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Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 7 000 celebrate culture and sport at 11th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Over 7 000 celebrate culture and sport at 11th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Antwerp Issued at HKT 22:05

    A vibrant crowd of over 7 000 paddling enthusiasts and spectators gathered on May 10 in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium (Antwerp time), for the 11th edition of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) proudly sponsored the festival.

    Organised by Rotary Antwerp International and Rotary Antwerp West, the festival brought together some 30 dragon boat teams for a full day of spirited racing, cultural exchanges, and community celebrations. HKETO, Brussels was the main sponsor.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li shared her enthusiasm for the event. “HKETO Brussels is proud to continue supporting the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The dragon boat race symbolises the strong, enduring ties between Hong Kong and Belgium,” she said. “We are proud to once again support this vibrant celebration of sport, culture, and community.”

    Encouraging the audience to explore more, she added, “Come visit Hong Kong – a city brimming with life, colour, and culture.  As Asia’s world city and a hub for global events, Hong Kong is ready to welcome you with open arms.” She ended her speech by also promoting Hong Kong as a talent hub where ambition meets opportunity to advance studies or build a career.

    Beyond the festivities, the event also supported meaningful causes. Proceeds benefited Thomas Houses, a local charity dedicated to helping individuals with intellectual disabilities integrate into society and the well-known medical organisation Mercy Ships, as well as other charitable organisations.

    Ends/Thursday, May 22, 2025
    Issued at HKT 22:05

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Modification of customs duties applicable to imports of certain goods originating in or exported from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus – P10_TA(2025)0109 – Thursday, 22 May 2025 – Brussels

    Source: European Parliament

    THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

    Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(2) thereof,

    Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

    After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

    Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure(1),

    Whereas:

    (1)  The Union’s imports of urea and nitrogen-based fertilisers from the Russian Federation in 2023 were significant, at 3,6 million tonnes, and increased considerably in 2024 by comparison with 2023. The level of the Union’s imports from the Russian Federation of the agricultural goods covered by this Regulation (the ‘agricultural goods concerned’) is relatively low for most of those goods, but could increase significantly if the current trading conditions persist.

    (2)  The Union’s imports of the fertilisers covered by this Regulation (the ‘fertilisers concerned’) currently reflect a situation of economic dependence on the Russian Federation. Moreover, the imports of the agricultural goods concerned could create a similar and additional economic dependence on the Russian Federation, which should in the present circumstances be prevented and reduced in order to protect the Union’s market and to safeguard the Union’s food security.

    (3)  The Union’s erga omnes common customs duties are the most-favoured-nation tariffs currently applied to imports of the agricultural goods concerned and fertilisers concerned (the ‘goods concerned’). Those tariffs vary greatly at present. Depending on the goods concerned, some tariffs are either set at zero or set very low, while other tariffs are so high that no trade takes place.

    (4)  Continued imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation under the current conditions could make the Union vulnerable to coercive actions by the Russian Federation. In particular, a potential increase in imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation could disrupt the Union’s market and negatively impact the Union’s producers. It is therefore necessary to take appropriate tariff measures in order to address the Union’s current and potential economic dependence on imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation. That should be done by ending the current situation where the goods concerned enter the Union’s market on terms that are as favourable as those applied to goods of other origins that receive most-favoured-nation treatment.

    (5)  At present, imports of the fertilisers concerned from the Russian Federation are already increasing and could increase further and quickly if additional Russian production is re-oriented towards the Union. Such potential increased imports from the Russian Federation would disrupt the Union’s market for the fertilisers concerned and harm the Union’s producers of nitrogen fertilisers, who are already facing difficulties in competing with imports from the Russian Federation because gas prices in the Union remain high. The long-term survival of the Union’s nitrogen fertiliser industry is of crucial importance for the Union’s food security because the Union’s agricultural sector needs the fertilisers concerned in order to produce food. Addressing the growing dependence on imports of the fertilisers concerned from the Russian Federation and preserving the viability of an autonomous Union nitrogen fertiliser industry is therefore vital to ensuring and maintaining the Union’s food security. In order to prevent future dependence on imports of agricultural goods from the Russian Federation, it is also necessary to adjust the tariff levels for the agricultural goods concerned.

    (6)  Tariff measures should also be taken in respect of the Republic of Belarus in order to prevent potential imports to the Union from the Russian Federation being diverted through the Republic of Belarus, given the Republic of Belarus’s close political and economic ties with the Russian Federation. Such diversion of potential imports could happen if the Union’s tariffs on imports of the goods concerned from the Republic of Belarus were to remain unchanged. Imports of the goods concerned that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus to the Union should therefore be subject to higher customs duties than imports from other third countries.

    (7)  Imports from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus should not benefit from any lower tariffs under the Union’s tariff rate quotas on the basis of most-favoured-nation treatment. The reduced rates set out in the Union’s tariff rate quotas for the goods listed in the Annexes to this Regulation should therefore not apply to goods originating in or exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus to the Union.

    (8)  The envisaged increase in customs duties is not expected to affect global food security negatively because the increase in tariffs applies only to imports into the Union and does not affect the goods concerned if they are only transiting through the Union’s territory to third countries of final destination. On the contrary, the envisaged increase in Union import duties could increase the exports of the goods concerned to third countries and increase the availability of supplies in those third countries.

    (9)  At the same time, fertilisers play a significant role for food security as well as for the financial stability of farmers in the Union. It is therefore necessary to ensure predictable and sufficient access to fertilisers, at affordable price levels for farmers in the Union, which should in turn contribute to the stabilisation of agricultural markets. During a transitional period, the proposed measure would stimulate stepping-up production in the Union and allow for the reinforcement of alternative sources of supply from other international partners, minimising the risk that fertiliser prices for farmers in the Union increase substantially. To that end, the Commission should closely monitor the evolution of fertiliser prices on the Union’s market. If fertiliser prices increase substantially, the Commission should assess the situation and take all appropriate actions to remedy such price increase.

    (10)  The envisaged increase in customs duties is consistent with the Union’s external action in other areas, as set out in Article 21(3) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). The state of relations between the Union and the Russian Federation has greatly deteriorated in recent years and particularly since 2022. That deterioration of relations is due to the Russian Federation’s blatant disregard for international law and, in particular, its unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. Since July 2014, the Union has progressively imposed restrictive measures on trade with the Russian Federation in response to the Russian Federation’s actions against Ukraine.

    (11)  The Russian Federation is a member of the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’). However, the Union is currently allowed, by virtue of the exceptions that apply under the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (‘WTO Agreement’), and in particular Article XXI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (security exceptions), to disregard the obligation to accord to goods imported from the Russian Federation most-favoured-nation treatment, and it is not prevented from imposing import duties higher than those contained in the Union’s schedule of tariff commitments on trade in goods, if the Union considers such measures to be necessary in order to protect the Union’s essential security interests.

    (12)  Relations between the Union and the Republic of Belarus have also deteriorated in recent years due to the Republic of Belarus’s disregard for international law, fundamental freedoms and human rights, as well as its support for the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Since October 2020, the Union has progressively imposed restrictive measures on trade with the Republic of Belarus.

    (13)  The Republic of Belarus is not a member of the WTO. The Union is therefore not obliged, by virtue of the WTO Agreement, to accord to goods from the Republic of Belarus most-favoured-nation treatment and other treatment in line with that Agreement. In addition, existing trade agreements between the Union and the Republic of Belarus allow actions justified on the basis of applicable exception clauses, in particular security exceptions.

    (14)  In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation as regards the laying down of arrangements for the monitoring of import volumes, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2).

    (15)  In accordance with the principle of proportionality, it is necessary and appropriate to lay down rules increasing tariffs on the goods concerned with immediate effect, firstly in order to achieve the basic objective of ensuring that the goods concerned that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus do not disturb the Union’s market for the goods concerned and, secondly, in order to implement the Common Commercial Policy and to reduce the Union’s imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in response to concerns that such imports could negatively affect the Union’s internal market and impair the Union’s food security. This Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the objectives pursued in accordance with Article 5(4) TEU.

    (16)  In order to prevent further economic dependence of the Union on imports of the goods concerned from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

    HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

    Article 1

    1.  Goods classified under the Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes listed in Annex I that are imported into the Union and that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall be subject to an additional 50 % ad valorem customs duty that is to apply on top of the applicable Common Customs Tariff rate. Such goods originating in or exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall not be eligible for lower import duties for limited quantities (tariff rate quotas) where those duties apply pursuant to the Union’s obligations under the WTO Agreement or where tariff rate quotas are opened by the Union on another basis.

    2.  Goods classified under the CN codes listed in Annex II that are imported into the Union and that originate in or are exported, directly or indirectly, from the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus shall be subject to a customs duty as follows:

    (a)  with regard to the goods falling under CN code 3102:

    (i)  6,5 % ad valorem + 40 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (ii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 60 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (iii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 80 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028;

    (iv)  6,5 % ad valorem + 315 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2028;

    (b)  with regard to the goods falling under CN codes 3105 20, 3105 30, 3105 40, 3105 51, 3105 59 and 3105 90:

    (i)  6,5 % ad valorem + 45 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (ii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 70 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (iii)  6,5 % ad valorem + 95 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028;

    (iv)  6,5 % ad valorem + 430 EUR/tonne from 1 July 2028.

    3.  Notwithstanding paragraph 2, if cumulative import volumes of goods listed in point (a) or point (b) of that paragraph reach the following thresholds, the Commission shall, within 21 days, impose a duty at the level set out in point (a)(iv) or point (b)(iv), respectively, of that paragraph, for the remaining imports of those goods in the given period:

    (a)  2,7 million tonnes from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026;

    (b)  1,8 million tonnes from 1 July 2026 until 30 June 2027;

    (c)  0,9 million tonnes from 1 July 2027 until 30 June 2028.

    4.  The Commission may adopt implementing acts laying down the arrangements for monitoring the import volumes set out in paragraph 3 of this Article. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 3(2).

    Article 2

    1.  The Commission shall monitor prices applicable in the Union of the goods listed in Annex II for a period of four years from … [the date of entry into force of this Regulation].

    2.  In the event that the price levels of the goods listed in Annex II substantially exceed the 2024 price levels during the period referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess the situation and take all appropriate actions to remedy such price increase. Such actions may include, where appropriate, a proposal for the temporary suspension of tariffs for those goods imported from and originating in countries other than the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus.

    Article 3

    1.  The Commission shall be assisted by the Customs Code Committee established by Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council(3). That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

    2.  Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

    Article 4

    This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

    In respect of the goods listed in Annex I, this Regulation shall apply from … [four weeks from the date of entry into force of this Regulation].

    This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

    Done at …,

    For the European Parliament For the Council

    The President The President

    ANNEX I

    List of goods referred to in Article 1(1)

    CN code

    Description

    01

    Live animals

    02

    Meat and edible meat offal

    04

    Dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included

    05

    Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included

    06

    Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots and the like; cut flowers and ornamental foliage

    Ex 07

    Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers, except:

    0713 10 peas (Pisum sativum)

    0713 20 chickpeas (garbanzos)

    08

    Edible fruits and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons

    09

    Coffee, tea, maté and spices

    1004

    Oats

    1006

    Rice

    1008 60

    Triticale

    Ex 11

    Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten, except CN code 1106 10 00

    1209

    Seeds, fruits and spores, of a kind used for sowing

    1210

    Hop cones, fresh or dried, whether or not ground, powdered or in the form of pellets; lupulin

    1211

    Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered

    1212

    Locust beans, seaweeds and other algae, sugar beet and sugar cane, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not ground; fruit stones and kernels and other vegetable products (including unroasted chicory roots of the variety Cichorium intybus sativum), of a kind used primarily for human consumption, not elsewhere specified or included

    1213

    Cereal straw and husks, unprepared, whether or not chopped, ground, pressed or in the form of pellets

    1214

    Swedes, mangolds, fodder roots, hay, lucerne (alfalfa), clover, sainfoin, forage kale, lupines, vetches and similar forage products, whether or not in the form of pellets

    13

    Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts

    1401

    Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting (e.g. bamboos, rattans, reeds, rushes, osier, raffia, cleaned, bleached or dyed cereal straw, and lime bark)

    1404 20

    Cotton linters

    1501

    Pig fat (including lard) and poultry fat, other than that falling under headings 0209 or 1503

    1502

    Fats of bovine animals, sheep or goats, other than those falling under heading 1503

    1503

    Lard stearin, lard oil, oleostearin, oleo-oil and tallow oil, not emulsified or mixed or otherwise prepared

    1505

    Wool grease and fatty substances derived therefrom (including lanolin)

    1506

    Other animal fats and oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1509

    Olive oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1510

    Other oils and their fractions, obtained solely from olives, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified, including blends of these oils or fractions with oils or fractions falling under heading 1509

    1511

    Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1513

    Coconut (copra), palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions thereof, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

    1515 30

    Castor oil and its fractions

    1515 50

    Sesame oil and its fractions

    1515 60

    Microbial fats and oils and their fractions

    1515 90 11

    Tung oil; jojoba and oiticica oils; myrtle and japan wax; their fractions

    1515 90 21

    Crude tobacco-seed oil and its fractions, for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 29

    Crude tobacco-seed oil and its fractions, excluding for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 31

    Tobacco-seed oil and its fractions other than crude, for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1515 90 39

    Tobacco-seed oil and its fractions other than crude, excluding for technical or industrial uses other than the manufacture of foodstuffs for human consumption

    1516 10

    Animal fats and oils and their fractions

    1516 20 10

    Hydrogenated castor oil, so-called ‘opal-wax’

    1516 30

    Microbials fats and oils and their fractions

    1517

    Margarine, edible mixtures or preparations of animal, vegetable or microbial fats or oils or of fractions of different fats or oils of Chapter 15, other than edible fats or oils or their fractions falling under heading 1516

    1518 00 10

    Linoxyn

    1520

    Glycerol, crude; glycerol waters and glycerol lyes

    1521

    Vegetable waxes (other than triglycerides), beeswax, other insect waxes and spermaceti, whether or not refined or coloured

    1522

    Degras; residues resulting from the treatment of fatty substances or animal or vegetable waxes

    1601

    Sausages and similar products of meat, meat offal, blood or insects; food preparations based on these products

    1602

    Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal, blood or insects

    17

    Sugars and sugar confectionery

    18

    Cocoa and cocoa preparations

    19

    Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks’ products

    20

    Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants

    21

    Miscellaneous edible preparations

    22

    Beverages, spirits and vinegar

    2301 10

    Flours, meals and pellets, of meat or offal, unfit for human consumption; greaves

    2302 10

    Bran, sharps and other residues of maize (corn), whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working

    2302 40 02

    Bran, sharps and other residues of rice, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working, with starch content not exceeding 35 %

    2302 40 08

    Bran, sharps and other residues of rice, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working, other than with starch content not exceeding 35 %

    2302 50

    Bran, sharps and other residues of leguminous plants, whether or not in the form of pellets, derived from sifting, milling or other working

    2306 90 11

    Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of olive oil, containing 3 % or less by weight of olive oil

    2306 90 19

    Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of olive oil, containing more than 3 % by weight of olive oil

    2307

    Wine lees; argol

    2308 00 11

    Grape marc, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, having a total alcoholic strength by mass not exceeding 4,3 % mas and a dry matter content not less than 40 % by weight

    2308 00 19

    Grape marc, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used in animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included, other than having a total alcoholic strength by mass not exceeding 4,3 % mas and a dry matter content not less than 40 % by weight

    2308 00 40

    Acorns and horse-chestnuts; pomace or marc of fruit, other than grapes, whether or not in the form of pellets, of a kind used for animal feeding, not elsewhere specified or included

    2309 10

    Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale

    2309 90 10

    Fish or marine mammal solubles, of a kind used in animal feeding

    2309 90 33

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 35

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % but less than 75 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 39

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 but containing no starch or containing 10 % or less by weight of starch and containing not less than 75 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 43

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 10 % but not more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 49

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 10 % but not more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 53

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 10 % but less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 59

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup of subheadings 1702 30 50, 1702 30 90, 1702 40 90, 1702 90 50 and 2106 90 55 and containing more than 30 % by weight of starch and containing not less than 50 % by weight of milk products

    2309 90 70

    Preparations, including premixes, of a kind used in animal feeding, containing no starch, glucose, glucose syrup, maltodextrine or maltodextrine syrup but containing milk products

    24

    Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; products, whether or not containing nicotine, intended for inhalation without combustion; other nicotine containing products intended for the intake of nicotine into the human body

    2905 43

    Mannitol

    2905 44

    D-glucitol (sorbitol)

    3301

    Essential oils (terpeneless or not), including concretes and absolutes; resinoids; extracted oleoresins; concentrates of essential oils in fats, in fixed oils, in waxes or the like, obtained by enfleurage or maceration; terpenic by-products of the deterpenation of essential oils; aqueous distillates and aqueous solutions of essential oils

    3501

    Casein, caseinates and other casein derivatives; casein glues

    3502

    Albumins (including concentrates of two or more whey proteins, containing by weight more than 80 % whey proteins, calculated on the dry matter), albuminates and other albumin derivatives

    3503

    Gelatin (including gelatin in rectangular (including square) sheets, whether or not surface-worked or coloured, and gelatin derivatives; isinglass; other glues of animal origin, excluding casein glues of heading 3501

    3504

    Peptones and their derivatives; other protein substances and their derivatives, not elsewhere specified or included; hide powder, whether or not chromed

    3505

    Dextrins and other modified starches (e.g. pregelatinised or esterified starches); glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches

    3809 10

    Finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate the dyeing or fixing of dyestuffs and other products and preparations (e.g. dressings and mordants), of a kind used in the textile, paper, leather or like industries, not elsewhere specified or included, with a basis of amylaceous substances

    3824 60

    Sorbitol other than that of subheading 2905 44

    4101

    Raw hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split

    4102

    Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not with wool on or split, other than those excluded by note 1(c) to Chapter 41

    4103

    Other raw hides and skins (fresh, or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchment-dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split, other than those excluded by note 1(b) or note 1(c) to Chapter 41

    4301

    Raw fur skins (including heads, tails, paws and other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers’ use), other than raw hides and skins of heading 4101, 4102 or 4103

    5001

    Silkworm cocoons suitable for reeling

    5002

    Raw silk (not thrown)

    5003

    Silk waste (including cocoons unsuitable for reeling, yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5101

    Wool, not carded or combed

    5102

    Fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed

    5103

    Waste of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair, including yarn waste but excluding garneted stock

    5201

    Cotton, not carded or combed

    5202

    Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5203

    Cotton, carded or combed

    5301

    Flax, raw or processed but not spun; flax tow and waste (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    5302

    True hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), raw or processed, but not spun; tow and waste of true hemp (including yarn waste and garneted stock)

    ANNEX II

    List of goods referred to in Article 1(2)

    CN code

    Description

    3102

    Mineral or chemical fertilisers, nitrogenous

    Ex 3105

    Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; other fertilisers; goods of Chapter 31 in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight not exceeding 10 kg, except:

    3105 10 00 – Goods of Chapter 31 in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight not exceeding 10 kg

    3105 60 00 – Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing the two fertilising elements phosphorus and potassium
    (1) Position of the European Parliament of 22 May 2025.
    (2) Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/182/oj).
    (3) Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Meteora Capital Recently Celebrated the Three-Year Anniversary of Flagship Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Meteora Capital, LLC (“Meteora”), a leading investment adviser specializing in event-driven equity and credit strategies, is proud to announce the third anniversary of its flagship fund, Meteora Select Trading Opportunities, LP (“MSTO”).

    MSTO’s strategy focuses on identifying opportunities arising from hard catalyst investments including mergers, restructurings, convertible bonds, SPACs and other special situations. These strategies aim to deliver risk-adjusted returns while navigating complex market dynamics.

    Founded in 2021 by Vik Mittal, CFA, Meteora Capital leverages deep expertise across public and private markets. Mittal, the firm’s Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer, brings over two decades of experience in event-driven investing across strategies such as merger arbitrage, SPACs, convertible securities, structured financing, and credit opportunities.

    Meteora, which is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with a satellite office in New York, NY now has a total staff of 13 including Mittal. This growth in personnel reflects the firm’s commitment to building a robust team capable of navigating complex investments.

    Over the past three years, MSTO has been recognized for its disciplined investment approach and commitment to excellence. Among its accolades are:

    • 2024 HedgeWeek Emerging Managers Award: Event-Driven Multi-Strategy Fund of the Year
    • 2024 HFM U.S. Performance Awards: Multi-Strategy Newcomer of the Year Award
    • Consistent monthly top rankings by BarclayHedge within the event-driven category

    As Meteora celebrates this milestone, it remains committed to expanding its platform and delivering value to institutional and high-net-worth investors seeking exposure to event-driven strategies with a focus on optimizing performance while managing risks effectively.

    About Meteora Capital

    Meteora Capital is a leading alternative investment firm specializing in event-driven strategies, including SPACs, merger arbitrage, and structured credit investments. The firm’s mission is to build a best-in-class platform that balances performance optimization with risk mitigation across public market opportunities paired with long-term private market investments.

    For inquiries or more information about Meteora Capital, LLC:

    Media Contacts:

    Kevin Gahwyler 

    Meteora Capital, LLC

    info@meteoracapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: American Rebel Congratulates Tony Stewart on Top Fuel Victory at Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Stewart’s Fourth Consecutive Final and Second Victory of his Top Fuel Career

    American Rebel Light Beer Sponsorship of Tony Stewart Racing Drivers Tony Stewart and Matt Hagan Celebrate Stewart Win and Stewart Heads to 109th Indianapolis 500 to Join the INDYCAR on FOX team for Pre-Race Show

    Nashville, TN, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) (“American Rebel” or the “Company”), creator of American Rebel Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) and a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded safes, personal security and self-defense products and apparel (americanrebel.com), is proud to congratulate Tony Stewart on his victory at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals in the Top Fuel Dragster (nhra.com) this past weekend at the Route 66 Raceway (route66raceway.com) in Chicago. This past weekend’s race marked the fourth consecutive final for Stewart and the second victory of his Top Fuel Career.

    “I said at Vegas that I was extremely impressed and pleased with the progress our team has been making,” said Stewart. “There were tricky track conditions on Friday, so I was excited about getting number one qualifier in Q1. There are a lot of heavy hitters that can really perform when the track is great and we just hadn’t been there yet. When the track cooled off and we ran a 3.67 (ET) yesterday, we got really excited. We had talked amongst our group about how tough it is to race for a championship at the end of the season when we haven’t raced in cooler conditions like we will have in the Fall. We had that this weekend, so to run that well was very encouraging. Now we have data that we can go back and look at and won’t be starting from scratch. We had a mixture of warm and cool conditions today for eliminations. I talked with Leah (Pruett, Stewart’s wife and driver of the Tony Stewart Racing (tsrnitro.com) Top Fuel Dragster until she stepped away to start a family) before the Final about what I had to do to beat Justin (Ashley). We concluded I had to just keep doing what I’ve been doing and get up on the wheel. You know when you race Justin, you have to bring your “A game” and rise to the occasion. His reaction times are the best out here and he does that both in qualifying and eliminations. That makes today’s win for our Rinnai crew that much more special. They have a great team and program. When you can beat them, it is a feather in your cap because you’re beating one of the best teams in the business.”

    “I couldn’t be more proud for Tony, Leah, Matt and the entire Tony Stewart Racing team,” said American Rebel CEO Andy Ross. “Tony making four consecutive finals with two of them being wins is amazing; and Matt is also running really well. Our distributors, retailers and customers love our association with Tony Stewart Racing and Tony’s support team have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help American Rebel Beer every way they can. It’s been a fantastic experience!”

    Stewart’s previous three consecutive final-round appearances came at the 65th NHRA Winternationals, NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas, and American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Charlotte in addition to the fourth consecutive final-round appearance at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals in Chicago.

    The fact that Tony Stewart may be the most versatile driver in the history of auto racing was highlighted again this weekend as Stewart earned a trifecta in Chicago with Stewart’s previous win on the oval track in Chicago, his win as a team owner with driver Donny Schatz’s 2005 and 2017 wins on the dirt track, and now Stewart’s win in Top Fuel on the dragstrip. Stewart’s versatility will again be highlighted this coming weekend as Stewart will join Danica Patrick and Chris Myers and the INDYCAR on FOX team and participate in the pre-race show for the 109th Indianapolis 500. Pre-race coverage begins at 10 am Eastern.

    American Rebel is an associate sponsor on the Tony Stewart driven Top Fuel Dragster and the Matt Hagan driven Funny Car for all 20 races of the NHRA Mission Foods 2025 season as well as the primary sponsor of the Matt Hagan Funny Car for five races, including the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the primary sponsor of the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster for one race during the 2025 season. Being a sponsor provides opportunities for vast exposure during the race broadcasts on Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). Ratings for NHRA telecasts are very strong and visibility continues to expand through additional streaming options through NHRA.tv.

    In addition to the strong television viewership of NHRA racing, NHRA has unveiled exciting opportunities for digital media and content creators for the 2025 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. Aiming to change the way influencers, content creators and digital media members experience drag racing, NHRA is working to expand its reach across social media platforms with its Cornwell Tools Burnout Box Content Creator Zone. This expansion and emphasis in the digital media space will significantly benefit American Rebel.

    American Rebel has also benefitted from the relationship with Tony Stewart Racing through the social media reach of Tony Stewart, Matt Hagan and Leah Pruett. Tony Stewart has nearly 750,000 followers on X (@TonyStewart) and over 250,000 followers on Instagram (@tsrsmoke). Matt Hagan has nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram (@matthagan_fc) and Leah Pruett has nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram (@leah.pruett).

    Primary sponsorship dates for American Rebel Beer on the Matt Hagan Funny Car are April 25 – 27 at the American Rebel Light NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Concord, NC; June 20 – 22 at the Virginia NHRA Nationals at North Dinwiddle, VA; August 14 – 17 at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, MN; September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO; and October 30 – November 2 at the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas, NV. American Rebel Beer will also be a primary sponsor for the Tony Stewart Top Fuel Dragster on September 26 – 28 at the NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO.

    About American Rebel Light Beer

    Produced in partnership with AlcSource, American Rebel Light Beer (americanrebelbeer.com) is a domestic premium light lager celebrated for its exceptional quality and patriotic values. It stands out as America’s Patriotic, God-Fearing, Constitution-Loving, National Anthem-Singing, Stand Your Ground Beer.

    American Rebel Light is a Premium Domestic Light Lager Beer – All Natural, Crisp, Clean and Bold Taste with a Lighter Feel. With approximately 100 calories, 3.2 carbohydrates, and 4.3% alcoholic content per 12 oz serving, American Rebel Light Beer delivers a lighter option for those who love great beer but prefer a more balanced lifestyle. It’s all natural with no added supplements and importantly does not use corn, rice, or other sweeteners typically found in mass produced beers.

    About Tony Stewart Racing

    Headquartered in Brownsburg, Indiana, Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) Nitro fields two entries in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. After more than four decades of racing around in circles, Tony Stewart embarked on a straight and narrow path, albeit more than 300 mph. The championship-winning racecar driver who has successfully transitioned to being a championship-winner team owner, formed the TSR nitro team in 2021, with 2022 marking the team’s first season in competition. Matt Hagan pilots the Funny Car and Tony Stewart took over driving duties in 2024 for wife Leah Pruett in the Top Fuel dragster as they started a family. Hagan is a four-time Funny Car champion (2011, 2014, 2020 and 2023) from Christiansburg, Virginia. Stewart hails from Columbus, Indiana and earned his first Top Fuel victory at the 2025 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas. He also won the 2024 NHRA Rookie of the Year title. Stewart finished second in the 2023 Top Alcohol Dragster championship standings.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebelbeer.com or americanrebel.com. For investor information, visit americanrebelbeer.com/investor-relations.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc.
    info@americanrebel.com

    American Rebel Beverages, LLC
    Todd Porter, President
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of a launch party, actual launch timing and availability of American Rebel Beer, success and availability of the promotional activities, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contact:
    tporter@americanrebelbeer.com
     info@americanrebel.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Wearable Devices Secures U.S. Patent for Continuous Gesture Control, Enabling Fine-Tuned Interaction with Digital Devices

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The newly allowed patent advances Wearable Devices’ neural gesture technology, unlocking seamless pinch-to-zoom, volume control, and object manipulation in mid-air

    Yokneam Illit, Israel, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wearable Devices Ltd. (the “Company” or “Wearable Devices”) (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW), a technology growth company specializing in artificial intelligence (“AI”)-powered touchless sensing wearables, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed a continuation of  its patent titled “Gesture and Voice-Controlled Interface Device”.

    Traditional gesture sensing systems continuously track hand and finger movements but lack clear “start” and “end” points, making it difficult for devices to understand when a user truly intends to zoom, adjust volume, or manipulate an object. As a result, unintuitive solutions have been used – such as requiring the use of both hands, adding special buttons, or abandoning continuous control altogether. The same goes for voice assistants, which require a “wake word”, prompting them to wait for further instructions.

    Wearable Devices’ newly allowed patent defines a method to extract precise start and end points from continuous gestures. This breakthrough enables devices to support natural and intuitive control gestures like pinch-to-zoom not just for zooming images, but also for adjusting volume, resizing objects, or moving elements – seamlessly and touch-free.

    The technology is ideally suited for augmented reality (“AR”) headsets, gesture-controlled smart devices, and wearable controllers based on cameras, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), or electromyography (EMG) sensors – making mid-air fine control finally accessible and natural.

    “This patent unlocks the full potential of touchless control, allowing users to adjust digital environments as intuitively as they would on a touchscreen – but without ever needing to touch a device,” said Guy Wagner, President and Chief Scientist at Wearable Devices.

    About Wearable Devices

    Wearable Devices Ltd. (Nasdaq: WLDS, WLDSW) is a growth company pioneering human-computer interaction through its AI-powered neural input touchless technology. Leveraging proprietary sensors, software, and advanced AI algorithms, the Company’s consumer products – the Mudra Band and Mudra Link – are defining the neural input category both for wrist-worn devices and for brain-computer interfaces. These products enable touch-free, intuitive control of digital devices using gestures across multiple operating systems.

    Operating through a dual-channel model of direct-to-consumer sales and enterprise licensing and collaborations, Wearable Devices empowers consumers with stylish, functional wearables for enhanced experiences in gaming, productivity, and extended reality (“XR”). In the business sector, the Company provides enterprise partners with advanced input solutions for immersive and interactive environments, from AR/virtual reality (“VR”)/XR to smart environments.

    By setting the standard for neural input in the XR ecosystem, Wearable Devices is shaping the future of seamless, natural user experiences across some of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets. Wearable Devices’ ordinary shares and warrants trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “WLDS” and “WLDSW,” respectively.

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that are intended to be covered by the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the benefits and advantages of our products and technology, our aim to make neural input as intuitive and accessible as possible, and the potential of our touchless control technology in enabling devices to support natural and intuitive control gestures and allowing users to adjust digital environments. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the trading of our ordinary shares or warrants and the development of a liquid trading market; our ability to successfully market our products and services; the acceptance of our products and services by customers; our continued ability to pay operating costs and ability to meet demand for our products and services; the amount and nature of competition from other security and telecom products and services; the effects of changes in the cybersecurity and telecom markets; our ability to successfully develop new products and services; our success establishing and maintaining collaborative, strategic alliance agreements, licensing and supplier arrangements; our ability to comply with applicable regulations; and the other risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed on March 20, 2025 and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Investor Relations Contact
    Michal Efraty
    IR@wearabledevices.co.il

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP News: XenDex Presale Ends in 6 Days, Secure $XDX Before Listings Go Live on Binance, FirstLedger, Gate.io, Magnetic & More

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, Australia, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As XRP makes waves across the global crypto landscape, XenDex is quickly becoming the most talked-about DeFi launch on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). With just 6 days left in the presale, urgency is at an all-time high as early investors race to secure $XDX tokens before exchange listings go live.

    Having already filled its soft cap and with the hard cap nearly complete, the XenDex presale has entered its final stretch, fueled by overwhelming demand from both retail and institutional investors.

    Buy $XDX Now Before Listing On Binance

    Riding on the recent news of the possibility of XRP price hitting all time high, CME launching XRP Futures, SEC lawsuit withdrawal, and XRP breaking resistance levels, XenDex is building the DeFi infrastructure XRP has long needed. It’s all-in-one decentralized exchange (DEX) is in active development, and the Version 1 of the DEX will be unveiled soon, showcasing every feature in action.

    With speculation mounting that XRP could reach $1,000 in the long term, XenDex is launching at the perfect moment, offering the tools, speed, and accessibility XRPL has long needed.

    What Is XenDex?

    XenDex is developing the first all-in-one decentralized exchange (DEX) on the XRP Ledger, designed for both beginners and seasoned traders. With Version 1 in active development, a platform mockup will be revealed in the coming days and only presale participants will receive early access.

    Purchase $XDX At A low Price

    Key Features of XenDex

    • AI Copy Trading – Mirror the strategies of elite traders
    • Lending & Borrowing – Borrow or lend XRP and $XDX securely
    • Cross-Chain Trading – Swap XDX across Ethereum, Solana, and BNB
    • Staking & Yield Farming – Earn rewards while providing liquidity
    • DAO Governance – Shape the platform’s direction via voting with $XDX

    Why Join Now?

    • Price: 1.25 XRP = 10 XDX
    • Minimum Buy: 150 XRP
    • Soft Cap: Filled
    • Hard Cap: Almost Filled

    Buy Now Before the Presale Ends: https://xendex.net/presale

    Confirmed Exchange Listings:

    After the presale, $XDX will be listed on exchanges like; Binance, Gate.io, MEXC, BitMart, FirstLedger, MagneticX.

    With just 6 days left, shrinking token supply, and a full launch imminent, this may be your final chance to buy before price surges on listing.

    Join XenDex Community Below:

    Website: xendex.net
    Presale: xendex.net/presale
    Telegram: t.me/xendexcommunity
    Twitter/X: x.com/xendex_xrp
    Docs: xdxdocs.gitbook.io

    Contact:
    Frank Richards
    Frank@xendex.net

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post provided by XenDex. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.
    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6ffce0c1-f614-4d73-9e2f-3801cd590f64

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF and Romanian authorities lead the way on digital tools to safeguard EU budget

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no.12
    PDF version 

    The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the Romanian Police and Romania’s Department for the Fight Against Fraud (DLAF), are hosting European anti-fraud specialists in Bucharest to discuss the use of digital tools to fight fraud against the EU budget. The meeting aims to strengthen cross-border cooperation and improve the detection and investigation of fraud through advanced digital means.  

    Running from 20-23 May 2025, the Technical Workshop on Digital Anti-Fraud Tools brings together nearly 100 anti-fraud experts from EU Member States, the European Court of Auditors (ECA), the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Eurojust, Europol, and OLAF. The event focuses on building a community of digitally skilled anti-fraud specialists and identifying best practices in anti-fraud detection and investigation in digital environments. It is also aimed at fostering synergies in the development of data-driven tools – including artificial intelligence – to protect European taxpayers’ money. 

    Additionally, on 22 May 2025, OLAF and the Romanian National Trade Register Office (ONRC) signed a bilateral agreement to facilitate access to national company data for the purpose of anti-fraud investigations. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to ensuring a more effective protection of EU financial interests.  

    Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General said: “OLAF is proud to play a leading role in driving the digital transformation of the anti-fraud community, particularly by fostering the development and take-up of digital tools, including artificial intelligence. These innovative tools will significantly strengthen our ability to protect the EU budget.”  

    Benone Marian Matei, General Inspector of the Romanian Police said: “The Central Unit for Information Analysis reaffirms its commitment to the development and use of advanced analytical tools to support the early identification of fraud patterns and to enhance the protection of European funds.” 

    Ionuț Bogdan Dințoi, Secretary of State and Head of DLAF said: “DLAF reiterates the good cooperation with OLAF and, as a partner in the protection of EU financial interests, supports OLAF’s efforts to bring together professionals and create a framework for sharing good practices in using and developing digital and AI tools in the anti-fraud domain, specifically to protect Union expenditure.”

    Luiza Mardare, ONRC Director-General, commented on the signing of the bilateral agreement with OLAF: “The signing of these protocols is a step towards standard practice and, we hope, an important support for the actions carried out by the European Anti-Fraud Office in protecting the financial interests of the European Union. In this regard, by granting the European Anti-Fraud Office free access to the data held by the Trade Register, we can contribute to the fight against corruption within the European Union.”

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:

    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, please leave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark government partnership signed with North Macedonia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Landmark government partnership signed with North Macedonia

    The new Government Partnership will drive economic growth across both countries through increased collaboration on infrastructure projects.

    Today marks a new era for UK-North Macedonia relations, following the signing of a Government-to-Government Partnership (G2G) which will boost trade and drive economic growth. This Partnership supports the delivery of critical infrastructure projects across various sectors, including transport, health, energy, and technology. It will be able to draw on a wide range of support, including technical assistance programmes and up to £5 billion in UK Export Finance support available for projects in North Macedonia.

    The formal signing ceremony took place at the historic Old Admiralty Building in London on Thursday 22nd May 2025, with the UK Minister for Exports, Gareth Thomas MP, and the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Aleksandar Nikoloski, in attendance.

    This G2G underscores the commitment of both nations to collaborate on critical infrastructure projects that deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits. By leveraging the expertise and innovation of both countries, this Partnership will drive the development of resilient infrastructure that fosters growth and prosperity.

    The exchange of knowledge and best practice between our two countries will be central to this G2G, drawing from the expertise of both nation’s respective infrastructure fields. This means the UK Government and British businesses working in partnership with the government of North Macedonia and their local supply chain to deliver infrastructure projects across North Macedonia. This approach will generate mutual benefits for both nations through the sharing of innovation to deliver resilient infrastructure that drives growth.

    Minister of Exports, Gareth Thomas MP expressed his enthusiasm:

    This partnership opens up a new chapter in our bilateral relationship with North Macedonia.

    The UK has a wealth of experience in delivering high-quality infrastructure across the world and I am delighted to be kicking off this new partnership that will help more British businesses export to North Macedonia.

    The UK Ambassador to North Macedonia, Matthew Lawson said:

    We have achieved a significant milestone in the UK – North Macedonia relations with the signing of the Government-to-Government Partnership by UK Minister for Exports, Gareth Thomas MP, and the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Aleksandar Nikoloski.

    The G2G will further strengthen the already excellent trade ties between our countries and support the delivery of critical infrastructure projects in different sectors, including transport, health, energy, and technology in North Macedonia. As the British Ambassador I am proud that our governments have reached this landmark partnership that will benefit the citizens of both countries. We stand strong and united together.

    This G2G builds on a strong existing bilateral relationship between the UK and North Macedonia. Recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski welcomed a new Strategic Partnership at the European Political Community Summit in Tirana on the 16th May 2025. This G2G represents the start of our enhanced trade and infrastructure collaboration.

    Chris Barton, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Europe also expressed his support:

    I am delighted that this G2G will support stronger collaboration across our governments and businesses to deliver economic growth for both our nations and good-quality infrastructure for the citizens of North Macedonia.

    Notes to editors:

    • government to government (G2G) partnerships are formal arrangements under which we agree to provide another government is provided with access to UK public and private expertise for specific projects or programmes that create commercial benefits

    • total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and North Macedonia was £1.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2024

    • the UK is North Macedonia’s second largest trading partner in the 4 quarters to the end of Q3 2024

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair serves as a platform for promoting regional cooperation between China and Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    HARBIN, May 22 (Xinhua) — The 34th Harbin International Economic and Trade Fair, which recently concluded in the city of Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, has injected new impetus into cooperation between the Chinese border province and Russian regions.

    One of the main topics of the event, which took place from May 17 to 21, was regional cooperation between China and Russia.

    The Heilongjiang Province is separated from some Russian regions only by the Heilongjiang River /Amur/. “The Amur does not simply divide us, but on the contrary, connects us. This is a connection of two neighbors,” noted the acting governor of the Jewish Autonomous Region /JAR/ Maria Kostyuk, calling the Heilongjiang Province the only such strategic partner for the JAR.

    M. Kostyuk participated in the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair for the first time in the capacity of the head of the region. Previously, she had visited the exhibition many times when she worked in the mayor’s office of the city of Birobidzhan.

    “We worked together with our sister city Hegang in Heilongjiang Province not only on exchanging businessmen, but also introducing businesses to each other’s territory so that we could have very proper cooperation. For the second year in a row, Birobidzhan and Hegang have presented a joint exposition at the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair,” she noted.

    In addition to Hegang and Birobidzhan, sister city relations have been established between Chinese and Russian cities such as Heihe and Blagoveshchensk, as well as Tongjiang and Bogdanovich, which helps to unlock the potential for cooperation between the border areas of the two countries.

    “In terms of humanitarian cooperation, the Amur Region is the leader among other regions of Russia in terms of the number of Russian-Chinese joint events, just as the Heilongjiang Province is among Chinese regions,” emphasized the Governor of the Amur Region Vasily Orlov in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the 34th Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair.

    “We have more than 200 events. They are held annually, there are very bright, iconic ones that have become the calling card of our cities – Blagoveshchensk and Heihe, as well as the Amur Region and Heilongjiang Province,” he explained, expressing hope that in the future the level of these events will increase through the involvement of additional partner regions on both sides.

    Both leaders of Russian regions also noted the dynamics of development of cooperation with Heilongjiang Province in such areas as agriculture, logistics and tourism.

    On the sidelines of the current Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair, the Russian Export Center (REC) organized another festival-fair “Made in Russia.” It featured products from over 100 Russian manufacturers from 50 regions of the country.

    During the festival-fair, specialized negotiations on the B2B model were also held between Chinese and Russian companies, which, according to REC General Director Veronika Nikishina, provided a unique opportunity to establish important business contacts and expand the horizons of cooperation.

    REC is organizing a similar festival-fair on the sidelines of the Harbin International Trade and Economic Fair for the second time. As part of the event, a Made in Russia retail store also opened in Harbin.

    “I think that candies and chocolates made in Russia have a unique and rich taste, and they are inexpensive. Our whole family likes them very much,” said one shopper surnamed Sun.

    “We opened the first warehouse distribution center in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, with an area of over 4,500 square meters, to supply and continuously provide the Made in Russia retail chain with original and high-quality Russian products,” explained V. Nikishina, noting that from the point of view of the extensive development of the national brand, the Chinese market is one of the most important and promising in the world.

    According to M. Kostyuk, residents of China and Russia are always interested in communicating with each other as neighbors and close people. “We already have experience of long-term cooperation with border cities of Heilongjiang Province. We must also go together today along one path in order to develop our mutual cooperation,” she summarized. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SAMOA TRAINS 30 ECO-GUARDIANS TO LEAD ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN

    Source:

    Share this:

    [PRESS RELEASE 25 April 2025] – Conservation International (CI) and the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) co-hosted a comprehensive Training of Teachers (TOT) workshop at the Elisa Hotel Conference Room in Sogi from the 22 – 25 April. The event equipped 35 educators from Sagaga and Anoamaa districts and partners, for the next implementation sites for the Guardians Environmental Education Campaign, with innovative tools and strategies to promote environmental stewardship among students and communities.

    The workshop focused on familiarizing participants with the Guardians Manual, experiential teaching techniques, and practical methods to deliver engaging environmental education programs. Key sessions included interactive modules on multiple learning styles, effective teaching practices, and trial runs of campaign themes such as Trash Star, Coral Champion, Wise Fisher, Tree Guardian, and Samoa Voyager. Participants collaborated to design activity plans, resource materials, and delivery methods tailored to their communities.

    A dedicated session on social and environmental safeguards emphasized child protection, prevention of exploitation, and logistical best practices to ensure safety during campaign activities. The workshop concluded with certificate presentations, recognizing participants’ commitment to advancing environmental education.

    “This workshop was very valuable and important and I appreciate the generous resources invested in us as educators to be able to support the Guardians Environmental Education modules” said Maria Fonofili from Sauano Primary School. “I am very grateful to the organizers for the past four days for all the informative sessions and knowledge shared which have greatly expanded our understanding for the benefit of teaching our children .”

    The training and campaign ahead is made possible through foundational funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Manaaki Programme, with additional support from the Blackmore Foundation, Waitt Foundation and the Blue Nature Alliance. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) and the Samoa Voyaging Society (SVS) were also able to support the facilitation of the programme modules and strengthening its impact. Conservation International and the Ministry of Education and Culture, extend their deepest gratitude to these partners for their commitment to environmental education and sustainable development in Samoa.

    “We’re deeply grateful to our partners and donors for their continued support of the Guardians Programme,” says Le’ausalilo Leilani Duffy-Iosefa, Director of Conservation International. “Our goal is to ensure the programme leaves a lasting impact on Samoa’s children by helping protect their environmental and cultural heritage for generations to come”

    The Guardians Campaign, now in its fifth year, continues to engage schools and communities in hands-on conservation efforts, building a generation of environmental Guardians, enhancing Samoa’s Ocean Strategy.

    For more information about the Guardians programme, please contact Samantha Kwan on 21593.

    END.

    SOURCE – Conservation International Pacific Islands

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – 27-29 May: INTA Delegation to Washington, D.C. – Committee on International Trade

    Source: European Parliament

    A delegation of eight Members of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) will travel to Washington, D.C. from 27 to 29 May 2025 to discuss political, trade and investment relations between the US and the EU.

    The delegation will be led by INTA Chair and standing rapporteur for EU-US trade relations, Bernd Lange.

    INTA Members are set to hold meetings with different departments of the US administration and with lawmakers. The meetings will also include US business organisations as well as major EU businesses active in the US. Members will also meet with US trade union representatives, consumer organisations, think tanks and academia.

    Members will hear from different interlocutors and stakeholders how the tariffs imposed by the US administration are being applied, how business is adapting to the tariffs and how can EU-US trade tensions be eased moving forward.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Unveils Full-Stack Roadmap Across Trade, Earn, Pay, and Discover

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has unveiled its product roadmap following a recent brand overhaul, outlining a series of updates designed to simplify crypto and expand real-world use. The roadmap is built around four core functions—Trade, Earn, Pay, and Discover—and is backed by a $1 million community incentive campaign and the launch of a global Champion Program aimed at accelerating adoption. These initiatives are part of Bitget Wallet’s broader Crypto for Everyone movement, which focuses on making self-custody tools more accessible, intuitive, and useful in everyday life.

    “Bitget Wallet is no longer just a place to store tokens — it’s becoming the starting point for how people trade, earn, pay, and explore onchain,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “This roadmap is about delivering smarter, simpler crypto experiences that solve real user pain points and bring crypto closer to everyday life.”

    With over 80 million users globally, Bitget Wallet has evolved from a basic wallet app into a full-featured gateway for onchain activity. Its trading experience now covers the entire flow — discover, analyze, and execute — with tools like Hot Picks, real-time alerts, and curated token insights designed to surface early-stage opportunities. Through Bitget Wallet Alpha, users can monitor smart money movements, onchain behaviors such as sniper bots and dev wallet activity, and access tools including market charts, AI-generated summaries, and sentiment feeds. Trades are executed through a one-click, gas-free Super DEX that aggregates liquidity across 100+ DEXs and supports tokens across 130+ blockchains, with MEV protection and dynamic slippage built in.

    To help users grow their assets, Bitget Wallet currently offers one-click staking and automated yield generation, and will soon launch its Simple Yield Vault, enabling balances to earn interest automatically while remaining instantly spendable. Future updates include support for tokenized real-world assets, such as stocks, bonds, and gold, allowing users to manage diversified portfolios directly within the app. An upgraded Earn Dashboard will offer performance tracking with gain charts and detailed earning breakdowns.

    On the payments front, Bitget Wallet is one of the first wallets to integrate a built-in shop page, where users can purchase goods and services from over 300 brands using crypto — without needing to convert to fiat. From mobile top-ups and gaming to travel and e-commerce, the shop covers major global merchants like Amazon, Google Play, Shopee, and more. Through Payfi integrations, the wallet is the only self-custodial wallet supporting maximum payment flexibility via crypto cards, QR code scans, and in-app purchases. Integrations with national QR code systems in Asia and Latin America are also underway to support local merchant payments. The Bitget Wallet Card is already live in Asia, with further expansion in Europe and Latin America to support everyday crypto spending globally.

    To make onboarding easier, Bitget Wallet will soon launch Simple Mode in selected regions, offering a streamlined interface where the concept of gas and chains are completely abstracted away and tailored to Web3 newcomers. A new AI-powered support chatbot is in development to assist users in real time. In parallel, the platform’s Discover page is being upgraded into a central hub for onchain activity, featuring a smart DApp browser, testnet tools, multi-chain playbooks, and push notifications for airdrops and project updates, making it easier for users to navigate the broader Web3 ecosystem.

    Security continues to be a core focus. Bitget Wallet uses advanced encryption and MPC-based recovery to simplify account access without relying on traditional seed phrases. Real-time risk detection, phishing alerts, and smart transaction protections work together to help users stay safe. As wallets expand from basic storage into multi-functional financial apps, Bitget Wallet continues to prioritize both security and simplicity across user experience.

    Bitget Wallet’s roadmap highlights its broader vision of building a crypto wallet for everyone — from first-time users to advanced traders. With nearly 100 Web3 projects joining its Crypto for Everyone Movement, Bitget Wallet is launching new user onboarding programs, educational initiatives, and ecosystem partnerships — backed by a $1 million incentive campaign to drive adoption. Complementing these efforts, the Bitget Wallet Champion Program empowers community leaders and content creators worldwide to drive Web3 adoption through education, engagement, and exclusive rewards. The wallet aims to close the gap between crypto and real-world usage, enabling anyone to benefit from Web3 — wherever they are on their journey.

    For more details on the product roadmap, please visit the Bitget Wallet blog.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ceb2d7f-2514-45ba-9ea9-1764091b44c8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales Reinforces Commitment to Malaysia at LIMA 2025 with New Leadership and Contracts Awarded

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales Reinforces Commitment to Malaysia at LIMA 2025
    with New Leadership and Contracts Awarded

    • As a strategic partner in helping Malaysia achieve air sovereignty, Thales has been awarded the role to supply two additional Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars by the Ministry of Defence for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), following the previous contract for the first radar at the end of 2023.
    • Thales will enhance tactical communications for land forces and reinforce its radio communications capabilities through the signing of a strategic MoU with Malaysian defence partner, ADS, to collaborate on radio projects.
    • Thales has also been selected to deploy the AW139 flight simulator to the Royal Malaysian Police with local partner Novatis Resources through the LOA signed in presence of Thales.
    • To drive the Thales business forward, Florian Riou has been appointed Country Director for Thales in Malaysia, effective 1 July 2025.
    Thales’s GM400α radar © Thales” id=”image-a30cd6be-5247-44f2-87e6-7e1b9bfd9e1d” data-id=”a30cd6be-5247-44f2-87e6-7e1b9bfd9e1d” data-original=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/a30cd6be-5247-44f2-87e6-7e1b9bfd9e1d/-/inline/no/ABC.jpg” data-mfp-src=”https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/a30cd6be-5247-44f2-87e6-7e1b9bfd9e1d/-/format/auto/” alt=”Thales’s GM400α radar © Thales”/>
    Thales’s GM400α radar © Thales

    On the occasion of the LIMA 2025 exhibition in Langkawi, Thales’ commitment to Malaysian defence is once again recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces. With a steady economic growth outlook, the Malaysian government is keen to advance the country’s military modernisation and Thales remains at the forefront of this, with the Memorandum of Understanding & Letter of Award received for equipment ranging from radars to radios.

    I. Two additional GM400α long-range radars for superior situational air awareness

    To strengthen the air surveillance and air defence capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Thales will supply two additional long-range air surveillance GM400α radars, following the ceremony held on Day 3 of LIMA 2025, in presence of Francois-Xavier Boutes, Country Director of Thales Malaysia and YBhg Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary General from the Ministry of Defence, and witnessed by YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, Minister of Defence. The award of these two additional radars underscores the trust held by the RMAF in Thales’ radar technology, following the first GM400α contract signed at the end of 2023. Thanks to its high mobility, high availability, easy upgradeability and seamless integration, the GM400α offers armed forces with a valuable tool to gain tactical advantage, detecting all types of threats early and providing precious minutes for decision-making and action (515km range). Today more than 270 Ground Master field-proven family air surveillance radars have been sold worldwide.

    In Malaysia, Thales will partner Weststar Group once again to deploy the radars in line with the operational requirements of the RMAF. Thales will also engage in the Transfer of Knowledge and Train-the-Trainer courses delivered under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), while strengthening its installed base in Malaysia for long-range surveillance radars. By building local expertise, Thales will enhance the efficiency of radar maintenance, enhance the autonomy of the RMAF and ensure timely on-ground maintenance support close to the end-users. Thales’ radar expertise in Malaysia runs deep, as the country was also the launch customer for the precursor GM400 radar in 2009.

    II. Enhancing tactical and radio communications for Malaysia

    To further deepen its expertise in radio and tactical communications, Thales has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with partner ADS Sdn. Bhd. Signed on Day 2 of LIMA between Brig Gen Dato’ Abdul Hadi bin Abdul Razak (R), ADS and Nicolas Bouverot, VP Thales Asia, the collaboration will see both parties working on the latest digital technologies for handheld radios and other tactical communications.

    III. A helicopter training simulator marks a first contract with Royal Malaysian Police (RMP)

    Pascale Sourisse, CEO, Thales International witnessed the signing of an LOA, together with Malaysian partner Novatis Resources to deliver a Reality-H® AW139 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) to be used for pilot training with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP). The Thales Reality H Full Flight Simulator is the world’s most advanced commercial helicopter simulator, and will be qualified to meet Level D standard, the highest level of qualification for a simulator. This marks a first engagement with the RMP, where pilots of the Police Air Wing Training Academy and other government agencies including the fire brigade and coast guard can benefit from realistic and immersive training, customised to the Malaysian environment and terrain.

    IV. New leadership for Thales in Malaysia

    To drive the growing business in Malaysia, Florian Riou has been appointed Country Director for Thales in Malaysia and Brunei and will effectively take on the role on 1st of July 2025. Florian brings close to 18 years of professional experience in foreign trade policy and trade compliance, with roles held in the French Ministry of Economics and Finance and Safran Group. With Thales since 2017, Florian’s most recent role was as Group Trade Compliance Director for Thales, based in France.

    “These latest agreements are recognition of how Thales’ solutions are supporting the needs of the Malaysian government and Malaysian forces. Our air surveillance radars are bringing air superiority to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in some of most challenging tropical environments. In addition, our history in tactical radio communications dates back several decades in Malaysia and looks set to continue as we collaborate with strong local partners to develop home-grown expertise and joint solutions to support the Army. We appreciate the renewed trust established with Thales to help drive the modernisation of its armed forces.” Pascale Sourisse, CEO, Thales International.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: J-10CE fighter jet displayed at international maritime and aerospace exhibition in Malaysia 2025-05-22 17:43:03 The 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) kicked off at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia on May 20, 2025.

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

      Key defense products developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), including the J-10CE fighter jet, are exhibited at the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025).

      LANGKAWI, Malaysia, May 22 — The 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA 2025) kicked off at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia on May 20, 2025.

      As the only Chinese defense product company present at the exhibition, the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), on behalf of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), exhibited multiple aviation equipment under the theme of “Power on Air”.

      The key defense products showcased by CATIC include the J-10CE fighter jet, the Y-20 transport aircraft, the FC-31 fighter jet, the Z-9ME helicopter, the Wing Loong II UAV, and the L-15 advanced jet trainer, with the J-10CE taking the lead. These warplanes are capable of conducting such operations as air combat operations, strategic projection, maritime offense and defense, unmanned combat operations, demonstrating the excellent technological strength of Chinese aviation equipment.

      The J-10CE fighter jet stood out among the exhibits, attracting many foreign visitors  to take photos before the J-10CE model on display.

      The J-10CE model displayed at the LIMA 2025 attracts great attention from foreign visitors.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Computer Modelling Group Announces Year-End Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Computer Modelling Group Ltd. (“CMG Group” or the “Company”) announces its financial results for the three months and year ended March 31, 2025, and the approval by its Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the payment of a cash dividend of $0.05 per Common Share for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    FOURTH QUARTER 2025 CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS

    Select financial highlights

    • Total revenue increased by 4% (13% Organic decline(1) and 17% growth from acquisitions) to $33.7 million;
    • Recurring revenue(2) increased by 16% (7% Organic decline and 23% growth from acquisitions) to $24.2 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased by 2% to $10.5 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1) was 31%, compared to 32% in the comparative period;
    • Earnings per share was $0.06, a 33% decrease;
    • Free Cash Flow(1) decreased by 26% to $7.0 million; Free Cash flow per share decreased to $0.08 from $0.12.

    FISCAL 2025 CONSOLIDATED HIGHLIGHTS

    Select financial highlights

    • Total revenue increased by 19% (1% Organic decline and 20% growth from acquisitions) to $129.4 million;
    • Recurring revenue increased by 13% (1% Organic growth and 12% was growth from acquisitions) to $86.8 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA increased by 2% to $44.0 million;
    • Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 34%, compared to 40% in the comparative period;
    • Earnings per share was $0.27, a 16% decrease;
    • Free Cash Flow decreased by 22% to $27.6 million; Free Cash flow per share decreased to $0.33 from $0.44.

    (1) Organic growth/decline, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flow are not standardized financial measures and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers. For more description see under “Non-IFRS Financial and Supplementary Financial Measures” heading.
    (2) Recurring revenue includes Annuity/maintenance licenses and Annuity license fee, and excludes Perpetual licenses and Professional Services.

    OVERVIEW

    Macroeconomic factors and political instability, combined with a low oil price environment, resulted in challenged organic growth this year, particularly in reservoir and production solutions, where lengthened deal cycles and cautious customer spending prevailed. Despite these challenges, we continued to execute on our strategic M&A roadmap, and revenue growth during the quarter and year-to-date, was supported by meaningful contributions from acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA increases during the quarter and year-to-date were also supported by growth from acquisitions. Free Cash Flow decreased during the quarter and year-to-date due to pressures on top-line-growth, however, during the prior year period, Free Cash Flow also benefited from the tax deduction of approximately $4.6 million as a result of the acquisition of intellectual property. We generated $27.6 million of Free Cash Flow during fiscal 2025, maintaining our strong liquidity position and enabling us to invest in strategic acquisitions.

    As we look forward to fiscal 2026, excluding any impact from future acquisitions, we anticipate a reduction of between $6 – $7 million in professional services revenue compared to fiscal 2025 which may make it challenging to demonstrate total revenue growth. It is a goal of the company to shift the revenue mix towards a higher percentage of software revenue and the reduction in professional services is a natural part of the shift. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin may also show limited growth due to anticipated delays in cost-saving measures in taking effect, but this impact is expected to be limited to fiscal 2026.

    To ensure long-term resilience, we remain committed to evolving our business model through carefully targeted strategic acquisitions. Our acquisitions to date position us well by expanding our capabilities and helping to support long-term growth by complementing our core offering.

    SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

         
      Three months ended March 31, Year ended March 31,
    ($ thousands, except per share data) 2025 2024 % change   2025 2024 % change  
    Annuity/maintenance licenses 19,436 19,661 (1 %) 77,525 71,530 8 %
    Annuity license fee 4,728 1,142 314 % 9,280 5,146 80 %
    Recurring revenue(1) (2) 24,164 20,803 16 % 86,805 76,676 13 %
    Perpetual licenses 554 2,130 (74 %) 5,617 5,739 (2 %)
    Total software license revenue 24,718 22,933 8 % 92,422 82,415 12 %
    Professional services 8,965 9,358 (4 %) 37,024 26,264 41 %
    Total revenue 33,683 32,291 4 % 129,446 108,679 19 %
    Cost of revenue 6,749 6,470 4 % 24,940 17,224 45 %
    Operating expenses                
    Sales & marketing 5,094 4,361 17 % 18,617 14,957 24 %
    Research and development 8,129 7,607 7 % 30,142 23,679 27 %
    General & administrative 4,876 5,576 (13 %) 21,599 18,835 15 %
    Operating expenses 18,099 17,544 3 % 70,358 57,471 22 %
    Operating profit 8,835 8,277 7 % 34,148 33,984 – %
    Net income 5,104 7,229 (29 %) 22,437 26,259 (15 %)
    Adjusted EBITDA (1) 10,500 10,295 2 % 44,009 43,345 2 %
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) 31% 32%     34% 40%    
                     
    Earnings per share – basic & diluted 0.06 0.09 (33 %) 0.27 0.32 (16 %)
    Funds flow from operations per share – basic 0.10 0.13 (23 %) 0.38 0.47 (19 %)
    Free Cash Flow per share – basic (1) 0.08 0.12 (33 %) 0.33 0.44 (25 %)

    (1) Non-IFRS financial measures are defined in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section. 
    (2) Included in the number is a reduction of $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the three months and year ended March 31, 2025, respectively ($0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months and year ended March 31, 2024, respectively), attributed to the amortization of a deferred revenue fair value reduction recognized on acquisition.

    Q4 2025 Dividend

    Computer Modelling Group’s Board approved a cash dividend of $0.05 per Common Share. The dividend will be paid on June 13, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 5, 2025.

    All dividends paid by Computer Modelling Group Ltd. to holders of Common Shares in the capital of the Company will be treated as eligible dividends within the meaning of such term in section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), unless otherwise indicated.

    NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS MEASURES

    Free Cash Flow Reconciliation to Funds Flow from Operations

    Free cash flow is a non-IFRS financial measure that is calculated as funds flow from operations less capital expenditures and repayment of lease liabilities. Free Cash Flow per share is calculated by dividing free cash flow by the number of weighted average outstanding shares during the period. Management believes that this measure provides useful supplemental information about operating performance and liquidity, as it represents cash generated during the period, regardless of the timing of collection of receivables and payment of payables, which may reduce comparability between periods. Management uses free cash flow and free cash flow per share to help measure the capacity of the Company to pay dividends and invest in business growth opportunities.

      Fiscal 2024 Fiscal 2025
    ($ thousands, unless otherwise stated) Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4   Q1   Q2   Q3   Q4  
    Funds flow from operations 7,920   11,491   8,477   10,367   6,515   7,101   9,937   8,227  
    Capital expenditures (45 ) (51 ) (459 ) (95 ) (93 ) (236 ) (432 ) (661 )
    Repayment of lease liabilities (412 ) (412 ) (728 ) (803 ) (743 ) (769 ) (689 ) (549 )
    Free Cash Flow 7,463   11,028   7,290   9,469   5,679   6,096   8,816   7,017  
    Weighted average shares – basic (thousands) 80,685   80,834   81,067   81,314   81,476   81,887   82,753   83,064  
    Free Cash Flow per share – basic 0.09   0.14   0.09   0.12   0.07   0.07   0.11   0.08  
    Funds flow from operations per share- basic 0.10   0.14   0.10   0.13   0.08   0.09   0.12   0.10  

    Free Cash Flow decreased by 26% and 22%, respectively, for the three months and year ended March 31, 2025 from the same periods of the previous fiscal year. These decreases are primarily due to lower funds flow from operations, higher capital expenditures, and increased repayment of lease liabilities as a result of office leases in acquired entities. During year ended March 31, 2024, Free Cash Flow benefited from the tax deduction of approximately $4.6 million as a result of the acquisition of the BHV intellectual property.

    Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

      Three months ended
    March 31,    		 Year ended
    March 31,
    ($ thousands) 2025   2024   2025   2024  

    Net income (loss)

    5,104

    		  

    7,229

    		  

    22,437

    		  

    26,259

    		  
    Add (deduct):                
    Depreciation and amortization 2,368   2,151   8,465   5,688  
    Acquisition costs 216   186   2,567   1,456  
    Stock-based compensation (435 ) 922   2,625   6,292  
    Loss on contingent consideration 88   –   2,151   –  
    Deferred revenue amortization on acquisition fair value reduction 535   76   845   188  
    Income and other tax expense 2,154   1,935   10,448   8,963  
    Interest income (313 ) (658 ) (2,605 ) (3,096 )
    Interest expense 189   –   189   –  
    Foreign exchange loss (gain) 1,143   (743 ) (363 ) (50 )
    Repayment of lease liabilities (549 ) (803 ) (2,750 ) (2,355 )
    Adjusted EBITDA (1) 10,500   10,295   44,009   43,345  
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin (1) 31 % 32 % 34 % 40 %

    (1) This is a non-IFRS financial measure. Refer to definition of the measures above.

    Adjusted EBITDA increased by 2% during the three months ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, of which 20% was growth from acquisitions, partially offset by an Organic decline of 18%, primarily attributable to lower revenue in the quarter partially offset by lower expenses.

    Adjusted EBITDA increased by 2% for the year ended March 31, 2025, compared to the same period of the previous year, of which 3% of the increase was due to growth from acquisitions, partially offset by a 1% Organic decline due to higher expenses.

    Organic Growth

    Organic growth is not a standardized financial measure and might not be comparable to measures disclosed by other issuers. The Company measures Organic growth on a quarterly and year-to-date basis at the revenue and Adjusted EBITDA levels and includes revenue and Adjusted EBITDA under CMG Group’s ownership for a year or longer, beginning from the first full quarter of CMG Group’s ownership in the current and comparative period(s). For example, BHV was acquired on September 25, 2023 (Q2 2024). September 25, 2024, marked one full year of ownership under CMG Group and on October 1, 2024 (Q3 2025), which is the first full quarter under CMG Group’s ownership in the current and comparative period, started being tracked under Organic growth. Any revenue and Adjusted EBITDA generated by BHV prior to October 1, 2024, would not be included in Organic growth. Sharp was acquired on November 12, 2025 (Q3 2025) and will start contributing to Organic growth on January 1, 2026 (Q4 2026).

    For further clarity, current statements include Organic growth from the following:

    • CMG revenue and Adjusted EBITDA; and
    • BHV revenue and Adjusted EBITDA generated beginning on October 1, 2024.

    Recurring Revenue
    Recurring revenue represents the revenue recognized during the period from contracts that are recurring in nature and includes revenue recognized as “Annuity/maintenance licenses” and “Annuity license fee”. We believe that Recurring revenue is an indicator of business expansion and provides management with visibility into our ability to generate predictable cash flows.

    The table below reconciles Recurring revenue to total revenue for the periods indicated.

      Three months ended March 31, Year ended March 31,
      2025 2024 % change   2025 2024 % change  
    ($ thousands)                
    Annuity/maintenance licenses 19,436 19,661 (1% ) 77,525 71,530 8 %
    Annuity license fee 4,728 1,142 314 % 9,280 5,146 80 %
    Recurring revenue(1) (2) 24,164 20,803 16 % 86,805 76,676 13 %
    Perpetual licenses 554 2,130 (74 %) 5,617 5,739 (2 %)
    Total software license revenue 24,718 22,933 8 % 92,422 82,415 12 %
    Professional services 8,965 9,358 (4 %) 37,024 26,264 41 %
    Total revenue 33,683 32,291 4 % 129,446 108,679 19 %

    (1) This is a non-IFRS financial measure.
    (2) Included in the number is a reduction of $0.5 million and $0.8 million for the three months and year ended March 31, 2025, respectively ($0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months and year ended March 31, 2024, respectively), attributed to the amortization of a deferred revenue fair value reduction recognized on acquisition.

    Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

      March 31, 2025   March 31, 2024   April 1, 2023  
    (thousands of Canadian $)            

    Assets

    		            
    Current assets:            
    Cash 43,884   63,083   66,850  
    Restricted cash         362   142   –  
    Trade and other receivables 41,457   36,550   23,910  
    Prepaid expenses 2,572   2,321   1,060  
    Prepaid income taxes 1,641   3,841   444  
      89,916   105,937   92,264  
    Intangible assets 59,955   23,683   1,321  
    Right-of-use assets 28,443   29,072   30,733  
    Property and equipment 10,157   9,877   10,366  
    Goodwill 15,814   4,399   –  
    Deferred tax asset 471   –   2,444  
    Total assets 204,756   172,968   137,128  

    Liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    		            
    Current liabilities:            
    Trade payables and accrued liabilities 18,452   18,551   11,126  
    Income taxes payable 2,667   2,136   33  
    Acquisition holdback payable 188   2,292   –  
    Acquisition earnout 3,864   –   –  
    Deferred revenue 40,276   41,120   34,797  
    Lease liabilities 2,278   2,566   1,829  
    Government loan 310   –   –  
      68,035   66,665   47,785  
    Lease liabilities 34,668   34,395   36,151  
    Stock-based compensation liabilities 256   624   742  
    Government loan 1,319   –   –  
    Acquisition earnout –   1,503   –  
    Acquisition holdback payable 1,257   –   –  
    Other long-term liabilities 212   305   –  
    Deferred tax liabilities 13,102   1,661   –  
    Total liabilities 118,849   105,153   84,678  

    Shareholders’ equity:

    		            
    Share capital 94,849   87,304   81,820  
    Contributed surplus 15,460   15,667   15,471  
    Cumulative translation adjustment 4,326   (367 ) –  
    Deficit (28,728 ) (34,789 ) (44,841 )
    Total shareholders’ equity 85,907   67,815   52,450  
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 204,756   172,968   137,128  

    Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

    Years ended March 31,
    (thousands of Canadian $ except per share amounts)

    		 2025  

    2024

    		  
    Revenue
    129,446    		   108,679  
    Cost of revenue 24,940   17,224  
    Gross profit 104,506   91,455  

    Operating expenses

    		        
    Sales and marketing 18,617   14,957  
    Research and development 30,142   23,679  
    General and administrative 21,599   18,835  
      70,358   57,471  
    Operating profit 34,148   33,984  

    Finance income

    2,968

    		  

    3,146

    		  
    Finance costs (2,080 ) (1,908 )
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration (2,151 ) –  
    Profit before income and other taxes 32,885   35,222  
    Income and other taxes 10,448   8,963  

    Net income

    22,437

    		  

    26,259

    		  

    Other comprehensive income:    		        
    Foreign currency translation adjustment 4,693   (367 )
    Other comprehensive income 4,693   (367 )
    Total comprehensive income 27,130   25,892  
    Net income per share – basic
    0.2    7    		   0.32  
    Net income per share – diluted 0.27   0.32  
    Dividend per share 0.20   0.20  

    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

    Years ended March 31,
    (thousands of Canadian $)

    2025

    		  

    2024

    		  

    Operating activities

    		        
    Net income 22,437   26,259  
    Adjustments for:        
    Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment, right-of use assets 4,756   4,187  
    Amortization of intangible assets 3,709   1,501  
    Deferred income tax expense (recovery) (776 ) 3,518  
    Stock-based compensation (1,297 ) 2,795  
    Foreign exchange and other non-cash items 800   (5 )
    Change in fair value of contingent consideration 2,151   –  
    Funds flow from operations 31,780   38,255  
    Movement in non-cash working capital:        
    Trade and other receivables (527 ) (6,697 )
    Trade payables and accrued liabilities (818 ) 2,618  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets (169 ) (1,183 )
    Income taxes receivable (payable) 2,421   (1,826 )
    Deferred revenue (2,770 ) 4,910  
    Change in non-cash working capital (1,863 ) (2,178 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities 29,917   36,077  

    Financing activities

    		        
    Repayment of acquired line of credit –   (2,012 )
    Repayment of government loan (141 ) –  
    Proceeds from issuance of common shares 5,597   4,193  
    Repayment of lease liabilities (2,750 ) (2,355 )
    Dividends paid (16,376 ) (16,207 )
    Net cash used in financing activities (13,670 ) (16,381 )

    Investing activities

    		        
    Corporate acquisition, net of cash acquired (27,292 ) (22,814 )
    Repayment of acquisition holdback payable (9,247 ) –  
    Property and equipment additions, net of disposals (1,422 ) (650 )
    Net cash used in investing activities (37,961 ) (23,464 )

    Decrease in cash
    (21,714    		 ) (3,768 )
    Effect of foreign exchange on cash 2,515   1  
    Cash, beginning of year 63,083   66,850  
    Cash, end of year 43,884   63,083  

    Supplementary cash flow information

    		        
    Interest received 2,605   3,096  
    Interest paid 1,891   1,908  
    Income taxes paid 11,370   7,201  

    CORPORATE PROFILE 

    CMG Group (TSX:CMG) is a global software and consulting company that combines science and technology with deep industry expertise to solve complex subsurface and surface challenges for the new energy industry around the world. The Company is headquartered in Calgary, AB, with offices in Houston, Oslo, Stavanger, Kaiserslautern, Oxford, Dubai, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Bengaluru, and Kuala Lumpur. For more information, please visit www.cmgl.ca.

    ANNUAL FILINGS AND RELATED ANNUAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended March 31, 2025, can be obtained from our website www.cmgl.ca. The documents will also be available under CMG Group’s SEDAR profile www.sedarplus.ca.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “goal”, “seek”, “believe”, “project”, “estimate”, “expect”, “strategy”, “future”, “likely”, “may”, “should”, “will”, and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding the benefits of the acquired technology, the ongoing development thereof; and the ability of data analytics to improve efficiency, cut costs and reduce risks.

    Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are detailed in the companies’ public filings.

    Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Philippine Stock Exchange Adopts Nasdaq Eqlipse Trading to Enhance Market Infrastructure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Upgrade to Nasdaq Eqlipse Trading will enhance liquidity and resilience of Philippine marketplace

    Expands Nasdaq’s deep technology footprint across the country’s financial services industry

    MANILA and NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) and The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) today announced a significant expansion of their technology partnership, which will see PSE upgrade its trading infrastructure to Nasdaq’s most advanced platform, Nasdaq Eqlipse Trading.

    Nasdaq Eqlipse represents Nasdaq’s investments to modernize, standardize, and strengthen its platform capabilities, application architecture, APIs, and product integration. The modular trading platform allows market operators to incorporate complementary functionality, including pre-trade risk, advanced options pricing, and index calculations, with a flexible deployment model to help reduce operational heavy lifting and provide optionality around cloud adoption.

    “With technology as a key area in our strategic agenda, it is important for PSE to work with a trusted service provider of market technologies. Given this, PSE opted to renew its partnership with Nasdaq to ensure continuity in offering a dependable trading system that meets all our current and future requirements,” said PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon.

    The recently launched Nasdaq Eqlipse platform is the fourth generation of its suite of multi-asset marketplace technology platforms, marking a major milestone in the company’s five-year cycle of investment to develop and gradually roll out a fully interoperable suite of proven solutions across trading, clearing, central securities depository, and data intelligence. The harmonized portfolio enhances Nasdaq’s ability to form deeper strategic technology partnerships with its clients, including more than 135 infrastructure providers around the world.

    “The launch of Nasdaq Eqlipse following years of investment and development to reinforce our ability to enhance liquidity, transparency and integrity across global capital markets,” said Magnus Haglind, Head of Marketplace Technology at Nasdaq. “Our technology partnership with PSE will help strengthen its market infrastructure, and we’re excited to support their efforts to elevate Philippine capital markets on the global stage.”

    Modernizing the Philippine financial services ecosystem

    Nasdaq holds deep technology partnerships across the Philippines, helping to drive modernization throughout the country’s financial services industry. In addition to providing market infrastructure, Nasdaq’s AxiomSL data and regulatory reporting platform helps both domestic and global institutions comply with their regulatory obligations, while its Nasdaq Calypso platform helps clients simplify their capital market operations.

    R.G. Manalac, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific at Nasdaq added: “Our growing presence in the Philippines complements the country’s extraordinary development as one of the fastest growing economies in the ASEAN region. With growth of course comes challenges and we are excited to be working with leading domestic and global banks in the Philippines as they continue to innovate and scale in this digital and increasingly AI driven age. Our solutions spanning across capital markets, regulation, and risk management continue to prove critical as these firms look to expand their businesses in a scalable and efficient manner.”

    Around the world, Nasdaq’s technology is used by 97% of global systematically important banks, half of the world’s top 25 stock exchanges, 35 central banks and regulatory authorities, and 3,800+ clients across the financial services industry. As a scaled platform partner, Nasdaq draws on deep industry experience, technology expertise, and cloud managed service experience to help financial services companies solve their toughest operational challenges while advancing industrywide modernization.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.

    About PSE:

    The Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) and its subsidiaries operate the equities exchange, fixed income exchange, and the central securities depository. It provides a platform for capital-raising and investing, steering company expansion and economic development and supporting inclusive growth through wealth creation among investors. 

    Media Contacts: 

    Andrew Hughes; +44 (0)7443 100896; Andrew.Hughes@nasdaq.com  
    Camille Stafford; +1 (234) 934 9513; Camille.Stafford@nasdaq.com
    Martha Vinzons; +63 (2) 8876 4888; mhvinzons@pse.com.ph 

    -NDAQG-

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:  

    Information set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will” and “allows” and other words and terms of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the benefits of Nasdaq’s Eclipse platform and its partnership with PSE. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq’s control. These risks and uncertainties are detailed in Nasdaq’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q which are available on Nasdaq’s investor relations website at http://ir.nasdaq.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

    A photos accompanying this announcement is available at
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1312a862-2b03-4304-94c9-9884026a34fc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Western China trade fair inks deals worth over 200B yuan

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

    The 7th Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade kicked off in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality on Thursday, with on-site project agreements exceeding 200 billion yuan (about 27.8 billion U.S. dollars).

    The event invited Thailand as the guest country of honor, Sichuan Province as the permanent guest province, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as a newly added guest city.

    The fair attracted over 1,300 enterprises from 39 countries and regions, including 56 central state-owned enterprises, 47 Fortune Global 500 companies, 93 multinational corporations, and 286 leading private firms.

    According to the organizing committee, manufacturing and modern service industries accounted for over 75 percent of the total contracted projects, spanning sectors such as aerospace, advanced materials, energy, and smart equipment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods and alternative smoking products worth about $1.5 million (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected counterfeit goods and alternative smoking products worth about $1.5 million (with photo) 
    Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the HZMB Hong Kong Port. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected counterfeit goods, including watches and memory cards, and the batch of alternative smoking products inside the cargo compartment of the lorry. A 55-year-old male driver was subsequently arrested.
     
    An initial investigation revealed that the batch of suspected counterfeit goods and alternative smoking products would have been transhipped to overseas regions.
     
    The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
     
    Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against counterfeit goods and smuggling activities through risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
     
    Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who imports or exports any goods to which a forged trademark is applied commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
     
    Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
     
    Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned Ordinances to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 16:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Leadership in Economics, Management and Trade: Polytechnic University Creates Platform for Interdisciplinary Dialogue

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade held the All-Russian scientific-practical and educational-methodical conference “Fundamental and applied research in the field of management, economics and trade”. The conference was attended by teachers and scientists, representatives of the business community, government bodies, as well as the young academic generation – postgraduates and masters of universities. The geography of the conference covered ten regions of the Russian Federation and foreign countries: Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan.

    IPMET holds the conference for the ninth year in a row. This year, the main agenda touched upon the current issues of achieving technological leadership of Russia in the economy, management, trade, finance and economic security. Participants shared their research and experience in implementing applied solutions using modern mathematical and statistical tools, progressive digital technologies applicable to different levels of management: state, regional, industry, individual enterprises and organizations.

    The grand opening took place in the White Hall of the Polytechnic Universityplenary session “Artificial Intelligence in the Economy: Cross-Industry Solutions”. The session was moderated by the chairperson of the conference program committee, director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Information Technology and Business Analysis at Gazprom Neft, and professor at the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, Irina Rudskaya.

    The plenary session was held in the format of a panel discussion, at which the speakers touched upon current issues concerning the possibilities and problems of using artificial intelligence in various areas of the economy: industry, telecommunications, medicine, finance, education, and agriculture.

    The discussion turned out to be lively and non-trivial, since both speakers and participants were skillfully involved by the moderator in the discussion of the pressing issues of artificial intelligence, which was continued in other events of the conference.

    Arman Avetyan, Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Business at the Russian-Armenian University, who was invited to participate in the discussion, shared his experience of using artificial intelligence in the educational process during practical classes with students and postgraduates. Khamit Fattakhov, Director of Continuous Improvement of Production at Power Machines JSC, briefly spoke about the specifics of using AI tools to increase labor productivity and optimize operational processes in industry.

    Artificial intelligence goes beyond automation, creating inter-industry synergy: finance, education, industry. AI technologies not only increase efficiency, but also change management strategies, helping businesses adapt to digital challenges. That is why our conference brought together not only economists and IT specialists, but also representatives of business, healthcare, agriculture and science. Only interdisciplinary dialogue allows us to find a balance between innovation and sustainability, – says Irina Rudskaya.

    In addition to the plenary session, there were three round tables and 16 sections, including a section of the student scientific society.

    A separate section of the conference was devoted to educational and methodological issues of training personnel for strategically important sectors of the economy in modern conditions.

    Also, to celebrate the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the conference included a section entitled “The Great Victory: Socio-Economic and Technological Aspects” with presentations on issues of economics, the social sphere and the development of technology in the war and post-war periods.

    An excursion to the Museum of History of SPbPU was organized for the conference guests, which was conducted by the museum director Valery Klimov, as well as a cultural program with a sightseeing tour of the city. The tour guides there were students from the Higher School of Service and Trade of the IPMET, majoring in Tourism and Hotel Business.

    On the last day of the conference, the head of the Department of Economic Theory Svetlana Golovkina gave a lecture on the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, “Science and Education in the Blockaded Polytechnic: a Feat of Intelligence.” The speaker clearly drew a line between human and artificial intelligence, and showed the role and significance of human thought in solving extremely complex problems during the blockade.

    The conference ended with the awarding of the winners of the competition of students’ research papers, as well as the winners and prize-winners of the competition for the support of scientific research of postgraduate students of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology, conducted with the financial support of the target capital “Economic Education” of the endowment fund of SPbPU.

    This year, when planning and organizing the conference, we set ourselves three main objectives. The first was to create a modern congress platform with a broad geographical and representative coverage for exchanging opinions and knowledge. The second was to offer and implement a lively professional discussion on topical issues of the fundamental and applied agenda for achieving Russia’s technological leadership in the economy, management and trade. And the third was to strengthen existing and establish new ties between conference participants, create conditions for effective interaction in the educational, scientific and industrial spheres. I would also like to emphasize the importance of our horizontal collaboration – the coordinated work of all structural divisions of IPMEiT in organizing the conference allowed us to use the scientific, personnel and resource potential of the institute as effectively as possible and expand the scope of participation, – summed up the results of the conference, IPMEiT Director Vladimir Shchepinin.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy Sector – Announcement of cash dividend per share in NOK for fourth quarter 2024 – Equinor

    Source: Equinor

    22 MAY 2025 – Equinor ASA announced on 5 February 2025 a cash dividend per share of USD 0.37 for fourth quarter 2024.

    The NOK cash dividend per share is based on average USDNOK fixing rate from Norges Bank in the period plus/minus three business days from record date 16 May 2025, in total seven business days.

    Average Norges Bank fixing rate for this period was 10.3284. Total cash dividend for fourth quarter

    2024 of is consequently NOK 3.8215 per share.

    On 28 May 2025, the cash dividend will be paid to relevant shareholders on Oslo Børs (Oslo Stock Exchange) and to holders of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) on New York Stock Exchange.

    This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Obligations and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Multi-million defence investment creates 700 jobs days after UK-EU security pact

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Multi-million defence investment creates 700 jobs days after UK-EU security pact

    Hundreds of high-skilled jobs created at defence firm MBDA’s expanded Bolton site.

    • Hundreds of high-skilled jobs created at defence firm MBDA’s expanded Bolton site, working on cutting-edge missile system manufacturing technology
    • Announcement comes just days after the Government signs new Security and Defence Partnership that will boost defence procurement opportunities for UK.
    • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit site and hail investment as latest vote of confidence in Government’s upcoming modern Industrial Strategy.

    Britain’s defence industry received yet another boost this week as 700 high-skilled jobs are set to be created following a £200 million investment from European defence company MBDA at its site in Bolton.

    The announcement follows new Security and Defence Partnership signed at this week’s EU-UK Summit which will open the door to the EU’s new weapons scheme, leading to significant opportunities for the UK’s world-leading defence industries, driving growth and supporting 430,000 British jobs and livelihoods.

    This is the latest win for the UK’s leading defence and advanced manufacturing sectors and is further proof the Government’s Plan for Change is working.

    It also represents a major vote of confidence in the upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, which will drive investment in the UK’s high-growth sectors by giving businesses the certainty they need to commit to the UK.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will visit MBDA’s Bolton site today (22 May) to formally announce the investment, which forms part of a wider £500 million commitment from the company to expand its UK manufacturing and technologies.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is great news for Bolton and another win for our world-class defence sector, which will create hundreds of good, well-paid jobs and ensure the UK continues to lead the way on the cutting-edge technologies of the future.

    Our new Security and Defence Partnership will unlock access to the EU’s proposed new £150 billion defence fund for UK firms. Coupled with the launch of our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy, communities across the country will see how our Plan for Change is working – delivering growth at home and strength abroad.

    The investment from MBDA, a leading missile systems manufacturer, will more than double its Bolton footprint by 2028 and grow its apprenticeship and STEM outreach programme, which already includes over 400 early-career professionals UK-wide.

    It also supports MBDA’s goal to deliver £10 billion of UK exports by 2032, cementing the UK’s position as a leader in the manufacturing and export of complex weapons systems, and comes after the Government announced a £6.5 billion complex weapons partnership with MBDA in July 2024.

    MBDA UK Managing Director Chris Allam said:

    We are proud and excited to be building a world class engineering and manufacturing campus in the north-west of England, the centre of complex weapons manufacturing for the UK, and our associated recruitment and training will extend our already great workforce.

    MBDA is privileged to have a 10-year Complex Weapons portfolio agreement with the UK Government. This gives us the confidence to invest and better support the UK and its allies. It also helps our supply chain and over 700 SMEs who work with MBDA in the UK. When we expand, they expand with us.

    Megan, a manufacturing apprentice at MBDA’s Bolton site, said:

    It’s great that our site is expanding and there will be more early-careers opportunities for young people. Becoming an apprentice was an obvious choice for me. Having the chance to learn as part of my full-time job and achieve a recognised qualification and career made it a very easy decision.

    Apprenticeships can be unique experience for each person. They provide the chance to excel in industries people are passionate about, and the experiences they get will shape their future. Making the most out of my apprenticeship has led to reward and recognition for my hard work, and I always encourage others to study STEM subjects and do the same.

    UK Export Finance CEO Tim Reid said:

    Pioneering companies like MBDA UK investing in their people and technologies for the long-term underscore why we are a world leader in defence.

    Thanks to our multi-billion-pound direct lending uplift, we can support even more defence firms to expand their production lines and take on more international orders from allies – leading to greater economic growth, stronger supply chains and local jobs back here at home.

    The Government is backing the defence sector to deliver skilled jobs and growth across the country as part of its Plan for Change and is providing significant financial support to UK defence companies through UK Export Finance (UKEF).

    In March this year, the Chancellor announced a £2 billion increase in UKEF’s Direct Lending capacity for defence exports, taking its overall lending capability to £10 billion.

    The UK is one of the largest exporters of defence equipment in the world, and in 2023 the UK won defence contracts worth £14.5 billion.

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: $PUFFER Launches on BNB Chain as Puffer Finance Unveils New Roadmap

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Puffer Finance, the leading innovator in Ethereum infrastructure, has announced that its native utility token $PUFFER has been added to BNB Chain, while unveiling a comprehensive roadmap update.

    The launch of $PUFFER on BNB Chain significantly expands Puffer Finance’s reach and accessibility within the broader crypto ecosystem, with BNB Chain providing $PUFFER with enhanced liquidity, faster transaction speeds and exposure to millions of active DeFi participants. $PUFFER has also been featured on Binance Alpha, with 362 PUFFER tokens being airdropped to each eligible Binance user who has at least 186 Alpha points. Additionally, a lucky airdrop of 362 PUFFER tokens has been distributed to all users whose Alpha Points are between 147 and 185 (inclusive) and their Binance UIDs end in 5.

    Puffer Finance has also updated its roadmap through H2 2026, including the upcoming launch of an AI-driven Puffer AppChain Marketplace and MCP models for the UniFi AppChain.

    While Ethereum commands 63% of global DeFi Total Value Locked (TVL) and is riding a renewed wave of momentum, it needs scalable infrastructure that doesn’t sacrifice composability. Addressing this barrier to the ecosystem’s growth, Puffer Finance’s revolutionary rollup framework ‘UniFi’ transforms Ethereum’s rollup-centric roadmap into a positive-sum environment for developers, users, and validators alike.

    Initially launched as a Liquid Restaking Token (LRT) protocol, Puffer has rapidly evolved into a full-fledged infrastructure platform, delivering three integrated innovations:

    • Decentralized LRT: Anti-slashing, high-yield staking token aligned with Ethereum’s core principles.
    • UniFi Based Rollup Stack: A simplified, based L2 architecture enabling seamless L1-L2 and L2-L2 atomic composability.
    • Puffer Preconf: The first-ever preconfirmation AVS on EigenLayer, offering sub-second transaction finality.

    Together, these components enable fast, composable, and economically aligned interactions across the Ethereum network, allowing app chains to thrive in a way that’s faster, cheaper, and more secure. As the native utility token for Puffer Finance, $PUFFER plays a crucial role across the company’s suite of solutions. $PUFFER token holders will be able to vote on key decisions that shape the future of the ecosystem, such as protocol upgrades, fee adjustments, and new feature proposals for Puffer Preconf, UniFi Rollup, and Puffer Liquid Restaking Token (LRT). All three products will generate treasury rewards, of which future $PUFFER holders will be responsible for managing, driving long-term sustainability.

    What Makes UniFi ‘Based’?
    Unlike traditional optimistic or zk-rollups, based rollups like UniFi are sequenced directly by Ethereum validators. This architecture offers:

    • Liveness + decentralization inherited from Ethereum L1
    • Simplified infrastructure, no centralized sequencer needed
    • Fast execution through preconfirmations (~100ms)
    • Revenue alignment with Ethereum through sequencing fees and MEV
    • Reduced operational costs, increasing accessibility

    This model creates new economic incentives for Ethereum validators while delivering a significantly better user and developer experience.

    Atomic Composability, Unified Liquidity, Real-Time Finality
    UniFi allows developers to launch app chains as easily as deploying a smart contract, while enjoying atomic composability across Ethereum and other UniFi-based rollups. That means:

    • Cross-chain swaps, yield strategies, and interactions executed in one Ethereum block
    • Elimination of bridges and the risks they introduce
    • Near-instant transaction assurance via UniFi Preconf AVS, powered by EigenLayer restaking

    Revenue-Generating Infrastructure, Tokenized Incentives
    Through sequencing fees, preconfirmation tips, and transaction-based yield flowing into native tokens (pufETH & unifiETH), Puffer creates sustainable value across Ethereum. Governance and incentive alignment are further enhanced by the new vePUFFER model:

    • Decentralized Governance via locked PUFFER voting
    • Tradeable Points & Bribery Market for yield optimization
    • Dynamic, community-driven rewards tailored to ecosystem engagement

    Amir Forouzani, Co-founder of Puffer Labs said: “As Ethereum enters its most promising DeFi cycle yet, Puffer’s UniFi provides the architecture, alignment, and execution needed to meet global scale. Deploying on BNB Chain extends this vision by connecting Ethereum-native innovation with one of the largest and most active blockchain ecosystems. We are just getting started.”

    The announcement comes just weeks after the launch of Puffer’s cutting-edge institutional staking and restaking solution, designed to help institutions unlock higher yields on their Ethereum holdings without compromising on security, compliance or operational control. With Puffer’s institutional solution, organizations can confidently stake and restake their assets with both security and profitability in mind. This solution is ideal for asset managers, custodians, DAOs, family offices and other institutions looking to optimize staking performance while maintaining control over custody, compliance and execution.

    $PUFFER on Ethereum: 0x4d1C297d39C5c1277964D0E3f8Aa901493664530

    $PUFFER on BNB Chain: 0x87d00066cf131ff54B72B134a217D5401E5392b6

    About Puffer Finance
    Puffer Finance is at the forefront of Ethereum infrastructure innovation, focusing on next-generation rollups backed by liquid restaking (LRT) and pre-confirmation technology as an Anti-Value Sniping (AVS) mechanism. Through products like Puffer UniFi and Puffer UniFi AVS on EigenLayer (decentralized re-staking protocol), Puffer Finance is dedicated to advancing Ethereum’s decentralization. As per DeFiLlama, the protocol currently has $832 million in total value locked (TVL) with $8.0 billion staked on AVS. The Puffer Finance token (PUFFER) is listed on major exchanges such as Bybit, Kraken, and Bitget. To learn more, visit www.puffer.fi.

    Media contact:
    media@puffer.fi
    https://www.puffer.fi/
    Contact name: Lorcan B

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ‘Growth Budget’ growing inequality and fuelling climate crisis

    Source: Green Party

    Budget 2025 represents a significant step backwards for Aotearoa, with the Government adding fuel to the fire when it comes to the climate and inequality crises, says the Green Party. 

    “This Budget is bad news for people and planet,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

    “Christopher Luxon clearly has no ambition for this country and not a care in the world when it comes to the climate crisis. This Budget will see more and more people living on the street, it will mean thousands more families struggling to put food on the table and it will result in more children growing up in poverty.

    “With cuts to Kiwi Saver, housing for the ‘right people,’ instead of all people and taking away money from whānau with babies, this Government has well and truly put its cards of cruelty on the table. We do not have to accept this and we can fight for a future where everyone has what they need on a planet with thriving nature and a stable climate.

    “A Green Government will do things differently. Instead of opening gas fields in the middle of the climate crisis, pushing people into poverty and punishing them for it, we will rapidly reduce emissions, reduce the cost of living and improve our quality of life,” says Marama Davidson.

    Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says, “This is even worse than a BS budget. Not only is the Government shredding public services and giving up on reducing child poverty, they’re pouring oil and gas all over the climate crisis fire.

    “Resilient energy supply means investing in distributed renewable energy, not burning public money to subsidise new gas fields and fossil fuel executive profits.

    “Somehow even more bewildering, these very moves could compromise our Free Trade Agreements with the UK and EU. So much for ‘responsible economic managers.’

    “Last week, the Greens released our budget to show how we can reduce the cost of living, increase the quality of life and rapidly reduce climate changing emissions.

    “Today, the Government said ‘yeah,nah,’ to a liveable future for all of us,” says Chlöe Swarbrick.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues a NOK 500 million social bond tap under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    22 May 2025 at 10:00 am (EEST)

    Municipality Finance issues a NOK 500 million social bond tap under its MTN programme

    On 23 May 2025 Municipality Finance Plc issues a new tranche in an amount of NOK 500 million to an existing social bond issued on 20 February 2024. With the new tranche, the aggregate nominal amount of the social bond is NOK 2.5 billion. The maturity date of the social bond is 20 February 2029. The social bond bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.00 % per annum.

    The new tranche is issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and final terms of the notes are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the new tranche to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 23 May 2025. The existing notes in the series are admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.

    Nordea Bank Abp acts as the Dealer for the issue of the new tranche.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The owners of the company include Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the State of Finland.
    The Group’s balance sheet is over EUR 53 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. Our customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, joint county authorities, corporate entities under the control of the above-mentioned organisations, and affordable social housing. Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX shares as board remuneration; Primary insider disclosure – 22 May 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The annual general meeting of IDEX Biometrics ASA on 21 May 2025 resolved that the board members could elect to receive all or part of the board remuneration in the form of shares in IDEX; that the number of shares shall correspond to a value of 133 per cent of the NOK amount of board remuneration taken in shares; that the board member must pay a subscription price per share equal to the par value of the share, being NOK 0.01.

    One board member took part of the board remuneration in shares, and 5,412,932 new shares will be issued when the share capital has been paid in.

    Following the issue of the new shares to the board member, the company’s share capital will be NOK 38,370,439.31 divided into 3,837,043,931 registered shares each with a nominal value of NOK 0.01.

    Primary insider disclosure
    Board member Annika Olsson will acquire 5,412,932 shares against payment of NOK 0.01 per share, instead of NOK 265,600 of the board remuneration.

    Contact
    Kristian Flaten, CFO
    Tel: +47 95092322
    E-mail: ir@idexbiometrics.com

    About IDEX Biometrics 
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market.  

    For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com 

    About this notice
    This notice was issued by Erling Svela, Vice president of finance, on 22 May 2025 at 09:00 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The information shall be disclosed according to section 5‑8 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and published in accordance with section 5‑12 of the STA. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Unlocking trade opportunities between the UK and Namibia

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    Unlocking trade opportunities between the UK and Namibia

    Stakeholder Workshop on SACU+M-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation in Namibia.

    The British High Commission in Namibia in collaboration with the Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) hosted a workshop for implementers focused on the execution of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) plus Mozambique-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

    Held at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek on 7 May 2025, the session brought together key government ministries, agencies, and trade associations to discuss next steps towards broader implementation and to explore the potential for significant downstream benefits. This session marked a crucial advancement in strengthening trade relations within the EPA framework for Namibia and the UK. 

    The workshop allowed the exchange of ideas on how the Namibian trade community and policymakers can work together to brain-storm tangible outcomes for the EPA implementation in Namibia. Participants delved into critical topics, including the implications of the EPA for the Namibian market, strategies for export development to enhance access to international markets, and shared practical experiences in implementing the agreement.

    Key discussions also addressed accessing the UK market for agricultural products, compliance with rules of origin, and the UK Trade for Development partnership with Namibia, which offers valuable support and opportunities. The event concluded with a participant discussion focused on actionable next steps for leveraging these insights.

    Ambassador Elvis Shiweda, Deputy Director, Bilateral Relations and Cooperation for the Europe Ministry of International Relations and Trade said:

    This dialogue has provided us with critical insight into what the SACUM-UK EPA means for the Namibian market, highlighting both opportunities to be seized and the challenges that must be addressed in particular, rules of origin, cumulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures (SPS), Technical barriers to trade (TBT), and access to vital information. These elements are instrumental in shaping the effective utilisation of the agreement for our economic benefit and prosperity.

    Ben Stride, British Deputy High Commissioner to Namibia said:

    Trade is the engine that drives economic growth, and Namibian businesses are poised to thrive through stronger partnerships. By forging closer trade ties, we’re not just growing the potential—we’re ensuring everyone gets greater access. Together, we can unlock opportunities, create jobs, and build a prosperous future for Namibia and the UK.

    Hosting this session underscores the UK government’s commitment to fostering mutual prosperity while supporting Namibia’s aspirations to become a trade-driven economy. The SACU+M – UK EPA establishes a reliable framework to develop supply chains and drive competitiveness.

    Natasha Stotesbury, Regional Trade for Development Adviser for the UK Department for Business and Trade said:

    We want to see this treaty (EPA), increasingly come to life to support greater job creation and growth in both our countries and the region.

    The SACUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement was created to sustain preferential trade relations between the UK and SACU member states plus Mozambique. Effective from January 2021, this agreement ensures duty-free quota-free access to UK markets for eligible goods that originate from EPA partner countries.

    Further information

    • total trade in goods and services between the UK and Namibia reached £385 million in the year leading up to the end of Q3 2024. This reflects a significant increase of 61.8% or £147 million compared to the previous year, ending Q3 2023
    • UK exports to Namibia were £233 million, which is a 42.1% rise, amounting to an additional £69 million from the previous year
    • UK imports from Namibia totalled £152 million, showing a remarkable increase of 105.4%, or £78 million, compared to the same period last year

    Updates to this page

    Published 22 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Equinor ASA: Announcement of cash dividend per share in NOK for fourth quarter 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Equinor ASA (OSE: EQNR, NYSE: EQNR) announced on 5 February 2025 a cash dividend per share of USD 0.37 for fourth quarter 2024.

    The NOK cash dividend per share is based on average USDNOK fixing rate from Norges Bank in the period plus/minus three business days from record date 16 May 2025, in total seven business days.

    Average Norges Bank fixing rate for this period was 10.3284. Total cash dividend for fourth quarter 2024 of is consequently NOK 3.8215 per share.

    On 28 May 2025, the cash dividend will be paid to relevant shareholders on Oslo Børs (Oslo Stock Exchange) and to holders of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) on New York Stock Exchange.

    This information is published in accordance with the requirements of the Continuing Obligations and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 2025 Annual General Meeting – Notice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    2025 Annual General Meeting – Notice 

    Notice is hereby given that the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of BW Energy Limited will be held at 18 Rebecca Road, Southampton, SN04, Bermuda, on 26 May 2025 at 14:00 AST. 

    Please see the attached documents in relation to the Annual General Meeting: 

    1. Notice of the 2025 AGM 
    1. Form of Proxy 
    1. Chairman’s Letter 
    1. Recommendation from the Nomination Committee 

    For further information, please contact: 

    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy

    +33.7.81.11.41.16 

    ir@bwenergy.no

    About BW Energy:  

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

    This information is published in accordance with the disclosure requirements in Regulation EU 596/2014 (MAR) article 19, section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and the Oslo Rule Book II, as well as in accordance with Section 4-2 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Euronext launches an offering of bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares (“OCEANEs”) for a nominal amount of €425 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Euronext launches an offering of bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares (“OCEANEs”) for a nominal amount of €425 million

    Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, Milan, Oslo and Paris – 22 May 2025 – Euronext (ISIN Code: NL0006294274) (the “Company”), the leading European capital market infrastructure, announces today the launch of an offering of senior unsecured bonds due 2032 convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares of the Company (“OCEANEs”) (the “Bonds”), by way of a placement to qualified investors only (within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below)), for a nominal amount of €425 million (the “Offering”).

    On 17 April 2025, the Company entered into a bridge loan facility with, among others, affiliates of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering, to finance the acquisition of Admincontrol. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for the repayment of a portion of such bridge financing and general corporate purposes.

    Main terms of the Bonds

    The Bonds will be issued with a denomination of €100,000 each (the “Principal Amount”), will be convertible and/or exchangeable into new and/or existing shares of Euronext (the “Shares”) and are expected to pay a fixed coupon at a rate between 1.5% and 2.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on 30 May and 30 November of each year (or on the following business day if this date is not a business day), and for the first time on 30 November 2025.

    The initial conversion price of the Bonds will be set between 30% and 35% above the Company’s reference share price on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (“Euronext Paris”)1. The final terms and conditions of the Bonds are expected to be determined following the completion of the bookbuilding process later today, and settlement and delivery of the Bonds is expected to take place on 30 May 2025 (the “Issue Date”).

    Unless previously converted, exchanged, redeemed or purchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at par on 30 May 2032 (or on the following business day if such date is not a business day) (the “Maturity Date”).

    The Bonds may be redeemed prior to the Maturity Date at the option of the Company, under certain conditions.

    In particular, the Bonds may be fully redeemed early at par plus any accrued interest at the Company’s option, subject to a prior notice of at least 30 (but not more than 60) calendar days, (i) at any time from 20 June 2030 (inclusive), if the arithmetic average, calculated over a period of 10 consecutive trading days chosen by the Company from among the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the day of the publication of the early redemption notice, of the daily products on each of such 10 consecutive trading days of the volume weighted average price of the Shares on Euronext Paris over the applicable conversion price on each such trading day, exceeds 130%; or (ii) at any time if 80% or more in principal amount of the Bonds issued (which shall, for the avoidance of doubt, include any tap issues of the Bonds) have been converted/exchanged and/or redeemed and/or purchased by the Company and cancelled.

    Bondholders will be granted the right to convert or exchange the Bonds into new and/or existing Shares (the “Conversion/Exchange Right”) which they may exercise at any time from the 41st day (inclusive) following the Issue Date up to the 7th business day (inclusive) preceding the Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the relevant early redemption date.

    The conversion ratio of the Bonds will be set at the Principal Amount divided by the prevailing initial conversion price, subject to standard adjustments, including anti-dilution and dividend protections, as described in the terms and conditions of the Bonds. Upon exercise of their Conversion/Exchange Right, holders of the Bonds will receive at the option of the Company new and/or existing Shares, carrying in all cases all rights attached to existing Shares as from the date of delivery.

    Application will be made for the admission of the Bonds to trading on Euronext AccessTM in Paris to occur within 30 calendar days from the Issue Date.

    Legal framework of the Offering and placement

    The Bonds will be issued by way of a placement to qualified investors only (within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”)) (excluding the United States of America, Australia, Japan, Canada or South Africa), pursuant to the authorization granted by the Company’s annual general meeting held on 15 May 2025 (15th and 16th resolution), without an offer to the public (other than to qualified investors) in any country.

    Existing shareholders of the Company shall have no preferential subscription rights, and there will be no priority subscription period in connection with the issuance of the Bonds or any underlying new Shares to be issued upon conversion.

    Intentions of existing shareholders

    The Company is not aware of the intention of any of its main shareholders to participate in the Offering.

    Lock-up undertaking

    In the context of the Offering, the Company will agree to a lock-up undertaking with respect to its Shares and securities giving access to share capital of the Company for a period starting from the announcement of the final terms of the Bonds and ending 90 calendar days after the Issue Date, subject to certain customary exceptions or waiver from the joint global coordinators appointed in the context of the Offering.

    Dilution

    For illustrative purposes, considering a nominal amount of €425 million, a reference share price of €145.02 and a 32.5% conversion premium corresponding to the mid-point of the marketing range, the potential dilution would represent approximately 2.1% of the Company’s outstanding share capital, if the Conversion/Exchange Right was exercised for all the Bonds and the Company decided to deliver new Shares only upon exercise of the Conversion/Exchange Right.

    Available information
            
    Neither the offering of the Bonds, nor the admission of the Bonds to trading on Euronext AccessTM is subject to a prospectus approved by the Stichting Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) in Netherlands or the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) in France. No key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation or the UK PRIIPs Regulation (as defined below) has been or will be prepared. Detailed information about Company, including its business, results, prospects and the risk factors to which the Company is exposed are described in the Company’s universal registration document for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, filed with the AFM on 28 March 2025 and the Company’s first quarter 2025 results press release which includes the unaudited financial statements of the Company as at and for the three months ended 31 March 2025, which are all available on the Company’s website (https://www.euronext.com/en/investor-relations).

    Important information

    This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for or to sell securities to any U.S. person or to any person in the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada or South Africa or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer is unlawful, and the Offering of the Bonds is not an offer to the public in any jurisdiction (other than to qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation) or an offer to retail investors as such term is defined below.

    CONTACTS  

    ANALYSTS & INVESTORS – ir@euronext.com

    Investor Relations        Aurélie Cohen                 

            Judith Stein        +33 6 15 23 91 97          

    MEDIA – mediateam@euronext.com 

    Europe        Aurélie Cohen         +33 1 70 48 24 45   

            Andrea Monzani         +39 02 72 42 62 13 

    Belgium        Marianne Aalders         +32 26 20 15 01                 

    France, Corporate        Flavio Bornancin-Tomasella        +33 1 70 48 24 45                 

    Ireland        Catalina Augspach        +33 6 82 09 99 70                

    Italy         Ester Russom         +39 02 72 42 67 56                 

    The Netherlands        Marianne Aalders         +31 20 721 41 33                 

    Norway         Cathrine Lorvik Segerlund        +47 41 69 59 10                 

    Portugal         Sandra Machado        +351 91 777 68 97                                 

    About Euronext  

    Euronext is the leading European capital market infrastructure, covering the entire capital markets value chain, from listing, trading, clearing, settlement and custody, to solutions for issuers and investors. Euronext runs MTS, one of Europe’s leading electronic fixed income trading markets, and Nord Pool, the European power market. Euronext also provides clearing and settlement services through Euronext Clearing and its Euronext Securities CSDs in Denmark, Italy, Norway and Portugal.

    As of March 2025, Euronext’s regulated exchanges in Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal host nearly 1,800 listed issuers with €6.3 trillion in market capitalisation, a strong blue-chip franchise and the largest global centre for debt and fund listings. With a diverse domestic and international client base, Euronext handles 25% of European lit equity trading. Its products include equities, FX, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, commodities and indices.

    For the latest news, go to euronext.com or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only: it is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities and is provided “as is”, without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication may be regarded as creating any right or obligation. The creation of rights and obligations in respect of financial products that are traded on the exchanges operated by Euronext’s subsidiaries shall depend solely on the applicable rules of the market operator. All proprietary rights and interest in or connected with this publication shall vest in Euronext. This press release speaks only as of this date. Euronext refers to Euronext N.V. and its affiliates. Information regarding trademarks and intellectual property rights of Euronext is available at www.euronext.com/terms-use.

    © 2025, Euronext N.V. – All rights reserved. 

    The Euronext Group processes your personal data in order to provide you with information about Euronext (the “Purpose”). With regard to the processing of this personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, “GDPR”), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR, as provided in its privacy statement available at: www.euronext.com/privacy-policy. In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights with regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information. To make a request regarding the processing of your data or to unsubscribe from this press release service, please use our data subject request form at connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com.

    Disclaimer

    The contents of this announcement have been prepared by and are the sole responsibility of the Company.

    The information contained in this announcement is for information purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness.

    This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus within the meaning of Prospectus Regulation.

    This announcement does not contain or constitute an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, Bonds to any U.S. person or to any person in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or in any jurisdiction to whom or in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Bonds and the Shares, if any, to be issued upon exercise of the Conversion/Exercise Right (together, the “Securities”) referred to herein may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) or offered in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    In addition, until 40 days after the commencement of the Offering, an offer or sale of Bonds within the United States by a dealer (whether or not it is participating in the Offering) may violate the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The offer and sale of Securities referred to herein has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or under the applicable securities laws of Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. Subject to certain exceptions, the Bonds referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan. There will be no public offer of the Securities in the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan or elsewhere.

    In member states of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), this announcement and any offer is directed exclusively at persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). In the United Kingdom this announcement and any offer is directed exclusively at persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”), (ii) who fall within Article 49(2)(A) to (D) of the Order, or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together with Qualified Investors in the EEA being referred to herein as “Relevant Persons”). This document is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.

    This announcement may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes”, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. Forward-looking statements may and often do differ materially from actual results. Any forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current view with respect to future events and are subject to risks relating to future events and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the Company’s and its group’s business, results of operations, financial position, liquidity, prospects, growth or strategies. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made.

    Each of the Company, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and their respective affiliates expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update, review or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

    Each of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Offering. They will not regard any other person as their respective client in relation to the Offering and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to their respective clients, nor for providing advice in relation to the Offering, the contents of this announcement or any transaction, arrangement or other matter referred to herein.

    In connection with the Offering, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may take up a portion of the Bonds in the Offering as a principal position and in that capacity may retain, purchase, sell, offer to sell for their own accounts such Bonds and other securities of the Company or related investments in connection with the Offering or otherwise. Accordingly, references to the Bonds being issued, offered, subscribed, acquired, placed or otherwise dealt in should be read as including any issue or offer to, or subscription, acquisition, placing or dealing by, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates acting in such capacity. In addition, the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may enter into financing arrangements (including swaps, warrants or contracts for differences) with investors in connection with which the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering and any of their affiliates may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of Bonds and/or Shares. The joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering do not intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligations to do so.

    None of the joint bookrunners appointed in the context of the Offering or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available, or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.

    Information to Distributors: Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended and supplemented (“MiFID II”) and local implementing measures (together, the “Product Governance Requirements”), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Bonds have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that: (i) the target market for the Bonds is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Bonds to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Bonds (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturers’ target market assessment; however, a distributor (for the purposes of the Product Governance Requirements) is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers’ target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

    The target market assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual or legal selling restrictions in relation to any offering of the Bonds.

    For the avoidance of doubt, the target market assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Bonds.

    PRIIPs Regulation / Prospectus Regulation / Prohibition of sales to EEA and UK retail investors – The Bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK. For these purposes, a “retail investor” means (a) in the EEA, a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 as amended or superseded (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation and (b) in the UK, a person who is one (or more) of (i) a retail client within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No. 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the UK (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA or (iii) not a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “EU PRIIPs Regulation”) or the EU PRIIPS Regulation as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPS Regulation”) for offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or the UK may be unlawful under the EU PRIIPs Regulation and/or the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

    1 The reference share price will be equal to the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the Shares recorded on Euronext Paris from the launch of the Offering today until the determination of the final terms (pricing) of the Bonds on the same day.
    2 i.e. Euronext’s share price on Euronext Paris, at close of trading on 21 May 2025

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s top diplomat to chair third China-Pacific Island countries foreign ministers’ meeting

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

    China’s top diplomat to chair third China-Pacific Island countries foreign ministers’ meeting

    BEIJING, May 21 — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will chair the Third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Xiamen, Fujian Province from May 28 to 29, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Wednesday.

    Foreign ministers or representatives from 11 island countries having diplomatic relations with China, namely President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau of Kiribati, Premier and Foreign Minister Dalton Tagelagi of Niue, Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala of Tonga, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Rouwen Aingimea of Nauru, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin S. Robert of Federated States of Micronesia, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Peter Shanel Agovaka of Solomon Islands, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Marc Ati of Vanuatu, Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko of Papua New Guinea, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration Tingika Elikana of the Cook Islands, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Lenora Qereqeretabua of Fiji, and representative of the government of Samoa and Ambassador of Samoa to China Luamanuvae A. Mariner, and Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Esala Nayasi will attend the meeting upon invitation, according to the spokesperson.

    MIL OSI China News –