Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China launches large database of medicinal plant components to promote TCM innovation

    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

    WUHAN, June 23 (Xinhua) — China has launched a large database of medicinal plant components in central China’s Hubei Province, marking significant progress in technological innovation in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector.

    The database, which was developed by a team of specialists from the Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, is the largest of its kind in Central China.

    Wang Qi, head of the Hubei Shizhen Laboratory, said at a presentation Sunday in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, that the database is designed to stimulate the transition of medicinal plant research “from experience-based practice to science-based innovation” by creating an accurate “digital portrait” of medicinal resources in central China.

    The head of the development team of the said database, Liu Yifei, spoke about the scale and capabilities of the database.

    According to him, the database, which contains more than 20 million records, combines information from ancient works such as Shennong Bencaojing (Shen Nong’s Treatise on Roots and Herbs), Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Medicinal Substances), as well as modern authoritative collections of TCM, including data on multidimensional medicine, including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics.

    It systematically catalogues the widely used medicinal resources in Central China and also compiles a comprehensive collection of natural components of various kinds.

    “This creates a foundation for the development of new TCM drugs and health products,” Liu Yifei emphasized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s installed power capacity up 18.8 percent in five months

    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 23 (Xinhua) — China’s total installed capacity of power plants stood at 3.61 billion kW by the end of May 2025, up 18.8 percent year on year, the National Energy Administration said Monday.

    In particular, according to the agency, solar power plants accounted for 1.08 billion kW, with an increase of 56.9 percent. In the wind energy sector, growth was 23.1 percent, reaching 570 million kW.

    In the five months, China’s major power generating companies invested 257.8 billion yuan (about $36 billion) in power generation projects, up 0.4 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, investment in power grid projects rose 19.8 percent to 204 billion yuan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran Launches New Wave of Missile, Drone Attacks on Israel

    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

    TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 23 (Xinhua) — Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks on Israel on Monday morning, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported.

    According to the report, Iran used a combination of solid and liquid fuel missiles and special tactics to render Israel’s air defenses ineffective in the attacks.

    Earlier on Monday, Iran’s military said it had launched dozens of kamikaze drones armed with warheads at Israel.

    The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that Iran launched new missile strikes on Israel on Monday morning.

    About 10 rockets were fired and sirens sounded from northern Israel to the southern border with the Gaza Strip, forcing millions of Israelis to shelter for about an hour, the statement said.

    Most of the rockets were intercepted, but three fell in Israeli territory, and no casualties were reported. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: High Arctic Overseas Announces Executive Appointment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAW

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp. (TSXV: HOH) (“High Arctic Overseas” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Cocks as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) effective June 24, 2025, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

    Mr. Cocks initially joined the Corporation in October 2023 as VP-Finance responsible for the PNG Business to provide financial leadership and strengthen the finance and accounting processes in preparation of the spin-out from High Arctic Energy Services Inc.

    Mr. Cocks has over 20 years of experience in broad financial leadership positions including substantial periods in senior and executive roles of private and public companies, including significant experience in resources, construction, manufacturing and logistics businesses. Mr. Cocks is a Chartered Accountant with an extensive background in financial stewardship, strategic planning and analysis, change and risk management, controls design and implementation and building and developing international finance teams.

    Mike Maguire, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am pleased to welcome Matt to the executive management team at High Arctic. Matt’s 20-plus years of wide-ranging financial management expertise in international markets and in services to the extractive industries will be invaluable to the Corporation as we look to diversify and expand our PNG business. I would also like to thank Lonn Bate for his guidance and support as Interim CFO since the spin-out and establishment of the Corporation. Lonn can now focus fully on his duties as CFO of High Arctic Energy Services Inc.”

    About High Arctic ‎Overseas Holdings Corp.

    High Arctic Overseas is a market leader in Papua New Guinea providing drilling and specialized well completion services, manpower solutions and supplies rental equipment including rig matting, camps, material handling and drilling support equipment.

    For further information, please contact:
    Mike Maguire
    Chief Executive Officer
    1.587.320.1301

    High Arctic Overseas Holdings Corp.
    Suite 2350, 330–5th Avenue SW
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0L4
    www.higharctic.com
    Email: info@higharctic.com

    Some of the statements in this press release, including those relating to TSXV Venture Exchange approval of the appointment of a new CFO, and the diversification and expansion of the Corporation’s business, that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates”, or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Corporation. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Corporation’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Corporation’s most recent annual MD&A and the Corporation’s continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Corporation does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.‎

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Confirms Major Exchange Listing Ahead of Public Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — For months, the crypto market has been searching for clarity. While most coins rely on vague promises or recycled narratives, one project is quietly building momentum with precision, community strength, and now, a major exchange catalyst that could unlock a wave of liquidity, Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S). With one of the most explosive presales of the year already underway and a confirmed LBank listing on the horizon, BTC-S is emerging as one of the most strategic altcoin opportunities heading into mid-2025.

    LBank Listing: The Spark That Changes the Trajectory

    Bitcoin Solaris has officially confirmed it will be listed on LBank, one of the most globally active centralized exchanges. For those unfamiliar, LBank is known for offering liquidity to high-growth projects that are on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. Its user base, particularly strong in Asia and Latin America, is large, engaged, and responsive to promising tokens with well-built fundamentals.

    The LBank listing isn’t just a technical step; it’s a market-defining move. It brings:

    • Immediate liquidity for early BTC-S holders
    • Exposure to millions of new users who missed the presale
    • Deeper market depth and trading volume potential
    • A psychological shift from “upcoming project” to “active coin with utility”

    More importantly, it sets the stage for Bitcoin Solaris to enter the open market at $20 per token, which is more than double the current presale phase price of $9. The window to enter before this transition is narrowing fast.

    Introducing Bitcoin Solaris: Designed for Scale, Speed, and Real Usage

    What makes Bitcoin Solaris stand out isn’t just the hype or price projections. It’s the architecture. BTC-S is a dual-layer blockchain combining Proof-of-Work on the base layer for raw security with Delegated Proof-of-Stake on the Solaris Layer for blazing-fast transactions and scalability.

    This hybrid structure allows Bitcoin Solaris to hit:

    • 10,000+ transactions per second
    • 2-second finality on smart contracts
    • 99.95% less energy use compared to Bitcoin
    • High validator rotation and slashing mechanisms for security

    It doesn’t stop at performance. BTC-S is also built for inclusivity. Mining can be done directly through the upcoming Solaris Nova App, turning everyday smartphones, laptops, or desktops into mining devices.

    And with the LBank listing near, this daily-earned BTC-S can soon be traded instantly, giving miners real-time liquidity, a feature rarely available in new ecosystems.

    Roadmap: This Isn’t Just Talk, It’s Execution

    While many tokens stall after the presale, Bitcoin Solaris is moving forward at full speed. The development roadmap provides a clear and credible path to launch and beyond.

    Here’s a look at what’s unfolding:

    • Phase 1 (Q2–Q4 2025): Token generation, presale launch, protocol development, and global community building
    • Phase 2 (Q1 2026): Testnet deployment, wallet upgrades, dual-layer optimization, and Solana integration
    • Phase 3 (Q2 2026): Final mainnet testing, centralized and decentralized exchange listings, and dev toolkits
    • Phase 4 (Q3 2026): Mainnet launch, AI-powered Solaris Nova App release, and advanced governance
    • Phases 5–8 (2026–2028): Mining Power Marketplace, enterprise integration, DEX development, and global expansion via blockchain public services and AI-powered upgrades

    Every part of the roadmap is designed to not only support BTC-S as a token but also grow it into a full-scale DeFi-capable infrastructure.

    The Future of DeFi Doesn’t Run on Hype, It Runs on BTC-S

    Presale: Final Phases Before the $20 Public Launch

    The presale is more than 80% complete, and momentum is accelerating as the LBank listing draws near. Now in Phase 9, Bitcoin Solaris is rapidly closing in on its final stage.

    Here’s what buyers need to know:

    • Current Price: $9
    • Next Phase: $10
    • Confirmed Launch Price: $20
    • Bonus: 7% for current participants
    • Over 12,300+ buyers have already joined
    • More than $5 million raised
    • Less than 6 weeks remain

    This isn’t a long-drawn-out fundraising round. The Bitcoin Solaris presale lasts only 90 days, making it one of the shortest and most effective in the space. It’s structured to finish strong and go live fast. And with the LBank listing just ahead, the urgency to buy in at sub-$10 levels is growing daily.

    What Influencers Are Saying

    The market isn’t the only one taking notice. Leading crypto analysts and influencers have started to cover Bitcoin Solaris, and they’re excited.

    • Crypto Vlog: Focused on BTC-S’s mining design and mobile accessibility
    • Crypto League: Highlighted the LBank listing and performance metrics
    • Crypto Show: Called it “one of the hottest presales launching this year”

    These independent reviews continue to validate what early supporters already believe: Bitcoin Solaris is the real deal.

    Final Verdict

    The LBank listing is more than a milestone. It’s the start of Bitcoin Solaris becoming a publicly traded, globally accessible asset. As traders prepare to buy BTC-S on open markets at $20, presale participants still have a short window to enter at $9 and capture up to 150% ROI.

    Backed by a powerful roadmap, real technology, and a mining system designed for mass adoption, Bitcoin Solaris isn’t just a presale story. It’s shaping up to be the next major launch of 2025.

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

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

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/678f7c64-68e6-4a48-b17a-71d89126213c

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad5cfb07-e488-41ae-94e4-6d72f16a634a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f6f4467-b28e-4784-bf41-cb4cc5e2a379

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64ed1b17-3433-44f6-8919-0878a09733c9

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. Announces First Patient Completes Dose-Limiting Toxicity Observation Period with No Reported DLTs in Phase 1 Trial of CER-1236

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SOUTH SAN FRANSCISCO, Calif., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CERO) (“CERo” or the “Company”), an immunotherapy company developing the next generation of engineered T cell therapeutics targeting TIM4L with phagocytic mechanisms, today announces the completion of the initial evaluation of the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial of lead compound CER-1236. Following an evaluation from the trial’s Dose Escalation Safety Committee, preliminary results show that the patient demonstrated no dose limiting toxicity. The Company anticipates dosing the second patient in the cohort shortly.

    CERo CMO Robert Sikorski MD., PhD. noted, “The first patient experienced no dose-limiting toxicities during the planned 28-day observation period following the successful manufacturing of CER-1236 from an AML patient. A second AML patient has been identified and has provided informed consent for participation in the trial.”

    CERo CEO Chris Ehrlich added, “Given that CER-1236 is a first-in-class biologic targeting a previously unexplored pathway, each milestone reached is significant. We remain focused on progressing methodically through each phase of this trial and are preparing to initiate our second trial of CER-1236 in solid tumors later this year. We continue to believe CER-1236 holds significant potential as a novel approach in cancer therapy and look forward to providing future updates.”

    CER-1236 is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials for AML. The first-in-human, multi-center, open label, Phase 1/1b study, titled, “Phase 1/1b First-in-human Study of Autologous Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T-Cell CER-1236 in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (CertainT-1),” is designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of CER-1236 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia that is either relapsed/refractory, or in remission with measurable residual disease, or newly diagnosed patients with TP53 mutated MDS/AML or AML. The two-part study has begun with dose escalation to determine highest tolerated dose and recommended dose for Phase 2, followed by an expansion phase to evaluate safety and efficacy. Primary outcome measures include incidence of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs), incidence of dose limited toxicities and estimation of overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR), composite complete response (cCR), and measurable residual disease (MRD). Secondary outcome measures include pharmacokinetics (PK).

    About CERo Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

    CERo is an innovative immunotherapy company advancing the development of next generation engineered T cell therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Its proprietary approach to T cell engineering, which enables it to integrate certain desirable characteristics of both innate and adaptive immunity into a single therapeutic construct, is designed to engage the body’s full immune repertoire to achieve optimized cancer therapy. This novel cellular immunotherapy platform is expected to redirect patient-derived T cells to eliminate tumors by building in engulfment pathways that employ phagocytic mechanisms to destroy cancer cells, creating what CERo refers to as Chimeric Engulfment Receptor T cells (“CER-T”). CERo believes that this differentiated activity of CER-T cells could afford greater therapeutic application than currently approved chimeric antigen receptor (“CAR-T”) cell therapy. In April 2025, CERo initiated clinical trials for its lead product candidate, CER-1236, targeting TIM4L in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains statements that are forward-looking and as such are not historical facts. This includes, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations of CERo and CERo’s ability to regain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this communication, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. When CERo discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on the beliefs of, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to, CERo’s management.

    Actual results could differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements in this communication. Certain risks that could cause actual results to differ are set forth in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on April 15, 2025 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the documents incorporated by reference therein. The risks described in CERo’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are not exhaustive. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all such risk factors, nor can CERo assess the impact of all such risk factors on its business, or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. You should not put undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements made by CERo or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. CERo undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    Contact:
    Chris Ehrlich
    Chief Executive Officer
    cehrlich@cero.bio

    Investors:
    CORE IR
    investors@cero.bio

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Gate’s Nearly 70% MoM Growth in Derivatives Volume Tops Global Charts, Featured in CoinDesk’s Latest Report

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PANAMA CITY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gate has once again demonstrated its strong momentum and competitive edge in the crypto trading landscape, as highlighted in CoinDesk’s latest 2025 Exchange Review. The report, recognized as one of the most authoritative and data-driven assessments in the industry, named Gate as the best-performing derivatives exchange by month-on-month growth.

    According to CoinDesk Data, Gate’s derivatives trading volume surged by 69.9% in May, reaching $264 billion, the highest growth rate among all tracked platforms. This exceptional performance led to a 1.20% increase in market share, bringing Gate’s total derivatives market share to 4.13%, surpassing several long-established competitors. This milestone reinforces Gate’s position as a rising leader in the derivatives space, driven by its advanced trading infrastructure, deep liquidity, and commitment to providing a seamless user experience for both retail and institutional users.

    CoinDesk also noted that Gate was among the few exchanges that significantly climbed in the latest Exchange Benchmark rankings, alongside Binance and Kraken. Gate now ranks among the top three exchanges in the Derivatives Benchmark, scoring 82.6. Gate’s continued growth reflects its long-term strategy of innovation, product diversification, and global expansion. As one of the few exchanges to consistently grow both trading volume and market share, Gate is proving its ability to thrive in a competitive, evolving market environment.

    In addition to its trading performance, CoinDesk also recognized Gate as one of the top four global exchanges by total reserves. As of June 2025, Gate’s reserves reached $10.453 billion, covering more than 350 different user assets. The overall reserve ratio stood at 123.09%, with an excess reserve of $1.96 billion. Gate has long been a pioneer in reserve transparency and remains the first exchange to commit to 100% reserve holdings. Notably, its BTC reserve ratio reached 138.7%, while ETH and USDT reserves stood at 113.06% and 112.95% respectively. Other key assets such as GT, DOGE, and XRP also far exceeded the 100% benchmark, reinforcing Gate’s reputation for financial soundness and user protection. From being one of the first to commit to 100% reserves to introducing zero-knowledge proofs, Gate has consistently driven innovation at the intersection of technology and security.

    According to the CoinDesk report, Gate’s industry influence has also expanded through its high-profile partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing. Beginning with the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Gate brand is featured prominently on the team’s car, race suits, and the helmet of four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. The partnership represents a bold cross-industry collaboration that blends the speed and precision of Formula 1 with the innovation and momentum of Web3. To commemorate this alliance, Gate launched a co-branded digital collectibles campaign, “IN THE MOMENT”, celebrating historic highlights from all 24 race weekends with immersive, on-chain experiences. This marks a flagship entry into sports-themed digital assets and further exemplifies Gate’s commitment to bridging Web2 and Web3 culture.

    May was also a landmark month in Gate’s brand evolution. The exchange officially launched its new global domain, Gate.com, and unveiled a redesigned brand logo, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become the next-generation crypto exchange. This strategic rebranding initiative, introduced shortly after Gate’s 12th anniversary celebrations, reflects the platform’s renewed vision: to move beyond technical excellence and into global innovation leadership. As part of this transition, Gate also introduced its new Chinese name, “大门” (Damen), symbolizing a welcoming gateway to the future of crypto for users worldwide. The new domain and visual identity aim to unify Gate’s global brand presence and further enhance user trust across all markets.

    Gate’s strong performance across multiple metrics in the report, combined with sustained growth in trading volume, industry-leading reserve transparency, a revitalized global brand identity, and an expanding global presence, solidifies its position as one of the most trusted and forward-looking players in the crypto industry. CoinDesk’s latest recognition underscores Gate’s remarkable achievements and reinforces its commitment to shaping the future of digital finance as a true industry leader.

    About Gate
    Gate, founded in 2013 by Dr. Han, is one of the world’s earliest cryptocurrency exchanges. The platform serves over 27 million users with 3,600+ digital assets and pioneered the industry’s first 100% proof-of-reserves. Beyond core trading services, Gate’s ecosystem includes Gate Wallet, Gate Ventures, and other innovative solutions, while its global partnerships extend to top-tier sports brands like Oracle Red Bull Racing in F1 and Inter.
    For more information, please visit: WebsiteXTelegramLinkedInInstagramYouTube

    Media Contact:
    Loyo at loyo@gate.com 

    Disclaimer:
    This content does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation. You should always seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Gate may restrict or prohibit certain services in specific jurisdictions. For more information, please read the User Agreement via https://www.gate.com/user-agreement.

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7516b483-d894-4566-82b3-80f5a6fbf1f6

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Valor Hospitality Partners signs three deals in Namibia, expanding its continental footprint

    Valor Hospitality Partners (www.ValorHospitality.com), a global leader in full-service hospitality solutions, today announced the signing of three new hotel management contracts in Namibia. This follows an announcement earlier this week of two new properties in West Africa that’s been added to its portfolio on the continent, signed at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Cape Town this week.  

    The three deals are all with IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, to manage three new-build properties in Namibia, namely the Vignette Collection Dunes Resort Swakopmund making its debut in the country, Holiday Inn Walvis Bay, and voco Windhoek CBD. 

    The debut of a Vignette Collection property in Namibia bears testament to the country’s growing appeal as a destination of choice for the discerning traveller.  

    The combined capital expenditure for the development and establishment of the three new-build properties in the Southern African country is a significant R1.3 billion.  

    Not only do these agreements strengthen Valor’s relationship with IHG in the region, it also expands their footprint across the continent and attests to the growing preference for fully-integrated hospitality management services.  

    Valor will oversee the successful opening and management of each of the Namibian properties, drawing on their deep global experience to bring a best-in-class offering to the agreement.  

    Michael Pownall, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Valor Hospitality Partners, says the signing of these agreements reflect not only confidence in the continent’s hospitality sector but also its appreciation for the value fully-integrated management services offer. “These partnerships are about value first and foremost, and how that value enhances the entire sector for all stakeholders. Of course we’re also immensely pleased – and proud – to grow and diversify our regional presence even further” he says.  

    Valor brings global insights and strategy to the table. Combined with their deep understanding of how to blend the big-picture with regional and cultural nuances in each location, it’s an approach that ensures global best-in-class management and operational practices at every level.  

    Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts , said: ” Namibia is one of the most promising growth markets in southern Africa, and we are proud to enhance our presence in the country with three distinctive brands. With strategic locations in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek, these hotels will cater to the full spectrum of traveller needs, from lifestyle seekers and leisure guests to business executives. This deal shows our ambition to expand our footprint in high-potential African markets through strong local partnerships and a diversified brand portfolio. 

    He added: Valor Hospitality Partners is one of IHG’s trusted partners in the region and is a strategic choice for managing these properties in Namibia. We have every confidence in the value that add and look forward to working with them as we enhance our presence in the country. 

    Reagon Graig, Managing Director Cadence Capital added: “Our collaboration with IHG Hotels & Resorts marks a major milestone for Namibia’s growing hospitality sector. Also commenting on the transaction, Rodrigo Pimenta, Managing Director, Santiago Property Developers said: “The development of these three hotels aligns perfectly with our vision to support the country’s tourism and business infrastructure, while creating high-quality, globally recognised destinations. We look forward to welcoming guests to these hotels and contributing to Namibia’s continued growth and appeal on the world stage. 

    The magnitude of these deals reinforce Valor’s strategic growth on the continent and its ongoing commitment to building world-class and sustainable hospitality operations that embody the brand’s “whole world of local” value ethos.  

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Valor Hospitality.

    For media inquiries and high-resolution images, please contact: 
    Delia de Villiers 
    delia@phoenixcollective.world 
    +27 73 710 3000

    Valor Hospitality Social Media: 
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/46aDJbt
    LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4kSsEQL
    For more information about Valor Hospitality and its innovative approach to hotel management and franchising, visit www.ValorHospitality.com.  

    ABOUT VALOR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS: 
    Valor Hospitality Partners (https://apo-opa.co/3TzaXd1) is a leading global full-service hotel underwriting, acquisition, development, management, and asset management company. With over 90 hospitality projects in its international portfolio, Valor Hospitality offers an array of services, including site selection, product and brand selection, entitlements, financing solutions, conceptual design, construction and project management, procurement, technical services, pre-opening, and operations management. Valor also provides consulting services on a wide range of project scenarios, including working with new or existing ownership groups on reviewing site selection, assessing feasibility studies and project budgets, compiling project budgets, and underwriting. For more information, visit www.ValorHospitality.com

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Europe: School children discuss peace and security at closing of ‘NATO and the Netherlands: a Journey’

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    On Sunday 22 June, ‘NATO and the Netherlands: a Journey’ celebrated its conclusion at the World Forum in The Hague. On this final day, under the guidance of the political engagement organisation De Kiesmannen, around 150 primary and secondary school children discussed peace, security and the role of NATO. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp and Chief of Defence General Onno Eichelsheim were present for the event. Several members of the municipal executive of Madurodam, which consists entirely of young people, were also there.

    Enlarge image
    Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    ‘NAVO and the Netherlands: a Journey’ started in January 2025 in The Hague and travelled to nine cities across the country. At each location, local residents were engaged in discussions about NATO and the importance of international cooperation to our security. This was done through theatre and educational programmes, a travelling photo exhibition, debates and serious gaming.

    The goal was to encourage people to think about NATO and current security topics in an accessible way. The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, with cooperation from the Netherlands Atlantic Association, the Clingendael Institute and The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies.

    Enlarge image
    Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp. | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    Raising awareness about peace and security

    During the closing session at the World Forum, De Kiesmannen used interviews and dilemmas to get young people thinking about war, peace, fake news and cyber threats. The focus of the day was on raising awareness – what does security mean today and what role can young people play in it? As one school child put it: ‘It’s bad that there’s so much insecurity in the world today. I hope that we can still have peace in the Netherlands for a long time.’

    In his welcome address, foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasised the importance of being alert and working together:
    ‘We’ve enjoyed a long period of peace, but the reality is that peace and security in Europe can no longer be taken for granted. And it’s going to be a challenge to keep our country and Europe secure.’

    Enlarge image
    General Eichelsheim | Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Phil Nijhuis

    Interview with General Eichelsheim

    General Onno Eichelsheim talked with the young people present and answered questions about NATO and ongoing conflicts in the world. He stressed the importance of the alliance for the Netherlands:

    ‘It’s concerning that military interventions increasingly appear to pay off. Throughout the world boundaries are being pushed and overstepped. That’s why it’s more important than ever to work together in NATO to become stronger. By doing so, not only can we protect the international legal order, but our own security as well.’

    Growing awareness about NATO

    Dylan Ahern, from De Kiesmannen, has noticed an increase in awareness about NATO since the start of their programme in April:
    ‘What stands out is that a lot of young people support strengthening our armed forces. They follow the news with a critical eye and ask questions. The conversation about freedom and security is more relevant than ever.’

    The closing programme marks the end of a series of meetings across the country. The 2025 NATO Summit will take place in The Hague on 24 and 25 June.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    UK Trade Envoy visits Pakistan to boost trade

    The UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, Mohammad Yasin MP, has begun a 3-day visit to Karachi and Islamabad to encourage investment and long-term economic co-operation.

    The visit follows the UK’s launch of its Growth Mission and Modern Industrial Strategy. Invest 2035 sets out a ten-year plan to provide certainty and stability for businesses in high growth sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

    Over 200 British companies are operating in Pakistan, with the top five contributing around one percent of Pakistan’s GDP. The UK is Pakistan’s largest European trading partner and top source of foreign direct investment.

    Mohammad Yasin MP, UK Trade Envoy to Pakistan, said:

    “The UK and Pakistan already enjoy deep commercial ties, but there is much more we can achieve together. It is a place close to my heart, and I have seen over many years the enormous potential to help both our countries prosper. During my visit, I look forward to supporting efforts that unlock new opportunities and drive growth.”

    Mr Yasin will meet senior government stakeholders including Jawad Paul, Secretary for Commerce, and Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis. He will also meet business leaders to strengthen trade and encourage investment.

    Mr Yasin’s visit will help pave the way for the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue, due to launch later this year. The Dialogue will offer a platform to grow exports, increase investment flows, address business environment concerns and identify opportunities for greater market access.

    For updates on the British High Commission, please follow our social media channels:

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU took part in the festival “T-Dvor”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Students of the Faculty of Forensic Science and Law in Construction and Transport together with representatives of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career of SPbGASU visited the youth festival “T-Dvor” organized by T-Bank on June 20. The event took place in the cultural space “Nikolskie Ryady” and was dedicated to career and educational opportunities for young people.

    The goal of the festival is to create an open platform for communication between students, young professionals and employers, where they can learn about labor market trends, new formats of training and personal growth.

    During the panel discussion, the participants discussed what modern education should be like and came to the conclusion that the main requirements for it are flexibility, accessibility and practice-orientedness. In their opinion, for successful career growth it is important to have the opportunity to improve professionally without interruption from work, for which it is necessary to develop distance learning in master’s programs and other digital educational platforms.

    The lecture “Professions of the Future: Where Are You in a World That Has Not Been Built Yet” attracted great interest. The speakers talked about combining technical thinking and a humanitarian approach – the ability to work with data, understand technology and at the same time think critically and creatively. According to experts, it is precisely these specialists who will be especially in demand in the coming years.

    At the session “University vs. Work: How to Do It All,” participants learned how to effectively combine studies, part-time work, and personal life. Students especially remembered three pieces of advice from experts: it is necessary to plan not only tasks, but also rest; do not be afraid to ask for help – this is also part of professional growth; discipline is the basis of sustainable development, it can be “pumped up” just like muscles.

    “The T-Dvor festival has become an excellent opportunity for our students not only to get acquainted with new educational formats, but also to think about their professional future and the path to it,” noted Margarita Sapozhnikova, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport for Career Guidance.

    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

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Notice of re-entry issued

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Housing Authority today served a notice of re-entry on Aggressive Construction Company.

     

    The authority explained that since the construction company’s performance in respect of three public housing projects was far below the contract requirements, it served a notice of re-entry on the company for each of the projects according to relevant contract provisions.

     

    The three construction projects involved are the underground link of Pak Tin Estate redevelopment Phase 10, the public housing developments at Tuen Mun Area 29 West and Tung Chung Area 100.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Nano Labs Plans to Apply for License for HKD and Offshore RMB Stablecoin Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nano Labs Ltd (Nasdaq: NA) (“we,” the “Company” or “Nano Labs”), a leading Web 3.0 infrastructure and product solution provider in China, today announced that it plans to apply for relevant licenses to operate Hong Kong dollar and offshore RMB stablecoin businesses in partnership with other entities, following the official enactment of the Hong Kong Stablecoins Bill (the “Stablecoins Bill”).

    In parallel, Nano Labs plans to develop a technical framework for stablecoins, focusing on blockchain networks such as Bitcoin and Binance Coin (the “BNB”). Nano Labs looks forward to forming strategic partnerships and providing strong support to foster the development of both the stablecoin ecosystem and the broader Web 3.0 industry.

    On May 21, 2025, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong passed the Stablecoins Bill, establishing a licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin (“FRS”) issuers and reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub for digital assets. On June 6, 2025, the Hong Kong government published a notice in the Gazette appointing August 1, 2025 as the effective date for the Stablecoins Ordinance.

    About Nano Labs Ltd

    Nano Labs Ltd is a leading Web 3.0 infrastructure and product solution provider in China. Nano Labs is committed to the development of high throughput computing (“HTC”) chips and high performance computing (“HPC”) chips. Nano Labs has built a comprehensive flow processing unit (“FPU”) architecture which offers solution that integrates the features of both HTC and HPC. In addition, it has established Bitcoin value investment and adopted Bitcoin as primary reserve asset. Nano Labs has established an integrated solution platform covering three main business verticals, including HTC solutions and HPC solutions. The HTC solutions feature its proprietary Cuckoo series chips, which have become alternative Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (“ASIC”) solutions for traditional GPUs. Nano Lab’s Cuckoo series are one of the first near-memory HTC chips available in the market*. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: ir.nano.cn.

    *        According to an industry report prepared by Frost & Sullivan.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s plan to appeal the Staff’s determination, which can be identified by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management’s current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control, which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

    For investor inquiries, please contact:

    Nano Labs Ltd
    ir@nano.cn

    Ascent Investor Relations LLC
    Tina Xiao
    Phone: +1-646-932-7242
    Email: investors@ascent-ir.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: EMEET Launches PIXY: The World’s First Dual-Camera AI PTZ 4K Webcam

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EMEET, the world’s leading webcam brand, is proud to reveal PIXY, its most versatile webcam yet. PIXY is the world’s first dual-camera AI-powered PTZ (pan, tilt, zoom) 4K webcam, with features like super-fast 0.2-second BlinkFocus auto-focus, gesture-based PTZ subject tracking, and AI-powered enhancements for subject capture, focus, and video quality. Built as much for content creators and for working professionals, PIXY reaches new levels of utility and visual fidelity, and it’s available at retailers starting today for $159.99.

    PIXY builds on the success (and unquestionably cute design) of the EMEET Piko and Piko+. With up to 4K Ultra HD video quality and a high-performance Sony sensor, PIXY delivers a crisp and clear image, further augmented by the second AI-assisted camera. Together, this dual-camera system can handle even challenging lighting conditions, like backlit or low-light scenes, while preserving detail and optimizing facial imaging performance.

    Super-fast BlinkFocus delivers an industry-leading auto-focus system that locks on in as little as 0.2s — that’s 2.5 times faster than the industry average. PIXY’s AI-assisted face detection also works in as little as 0.2 seconds and can automatically and intelligently detect facial contours, adjusting exposure to ensure natural skin tones and a perfect balance between highlights and shadows. Add in the gesture-controlled automatic tracking, which harnesses PIXY’s ability to pan and tilt to follow you as you move around the camera, and PIXY ensures you are always sharp, clear, and framed perfectly.

    Thanks to the built-in three-microphone array, PIXY’s audio quality matches its stellar video performance. Three specially tuned audio presets (Live Mode, Noise-Cancelling Mode, and Original Sound Mode) offer flexibility to record exactly what you need, whether that’s tuning out unwanted background sounds or preserving every bit of detail.

    For content creators, PIXY offers presets for custom PTZ setups, enabling you to switch between different positions and zoom levels easily as you stream or record. The EMEET Studio companion software’s built-in AI scriptwriting feature is also there when you need a few good ideas for a voiceover or tips on how to shoot a specific shot. Our optimized presets are useful for everyone from creators to educators, with a clarity-enhancing Whiteboard Mode tuned for presenting information, an Inversion Mode for mounting the camera upside down, and even a vertical video-optimized Portrait (9:16) Mode for mounting the camera on its side.

    When you’re done recording, simply tilt PIXY down to switch into privacy mode, which holds the camera in a face-down position, clearly showing you at a glance that no one is watching — also available as an automatic timeout when the camera isn’t being accessed.

    PIXY bundles all these category-best features into a compact and cute big-eyed design that’s easy to keep eye contact with and easily mounted on top of your monitor, shelf, or tripod. And it’s even compatible with the new Nintendo Switch 2.

    PIXY is now available for $159.99 at partner retailers, including Amazon and the EMEET storefront, starting today.

    Specifications
    Camera
    Dual Camera: One imaging camera + one AI-Assisted Camera
    Sensor: Sony® 1/2.55″ sensor
    Video Resolution: 4K@30fps/1080P@60fps
    FOV(D): 73°
    Video Codecs: YUY2 / MJPEG
    Imaging Optimization: Yes. Dual Camera Enhancement
    White Balance (Light Correction): Yes

    PTZ Tracking
    Focus Speed: 0.2s
    Face Capture Speed: 0.2s
    Gesture Tracking: Raise palm to activate/pause tracking
    Maximum Tracking Distance: 19.69 feet/6 meters
    Digital Zoom: 1.5X; No zoom in 4K mode
    Focus Mode: AF/PDAF+AI focus. Facial Focus, Central Area Focus, Selected Area Focus
    Pan & Tilt angle: 310°/180°

    Audio
    Built-In Audio: 3-Mic Microphone
    Microphone Modes: Live Mode, Original Sound Mode, Noise Canceling Mode

    Compatibility
    Software: Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Cisco Webex, FaceTime, GoToMeeting, Lifesize, Slack, Line, TrueConf, OBS (and others)
    Social Media Platforms: YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Facebook (and others)
    System Compatibility: Windows (10, 11), macOS (10.14 and above), USB Video Device Class (UVC) mode, Android TV V7.0 and above, Linux

    Additional Features
    Privacy Mode: Camera moves to face down, either by manually tilting the camera into place or via a configurable timeout
    Content-specific presets: High-clarity Whiteboard mode, vertically oriented (9:16) Portrait Mode, and inverted Flip Mode for upside-down mounting
    Scriptwriting: Integrated AI-based scriptwriting assistance

    MSRP: $159.99

    About EMEET
    Established in August 2016, EMEET is a leading global company specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of AI-powered audio and video products. Focusing on collaboration, production, and creation, EMEET aims to develop an intelligent ecosystem for creative products through technological innovation and user experience optimization, endeavoring to redefine the industry standards for individual productivity tools and drive the growth of the global personal productivity market, fostering collaboration, empowering production, and inspiring creation.

    Yiming Zhan (email: yiming@museperse.com)

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f312e1d0-a98c-4ad4-9d18-2a688da2925d

    Press materials can be accessed in this press kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qdk4E-wW54OFzo5q96xEv-hK1NEHhQ8J?usp=drive_link

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Fengate appoints Darcy Wilson as transportation lead 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fengate Asset Management (Fengate) today announced the appointment of Darcy Wilson as Managing Director, Transportation, further expanding its infrastructure senior team and signaling the firm’s continued growth in the United States (U.S.). 

    Based in Fengate’s Houston office, Wilson will lead the transportation strategy to bring the firm’s aviation, road, rail, logistics, and maritime expertise to projects and companies across the U.S. and Canada.

    “Fengate has a strong portfolio of transportation assets on both sides of the border, and Darcy’s industry knowledge and experience will best position the firm to secure deals where we can add the greatest value for communities, the environment, and our investors,” said Mac Bell, Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments and head of Fengate’s social and transportation group. 

    “I am thrilled to join the growing Fengate business to lead their transportation strategy. I look forward to working with the Fengate team to invest in attractive opportunities in transportation infrastructure projects and companies that generate strong returns for investors,” said Wilson. 

    Wilson brings significant transportation investment experience to Fengate, including sourcing, assessing, and executing investments into operating businesses. Prior to joining Fengate, Wilson was with Duration Capital Partners where he was a founding member upon its spin out of Oaktree Capital Management (Oaktree).  

    He previously led Oaktree’s investments in Signature Aviation, OTG Management, and STG Logistics, and served on the board of STG Logistics. Prior to Oaktree, Wilson was with Highstar Capital and J.P. Morgan’s investment banking group in New York. 

    His appointment follows the firm’s announcement of a digital infrastructure head in April. 

    About Fengate 

    Fengate is a leading alternative investment manager focused on infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies, with more than $7 billion of capital commitments under management. The firm has been investing in infrastructure since 2006 with a focus on mid-market greenfield and brownfield infrastructure assets in the transportation, social, energy transition and digital sectors. Fengate is one of North America’s most active infrastructure investors and developers with a portfolio of more than 50 assets. Learn more at www.fengate.com

    Media contact 

    Maddison Sharples 
    Vice President, Communications and Marketing 
    +1 416 254 3326 
    maddison.sharples@fengate.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Abacus Global Management Announces New Corporate Commercial Campaign at Recent Investor Day in NYC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abacus Global Management, Inc. (“Abacus” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: ABL), a leader in the alternative asset management space, announced the public launch of their new corporate-focused commercial campaign on June 12th, 2025, at their Investor Day and Longevity Summit held at Nasdaq in New York City.

    The campaign is centered around Abacus’ positioning as a visionary leader in longevity-based asset management. In the commercial, Abacus CEO Jay Jackson depicts the Company’s mission to “reframe the very nature of financial planning around the most personal data point possible: your lifespan.”

    Jackson said, “This launch represents our commitment to being at the forefront of providing longevity-based financial solutions to our clients. With our proprietary longevity data, Abacus is uniquely positioned to lead this market evolution.”

    The commercial is now live on national television across all major markets.

    Watch the commercial here.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    All statements in this press release (and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this press release) other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements, many of which are outside the control of Abacus. Forward-looking information includes but is not limited to statements regarding: Abacus’s financial and operational outlook; Abacus’s operational and financial strategies, including planned growth initiatives and the benefits thereof, Abacus’s ability to successfully effect those strategies, and the expected results therefrom. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” ‎‎”intend,” “anticipate,” “goals,” “prospects,” “will,” “would,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions).

    While Abacus believes that the assumptions concerning future events are reasonable, it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in predicting certain important factors that could impact the future performance or results of its business. The factors that could cause results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the ‎fact that Abacus’s loss reserves are bases on estimates and may be inadequate to cover ‎its actual losses; the failure to properly price Abacus’s insurance policies; the ‎geographic concentration of Abacus’s business; the cyclical nature of Abacus’s industry; the ‎impact of regulation on Abacus’s business; the effects of competition on Abacus’s business; the failure of ‎Abacus’s relationships with independent agencies; the failure to meet Abacus’s investment ‎objectives; the inability to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; the ‎effects of acts of terrorism; and the effectiveness of Abacus’s control environment, including the identification of control deficiencies.

    These forward-looking statements are also affected by the risk factors, forward-looking statements and challenges and uncertainties set forth in documents filed by Abacus with ‎the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including the Annual ‎Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent ‎periodic reports. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Abacus cautions you not to place undue reliance on the ‎forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Abacus assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Abacus does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

    About Abacus
    Abacus Global Management (NASDAQ: ABL) is a leading financial services company specializing in alternative asset management, data-driven wealth solutions, technology innovations, and institutional services. With a focus on longevity-based assets and personalized financial planning, Abacus leverages proprietary data analytics and decades of industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions that optimize financial outcomes for individuals and institutions worldwide.

    Contacts:
    Marketing & Communications
    Jeff Smith – Chief Marketing Officer
    jeff@abacusgm.com
    (407) 988-1088

    Blake Gallimore – Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications
    blake@abacusgm.com
    (321) 344-2118

    Investor Relations
    Robert F. Phillips – SVP Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs
    rob@abacusgm.com
    (321) 290-1198

    David Jackson – Director of IR/Capital Markets
    david@abacusgm.com
    (321) 299-0716

    Abacus Global Management Public Relations
    press@abacusgm.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Oxbridge / SurancePlus Commences Strategic Review of Potential Digital Asset Treasury and SurancePlus Carve Out

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: OXBR) (“Oxbridge Re”), a leader in digitizing reinsurance securities as tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), together with its subsidiary SurancePlus, today announced an update to its previously announced strategic business review to maximize shareholder value.

    The Company is actively reviewing a range of strategic initiatives for the company or its Web3 subsidiary, SurancePlus Holdings—including a potential carve-out and Nasdaq listing of SurancePlus Holdings, as well as a potential financing transactions to support a digital asset treasury initiative and explore related M&A opportunities.

    Jay Madhu, CEO of Oxbridge, stated: “We view these strategic initiatives as potentially transformative opportunities that could unlock significant value for our shareholders while positioning both Oxbridge and SurancePlus for accelerated growth in their respective markets. A separate listing for SurancePlus would provide dedicated access to Web3 and digital asset investors, while our treasury strategy could strengthen our balance sheet and create new revenue streams.”

    About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OXBR, OXBRW) (“Oxbridge”) is headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The company offers tokenized Real-World Assets (“RWAs”) as tokenized reinsurance securities and reinsurance business solutions to property and casualty insurers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries SurancePlus Inc., Oxbridge Re NS, and Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited.

    Insurance businesses in the Gulf Coast region of the United States purchase property and casualty reinsurance through our licensed reinsurers Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited and Oxbridge Re NS.

    Our Web3-focused subsidiary, SurancePlus Inc. (“SurancePlus”), has developed the first “on chain” reinsurance RWA of its kind to be sponsored by a subsidiary of a publicly traded company. By digitizing interests in reinsurance contracts as on-chain RWAs, SurancePlus has democratized the availability of reinsurance as an alternative investment to both U.S. and non U.S. investors.

    Company Contact:

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
    Jay Madhu, CEO
    +1 345-749-7570
    jmadhu@oxbridgere.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on 26th March 2025 and in our other filings with the SEC. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement contained in this press release, even if the Company’s expectations or any related events, conditions or circumstances change.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Oxbridge / SurancePlus Commences Strategic Review of Potential Digital Asset Treasury and SurancePlus Carve Out

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: OXBR) (“Oxbridge Re”), a leader in digitizing reinsurance securities as tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), together with its subsidiary SurancePlus, today announced an update to its previously announced strategic business review to maximize shareholder value.

    The Company is actively reviewing a range of strategic initiatives for the company or its Web3 subsidiary, SurancePlus Holdings—including a potential carve-out and Nasdaq listing of SurancePlus Holdings, as well as a potential financing transactions to support a digital asset treasury initiative and explore related M&A opportunities.

    Jay Madhu, CEO of Oxbridge, stated: “We view these strategic initiatives as potentially transformative opportunities that could unlock significant value for our shareholders while positioning both Oxbridge and SurancePlus for accelerated growth in their respective markets. A separate listing for SurancePlus would provide dedicated access to Web3 and digital asset investors, while our treasury strategy could strengthen our balance sheet and create new revenue streams.”

    About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OXBR, OXBRW) (“Oxbridge”) is headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The company offers tokenized Real-World Assets (“RWAs”) as tokenized reinsurance securities and reinsurance business solutions to property and casualty insurers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries SurancePlus Inc., Oxbridge Re NS, and Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited.

    Insurance businesses in the Gulf Coast region of the United States purchase property and casualty reinsurance through our licensed reinsurers Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited and Oxbridge Re NS.

    Our Web3-focused subsidiary, SurancePlus Inc. (“SurancePlus”), has developed the first “on chain” reinsurance RWA of its kind to be sponsored by a subsidiary of a publicly traded company. By digitizing interests in reinsurance contracts as on-chain RWAs, SurancePlus has democratized the availability of reinsurance as an alternative investment to both U.S. and non U.S. investors.

    Company Contact:

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
    Jay Madhu, CEO
    +1 345-749-7570
    jmadhu@oxbridgere.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on 26th March 2025 and in our other filings with the SEC. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement contained in this press release, even if the Company’s expectations or any related events, conditions or circumstances change.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Oportun Issues Letter to Stockholders Detailing CEO Raul Vazquez’s Record of Proven Leadership

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Urges stockholders to vote “FOR” Mr. Vazquez and Carlos Minetti on the GREEN proxy card

    SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT), a mission-driven financial services company, today issued a letter to stockholders detailing the experience and proven leadership record of its Director candidate and CEO Raul Vazquez, who has driven Oportun’s growth and transformation and is successfully executing a strategy to deliver improved operational performance and stockholder value.

    The Board of Directors strongly urges all Oportun stockholders to vote “FOR” Oportun’s two highly qualified nominees, Mr. Vazquez and Carlos Minetti, using the GREEN proxy card or GREEN voting instruction form. The letter to stockholders and other important information related to the Annual Meeting can be found at VoteForOportun.com.

    The full text of the letter to stockholders follows:

    Dear Fellow Stockholders,

    This year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Oportun Financial Corporation is fast approaching. The meeting will be held on July 18, 2025, and you can vote online or by mail using the instructions on the enclosed GREEN proxy card.

    At this year’s Annual Meeting, stockholders have an important choice to make. One of Oportun’s stockholders, Findell Capital Management, LLC, is seeking to remove Oportun’s CEO, Raul Vazquez, from the Board of Directors and replace him with someone who we believe is far less qualified.

    This would be a serious mistake. Mr. Vazquez has valuable skills, experience and institutional knowledge that make him an exceptional CEO and effective Board member. He has a proven track record of leading large operations while driving technological innovation and fostering high-performance cultures, both at Oportun and in prior roles, and he has played a vital role in setting Oportun’s new strategic direction and driving the Company’s growth and transformation. He is deeply committed to Oportun’s success, and as a top ten Oportun stockholder who has made significant out-of-pocket stock purchases beyond his executive compensation plan, his interests are firmly aligned with those of stockholders.

    Mr. Vazquez Has a Track Record of Effective Leadership

    Before joining Oportun, Mr. Vazquez spent nine years with Walmart Inc., where he held a variety of senior leadership roles. Walmart, like Oportun, serves a diverse customer base, with particular strength among value-conscious and lower-to-middle income households.

    As EVP and President of Walmart West, Mr. Vazquez oversaw a division generating more than $60 billion in revenue and comprising more than 1,000 stores across 23 states. As CEO of Walmart.com, he led a period of significant growth where he helped shape and scale Walmart’s global e-commerce strategy, transforming the platform into the most visited brick-and-mortar retailer website.

    Mr. Vazquez Has Driven Oportun’s Growth and Transformation

    Mr. Vazquez was appointed CEO of Oportun in 2012. As the oldest son of Mexican immigrants, he has a deep personal connection to Oportun’s core customer and a strong belief in the Company’s mission to empower hardworking individuals to build better futures. Joining Oportun represented an opportunity to bring his deep expertise in retail, operations and digital innovation as well as his people-centered leadership approach to an industry where he believed he could make a meaningful difference.

    At the time, Oportun was struggling to raise debt and equity from external sources at the levels necessary to maintain its market position and continue operations.

    Amid these challenges, Mr. Vazquez took swift and decisive action, crafting a strategic plan to revitalize and scale the business. Under his leadership, Oportun transformed from a small, regional lender reliant on a network of physical retail locations into a national, digitally-driven company positioned for sustained growth and profitability. Mr. Vazquez also has led the Company’s expansion from two states to 41 states and into adjacent products, including secured loans and savings products. Together, these initiatives have enabled the Company to grow its loan portfolio from $100 million in 2012 to approximately $3 billion today.

    When macroeconomic conditions shifted abruptly and unexpectedly in early 2022, Mr. Vazquez worked proactively with the Board to strengthen and reposition the Company by reducing costs, streamlining operations and realigning strategic priorities. Importantly, these initiatives were developed independently of Findell and were announced two months before the Board had any knowledge that Findell was a stockholder.

    These vital actions to reposition the Company, and our focus on execution, are delivering improved financial performance. In 2024, Oportun returned to originations growth, delivered improved credit metrics and reduced its operating expense ratio. That strong momentum continued during the first quarter of this year and, supported by a more efficient cost structure and stronger credit performance, we believe Oportun is well-positioned to deliver strong financial results in 2025. Importantly, this progress has been recognized by the market, with total stockholder returns significantly outperforming both peers and the broader markets over recent time periods.

    Other Organizations Have Recognized Mr. Vazquez’s Leadership and Qualifications

    Under Mr. Vazquez’s leadership, Oportun has received national recognition by leading publications for its innovation and impact:

    • Oportun has consistently been recognized as a top workplace, including by the San Francisco Chronicle for the past seven years and by regional and national publications for the past ten years;
    • Fast Company named Oportun one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and a Top Ten Most Innovative Company in 2020;
    • TIME magazine included Oportun on its list of “50 Businesses Inventing the Future” in 2018;
    • Mr. Vazquez was honored as the EY Entrepreneur of The Year® 2018 National Award winner in the Financial Services category.

    In 2013, Mr. Vazquez joined the Board of Directors of Staples, Inc., and in 2016 he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Intuit, a global financial technology company with a market capitalization of more than $200 billion. The Chairs of both public companies have praised Mr. Vazquez for his leadership experience, strategic vision, and deep understanding of the consumer:

    “Raul brings a nice range of financial services, retail, technology and community development expertise… With a great reputation as a game changer, Raul’s vast experience across local, regional, state, federal and international levels of engagement and diverse perspective will be of great value to our board.”

    Intuit
    Brad Smith, Former Chairman and CEO
    May 4, 2016

    “[Raul] is a multi-channel veteran with deep digital expertise and leadership experience in retail, marketing and operations. His global e-commerce perspective would be particularly valuable as we focus on rapidly increasing online sales as part of our strategic reinvention.”

    Staples
    Ron Sargent, Former Chairman CEO
    April 4, 2013

    Beyond his public board experience, Mr. Vazquez previously served on the Board of the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Consumer Advisory Board, and as Chair of the Federal Reserve Board’s Community Advisory Council.

    Replacing Mr. Vazquez with Findell’s Candidate Would be a Mistake

    As part of its annual evaluation process, the Board, which includes two individuals recommended by Findell, recently completed a comprehensive review of Mr. Vazquez’s performance. Following that review, the Board unanimously concluded that Mr. Vazquez is the best person to lead the Company forward. Supplanting the Board’s unanimous judgment and removing Mr. Vazquez from the Board – especially at a time when the Company’s performance is improving and its momentum is building – would be a mistake.

    In our view, Findell’s candidate, Warren Wilcox, is no substitute for Mr. Vazquez. Mr. Wilcox has no public company CEO experience, limited experience serving low- and middle-income customers and has not served on a public company board in over a decade. Replacing Mr. Vazquez with Mr. Wilcox would jeopardize the continuity, leadership and business insight needed to continue our progress and momentum. With all of Oportun’s proxy peers and approximately 97% of Russell 3000 boards including the company’s CEO1, removing Mr. Vazquez would also be highly unusual and send a disruptive message to employees, stockholders and other stakeholders.

    We Ask for Your Support

    We encourage you to visit VoteForOportun.com to learn more about the Company’s progress and our plan to ensure that our strong momentum continues. We believe you will reach the same conclusion as our Board: that Mr. Vazquez is the right leader for Oportun and that his reelection is the best way to protect and enhance stockholder value.

    We urge stockholders to support Oportun’s CEO, Mr. Vazquez, and Oportun’s other nominee, Carlos Minetti, by voting for each of them on the GREEN proxy card today.

    Sincerely,
    The Oportun Financial Corporation Board of Directors

    If you have any questions about how to vote your shares, please call the firm assisting us with the solicitation of proxies:

    INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED
    (877) 800-5195 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada) or
    +1 (412) 232-3651 (from other countries)

    About Oportun

    Oportun (Nasdaq: OPRT) is a mission-driven financial services company that puts its members’ financial goals within reach. With intelligent borrowing, savings, and budgeting capabilities, Oportun empowers members with the confidence to build a better financial future. Since inception, Oportun has provided more than $19.7 billion in responsible and affordable credit, saved its members more than $2.4 billion in interest and fees, and helped its members save an average of more than $1,800 annually. For more information, visit Oportun.com.

    Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this communication, including statements as to our future performance, financial position and our strategic initiatives, and the Annual Meeting, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be generally identified by terms such as “expect,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “predict,” “project,” “outlook,” “continue,” “due,” “may,” “believe,” “seek,” or “estimate” and similar expressions or the negative versions of these words or comparable words, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “likely” and “could.” These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events, financial trends and risks and uncertainties that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks and uncertainties include those risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as well as our subsequent filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and, except to the extent required by federal securities laws, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, there is no assurance that the events or results suggested by the forward-looking statements will in fact occur, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Contact
    Dorian Hare
    (650) 590-4323
    ir@oportun.com

    Innisfree M&A Incorporated
    Scott Winter / Gabrielle Wolf / Jonathan Kovacs
    (212) 750-5833

    Media Contact
    FGS Global
    John Christiansen / Bryan Locke
    Oportun@fgsglobal.com

    ______________________
    1 Source: Bloomberg

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Topnotch Crypto Unveils Exclusive XRP Cloud Mining Contracts with Instant Rewards and Flexible Terms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the XRP community eagerly awaits significant price movements, Topnotch Crypto, a leading innovator in cloud mining solutions, today announced the launch of its new suite of XRP cloud mining contracts. Designed to provide immediate value and flexible earning opportunities, these contracts allow XRP holders to generate consistent daily income, regardless of market volatility.

    Despite continued anticipation for XRP to reach new highs, the asset has demonstrated periods of consolidation. Topnotch Crypto’s new XRP cloud mining contracts offer a strategic avenue for investors to maximize their holdings by earning passive income during these phases.

    “We understand the patience and dedication of the XRP community,” said a spokesperson for Topnotch Crypto. “Our new XRP cloud mining contracts are tailored to empower holders, offering a straightforward and efficient way to earn predictable returns daily, turning waiting periods into earning opportunities. We are committed to providing top-notch solutions that align with the evolving needs of the crypto market.”

    Harnessing the Power of XRP Cloud Mining with Topnotch Crypto

    Topnotch Crypto’s cloud mining platform removes the traditional barriers to cryptocurrency mining, such as expensive hardware, technical complexities, and high electricity costs. Utilizing advanced infrastructure and AI-driven optimization, Topnotch Crypto simulates yield through a fully remote and streamlined process.

    Key Features of Topnotch Crypto’s XRP Cloud Mining Contracts:

    • No Hardware, No Hassle: Participate in XRP mining without the need for specialized equipment or technical expertise.
    • Daily Payouts: Receive mining rewards credited directly to your account every day, ensuring predictable cash flow.
    • Robust Security: Benefit from Topnotch Crypto’s industry-leading security protocols, safeguarding your assets with utmost care.
    • Flexible Contract Options: Choose from a variety of short-term and long-term contracts designed to suit diverse investment strategies and risk appetites.

    Diverse Plans for Every Investor Profile:

    Topnotch Crypto offers a range of XRP cloud mining contracts, catering to both new and experienced investors:

    • Classic contract: suitable for novices to try, short cycle, experience the complete process.
    • Steady contract: balance income and cycle, suitable for users who want stable accumulation.
    • Advanced contract: suitable for long-term coin holders, get higher computing power configuration and better income.
    • Click here to view complete contract details

    These flexible options provide XRP holders with a practical approach to stay engaged in the ecosystem and generate steady returns as the token builds momentum.

    Why Choose Topnotch Crypto for XRP Mining?

    • 100% Remote Access: Activate and manage your mining plans from anywhere, anytime, with just an internet connection.
    • Advanced AI Optimization: Our proprietary AI ensures optimized yield and profitability, even during market fluctuations.
    • Transparent Daily Rewards: Enjoy clear and predictable XRP payouts that enhance your portfolio’s cash flow and mitigate volatility risks.
    • Dedicated Support: Access a responsive customer support team ready to assist with any queries.

    Getting Started with Topnotch Crypto is Simple:

    1. Register a platform account and you will receive $15, and you will receive a $0.6 reward for daily sign-in
    2. Select Your Contract: Browse our range of XRP cloud mining contracts and choose the one that fits your goals.
    3. Start Earning: Activate your chosen plan and begin receiving daily XRP rewards automatically.

    Topnotch Crypto is committed to making cryptocurrency mining accessible and profitable for everyone. Our platform is built on a foundation of security, efficiency, and user-centric design, allowing users to mine leading cryptocurrencies without the need for expensive rigs or in-depth technical knowledge.

    Don’t wait for the next XRP rally to start earning. Explore the future of XRP mining with Topnotch Crypto today at https://topnotchcrypto.com

    About Topnotch Crypto:

    Topnotch Crypto is a pioneering force in the cloud-based cryptocurrency mining industry, dedicated to democratizing access to passive income opportunities. With a focus on secure, AI-powered, and environmentally conscious infrastructure, Topnotch Crypto empowers users worldwide to mine popular cryptocurrencies through an intuitive and efficient platform.

    More information:

    Official website: https://topnotchcrypto.com

    APP download: https://topnotchcrypto.com/xml/index.html#/app

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. It is strongly recommended that you perform your own due diligence and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions in cryptocurrencies and securities.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Anthony Pompliano Strikes $1 Billion Merger to Create ProCap Financial; Raises Over $750M in Largest Initial Fundraise in History for Public Bitcoin Treasury Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ProCap Financial to strategically acquire bitcoin and generate revenue and profits from its bitcoin holdings
    • Equity investors have immediate exposure to bitcoin based on structure of financing transactions
    • Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) to take ProCap Financial public

    New York, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American investor and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano today announced that ProCap BTC, LLC, a bitcoin-native financial services firm, has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM), a SPAC sponsored by a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company, Inc.

    At the closing of the proposed business combination, the combined company will operate as ProCap Financial, Inc., with up to $1 billion in bitcoin on its balance sheet. Entities in the proposed transaction raised $516.5 million in equity and $235 million in convertible notes, the largest initial fundraise in history for a public bitcoin treasury company.

    Leading institutional and bitcoin-native investors participating in the financing transactions include Magnetar Capital, Woodline Partners LP, Anson Funds, RK Capital, Off the Chain Capital, Parafi, Blockchain.com, Arrington Capital, BSQ Capital Partners, and FalconX. Industry veterans such as Mark Yusko, Jason Williams, Eric Semler, Tony Guoga, and Matteo Franceschetti participated as well.

    ProCap Financial aims to become the leading financial services firm at the intersection of bitcoin and traditional finance. ProCap Financial plans to use its bitcoin balance sheet to generate revenue and profit through a variety of strategies.

    ProCap Financial will be led by Anthony Pompliano, who has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally.

    “The legacy financial system is being disrupted by bitcoin,” said Pompliano. “ProCap Financial represents our solution to the increasing demand for bitcoin-native financial services among sophisticated investors. Our objective is to develop a platform that will not only acquire bitcoin for our balance sheet, but will also implement risk-mitigated solutions to generate revenue and profits from our bitcoin holdings.”

    “From day one we sought to partner with a platform and a leader that could develop a transformative organization – and we found that in ProCap BTC and Anthony Pompliano,” said Gary Quin, CEO of CCCM. “Anthony’s track record as an innovative investor, operator, and early advocate in the bitcoin ecosystem speaks for itself. We believe his deep expertise and relentless conviction will help continue to transform an industry undergoing rapid evolution.”

    Terms of the Proposed Business Combination and Financing Transactions

    The proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) will result in ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) being a publicly listed company. In connection with the Business Combination, ProCap BTC sold $516.5 million of non-voting preferred units to investors in a private placement (the “Preferred Equity Raise”) and ProCap Financial secured commitments for $235 million in senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”) from investors in a private placement (the “Convertible Debt Raise”, together with the Business Combination and the Preferred Equity Raise, the “Proposed Transactions”). At the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), any funds remaining in the CCCM trust account will be delivered to ProCap Financial. The full proceeds of the CCCM Trust Account, assuming no trust redemptions at or prior to Closing, is included in the up to $1 billion expected to be used to purchase bitcoin for ProCap Financial’s balance sheet.

    The Preferred Equity Raise was funded contemporaneously with the execution of the definitive agreements. ProCap BTC agreed to purchase bitcoin (the “BTC Assets”) using the aggregate amount of funds raised in the Preferred Equity Raise within fifteen days of the date of signing the definitive agreements. The BTC Assets will be held in a custodial account until the completion of the Business Combination, providing future shareholders of ProCap Financial with immediate exposure to bitcoin rather than waiting until after the Closing.

    The Convertible Notes will be funded at the close of the Business Combination and have a 130% conversation rate, zero interest rate, and maturity of up to 36 months. The Convertible Notes will be 2x collateralized by cash, cash equivalents or a portion of the bitcoin purchased with the proceeds from the Proposed Transactions. U.S. Bank National Trust, N.A. will serve as collateral agent and trustee with regard to the Convertible Notes and associated indenture and guarantee arrangements.

    At the Closing, former security holders of CCCM and former unit holders of ProCap BTC (“ProCap Holders”) will receive, as consideration in the Business Combination, newly-issued securities of ProCap Financial. The number of ProCap Financial shares issuable to the ProCap Holders at Closing will depend on the value of the BTC Assets measured as of a date shortly before the Closing, subject to a cap, and provided, also, that the ProCap Holders that are investors in the Preferred Equity Raise (as defined herein) will, at a minimum, receive such number of ProCap Financial shares as represents 1.25 times the number of preferred units delivered to such investors upon consummation of the Preferred Equity Raise, based on the trade weighted average price of the BTC Assets, as further described in the definitive agreements for the Proposed Transactions (the “Transaction Agreements”).

    Prior to entering into the definitive agreement, the proposed Business Combination has been approved by the board of directors of CCCM and by the board of managers of ProCap BTC. The terms of the Transaction Agreements, including covenants and conditions to Closing reasonably customary for similar transactions, including that the Proposed Transactions and their terms be approved by requisite CCCM shareholders and by the sole voting unit holder of ProCap BTC, an entity owned and controlled by Pompliano.

    The parties expect to consummate the Proposed Transactions prior to the end of 2025, after the submission for review by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form S-4 to register applicable securities issuable by ProCap Financial upon consummation of the proposed Business Combination. The parties intend to take actions necessary for the Convertible Notes, upon issuance in connection with the Closing, to have an associated 144A CUSIP number on the issue date to facilitate potential post-Closing trading amongst QUIBS, but are not expected to otherwise be registered or tradeable.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this release, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the Transaction Agreements and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to Closing. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Advisors

    Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC (“Cohen & Company”) is acting as exclusive financial advisor to ProCap BTC.

    Cohen & Company and Clear Street LLC are serving as joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    Reed Smith LLP is acting as legal advisor for ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc. in connection with the Proposed Transactions.

    Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as legal advisor to CCCM in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Ogier is acting as special Cayman Islands counsel to CCCM.

    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as legal advisor to the joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    About ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc.

    ProCap BTC, LLC is a bitcoin-native financial services firm founded by Anthony Pompliano. Pompliano has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally. ProCap Financial, Inc., the company resulting from the proposed Business Combination, will focus on implementing various profit-generating products and services to support the unique financial needs of large financial institutions and institutional investors.

    About Columbus Circle Capital I
    Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) is a Cayman Islands–incorporated blank check company formed to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Gary Quin, a veteran investment banker with over 25 years of experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, and capital markets; COO Dan Nash, a skilled investment banker, with a strong track record in SPAC execution and building high-growth advisory platforms; and CFO Joseph W. Pooler, Jr., who brings decades of public company financial leadership. The board of directors includes Garrett Curran, Alberto Alsina Gonzalez, Dr. Adam Back, and Matthew Murphy.

    About Cohen & Company

    Cohen & Company is J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC’s full-service boutique investment bank based in New York City that provides high-touch services across strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Cohen & Company merges boutique attentiveness with institutional scale. Learn more at https://www.cohencm.com/.  J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC is an indirect controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company Inc, a financial services company specializing in an expanding range of capital markets and asset management services. Cohen and Company Inc has approximately $2.3 billion of assets under management. 

    About Clear Street

    Clear Street Investment Banking provides a full suite of strategic advisory, transactions and creative capital solutions to companies and investors across high-growth sectors including technology, healthcare, energy and beyond. Clear Street Investment Banking is part of Clear Street, the cloud-native financial services firm delivering financing, derivatives, execution and more to power client success. Learn more at https://www.clearstreet.io/investment-banking.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended, the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of CCCM and a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in connection with the proposed business combination between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and CCCM (the “Proposed Transactions”). The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of CCCM as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Transactions and other matters as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. ProCap Financial and/or CCCM will also file other documents regarding the Proposed Transactions with the SEC. This communication does not contain all of the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transactions and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transactions. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF CCCM AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH CCCM’s SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CCCM, PROCAP BTC, PROCAP FINANCIAL AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all other documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by CCCM and ProCap Financial, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I, 3 Columbus Circle, 24th Floor New York, NY 10019, e-mail: IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com; or upon written request to ProCap Financial, Inc., 600 Lexington Ave., Floor 2, New York, NY 10022.

    NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS COMMUNICATION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

    The offer and sale of the convertible notes to be issued by ProCap Financial and the preferred units of ProCap BTC sold in connection with the Proposed Transactions has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

    Participants in Solicitation

    CCCM, ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial and their respective directors, executive officers, certain of their shareholders and other members of management and employees may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. A list of the names of such persons, and information regarding their interests in the Proposed Transactions and their ownership of CCCM’s securities are, or will be, contained in CCCM’s filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus for CCCM’s initial public offering filed with the SEC on May 19, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions, including the names and interests of ProCap BTC’s and ProCap Financial’s respective directors or managers and executive officers, will be set forth in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is expected to be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transactions and shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange the securities of CCCM or ProCap Financial, or any commodity or instrument or related derivative, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Investors should consult with their counsel as to the applicable requirements for a purchaser to avail itself of any exemption under the Securities Act.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transactions involving ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, and CCCM, including expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial, CCCM and the Proposed Transactions, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and timing of the completion of the Proposed Transactions, the assets held by ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial, the price and volatility of bitcoin, bitcoin’s growing prominence as a digital asset and as the foundation of a new financial system, ProCap Financial’s listing on any securities exchange, the macro and political conditions surrounding bitcoin, the planned business strategy including ProCap Financial’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting financial products built with and on bitcoin including native lending models, capital market instruments, and future innovations that will replace legacy financial tools with bitcoin-aligned alternatives, plans and use of proceeds, objectives of management for future operations of ProCap Financial, the upside potential and opportunity for investors, ProCap Financial’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, regulatory conditions, technological and market trends, future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the Proposed Transactions, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Proposed Transactions and the level of redemptions of CCCM’s public shareholders, and ProCap Financial’s expectations, intentions, strategies, assumptions or beliefs about future events, results of operations or performance or that do not solely relate to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “potential,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events or conditions that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CCCM’s securities; the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed by CCCM’s business combination deadline; the failure by the parties to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, including the approval of CCCM’s shareholders; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions; the level of redemptions of the CCCM’s public shareholders, which may reduce the public float of, reduce the liquidity of the trading market of, and/or maintain the quotation, listing, or trading of the Class A ordinary shares of CCCM or the shares of common stock of ProCap Financial to be listed in connection with the Proposed Transactions; the insufficiency of the third-party fairness opinion for the board of directors of CCCM in determining whether or not to pursue the Proposed Transactions; the failure of ProCap Financial to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on any securities exchange after closing of the Proposed Transactions; risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; costs related to the Proposed Transactions and as a result of becoming a public company; changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; risks relating to ProCap Financial’s anticipated operations and business, including the highly volatile nature of the price of bitcoin; the risk that ProCap Financial’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of bitcoin and the price of bitcoin may decrease between the signing of the definitive documents for the Proposed Transactions and the closing of the Proposed Transactions or at any time after the closing of the Proposed Transactions; asset security and risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; risks related to increased competition in the industries in which ProCap Financial will operate; risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding bitcoin; risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; risks that after consummation of the Proposed Transactions, ProCap Financial experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; the risks that launching and growing ProCap Financial’s bitcoin treasury advisory and services in digital marketing and strategy could be difficult; challenges in implementing ProCap Financial’s business plan, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; being considered to be a “shell company” by any stock exchange on which ProCap Financial’s common stock will be listed or by the SEC, which may impact ProCap Financial’s ability to list ProCap Financial’s common stock and restrict reliance on certain rules or forms in connection with the offering, sale or resale of securities; the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, CCCM or others following announcement of the Proposed Transactions, and those risk factors discussed in documents that ProCap Financial and/or CCCM filed, or that will be filed, with the SEC.

    The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final prospectus of CCCM dated as of May 15, 2025 and filed by CCCM with the SEC on May 19, 2025, CCCM’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and CCCM’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K that will be filed by CCCM from time to time, the Registration Statement that will be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained therein, and other documents that have been or will be filed by CCCM and ProCap Financial from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither CCCM nor ProCap Financial presently know or that CCCM and ProCap Financial currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and each of CCCM, ProCap BTC, and ProCap Financial assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither CCCM, ProCap BTC, nor ProCap Financial gives any assurance that any of CCCM, ProCap BTC, or ProCap Financial will achieve their respective expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CCCM, ProCap BTC or ProCap Financial or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this communication, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the definitive business combination agreement and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to closing of the Proposed Transactions. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Media Contacts

    Ebony Lewkovitz
    ebony@edencommunications.com 

    Larissa Bundziak
    larissa@edencommunications.com 

    IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Anthony Pompliano Strikes $1 Billion Merger to Create ProCap Financial; Raises Over $750M in Largest Initial Fundraise in History for Public Bitcoin Treasury Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ProCap Financial to strategically acquire bitcoin and generate revenue and profits from its bitcoin holdings
    • Equity investors have immediate exposure to bitcoin based on structure of financing transactions
    • Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) to take ProCap Financial public

    New York, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American investor and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano today announced that ProCap BTC, LLC, a bitcoin-native financial services firm, has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM), a SPAC sponsored by a controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company, Inc.

    At the closing of the proposed business combination, the combined company will operate as ProCap Financial, Inc., with up to $1 billion in bitcoin on its balance sheet. Entities in the proposed transaction raised $516.5 million in equity and $235 million in convertible notes, the largest initial fundraise in history for a public bitcoin treasury company.

    Leading institutional and bitcoin-native investors participating in the financing transactions include Magnetar Capital, Woodline Partners LP, Anson Funds, RK Capital, Off the Chain Capital, Parafi, Blockchain.com, Arrington Capital, BSQ Capital Partners, and FalconX. Industry veterans such as Mark Yusko, Jason Williams, Eric Semler, Tony Guoga, and Matteo Franceschetti participated as well.

    ProCap Financial aims to become the leading financial services firm at the intersection of bitcoin and traditional finance. ProCap Financial plans to use its bitcoin balance sheet to generate revenue and profit through a variety of strategies.

    ProCap Financial will be led by Anthony Pompliano, who has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally.

    “The legacy financial system is being disrupted by bitcoin,” said Pompliano. “ProCap Financial represents our solution to the increasing demand for bitcoin-native financial services among sophisticated investors. Our objective is to develop a platform that will not only acquire bitcoin for our balance sheet, but will also implement risk-mitigated solutions to generate revenue and profits from our bitcoin holdings.”

    “From day one we sought to partner with a platform and a leader that could develop a transformative organization – and we found that in ProCap BTC and Anthony Pompliano,” said Gary Quin, CEO of CCCM. “Anthony’s track record as an innovative investor, operator, and early advocate in the bitcoin ecosystem speaks for itself. We believe his deep expertise and relentless conviction will help continue to transform an industry undergoing rapid evolution.”

    Terms of the Proposed Business Combination and Financing Transactions

    The proposed business combination (the “Business Combination”) between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) will result in ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) being a publicly listed company. In connection with the Business Combination, ProCap BTC sold $516.5 million of non-voting preferred units to investors in a private placement (the “Preferred Equity Raise”) and ProCap Financial secured commitments for $235 million in senior secured convertible notes (the “Convertible Notes”) from investors in a private placement (the “Convertible Debt Raise”, together with the Business Combination and the Preferred Equity Raise, the “Proposed Transactions”). At the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), any funds remaining in the CCCM trust account will be delivered to ProCap Financial. The full proceeds of the CCCM Trust Account, assuming no trust redemptions at or prior to Closing, is included in the up to $1 billion expected to be used to purchase bitcoin for ProCap Financial’s balance sheet.

    The Preferred Equity Raise was funded contemporaneously with the execution of the definitive agreements. ProCap BTC agreed to purchase bitcoin (the “BTC Assets”) using the aggregate amount of funds raised in the Preferred Equity Raise within fifteen days of the date of signing the definitive agreements. The BTC Assets will be held in a custodial account until the completion of the Business Combination, providing future shareholders of ProCap Financial with immediate exposure to bitcoin rather than waiting until after the Closing.

    The Convertible Notes will be funded at the close of the Business Combination and have a 130% conversation rate, zero interest rate, and maturity of up to 36 months. The Convertible Notes will be 2x collateralized by cash, cash equivalents or a portion of the bitcoin purchased with the proceeds from the Proposed Transactions. U.S. Bank National Trust, N.A. will serve as collateral agent and trustee with regard to the Convertible Notes and associated indenture and guarantee arrangements.

    At the Closing, former security holders of CCCM and former unit holders of ProCap BTC (“ProCap Holders”) will receive, as consideration in the Business Combination, newly-issued securities of ProCap Financial. The number of ProCap Financial shares issuable to the ProCap Holders at Closing will depend on the value of the BTC Assets measured as of a date shortly before the Closing, subject to a cap, and provided, also, that the ProCap Holders that are investors in the Preferred Equity Raise (as defined herein) will, at a minimum, receive such number of ProCap Financial shares as represents 1.25 times the number of preferred units delivered to such investors upon consummation of the Preferred Equity Raise, based on the trade weighted average price of the BTC Assets, as further described in the definitive agreements for the Proposed Transactions (the “Transaction Agreements”).

    Prior to entering into the definitive agreement, the proposed Business Combination has been approved by the board of directors of CCCM and by the board of managers of ProCap BTC. The terms of the Transaction Agreements, including covenants and conditions to Closing reasonably customary for similar transactions, including that the Proposed Transactions and their terms be approved by requisite CCCM shareholders and by the sole voting unit holder of ProCap BTC, an entity owned and controlled by Pompliano.

    The parties expect to consummate the Proposed Transactions prior to the end of 2025, after the submission for review by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a registration statement on Form S-4 to register applicable securities issuable by ProCap Financial upon consummation of the proposed Business Combination. The parties intend to take actions necessary for the Convertible Notes, upon issuance in connection with the Closing, to have an associated 144A CUSIP number on the issue date to facilitate potential post-Closing trading amongst QUIBS, but are not expected to otherwise be registered or tradeable.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this release, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the Transaction Agreements and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to Closing. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Advisors

    Cohen & Company Capital Markets, a division of J.V.B. Financial Group, LLC (“Cohen & Company”) is acting as exclusive financial advisor to ProCap BTC.

    Cohen & Company and Clear Street LLC are serving as joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    Reed Smith LLP is acting as legal advisor for ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc. in connection with the Proposed Transactions.

    Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP is acting as legal advisor to CCCM in connection with the Proposed Transactions. Ogier is acting as special Cayman Islands counsel to CCCM.

    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as legal advisor to the joint co-placement agents in connection with the Preferred Equity Raise and Convertible Debt Raise.

    About ProCap BTC, LLC and ProCap Financial, Inc.

    ProCap BTC, LLC is a bitcoin-native financial services firm founded by Anthony Pompliano. Pompliano has invested in more than 300 private companies and is one of the leading voices on bitcoin globally. ProCap Financial, Inc., the company resulting from the proposed Business Combination, will focus on implementing various profit-generating products and services to support the unique financial needs of large financial institutions and institutional investors.

    About Columbus Circle Capital I
    Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (NASDAQ: CCCM) is a Cayman Islands–incorporated blank check company formed to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Gary Quin, a veteran investment banker with over 25 years of experience in cross-border M&A, private equity, and capital markets; COO Dan Nash, a skilled investment banker, with a strong track record in SPAC execution and building high-growth advisory platforms; and CFO Joseph W. Pooler, Jr., who brings decades of public company financial leadership. The board of directors includes Garrett Curran, Alberto Alsina Gonzalez, Dr. Adam Back, and Matthew Murphy.

    About Cohen & Company

    Cohen & Company is J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC’s full-service boutique investment bank based in New York City that provides high-touch services across strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. Cohen & Company merges boutique attentiveness with institutional scale. Learn more at https://www.cohencm.com/.  J.V. B. Financial Group, LLC is an indirect controlled subsidiary of Cohen & Company Inc, a financial services company specializing in an expanding range of capital markets and asset management services. Cohen and Company Inc has approximately $2.3 billion of assets under management. 

    About Clear Street

    Clear Street Investment Banking provides a full suite of strategic advisory, transactions and creative capital solutions to companies and investors across high-growth sectors including technology, healthcare, energy and beyond. Clear Street Investment Banking is part of Clear Street, the cloud-native financial services firm delivering financing, derivatives, execution and more to power client success. Learn more at https://www.clearstreet.io/investment-banking.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    ProCap Financial, Inc. (“ProCap Financial”) and Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I (“CCCM”) intend to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as may be amended, the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of CCCM and a prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in connection with the proposed business combination between ProCap BTC, LLC (“ProCap BTC”) and CCCM (the “Proposed Transactions”). The definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents will be mailed to shareholders of CCCM as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Transactions and other matters as described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. ProCap Financial and/or CCCM will also file other documents regarding the Proposed Transactions with the SEC. This communication does not contain all of the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Transactions and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Proposed Transactions. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, SHAREHOLDERS OF CCCM AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH CCCM’s SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CCCM, PROCAP BTC, PROCAP FINANCIAL AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. Investors and security holders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all other documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by CCCM and ProCap Financial, without charge, once available, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Columbus Circle Capital Corp. I, 3 Columbus Circle, 24th Floor New York, NY 10019, e-mail: IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com; or upon written request to ProCap Financial, Inc., 600 Lexington Ave., Floor 2, New York, NY 10022.

    NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN, PASSED UPON THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION OR ANY RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS COMMUNICATION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

    The offer and sale of the convertible notes to be issued by ProCap Financial and the preferred units of ProCap BTC sold in connection with the Proposed Transactions has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

    Participants in Solicitation

    CCCM, ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial and their respective directors, executive officers, certain of their shareholders and other members of management and employees may be deemed under SEC rules to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions. A list of the names of such persons, and information regarding their interests in the Proposed Transactions and their ownership of CCCM’s securities are, or will be, contained in CCCM’s filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus for CCCM’s initial public offering filed with the SEC on May 19, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of CCCM’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Transactions, including the names and interests of ProCap BTC’s and ProCap Financial’s respective directors or managers and executive officers, will be set forth in the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is expected to be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM with the SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as described above.

    No Offer or Solicitation

    This communication and the information contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transactions and shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange the securities of CCCM or ProCap Financial, or any commodity or instrument or related derivative, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Investors should consult with their counsel as to the applicable requirements for a purchaser to avail itself of any exemption under the Securities Act.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws with respect to the Proposed Transactions involving ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, and CCCM, including expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding ProCap BTC, ProCap Financial, CCCM and the Proposed Transactions, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and timing of the completion of the Proposed Transactions, the assets held by ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial, the price and volatility of bitcoin, bitcoin’s growing prominence as a digital asset and as the foundation of a new financial system, ProCap Financial’s listing on any securities exchange, the macro and political conditions surrounding bitcoin, the planned business strategy including ProCap Financial’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting financial products built with and on bitcoin including native lending models, capital market instruments, and future innovations that will replace legacy financial tools with bitcoin-aligned alternatives, plans and use of proceeds, objectives of management for future operations of ProCap Financial, the upside potential and opportunity for investors, ProCap Financial’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, regulatory conditions, technological and market trends, future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the Proposed Transactions, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Proposed Transactions and the level of redemptions of CCCM’s public shareholders, and ProCap Financial’s expectations, intentions, strategies, assumptions or beliefs about future events, results of operations or performance or that do not solely relate to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “potential,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events or conditions that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including, but not limited to: the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of CCCM’s securities; the risk that the Proposed Transactions may not be completed by CCCM’s business combination deadline; the failure by the parties to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Transactions, including the approval of CCCM’s shareholders; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Proposed Transactions; the level of redemptions of the CCCM’s public shareholders, which may reduce the public float of, reduce the liquidity of the trading market of, and/or maintain the quotation, listing, or trading of the Class A ordinary shares of CCCM or the shares of common stock of ProCap Financial to be listed in connection with the Proposed Transactions; the insufficiency of the third-party fairness opinion for the board of directors of CCCM in determining whether or not to pursue the Proposed Transactions; the failure of ProCap Financial to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on any securities exchange after closing of the Proposed Transactions; risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; costs related to the Proposed Transactions and as a result of becoming a public company; changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; risks relating to ProCap Financial’s anticipated operations and business, including the highly volatile nature of the price of bitcoin; the risk that ProCap Financial’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of bitcoin and the price of bitcoin may decrease between the signing of the definitive documents for the Proposed Transactions and the closing of the Proposed Transactions or at any time after the closing of the Proposed Transactions; asset security and risks associated with CCCM, ProCap BTC and ProCap Financial’s ability to consummate the Proposed Transactions timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in bitcoin prices or for other reasons; risks related to increased competition in the industries in which ProCap Financial will operate; risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding bitcoin; risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; risks that after consummation of the Proposed Transactions, ProCap Financial experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; the risks that launching and growing ProCap Financial’s bitcoin treasury advisory and services in digital marketing and strategy could be difficult; challenges in implementing ProCap Financial’s business plan, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; being considered to be a “shell company” by any stock exchange on which ProCap Financial’s common stock will be listed or by the SEC, which may impact ProCap Financial’s ability to list ProCap Financial’s common stock and restrict reliance on certain rules or forms in connection with the offering, sale or resale of securities; the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against ProCap Financial, ProCap BTC, CCCM or others following announcement of the Proposed Transactions, and those risk factors discussed in documents that ProCap Financial and/or CCCM filed, or that will be filed, with the SEC.

    The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the final prospectus of CCCM dated as of May 15, 2025 and filed by CCCM with the SEC on May 19, 2025, CCCM’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and CCCM’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K that will be filed by CCCM from time to time, the Registration Statement that will be filed by ProCap Financial and CCCM and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus contained therein, and other documents that have been or will be filed by CCCM and ProCap Financial from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither CCCM nor ProCap Financial presently know or that CCCM and ProCap Financial currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

    Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and each of CCCM, ProCap BTC, and ProCap Financial assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither CCCM, ProCap BTC, nor ProCap Financial gives any assurance that any of CCCM, ProCap BTC, or ProCap Financial will achieve their respective expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this communication does not constitute an admission by CCCM, ProCap BTC or ProCap Financial or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material.

    The terms of the Proposed Transactions described in this communication, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the definitive business combination agreement and assume no redemptions from the CCCM trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of bitcoin prior to closing of the Proposed Transactions. There can be no assurance that the final terms at Closing will reflect the figures referenced herein.

    Media Contacts

    Ebony Lewkovitz
    ebony@edencommunications.com 

    Larissa Bundziak
    larissa@edencommunications.com 

    IR@ColumbusCircleCap.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Stronger Together: Strengthening Disaster Resilience in Tajikistan

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Tajikistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate and disaster risks. With help from partners like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the country is working to improve how it prepares for and responds to these challenges.  These efforts are focused on building long-term resilience and ensuring a safer future for its people.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE organizes study trip to Poland for representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE organizes study trip to Poland for representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office

    Meeting between the delegation from the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan and the State Labour Inspection of Poland (OSCE) Photo details

    From 16 to 20 June, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a study visit to Poland for a delegation from the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan to gain insights into Poland’s policies, legislative frameworks and best practices in reducing the shadow economy.
    During their visit to Poland, the delegation engaged with a range of institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the State Labour Inspection and the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. Meetings with labour inspectors, prosecutors, anti-corruption bodies and financial regulatory authorities focused on detecting informal employment, evaluating informal economy, improving enforcement mechanisms and strengthening interagency co-ordination.
    The delegation explored digital tools for economic monitoring, such as electronic reporting and real-time data exchange systems, as well as customs controls to prevent illicit trade. They also examined how Poland’s Social Insurance Institution uses data and incentives to promote formal employment.
    The study visit provided valuable insights into Poland’s integrated approach to tackling the shadow economy through regulation, technology and institutional co-operation. The visit continues the PCUz’s support for Uzbekistan’s good economic governance reforms.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Video: UN History of Innovation | Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    The UN History of Innovation tells the story of a bold and revolutionary United Nations, throughout its history and for the future.

    The UN History of Innovation is a journey through time that reveals a bold and often unexpected side of the United Nations—one defined by creativity, experimentation, and transformation. From early breakthroughs to present-day innovations, this initiative highlights how the UN has continuously adapted to meet the world’s evolving challenges. More than a retrospective, it invites reflection on the spirit of innovation that has shaped the Organization’s past—and the imagination needed to shape its future.

    Produced by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA)Innovation Cell.

    https://dppa.un.org/en/innovation
    https://futuringpeace.org/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ugNf5f-TpA

    MIL OSI Video

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Clean energy future to be ‘built in Britain’

    Government publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain.

    • Government publishes landmark plan to capture the immense jobs and growth opportunities of the clean energy economy
    • Plan will double down on Britain’s strengths as a coastal nation and scientific superpower, bringing jobs to industrial heartlands and coastal communities through Plan for Change
    • Further £700 million for Great British Energy to invest in clean energy supply chains and ensure the clean energy revolution is built in Britain

    Communities across Britain will benefit from good jobs and investment in the clean energy economy, as the government today (Monday 23 June) publishes its Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan to ‘build it in Britain’.

    Clean energy is the economic opportunity of the twenty-first century, and thanks to the government’s clean energy mission, investment is booming in the UK, with over £40 billion of private investment in clean energy announced since July.

    This landmark plan, developed with industry, trade unions, and workers across all regions of the country, sets the UK on a path to unleash the tidal wave of jobs and investment that clean energy can bring, with the government targeting at least a doubling of current investment levels across our frontier Clean Energy Industries to over £30 billion per year by 2035.

    It comes after the Spending Review confirmed the biggest programme of investment in homegrown energy in UK history – from launching a golden age of nuclear with funding to build Sizewell C nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast and small modular reactors, to £9.4 billion for carbon capture industries.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    This government is doubling down on Britain’s clean power strengths as we build this new era of clean energy abundance, helping deliver good jobs, energy security and lower household bills.

    The UK’s pitch is clear – build it in Britain. Power the world.

    Great British Energy Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:

    Great British Energy will help the UK win the global race for clean energy jobs and growth by investing in homegrown supply chains and ensuring key infrastructure parts are made here in Britain.

    We are working closely with businesses across the clean energy sector to invest in areas of strategic need and will get funding out as fast as possible to get new projects off the ground.

    As part of this plan, Great British Energy will have an additional £700 million to help build manufacturing facilities here at home for key components for the clean power revolution like floating offshore platforms, electric cables, and cutting-edge hydrogen infrastructure. This builds on Great British Energy’s initial £300 million for offshore wind supply chains, which the Energy Secretary confirmed last week has already catalysed a further £700 million from industry and The Crown Estate. With today’s additional funding, this brings total public and private funding in clean energy supply chains to £1.7 billion. This investment will unlock thousands of jobs, kickstarting growth in coastal communities and industrial towns, and secure a cleaner, more independent energy future for Britain.

    Lucy Yu, CEO and founder of the Centre for Net Zero, has also been announced as the government’s Clean Energy AI Champion – helping to drive the adoption of AI across the UK’s clean energy sector and accelerate the net zero transition.

    The Clean Industry Bonus – the financial reward scheme for offshore wind developers to invest in homegrown, cleaner supply chains – could also be expanded to more sectors, such as hydrogen and onshore wind. This will ensure clean energy investment is directed to regions that need it most, including traditional oil and gas communities, ex-industrial areas and coastal communities.

    The Industrial Strategy sets out how Britain’s strengths make it the natural home for clean power industries: as a coastal nation, a scientific and innovation superpower, with strengths in high-value manufacturing and a skilled energy workforce to match.

    Stakeholders

    Martin Pibworth, Chief Executive designate at SSE plc, said:

    The government’s industrial strategy is a welcome signal of long-term thinking and ambition – doubling down on homegrown energy is the right thing for security, resilience and affordability, making the most of the UK’s competitive geographical and technical advantages in renewables in particular.

    It’s exactly the kind of commitment that gives industry the confidence to deliver at pace and scale, and with important decisions on energy policy expected in the weeks ahead, we hope to see a continued focus on unlocking investment that drives growth.

    As the UK’s clean energy champion, SSE is investing £17.5 billion over 5 years to 2027 – building the infrastructure, creating high-quality jobs, supporting the supply chain and driving the innovation needed to deliver a net zero economy.

    Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Gas, said:

    The Industrial Strategy makes clear the scale of economic opportunity within the clean energy sector. As an essential enabler for all growth sectors, we warmly welcome the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan which will position Britain as a world leader in technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture.

    As Britain’s national gas network, we believe technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture will attract major investment, creating highly-skilled jobs across the country, as well as decarbonising our existing industries and bolstering energy security.

    We welcome the recent commitments and recognition shown by the government on the role of green gases and Britain’s national gas network and look forward to working in partnership to deliver the clean energy economy of the future.

    Steve Foxley, Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said:

    Wind energy is not only a critical enabler of Net Zero as the foundation of our future clean energy system but also a once-in-a-generation industrial growth opportunity. Through clear pathways from research and development to commercialisation and deployment, the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy will capitalise on our long history of innovation to not only attract critical manufacturing investment, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs the length and breadth of the country, but also ensure our energy security in an otherwise increasingly uncertain world.

    Chris Norbury, Chief Executive of E.ON UK

    We welcome the government’s bold ambition to put clean energy at the centre of the UK’s industrial strategy. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the economy, strengthen energy security and create skilled, secure jobs across the country.

    Our £2 billion UK investment plan is already driving forward decarbonisation, digitalisation and green skills, including through our Net Zero Academy and over 1,300 apprenticeships since 2018.

    This strategy is a chance to accelerate that progress with the right clarity, long-term investment signals and genuine partnership between government, cities and industry. If we get this right, Britain can lead the world in clean energy and deliver real meaningful benefits to every household and business.

    Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) said:

    We welcome the government’s Clean Energy Sector Plan and its clear commitment to creating high-quality, secure jobs – not just any jobs.

    The explicit pledge to a new generation of good industrial jobs will strike a chord with workers from Teesside to Merseyside, many of whom felt left abandoned by the last government’s failure to act.

    We strongly support the launch of the UK’s first-ever Clean Energy Workforce Strategy – a vital recognition that workers are central to both our economy and the clean energy transition.

    By prioritising sectors like nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, and offshore wind, the government is showing a serious commitment to a balanced, resilient energy mix.

    The TUC backs the ambition to ‘Build it in Britain. Power the World’ and stands ready to help make it a reality.

    Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, National Officer at GMB:

    This strategy is a welcome shift, recognising that Britain’s clean energy future must be built here, by skilled workers in secure, union jobs. For too long, energy policy has meant offshoring opportunity and hollowing out industry.

    If delivered properly, this plan could help turn that tide. GMB will work to make sure these promises translate into real investment, real jobs, and a just transition that puts working people at the heart of our industrial future.

    Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect union said:

    Boosting clean energy is not only an important mission in its own right, it is central to the success of every other sector. It is welcome to see the government doubling down on this mission, focusing investment on key technologies like renewables and nuclear energy, and recognising the key role that trade unions play as partners in this strategy.

    Securing the investment is important, but perhaps the biggest challenge in this area is around the workforce. The energy workforce is undergoing an unprecedented transition, which creates opportunities for many but also serious challenges that need to be addressed.

    Delivering on this strategy in a way which creates prosperity and supports jobs will require the government’s forthcoming energy workforce plan to be as ambitious as possible and fully backed by all parts of government.

    David Hall, VP, Power Systems, Schneider Electric, said:

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan will help to provide much needed certainty for businesses and investors. We welcome the recognition of electricity networks as a ‘foundational sector’ and look forward to working with the Government to develop an electricity networks growth plan.

    We also welcome the commitment to phasing out SF6 gas – a potent greenhouse gas – from switchgear. Regulatory certainty on this issue is key for manufacturers like Schneider Electric who are committed to invest in our domestic capabilities and support the decarbonisation of the grid.

    Schneider Electric is a key supplier of the electrical infrastructure powering the UK’s electricity networks. Over the past two years we have invested almost £50 million to further boost the UK’s domestic supply chain, including investing £42 million to build a brand new factory in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

    Vattenfall’s UK Country Manager, Claus Wattendrup, said:

    The government is right to back clean energy as a growth engine for UK jobs and skills. Offshore wind already supports over 50,000 UK jobs and is scaling up fast through initiatives like the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan, and we now await the government’s Onshore Wind strategy to help unlock even more investment, jobs, and energy security.

    We must avoid own-goals along the way, however: the benefits of district heating must not be overlooked, whereas zonal pricing in Great Britain risks future investments without cutting bills.

    Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, said:

    Energy UK welcomes the government’s new Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries sector plan, which rightly recognise the pivotal role energy will play across the whole economy, powering growth through digitalisation and electrification, boosting regional prosperity and delivering economic security and resilience.

    Stable, affordable energy prices will help ensure that the UK remains a competitive place to do business, and in an increasingly uncertain global operating environment, clean power will deliver energy security. Focussing on priority technologies where the UK has global expertise will deliver a strong competitive advantage for our businesses and economy.

    We know the investment necessary to decarbonise the economy will mostly be funded by the private sector. Clarity on government policy, removal of the barriers to investment and targeted support are all essential to meet this ambition.

    Jane Cooper, Deputy CEO of RenewableUK, said:

    Today’s industrial strategy identifies clean energy as one of the sectors with the highest growth opportunity, and we are going to see tens of billions of pounds of new investment in wind energy, grid and hydrogen in the coming years. With that new infrastructure comes a golden opportunity to secure new jobs, manufacturing, innovation and exports, in the growing industrial clusters across the UK, in areas like the Humber, Scotland, South Wales, the South West and Teesside.

    There are already nearly 2,000 companies in the UK who have benefitted from contracts to deliver work in the wind energy sector. Collectively, wind energy currently employs 55,000 people, a figure which has risen by a quarter from two years ago. By keeping a laser focus, as this Industrial Strategy does, on unlocking investment, remaining competitive, and supporting UK companies to innovate and grow, the offshore wind supply chain alone could boost the UK economy by £25 billion over the next decade.

    The opportunity and vision is there, now government needs to ensure they deliver on the critical aspects of this industrial strategy. Most notably for renewables, that means ensuring the next two contract for difference allocation round are as successful as possible, clearing large volumes of projects in a stable market framework to reduce costs. This is essential if we want to attract investment in the UK’s supply chain, skills and capabilities.

    Claire Mack OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said:

    Placing clean energy at the heart of the new industrial strategy is a vote of confidence in the enormous economic growth potential of Scotland’s renewable energy industry and supply chain. The scale of opportunity is clear with sectors like offshore wind expected to generate £35 billion for the economy, helping to deliver good jobs and energy security.

    Scottish Renewables has been urging the UK government to be bold in removing barriers to investment and we’re pleased to see the ambition outlined in this strategy, including measures to build a grid fit for the future, drive competitive supply chains and grow exports.

    In the years ahead, success will be seen in the delivery of new clean energy infrastructure, thriving supply chains and skilled jobs across Scotland. Our industry stands ready to continue meeting that challenge head on.

    Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), said:

    We are delighted to see the Government’s continued commitment to Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage (CCUS), including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), as a frontier industry. This rightly positions CCUS and GGRs as a core pillar in delivering on three vital national objectives: reaching net zero, driving regional growth, and strengthening economic security.

    The UK’s CCUS industry stands ready to deliver and is pleased to see government’s prioritisation of cross-border CO₂ transport and storage networks in the North Sea, recognising the significant economic benefits for both UK and EU CCUS projects. This builds on the positive momentum from the recent UK-EU Summit – alongside the support confirmed in the Spending Review.

    Following these government commitments, a clear timetable for deployment is essential to secure investment, as well as investment in scaling up supply chains and growing the workforce needed to deliver at pace. With continued partnership between government and industry, CCUS can anchor a new era of sustainable industrial growth – one that revitalises communities, boosts energy resilience and ensures the UK leads in tackling climate change.

    Charlotte Lee, Chief Executive of the Heat Pump Association said:

    It is great to see heat pumps, and by association heating systems, being listed as a frontier industry within the plan and identified as one of six areas with the highest growth potential.

    With a new Heat Pump Investment Accelerator Competition confirmed, £13.2 billion recently announced for the Warm Homes Plan alongside a clear timeline for the introduction of the Future Homes Standard and a pledge to expand heat networks, it is clear the government are committed to enhancing the UK’s energy security by decarbonising heat from buildings.

    Whilst we await the detail within the Warm Homes Plan, this strategy sets clear intentions for the sector, and the HPA will continue to work closely with government to support their missions to break down barriers to investment and deliver nationwide growth.

    Clare Jackson, CEO at Hydrogen UK, said

    The UK can, and should, lead the world in hydrogen, creating jobs and skills, driving economic growth, and lowering emissions. With hydrogen as a key pillar, the Industrial Strategy and Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan are welcome, positive steps forward to achieving that goal, with strong policy signals and funding to match.

    The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan in particular acknowledges hydrogen’s economic and export potential, and we look forward to working with the government as it puts these strategies into practice.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association (HEA) said:

    We welcome the publication of the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan and the clear recognition of hydrogen as a central pillar in the UK’s clean industrial future.

    The commitment to a dedicated hydrogen sector plan – 1 of 8 outlined across key growth industries – provides the clarity and direction that hydrogen investors, innovators and infrastructure providers urgently need.

    The extension of the Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen is a particularly positive step, signalling that government recognises the role hydrogen can play in decarbonising heavy industry and strengthening energy resilience.

    The wider Industrial Strategy’s focus on reducing energy costs, accelerating grid connections and supporting frontier technologies reflects many of the priorities the hydrogen industry has long been calling for.

    We now look forward to working closely with government and industry to ensure this strategy delivers tangible outcomes – unlocking investment, creating skilled green jobs, and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

    Yselkla Farmer, CEO at BEAMA said:

    BEAMA’s members are pleased that our calls for improvements to industrial conditions have been recognised. This long term strategy distinguishes electricity networks and electric heat – uniquely, both represented by BEAMA – as critical sectors for the UK’s economic prosperity. They have the potential to deliver significant benefits to consumers and those seeking excellent employment opportunities in our domestic supply chains.

    We are well aligned with the government’s overall vision and objectives for our sector. We are looking forward to keeping the momentum up over the ten years of this strategy, working with government to bring tangible change and hugely increase investment in our members’ markets, with specific benefit to British manufacturing. In addition to some further measures from upcoming policy announcements, this strategy has the potential to build on our existing strengths for an exciting future.

    We are especially pleased to see the level of financial support being targeted for BEAMA sectors through GB Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the British Business Bank and our hope is this can help bring forward investment in UK manufacturing to supply the UK’s electrification needs across the grid and in homes. The decision to reduce electricity costs for the IS-8 manufacturing sectors is an incredibly welcome step as we strive to ensure we can compete for investment globally.

    Stuart Dossett, Senior Policy Adviser at Green Alliance, said: 

    As international events threaten to drive up the price of oil and send bills soaring once again, it is vital the government look at how to make the UK energy secure. If we’re successful in doubling the amount of investment in clean energy over the next ten years, as the government proposes today, this will provide the cheap, secure power we need for the rest of the economy to grow. The government is also right to focus on making sure more homegrown renewable energy results in cheaper electricity costs for businesses. 

    Darren Davidson, Head of UK, Siemens Energy said:

    Today’s Industrial Strategy announcement, a 10-year UK government plan focused on partnership with business, is welcome news. As one of the world’s leading energy technology companies Siemens Energy has invested significantly in the UK, and we already employ over 6,500 people working on energy projects across the regions.

    The new plan is a significant step forward in helping to create a coherent, strategic policy framework – including funding support – to help strengthen the UK’s industrial base, encourage job creation and deliver the energy transition.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New study looks for ways to help River Itchen salmon reach sea

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New study looks for ways to help River Itchen salmon reach sea

    The Environment Agency and partners are looking for ways to improve fish passage past barriers and restore the lower River Itchen by Southampton.

    Juvenile salmon called smolt are struggling with barriers in the River Itchen. Photo by Kieran Gillingham

    • In Southampton, juvenile salmon, known as smolts, are struggling to get past barriers in the river during their journey to the sea.
    • Just upstream of the mouth of the river, the river has begun finding its own route away from the main channel.
    • The Environment Agency is working with partners to explore options to improve fish passage, restore the river and improve its resilience to climate change impacts

    The Environment Agency is looking at options to make the journey of juvenile salmon out to sea at Southampton easier. 

    Each spring, shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts, begin their journey to the sea. This journey begins on the River Itchen, through the estuary, and out to the sea where the salmon feed and grow before returning to the river as adults to spawn. But salmon are struggling to get past the first hurdle. The bottom section of the River Itchen where it transitions to the estuary has been changed many times historically. It was once used for transport and trade as a sea lock and onward travel to Winchester. Now, the current structures control water levels through Riverside Park.  

    Smolt are struggling to get past water control barriers on the River Itchen like Woodmill sluice

    These structures present the biggest obstacles for smolts, especially in large groups. The sharp change in water velocity created by these structures causes smolt to become hesitant and bunch up, making them vulnerable to predation and poaching. Eventually the current carries them over or under the structures and back onto their journey to the sea. But the delay impedes their migration and worsens the odds of them completing their lifecycle and eventually returning as adults to spawn. Significant changes are needed to make this critical part of the system more smolt friendly. 

    Breach

    Part of the River Itchen has ‘breached’ with water branching off the main river.

    The situation for smolts is further complicated by issues upstream in Riverside Park, where the manmade channel sits higher than the natural floodplain. Gravity has caused the river to ‘breach’ – meaning a significant amount of water is now branching off from the main river and finding its own natural course through the floodplain. For now, this does not affect the smolt who continue to follow the main course of the river, ignoring any offshoots. But over time this breach will take more water and impact the ecology of the river downstream. 

    In response to these intertwined issues, the Environment Agency has launched a study to find options to help smolts and improve the lower River Itchen chalk stream and wetland system. 

    Jackie Mellan, the Environment Agency’s project manager for this study, said:

    The River Itchen has really changed in the past 10 years – the flow of the river is diverting, salmon are at significant risk of extinction, sea level has risen, and climate change makes floods and low flows more extreme and frequent.  

    The first step is finding out what can be done to improve the river system and increase its ecological resilience. For salmon that means improving migration to the sea and boosting their odds of returning to spawn.

    Better fish passage and resilient river habitat is needed

    The change in water velocity by underwater structures causes smolt to hesitate and bunch up – making them vulnerable to predation.

    The investigation into options for the lower part of the River Itchen, from Woodmill to Mansbridge, is focused on the main River Itchen, lower Monks Brook, the breached channel, Marlhill Copse stream and neighbouring wetland areas. The study will be completed by October and is expected to identify suitable options ranging from restoring river habitat, improving fish passage and encouraging community engagement and support in the form of citizen science and active management of the area.  

    The River Itchen is a loved environment and a big part of the local community. Local groups, such as The Itchen Estuary Conservation Champions, have been active in shaping areas of focus in the project scope. The youth group has been active in the community, conducting smolt surveys and collecting water samples. Through their citizen science work they have supported the protection of salmon and advocated for more areas to be rewilded alongside salmon protection at a recent engagement event.  

    Councillor John Savage, Cabinet Member for Green City and Net Zero at Southampton City Council, said:

    We are delighted to work closely with community groups whose vital efforts help preserve, protect, and promote the River Itchen.  

    Our ongoing collaboration across various issues ensures the health of the river channels and the wellbeing of young salmon—now more important than ever.  

    Regular meetings with Southern Water and the Environment Agency reinforce our shared commitment to safeguarding this precious ecosystem for future generations.

    The River Itchen and its unique salmon

    Each spring, shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts, begin their journey to the sea. Photo by Kieran Gillingham

    The River Itchen is an internationally renowned chalk stream. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and one of six chalk stream rivers in England to have Atlantic salmon, which have shaped the unique genetic makeup of this species. Despite this list of protections, the Atlantic salmon population remains at high risk of extinction. 

    In response to recent declines in Itchen salmon, the Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan was launched and brings together key conservation groups, fisheries organisations, and government agencies, including Wessex Rivers Trust, Angling Trust, Environment Agency, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Test & Itchen Association, WildFish, Wild Trout Trust, and Southern Water. By combining resources and expertise, the initiative aims to tackle the environmental challenges that threaten salmon populations at every stage of their lifecycle – from river to sea and back again.

    Background 

    The Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan focuses on practical solutions, including: 

    • Restoring habitat: Improving spawning and rearing habitats to support salmon at all life stages. 
    • Enhancing fish passage: Removing barriers that prevent salmon from migrating. 
    • Enhancing water quality – Reducing pollution to create a cleaner, healthier river.  
    • Managing water resources – Addressing over-abstraction to maintain natural river flows. 
    • Strengthening fisheries enforcement: Reducing illegal fishing and poaching. 
    • Engaging communities: Encouraging local people to get involved in protecting their river and its wildlife. 

    The Lower Itchen project is just one action within the plan that the Environment Agency is delivering.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Love Portsmouth pop-up shop bows out on a high!

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The Love Portsmouth pop-up shop at Gunwharf Quays is celebrating its final weekend of trading, marking the end of a highly successful six-month run. This Portsmouth City Council initiative, delivered in partnership with Love Southsea and supported by Landsec, has exceeded expectations, attracted thousands of visitors and provided a valuable platform for local businesses.

    Originally launched in January 2025 for a three-month period, the shop’s popularity led to a three-month extension. In total, over 30 Portsmouth-based businesses have benefited from the opportunity to showcase and sell their products in a premium retail environment.

    The shop has been a springboard for innovation and collaboration. Highlights include:

    • The launch of The Fossil Thief, a new venture by Staggeringly Good Brewery in collaboration with two more Portsmouth businesses.
    • The creation of Ummi Chai, a tea blend created by a collaboration between Tea Mountain and Road from Karachi and Ummi Chai beauty products – a collaboration of Goly Natural and Road from Karachi.
    • Exclusive Portsmouth-themed merchandise developed by Love Southsea.
    • Serving as the official retail outlet for Portsmouth Pride 2025 merchandise.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for economic development said:

    “The Love Portsmouth pop-up has been a fantastic showcase of our city’s entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not only helped small businesses grow but also brought a new energy to our local economy. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and are exploring how we can build on this success to support even more local talent.”

    Yvonne Clay, Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays added:

     “The Love Portsmouth pop up has been an incredible success over the last six months. The initiative has not only provided a brilliant platform for over 30 local businesses to flourish in a premium retail environment but has also brought a unique energy and diverse offering to our guests. We’re proud to have supported such a valuable project that showcases the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of Portsmouth.”

    The Love Portsmouth shop showcases a curated selection of high-quality goods produced by local Portsmouth businesses including natural skincare by Goly Natural, handcrafted jewellery by Wild Jewellery, quality teas by Tea Mountain, handcrafted luxury candles by Salt and Blossom, sustainable designer fashion by SpottandHerbert, merchandise for Portsmouth Pride 2025 and unique children’s clothing by Little Loves Apparel. Local artists also showcased their work.

    Lulu Whitmore, Director of Love Southsea, said:

    “Love Portsmouth has been a joy to deliver. The response from the public to buy local and the success of the businesses involved has been fantastic.”

    The Love Portsmouth pop up shop was funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and will close at 6pm on Monday 30 June.

    For more information visit rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk/love-portsmouth

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interview with Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov to RIA Novosti

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Anton Alikhanov: We are fighting phantom enterprises.

    In an interview with RIA Novosti, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov spoke about how pseudo-Russian brands are identified, what measures the state is introducing to ensure product safety in schools and kindergartens, and the fight against illegal goods.

    Anton Alikhanov (photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, what is the situation with illegal turnover of products in Russia today?

    A. Alikhanov: I would like to start by saying that ten years ago, by decision of the president, a state commission was created to combat illegal turnover of industrial products. It became the main coordinating link in the comprehensive work in the fight against the shadow market. The activities of all industry and regulatory bodies at the federal level are linked through it.

    Various tools are used to reduce the circulation of illegal products. But the most effective has become the digital marking and traceability system of goods “Honest Sign”.

    This direction is already being implemented in all EAEU countries and in Uzbekistan. In Russia, 31 product categories are monitored from the conveyor to the consumer on a mandatory basis, with 16 being subject to an experiment. The government is also considering further expansion of the system to various products, especially in the food industry and industrial goods. The Honest Sign mobile application is used by almost 28 million consumers, they have checked more than 300 million products and identified 240 thousand violations. All complaints are sent to regulatory authorities.

    A. Veselova: What effect on the economy has been recorded in the country from the introduction of labeling?

    A. Alikhanov: According to the Federal Tax Service, over the past five years the economic effect has amounted to 1.2 trillion rubles in the form of tax and other revenues to budgets at all levels. More than half of this amount was achieved by whitening the tobacco market – 627 billion rubles. The results in other product groups are also noticeable. In dairy products – 148 billion rubles, in light industry – 143 billion rubles, in the footwear segment – 85 billion rubles, in perfumery – 35 billion rubles.

    In addition to increasing state revenues, legal businesses earned an additional 687 billion rubles by increasing their market share. And according to Rosstat data, the profitability of sales has increased for all bona fide market participants. Since the launch of mandatory labeling by 2023, tobacco products have increased by 17.9%, packaged water by 13.1%, footwear by 5.7%, and dairy products by 3.2%. I would like to note that these effects have been achieved without a noticeable impact on the final price for the consumer. According to the Research Institute of the Ministry of Finance, the share of labeling in the cost price is no more than 1%.

    A. Veselova: Since April 2024, a permit regime has been in effect for a number of goods in Russia, which checks the quality of the goods through a special QR code; if the product is of poor quality, the system will not allow the buyer to purchase it. How effective is this mechanism? How does the regime protect consumers?

    A. Alikhanov: Due to the introduction of a permit regime at store checkouts, sales of 1.2 billion low-quality or illegal goods have been blocked. Among them: beer – 299 million units, milk – 243 million, tobacco – 311 million, in the light industry – 187 million, soft drinks – 110 million. This system already applies to 16 groups of goods and will be expanded this year to non-alcoholic beer, caviar, veterinary drugs, technical rehabilitation equipment and bicycles.

    The labeling system allows for batches of unsafe products to be blocked within an hour by decision of regulatory authorities. For example, Rospotrebnadzor, based on research, did this proactively with respect to six million dietary supplements across the country with dangerous levels of lithium, melatonin, and simethicone. Similarly, due to a poisoning incident, sales of a batch of 2.5 million bottles of water were promptly stopped. Thus, we now have a mechanism for quickly stopping sales of products whose quality and safety are in doubt.

    It is important that we not only control the products themselves, but also close illegal production facilities, in particular 56 tobacco factories, using control bodies. At the same time, many enterprises left the shadow sector and began to operate according to the law. This is how more than 550 “new” water producers appeared, the number of legal importers of dietary supplements increased tenfold and those who produce them tripled.

    A. Veselova: What is happening now in the sphere of state control over industrial products?

    A. Alikhanov: State control is one of the key mechanisms for consumer protection. It ensures quality control and product safety in accordance with established requirements at all stages – during production, delivery and circulation.

    Today, the safety of certain types of products is confirmed by a certificate or declaration, while there is no further state control over such products. That is, there may be cases when an unscrupulous manufacturer provides the laboratory with a so-called “golden sample” that fully complies with the requirements. This is how he receives a certificate. And the product goes to the market under this certificate, but it does not comply with the requirements. As a result, unsafe products may end up on the shelf.

    A. Veselova: Are you developing additional mechanisms to protect consumers in order to prevent unsafe products from entering the market?

    A. Alikhanov: We have developed a set of measures with the Ministry of Economic Development. First of all, these are changes to the legislation to restore state control over certain types of industrial products – I believe that it will be effective. This is confirmed by the experiment that Rosstandart is conducting on certain types of construction products and materials. We are talking about cable products, various types of cement, construction and concrete mixtures, as well as heating convectors and radiators. Over two thousand control measures have already been carried out in a year of the experiment.

    According to the inspection results, 57% of cases revealed violations of product quality requirements. Such unsafe products are recalled from the market. For example, in St. Petersburg, about 6 thousand tons of dry construction mixtures worth a total of about 104 million rubles were withdrawn from circulation. And such cases are not isolated.

    Another significant initiative in this direction was introduced by the State Duma deputies. They proposed to legislatively enshrine the regulation of technical conditions, according to which manufacturers often release their products. We fully support this approach.

    A. Veselova: What is the difference between technical conditions and technical regulations? What effect do you expect from fixing technical conditions?

    A. Alikhanov: Technical conditions today are a non-public document in which the manufacturer himself defines the requirements for his products. Formally, they should not be lower than the requirements of technical regulations. But technical regulations establish only minimum safety requirements and do not affect quality parameters. Therefore, the requirements of technical conditions may be lower than GOSTs. A simple example: if a manufacturer puts saury in a can labeled “kilka”, this may not violate safety standards or technical conditions. But it absolutely does not meet consumer expectations and, most importantly, violates GOST requirements.

    We are confident that the removal of technical specifications from the unregulated zone will increase transparency and ensure fair competition. In addition, it will involve bona fide manufacturers in the national standardization process. Ultimately, this will have a positive effect on the quality of products released into circulation and will increase consumer confidence.

    A. Veselova: What additional measures are being taken to protect products from possible attempts at counterfeiting?

    A. Alikhanov: We conducted an experiment with the Ministry of Economic Development and the CRPT, following which the government adopted Resolution No. 837, which comes into force on September 1. It strengthens control not only over the availability, but also the content of permits for goods in the labeling system. This will allow us to confirm their relevance and compliance with the declared products. If the documents do not pass the check, the products will not be allowed on the market.

    In addition, a ban on sales at the checkout will be introduced if the permits are declared invalid after the products have been put into circulation. We are currently verifying the contents of the documents with the state registers of Rosaccreditation and Rospotrebnadzor. In the future, we will expand the array of data on the products themselves and whether the company has the right to produce them. We are discussing this decision with the member countries of the association and expect a positive decision from the Eurasian Economic Commission.

    A. Veselova: How does the ministry combat pseudo-Russian brands? How acute is this issue today?

    A. Alikhanov: We are conducting an experiment to identify such manufacturers and phantom enterprises. For example, more than 2.8 thousand shoe manufacturers are registered in the marking system, of which almost 470 are in Moscow. If the system reveals, based on risk indicators, that the activities of such companies deviate from the norm and raise suspicions, then representatives of the CRPT and Rospotrebnadzor conduct an on-site inspection. In fact, they determine whether there is real production or just a legal entity that legalizes illegal products.

    The first results showed that 92% of inspections of footwear, consumer goods and dietary supplements were fake enterprises. Their addresses were found to be vacant lots, residential buildings or abandoned buildings. These companies tried to “legalize” products that did not correspond to the declared documents. In some cases, there is reason to believe that these are imports that are registered as products of Russian origin in order to evade customs duties and control.

    Based on the results of the experiment, a mechanism was developed to limit the issuance of marking codes to such legal entities and block their products. Before the traceability system appeared, this was impossible to do. For now, we have extended this algorithm to the least regulated industries – footwear, light industry, perfumery, tires and dietary supplements. Then we will cover other product categories.

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, there was information on the Internet about the incorrect operation of the marking system in case of unstable Internet operation? Do you know about this, does such a problem really exist?

    A. Alikhanov: Since March 1, 2025, an offline mode has been introduced for a number of product groups that require mandatory labeling, which allows checking the product even without the Internet. To do this, a special local module of the system is installed at the checkout, into which a database of labeled products is loaded. When attempting to make a sale, the system first accesses the online database, and if the check fails, for example, due to the lack of Internet, it loads data from the local module. Thus, the system ensures correct operation even during temporary Internet problems.

    A. Veselova: Today, more and more people use marketplaces, but it is difficult to check the quality of goods there. What measures do you plan to take in connection with counterfeit products on marketplaces?

    A. Alikhanov: In our opinion, it is necessary to strengthen control over marketplaces in order to exclude violations when selling marked goods on the Internet. The draft law “On the platform economy” provides for the obligations of trading platforms to check the registration of the seller, the product and its code in the marking system. If any of these criteria are not met, the offer should not be reflected in the buyer’s search. While such requirements have not yet been enshrined in law, CRPT has entered into agreements with the largest marketplaces: Yandex, Wildberries, SberMegaMarket, Samokat, Ozon, AliExpress and Russian Post. These online platforms have undertaken to independently check customer complaints received through the Honest Sign application and take action against violators. According to the marking system, 95% of complaints were confirmed. In relation to a third of them, marketplaces applied sanctions: fines, blocking goods or warnings. For the rest, sellers received notifications demanding that they eliminate the violations.

    A. Veselova: Today, goods from the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union cross customs under a simplified regime. There are frequent cases where goods illegally enter one of these countries and then travel to Russia. Is the Ministry working on measures to strengthen control in such cases?

    A. Alikhanov: Our country is the largest market in the EAEU and, of course, there are cases that you mentioned. Often these goods then end up, for example, in the fake production facilities that I mentioned earlier.

    To solve the problem, it is necessary, firstly, to harmonize the list of goods that are subject to mandatory labeling. That is, the nomenclature must be uniform in all EAEU countries. This is what we are discussing with our colleagues.

    Secondly, it is necessary to ensure regular verification of information from the labeling system with data from the EAEU member states on goods sent to Russia. This also concerns the verification of mirror customs statistics and the country of origin of the goods.

    A. Veselova: What effect do you expect from the experiment to control the supply of unsafe and low-quality food products to social institutions?

    A. Alikhanov: With the introduction of a permit regime at cash registers and the integration of the marking system with Mercury, counterfeit products were blocked from entering stores. But we see that dubious products have begun to appear in schools and hospitals where there are no cash registers.

    In order to set a barrier for it, at the end of last year, we decided at the state commission to start an experiment in the labeling system to control the supply of food products to the social sphere. So far, it covers several regions – Krasnodar, Perm, Stavropol and Khabarovsk Territories, Moscow and Novosibirsk Regions, St. Petersburg. We will complete it by September, having created criteria and a mechanism for stopping this practice. The experiment affects packaged water and dairy products, which are subject to labeling. In the near future, we will make such control mandatory, since we are already seeing successful results.

    A. Veselova: What are the prospects for the development of the labeling system in Russia in the future?

    A. Alikhanov: The introduction of labeling is advisable for goods that are most sensitive to illegal trafficking. Therefore, the government will systematically expand the range of products, including industrial products. We are conducting experiments on radio electronics, building materials, and radiators. We are working on traceability issues for the raw materials from which these goods are made.

    We will scale and develop the labeling system, supplement it with new functionality. That is, we will continue to narrow the opportunities for various tricks that pose a threat to human health and undermine food and economic security.

    Source – RIA Novosti.

    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

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Working Group on Patriotic Education holds third meeting (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Working Group on Patriotic Education holds third meeting  
         This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War (80A). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government places great importance on planning 80A commemorative activities. The Chief Executive clearly stated in last year’s Policy Address that the Government will host a series of commemorative activities to further enhance the public’s spirit of patriotism and sense of national belonging. The Working Group is responsible for co-ordinating the relevant bureaux and departments in organising various commemorative activities.
     
         The Chairman of the CBLPSC and Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that over the past few months, various bureaux and departments have been formulating proposals and making preparations for different types of commemorative activities. At today’s meeting, the Working Group discussed the content of various commemorative activities and the four core spirits and principles that should be upheld in planning these activities. First, activities should be guided by the core spirit of “remembering history, honouring martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating a great future” and based on correct historical perspectives, so that members of the public can thoroughly understand the history of the War of Resistance and work together to cherish and safeguard peace. Second, Hong Kong’s contributions to the victory in the War of Resistance should be highlighted, along with in-depth research into historical materials about Hong Kong’s wartime history as well as proper restoration and protection of war-related sites. Third, the activities should have a focus on young people, with a view to helping them learn about the history of the War of Resistance and the arduous journey towards national prosperity and strength, thereby fostering their sense of national identity and spirit. Fourth, people from all walks of life should be engaged, including motivating and supporting different community groups to organise commemorative events, and encouraging the public to actively participate in such events.
     
         The Convenor of the Working Group, Dr Starry Lee, said that the four sub-groups under the Working Group had separately held meetings, focusing on putting forward plans and proposals on related commemorative activities across four aspects, namely education; local community; history, politics, economics and culture; and media publicity. The Working Group will continue to work closely with relevant bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government, aiming to deepen public understanding of the history of the War of Resistance through commemorative activities that are diverse in type and rich in content, and thus make the patriotic spirit take root in Hong Kong.
     
         Currently, preparations for various activities to commemorate the victory in the War of Resistance are progressing steadily. These include an official ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden on September 3, the Victory Day of the War of Resistance, to honour the occasion; thematic exhibitions co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the National Museum of China, as well as the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History; educational activities for members of the public, young people and students; and screenings of war-related films. In addition, different community groups have been organising commemorative activities in various forms. The HKSAR Government will announce more details in due course and release information on commemorative events, exhibitions and educational activities through a dedicated webpage to facilitate public viewing and participation.
    Issued at HKT 19:42

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News