges we face.”

“We look forward to hearing more from the IR officials and giving the public the opportunity to question their thinking at our upcoming briefing event*,” says Glenn Barclay. “This is part of the consultation process so everyone who would like to make a submission on the LTIB should come along.”

The LTIB notes the fiscal challenge we face as a country as expenditure increases, largely as a result of an ageing population.

“Tax Justice Aotearoa agrees with this observation but an ageing population is just one of the many problems we have stored up for ourselves by failing to invest in both social and physical infrastructure – the challenges of poverty and inequality, as well as climate change adaptation and mitigation also come to mind”, says Glenn Barclay.

The LTIB also demonstrates that New Zealand is an outlier in the extent to which it relies on tax revenue from labour income and GST and that we under tax capital income.

“These are the taxes that impact most on working people and the poor,” says Glenn Barclay.

“We need to address this imbalance by ensuring those who can afford to pay more are required to do so, and also that the regressive nature of GST can be addressed. The permanent GST-offset credit suggested by the LTIB, is a proposal worth considering.”

“There are limitations to the document, for example it does not address the interface between the tax system and the Working For Families tax credit, which is a fraught issue for those who are dependent upon WFF, but we look forward to the debate that the document will provoke,” says Glenn Barclay.

* Tax Justice Aotearoa will be hosting speakers from Inland Revenue at one of its ‘Tax on Tuesdays’ events on Tuesday 1 July at 12.30pm* – members of the public are welcome to attend.

It will be a hybrid event with an in person session at Rutherford House in Wellington, which will be live-streamed.

Where: Rutherford House Lecture Theatre 2 (RHLT2), 33 Bunny Street, Wellington.

When: 12.30-1.30 pm Tuesday, 1 July 2025

To register in person or Zoom: https://www.tjanz.org/ir-insights-briefing

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Wu and Mrs. Wu Attended the Inauguration of the 20th Board of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Director General David Wu and Mrs. Wu were honored to attend the inauguration of the 20th Board of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia. On behalf of OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-ching, DG Wu presented a congratulatory letter to Peter Huang, newly elected President of TCCA, and a certificate of appreciation to outgoing President Michael Wu for his outstanding leadership and innovation.
Nearly 200 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate TCCA’s achievements and future, including NSW Shadow Assistant Minister for the Arts, Innovation, Digital Government and the 24-Hour Economy Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC, Hon. Rachel Merton MLC, Monica Tudehope MP, Mayor of Ryde Trenton Brown, Brisbane City Councillor James Huang, Ku-ring-gai Councillor Barbara Ward, Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Oceania President Frank Chang, as well as leaders from the broad overseas Taiwanese community.
Director General Wu praised President Michael Wu for his leadership in driving innovation within TCCA, and expressed confidence that incoming President Peter Huang will further strengthen cross-community ties, promote Taiwanese culture, and lead the chamber to new milestones.
DG Wu also conveyed ROC (Taiwan) President Lai Ching-te’s warm regards and appreciation to the Taiwanese community in Sydney. He reaffirmed the government’s continued support for overseas Taiwanese businesses, noting that in Taiwan’s pursuit of an FTA with Australia and its accession to the CPTPP, TCCA can play a meaningful role in advancing these efforts, which aim to deliver broader economic and strategic benefits to all member economies.
A highlight of the ceremony was a lively animation co-produced by TCCA and TECO Sydney, explaining Taiwan’s CPTPP bid and calling for support from Australia and other member economies. We were also glad to see community leaders from New Zealand, Thailand, Queensland, and Western Australia—showing the strong cross-regional ties of the global Taiwanese community.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: NATO concludes historic Summit in The Hague

Source: NATO

On Wednesday (25 June 2025), NATO concluded a historic Summit in The Hague. Allies reached a decision to invest 5% of GDP in defence – laying the foundation for a strong, united NATO in the years to come – and reaffirming their continued support to Ukraine.

Leaders came together for a series of events around the NATO Summit in The Hague on 24-25 June.

On Tuesday, the Secretary General spoke at the NATO Public Forum – a conference that lasted two days and provided in-person and online audiences with an opportunity to dive into the decisions being made at the Summit, as well as other topics on which NATO is engaged. NATO also hosted a Summit Defence Industry Forum on the 24th that brought together political and military leaders, as well as industry, to advance efforts to boost defence industrial production across the Alliance.

On Tuesday evening, the Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima hosted a social dinner for the leaders gathered for the Summit at the historic Huis ten Bosch. In parallel, NATO Defence Ministers held a working dinner, as did NATO Foreign Ministers who met, along with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, for a working dinner of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

At the formal session of NATO Heads of State and Government on Wednesday, Allied leaders adopted a summit declaration that set a new benchmark for defence investment, underlined the importance of ramping up defence industrial production, and affirmed continued support for Ukraine. With The Hague Defence Investment Plan outlined in the statement, Allies commit to investing 5% of GDP in defence – including 3.5% of GDP on core defence requirements and 1.5% on defence- and security-related investments like infrastructure and industry. This marks a major uplift from the previous benchmark of 2% of GDP.

“Together, Allies have laid the foundations for a stronger, fairer, more lethal NATO,” the Secretary General stated in a closing press conference. “These decisions will have a profound impact on our ability to do what NATO was founded to do – deter and defend.” Highlighting the challenges to Allied security, the Secretary General underscored, “whether from Russia or terrorism, cyberattacks, sabotage or strategic competition – this Alliance is and will remain ready, willing and able to defend every inch of Allied territory,” explaining that the new pledge would “ensure that our one billion people can continue to live in freedom and security.”

There were also a number of additional meetings held at the NATO Summit including a meeting of the NATO Secretary General, the President of Ukraine, and the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission; a meeting of the NATO Secretary General, the President of Ukraine, the President of France, the German Chancellor, and the Prime Ministers of Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom; and a meeting between the NATO Secretary General and NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners.

The next NATO Summit is planned for 2026 in Türkiye.

MIL Security OSI –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Non-executive directors appointed to the Regulator of Social Housing
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Non-executive directors appointed to the Regulator of Social Housing

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed the appointment of two new non-executive directors (NEDs) to the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed the appointment of two new non-executive directors (NEDs) to the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

David Cassidy and Chan Kataria will join as NEDs of the RSH Board for terms of three years. David will take up his post from 1 July 2025 and Chan by the beginning of December 2025.

The RSH undertakes regulation of registered providers of social housing, setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money.

The Board supports the RSH to regulate for a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector that can deliver quality homes and services for current and future tenants.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, said:

“I welcome the appointment of Chan and David as new non-executive directors who will be valuable additions to the RSH Board. As this Government works to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, whilst ensuring homes are safe and decent for tenants, they will bring with them the skills necessary to help ensure the RSH effectively regulates the sector.”

Bernadette Conroy, Chair of the RSH Board, said:

“I am very pleased to welcome our new non-executive directors to the RSH. David and Chan bring considerable knowledge and expertise in social housing finance and management respectively, which will enhance the Board’s collective skills. I am looking forward to working with them.”

Notes to editors:

David Cassidy

David completed a 43-year banking career with Barclays in December 2024. He is a specialist in social housing finance having led that team within Barclays for ten years. He has experience in all aspects of debt finance including capital markets. David’s expertise also covers a diverse range of other commercial banking activities.

Chan Kataria OBE

Chan is an experienced Chief Executive and NED with significant social housing experience. He is stepping down from his role as Group Chief Executive of East Midlands Housing where he led and oversaw significant change. Other current roles also include being a Board member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a member of the CBI Regional Board in the Midlands. He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to housing.

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Published 26 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to a Wellcome announcement on a new Synthetic Human Genome research project (SynHG)

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

June 26, 2025

Experts comment on a new research project that aims to synthesise human genomes announced by Wellcome.

Prof Robin Lovell-Badge FRS FMedSci, Group Leader, Francis Crick Institute, said:

“Despite all the knowledge gained from sequencing (reading) human genomes, which began with the first about 25 years ago and has been rapidly accelerating ever since, there is a lot we do not understand about how they work. The protein encoding parts are fairly straightforward, but these comprise only a small fraction of the total. There are segments, notably those that contain highly repetitive DNA at the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) and the centromeres that play a role in segregating the chromosomes to each daughter cell when it divides, about which we know less. There are also huge numbers of repetitive elements, some remnants of viruses that have integrated into the genome or have been copied and moved around. Each gene also has a regulatory region that controls when and where it will be expressed (active) within cells. Some of these elements and the proteins with which they interact are also responsible for dynamic folding and generally organising the genome, which in turn is thought to help not just tight packaging of the chromosomes when the cell divides but also efficient control of gene activity. We can test the role of some of these elements, but given that many may be superfluous or even just evolutionary relics with no clear function (‘junk’ DNA), this is time consuming, expensive and often not rewarding. Being able to build and redesign segments or entire human chromosomes will be important – after all you can only truly understand something if you can build it from scratch. And if you understand what is relevant and important, it may be possible to refine or improve aspects of its activity – for example to more efficiently express gene products of medical value – or redesign it to make novel gene products.

“I am therefore very enthusiastic about the project being launched by Wellcome, but not just about the scientific possibilities. It is critical when developing new technology to understand not just issues of potential utility, but also those concerned with safety and risk and very importantly the societal values on which it may impinge. Maintaining an active dialogue with varied publics will be important to help build in barriers where needed and to develop appropriate regulation to permit safe practices. It is also required to identify and understand hopes and concerns, where to draw limits and what other, even unrelated factors might influence where the science should be allowed to go. This is important in order to judge where the research needs particularly tight scrutiny and to define under what conditions even some experiments deemed to be of high risk might proceed or whether they should be prohibited outright for being far too dangerous. The latter is the recommendation for building ‘mirror life’ (organisms where all their DNA and proteins have the opposite chirality or twist.

“As for synthetic human chromosomes, although the current project is very unlikely to get that far, it may eventually be possible to make synthetic cells that can be grown in the lab with high efficiency. If these were to ever be used in humans, it would be important to design them carefully so that they can’t lead to tumours or produce novel infectious particles. Indeed, I would urge incorporating an inducible genetic kill switch to eliminate them from any location in the body or at least to make them easy for the immune system find and destroy. However, there is no suggestion to make synthetic humans. We have no idea how to do this and it is likely to be very unsafe.”

Sarah Norcross, Director of the Progress Educational Trust (PET), said:

“It’s incredibly exciting to see such a wide-ranging project announced that will focus on human genome synthesis. Synthesising human genomes is a logical next step after what has been achieved to date with sequencing and editing human genomes, and this is also work that can benefit from current advances in AI. We sometimes forget that generative AI encompasses not just the generation of text, images and sounds, but also the generation of possible molecules that might then be synthesised in the laboratory.

“There are two important nuances to add. First, we must recognise that this sort of work is not without controversy, and that is vital for researchers and the public to be in communication with one another. The public must have a clear understanding of what this research entails, while researchers and funders must have a thoroughgoing understanding of where the public wants to go with this science. We are therefore extremely pleased to see that a dedicated social science programme has been incorporated into this work at the outset, headed by Professor Joy Zhang.

“Second, we must not forget ongoing work in genome sequencing and genome editing, which remains vital. Although the Human Genome Project was ostensibly completed in 2003, the human genome was not actually sequenced in its entirety until the Telomere to Telomere Consortium concluded its work 20 years later. As for human genome editing, we have barely begun to explore the possibilities and consequences of that technology, and we have seen one appalling (and thankfully isolated) instance of its misuse.

“All of these different ways of investigating and working with human genomes must be approached with diligence, with a balance between ambition and humility, and with a view to public interests and concerns.”

* https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6256wpn97ro

* Wellcome press release: https://wellcome.org/news/new-project-pioneer-principles-human-genome-synthesis

Declared interests

Sarah Norcross: “PET is a charity which improves choices for people affected by infertility and genetic conditions.”

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: You can now learn more about the Summer in Moscow project using online maps

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

At the main city seasonal project “Summer in Moscow” a special section appeared in the online service “Yandex Maps”. Here you can find an interactive map of all sites, routes of the Russpass service, as well as special business offers presented within the framework of the “Time of Opportunities” program.

Users will be able to complete game tasks: explore the city, leave reviews of places they like, and receive pleasant bonuses for this – for example, a 30-day Yandex Plus subscription and a Russpass promo code.

The section with the recognizable red and white icon is available to authorized users of the service in the mobile application – to enter, you need to click on your profile. You can return to it at any time. Guests and residents of the capital who have already visited the Summer in Moscow sites will be offered to share their impressions by leaving a review.

One of the most interesting elements of the section will be an interactive game. At the start, the user will see a white map of Moscow, the task is to gradually color it, visiting as many sites as possible and leaving reviews. The areas that the participant has already visited will be marked in blue, reflecting personal progress.

The section will also be useful for entrepreneurs: Muscovites and tourists will be able to leave reviews about the sites of partners of the Summer in Moscow project and participants of the Time of Opportunities program.

This functionality has already been successfully used in winter: as part of the Winter in Moscow project, Yandex Maps users built routes to venues, followed the schedule of events and left reviews of cafes, restaurants and shops with bright thematic decorations. These assessments were taken into account when summing up the results of the city competition for the best festive decoration of facades and shop windows.

Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/1558882073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Since the beginning of 2025, more than 2.4 tons of drugs have been seized in China’s border areas

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Thursday announced a decisive crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, reporting that it had seized 2.42 tons of narcotics in operations in border areas and at border crossings in the country in the first half of this year.

According to the State Border Service, as of June 25, immigration services across the country have solved 205 drug-related cases at border areas and checkpoints this year, resulting in the arrest of 242 suspects.

Of these cases, 38 were major, each involving batches of prohibited substances weighing more than 10 kg.

This result was made possible by intensifying efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking and introducing innovative police methods, the department reported.

Key strategies include increased border screening and interdiction, comprehensive interdiction measures targeting entire drug trafficking chains, and greater use of big data.

Immigration authorities across the country should maintain a strong suppression and resolute fight against drug crimes in border areas and checkpoints, conduct in-depth studies of drug trafficking routes and crime methods, and expand practical cooperation with neighboring countries in law enforcement, the department said. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Wang Yi met with Harvard University professor G. Allison

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, met with Harvard University professor Graham Allison in Beijing on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Wang Yi noted that the Chinese adhere to the concept of “harmony without uniformity,” which is fundamentally different from Western thinking in the spirit of “zero-sum games” and implies harmonious coexistence based on recognition and respect for mutual differences, the formation and expansion of common interests between countries.

What China and the United States need to do now is build a new narrative that will govern future interactions between the two major powers, he said.

Wang Yi said the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping serve as the fundamental guideline for China in its relations with the United States. He hoped that the U.S. side would work with China to resolve the fundamental issue of mutual perception, so as to set the tone for bilateral relations and find the right path of coexistence under the guidance of the three principles.

“We hope that clear-minded people in American society will play an active role in shaping an objective and positive perception of China in the country and promoting normal exchanges between the two countries,” Wang added.

G. Allison, in turn, noted that the concept of “harmony without uniformity” has in common with respect for diversity, which is valued in the United States, and both sides must find strategic positioning for coexistence in order to avoid falling into the “Thucydides trap.”

The United States and China should establish a new principled framework for the future development of bilateral relations, taking mutual respect as a possible primary principle, the professor said. He expressed his willingness to make new contributions to promoting contacts and exchanges between the two sides and ensuring the stable development of interstate relations. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Since spring 2025, fires have destroyed almost 640,000 hectares of forests and pastures in Mongolia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

ULAN BATOR, June 26 (Xinhua) — Since the beginning of spring 2025, 129 forest-steppe fires have been recorded in Mongolia, which have destroyed 639,921 hectares of forests and pastures, the country’s General Administration for Emergency Situations (GAES) reported on Thursday.

During the specified period, the number of forest-steppe fires on a national scale increased by 44.1 percent compared to the same period of the previous year, the official statement says.

Experts note that most forest-steppe fires occur due to human negligence and careless handling of fire. The State Emergency Service has called on Mongolians not to light fires or throw cigarette butts on the ground in hot, dry places. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Superjob Rating: GUU Among the Best in Graduates’ Salaries in the Field of Economics

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

Superjob has published a ranking of the best Russian universities by the salary level of graduates from 2019 to 2024. The State University of Management retained its 8th place in the ranking, sharing it with RUDN University.

According to the rating, the average salary of a graduate of our university is 130,000 rubles per month, which is 5,000 rubles higher than last year’s figure.

We also retained our leadership in the number of graduates who found employment in Moscow after completing their studies: this figure was 90%.

Let us recall that earlier GUU took 11th and 13th places in the first National Ranking of Graduate Employment for employment of bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates, respectively, in the field of “Sciences about Society”, and also entered the top 10 best economic universities in Moscow according to RIA Novosti and the top 100 best universities in Russia according to RAEX.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited Announces Pricing of $500 Million of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2030 and repurchase of 2.5 million common shares

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Hamilton, Bermuda, June 26, 2025 – Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLNG) announces today the pricing of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has also granted the initial purchasers of the Notes a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes in connection with the offering. The offering is expected to close on June 30, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the Company, bear interest at a rate of 2.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2025, mature on December 15, 2030, and be convertible into the Company’s common shares, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at the Company’s election. The conversion rate for the Notes will initially equal 17.3834 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $57.53 per common share, representing an initial conversion premium of approximately 40% over the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common shares of $41.09 on June 25, 2025 and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 20, 2028 if the last reported sale price of our common shares has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes), holders may require us to purchase the Notes in whole or in part for cash at a fundamental change purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date.

The Company will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes (including any notes sold pursuant to the initial purchasers’ option to purchase addition Notes, if exercised) to repurchase 2.5 million of the Company’s common shares in connection with the offering of the Notes and for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future growth investments including a contemplated fourth FLNG unit, MKII FLNG conversion costs, FLNG Hilli redeployment costs, repaying indebtedness, and funding working capital and capital expenditures.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offer of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

The Notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

This announcement contains information about a pending transaction and there can be no assurance that this transaction will be completed.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “subject to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements and include statements related to the proposed offering of the Notes, the terms and conditions, the intended use of proceeds and other non-historical matters.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict and which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include risks relating to the actual use of proceeds and other risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Golar LNG Limited undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

Hamilton, Bermuda
June 26, 2025

Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
Karl Fredrik Staubo – CEO
Eduardo Maranhão – CFO
Stuart Buchanan – Head of Investor Relations

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

This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which the publication, distribution or release would be unlawful.

The MIL Network –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

In Q1 2025, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion and adjusted net profit of RMB 788 million, marking YoY increases of 13.2% and 41.1%, respectively. Amid a macro recovery marked by YoY growth in both travel volume and consumer spending, ly.com has tapped into the tourism potential of non-first-tier markets, demonstrating strong demand beyond first-tier cities. While consolidating its core OTA business, the company has expanded into air tickets, hotels, and international operations, achieving diversified growth. By integrating AI strategies to drive cost reduction and efficiency, it is accelerating technological transformation and showcasing long-term growth resilience. Looking ahead, the mass-market tourism sector presents substantial upside potential. OTA platforms that can deliver both inclusive accessibility and elevated service quality are well-positioned to capitalize on structural opportunities within the industry.

I. Operational Performance: Revenue and Profit Growth Driven by Multi-dimensional Expansion and Optimized Business Mix

In Q1, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion, increased by 13.2% YoY. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached RMB 1.159 billion, while adjusted net profit rose to RMB 788 million, both growing by over 41% YoY. From a business segment perspective, ly.com’s growth is primarily driven by its core services such as accommodation booking and transportation ticketing, along with the expansion of other emerging businesses. This has enabled the company to build a synergistic model of “transportation + accommodation + vacation” and “domestic + international” operations, leading to a more balanced and healthier business structure.

1.         OTA remains the core revenue driver with significant growth: In Q1, revenue from ly.com’s online travel platform segment grew by 18.4% YoY to RMB 3.792 billion, accounting for approximately 86.6% of total revenue. Among these, accommodation booking services led with a YoY growth rate of 23.3%, while transportation ticketing revenue also rose by 15.2% YoY. This growth was mainly driven by ly.com’s continued efforts in Q1 to diversify and innovate value-added products for flights and hotels, enhance end-to-end service capabilities for mass-market travel, and attract users through strong promotional offers, effectively capturing demand arising from the broader macroeconomic recovery. For instance, multi-section transfer products like “train-to-train” and “air-to-air” connections offered competitive and cost-effective travel solutions, resulting in YoY booking increases of 22% and 44%, respectively.
2.         Diversified revenue streams expand, though vacation business sees a dip: Other revenues rose 20% YoY in Q1 to RMB 603 million, driven by growth in hotel management services and Property Management System (PMS) operations, emerging as a meaningful contributor to ly.com’s top line. At the macro level, the development and upgrading of mass tourism have driven growing demand for leisure travel, with vacationing becoming a preferred choice for more travelers. Ly.com has responded by launching scenario-based innovations such as small-group and customized tours, effectively unlocking users’ leisure and holiday needs. However, due to safety concerns in Southeast Asia, vacation-related revenue declined by 11.8% YoY in Q1.
3.         Outbound travel drives performance with strong momentum: In recent years, ly.com has consistently expanded its international business by introducing airport transfer services abroad, launching an international travel booking platform and localized apps, establishing overseas physical stores and customer experience centers, and partnering with global airlines and hotels. These efforts aim to seize the growth opportunities in outbound tourism and enhance the company’s penetration rate in overseas markets. According to the financial report, in Q1 2025, driven by a surge in outbound travel among users from non-first-tier cities, ly.com recorded a YoY increase of over 40% in international air ticket bookings and over 50% in international hotel room nights. Looking ahead, the deeper penetration of outbound travel services in non-first-tier markets is expected to make international air, hotel, and vacation businesses a new engine for driving performance growth.

II. Business Developments: Focusing on Mass-market Tourism Consumption Demand and Accelerating AI Capabilities

1.         Deepening Commitment To Mass-market Tourism To Build Scale and Amplify User Value
With a strategic focus on the mass-market tourism sector, ly.com targets consumers in non-first-tier cities, an audience with vast growth potential. By leveraging high-frequency UV entrances, offering one-stop services across full travel scenarios, and delivering cost-effective products to match the mass-market tourism consumption demand, the company continues to expand its user base and enhance user value. According to its financial report, as of the end of Q1 2025, ly.com had served a cumulative 1.96 billion trips and reached 247 million paying users, both representing over 7% YoY growth. Notably, users from non-first-tier cities accounted for 87% of total registered users, highlighting the success of its penetration strategy in markets in lower-tier cities.

①         UV entrances and service scenarios aligned with mass-market tourism consumers: In addition to its proprietary app, ly.com has embedded itself deeply into the WeChat ecosystem, using lightweight applets and high-frequency ticketing demands to reach consumers, to form stable UVs and further penetrate the markets in lower-tier cities. In Q1, ly.com continued to optimize operational efficiency within WeChat ecosystem; Between January and April, its “City Pass” WeChat applet expanded into Beijing and Guangzhou, covering urban transit scenarios. Through applet channels and City Pass business integration, ly.com further diversified its UV entrances and ecosystem touchpoints. According to MoonFox Data, WeChat applets maintain a leading share within ly.com’s overall UV landscape.

②         Supply chain integration enhances one-stop & cost-effective offerings: Through upstream and downstream supply chain integration, ly.com has extended its reach across the entire travel ecosystem, leveraging innovation and synergy to drive user engagement. By continuously enriching its “Air Travel +” product portfolio, the company has expanded its service coverage and strengthened price competitiveness to boost user spending and repeat purchases. In Q1 2025, ly.com partnered with multiple global airlines, airports, and international hotel groups such as Marriott and Hilton, further building its supply chain advantage in outbound tourism and helping reduce travel costs for users. On April 17, ly.com announced the acquisition of 100% equity in Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited. The move is expected to “complement” its high-end hotel brand portfolio through Wanda’s brand matrix and resource base, enhancing its competitiveness in the hotel management sector.
③         Inclusive services and membership program drive user retention: In January 2025, ly.com partnered with several domestic airports to launch the “Worry-free First Trip” initiative, which officially rolled out to all users in mid-March. Designed to reduce travel barriers for elderly, students, and foreign travelers, the program supports new user acquisition and paid user growth. Meanwhile, the company upgraded its Black Card membership system, adding over 50 new benefits such as free hotel cancellation/modification and full-point redemption for room bookings. These enhancements are intended to boost loyalty among high-value users and better meet the rising demand for premium travel from non-first-tier markets, capitalizing on the consumption upgrade trend in mass-market tourism.
2. Deep Integration with DeepSeek to Advance AI-Powered Efficiency and Experience
On February 28, ly.com announced that its proprietary large vertical large model for the travel industry, “Chengxin”, would be fully integrated with DeepSeek. In March, the company launched an upgraded version, Chengxin AI, alongside DeepTrip, an AI agent that delivers real-time travel planning and booking services. This intelligent system understands user intent, inspires travel ideas, and dynamically generates personalized itineraries and booking options, creating an intelligent one-stop service flow of “travel need → personalized plan → product consumption”. Since its launch in December 2024, Chengxin AI has already served over 200,000 users. Its integration with DeepSeek is expected to further enhance user decision-making efficiency and elevate the smart travel experience. Looking ahead, ly.com plans to embed DeepTrip across its major booking scenarios, which is likely to increase the effectiveness of its cross-selling strategies.
AI also brings broader operational value. By leveraging AI technology, ly.com has reduced labor costs by 20% and significantly improved operational efficiency. On the B2B side, it exports AI capabilities via its intelligent hotel solutions, enabling hospitality partners to lower costs and expand digital empowerment boundaries.
III. Strategic Insights: Growth Trajectories for OTA Platforms Amid the “Mass Tourism” Trend
According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic travel in China reached 1.794 billion trips in Q1 2025, with total travel-related spending hitting RMB 1.80 trillion, increased by 26.4% and 18.6% YoY, respectively. Residents in non-first-tier cities represent a massive consumer base, and with room to improve in both online OTA conversion rates and average revenue per user (ARPU), this demographic is expected to unleash long-term growth potential as travel frequency and spending power continue to rise, injecting both UVs and value into the industry.

At present, mass-market tourism consumption is undergoing segmentation and diversification. A wide array of consumer groups is seeking differentiated, immersive travel experiences, where high quality and high cost-effectiveness coexist. In this context, OTA platforms must focus on customer segmentation and industry chain integration. According to iMarketing of MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, users aged 46 and above and those 25 years and younger accounted for 28% and 22.7%, respectively, of all installed users across online travel platform apps, making them key contributors to tourism consumption. To better serve these audiences, OTAs must develop differentiated services and content ecosystems that align with specific demographic preferences. For instance: Design elderly-friendly interfaces and develop wellness-themed travel products for older users. Partner in creating cultural tourism IPs and personalized itineraries, using short videos and live streaming to inspire younger travelers. On the product and service side, given mass-market consumers’ dual demands for quality and affordability, OTA platforms should further integrate the supply chain, expanding their core inventory of accommodation and transport resources while strengthening pricing leverage. Bundled offerings such as premium air-hotel packages and county-level attraction combo passes can simultaneously enhance both product quality and perceived value.

In parallel, platforms should capitalize on surging outbound tourism. This includes proactive involvement in overseas destination marketing campaigns and a keen focus on the specific needs and pain points of outbound travelers from non-first-tier cities, an area poised for the next wave of growth. At the same time, leveraging advancements in large models, OTAs can embed AI technologies into real-world travel scenarios to drive long-term cost reduction, operational efficiency, and upgrades in user experience.

About MoonFox Data
MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

Attachment
- MoonFox Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism
The MIL Network –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MoonFox Data | Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism

In Q1 2025, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion and adjusted net profit of RMB 788 million, marking YoY increases of 13.2% and 41.1%, respectively. Amid a macro recovery marked by YoY growth in both travel volume and consumer spending, ly.com has tapped into the tourism potential of non-first-tier markets, demonstrating strong demand beyond first-tier cities. While consolidating its core OTA business, the company has expanded into air tickets, hotels, and international operations, achieving diversified growth. By integrating AI strategies to drive cost reduction and efficiency, it is accelerating technological transformation and showcasing long-term growth resilience. Looking ahead, the mass-market tourism sector presents substantial upside potential. OTA platforms that can deliver both inclusive accessibility and elevated service quality are well-positioned to capitalize on structural opportunities within the industry.

I. Operational Performance: Revenue and Profit Growth Driven by Multi-dimensional Expansion and Optimized Business Mix

In Q1, ly.com reported revenue of RMB 4.377 billion, increased by 13.2% YoY. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached RMB 1.159 billion, while adjusted net profit rose to RMB 788 million, both growing by over 41% YoY. From a business segment perspective, ly.com’s growth is primarily driven by its core services such as accommodation booking and transportation ticketing, along with the expansion of other emerging businesses. This has enabled the company to build a synergistic model of “transportation + accommodation + vacation” and “domestic + international” operations, leading to a more balanced and healthier business structure.

1.         OTA remains the core revenue driver with significant growth: In Q1, revenue from ly.com’s online travel platform segment grew by 18.4% YoY to RMB 3.792 billion, accounting for approximately 86.6% of total revenue. Among these, accommodation booking services led with a YoY growth rate of 23.3%, while transportation ticketing revenue also rose by 15.2% YoY. This growth was mainly driven by ly.com’s continued efforts in Q1 to diversify and innovate value-added products for flights and hotels, enhance end-to-end service capabilities for mass-market travel, and attract users through strong promotional offers, effectively capturing demand arising from the broader macroeconomic recovery. For instance, multi-section transfer products like “train-to-train” and “air-to-air” connections offered competitive and cost-effective travel solutions, resulting in YoY booking increases of 22% and 44%, respectively.
2.         Diversified revenue streams expand, though vacation business sees a dip: Other revenues rose 20% YoY in Q1 to RMB 603 million, driven by growth in hotel management services and Property Management System (PMS) operations, emerging as a meaningful contributor to ly.com’s top line. At the macro level, the development and upgrading of mass tourism have driven growing demand for leisure travel, with vacationing becoming a preferred choice for more travelers. Ly.com has responded by launching scenario-based innovations such as small-group and customized tours, effectively unlocking users’ leisure and holiday needs. However, due to safety concerns in Southeast Asia, vacation-related revenue declined by 11.8% YoY in Q1.
3.         Outbound travel drives performance with strong momentum: In recent years, ly.com has consistently expanded its international business by introducing airport transfer services abroad, launching an international travel booking platform and localized apps, establishing overseas physical stores and customer experience centers, and partnering with global airlines and hotels. These efforts aim to seize the growth opportunities in outbound tourism and enhance the company’s penetration rate in overseas markets. According to the financial report, in Q1 2025, driven by a surge in outbound travel among users from non-first-tier cities, ly.com recorded a YoY increase of over 40% in international air ticket bookings and over 50% in international hotel room nights. Looking ahead, the deeper penetration of outbound travel services in non-first-tier markets is expected to make international air, hotel, and vacation businesses a new engine for driving performance growth.

II. Business Developments: Focusing on Mass-market Tourism Consumption Demand and Accelerating AI Capabilities

1.         Deepening Commitment To Mass-market Tourism To Build Scale and Amplify User Value
With a strategic focus on the mass-market tourism sector, ly.com targets consumers in non-first-tier cities, an audience with vast growth potential. By leveraging high-frequency UV entrances, offering one-stop services across full travel scenarios, and delivering cost-effective products to match the mass-market tourism consumption demand, the company continues to expand its user base and enhance user value. According to its financial report, as of the end of Q1 2025, ly.com had served a cumulative 1.96 billion trips and reached 247 million paying users, both representing over 7% YoY growth. Notably, users from non-first-tier cities accounted for 87% of total registered users, highlighting the success of its penetration strategy in markets in lower-tier cities.

①         UV entrances and service scenarios aligned with mass-market tourism consumers: In addition to its proprietary app, ly.com has embedded itself deeply into the WeChat ecosystem, using lightweight applets and high-frequency ticketing demands to reach consumers, to form stable UVs and further penetrate the markets in lower-tier cities. In Q1, ly.com continued to optimize operational efficiency within WeChat ecosystem; Between January and April, its “City Pass” WeChat applet expanded into Beijing and Guangzhou, covering urban transit scenarios. Through applet channels and City Pass business integration, ly.com further diversified its UV entrances and ecosystem touchpoints. According to MoonFox Data, WeChat applets maintain a leading share within ly.com’s overall UV landscape.

②         Supply chain integration enhances one-stop & cost-effective offerings: Through upstream and downstream supply chain integration, ly.com has extended its reach across the entire travel ecosystem, leveraging innovation and synergy to drive user engagement. By continuously enriching its “Air Travel +” product portfolio, the company has expanded its service coverage and strengthened price competitiveness to boost user spending and repeat purchases. In Q1 2025, ly.com partnered with multiple global airlines, airports, and international hotel groups such as Marriott and Hilton, further building its supply chain advantage in outbound tourism and helping reduce travel costs for users. On April 17, ly.com announced the acquisition of 100% equity in Wanda Hotel Management Co. Limited. The move is expected to “complement” its high-end hotel brand portfolio through Wanda’s brand matrix and resource base, enhancing its competitiveness in the hotel management sector.
③         Inclusive services and membership program drive user retention: In January 2025, ly.com partnered with several domestic airports to launch the “Worry-free First Trip” initiative, which officially rolled out to all users in mid-March. Designed to reduce travel barriers for elderly, students, and foreign travelers, the program supports new user acquisition and paid user growth. Meanwhile, the company upgraded its Black Card membership system, adding over 50 new benefits such as free hotel cancellation/modification and full-point redemption for room bookings. These enhancements are intended to boost loyalty among high-value users and better meet the rising demand for premium travel from non-first-tier markets, capitalizing on the consumption upgrade trend in mass-market tourism.
2. Deep Integration with DeepSeek to Advance AI-Powered Efficiency and Experience
On February 28, ly.com announced that its proprietary large vertical large model for the travel industry, “Chengxin”, would be fully integrated with DeepSeek. In March, the company launched an upgraded version, Chengxin AI, alongside DeepTrip, an AI agent that delivers real-time travel planning and booking services. This intelligent system understands user intent, inspires travel ideas, and dynamically generates personalized itineraries and booking options, creating an intelligent one-stop service flow of “travel need → personalized plan → product consumption”. Since its launch in December 2024, Chengxin AI has already served over 200,000 users. Its integration with DeepSeek is expected to further enhance user decision-making efficiency and elevate the smart travel experience. Looking ahead, ly.com plans to embed DeepTrip across its major booking scenarios, which is likely to increase the effectiveness of its cross-selling strategies.
AI also brings broader operational value. By leveraging AI technology, ly.com has reduced labor costs by 20% and significantly improved operational efficiency. On the B2B side, it exports AI capabilities via its intelligent hotel solutions, enabling hospitality partners to lower costs and expand digital empowerment boundaries.
III. Strategic Insights: Growth Trajectories for OTA Platforms Amid the “Mass Tourism” Trend
According to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic travel in China reached 1.794 billion trips in Q1 2025, with total travel-related spending hitting RMB 1.80 trillion, increased by 26.4% and 18.6% YoY, respectively. Residents in non-first-tier cities represent a massive consumer base, and with room to improve in both online OTA conversion rates and average revenue per user (ARPU), this demographic is expected to unleash long-term growth potential as travel frequency and spending power continue to rise, injecting both UVs and value into the industry.

At present, mass-market tourism consumption is undergoing segmentation and diversification. A wide array of consumer groups is seeking differentiated, immersive travel experiences, where high quality and high cost-effectiveness coexist. In this context, OTA platforms must focus on customer segmentation and industry chain integration. According to iMarketing of MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, users aged 46 and above and those 25 years and younger accounted for 28% and 22.7%, respectively, of all installed users across online travel platform apps, making them key contributors to tourism consumption. To better serve these audiences, OTAs must develop differentiated services and content ecosystems that align with specific demographic preferences. For instance: Design elderly-friendly interfaces and develop wellness-themed travel products for older users. Partner in creating cultural tourism IPs and personalized itineraries, using short videos and live streaming to inspire younger travelers. On the product and service side, given mass-market consumers’ dual demands for quality and affordability, OTA platforms should further integrate the supply chain, expanding their core inventory of accommodation and transport resources while strengthening pricing leverage. Bundled offerings such as premium air-hotel packages and county-level attraction combo passes can simultaneously enhance both product quality and perceived value.

In parallel, platforms should capitalize on surging outbound tourism. This includes proactive involvement in overseas destination marketing campaigns and a keen focus on the specific needs and pain points of outbound travelers from non-first-tier cities, an area poised for the next wave of growth. At the same time, leveraging advancements in large models, OTAs can embed AI technologies into real-world travel scenarios to drive long-term cost reduction, operational efficiency, and upgrades in user experience.

About MoonFox Data
MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

Attachment
- MoonFox Simultaneous Growth in Scale and Profit of Ly.com Underscores the Potential of Mass-market Tourism
The MIL Network –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: MoonFox | Bilibili: A “Forever Young” Platform with a Long-term Vision
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Since Q3 2024, Bilibili has achieved profitability for three consecutive quarters, marking an acceleration in its commercialization efforts.
Over the past few years, the explosive growth of short video has significantly disrupted traditional content production and marketing models. As a leading platform for medium-to-long video, Bilibili bore the brunt of these shifts, and its relatively slow commercialization was frequently questioned. However, it’s clear that Bilibili has consistently sought a balance between community-driven content and commercial monetization — striving to enhance its revenue capabilities while preserving its signature user experience and community atmosphere.
With the release of its Q1 2025 financial reports, Bilibili has successfully initiated a positive feedback loop between commercialization and content innovation. As the internet UV dividend reaches its ceiling, we have to re-evaluate Bilibili’s true marketing value.

I. Evolution of User Value: Still Youth-oriented, with Upgraded Consumption Vitality
As one of China’s earliest ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) communities, Bilibili has long attracted passionate niche enthusiasts, building a culture where users “Powered by Love”. This grassroots, interest-based social environment has continuously drawn waves of young creators. Compared to 2021 (when the average user age was 23 and users under 25 made up 50.08%), the platform’s user base has aged slightly, with an average age of 26 in 2025. However, its core user value remains clear: youthful, highly engaged, and increasingly capable of spending.
The platform’s mass-market evolution has not diluted its youth-oriented DNA. Beyond the core ACGN demographic, students and young professionals fresh out of college continue to inject new vitality into the community.
- According to MoonFox Data, as of April 2025, Bilibili’s monthly active users had an average age of 26. Among them, 62.25% were aged 16-35. Among new users added in April, 70.82% were in the 16-35 age group.
- In contrast, back in April 2021, the age structure of users was younger. According to MoonFox Data, as of April 2021, Bilibili’s monthly active users had an average age of 23. At that time, 50.08% of active users were under 25, while users over 35 made up only 16.18%, which was 15 percentage points lower than in 2025.
According to MoonFox Data, Bilibili is also seeing a growing presence of female users. In April 2025, women accounted for 44% of active users, increased by 1 percentage point YoY. Notably, female new users significantly outpaced male users throughout the past year. This influx has driven growth in content consumption, especially in lifestyle-related verticals, though challenges remain in sustaining long-term retention and monetization of these new cohorts.
According to the 2024 financial report, views in the maternity and parenting category content rose 76% YoY, significantly outpacing other categories. In addition, content related to home decoration, beauty & fashion, automotive, and sports & fitness also showed rapid growth.

Over the past three years, both Bilibili’s monthly active users and the number of paid Premium Members have continued to rise steadily. User stickiness keeps increasing. Since Q3 2023, the platform has maintained a daily active user base of over 100 million, with average daily usage time stabilizing between 100-110 minutes.

Whether measured against long-form video platforms or mainstream social media apps, Bilibili continues to exhibit strong competitiveness in terms of user time spent. As the platform expands to reach a broader audience, its user retention and engagement have remained robust. These “high levels of stickiness” reflect Bilibili’s consistent strength in content creation and community value.

II. Evolution of Content Value: “Professional Production + Youthful Expression” as a Strategic Moat
1.         Deepening OGV Strategy to Build a Robust IP Matrix
In terms of content formats and production models, leading social platforms such as Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Bilibili all offer broad creative ecosystems. Content ranges from UGC (User-Generated Content), PUGC (Professionally User-Generated Content), PGC (Professionally Generated Content), to OGV (Occupationally Generated Video), delivered via short videos and medium-to-long videos, live streaming, images, and audio, often cross-distributed across platforms. Among these, OGV represents Bilibili’s key strategic lever for deepening content value and building platform differentiation. The continued premiumization and IP-ification of OGV not only enhances Bilibili’s brand but also creates more monetization opportunities for other content creators by expanding content categories and formats.
Bilibili’s OGV ecosystem now follows a clear incubation path: “Premium Content” → “Evergreen IP” → “Cross-platform Phenomenal IP”. Premium Content includes high-quality documentaries, original Chinese animation, music variety shows, and short drama series, giving rise to new breakout titles each year. “Evergreen IPs” emerge from long-tail influence and continued investment in premium content. A select few IPs break through platform boundaries, achieving phenomenal widespread social impact.

2.         Unique Variety and Documentary Styles: Bilibili’s “Methodology” for Cross-demographic Breakthroughs
Bilibili’s variety and documentary programming stands out for its youth-centric storytelling and emotional resonance, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. A standout case is Guarding Jiefang West Road, which debuted in 2019. This documentary-variety hybrid follows real cases from a local police station on the streets of Changsha City, adopting a reality TV style to deliver legal education. In a series of hilarious and absurd real events, legal knowledge is conveyed to the audience. The series was dubbed “a hand-drawn scroll of urban life” by the Bilibili users and went viral, eventually airing on CCTV and regional television networks.
The vivid portrayal of everyday life infused with a lively local atmosphere, the integration of Changsha’s cultural and tourism elements, and the personalized expression shaped by the reality show format have not only inspired organic sharing among young audiences and prompted offline check-ins, but also created opportunities for commercial partnerships in future IP series. The exclusive title sponsorship spans a wide range of industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and automotive. In addition, the program collaborates with professional content creators to interpret legal knowledge and analyze real-life cases, generating secondary dissemination and enabling multi-channel brand integration.
In 2023, Bilibili and Shenzhen Media Group partnered with the same production company of Guarding Jiefang West Road, TVZONE, to launch The Glorious Pediatricians, an innovative medical documentary series. The IP leveraged nearly the same commercialization playbook as Guarding Jiefang West Road, from narrative tone to brand partnerships and cross-channel distribution.
Beyond large IPs, Bilibili has also cultivated a range of niche, small-format shows that deeply explore social issues and Gen Z lifestyles, capturing mindshare within specific subcultures. These titles often go viral thanks to a content strategy combining OGV (full-length programs) + PUGC (expert content) + UGC (cross-industry uploader content). Examples include the 2024 “International Chinese Debating Competition”, the 90’s Dating Agency launched in 2021, and the upcoming 00’s Career Agency and 90’s Rental Agency in 2025.
3.         Doubling Down on Original Chinese Animation to Strengthen Predictable Revenue Streams
In 2023, Bilibili’s senior leadership revealed that 67% of Bilibili’s ACG users had begun actively consuming original Chinese animation, with users watching an average of 10 series each, totaling over 700 million hours of view time and 5 billion user interactions. Bilibili’s deep understanding and sensitivity to the ACG industry forms a key moat in its original Chinese animation strategy. In turn, this strengthens user stickiness and drives monetization through membership subscriptions, advertising, derivative products, and offline events.
At the end of 2024, Bilibili announced a lineup of 43 upcoming original Chinese animations, backed by a clearer and more strategic release schedule compared to previous years. In 2025, IP sequels, female-centric IPs, and original animation have become core highlights. Among the 12 original series, several are continuations or expansions of existing hit IPs, such as Yao-Chinese Folktales 2 and Link Click: Yingdu Chapter. To Be Hero X, which launched globally in April, marks Bilibili’s first original Chinese animation released simultaneously worldwide. As of May 27, the series was still ongoing, having amassed 97.51 million views on its Mandarin dub and over 6 million views on the Japanese dub, outperforming earlier entries like To Be Hero: BABA and To Be Hero: LEAF.
In addition to originals, adaptations of popular comics and novels remain pillars of the original Chinese category. Notably, in 2025 Bilibili has moved beyond its traditional “male-oriented action drama IPs”, tapping into content that resonates with female viewers. For example, the adaptation of The Legend of Princess Chang-Ge, which premiered in February, and the upcoming animation First Frost, both reflect a shift towards more emotionally driven storytelling. This shift reflects not only the platform’s broader approach to content themes, but also a subtle response to the evolving needs driven by the growth of its female user base. However, The Legend of Princess Chang-Ge failed to meet audience expectations, receiving an average rating of 7.6, significantly lower than its fantasy-genre peers. Viewer criticism cited plot alterations and stiff 3D character modeling as major issues, indicating that female-oriented IP adaptations still pose notable creative challenges for Bilibili’s original Chinese animations.
4.         The Uploader Ecosystem: Connecting with Users through “Content Quality”
While Bilibili, like other platforms, employs “interest-based” content recommendations, its waterfall-style feed gives users greater control over final content selection. This increases visibility for mid- and long-tail uploaders, making content quality the core driver of user retention. This more decentralized distribution mechanism has fostered a healthy creative environment, enabling UP creators to build lasting relationships with their audience through consistent, high-quality output. According to Jiemian.com, nearly 90% of Bilibili Power Up 100 in 2024 had been publishing content for over 5 years. Over 2 million creators have been active on the Bilibili for 5+ years,
This robust creator(uploader) ecosystem fuels diversified content demand, while Bilibili’s active community feedback loop helps scale content innovation and creator growth.
As of now, Bilibili’s homepage features 36 primary content categories, and official data indicates that more than 2 million subcultural tags exist on the platform. In 2024, its daily video views averaged 4.8 billion. From the annual report data, it is evident that content in emerging sectors such as maternity & childcare, sports & wellness, travel, and AI is also growing rapidly on Bilibili.

In Q1 2025 alone, viewing time for AI-related content increased by 130%. Notable uploads include: A 10,000-Word Deep Dive: What Are AI Agents?, posted in March by @qiuzhi2046, which garnered over 440,000 views. A 2022 upload from @xiao_lin_shuo, titled How Advanced Is AI? Isn’t It Growing Too Fast?, which continues to gain traction, now surpassing 1.55 million views as of late May. These videos combine technical insights with a relaxed, humorous delivery. In addition, Q1 saw a rapid surge in paid courses on AI fundamentals, Python, and practical AI tools, reflecting strong demand. Uploaders, through youthful and accessible communication styles, help demystify complex topics. As a result, new technologies and product innovations can quickly reach and resonate with younger demographics, building early-stage trust and engagement.

III. Evolution of Marketing Value: From “UV Pool” to “Endorsement Pool”
1.         “Trust Endorsement” Through Cultural Identity
By investing deeply in OGV content, Bilibili has built a rich matrix of cultural IPs, fostering a strong sense of trust and identity among users. When brands participate as title sponsors or co-creators, they are seen as part of the “Powered by Love” community. In recent years, numerous emerging consumer brands have embedded themselves into Bilibili’s ecosystem by “playing” with users, blending in naturally with youth subcultures and communities.
For example, in the automotive sector, Wuling Motors sponsored the popular interview show Wuling Auto, and collaborated with top auto uploaders to showcase product strength. Its official account, @Wuling Silver Mark, has amassed 970,000 followers. In 2024, the game Black Myth: Wukong went viral, driving fans to visit real-life filming locations. This cross-industry linkage was dubbed a “pilgrimage tour” by Bilibili users. The official account @Culture and Tourism Department of Shanxi Province launched a series of culture and tourism video campaign titled “Travel Shanxi with Wukong”, with single episodes surpassing 1.2 million views, effectively promoting local culture and landscapes in multiple aspects.
2.         Long-term “Companion Marketing”
While 5G online surfing and memes thrive in Gen Z culture, Bilibili’s connection of “Youthful Expression” with young users goes beyond trend-chasing. What really sets the platform apart is its ability to deliver deep emotional value through companionship and shared growth. “Companionship and personal growth” are key themes that enable Bilibili’s content to resonate with younger audiences. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to build long-term user engagement and embed brand perception early in the consumer journey. Popular content IPs span key moments such as college entrance exams, graduation season, summer holidays, and Youth Day, offering brands concrete scenarios to expand their influence and revitalize their image.
In the consumer goods sector, Dreame, Guyu, and Laifen, among other emerging Chinese brands, have all established content matrices on Bilibili to engage young consumers. In the food &beverage industry, Uni-President Group sponsored the Bilibili Graduation Concert for three consecutive years (2022-2025), while also investing in original comedy content and foodie uploaders. These efforts gradually reshaped its brand image, increasing penetration among younger audiences.
3.         “Authenticity” as a Driver of High Conversion
Bilibili’s highly participatory user base, known for their “real human” feel, raises the bar for brand marketing & endorsement, but it also creates valuable opportunities for small and mid-sized brands. Bilibili’s community atmosphere amplifies the weight of user feedback. Metrics such as the number of danmaku, video completion rate, and the “triple interaction”(likes, coins, and sharing), and favorites serve as concrete indicators of content quality. At the same time, the higher threshold for user engagement makes interactions more meaningful. Because of this high bar for interaction, Bilibili has been seen as harder for advertisers’ endorsement and slower in conversion compared to platforms like Xiaohongshu or Douyin.
However, during the 2023 “618” Shopping Festival, beauty brand PROYA achieved a live streaming ROI of 2.69, among the highest in the industry, challenging traditional perceptions. In e-commerce monetization on Bilibili platform, home & lifestyle uploader @Mr.MiDeng generated over RMB10 billion in GMV in 2023, while fashion uploader @Yingwuli achieved RMB 50 million in a single live session in 2024 and now hosts monthly live sales. A series of best-selling new product categories shows that users on Bilibili still possess strong untapped purchasing power. At the same time, when we look at the sources of these best-selling products, many “niche yet high-quality” brands have successfully generated endorsement and achieved strong conversion rates.
Whether it’s @Mr.MiDeng or @Yingwuli, their sales are driven by long-form videos or live streaming rich in industry insights and in-depth product explanations, covering everything from product colors, materials, and manufacturing processes to after-sales service and issue resolution. Compared to the brand endorsement and marketing premium brought by major labels, smaller brands with reliable quality and durable products are often more likely to gain popularity under the influence of content uploaders.

IV. Conclusion: Bilibili Is Redefining the Future of “Youth Marketing” through a Positive “Content – User – Commerce” Cycle
From a niche ACG vertical community “Powered by Love” to a profitable content platform with three consecutive profitable quarters, Bilibili has preserved its youthful DNA. Yet it has also evolved into a more inclusive space, welcoming diverse interests from female users to lifestyle enthusiasts. Its expansion into OGV content, while maintaining strong creator ecosystems, positions Bilibili as a comprehensive video platform, one that deepens premium content moats, strengthens user stickiness, and broadens commercial possibilities.
For brands, Bilibili’s value extends far beyond being a mere “UV Pool”. It serves as a cultural and emotional companion to multiple youth cohorts, and has become an irreplaceable space for both emerging and mid-tier brands looking to connect authentically with young audiences. As users cast their votes through the triple interaction, their danmaku comments also convey a strong authenticity sense toward the product. The collaboration between brands and creators feels more like an in-depth dialogue rather than a hard-sell ad driven purely by UVs.
For Bilibili, sustained profitability may only be the beginning. By leveraging content to win the hearts of young users, its business model is in turn fueling a virtuous cycle—reinvesting in the very content ecosystem that brought them there. This positive flywheel is laying a long-term foundation for the platform’s future growth.

About MoonFox Data
MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

For Media Inquiries:
Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

Attachment
- MoonFox Bilibili A Forever Young Platform with a Long-term Vision
The MIL Network –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: GL Elevates 100G Ethernet Testing with PacketExpert(TM) 100G

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GL Communications Inc., a global leader in telecom testing solutions, addressed the press regarding their multi-port testing for high-speed network environments. As networks continue to grow in speed and complexity, the ability to test multiple ports simultaneously becomes essential. GL’s PacketExpert™ 100G enables testing across several high-speed Ethernet ports in parallel. This allows network engineers to verify performance and reliability more efficiently, while also saving space and reducing equipment needs in labs and production setups.

[Refer to packetexpert100g-multiport.jpg]

Vijay Kulkarni, CEO of GL Communications, states, “GL’s PacketExpert™ 100G is a scalable, multi-functional network testing appliance for comprehensive Ethernet and IP testing at speeds up to 100 Gbps. It integrates a high-performance PC with specialized NICs, GL’s PacketExpert™ software, and optimized hardware for processing, storage, and cooling. The system supports 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 25 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 50 Gbps, and 100 Gbps Ethernet ports, with up to eight ports capable of simultaneous wirespeed traffic generation and reception.”

A web-based interface allows multiple users to remotely access and control devices, enabling centralized management of large multi-port test setups. Python scripting further enhances efficiency by enabling repeatable, scalable, and fully remote execution of complex test scenarios.

Multi-port testing is essential to validate that devices with multiple high-speed ports can simultaneously handle diverse traffic streams at full line rate without errors or degradation—ensuring reliable, high-density performance in real-world environments.

PacketExpert™ 100G supports flexible multi-port configurations using dual 100G ports with breakout cables and adapters. A single 100G port can be split into four 25G ports via a QSFP28 to 4 × SFP28 cable (4 x 25G), while a 40G port can be split into four 10G ports using a QSFP to 4 × SFP+ cable (4 x 10G), enabling simultaneous multi-rate testing without additional hardware.

[Refer to Port Settings for 4 x 25G Mode and Port Settings for 4 x 10G Mode]

In 4 × 25G or 4 × 10G modes, PacketExpert™ 100G activates four independent ports (Port 1 to Port 4) for concurrent Ethernet interface testing. This setup reduces device and cable requirements, saves rack space, and boosts efficiency in lab and production environments.

PacketExpert™ 100G supports up to eight 100G ports in a 4U rack-mount chassis using multiple network interface cards, enabling extensive multi-port scalability. It performs Bit Error Rate Testing (BERT) and RFC 2544 throughput and latency measurements on up to 8 ports for 100G, 50G, 40G, and 1G, and up to 16 ports for 10G and 25G. The platform handles up to 128 unique streams (16 per port), scalable to 256 streams for 10G and 25G, allowing comprehensive ExpertSAM™ (ITU-T Y.1564) service activation testing.

With flexible multi-rate port breakout, high-density scalability, and wide stream support, PacketExpert™ 100G is a critical tool for validating multi-port Ethernet performance in demanding network environments.

The solution offers a full suite of test applications from physical to transport layers. These include Bit Error Rate Testing for verifying physical link integrity, Smart Loopback Testing for quick link verification, RFC 2544 for standardized benchmarking of throughput, packet loss, latency, and burst performance, ExpertSAM™ (ITU-T Y.1564) for validating SLAs across multiple streams, and Multi-Stream Traffic Generator and Analyzer (MTGA) for simulating and monitoring real-world traffic. These applications support testing across Layer 2 (Ethernet), Layer 2.5 (VLAN or MPLS), Layer 3 (IPv4 or IPv6), and Layer 4 (UDP), ensuring networks are fully prepared for high-speed, multi-service deployments.

PacketExpert™ 100G provides advanced support for SyncE, enabling precise clock synchronization validation in high-speed Ethernet networks. It continuously monitors the incoming clock’s Quality Level using background heartbeat messages and instantly flags any degradation—crucial for time-sensitive applications like mobile backhaul, data centers, and industrial networks.

Using Precision Time Protocol (PTP), PacketExpert™ 100G synchronizes accurately with the network’s master clock, ensuring proper time alignment across devices. This is essential for timing-critical tests such as RFC 2544 latency and ExpertSAM™ SLA validation, delivering reliable and repeatable delay and jitter measurements in complex Ethernet and IP environments.

PacketExpert™ 100G includes robust Python APIs for automation and regression testing, ideal for continuous integration workflows. Users can remotely configure ports, run tests like BERT, RFC 2544, and Y.1564, and collect results programmatically. The platform supports parallel test execution across multiple ports and devices (1G to 100G), with real-time result monitoring and alerting—ensuring fast, repeatable, and fully automated validation of high-speed Ethernet networks.

[Refer to Multi-port Python Script]

About GL Communications Inc.,

GL Communications is a global provider of telecom test and measurement solutions. GL’s solutions verify the quality and reliability of Wireless, Fiber Optic, TDM and Analog networks.

Warm Regards,

Vikram Kulkarni, PhD

Phone: 301-670-4784 x114

Email: info@gl.com

The MIL Network –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | “New Consumer Trends F4” Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits All-Time High
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fueled by the global explosion in popularity of LABUBU, Pop Mart, one of the so-called “New Consumer Trends F4” stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, has seen its share price skyrocket. As of market close on June 9, Pop Mart’s market capitalization reached HKD 336.8 billion, setting a new all-time high. With a 48.73% ownership stake, founder Wang Ning has now become the richest individual in Henan province.

According to MoonFox Data, Pop Mart’s monthly average DAU (daily active users) on mobile surged 257% since the beginning of the year, while its customer UV index at offline retail stores rose 11%. The continued rise in its share price is a direct reflection of the company’s comprehensive growth across all operational metrics. Behind this momentum lies a meticulously planned commercial strategy that has laid a solid foundation for sustained growth.

Building and Operating the Pop Mart IP Universe

A global co-creation network of artists: POP MART has built a global creative network of over 200 designers, operating under a dual-track model of “emerging talent discovery + master collaborations.” By working closely with prominent artists such as Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong (creator of the “MOLLY” IP) and Dutch illustrator Kasing Lung (creator of the “LABUBU” IP), the company transforms artistic concepts into commercial value through a full industrialized pipeline of “concept sketches → 3D modeling → mass production → retail”.

Emotionally resonant design: Take CRYBABY as an example: its core design concept revolves around “crying as therapy” and the idea that “everyone has moments when they need to cry”. It aims to encourage people to move forward with courage after releasing their emotions. By conveying the core message of emotional freedom, it provides emotional value to fans and evokes deep resonance, making it Pop Mart’s fastest-growing emerging IP in 2024, with a YoY revenue increase of over 1,537.2%.

Continued development of core IPs: Classic IPs such as MOLLY and DIMOO continue to iterate with new themes, while emerging IP THE MONSTERS (which includes LABUBU) has expanded beyond static pop toys and figurines into plush accessories and interactive companions through diverse product designs and performances featuring park character interactions. These efforts have strengthened emotional bonds with fans, driving a remarkable 726.6% YoY revenue growth in 2024.

Tiered pricing strategy across consumer scenarios:

Blind Box Economy (RMB 59-69): By lowering the threshold to trigger impulse purchases, it enhances interactive fun through “hidden edition mysticism” and “blind box strategies”, stimulating desire to buy with the unpredictability of content and the scarcity of hidden editions.

Mega Collection (RMB 1,000-10,000+): The MEGA series (e.g., 1000% SPACE MOLLY) targets high-spending collectors with an emphasis on art investment. Collaborations with institutions like the Van Gogh Museum and artists like Mika Ninagawa elevate the brand’s cultural cachet and pricing power, appealing to sophisticated buyers seeking both emotional and investment value.

Understanding core consumers and capturing emotional demand:

According to Pop Mart’s active user portrait, the core consumer group consists primarily of women aged 16 to 35, with Generation Z and young white-collar workers as the dominant force. These users are mainly concentrated in first- and second-tier cities with developed consumer markets. They are highly receptive to new trends, willing to pay for emotional value, possess a certain level of economic stability, and demonstrate strong purchasing intent. As both primary buyers and key nodes in social sharing, they play a central role in driving consumption and brand communication.

The rise of Pop Mart’s commercial empire lies in its deep understanding and precise grasp of the consumer psychology of its target audience. By skillfully leveraging various psychological mechanisms, Pop Mart transforms the act of purchasing pop toys into an experience rich in fun and emotional connection. The unpredictability of blind boxes offers instant gratification; IP collectibles serve as symbols of self-expression for young consumers; and the exclusivity of hidden editions fosters a sense of group identity and pride. Together, these elements cater to a wide range of emotional needs, including comfort, individuality, surprise, achievement, and social connection.

Omni-channel Reach and Precision Operations

Offline Retail Expansion and Store Functionality Upgrade

Retail Stores: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had opened 401 stores across Mainland China, primarily located in high-traffic commercial districts. With an emphasis on immersive store design, each outlet serves not just as a point of sale but also as a powerful channel for brand storytelling and customer engagement. According to MoonFox Data, the offline customer UV index in 2024 increased by 47.7% YoY, showing a strong correlation with in-store revenue.

ROBOSHOPS: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had deployed 2,300 ROBOSHOPS, with a net increase of 110 units during the year. These automated vending machines, with their low operating costs and flexible deployment, have accelerated enterprises’ penetration into multi-tier cities and high-frequency consumption scenarios such as commercial complexes and transportation hubs, significantly enhancing the efficiency of consumer reach.

Online Omni-channel Expansion and Development

Self-owned Platforms: Pop Mart Official Mall and Pop Mart Blind Box Machine (WeChat applet) are the company’s core proprietary online channels. The Pop Mart Blind Box Machine simulates the offline blind box experience, enhancing user engagement and purchase satisfaction, and has demonstrated strong sales growth. According to MoonFox Data, the Pop Mart Blind Box Machine’s MAU grew by 58.5% throughout 2024, with revenue increasing 52.7% YoY.

Additionally, following the online release of LABUBU 3.0 on April 24, Pop Mart saw an explosive short-term spike in market buzz and DAU, which was soon followed by a sustained upward trend in its share price, with growth momentum significantly accelerating in June.

Third-Party E-commerce Platforms: Pop Mart has established official flagship stores on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. According to its 2024 financial report, its overall revenue from online channels rose 76.9% YoY, with Douyin and Tmall seeing particularly strong growth.

Membership System Development and Value

Pop Mart has built a large and highly active membership ecosystem. By implementing a tiered membership system and offering exclusive benefits such as points redemption, birthday gifts, and early access to new products, the brand has significantly boosted customer loyalty and lifetime value. According to the financial report data of 2024, the number of registered members in mainland China reached 46.083 million, with members contributing 92.7% of total sales. The repurchase rate stood at 49.4%. User behavior data from the app side also indicates growing frequency and duration of use.

Meanwhile, Pop Mart is accelerating both the diversification of its IP portfolio and its global expansion. The company is undergoing a transformative shift from a “pop toy manufacturer” to a global IP ecosystem operator. Several major international investment banks have expressed bullish views on Pop Mart. Deutsche Bank, for instance, issued a report stating that Pop Mart’s potential market size is significantly larger than previously estimated, maintaining a “Buy” rating and raising its target price from HKD 200 to HKD 303.

Looking ahead, the key challenges for Pop Mart will include sustaining the creative momentum of its IP lifecycle, addressing delayed tech integration, and restoring community trust. To maintain the emotional engagement of its 40 million users, the company must ensure that the “emotional deposit interest rate” on their emotional deposits keeps pace with “emotional inflation”. For investors, Pop Mart’s rise represents a “collective reckoning” within the investment community, an opportunity in the new consumer trends to step beyond traditional frameworks and develop a deeper understanding of consumer culture, identity, and behavioral trends behind each channel. In many ways, these qualitative insights may prove more predictive than financial report figures alone.

About MoonFox Data

MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

For Media Inquiries:

Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

Attachment
- MoonFox Data New Consumer Trends F4 Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits
The MIL Network –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI: MoonFox Data | “New Consumer Trends F4” Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits All-Time High
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Shenzhen, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fueled by the global explosion in popularity of LABUBU, Pop Mart, one of the so-called “New Consumer Trends F4” stocks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, has seen its share price skyrocket. As of market close on June 9, Pop Mart’s market capitalization reached HKD 336.8 billion, setting a new all-time high. With a 48.73% ownership stake, founder Wang Ning has now become the richest individual in Henan province.

According to MoonFox Data, Pop Mart’s monthly average DAU (daily active users) on mobile surged 257% since the beginning of the year, while its customer UV index at offline retail stores rose 11%. The continued rise in its share price is a direct reflection of the company’s comprehensive growth across all operational metrics. Behind this momentum lies a meticulously planned commercial strategy that has laid a solid foundation for sustained growth.

Building and Operating the Pop Mart IP Universe

A global co-creation network of artists: POP MART has built a global creative network of over 200 designers, operating under a dual-track model of “emerging talent discovery + master collaborations.” By working closely with prominent artists such as Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong (creator of the “MOLLY” IP) and Dutch illustrator Kasing Lung (creator of the “LABUBU” IP), the company transforms artistic concepts into commercial value through a full industrialized pipeline of “concept sketches → 3D modeling → mass production → retail”.

Emotionally resonant design: Take CRYBABY as an example: its core design concept revolves around “crying as therapy” and the idea that “everyone has moments when they need to cry”. It aims to encourage people to move forward with courage after releasing their emotions. By conveying the core message of emotional freedom, it provides emotional value to fans and evokes deep resonance, making it Pop Mart’s fastest-growing emerging IP in 2024, with a YoY revenue increase of over 1,537.2%.

Continued development of core IPs: Classic IPs such as MOLLY and DIMOO continue to iterate with new themes, while emerging IP THE MONSTERS (which includes LABUBU) has expanded beyond static pop toys and figurines into plush accessories and interactive companions through diverse product designs and performances featuring park character interactions. These efforts have strengthened emotional bonds with fans, driving a remarkable 726.6% YoY revenue growth in 2024.

Tiered pricing strategy across consumer scenarios:

Blind Box Economy (RMB 59-69): By lowering the threshold to trigger impulse purchases, it enhances interactive fun through “hidden edition mysticism” and “blind box strategies”, stimulating desire to buy with the unpredictability of content and the scarcity of hidden editions.

Mega Collection (RMB 1,000-10,000+): The MEGA series (e.g., 1000% SPACE MOLLY) targets high-spending collectors with an emphasis on art investment. Collaborations with institutions like the Van Gogh Museum and artists like Mika Ninagawa elevate the brand’s cultural cachet and pricing power, appealing to sophisticated buyers seeking both emotional and investment value.

Understanding core consumers and capturing emotional demand:

According to Pop Mart’s active user portrait, the core consumer group consists primarily of women aged 16 to 35, with Generation Z and young white-collar workers as the dominant force. These users are mainly concentrated in first- and second-tier cities with developed consumer markets. They are highly receptive to new trends, willing to pay for emotional value, possess a certain level of economic stability, and demonstrate strong purchasing intent. As both primary buyers and key nodes in social sharing, they play a central role in driving consumption and brand communication.

The rise of Pop Mart’s commercial empire lies in its deep understanding and precise grasp of the consumer psychology of its target audience. By skillfully leveraging various psychological mechanisms, Pop Mart transforms the act of purchasing pop toys into an experience rich in fun and emotional connection. The unpredictability of blind boxes offers instant gratification; IP collectibles serve as symbols of self-expression for young consumers; and the exclusivity of hidden editions fosters a sense of group identity and pride. Together, these elements cater to a wide range of emotional needs, including comfort, individuality, surprise, achievement, and social connection.

Omni-channel Reach and Precision Operations

Offline Retail Expansion and Store Functionality Upgrade

Retail Stores: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had opened 401 stores across Mainland China, primarily located in high-traffic commercial districts. With an emphasis on immersive store design, each outlet serves not just as a point of sale but also as a powerful channel for brand storytelling and customer engagement. According to MoonFox Data, the offline customer UV index in 2024 increased by 47.7% YoY, showing a strong correlation with in-store revenue.

ROBOSHOPS: By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had deployed 2,300 ROBOSHOPS, with a net increase of 110 units during the year. These automated vending machines, with their low operating costs and flexible deployment, have accelerated enterprises’ penetration into multi-tier cities and high-frequency consumption scenarios such as commercial complexes and transportation hubs, significantly enhancing the efficiency of consumer reach.

Online Omni-channel Expansion and Development

Self-owned Platforms: Pop Mart Official Mall and Pop Mart Blind Box Machine (WeChat applet) are the company’s core proprietary online channels. The Pop Mart Blind Box Machine simulates the offline blind box experience, enhancing user engagement and purchase satisfaction, and has demonstrated strong sales growth. According to MoonFox Data, the Pop Mart Blind Box Machine’s MAU grew by 58.5% throughout 2024, with revenue increasing 52.7% YoY.

Additionally, following the online release of LABUBU 3.0 on April 24, Pop Mart saw an explosive short-term spike in market buzz and DAU, which was soon followed by a sustained upward trend in its share price, with growth momentum significantly accelerating in June.

Third-Party E-commerce Platforms: Pop Mart has established official flagship stores on mainstream e-commerce platforms such as Tmall, JD.com, and Douyin. According to its 2024 financial report, its overall revenue from online channels rose 76.9% YoY, with Douyin and Tmall seeing particularly strong growth.

Membership System Development and Value

Pop Mart has built a large and highly active membership ecosystem. By implementing a tiered membership system and offering exclusive benefits such as points redemption, birthday gifts, and early access to new products, the brand has significantly boosted customer loyalty and lifetime value. According to the financial report data of 2024, the number of registered members in mainland China reached 46.083 million, with members contributing 92.7% of total sales. The repurchase rate stood at 49.4%. User behavior data from the app side also indicates growing frequency and duration of use.

Meanwhile, Pop Mart is accelerating both the diversification of its IP portfolio and its global expansion. The company is undergoing a transformative shift from a “pop toy manufacturer” to a global IP ecosystem operator. Several major international investment banks have expressed bullish views on Pop Mart. Deutsche Bank, for instance, issued a report stating that Pop Mart’s potential market size is significantly larger than previously estimated, maintaining a “Buy” rating and raising its target price from HKD 200 to HKD 303.

Looking ahead, the key challenges for Pop Mart will include sustaining the creative momentum of its IP lifecycle, addressing delayed tech integration, and restoring community trust. To maintain the emotional engagement of its 40 million users, the company must ensure that the “emotional deposit interest rate” on their emotional deposits keeps pace with “emotional inflation”. For investors, Pop Mart’s rise represents a “collective reckoning” within the investment community, an opportunity in the new consumer trends to step beyond traditional frameworks and develop a deeper understanding of consumer culture, identity, and behavioral trends behind each channel. In many ways, these qualitative insights may prove more predictive than financial report figures alone.

About MoonFox Data

MoonFox Data, a subsidiary of Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG), is a leading alternative data provider delivering actionable insights to global financial institutions and investment firms. Trusted by top 50 funds, MoonFox leverages proprietary big data and advanced analytics to help clients uncover market trends and drive smarter decisions across China and emerging markets.

For Media Inquiries:

Contact: zhouxt@jiguang.cn | Website: http://www.moonfox.cn/en

Attachment
- MoonFox Data New Consumer Trends F4 Soar in Hong Kong Stock Market; Pop Mart’s Mark Value Hits
The MIL Network –
June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Final closure of the operation of the Depositors Compensation Scheme in respect of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander (Isle of Man) Limited (“the Scheme”)

Source: Isle of Man

Published on: 26 June 2025

Further to an Application Notice dated 21^st March 2025 made by the Authority as Scheme Manager following the closure of the Scheme on 1 October 2024, a further Order was made at a hearing at the Isle of Man High Court on 19^th June 2025.

The Order can be viewed here.

Amongst other matters, the Order declares that from 31^st July 2025 all remaining depositors have abandoned any and all rights to claim any dividends and/or surplus interest unclaimed or uncollected.

The Authority will take the final steps to fully close the Scheme on or after 31^st July 2025.

Further information in relation to the Scheme can be accessed here.

Enquiries:

Andrew Kermode

Head of Prudential Supervision Division

Secretary to the Scheme

Tel: +44 (0)1624 689320

Email: andrew.kermode@iomfsa.im

MIL OSI Economics –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Final closure of the operation of the Depositors Compensation Scheme in respect of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander (Isle of Man) Limited (“the Scheme”)

Source: Isle of Man

Published on: 26 June 2025

Further to an Application Notice dated 21^st March 2025 made by the Authority as Scheme Manager following the closure of the Scheme on 1 October 2024, a further Order was made at a hearing at the Isle of Man High Court on 19^th June 2025.

The Order can be viewed here.

Amongst other matters, the Order declares that from 31^st July 2025 all remaining depositors have abandoned any and all rights to claim any dividends and/or surplus interest unclaimed or uncollected.

The Authority will take the final steps to fully close the Scheme on or after 31^st July 2025.

Further information in relation to the Scheme can be accessed here.

Enquiries:

Andrew Kermode

Head of Prudential Supervision Division

Secretary to the Scheme

Tel: +44 (0)1624 689320

Email: andrew.kermode@iomfsa.im

MIL OSI Economics –

June 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic boosts expansion of condensing unit business in Europe! Sales begin for 70 models of eco-friendly condensing units in two series

Source: Panasonic

Headline: Panasonic boosts expansion of condensing unit business in Europe! Sales begin for 70 models of eco-friendly condensing units in two series

Tokyo, Japan – Panasonic Corporation (https://www.panasonic.com/global/about.html) today announced that Panasonic Cold Chain Poland Sp. z o.o. (PCCPL), a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation Cold Chain Solutions Company (Panasonic CCS) that is responsible for the development and manufacturing of condensing units in Europe, will launch the new condensing unit series “iCORE” and “iCOOL” from October 2025. A total of 70 models are available in two series, covering a wide range of applications including retail stores, supermarkets, the HoReCa *2 sector, gas stations and Cold rooms.
The “iCORE” series is Panasonic’s flagship line of non-freon condensing unit in the European market. It uses a future-oriented natural refrigerant (CO2 refrigerant/R744) and has a lineup of 12 models, up to 29 kW for medium-temperature applications and up to 15 kW for low-temperature applications. With this series, we will lead the shift to non-freon condensing units in Europe, just as we have in Japan.
The “iCOOL” series is a condensing unit series that is inverter controlled and compatible with HFC*3 and A2L*4 refrigerants. Advanced inverter technology realizes long-term energy savings and reduced electricity cost, and is positioned as a model that supports the gradual transition to low GWP refrigerants. A total of 58 models are available in the lineup, with a maximum of 42 kW for medium temperature applications and a maximum of 14 kW for low temperature applications.
PCCPL became a part of the Panasonic Group through M&A in December 2024 and has been operating as the first European factory for the cold chain business, significantly shortening the delivery lead time throughout Europe compared to the previous method of shipping and transporting from Japan. The launch of this new series of condensing units marks a strategically important milestone for Panasonic as it focuses on its condensing unit business in the European market.
With this acquisition, Panasonic CCS will be able to gain momentum in its condensing unit business in Europe and accelerate the global expansion of its cold chain business, while also contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through the market penetration of environmentally friendly products.

Notes:1 A heat source equipment used to cool cooling equipment such as remote type showcases and cold room freezers and refrigerators. It is used by connecting it to indoor cooling equipment via refrigerant piping and is installed indoors or outdoors.2 Food service industry, abbreviation for Hotel/Restaurant/Cafe3 Alternative freon4 A refrigerant that is slightly flammable, has low toxicity, and has a low global warming potential.

MIL OSI Economics –

June 26, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: There’s gold trapped in your iPhone – and chemists have found a safe new way to extract it

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin M. Chalker, Professor of Chemistry, Flinders University

A sample of refined gold recovered from mining and e-waste recycling trials. Justin Chalker

In 2022, humans produced an estimated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste – enough to fill more than 1.5 million garbage trucks. This was up 82% from 2010 and is expected to rise to 82 million tonnes in 2030.

This e-waste includes old laptops and phones, which contain precious materials such as gold. Less than one quarter of it is properly collected and recycled. But a new technique colleagues and I have developed to safely and sustainably extract gold from e-waste could help change that.

Our new gold-extraction technique, which we describe in a new paper published today in Nature Sustainability, could also make small-scale gold mining less poisonous for people – and the planet.

Soaring global demand

Gold has long played a crucial role in human life. It has been a form of currency and a medium for art and fashion for centuries. Gold is also essential in modern industries including the electronics, chemical manufacture and aerospace sectors.

But while global demand for this precious metal is soaring, mining it is harmful to the environment.

Deforestation and use of toxic chemicals are two such problems. In formal, large-scale mining, highly toxic cyanide is widely used to extract gold from ore. While cyanide can be degraded, its use can cause harm to wildlife, and tailings dams which store the toxic byproducts of mining operations pose a risk to the wider environment.

In small-scale and artisanal mining, mercury is used extensively to extract gold. In this practice, the gold reacts with mercury to form a dense amalgam that can be easily isolated. The gold is then recovered by heating the amalgam to vaporise the mercury.

Small-scale and artisanal mining is the largest source of mercury pollution on Earth, and the mercury emissions are dangerous to the miners and pollute the environment. New methods are required to reduce the impacts of gold mining.

In 2022, humans produced an estimated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste.
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A safer alternative

Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers has developed a new technique to extract gold from ore and e-waste. The aim was to provide a safer alternative to mercury and cyanide and reduce the health and environmental impacts of gold mining.

Many techniques have previously been reported for extracting gold from ore or e-waste, including mercury- and cyanide-free methods. However, many of these methods are limited in rate, yield, scale and cost. Often these methods also consider only one step in the entire gold recovery process, and recycling and waste management is often neglected.

In contrast, our approach considered sustainability throughout the whole process of gold extraction, recovery and refining. Our new leaching technology uses a chemical commonly used in water sanitation and pool chlorination: trichloroisocyanuric acid.

When this widely available and low-cost chemical is activated with salt water, it can react with gold and convert it into a water-soluble form.

To recover the gold from the solution, we invented a sulphur-rich polymer sorbent. Polymer sorbents isolate a certain substance from a liquid or gas, and ours is made by joining a key building block (a monomer) together through a chain reaction.

Our polymer sorbent is interesting because it is derived from elemental sulphur: a low-cost and highly abundant feedstock. The petroleum sector generates more sulphur than it can use or sell, so our polymer synthesis is a new use for this underused resource.

Our polymer could selectively bind and remove gold from the solution, even when many other types of metals were present in the mixture.

The simple leaching and recovery methods were demonstrated on ore, circuit boards from obsolete computers and scientific waste. Importantly, we also developed methods to regenerate and recycle both the leaching chemical and the polymer sorbent. We also established methods to purify and recycle the water used in the process.

In developing the recyclable polymer sorbent, we invented some exciting new chemistry to make the polymer using light, and then “un-make” the sorbent after it bound gold. This recycling method converted the polymer back to its original monomer building block and separated it from the gold.

The recovered monomer could then be re-made into the gold-binding polymer: an important demonstration of how the process is aligned with a circular economy.

A long and complex road ahead

In future work, we plan to collaborate with industry, government and not-for-profit groups to test our method in small-scale mining operations. Our long-term aim is to provide a robust and safe method for extracting gold, eliminating the need for highly toxic chemicals such as cyanide and mercury.

There will be many challenges to overcome including scaling up the production of the polymer sorbent and the chemical recycling processes. For uptake, we also need to ensure that the rate, yield and cost are competitive with more traditional methods of gold mining. Our preliminary results are encouraging. But there is still a long and complex road ahead before our new techniques replace cyanide and mercury.

Our broader motivation is to support the livelihood of the millions of artisanal and small-scale miners that rely on mercury to recover gold.

They typically operate in remote and rural regions with few other economic opportunities. Our goal is to support these miners economically while offering safer alternatives to mercury. Likewise, the rise of “urban mining” and e-waste recycling would benefit from safer and operationally simple methods for precious metal recovery.

Success in recovering gold from e-waste will also reduce the need for primary mining and therefore lessen its environmental impact.

Justin M. Chalker is an inventor on patents associated with the gold leaching and recovery technology. Both patents are wholly owned by Flinders University. This research was supported financially by the Australian Research Council and Flinders University. He has an ongoing collaboration with Mercury Free Mining and Adelaide Control Engineering: organisations that supported the developments and trials reported in this study.

– ref. There’s gold trapped in your iPhone – and chemists have found a safe new way to extract it – https://theconversation.com/theres-gold-trapped-in-your-iphone-and-chemists-have-found-a-safe-new-way-to-extract-it-259817

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 26, 2025