Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Director General Grossi’s Statement to UNSC on Situation in Iran

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Early this morning, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed of the military operation launched by Israel which includes attacks on nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    As I reported this morning to the IAEA Board of Governors, we have been in permanent contact with the Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority, to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security.

    Iran has confirmed that at present, only the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant site has been attacked in today’s strikes. This facility contains the Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant.

    At Natanz, the above-ground part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, where Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60% U-235, has been destroyed.

    Electricity infrastructure at the facility (electrical sub-station, main electric power supply building, emergency power supply and back-up generators) has been destroyed.

    There is no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant and the main Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, the loss of power to the cascade hall may have damaged the centrifuges there.

    The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels indicating no external radiological impact to the population or the environment from this event.

    However, due to the impacts, there is radiological and chemical contamination inside the facilities in Natanz. The type of radiation present inside the facility, primarily alpha particles, is manageable with appropriate radiation protection measures.

    At present, the Iranian authorities are informing us of attacks on the other facilities, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant; and Esfahan site, where a fuel plate fabrication plant, a fuel manufacturing plant, a uranium conversion facility and an enriched UO2 powder plant are located. However I have to inform that at this moment we do not have enough information beyond indicating that military activity has been taking place around these facilities as well which initially had not been part of military operation.

    All these developments are deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment.  Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security.

    In this regard, the IAEA recalls the numerous General Conference resolutions on the topic of military attacks against nuclear facilities, in particular, GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, which provide, inter alia, that “any armed attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency”. 

    Furthermore, the IAEA has consistently underlined that “armed attacks on nuclear facilities could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked”, as was stated in GC(XXXIV)/RES/533.

    As Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and consistent with the objectives of the IAEA under the IAEA Statute, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.

    Madame Under Secretary General evoked that yesterday, the Board of Governors of the IAEA adopted an important resolution on Iran’s safeguards obligations. In addition to this, the Board resolution stressed its support for a diplomatic solution to the problems posed by the Iranian nuclear programme.

    The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely.  Our Incident and Emergency Center (IEC) has maintained continuous contact with Iranian authorities from the onset of the attack, regularly confirming the status of the facilities and will continue to do so in the coming days. Additionally, we have established a task force comprising several senior staff members to monitor the situation closely over the next few days, and they will be available 24/7at the disposal of the UNSC.

    The IAEA stands ready to provide technical assistance, and remains committed to its nuclear safety, security and safeguards mandate in all circumstances. I stand ready to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including, deploying Agency nuclear security and safety experts (in addition to our safeguards inspectors in Iran) wherever necessary to ensure that nuclear installations are fully protected and continue to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

    As I informed today the IAEA Board of Governors, I have indicated to the respective authorities my readiness to travel at the earliest to assess the situation and ensure safety, security and non-proliferation in Iran.

    I have also been in contact with our inspectors in Iran and Israel. The safety of our staff is of paramount importance. All necessary actions are being taken to ensure they are not harmed.

    Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward—for Iran, for Israel, the entire region, and the international community—is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation. 

    The International Atomic Energy Agency, as the International technical institution entrusted with overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, remains a unique and vital forum for dialogue, especially now. 

    In accordance with its Statute and longstanding mandate, the IAEA provides the framework and natural platform where facts prevail over rhetoric and where engagement can replace escalation. 

    I reaffirm the Agency’s readiness to facilitate technical discussions and support efforts that promote transparency, safety, security and the peaceful resolution of nuclear-related issues in Iran.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Statement on the Situation in Iran

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. (Photo: D. Calma/IAEA)

    Early this morning, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed of the military operation launched by Israel which includes attacks on nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

    We are currently in contact with the Iranian nuclear safety authorities to ascertain the status of relevant nuclear facilities and to assess any wider impacts on nuclear safety and security. At present, the competent Iranian authorities have confirmed that the Natanz enrichment site has been impacted and that there are no elevated radiation levels. They have also reported that at present the Esfahan and Fordow sites have not been impacted.

    This development is deeply concerning. I have repeatedly stated that nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment.  Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security.

    In this regard, the IAEA recalls the numerous General Conference resolutions on the topic of military attacks against nuclear facilities, in particular, GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, which provide, inter alia, that “any armed attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency”. 

    Furthermore, the IAEA has consistently underlined that “armed attacks on nuclear facilities could result in radioactive releases with grave consequences within and beyond the boundaries of the State which has been attacked”, as was stated in GC(XXXIV)/RES/533.

    As Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and consistent with the objectives of the IAEA under the IAEA Statute, I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation. I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond.

    Yesterday, the Board of Governors adopted an important resolution on Iran’s safeguards obligations. In addition to this, the Board resolution stressed its support for a diplomatic solution to the problems posed by the Iranian nuclear programme.

    The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, stands ready to provide technical assistance, and remains committed to its nuclear safety, security and safeguards mandate in all circumstances. I stand ready to engage with all relevant parties to help ensure the protection of nuclear facilities and the continued peaceful use of nuclear technology in accordance with the Agency mandate, including, deploying Agency nuclear security and safety experts (in addition to our safeguards inspectors in Iran) wherever necessary to ensure that nuclear installations are fully protected and continue to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

    I wish to inform the Board that I have indicated to the respective authorities my readiness to travel at the earliest to assess the situation and ensure safety, security and non-proliferation in Iran.

    I have also been in contact with our inspectors in Iran and Israel. The safety of our staff is of paramount importance. All necessary actions are being taken to ensure they are not harmed.

    Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward—for Iran, for Israel, the entire region, and the international community—is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation. 

    The International Atomic Energy Agency, as the international technical institution entrusted with overseeing the peaceful use of nuclear energy, remains the unique and vital forum for dialogue, especially now. 

    In accordance with its Statute and longstanding mandate, the IAEA provides the framework and natural platform where facts prevail over rhetoric and where engagement can replace escalation. 

    I reaffirm the Agency’s readiness to facilitate technical discussions and support efforts that promote transparency, safety, security and the peaceful resolution of nuclear-related issues in Iran.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Update 296 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Nuclear safety remains precarious at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and its six reactors cannot be restarted as long as the military conflict continues to jeopardize the situation at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told IAEA Member States this week.

    Addressing the regular June meeting of the Board of Governors, the Director General briefed them about his 12th mission to Ukraine during the current conflict, which took place in early June, followed by a visit to Russia, which also focused on nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP.

    Addressing the Board meeting, he highlighted “the extremely vulnerable” status of the off-site power supply at the site, which for more than a month now has relied on one single power line for the electricity it needs to cool its reactors and spent fuel. Before the conflict, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP) had access to ten power lines.

    In addition, Director General Grossi noted that the ZNPP reactors’ “reliance on groundwater for cooling remains an interim solution, whilst in their cold shutdown state”.  The plant has depended on 11 groundwater wells since the downstream Kakhovka dam was destroyed two years ago.

    In their meeting in Kyiv on 3 June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “made a point to recognize the importance of the IAEA’s permanent presence” at the ZNPP, the Director General told the Board, adding he had assured President Zelenskyy of the IAEA’s continued commitment to Ukraine’s nuclear safety and to helping it rebuild its energy infrastructure.

    The Director General added: “As the military conflict moves further into its fourth year, Ukraine needs support, and the IAEA is providing it … it is also crucial to prepare for the reconstruction phase.”

    At the ZNPP, the IAEA team based there has held several meetings with the ZNPP to discuss the site’s electrical system and also visited its 750 kilovolt (kV) switchyard.

    Apart from the sole remaining 330 kV back-up line that was disconnected due to military activities on 7 May, the site does not know the current condition of its five other 330 kV lines, which remain unavailable after they were damaged outside of the ZNPP area early in the conflict.

    The ZNPP said maintenance work was conducted at one of the four 750 kV power lines that was originally connected to the ZNPP before being damaged in 2022. Since the conflict, the ZNPP had lost access to three of its 750 kV lines.

    In addition, the ZNPP informed the IAEA about a planned project to pump water into the cooling pond from the Dnipro River in order to maintain a water level that is sufficient to cool one operating reactor initially, followed by a second unit, until the pond reaches its full capacity. According to the site, a pumping station will be constructed to supply water directly to the cooling pond until the plant can rebuild the Kakhovka dam.

    The exact location of the pumping station cannot yet be determined, as it depends on the security conditions, the ZNPP said, adding the project would only start once military activities cease.

    Separately this week, the IAEA team was informed that that the Russian regulator, Rostekhnadzor, over the next two weeks will perform pre-licensing inspection activities at ZNPP reactor units 1 and 2, whose current operational licences issued by Ukraine are due to expire in December this year and in February 2026, respectively. The IAEA team has requested to observe these activities and will seek additional information regarding items such as the scope of these undertakings and any criteria for assessing nuclear safety.

    Over the past several weeks, the IAEA team has also been monitoring a leak in one reactor unit’s essential service water system which delivers cooling water to the safety systems. The leak – which can occur in NPPs without any significant safety consequences – was discovered during maintenance and the team was informed that it was caused by corrosion. It has since been repaired.

    The IAEA team reported hearing military activities on most days over the past weeks, at varying distances away from the ZNPP including last week’s purported drone attack on the site’s training centre.

    The Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and the South Ukraine NPPs are continuing to operate amid the problems caused by the conflict. Three of their nine operating reactor units are still undergoing planned outages for refuelling and maintenance. The IAEA teams at these plants and the Chornobyl sites have continued to report on – and be informed about – nearby military activities, including drones observed flying nearby. Last Monday, the IAEA teams at Khmelnytskyy and Rivne were required to shelter.

    Over the past two weeks, the IAEA teams based at these four sites have all rotated.

    As part of the IAEA’s assistance programme to support nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, the Chornobyl site received essential items to improve staff living conditions and the National Scientific Centre Institute of Metrology received personal radiation detectors.

    These deliveries were funded by Austria, Belgium, France and Norway and brought the total number of IAEA-coordinated deliveries since the start of the armed conflict to 140.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA and FAO Conduct First Atoms4Food Assessment Mission to Burkina Faso

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The joint IAEA and FAO Assessment Mission team examine new rice varieties during the first Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso. (Photo: Victor Owino/IAEA)

    In a critical step toward addressing food insecurity in West Africa, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations have launched their first joint Atoms4Food Initiative Assessment Mission in Burkina Faso. 

    This mission aims to identify key gaps and opportunities for delivering targeted technical support to Burkina Faso for food and agriculture in a country where an estimated 3.5 million people—nearly 20% of the population—are facing food insecurity. By leveraging nuclear science and technology, Atoms4Food seeks to bolster agricultural resilience and agrifood systems in one of the region’s most vulnerable nations.

    The mission, conducted from 26 May to 1 June, assessed how nuclear and related technologies are being used in Burkina Faso to address challenges in enhancing crop production, improving soil quality and in animal production and health, as well as human nutrition.

    The Atoms4Food Initiative was launched jointly by IAEA and FAO in 2023 to help boost food security and tackle growing hunger around the world. Atoms4Food will support countries to use innovative nuclear techniques such as sterile insect technique and plant mutation breeding to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food safety, improve nutrition and adapt agrifood systems to the challenges of climate change. Almost €9 million has been pledged by IAEA donor countries and private companies to the initiative so far.

    As part of the Atoms4Food initiative, Assessment Missions are used to evaluate the specific needs and priorities of participating countries and identify critical gaps and opportunities where nuclear science and technology can offer impactful solutions. Based on the findings, tailored and country-specific solutions will be offered.

    Burkina Faso is one of 29 countries who have so far requested to receive support under Atoms4Food, with more expected this year. Alongside Benin, Pakistan, Peru and Türkiye, Burkina Faso was among the first countries to request an Atoms4Food Assessment Mission in 2025.

    A large proportion of Burkina Faso’s population still live in poverty and inequality.  Food insecurity has been compounded by rapid population growth, gender inequality and low levels of educational attainment. In addition, currently, 50% of rice consumed in Burkina Faso is imported. The government aims to achieve food sovereignty by producing sufficient rice domestically to reduce reliance on imports.

    “Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise globally, and Burkina Faso is particularly vulnerable to this growing challenge,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. “This first Atoms4Food assessment mission marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to harness the power of nuclear science to enhance food security. As the Atoms4Food Initiative expands worldwide, we are committed to delivering tangible, sustainable solutions to reduce hunger and malnutrition.”

    The mission was conducted by a team of ten international experts in the areas of crop production, soil and water management, animal production and health and human nutrition. During the mission, the team held high-level meetings with the Burkina Faso Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Environment and conducted site visits to laboratories including the animal health laboratory and crop breeding facility at the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research, the crop genetics and nutrition laboratories at the University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, and the bull station of the Ministry of Agriculture in Loumbila.

    “The Government of Burkina Faso is striving to achieve food security and sovereignty, to supply the country’s population with sufficient, affordable, nutritious and safe food, while strengthening the sustainability of the agrifood systems value-chain,” said Dongxin Feng, Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and head of the mission to Burkina Faso. “Though much needs to be done, our mission found strong dedication and commitment from the Government in developing climate-resilient strategies for crops, such as rice, potato, sorghum and mango, strengthening sustainable livestock production of cattle, small ruminants and local poultry, as well as reducing malnutrition among infants and children, while considering the linkages with food safety.”

    The Assessment Mission will deliver an integrated Assessment Report with concrete recommendations on areas for intervention under the Atoms4Food Initiative. This will help develop a National Action Plan in order to scale up the joint efforts made by the two organizations in the past decades, which will include expanding partnership and resource mobilization. “Our priority now is to deliver a concrete mission report with actionable recommendations that will support the development of the National Action Plan aimed at improving the country’s long term food security,” Feng added.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Led by IAEA, International Team Samples Treated Water under Additional Measures at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) led a team of international experts to collect samples today of ALPS treated water stored at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) prior to the water’s dilution with seawater and its discharge to the sea.

    The sampling mission is the fourth under the additional measures, which focus on expanding international participation and transparency. These measures permit third parties to independently verify that water discharge which Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) – operator of the FDNPS – began in August 2023 continues to be consistent with international safety standards.

    International experts from Belgium, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and Switzerland, along with IAEA staff, conducted hands-on sampling of the water stored in tanks designated for the 14th batch of ALPS-treated water to be discharged.

    The IAEA initiated the first practical steps of the additional measures in October last year. This fourth mission follows the mission in April which sampled diluted water just prior to its discharge into the sea, and a mission in February when IAEA Director General Grossi presided over the additional measures to  collect seawater samples in the vicinity of FDNPS.

    The samples collected in today’s mission will be analysed by the participating laboratories – the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, the China Institute of Atomic Energy, the Korean Institute for Nuclear Safety, the Institute for Problems of Environmental Monitoring of the Research and Production Association “Typhoon” in Russia and the Spiez Laboratory in Switzerland – as well as by the IAEA’s laboratory and TEPCO in Japan. All laboratories are members of the IAEA’s Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) network, which are selected for their high level of expertise and analytical proficiency.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA and MedAccess Launch Partnership to Expand Access to Cancer Care

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    A person receiving radiotherapy treatment for liver cancer in Mumbai, India. (Photo: IAEA)

    The IAEA and UK social enterprise MedAccess have launched a new partnership under the Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative. This collaboration will focus on advancing innovative financing solutions to improve access to affordable, high-quality radiation medicine services in low- and middle-income countries.

    “Through this partnership with MedAccess under the framework of the Rays of Hope initiative, we are unlocking new pathways to accelerate access to life-saving cancer care” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during the partnership signing ceremony on Monday. “By combining financial innovation with technical expertise, we are helping countries turn ambition into action”.

    “Innovative financing models have an important role in enabling countries to invest in radiotherapy equipment and services for cancer patients,” MedAccess CEO Michael Anderson said. “Rays of Hope provides a platform to evaluate and test such models to accelerate access to reliable radiation therapy.”

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Nuclear Techniques Make Waves at UN Ocean Conference

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi during the high-level event on combatting marine pollution at the United Nations Conference in Nice, France  (Photo: E. McDonald/IAEA)

    The IAEA highlighted the role of nuclear science in protecting our oceans at the 2025 United Nations Oceans Conference held last week in Nice, France.

    Co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, the conference convened over 10,000 participants, including scientists, diplomats and politicians, to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. It aimed to accelerate progress towards SDG14, Life Below Water, through innovative technologies and action. The IAEA took center stage at the event to share how nuclear technology is boosting ocean health and tackling critical threats such as marine plastic pollution.

    The IAEA organized and participated in more than a dozen events at the conference, and on research vessels in the Port of Nice. Experts from the IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco highlighted how isotopic tools can help monitor and reduce plastic pollution in the ocean.

    Plastic waste is not only infiltrating our oceans, but also the human body in the form of microplastics. Without urgent action, the amount of plastic entering the ocean each year could reach 37 million metric tons by 2040, according to UN estimates, becoming a threat to marine and human life.

    Plastic pollution featured prominently throughout the conference, with a focus on the ongoing negotiations for the development of an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. The negotiations for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-led treaty are expected to conclude later this year in Geneva, following five previous sessions.

    At the conference, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi spoke about the IAEA’s work to combat plastic pollution and emphasized the need to share data data between scientists, policymakers and environmental agencies.

    “Four years ago, at the last UN Ocean Conference, I announced NUTEC Plastics, an initiative that gives countries the tools they need to address the issue of marine microplastic pollution. Today, I am delighted to report that we have made significant progress with 99 countries involved, and we have been equipping more than 100 Member State laboratories all over the world. We are building the capacity that countries need to translate data into policies and action.”

    NUTEC Plastics is an IAEA flagship initiative that supports countries in researching microplastics and using nuclear techniques to improve recycling techniques.

    Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories Florence Descroix-Comanducci (left), highlighted the work of the IAEA’s Marine environment laboratories at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in France (Photo: E.McDonald/IAEA)

    “Nuclear and isotopic techniques add incredible value to boost ocean health,” said Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Marine Environment Laboratories. “Our laboratories in Monaco support Member States in the implementation and use of these techniques, and to develop harmonized methods to generate globally comparable data, especially in light of the forthcoming plastics treaty.”

    At events organized by the IAEA, panelists highlighted the need to address the top of the plastic life cycle to prevent further pollution, employing a “source to sea approach” to reduce marine litter and, by extension, marine plastic pollution. “Our metrics on marine litter are moving in the right direction,” said Martin Adams, Head of the Environment Department at the European Environment Agency. “Timely and relevant data are increasingly important, but we don’t need to know everything. We just need to know enough to act.” Other events organized by the IAEA focused on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal, ocean acidification, IAEA support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and nuclear energy and ocean health.

    The IAEA’s unique expertise in nuclear applications is contributing to both mitigations, by using radiation technology for waste recycling, and monitoring, by using isotopic techniques to monitor and assess impacts of microplastic pollution. Through the NUTEC Plastics initiative, 99 countries are participating in marine monitoring of microplastics, and 52 around the world are developing innovative recycling technology.

    The International High-Level Forum on NUTEC Plastics, organized by the IAEA on 25–26 November 2025, in Manila, Philippines, will highlight the progress achieved to date, address current challenges, and chart course to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the sustainable management of plastic waste through innovative nuclear technologies.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: IAEA to Host Eighth Review Meeting of the Joint Convention

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The Eighth Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (the Joint Convention) will be held at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the M-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) from 17 to 28 March. 

    IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will address the opening plenary session on 17 March at 09:00 CET. Jean-Luc Lachaume, Commissioner of the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection, will preside over the Eighth Review Meeting and will open the proceedings.   

    In force since 2001, the Joint Convention seeks to achieve and maintain a high level of worldwide safety in spent fuel and radioactive waste management. Currently, of the 180 IAEA Member States, 90 are party to the Convention. At Review Meetings held every three years, the Contracting Parties to the Joint Convention present and discuss national reports on the implementation of obligations under the Convention. 

    The agenda for the two-week meeting also includes a topical session on knowledge management related to long term management of disused sealed radioactive sources, radioactive waste and spent fuel, and a discussion of Contracting Parties’ proposals for enhancing the review process. 

    Press Opportunities 

    Journalists are invited to attend: 

    • and the part of the closing session where the Contracting Parties will adopt a Summary Report – currently foreseen to be held in the afternoon of 28 March. For the exact timing of the closing session, please contact press@iaea.org

    Both sessions will be streamed live and will take place in Boardroom B/M1 in M Building of the VIC. Photos will also be made available at the IAEA Flickr page

    Accreditation 

    All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEAPress Office.  

    We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna.  

    Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check.  

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Media Invited to Attend IAEA’s International Stakeholder Engagement Conference for Nuclear Power Programmes

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will host the International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes next week, providing a global platform to exchange good practices, experiences, challenges and lessons learned related to stakeholder engagement for nuclear power programmes.

    The conference, which is open to media, will take place from 26 to 30 May at the IAEA in the M-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). The conference will also be livestreamed.

    A dialogue between IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Robert Stone, director of the documentary Pandora’s Promise, will open the conference on Monday, 26 May, at 10:00. Isabelle Boemeke, nuclear energy influencer, will moderate the session.

    Over 500 participants from about 80 countries and 13 international organizations are registered to participate in the event. 

    Stakeholder engagement is an essential part of nuclear power programmes. It aims to enhance public confidence, strengthen communication and support informed decision making through strong, long-term relationships with stakeholders. The conference will cover development and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategies; managing changing landscapes; crisis communication and emergency preparedness; outreach and media relations. A series of side events will highlight the roles of private philanthropy, gender perceptions and art in shaping stakeholder engagement. See the full programme here.

    Nuclear Communities and Mayors in Focus, a unique platform for open dialogue and the exchange of ideas among municipal leaders from around the world, will take place in the afternoon of Tuesday, 27 May. A family photo will be taken at 13:30.

    The conference will also feature art submitted for the contest, NuclearPop! Redefining Nuclear Energy in Popular Culture, in the Rotunda of the VIC.

    Accreditation

    All journalists – including those with permanent accreditation to the Vienna International Centre (VIC) – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans to attend the conference in person. Journalists without permanent accreditation to the VIC must send copies of their passport and press ID to press@iaea.org by 12:00 CEST on Friday, 23 May.

    Journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation are encouraged to request it at UNIS Vienna.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Press Arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 9-13 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors will convene its regular June meeting at the Agency’s headquarters at 10:00 CEST on Monday, 9 June, in Board Room C, Building C, 4th floor, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC). 

    Board discussions are expected to include, among others: Annual Report for 2024; strengthening of the Agency’s technical cooperation activities: Technical Cooperation Report for 2024; Report of the Programme and Budget Committee; verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015); staff of the Department of Safeguards to be used as Agency inspectors; Safeguards Implementation Report for 2024; application of safeguards in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic; NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran; nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine; transfer of the nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT; designation of members to serve on the Board in 2025–2026; provisional agenda for the 69th regular session of the General Conference; restoration of the sovereign equality of Member States in the IAEA; and representation of other organizations at the 69th regular session of the General Conference.

    The Board of Governors meeting is closed to the press. 

    IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will open the meeting with an introductory statement, which will be released to journalists after delivery and posted on the IAEA website.  

    Press Conference 

    Director General Grossi is expected to hold a press conference at 12:30 CEST on Monday, 9 June, in the Press Room of the M building. 

    A live video stream of the press conference will be available. The IAEA will provide video footage of the press conference and the Director General’s opening statement here and will make photos available on Flickr.  

    Photo Opportunity 

    There will be a photo opportunity with the IAEA Director General and the Chair of the Board, Ambassador Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman of Ghana, before the start of the Board meeting, on 9 June at 10:00 CEST in Board Room C, in the C building in the VIC. 

    Press Working Area 

    The Press Room of the M building’s ground floor will be available as a press working area, starting from 09:00 CEST on 9 June.

    Accreditation

    All journalists interested in covering the meeting in person – including those with permanent accreditation – are requested to inform the IAEA Press Office of their plans. Journalists without permanent accreditation must send copies of their passport and press ID to the IAEAPress Office by 14:00 CEST on Friday, 6 June. 

    We encourage those journalists who do not yet have permanent accreditation to request it at UNIS Vienna

    Please plan your arrival to allow sufficient time to pass through the VIC security check. 

    The time for the press conference was updated from an earlier version. 

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Update: Press Arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 9-13 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    Update: IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is expected to hold a press conference at 12:30 CEST on Monday, 9 June, in the Press Room of the M building. 

    A live video stream of the press conference will be available. The IAEA will provide video footage of the press conference and the Director General’s opening Board of Governor’s statement here and will make photos available on Flickr.  

    For all information about the press arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 9-13 June 2025 please see here.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Press Arrangements for IAEA Board of Governors Meeting, 16 June 2025

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

    The IAEA Board of Governors will convene a meeting at the Agency’s headquarters starting at 10:00 CEST on Monday, 16 June, in Board Room C, Building C, 4th floor, in the Vienna International Centre (VIC).

    The meeting is convened by the Chair of the Board following a request from the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation for “an urgent session of the IAEA Board of Governors on the matter related to the Israeli attacks against the Iranian nuclear facilities that are under the IAEA safeguards”.

    The Board of Governors meeting is closed to the press.

    Photo Opportunity 

    There will be a photo opportunity with the IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and the Chair of the Board, Ambassador Matilda Aku Alomatu Osei-Agyeman of Ghana, before the start of the Board meeting, on 16 June at 10:00 CEST in Board Room C, in the C building in the VIC. 

    Accreditation and Press Working Area:

    The Press Room on the M-Building’s ground floor will be available as a press working area starting from 9:00 CEST on 16 June.

    Journalists are requested to register with the Press Office by 08:00 CEST on Monday, 16 June. Please email press@iaea.org.

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi returns to Beijing after attending 2nd China-Central Asia Summit 2025-06-18 17:47:11 Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Wednesday after attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana of Kazakhstan.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Wednesday after attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana of Kazakhstan.

      Xi’s entourage, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, returned by the same flight.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • INS Arnala, India’s first indigenous anti-submarine shallow water craft, commissioned into Navy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major boost to India’s coastal defence capabilities, the Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Arnala, the country’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan presided over the commissioning ceremony.

    “INS Arnala – the pioneering Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft – proudly joins the Indian Navy today, 18 June 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam,” the Indian Navy said in a statement.

    Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and delivered on 8 May at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli under a public-private partnership, INS Arnala is the first in a series of eight ASW-SWCs being developed to strengthen India’s coastal defence, according to a previous statement from the Ministry of Defence.

    The 77-metre-long vessel, named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, is equipped with advanced underwater surveillance systems and mine-laying capabilities. It is designed for operations in shallow waters and is the largest Indian naval warship propelled by a diesel engine–waterjet combination.

    According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the ship has been designed for underwater surveillance, search and rescue operations, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

    The ship’s crest features a stylised auger shell, symbolising resilience and vigilance in hostile environments, while its motto, Arnave Shauryam – “Valour in the Ocean” – reflects the courage of its crew.

    The Defence Ministry also said that the induction of ASW-SWC ships would significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s shallow water anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal regions. It marks another milestone in the Navy’s drive for indigenous shipbuilding and the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, with over 80 per cent indigenous content.

    Notably, INS Arnala was delivered to the Navy during Operation Sindoor, at a time of heightened tensions, underscoring the Navy’s operational readiness and indigenous production capability.

    ANI

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Your Privacy, Secured: How Galaxy AI Protects Privacy with Samsung Knox Vault

    Source: Samsung

     
    Galaxy AI is built to understand what you need before you even ask, whether that’s suggesting a change in your routine or pulling up just the right information at the right time.
     
    This level of personalization can be incredibly helpful, but the more your phone knows, the more there is to protect. So, what’s keeping all that personal data secure?
     
    Samsung believes there is no privacy without strong security. That’s why every Galaxy device is protected from the chip up by a multi-layered approach, which includes on-device personalization, user-controlled cloud processing, and ecosystem-wide protection through Samsung Knox Matrix.
     
    At the core of this system is Samsung Knox Vault, the company’s hardware-based solution for safeguarding your most sensitive information.
     
    Secured at the Hardware Level
    Most mobile devices rely solely on software to protect sensitive data. Galaxy devices go further.
     
    Knox Vault is a hardware-level security solution that creates a physical barrier between your most private information and everything else. It works like a locked room inside your phone, with its own processor and memory to encrypt sensitive data, with Knox Vault securing the keys. It pairs a secure processor with dedicated memory, isolating your passwords, PINs, biometrics, as well as financial information and cryptographic keys. These are the kinds of details you don’t want anyone else to access, and Knox Vault is built to make sure they stay private. You don’t need to activate or manage it, as it’s always on, working silently in the background, keeping your data safe while you get on with your day.
     
    This is particularly crucial in the age of AI as user concerns are expanding from traditional cybersecurity threats, like viruses and malware, to worries over leaking personal data, such as conversations with your AI assistant. And as AI becomes part of more everyday tasks, the types of data that need protection are also expanding.
     
    For example, metadata from your most personal photos not only details the resolution and file format but also shows the exact location where the image was taken. This personal metadata is more than just files — it’s information that is deeply connected to your daily life. And in the era of AI, these types of data used to provide personalized suggestions needs to be kept private.
     
    Knox Vault helps mitigate these growing concerns by safely storing personal information in a secure, hardware-isolated environment designed to block both physical tampering and remote attacks, ensuring your data can’t be accessed without approval.
     
    Personalized AI, Protected at the Core
    Knox Vault not only provides protection for today’s threats, it also ensures your privacy as mobile experiences continue to evolve.
     
    As Galaxy AI becomes more useful, it also becomes more personal, learning how you use your device and adapting to your needs. And because these highly tailored AI experiences rely on deeply personal data, Knox Vault plays a crucial role in keeping that information private and secured.
     
    Galaxy AI ensures privacy by processing tasks directly on-device where possible, keeping data in your hands and off online servers. For example, Audio Eraser, removes background noise from videos or voice recordings without the need for any cloud-based processing — so your personal information stays private. Call Transcript operates in the same way, keeping your calls organized while ensuring personal conversations stay private by remaining on-device.
     
    Knox Vault ensures your data is protected, confidential, and secure. Building on its role in Galaxy AI as the trusted foundation for security and privacy, Knox Vault will expand across Samsung’s growing AI ecosystem as AI becomes more deeply integrated into the user experience.
     
    Knox Vault is more than a security feature, it’s Galaxy’s promise that no matter how advanced your devices become, or how much AI evolves, your privacy is secured.
     
     
     
    [1] Results may vary per video depending on sounds present in the video. Samsung Account login required. Certain types of sound can be detected such as voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise. The actual sound detection may vary depending on audio source, and the condition of the video. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.
    [1] Call Transcript feature requires Samsung Account login. Call recording may not be supported in some countries. Currently available on pre-installed Samsung phones and Voice Record app. Service availability may vary by language or region. Certain languages may require language pack download. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • Gadkari announces ₹3,000 annual highway pass for non-commercial vehicles

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The central government has announced the launch of FASTag-based Annual Passes for non-commercial vehicles, effective from August 15. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari made the announcement on Wednesday, describing the initiative as a move to enable “seamless and cost-effective travel across National Highways throughout the country.”

    The annual passes, priced at ₹3,000, will be valid for either one year from the date of activation or up to 200 trips—whichever comes first.

    “In a transformative step towards hassle-free highway travel, we are introducing a FASTag-based Annual Pass priced at ₹3,000, effective from 15th August 2025,” Gadkari said in a post on X. “This pass is designed exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans,” he added.

    The minister stated that the policy addresses longstanding concerns about toll plazas located within a 60-km radius. The introduction of a single, prepaid pass is aimed at simplifying toll payments, reducing wait times, easing congestion, and minimising disputes at toll booths.

    To facilitate the use of the new annual passes, a dedicated link for activation and renewal will be made available on the Rajmarg Yatra App and on the official websites of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

    The FASTag system was first introduced in 2014 as part of the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) framework. It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable cashless toll payments and reduce bottlenecks at toll plazas.

    The Ministry had earlier announced the upcoming implementation of an ‘ANPR-FASTag-based Barrier-Less Tolling System’ at select locations. This system combines Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology with the existing FASTag infrastructure, allowing vehicles to pass through toll booths without stopping.

    Under the new system, tolls will be automatically deducted based on vehicle identification through high-performance ANPR cameras and FASTag readers. In cases of non-compliance, e-Notices will be issued, and repeated violations may result in FASTag suspension and other penalties under VAHAN regulations.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Rooted in Values, Ready for Impact: New Joinees Reflect on Life at Samsung

    Source: Samsung

    The latest cohort of new joiners includes professionals from across geographies, each with diverse industry backgrounds
     
    At Samsung, the journey of building the future begins the moment you walk through our doors. Each new team member who joins us brings with them a story of where they’ve been, what they’ve achieved, and the aspirations they carry forward. The New Hires Course (NHC) isn’t just an onboarding program, it’s a window into Samsung’s unique culture, values, and purpose. It sets the tone for a career that’s not just about work, but about shaping what’s next in technology and human progress.
     
    The latest cohort of new joiners includes professionals from across India and Nepal, each with diverse industry backgrounds — from finance and procurement to sales, supply chain, and brand building. As they step into Samsung, they find a place where their experiences are not only welcomed but woven into the larger tapestry of innovation.
     
    The New Hires Course isn’t just an onboarding program, it’s a window into Samsung’s unique, vibrant and inclusive culture
     
    A Culture That Feels Like Home
    Soyeon Joo, who recently joined the Sales and SCM Logistics team in Nepal, reflects on her first few days:
     
    “From the very first day, Samsung struck me as both energetic and welcoming. My colleagues were incredibly supportive — walking me through each process, answering questions, and making me feel at home. Their warmth helped me become productive faster than I expected.”
     
    She believes her multicultural perspective — shaped across Mexico, South Korea, and Nepal — will help bridge linguistic and cultural gaps between HQ and local operations. “I want to drive fresh ideas that resonate with diverse markets,” she said.
     
    This sense of inclusivity and global connection is what many new employees notice early on — a clear emphasis on people, growth, and purpose. For Roshan Acharya, who joins the SCM operations team from a business analysis background, Samsung’s culture of discipline and innovation stood out. “It’s a company with a top global presence — well-organized, efficient, and dynamic.”
     
    Bringing Experience to a Global Platform
    Many of the new hires come with over a decade of experience in leadership roles, and they see Samsung as a platform to make an even bigger impact. Manisha Luitel, who recently joined the finance function, speaks of the company as a “system-driven multinational with clear execution standards,” yet open to innovation.
     
    “I hope to add value by bringing in a strong accounting and manufacturing outlook,” she says. “With the right processes and controls, we can elevate the way we work.”
     
    For Shishir Aryal, who’s spent 10 years in procurement for Nepal’s manufacturing sector, Samsung is an opportunity to bring tested skills to a new, dynamic landscape. “I come from a completely different setup, and I’m excited to apply my learnings in line with Samsung’s global principles,” he says. “Being welcomed so warmly by HR and the team has made this transition smooth and exciting.”
     
    Aspirations That Align with Samsung’s Vision
    Samsung has always been driven by the ambition to lead — in technology, sustainability, and in how we build our teams. That means hiring individuals who are not only experts in their domain but also eager to learn and evolve.
     
    Take Ranjit Khadka, whose role in Finance includes Compliance, Treasury, and IT. He brings a deep understanding of SKU costing and wants to dive deeper into treasury functions. “I believe Samsung is the right place to innovate while being rooted in sound financial systems,” he said.
     
    Or Soyeon, who looks forward to being the cultural bridge in a multilingual, cross-functional team. Or Roshan, who wants to explore AI-driven data analysis tools and help drive planning-execution integration through data.
     
    And then there’s a spark of passion that ties all of them together — whether it’s Roshan playing table tennis, Manisha reading quietly, or Shishir engaging in adventure sports with his child. At Samsung, we believe in the whole person — not just the employee.
     
    Where Growth Meets Purpose
    Samsung’s New Hires Course doesn’t just teach the rules of the game — it helps new team members feel seen, supported, and part of something larger. It’s where cross-functional collaboration begins. It’s where ideas start to move, not in silos, but in sync.
     
    As one of the new joinees put it:
     
    “Joining Samsung felt dynamic and challenging, with a strong focus on innovation. The work environment is fast-paced and collaborative, with clear emphasis on employee development. You truly feel like part of something visionary.”
     
    At Samsung, every story matters. And with each new hire, that story only gets richer.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Securing Grangemouth’s just transition

    Source: Scottish Government

    Plan for future of the area published.

    Actions designed to attract investment to Grangemouth, support new employment, and position the area as a global leader in green energy and sustainable manufacturing have been published today.

    The Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Plan sets out 21 actions to put Grangemouth at the forefront of green energy and benefit the local community.

    Developed in partnership with the Grangemouth Future Industry Board, which includes industry leadership, representatives of the Grangemouth workforce, local community, Falkirk Council and the Scottish and UK Governments, the regional just transition plan is the first of its kind. Actions include:  

    • delivering the £25 million Grangemouth Just Transition Fund – which delivers support for businesses currently operating at the industrial cluster as well as work to establish and attract new investment
    • creating an industrial skills offer, to ensure that the current and future workforces in the area have the right training and experience to support industry in the area 
    • developing an industry-led technical and commercial investment strategy which includes a decarbonisation pathway to secure investment for scale up 
    • establishing a Grangemouth Regulatory Hub to develop new ways of helping industry operate sustainably and efficiently

    Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: 

    “As Scotland’s leading industrial cluster, Grangemouth has long played a vital role to our economy and bringing energy security to the country and it is only right that the area continues to help lead the way in our journey to clean, green energy. 

    “Understandably, the stopping of refining at Grangemouth, has brought uncertainty to people living and working in the area – and it is vital that we do what we can as a government to support and promote local opportunities and growth in the area.

    “The Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Plan will act as the framework for all activity that supports Grangemouth’s transition. It has been developed with industry, the community, public sector partners, Unite the Union and the workforce to ensure it reflects the interests of the community and businesses in the area.

    “It is bolstered by measures including our ongoing support for Project Willow, the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal and a targeted skills intervention for former Petroineos workers. However, we cannot do this alone, I am calling on the UK Government to commence positive changes to existing policy that enable the deployment of future commodities like Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in Scotland.”  

    Principal of Forth Valley College Kenny MacInnes said:

    “Grangemouth plays a vital role in Scotland’s economy and is central to our journey to net zero. With our campus situated at the heart of this transition, Forth Valley College is uniquely positioned to support the businesses, workers, and communities navigating the changes ahead.

    “Our flagship £4 million Skills Transition Centre, funded through the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, will drive innovation in skills delivery, promote inclusive growth, and align closely with evolving industry needs. It will focus on developing skills for emerging sectors while supporting the transition of key industries such as downstream petroleum, chemicals, and polymers within the Grangemouth cluster.

    “The College also remains committed to supporting all Petroineos employees affected by the refinery closure. We are working closely with partners to ensure they can access the training, guidance, and career opportunities they need to move forward.”

    Background 

    Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Plan Supporting a fair transition for Scotland’s core manufacturing cluster – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS attends Lujiazui Forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Financial Secretary Paul Chan attended the 2025 Lujiazui Forum in Shanghai today and witnessed the signing of the Action Plan for Collaborative Development of Shanghai & Hong Kong International Financial Centres.

     

    Mr Chan, as one of the key guests, took part in the forum’s opening ceremony and morning plenary session. 

     

    Themed “Financial Opening-Up & Cooperation for High-Quality Development in a Changing Global Economy”, the forum was jointly organised by the Shanghai Municipal Government, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

     

    Government officials, financial regulators, industry leaders, renowned think tanks and scholars from multiple countries participated in the forum to discuss topics such as global monetary policy, capital market development, financial technology and innovation, and inclusive finance.

     

    Before the opening ceremony, Mr Chan and Shanghai Municipal People’s Government Executive Vice Mayor Wu Wei jointly witnessed the signing of the action plan.

     

    It was signed by Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui and Shanghai Office for Advancing International Financial Center Development Director-General Zhou Xiaoquan, who is also Shanghai Municipal Financial Regulatory Bureau Director.

     

    The action plan covers six areas with a total of 38 measures, including deepening the interconnectivity between Mainland and Hong Kong financial markets, enhancing the linkage and co-operation of the two places’ capital markets, supporting eligible Shanghai enterprises to list and raise funds in Hong Kong, and strengthening collaboration in areas such as commodity trading, reinsurance, green finance and fintech.

     

    The plan aims to further leverage the financial opening up, development and risk management advantages of the two cities, enhance cross-boundary and offshore financial co-operation, and promote the co-ordinated development of the two international financial centres.

     

    In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Chan explained that the action plan further specifies the directions of co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai, thereby injecting new and richer content into multi-level and multi-field financial collaboration.

     

    Furthermore, he noted that it includes new measures to deepen financial interconnectivity, highlights support for Mainland enterprises to go global, and promotes standard alignment and financial innovation.

     

    Mr Chan added that with strong support from the country, Hong Kong and Shanghai will join forces to create greater synergy and collaborative benefits, thus making greater contributions to the country’s development as a financial powerhouse.

     

    Upon arriving in Shanghai yesterday, the Financial Secretary attended an international exchange dinner hosted by the China Finance 40 Forum where he shared how Hong Kong is striving to promote high-quality financial development amid global political and economic changes.

     

    Mr Chan departed for Hong Kong around noon today.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Prosafe SE: Safe Notos awarded contract with Petrobras

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    18 June 2025 – Reference is made to the press release dated 12 May 2025, Prosafe has now been informed that Petróleo Brasileiro SA (‘Petrobras’) have ratified the result of the bidding process for the provision of the Safe Notos semi-submersible vessel for safety and maintenance support offshore Brazil. As a result, the contract with a total value of approximately USD 204 million and four year duration commencing in September 2026 will be entered into without delay. 

    Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to www.prosafe.com.

    For further information, please contact:

    Terje Askvig, CEO
    Phone: +47 952 03 886

    Reese McNeel, CFO
    Phone: +47 415 08 186

    This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange announcement was published by Line Bliksmark, Marketing and Communications Manager, on 18 June 2025, at approx. 10:35 CEST.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: IG Drones (India) and VoxelSensors (Belgium) Forge Global Partnership to Advance Civilian Drone Capabilities for Industrial and Emergency Use

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BRUSSELS, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IG Drones, a leading Indian drone technology company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Belgian deep tech pioneer VoxelSensors to integrate next-generation 3D perception systems into its UAV platforms. This partnership is set to transform how drones navigate and operate in GPS-denied and visually complex environments, such as dense forests, urban infrastructure zones, tunnels, and industrial interiors.

    At the heart of this partnership lies the integration of VoxelSensors’ SPAES™ (Single Photon Active Event Sensor) technology — renowned for its ultra-low latency and high-precision spatial sensing — with IG Drones fleet of intelligent unmanned aerial vehicles. The result is a new generation of drones with advanced environmental awareness, enhanced obstacle avoidance, and higher-fidelity mapping capabilities for infrastructure inspection, emergency response, environmental monitoring, and smart city applications.

    Mr Paneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, welcomed the announcement, stating, “This partnership between IG Drones and VoxelSensors marks a significant step forward in the evolution of autonomous aerial technology. By combining India’s deep-rooted commitment to scalable drone solutions with VoxelSensors’ cutting-edge 3D spatial intelligence, we are witnessing the kind of global cooperation that advances innovation in a responsible, civilian-first manner. MeitY supports such collaborations that not only strengthen India’s digital and industrial capabilities but also foster meaningful international partnerships aligned with sustainable and high-impact technological progress.”

    “This collaboration truly marks a new chapter for us,” said Mr Sambit Parida, Chief Technology Officer at IG Drones. “By embedding VoxelSensors’ breakthrough 3D sensing technologies into our systems, we’re enabling smarter, safer, and more autonomous drone operations. These capabilities are vital for civilian missions where situational complexity and safety demand real-time perception and adaptive decision-making. We remain committed to our vision of delivering cutting-edge, indigenous drone technologies aligned with India’s broader digital and infrastructure goals.”

    The partnership comes at a time when IG Drones is expanding rapidly, with over 200 drones deployed in FY25, a 330% jump in revenue, and the rollout of 50 Drone Centres of Excellence in collaboration with AICTE across India. As the demand for intelligent drone systems increases across sectors — from disaster management to industrial inspection — IG Drones is positioning itself to meet the challenge through global technology collaborations that fuse precision with performance.

    Mr Andre Miodezky, President of VoxelSensors, also commented on the partnership: “We’re excited to join forces with IG Drones to bring our sensing innovation into practical, high-impact use cases. Our SPAES technology provides real-time depth perception and motion awareness that empowers UAVs to function reliably, even in visually complex and dynamic environments. This partnership bridges European innovation with India’s drone ecosystem, and together we’re helping shape the future of aerial intelligence.”

    Both companies share a commitment to sustainability, safety, and scalability in autonomous systems. By combining VoxelSensors advanced 3D sensor suite with IG Drones’ versatile drone platforms, the collaboration aims to redefine operational efficiency in industries such as energy, infrastructure, urban planning, environmental conservation, and public safety.

    This strategic alliance underscores IG Drones ongoing journey to become a global leader in unmanned aerial solutions — while reaffirming that innovation, when grounded in collaboration, can push the boundaries of what’s possible across borders and industries.

    About IG Drones:
    IG Drones is a deep-tech company building intelligent aerial systems powered by AI, autonomy, and real-time data. Our mission is to deliver scalable drone technologies that bridge physical environments with digital intelligence — enabling faster decisions, greater efficiency, and smarter insights across critical sectors. Through innovation in machine learning, sensor fusion, and edge computing, we make next-gen aerial intelligence more accessible, adaptive, and human-centric.

    For Press Information contact:
    Email: contact@igdrones.com; sambit@igdrones.com
    Website: https://www.igdrones.com/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/igdrones

    About VoxelSensors:
    VoxelSensors is a Belgian deep-tech startup committed to developing advanced sensing technologies that enhance human-centered contextual interaction. With a focus on efficiency and scalability, we aim to empower AI with the necessary contextual data for smarter and more personal insights.

    For Press Information contact:
    Karina Kovalenko – Marketing and Communications Manager
    Email: press@voxelsensors.com
    Website: https://voxelsensors.com/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/voxelsensors

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3dd4a0ea-2dfc-4b17-8ec5-aef4051d36f0

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: BlackRock® Canada Announces June Cash Distributions for the iShares® ETFs

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the June 2025 cash distributions for the iShares ETFs listed on the TSX or Cboe Canada which pay on a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. Unitholders of record of the applicable iShares ETF on June 25, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable in respect of that iShares ETF on June 30, 2025.

    Details regarding the “per unit” distribution amounts are as follows:

    Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution
    Per Unit
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBH $0.049
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Corporate Bond Index ETF CBO $0.051
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF CDZ $0.128
    iShares Equal Weight Banc & Lifeco ETF CEW $0.066
    iShares Global Real Estate Index ETF CGR $0.293
    iShares International Fundamental Index ETF CIE $0.462
    iShares Global Infrastructure Index ETF CIF $0.592
    iShares Japan Fundamental Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CJP $0.294
    iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLF $0.032
    iShares 1-10 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF CLG $0.036
    iShares US Fundamental Index ETF CLU $0.181
    iShares US Fundamental Index ETF CLU.C $0.238
    iShares Global Agriculture Index ETF COW $0.922
    iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index ETF CPD $0.058
    iShares Canadian Fundamental Index ETF CRQ $0.198
    iShares US Dividend Growers Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CUD $0.102
    iShares Convertible Bond Index ETF CVD $0.072
    iShares Emerging Markets Fundamental Index ETF CWO $0.623
    iShares Global Water Index ETF CWW $0.442
    iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) CYH $0.078
    iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income ETF FIE $0.040
    iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio GBAL $0.334
    iShares ESG Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio GCNS $0.304
    iShares ESG Equity ETF Portfolio GEQT $0.397
    iShares ESG Growth ETF Portfolio GGRO $0.356
    iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF XAD $0.107
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF XAGG $0.105
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF(1) XAGG.U $0.076
    iShares U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XAGH $0.096
    iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF XAW $0.362
    iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF(1) XAW.U $0.266
    iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio XBAL $0.239
    iShares Core Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF XBB $0.079
    iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF XBM $0.150
    iShares Core Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCB $0.069
    iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBG $0.121
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XCBU $0.122
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XCBU.U $0.088
    iShares S&P Global Consumer Discretionary Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XCD $0.305
    iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF XCG $0.122
    iShares China Index ETF XCH $0.258
    iShares Semiconductor Index ETF XCHP $0.164
    iShares Global Clean Energy Index ETF XCLN $0.327
    iShares Core Conservative Balanced ETF Portfolio XCNS $0.186
    iShares S&P/TSX SmallCap Index ETF XCS $0.156
    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETF XCSR $0.464
    iShares Canadian Value Index ETF XCV $0.390
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF XDG $0.074
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDG.U $0.044
    iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDGH $0.057
    iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ETF XDIV $0.115
    iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF XDNA $0.159
    iShares Global Electric and Autonomous Vehicles Index ETF XDRV $0.180
    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETF XDSR $0.926
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF XDU $0.064
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF(1) XDU.U $0.046
    iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XDUH $0.055
    iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index ETF XDV $0.108
    iShares J.P. Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEB $0.059
    iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF XEC $0.334
    iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF(1) XEC.U $0.245
    iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF XEF $0.712
    iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF(1) XEF.U $0.523
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index ETF XEG $0.182
    iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XEH $0.633
    iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF XEI $0.136
    iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF XEM $0.272
    iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF XEMC $0.476
    iShares Jantzi Social Index ETF XEN $0.239
    iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio XEQT $0.267
    iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF XESG $0.224
    iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF XETM $0.464
    iShares MSCI Europe IMI Index ETF XEU $0.611
    iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF XEXP $0.147
    iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFH $0.578
    iShares Core Canadian 15+ Year Federal Bond Index ETF XFLB $0.112
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF XFLI $0.190
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF(1) XFLI.U $0.140
    iShares Flexible Monthly Income ETF (CAD-Hedged) XFLX $0.184
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index ETF XFN $0.169
    iShares Floating Rate Index ETF XFR $0.050
    iShares Core Canadian Government Bond Index ETF XGB $0.050
    iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF XGD $0.143
    iShares Global Government Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGGB $0.041
    iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XGI $0.372
    iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio XGRO $0.235
    iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETF XHAK $0.011
    iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF XHB $0.075
    iShares Global Healthcare Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHC $0.396
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHD $0.077
    iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF XHU $0.074
    iShares U.S. High Yield Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XHY $0.084
    iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF XIC $0.292
    iShares India Index ETF XID $0.000
    iShares U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIG $0.075
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIGS $0.106
    iShares MSCI EAFE® Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XIN $0.523
    iShares Core Income Balanced ETF Portfolio XINC $0.165
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology Index ETF XIT $0.000
    iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF XLB $0.062
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF XMA $0.072
    iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF XMC $0.144
    iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF(1) XMC.U $0.106
    iShares S&P/TSX Completion Index ETF XMD $0.159
    iShares S&P U.S. Mid-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XMH $0.117
    iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF XMI $0.667
    iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XML $0.472
    iShares MSCI Min Vol Emerging Markets Index ETF XMM $0.273
    iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XMS $0.106
    iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor Index ETF XMTM $0.054
    iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF XMU $0.238
    iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF(1) XMU.U $0.175
    iShares MSCI Min Vol Canada Index ETF XMV $0.317
    iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF XMW $0.416
    iShares MSCI Min Vol Global Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XMY $0.255
    iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XPF $0.065
    iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF XQB $0.054
    iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor Index ETF XQLT $0.060
    iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XQQ $0.073
    iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF XQQU $0.090
    iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF(1) XQQU.U $0.066
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index ETF XRE $0.062
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF XSAB $0.048
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSB $0.071
    iShares Conservative Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSC $0.054
    iShares Conservative Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSE $0.046
    iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF XSEA $0.473
    iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF XSEM $0.216
    iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate Bond Index ETF XSH $0.061
    iShares ESG Advanced 1-5 Year Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHG $0.120
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF XSHU $0.137
    iShares 1-5 Year U.S. IG Corporate Bond Index ETF(1) XSHU.U $0.099
    iShares Short Term Strategic Fixed Income ETF XSI $0.056
    iShares Core Canadian Short-Mid Term Universe Bond Index ETF XSMB $0.101
    iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF XSMC $0.152
    iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSMH $0.127
    iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSP $0.300
    iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSPC $0.173
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF XST $0.119
    iShares ESG Aware Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF XSTB $0.048
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSTH $0.103
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF XSTP $0.121
    iShares 0-5 Year TIPS Bond Index ETF(1) XSTP.U $0.089
    iShares U.S. Small Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XSU $0.155
    iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA Index ETF XSUS $0.109
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XTLH $0.113
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF XTLT $0.131
    iShares 20+ Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index ETF(1) XTLT.U $0.102
    iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF XTR $0.040
    iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) XUH $0.117
    iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF XUS $0.243
    iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF(1) XUS.U $0.178
    iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF XUSC $0.216
    iShares S&P 500 3% Capped Index ETF(1) XUSC.U $0.159
    iShares S&P U.S. Financials Index ETF XUSF $0.173
    iShares ESG Advanced MSCI USA Index ETF XUSR $0.175
    iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF XUT $0.110
    iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF XUU $0.147
    iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF(1) XUU.U $0.108
    iShares MSCI USA Value Factor Index ETF XVLU $0.151
    iShares MSCI World Index ETF XWD $0.603

    (1) Distribution per unit amounts are in U.S. dollars for XAGG.U, XAW.U, XCBU.U, XDG.U, XDU.U, XEC.U, XEF.U. XFLI.U, XMC.U, XMU.U, XQQU.U, XSHU.U, XSTP.U, XTLT.U, XUS.U, XUSC.U, XUU.U

    Estimated June Cash Distributions for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF

    The June cash distributions per unit for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF are estimated to be as follows:

    Fund Name Fund Ticker Estimated Cash
    Distribution Per Unit
    iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.129

    BlackRock Canada expects to issue a press release on or about June 24, 2025, which will provide the final amounts for the iShares Premium Money Market ETF.

    Further information on the iShares Funds can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca.

    About BlackRock
    BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA

    About iShares ETFs
    iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1500+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.3 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock.

    iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional.

    Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). TSX is a registered trademark of TSX Inc. (“TSX”). All of the foregoing trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes to BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”),  which in turn has sub-licensed these marks to its affiliate, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“BlackRock Canada”), on behalf of the applicable fund(s). The index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by BFA and by extension, BlackRock Canada and the applicable fund(s). The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively known as “S&P Dow Jones Indices”) or TSX, or any of their respective affiliates. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices nor TSX make any representations regarding the advisability of investing in such funds.

    MSCI is a trademark of MSCI, Inc. (“MSCI”). The ETF is permitted to use the MSCI mark pursuant to a license agreement between MSCI and BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., relating to, among other things, the license granted to BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. to use the Index. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. has sublicensed the use of this trademark to BlackRock. The ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MSCI and MSCI makes no representation, condition or warranty regarding the advisability of investing in the ETF.

    Contact for Media:
    Sydney Punchard                       
    Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Announces Pricing of Upsized US$330.0 Million Convertible Senior Notes Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (Nasdaq: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining, today announced the pricing of US$330.0 million principal amount of 4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “notes”) in a private placement (the “offering”) to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has also granted the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the notes are first issued, up to an additional US$45.0 million principal amount of the notes. The size of the offering was increased from the previously announced $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The sale of the notes is expected to close on June 23, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    Additional Details of the Convertible Notes

    The notes will be general, senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will bear interest at a rate of 4.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2026. The notes will mature on July 1, 2031, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, Class A ordinary shares par value US$0.0000001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A ordinary shares”) or a combination of cash and Class A ordinary shares, at its election. The initial conversion rate of the notes will be 62.9921 Class A ordinary shares per US$1,000 principal amount of such notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$15.88 per Class A ordinary share). The initial conversion price of the notes represents a premium of approximately 25.0% over the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 17, 2025.

    The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes (subject to certain limitations), at its option, on or after July 6, 2028 and prior to the 41st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if (i) the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares has been at least 140% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption and (ii) certain liquidity conditions have been satisfied, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. If the Company redeems less than all of the outstanding notes, at least US$75.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes must be outstanding and not called for optional redemption as of the time the Company sends the related notice of redemption, and after giving effect to the delivery of such notice of redemption.

    In addition, the Company may redeem for cash all but not part of the notes at any time prior to the 41st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date if less than US$25.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes remains outstanding at such time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company may also redeem for cash all but not part of the notes in the event of certain tax law changes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and any additional amounts which would otherwise be payable to such redemption date with respect to such redemption price, as described in the indenture that will govern the notes.

    On July 6, 2029 and if the Company undergoes a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture that will govern the notes), subject to certain conditions and a limited exception, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes at a repurchase price or fundamental change repurchase price, as applicable, equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the relevant repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the notes or following the Company’s delivery of a notice of redemption, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate of the notes for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event or convert their notes called (or deemed called) for redemption in connection with such notice of redemption, as the case may be.

    Use of Proceeds

    The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately US$319.6 million (or approximately US$363.3 million if the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full), after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use: (i) approximately US$129.6 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the zero-strike call option transaction described below; (ii) approximately $36.1 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cash consideration for the concurrent note exchange transactions that it has entered into as described below; and (iii) the remaining net proceeds from the offering for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of the additional notes for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes as described above.

    Zero-Strike Call Option Transaction

    In connection with the pricing of the notes, the Company entered into a privately negotiated zero-strike call option transaction with an affiliate of one of the initial purchasers (the “option counterparty”) and, having an expiration date that is scheduled to occur shortly after the maturity date of the notes. Pursuant to the zero-strike call option transaction, the Company will pay a premium equal to approximately US$129.6 million for the right to receive, without further payment, approximately 10.2 million Class A ordinary shares (subject to customary adjustment), with delivery thereof by the option counterparty at expiry, subject to early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction in whole or in part at the option counterparty’s discretion. In the case of settlement at expiration or upon any early settlement, the option counterparty will deliver to the Company the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the zero-strike call option transaction or the portion thereof being settled early. The zero-strike call option transaction is intended to facilitate privately negotiated derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares between the option counterparty (or its affiliate) and certain investors in the notes by which those investors will be able to hedge their investment in the notes. Those activities, which are expected to occur concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the offering, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes at that time.

    The option counterparty (or its affiliate) may modify its hedge positions by entering into or unwinding derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling Class A ordinary shares or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions at any time following the pricing of the notes and shortly before or after the expiry or early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction, and, the Company has been advised that the option counterparty may unwind its derivative transactions and/or purchase or sell the Class A ordinary shares in connection with the expiry of the zero-strike call option transaction or any early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction at the option counterparty’s discretion, including any early settlement relating to any conversion, repurchase or redemption of the notes. Those activities could also increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) or decrease (or reduce the size of any increase in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes.

    If the zero-strike call option transaction fails to become effective, whether or not the offering is completed, the option counterparty may unwind its hedge positions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares, which could adversely affect the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and, if the notes have been issued, the market price of the notes.

    Concurrent Note Exchange Transaction

    Concurrently with the pricing of the notes in the offering, the Company entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of its 8.50% convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “August 2029 notes”) to exchange for approximately US$36.1 million in cash and approximately 8.1 million Class A ordinary shares, approximately US$75.7 million aggregate principal amount of its August 2029 notes, on terms negotiated with such holders (each, a “note exchange transaction”). This press release is not an offer to exchange the August 2029 notes, and the offering of the notes is not contingent upon the exchange of the August 2029 notes.

    In connection with any note exchange transaction, the Company expects that holders of the August 2029 notes that are repurchased by the Company as described above and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the “hedged holders”) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying the Class A ordinary shares and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares. The amount of the Class A ordinary shares to be purchased by the hedged holders or in connection with such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historical average daily trading volume of the Class A ordinary shares. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares. The Company cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or the Class A ordinary shares.

    The notes and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, any state securities laws or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

    This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Bitdeer Technologies Group

    Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to Bitdeer’s expectations regarding the completion of the offering and the note exchange transactions and the expected use of proceeds from the sale of the notes and potential impact of the offering, the note exchange transactions, the zero-strike call option transaction each as described above or related transactions on the market price of the Class A ordinary shares or the trading price of the notes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions and the satisfaction of closing conditions related to the offering and the note exchange transactions, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as those discussed in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Bitdeer’s control. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Orange Group
    Yujia Zhai
    bitdeerir@orangegroupadvisors.com

    Public Relations
    BlocksBridge Consulting
    Nishant Sharma
    bitdeer@blocksbridge.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Bitdeer Announces Pricing of Upsized US$330.0 Million Convertible Senior Notes Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitdeer Technologies Group (Nasdaq: BTDR) (“Bitdeer” or the “Company”), a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining, today announced the pricing of US$330.0 million principal amount of 4.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2031 (the “notes”) in a private placement (the “offering”) to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has also granted the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a 13-day period beginning on, and including, the date on which the notes are first issued, up to an additional US$45.0 million principal amount of the notes. The size of the offering was increased from the previously announced $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The sale of the notes is expected to close on June 23, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

    Additional Details of the Convertible Notes

    The notes will be general, senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will bear interest at a rate of 4.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2026. The notes will mature on July 1, 2031, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, Class A ordinary shares par value US$0.0000001 per share, of the Company (the “Class A ordinary shares”) or a combination of cash and Class A ordinary shares, at its election. The initial conversion rate of the notes will be 62.9921 Class A ordinary shares per US$1,000 principal amount of such notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$15.88 per Class A ordinary share). The initial conversion price of the notes represents a premium of approximately 25.0% over the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on June 17, 2025.

    The Company may redeem for cash all or any portion of the notes (subject to certain limitations), at its option, on or after July 6, 2028 and prior to the 41st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, if (i) the last reported sale price of the Class A ordinary shares has been at least 140% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Company provides notice of redemption and (ii) certain liquidity conditions have been satisfied, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. If the Company redeems less than all of the outstanding notes, at least US$75.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes must be outstanding and not called for optional redemption as of the time the Company sends the related notice of redemption, and after giving effect to the delivery of such notice of redemption.

    In addition, the Company may redeem for cash all but not part of the notes at any time prior to the 41st scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date if less than US$25.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes remains outstanding at such time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company may also redeem for cash all but not part of the notes in the event of certain tax law changes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date and any additional amounts which would otherwise be payable to such redemption date with respect to such redemption price, as described in the indenture that will govern the notes.

    On July 6, 2029 and if the Company undergoes a “fundamental change” (as defined in the indenture that will govern the notes), subject to certain conditions and a limited exception, holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their notes at a repurchase price or fundamental change repurchase price, as applicable, equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the relevant repurchase date. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date of the notes or following the Company’s delivery of a notice of redemption, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate of the notes for a holder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event or convert their notes called (or deemed called) for redemption in connection with such notice of redemption, as the case may be.

    Use of Proceeds

    The Company estimates that the net proceeds from the offering will be approximately US$319.6 million (or approximately US$363.3 million if the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes in full), after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use: (i) approximately US$129.6 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cost of the zero-strike call option transaction described below; (ii) approximately $36.1 million of the net proceeds from the offering to pay the cash consideration for the concurrent note exchange transactions that it has entered into as described below; and (iii) the remaining net proceeds from the offering for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, the Company expects to use the net proceeds from the sale of the additional notes for datacenter expansion, ASIC based mining rig development and manufacture, as well as working capital and other general corporate purposes as described above.

    Zero-Strike Call Option Transaction

    In connection with the pricing of the notes, the Company entered into a privately negotiated zero-strike call option transaction with an affiliate of one of the initial purchasers (the “option counterparty”) and, having an expiration date that is scheduled to occur shortly after the maturity date of the notes. Pursuant to the zero-strike call option transaction, the Company will pay a premium equal to approximately US$129.6 million for the right to receive, without further payment, approximately 10.2 million Class A ordinary shares (subject to customary adjustment), with delivery thereof by the option counterparty at expiry, subject to early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction in whole or in part at the option counterparty’s discretion. In the case of settlement at expiration or upon any early settlement, the option counterparty will deliver to the Company the number of Class A ordinary shares underlying the zero-strike call option transaction or the portion thereof being settled early. The zero-strike call option transaction is intended to facilitate privately negotiated derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares between the option counterparty (or its affiliate) and certain investors in the notes by which those investors will be able to hedge their investment in the notes. Those activities, which are expected to occur concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the offering, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes at that time.

    The option counterparty (or its affiliate) may modify its hedge positions by entering into or unwinding derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling Class A ordinary shares or other securities of the Company in secondary market transactions at any time following the pricing of the notes and shortly before or after the expiry or early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction, and, the Company has been advised that the option counterparty may unwind its derivative transactions and/or purchase or sell the Class A ordinary shares in connection with the expiry of the zero-strike call option transaction or any early settlement of the zero-strike call option transaction at the option counterparty’s discretion, including any early settlement relating to any conversion, repurchase or redemption of the notes. Those activities could also increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) or decrease (or reduce the size of any increase in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and/or the notes.

    If the zero-strike call option transaction fails to become effective, whether or not the offering is completed, the option counterparty may unwind its hedge positions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares, which could adversely affect the market price of the Class A ordinary shares and, if the notes have been issued, the market price of the notes.

    Concurrent Note Exchange Transaction

    Concurrently with the pricing of the notes in the offering, the Company entered into privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of its 8.50% convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “August 2029 notes”) to exchange for approximately US$36.1 million in cash and approximately 8.1 million Class A ordinary shares, approximately US$75.7 million aggregate principal amount of its August 2029 notes, on terms negotiated with such holders (each, a “note exchange transaction”). This press release is not an offer to exchange the August 2029 notes, and the offering of the notes is not contingent upon the exchange of the August 2029 notes.

    In connection with any note exchange transaction, the Company expects that holders of the August 2029 notes that are repurchased by the Company as described above and who have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such notes (the “hedged holders”) will unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying the Class A ordinary shares and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to the Class A ordinary shares. The amount of the Class A ordinary shares to be purchased by the hedged holders or in connection with such derivative transactions may be substantial in relation to the historical average daily trading volume of the Class A ordinary shares. This activity by the hedged holders could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of the Class A ordinary shares. The Company cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or the Class A ordinary shares.

    The notes and any Class A ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, any state securities laws or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and other applicable securities laws.

    This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Bitdeer Technologies Group

    Bitdeer is a world-leading technology company for Bitcoin mining. Bitdeer is committed to providing comprehensive Bitcoin mining solutions for its customers. The Company handles complex processes involved in computing such as equipment procurement, transport logistics, datacenter design and construction, equipment management, and daily operations. The Company also offers advanced cloud capabilities to customers with high demand for artificial intelligence. Headquartered in Singapore, Bitdeer has deployed datacenters in the United States, Norway, and Bhutan.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans, and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “anticipate,” “look forward to,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, statements relating to Bitdeer’s expectations regarding the completion of the offering and the note exchange transactions and the expected use of proceeds from the sale of the notes and potential impact of the offering, the note exchange transactions, the zero-strike call option transaction each as described above or related transactions on the market price of the Class A ordinary shares or the trading price of the notes. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks and uncertainties associated with market conditions and the satisfaction of closing conditions related to the offering and the note exchange transactions, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Bitdeer’s annual report on Form 20-F, as well as those discussed in Bitdeer’s subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Bitdeer’s control. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof. Bitdeer specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether due to new information, future events, or otherwise. Readers should not rely upon the information on this page as current or accurate after its publication date.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Investor Relations
    Orange Group
    Yujia Zhai
    bitdeerir@orangegroupadvisors.com

    Public Relations
    BlocksBridge Consulting
    Nishant Sharma
    bitdeer@blocksbridge.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Barnwell Announces Third Adjournment of 2025 Annual Meeting Due to Ned Sherwood’s Continued Refusal to Submit Votes Solicited from Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONOLULU, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Barnwell Industries, Inc. (NYSE American: BRN) (“Barnwell” or the “Company”) today announced that its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which reconvened yesterday, has been adjourned to Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Shareholders of record at the close of business on July 21, 2025 are eligible to vote at the adjourned 2025 Annual Meeting.

    Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the WHITE proxy card FOR: Kenneth S. Grossman, Joshua S. Horowitz, Craig D. Hopkins and Philip J. McPherson. Any shareholder who has voted on the Sherwood Group’s green proxy card can change their vote and contribute to the quorum by voting on the WHITE proxy card for ALL of Barnwell’s director nominees. Shareholders who previously voted on the WHITE proxy card as shareholders of record on the original record date of April 14, 2025, and continue to be shareholders of record on July 21, 2025, do not need to take further action as Barnwell’s nominees are unchanged.

    Kenneth Grossman, Vice Chairman of Barnwell’s Board of Directors, commented, “The Barnwell Board is optimistic about the future of the Company and the ability of our assets to drive value for shareholders. However, Barnwell’s value potential continues to be limited by Ned Sherwood’s self-serving, obstructionist actions that are thwarting our ability to conclude the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting and move on from this waste of time and resources. The Company plans to actively solicit shareholders in the ensuing months to seek to obtain a quorum so that Barnwell can proceed with conducting its 2025 Annual Meeting in an orderly fashion.”

    This is the third adjournment necessitated by the refusal of Ned Sherwood and his affiliates (collectively, the “Sherwood Group”) to submit the proxies they actively solicited from Barnwell shareholders. By refusing to turn in the green proxy cards, Mr. Sherwood is holding hostage the votes of shareholders, including those shareholders who voted for the Company’s candidates on the Sherwood Group’s universal green proxy card. Accordingly, the Annual Meeting has again been adjourned to seek a quorum and prevent the continued expense of a long-term extension of the Annual Meeting process.

    Shareholders of record as of the new record date will receive an amended notice of the adjourned meeting, as well as updated proxy materials from the Company for the adjourned 2025 Annual Meeting shortly following the record date.

    The 2025 Annual Meeting will continue to be uncontested and the adjournment of the 2025 Annual Meeting will not reopen the nomination window for the election of directors under the Company’s bylaws.

    Shareholders should be reminded that:

    • It is not too late to vote and only the latest card voted counts
    • Shareholders should vote on the WHITE proxy card for ALL of the Barnwell nominees and disregard the Sherwood Group’s green proxy cards
    • Shareholders who voted on the Sherwood Group’s green proxy card can change their vote and contribute to the quorum by voting on the WHITE proxy card

    The adjourned 2025 Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. HST at Suite 210, Alakea Corporate Tower, 1100 Alakea Street, Honolulu, Hawaii.

    If you have any questions or need assistance voting the WHITE
    proxy card, please contact our proxy solicitor:

    Okapi Partners at (877) 869-0171 or by email at
    info@okapipartners.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain information contained in this press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our board and management team that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties, include various estimates, forecasts, projections of Barnwell’s future performance and statements of Barnwell’s plans and objectives. Forward-looking statements include phrases such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “predicts,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “will be,” “should,” or similar expressions. Although Barnwell believes that its current expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot assure that the expectations contained in such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect or be affected by inaccurate assumptions Barnwell might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including our ability to defend against any potential claims by the Sherwood Group, our ability to execute on our strategy and business plan, our ability to successfully solicit votes on the Company’s white proxy card for the 2025 Annual Meeting and the other risks forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of Barnwell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (as amended) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 and Barnwell’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, as they speak only as of the date of this press release, and Barnwell expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein.

    CONTACTS:        
    Bruce Goldfarb / Chuck Garske
    (212) 297-0720
    Email: info@okapipartners.com
            
    Kenneth S. Grossman
    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
    Email: kensgrossman@gmail.com                      

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TMD Energy Limited Enters into Strategic Memorandum of Agreement to Advance Green Bioenergy Collaboration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMD Energy Limited (the “Company” or “TMDEL”) (NYSE American: TMDE), together with its subsidiaries is a Malaysia and Singapore based services provider engaged in integrated bunkering services which involves ship-to-ship transfer of marine fuels, ship management services and vessel chartering services, today announced the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd (“Double Corporate”) to explore a strategic collaboration for the EU and Asia market.

    This collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive good-faith negotiations to formalize partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

    Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specializing in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate brings to the table a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and sustainable marine fuel (“SMF”) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

    Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated that: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

    Key Agreement Terms

    The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritize finalizing definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

    About Double Corporate

    Double Corporate is a certified Malaysian bioenergy leader converting waste into sustainable fuels and lubricants through proprietary ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate is in the development and commercialization of waste-based bioenergy, with a focus on refining palm oil mill effluent, Empty Fruit Bunches, used cooking oil, and other industrial waste oils into certified biofuels. Its high-yield (1:1 conversion) refining process minimizes waste and energy consumption while producing critical feedstocks for SAF and SMF — supported by global certifications American Petroleum Institute, ISCC and automated in-house systems. For more information, please visit Double Corporate website at: www.doublecorporate.com.

    About TMD Energy Limited

    TMD Energy Limited and its subsidiaries (“TMDEL Group”) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulfur fuel oil, low sulfur fuel oil and very low sulfur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering. As of today, TMDEL Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia with a fleet of 15 bunkering vessels. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.tmdel.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “could”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s financial results filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
    TMD ENERGY LIMITED
    e-Mail: corporate@tmdel.com

    WFS INVESTOR RELATIONS
    e-Mail: services@wealthfsllc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: TMD Energy Limited Enters into Strategic Memorandum of Agreement to Advance Green Bioenergy Collaboration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMD Energy Limited (the “Company” or “TMDEL”) (NYSE American: TMDE), together with its subsidiaries is a Malaysia and Singapore based services provider engaged in integrated bunkering services which involves ship-to-ship transfer of marine fuels, ship management services and vessel chartering services, today announced the Company has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with bioenergy firm Double Corporate Sdn Bhd (“Double Corporate”) to explore a strategic collaboration for the EU and Asia market.

    This collaboration marks a new milestone towards TMDEL’s strategy to expand into sustainable and alternative fuel energy sectors. The MOA initiates exclusive good-faith negotiations to formalize partnerships in bioenergy sustainable fuel solutions and operational integration.

    Double Corporate is a ISCC-EU certified Malaysian-based bioenergy company specializing in waste-based bioenergy and it involves converting waste into high-yield sustainable fuels and lubricants using proprietary, ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate brings to the table a decade-long expertise in producing high-yield, low-emission biofuels suitable for applications in the sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) and sustainable marine fuel (“SMF”) markets, particularly in Europe and Asia.

    Dato’ Sri Kam Choy Ho, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated that: “This partnership aligns with our vision to expand regionally and globally to advance long term sustainable, green business and fuel innovation. Double Corporate’s circular-economy focus complements our commitment to environmentally responsible energy solutions.”

    Key Agreement Terms

    The MOA establishes the parties’ intention to enter into mutual discussions to collaborate and participate in the business in Malaysia and globally with a one-year exclusivity period for negotiations, extendable by mutual consent. Both parties will prioritize finalizing definitive agreements within the exclusivity window.

    About Double Corporate

    Double Corporate is a certified Malaysian bioenergy leader converting waste into sustainable fuels and lubricants through proprietary ISCC-EU-approved technology. Double Corporate is in the development and commercialization of waste-based bioenergy, with a focus on refining palm oil mill effluent, Empty Fruit Bunches, used cooking oil, and other industrial waste oils into certified biofuels. Its high-yield (1:1 conversion) refining process minimizes waste and energy consumption while producing critical feedstocks for SAF and SMF — supported by global certifications American Petroleum Institute, ISCC and automated in-house systems. For more information, please visit Double Corporate website at: www.doublecorporate.com.

    About TMD Energy Limited

    TMD Energy Limited and its subsidiaries (“TMDEL Group”) are principally involved in marine fuel bunkering services specializing in the supply and marketing of marine gas oil and marine fuel oil of which include high sulfur fuel oil, low sulfur fuel oil and very low sulfur fuel oil, to ships and vessels at sea. TMDEL Group is also involved in the provision of ship management services for in-house and external vessels, as well as vessel chartering. As of today, TMDEL Group operates in 19 ports across Malaysia with a fleet of 15 bunkering vessels. For more information, please visit the Company’s website at: www.tmdel.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may”, “could”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “project” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s financial results filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
    TMD ENERGY LIMITED
    e-Mail: corporate@tmdel.com

    WFS INVESTOR RELATIONS
    e-Mail: services@wealthfsllc.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Major milestone for Axi as broker teams up with prestigious media publisher Bloomberg

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi proudly announced a partnership with globally recognised financial services and media company Bloomberg. This strategic collaboration marks a major step forward in the broker’s ongoing commitment to building strong brand awareness and credibility on the global stage.

    Louis Cooper, Chief Commercial Officer at Axi, shows his excitement for this new collaboration, noting: “We are immensely proud to have secured a partnership with a media publisher as globally respected as Bloomberg. A prominent global leader in business and financial news, Bloomberg is renowned for its high-quality journalism and trusted insights. This collaboration gives Axi a unique opportunity to showcase our innovations with a broad, influential audience across the world, which aligns perfectly with our strategic ambitions.

    As part of the collaboration, Bloomberg will roll out a four-part campaign throughout the summer, focusing exclusively on the broker’s flagship capital allocation program, Axi Select. The program offers ambitious traders the opportunity to access up to $1,000,000 USD in capital funding and earn up to 90% of their profits, as well as the advantage to join the program with zero registration or monthly fees*. Other standout features of Axi Select include, among others, its use of a Standard or a Pro live account, unrestrictive trading conditions, and an exclusive trading room – all designed to accelerate and maximise traders’ potential. In recent weeks, Axi Select announced four traders who reached the top milestone of the program, each receiving a $1M allocation. In addition, other traders on the program have secured capital funding at various levels, including $100K, $200K, and $500K, reflecting the program’s effectiveness in empowering traders to turn their ambitions into reality.

    Recently, the broker was honoured with the ‘Best Funded Trader Program’ award by the ADVFN International Financial Awards, and, among others, was recognised by Finance Feeds with the ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ award**.

    To learn more about Axi Select click here

    About Axi

    Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

    For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com

    The Axi Select program is only available to clients of AxiTrader Limited. CFDs carry a high risk of investment loss. In our dealings with you, we will act as a principal counterparty to all of your positions. This content is not available to AU, NZ, EU and UK residents. For more information, refer to our Terms of Service. *Standard trading fees apply.  

    **Granted to the Axi Group of Companies.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: One Year in Detention: Heads of United Nations agencies and INGOs renew demand for release of staff detained in northern Yemen

    Source: Oxfam –

    This week marks one year since dozens of personnel from the United Nations, non-governmental and civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions were arbitrarily detained by the Houthi de facto authorities in northern Yemen. Others have been detained since as far back as 2021. Today, we reiterate our urgent demand for their immediate and unconditional release.

    As of today, 23 personnel from the UN and five international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) remain arbitrarily detained. Tragically, one UN staff member and another from Save the Children have died in detention. Others have lost loved ones while being held, denied the chance to attend their funerals or say goodbye.

    Our arbitrarily detained colleagues have spent at least 365 days – and for some, over 1000 days – isolated from their families, children, husbands, and wives, in flagrant breach of international law. The toll of this detention is also weighing heavily on their families, who continue to endure the unbearable pain of absence and uncertainty as they face another Eid without their loved one.

    Nothing can justify their ordeal. They were doing their jobs, helping people in desperate need: people without food, shelter, or adequate healthcare.

    Yemen remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises with more than 19 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, many of whom rely on it for survival. A safe and enabling environment for humanitarian operations, including the release of detained personnel, is essential to maintaining and restoring assistance to those in need. Humanitarian workers should never be targeted or detained while carrying out their mandates to serve the people of Yemen.

    The prolonged detention of our colleagues has had a chilling effect across the international community, undermining support for Yemen and hindering humanitarian response. It has also undermined mediation efforts for lasting peace.

    We acknowledge the release of one UN and two NGO personnel and the recent release of an Embassy staff member. We call on the de facto authorities to deliver on their previous commitments, including those made to the Director-General of the World Health Organization during his mission to Sana’a in December 2024.

    The UN and INGOs will continue to work through all possible channels to secure the safe and immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

    Signatories: 

    • Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP
    • Amitabh Behar, OXFAM International Executive Director
    • Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO
    • Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director
    • Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director
    • Hans Grundberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen
    • Inger Ashing, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International
    • Michelle Nunn, President and CEO, CARE
    • Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO
    • Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Biggest-ever aid cut by G7 members a death sentence for millions of people, says Oxfam

    Source: Oxfam –

    • Aid cuts could cost millions of lives and leave girls, boys, women and men without access to enough food, water, education, health treatment
    • G7 countries are making deliberate and deadly choices by cutting life-saving aid, enabling atrocities, and reneging on their international commitments
    • Low and middle-income countries face reduced aid, rising debt, and trade barriers — a perfect storm that threatens development and recovery.

    The Group of Seven (G7) countries, which together account for around three-quarters of all official development assistance (ODA), are set to slash their aid spending by 28 percent for 2026 compared to 2024 levels.  

    It would be the biggest cut in aid since the G7 was established in 1975, and indeed in aid records going back to 1960, reveals a new analysis by Oxfam ahead of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

    “The G7’s retreat from the world is unprecedented and couldn’t come at a worse time, with hunger, poverty, and climate harm intensifying. The G7 cannot claim to build bridges on one hand while tearing them down with the other. It sends a shameful message to the Global South, that G7 ideals of collaboration mean nothing,” said Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar.

    2026 will mark the third consecutive year of decline in G7 aid spending – a trend not seen since the 1990s. If these cuts go ahead, G7 aid levels in 2026 will crash by $44 billion to just $112 billion. The cuts are being driven primarily by the US (down $33 billion), Germany (down $3.5 billion), the UK (down $5 billion) and France (down $3 billion).

    “Rather than breaking from the Trump administration’s cruel dismantling of USAID and other US foreign assistance, G7 countries like the UK, Germany, and France are instead following the same path, slashing aid with brutal measures that will cost millions of lives,” said Behar.

    “These cuts will starve the hungry, deny medicine to the sick, and block education for a generation of girls and boys. This is a catastrophic betrayal of the world’s most vulnerable and crippling to the G7’s credibility,” said Behar.

    Economic projections show that aid cuts will mean 5.7 million more people across Africa will fall below extreme poverty levels in the coming year, a number expected to rocket to 19 million by 2030.  

    Cuts to aid are putting vital public services at risk in some of the world’s poorest countries. In countries like Liberia, Haiti, Malawi, and South Sudan, US aid had made up over 40 percent of health and education budgets, leaving them especially exposed. Combined with a growing debt crisis, this is undermining governments’ ability to care for their people.

    Global aid for nutrition will fall by 44 percent in 2025 compared to 2022:

    • The end of just $128 million worth of US-funded child nutrition programs for a million children will result in an extra 163,500 child deaths a year.  
    • At the same time, 2.3 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the most lethal form of undernutrition – are now at risk of losing their life-saving treatments.
       

    One in five dollars of aid to poor countries’ health budgets are cut or under threat:  

    • WHO reports that in almost three-quarters of its country offices are seeing serious disruptions to health services, and in about a quarter of the countries where it operates some health facilities have already been forced to shut down completely.
    • US aid cuts could lead to up to 3 million preventable deaths every year, with 95 million people losing access to healthcare. This includes children dying from vaccine-preventable diseases, pregnant women losing access to care, and rising deaths from malaria, TB, and HIV.

    G7 countries are not just reneging on commitments to global aid and solidarity, they are fuelling conflicts by allowing grave violations of international law, like in Gaza where people are facing starvation. Whether in Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or elsewhere, civilians must always be protected, and aid is often the first line of protection they get. G7 countries are illuminating a double standard that risks more global instability, conflict and atrocities.  

    While G7 countries cut aid, their citizen billionaires continue to see their wealth surge. Since the beginning of 2025, the G7 ultra-rich have made $126 billion, almost the same amount as the group’s 2025 aid commitment of $132 billion.  

    At this pace, it would take the world’s billionaires less than a month to generate the equivalent of the G7’s 2025 aid budget.

    By taxing the super-rich, the G7 could easily meet their financial commitments to end poverty and climate breakdown, whilst also having billions in new revenue to fight inequality in their own countries.  

    “The world is not short of money. The problem is that it is in the hands of the super-rich instead of the public. Rather than fairly taxing billionaires to feed the hungry, we see billionaires joining government to slash aid to the poorest in order to fund tax cuts for themselves,” said Behar.

    Oxfam is calling on the G7 to urgently reverse aid cuts and restore funding to address today’s global challenges. More than 50 years after the United Nations set the target of 0.7 percent for aid spending, most G7 countries remain well below this.  

    Oxfam is also urging the G7 to support global efforts led by Brazil and Spain to raise taxes on the super-rich, and to back the call from the African Union and The Vatican for a new UN body to help manage countries’ debt problems.
     

    According to OECD Data Explorer, the combined annual aid expenditure of the G7 in 2024 was $156.694 billion. Canada spent $7.323 billion, the United States $61.821 billion, Japan $17.583 billion, France $15.047 billion, Germany $31.382 billion, Italy $6.534 billion, and the United Kingdom $17.005 billion.

    Donor Tracker estimates that the decline in combined annual aid spending of the G7 countries for the period 2024 to 2026 will be -$44,488 billion.

    In 2024, aid from G7 countries declined by 8 percent, and projections for 2025 point to a sharper drop of 19 percent.

    Modelling using finds that 5.7 million more Africans would fall below the US$2.15 extreme poverty income level in the next year if Trump’s administration succeeds in its aid-reduction ambition. This assumes a 20 percent reduction of aid to Africa, considering that some US aid would be maintained as the US alone accounted for 26 percent of aid to Africa before the cuts.

    The dismantling of USAID and major aid reductions announced by Western donors threaten to undo decades of progress on malnutrition. A 44 percent drop in funding from 2022 levels could lead to widespread hardship and death.

    Up to 2.3 million children with severe acute malnutrition risk losing life-saving treatment, warns the Standing Together for Nutrition Consortium.

    There are 2,968 billionaires in the world, and 1,346 live in G7 countries (45 percent). 
     

    MIL OSI NGO