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Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA: Nomination Committee proposal to the 2025 Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    The Nomination Committee of IDEX Biometrics ASA proposes that Morten Opstad, Annika Olsson and Adriana Saitta, all current board members and European residents and nationals, form the new board of directors, with Morten Opstad serving as the Chair. The proposal is that they continue for a new term of two years.

    The full text of the Nomination Committee’s proposal to the 2025 Annual General Meeting in IDEX Biometrics ASA is enclosed.

    For further information, please 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 Kristian Flaten, CFO, on 20 May 2025 at 21:10 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12.

    Attachment

    • 250520 IDEX Nom Com proposal

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Need for a revision of the EU enlargement process and gradual integration of Ukraine – P-001053/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) would allow for flexibility on certain intermediate steps in the enlargement process such as the opening of clusters. The final decision on accession would still be taken by all Member States unanimously. The Commission stands ready to engage with Member States to explore ways to apply QMV to some aspects of the enlargement process.

    Gradual integration of Ukraine into the single market ahead of EU accession is a priority of the Commission[1]. In the energy sector, the Commission is working to facilitate Ukraine’s electricity market integration with the EU by spring 2027 as well as further integration in the EU gas sector. Priorities for Ukraine’s integration into the EU security and defence sector are defined in the recently adopted White Paper for European Defence — Readiness 2030[2]. In addition, the new Security Action for Europe instrument would allow the Ukrainian defence industry to participate in collaborative procurements on the same footing as EU-based industry. Gradual integration is a useful tool supporting integration of enlargement partners in the EU through alignment with the EU acquis and early participation in some EU policies and processes. Nevertheless, this approach must be coupled, where appropriate, with robust institutional safeguards to guarantee both the uniform interpretation and implementation of EU law and the capacity to address non-compliance effectively. As part of the screening process, enlargement partners can express their interest in participating in the work of EU bodies as observers. The Commission then issues recommendations to this end, as part of the screening report.

    • [1] As laid out in the new Priority Action Plan for Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area implementation (2025-2026).
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025JC0120.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The need to develop the steel industry in the context of developing armament programmes – E-001209/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) enables the EU to achieve its climate targets at the lowest cost by allowing the market to set the carbon price. It also has in-built features to protect industries such as steel from carbon leakage (displacement of production and emissions to outside the EU). These include free allocation of emission allowances, the possibility of state aid to compensate indirect carbon costs for electro-intensive production (such as electric arc furnaces), and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

    As such, the Commission has no plans to suspend the ETS, but is preparing a comprehensive review of the ETS Directive by 31 July 2026, as required under the existing Directive.

    2. Steel overcapacity continues to grow across regions, as evidenced in the latest review of the steel safeguard measure. Tackling unfair trade remains a priority for the Commission and it is fully committed to ensuring a robust use of trade defence instruments. The Commission will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the steel industry against unfair and injurious trading practices. In addition, an increasing number of trade barriers are being erected in many third countries. Therefore, the European Steel and Metals Action Plan[1] announced that by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest, the Commission will propose a long-term measure providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU’s steel sector. It will take into account changes in EU demand as well as security and resilience considerations, while preserving a certain level of openness in the EU market. The Commission will also conduct by the end of 2025 a comprehensive review of CBAM, accompanied by an anti-circumvention strategy.

    • [1] https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-steel-and-metals-action-plan_en.
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – EU harmonisation and scope for national bans on PFAS – E-001152/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The purpose of the regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)[1] is to ensure high level of protection of human health and the environment, as well as the free movement of substances, competitiveness and innovation. The efficient functioning of the internal market for substances can be achieved only if applicable requirements do not differ significantly between Member States. However, as confirmed by the European Free Trade Association Court in case E-9/16[2], in cases where the manufacture, placing on the market or use of a substance is not yet harmonised (i.e. no restriction) Member States may maintain or adopt national rules[3] provided the REACH restriction process is also initiated.

    To address the concerns raised by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, some Member States have initiated national measures to restrict some uses of PFAS. While the Commission shares these concerns, it considers that such measures are more efficient if taken at EU level by the established restriction procedure supported by a solid assessment by the scientific committees of the European Chemicals Agency. This process would avoid disruption of the internal market and guarantee all EU citizens an equally high level of protection.

    A broad PFAS restriction dossier has been prepared by five national authorities. The European Chemicals Agency’s committees must finalise their opinions on this dossier before the Commission can prepare its proposal to restrict PFAS in the EU. As also confirmed in the above-mentioned Court case, after adoption of an EU restriction, Member States need to align with the harmonised legislation.

    The Commission is carefully following all measures at national level to assess their relevance for future policy development.

    • [1] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC, OJ L 396, 30.12.2006.
    • [2] https://eftacourt.int/download/9-16-judgment/?wpdmdl=1804 ; https://eftacourt.int/download/9-16-judgment/?wpdmdl=1804.
    • [3] Cf REACH Article 128(2).
    Last updated: 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ESET Research APT Report: Russian cyberattacks in Ukraine intensify; Sandworm unleashes new destructive wiper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • ESET has released its latest advanced persistent threat (APT) report.
    • Russian APT groups intensified attacks against Ukraine and the EU, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities and deploying wipers.
    • China-aligned groups like Mustang Panda and DigitalRecyclers continued their espionage campaigns targeting the EU government and maritime sectors.
    • North Korea-aligned groups expanded their financially motivated campaigns using fake job listings and social engineering.

    BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ESET Research has released its latest APT Activity Report, which highlights activities of select APT groups that were documented by ESET researchers from October 2024 through March 2025. During the monitored period, Russia-aligned threat actors, notably Sednit and Gamaredon, maintained aggressive campaigns primarily targeting Ukraine and EU countries. Ukraine was subjected to the greatest intensity of cyberattacks against the country’s critical infrastructure and governmental institutions. The Russia-aligned Sandworm group intensified destructive operations against Ukrainian energy companies, deploying a new wiper named ZEROLOT. China-aligned threat actors continued engaging in persistent espionage campaigns with a focus on European organizations.

    Gamaredon remained the most prolific actor targeting Ukraine, enhancing malware obfuscation and introducing PteroBox, a file stealer leveraging Dropbox. “The infamous Sandworm group concentrated heavily on compromising Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In recent cases, it deployed the ZEROLOT wiper in Ukraine. For this, the attackers abused Active Directory Group Policy in the affected organizations,” says ESET Director of Threat Research Jean-Ian Boutin.

    Sednit refined its exploitation of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in webmail services, expanding Operation RoundPress from Roundcube to include Horde, MDaemon, and Zimbra. ESET discovered that the group successfully leveraged a zero-day vulnerability in MDaemon Email Server (CVE-2024-11182) against Ukrainian companies. Several Sednit attacks against defense companies located in Bulgaria and Ukraine used spearphishing email campaigns as a lure. Another Russia-aligned group, RomCom, demonstrated advanced capabilities by deploying zero-day exploits against Mozilla Firefox (CVE 2024 9680) and Microsoft Windows (CVE 2024 49039).

    In Asia, China-aligned APT groups continued their campaigns against governmental and academic institutions. At the same time, North Korea-aligned threat actors significantly increased their operations directed at South Korea, placing particular emphasis on individuals, private companies, embassies, and diplomatic personnel. Mustang Panda remained the most active, targeting governmental institutions and maritime transportation companies via Korplug loaders and malicious USB drives. DigitalRecyclers continued targeting EU governmental entities, employing the KMA VPN anonymization network and deploying the RClient, HydroRShell, and GiftBox backdoors. PerplexedGoblin used its new espionage backdoor, which ESET named NanoSlate, against a Central European government entity, while Webworm targeted a Serbian government organization using SoftEther VPN, emphasizing the continued popularity of this tool among China-aligned groups.

    Elsewhere in Asia, North Korea-aligned threat actors were particularly active in financially motivated campaigns. DeceptiveDevelopment significantly broadened its targeting, using fake job listings primarily within the cryptocurrency, blockchain, and finance sectors. The group employed innovative social engineering techniques to distribute the multiplatform WeaselStore malware. The Bybit cryptocurrency theft, attributed by the FBI to TraderTraitor APT group, involved a supply-chain compromise of Safe{Wallet} that caused losses of approximately USD 1.5 billion. Meanwhile, other North Korea-aligned groups saw fluctuations in their operational tempo: In early 2025, Kimsuky and Konni returned to their usual activity levels after a noticeable decline at the end of 2024, shifting their targeting away from English-speaking think tanks, NGOs, and North Korea experts to focus primarily on South Korean entities and diplomatic personnel; and Andariel resurfaced, after a year of inactivity, with a sophisticated attack against a South Korean industrial software company.

    Iran-aligned APT groups maintained their primary focus on the Middle East region, predominantly targeting governmental organizations and entities within the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Israel. Additionally, ESET observed a significant global uptick in cyberattacks against technology companies, largely attributed to increased activity by North Korea-aligned DeceptiveDevelopment.

    “The highlighted operations are representative of the broader threat landscape that we investigated during this period. They illustrate the key trends and developments, and contain only a small fraction of the cybersecurity intelligence data provided to customers of ESET APT reports,” adds Boutin.

    Intelligence shared in the private reports is primarily based on proprietary ESET telemetry data and has been verified by ESET researchers, who prepare in-depth technical reports and frequent activity updates detailing activities of specific APT groups. These threat intelligence analyses, known as ESET APT Reports PREMIUM, assist organizations tasked with protecting citizens, critical national infrastructure, and high-value assets from criminal and nation-state-directed cyberattacks. More information about ESET APT Reports PREMIUM and its delivery of high-quality, actionable tactical and strategic cybersecurity threat intelligence is available at the ESET Threat Intelligence page.

    Make sure to follow ESET Research on Twitter (today known as X), BlueSky, and Mastodon for the latest news from ESET Research.

    About ESET

    ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of emerging global cyberthreats, both known and unknown — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. The ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow our social media, podcasts and blogs.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/916569c8-b3c1-41ce-bc7a-dfd407156187

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Calls on Trump Administration to Strengthen American Critical Mineral Supply Chain

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to their Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Processed Critical Minerals and their Derivative Products calling on the Trump Administration to take strategic action to protect, invest in, and strengthen America’s critical mineral supply chain. The Senator also expressed concern that the Administration’s recent tariff policy has undermined our economic and national security.
    “First, critical minerals are deeply important to the economy of Nevada,” the Senator wrote. “It is not an understatement to say that the actions taken in this investigation could impact Nevada more than any other state in the country. Therefore, I encourage you to proceed in a cautious and consultative manner to ensure that any actions taken do not adversely impact my constituents and businesses. Second, I am concerned that President Trump’s trade actions to date work counter to U.S. economic and national security. Blanket tariffs on allies and the chaotic uncertainty of the administration’s trade policy undermine our ability to attract greater U.S. investment and strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains.”
    Within Nevada is the “lithium loop” – a region within 250 miles of Reno where critical minerals are mined, extracted, and processed; electric vehicles and batteries are produced; and lithium batteries and other materials are recycled. The state has 19 times more lithium deposits than the next highest state, and Nevada is home to Albemarle’s Silver Peak facilities – the only facility with commercial-scale lithium production in the U.S.
    “Instead of indiscriminate tariffs on allies, we should be imposing strategic tariffs on adversaries,” the Senator continued. “Instead of eliminating tax credits that catalyze investment and growth, we should be expanding tax credits to ensure America dominates the industries of the future. I stand ready to work with you and the administration on any policies that help Nevadans, particularly in these sectors and supply chains which are so key to my state’s economy.”
    Read the full letter here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to strengthen our national security and supply chains. Earlier this year, the Senator demanded Secretary of Defense Hegseth and Secretary of the Treasury Bessent provide answers on the national security impacts of President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. She has consistently blocked burdensome taxes on mining and wrote important provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster Nevada’s critical mineral supply chain. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Biden is getting prostate cancer treatment, but that’s not the best choice for all men − a cancer researcher describes how she helped her father decide

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Luisel Ricks-Santi, Senior Associate Vice President Community Health, Education and Training, Old Dominion University; Associate Professor of Pharmacy, University of Florida

    Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative had funded hundreds of cancer research projects across the country. AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

    “Me encontraron càncer en la pròstata,” my father told me. “They found cancer in my prostate.”

    As a cancer researcher who knows very well about the high incidence and decreased survival rates of prostate cancer in the Caribbean, I anguished over these words. Even though I study cancer in my day job, I struggled to take in this news. At the time, all I could muster in response was, “What did the doctor say?”

    “The urologist wants me to see the radiation oncologist to discuss ‘semillas’ (seeds),” he said. “They are recommending treatment.” Many men, including former President Joe Biden, whose case is advanced, do choose with their doctors to treat prostate cancer.

    However, I understood from my work that not undergoing treatment was also an option. In some cases, that is the better choice.

    So I took it upon myself to educate my father on his disease and assist him with the life-changing decisions he would need to make. Our journey can give you a preview of what a cancer diagnosis can be like.

    Prostate cancer diagnosis

    Prostate cancer was not a new topic for my father and me. His battle with his prostate health started over 10 years ago with an initial diagnosis of benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH.

    The prostate gets bigger with age for a number of reasons, including changing hormone levels, infection or inflammation. Two of the most frequent symptoms of BPH are difficulty urinating and a sudden, urgent need to urinate, both of which my father experienced.

    Although research suggests that the factors that contribute to BPH similarly contribute to prostate cancer, there is no evidence that an enlarged prostate will necessarily develop into cancer.

    Prostate cancer diagnoses have risen in the U.S. in recent years.

    Upon my father’s initial BPH diagnosis, I asked about his PSA levels, the amount of prostate-specific antigens in his blood. PSA is a protein that both normal and cancerous prostate cells produce, and elevated amounts are considered red flags for prostate cancer. When combined with a digital rectal exam, a PSA test can allow doctors to more accurately predict a person’s risk of having prostate cancer.

    My father said his PSA levels were elevated but that the doctors would begin active surveillance, what he called “watchful waiting,” and monitor his PSA every six months to see if it rose.

    After several years of monitoring his PSA, doctors found my father’s PSA level had doubled. He then got a biopsy that indicated he had intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

    Cancer risk categorization

    After his diagnosis, my father was faced with the decision of how to proceed with treatment. I explained that categorizing how aggressive the cancer is and how far it has spread can help determine the best course of treatment.

    Prostate cancer can be grouped into four stages. Stages 1 and 2, when the tumor is still confined to the prostate, are considered early-stage or intermediate risk. Stages 3 and 4, when the tumor has spread beyond the borders of the prostate, are considered more advanced and high risk.

    Some patients with early-stage or intermediate-risk prostate cancer undergo additional treatment, including surgery, radiation or radioactive seed implants called brachytherapy. Patients with late-stage prostate cancer typically undergo hormone therapy along with surgery or radiation, or chemotherapy with or without radiation.

    Although I was not surprised by my father’s diagnosis, given his advanced age and his battle with prostate disease over the past decade, I still struggled emotionally. I struggled with our conversations about what “curing” his cancer meant and how to explain his treatment options to him. I wanted to ensure he would have the best outcome and could still live his best life.

    Our initial inclination was to undergo active surveillance. That meant we would monitor his PSA every six months instead of immediately starting treatment. That is appropriate for patients with early-stage and less aggressive tumors.

    Prostate cancer screening problems

    My father was leaning on me to help him decide how to proceed. I felt overwhelming anxiety because I did not want to fail him or my family. Even with all my expertise studying cancer genetics and working with cancer patients, I couldn’t help second-guessing our decisions, and I sometimes questioned our decision not to immediately treat his cancer.

    Some people diagnosed with prostate cancer don’t immediately start treatment, because many of the tumors found through PSA testing grow so slowly that they are unlikely to be life-threatening. Detecting these slow-growing tumors is considered overdiagnosis, because the cancer ultimately will not harm the patient during their lifetime. Nearly half of all patients with prostate cancer are overdiagnosed, often leading to overtreatment.

    Research suggests that many prostate cancer patients undergo unnecessarily aggressive treatments, which are often associated with significant harms, like urinary and bowel incontinence, sexual impotence and, in some cases, death. Several studies in the U.S. have shown that patients with early-stage prostate cancer generally have a good prognosis, and the cancer rarely progresses further. With careful observation, most will never need treatment and can be spared the burdens of unnecessary therapy until there are clear signs of progression.

    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended personalized PSA-based screening in 2018 to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

    Overdiagnosis and overtreatment of prostate cancer led the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to recommend against PSA-based screening in 2012, with caveats for high-risk groups including African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. The recommendation was updated in 2018 to make screening a personal choice after discussion with a clinician.

    Those recommendations have resulted in reduced screening and increased prostate cancer diagnoses. Given that Black men are more likely to see the cancer progress to aggressive forms of the disease after initial diagnosis, this may worsen existing health disparities.

    Developing tests that better identify patients at risk of dying from prostate cancer can decrease overtreatment. In the meantime, educating patients can help them decide if screening is appropriate for them. For underserved and marginalized communities, community outreach can help improve health literacy and enhance awareness and screening.

    When I looked through my father’s stack of medical records, I found a beacon of light that eased my apprehension. His doctor had ordered a genetic test that estimates how aggressive a tumor may be by measuring the activity of specific genes in cancer cells. An increase in gene activity linked to cancer would indicate that it is likely to grow fast and spread.

    The test predicted that my father’s risk of dying from the disease in the next five years was less than 5%. Based on these results, we both understood that he had adequate time to make a decision and seek additional guidance.

    My father ultimately decided to continue active surveillance and forgo immediate treatment.

    Because of disparities in access to screening and treatment, African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
    FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images

    Surviving prostate cancer

    I still worry about my father’s diagnosis, because his cancer is at risk for progression. So every six months, I inquire about his PSA levels. His doctors are monitoring his PSA levels as part of his survivorship plan, which is a record of information about his cancer diagnosis, treatment history and potential follow-up tests.

    My father’s decision to undergo active surveillance was controversial among our friends and family. Many were under the impression that prostate cancer required immediate treatment. Several shared successful treatment stories, sometimes followed by stories of adverse treatment-related side effects.

    To date, my father believes that active surveillance was the best decision for him and understands that this may not be the same for someone else. Talk to your doctor to see what the best options are for you or your loved ones.

    This is an updated version of an article originally published on Aug. 8, 2023.

    Luisel Ricks-Santi does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Biden is getting prostate cancer treatment, but that’s not the best choice for all men − a cancer researcher describes how she helped her father decide – https://theconversation.com/biden-is-getting-prostate-cancer-treatment-but-thats-not-the-best-choice-for-all-men-a-cancer-researcher-describes-how-she-helped-her-father-decide-257071

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BloFin CEO Unveils Roadmap for a Future of Global Finance

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    “We’re not building just an exchange. We’re building infrastructure for the free movement of value.”
    “Stablecoins aren’t a product innovation—they’re a redefinition of who gets access to financial power.”

    – By Matt, CEO of BloFin

    ROAD TOWN, Virgin Islands, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Matt, CEO of BloFin, has released a forward-looking statement outlining the company’s long-term vision for the evolution of global finance—one driven by stablecoin infrastructure, seamless trading and payments, and inclusive access to capital. Positioned at the intersection of fintech and Web3, BloFin aims to build the foundational infrastructure for a borderless financial system, enabling users worldwide to hold, earn, swap, and spend digital assets with the same simplicity and security as traditional money.

    When the internet first arrived, it democratized access to information. Blogs replaced newspapers. Social media replaced TV. Search and discovery replaced gatekeepers.

    Now, we’re witnessing the next wave of decentralization—not of information, but of value.

    Stablecoins are turning the US dollar into an internet-native asset. What used to be gated by banks, borders, and bureaucracy is now becoming programmable, portable, and universally accessible.

    Asset tokenization, meanwhile, is doing to capital markets what MP3s did to the music industry—unlocking accessibility, liquidity, and user ownership.

    This isn’t about crypto hype. It’s about financial experience catching up with digital expectations.

    Trading and Payments Are Merging

    Historically, trading and payments were separate industries. One was speculative, the other transactional.

    That wall is falling.

    Today, users don’t want to think about “investment” vs. “remittance” vs. “yield” vs. “purchase.” They want seamless flows:

    • Hold stablecoins
    • Earn yield
    • Swap into assets
    • Send money abroad
    • Pay with a tap

    In the background: liquidity, risk, custody, and compliance. But to the user—it just works.

    The future of trading and payments is not about interfaces. It’s about infrastructure that makes the experience invisible.

    What Infrastructure Must Look Like in the Next 10 Years

    To serve this shift, we believe the next-generation platforms must be:

    • Stablecoin-native, not bank-native
    • Cross-border by design, not by exception
    • Compliant, modular, and transparent, without sacrificing speed or usability
    • Open to both traditional and decentralized assets, with unified user experience

    This is not about replacing banks or regulators. It’s about building something parallel, efficient, and trustworthy.

    Five Systems We Need to Build as an Industry

    Over the next decade, the most important evolution in crypto won’t be the next memecoin.

    It will be whether we can build:

    1. Global, high-trust trading platforms rooted in stablecoin rails
    2. Borderless financial accounts (wallets + custodial layers) that scale safely
    3. Unified payment and settlement networks that work across fiat and crypto
    4. Stablecoin ecosystems that support real-world use: payrolls, invoices, trade
    5. Crypto-native banking infrastructure with savings, credit, and asset management

    These aren’t buzzwords. They’re necessities—especially for users in markets where the traditional financial system has left them behind.

    Principles That Matter in a Fragmented World

    This industry is still young. And while some players chase short-term profit, others are working to lay down something more lasting.

    For anyone building:

    • Compliance isn’t a constraint—it’s a moat.
    • User trust is everything. Don’t trade against them, freeze them, or exploit them.
    • Culture isn’t perks—it’s what your team tolerates under pressure.
    • Systems > slogans. Execution > announcements.

    In an increasingly fragmented, regulated, and uncertain environment, long-term trust is the rarest asset.

    A Final Thought

    Crypto started with the idea of freedom. But freedom without function leads nowhere.

    What we need now is function that delivers freedom:

    • The freedom to trade without friction.
    • The freedom to earn, send, and save without permission.
    • The freedom to hold value in a system that doesn’t collapse when borders close.

    That’s the system we want to build.

    And if you’re building it too—we’re already on the same team.

    — By Matt, CEO of BloFin

    About BloFin

    ​BloFin is a top-tier cryptocurrency exchange that specializes in futures trading. The platform offers 480+ USDT-M perpetual pairs, spot trading, copy trading, API access, unified account management, and advanced sub-account solutions. Committed to security and compliance, BloFin integrates Fireblocks and Chainalysis to ensure robust asset protection. By partnering with top affiliates, BloFin delivers scalable trading solutions, efficient fund management, and enhanced flexibility for professional traders. ​As the constant sponsor of TOKEN2049, BloFin continues to expand its global presence, reinforcing its position as the place “WHERE WHALES ARE MADE.” For more information, visit BloFin’s official website at https://www.blofin.com.

    Contact:
    Annio W.
    annio@blofin.io

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Blofin. 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/4e9804d7-7a02-4494-bf8a-74b7ca659d20

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Exports Continue to Reach New Markets in 2024

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 20, 2025

    Provincial Exports Achieved the Third Highest Year on Record, Valued at $45.4 Billion in 2024

    Today, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) released the province’s annual State of Trade report. The report, which outlines provincial trade highlights for 2024, reveals that it was the third-highest export year for Saskatchewan, with the total value of exports reaching $45.4 billion.

    “Saskatchewan is providing much needed certainty as we move through a time of global trade shifts,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “Our exporters, manufacturers, and producers remain suppliers of choice as we bring food and energy security to countries around the world. This creates jobs, economic opportunities and a high standard of living for all who call our province home.”

    Uranium saw impressive growth, with the value of exports increasing by 50 per cent. Total uranium exports reached $2.8 billion, surpassing the Saskatchewan Growth Plan target of $2 billion. Potash also reached a record volume of exports, totaling 22,807,489 metric tonnes.

    Saskatchewan continues to be an exporter of choice internationally. Goods from the province reached 161 countries in 2024. India became the province’s third-largest export market behind the U.S. and China, with the value of exports to the country increasing by 12.2 per cent in 2024.

    “Amid the unprecedented trade uncertainties in 2024, Saskatchewan demonstrated resilience and growth across key sectors, with many major commodities maintaining or increasing their volumes,” STEP Interim CEO Angela Krauss said. “The province’s export foundation remains strong, and we are committed to diversifying our markets and strengthening essential trade relationships.”

    According to the report, the volumes of most major exports maintained or increased from 2023 levels. In terms of volume, exports of canola seed increased 25 per cent from 2023 to 2024. Canola meal exports increased 14 per cent in volume from 2023 to 2024. The top export products for the province include crude petroleum oil, potash, canola seeds and oil, wheat, uranium, lentils and dried peas. 

    The provincial economy continues to see substantial growth. In 2007, the value of Saskatchewan exports was $19.8 billion, which has since climbed to nearly $50 billion on average over the past three years. 

    STEP is a membership driven, government/industry partnership, designed to promote the growth of Saskatchewan’s export industry.

    Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2024 real GDP reached an all-time high of $80.5 billion, increasing by $2.6 billion, or 3.4 per cent from 2023. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.

    For more information on opportunities in Saskatchewan, visit: investSK.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Peters Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Safeguard U.S. Manufacturing, Transit Operations Against Chinese Influence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 05.20.2025

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped introduce the Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit (STOP) China Act, which would protect domestic transit operations and help level the playing field for American manufacturers, suppliers, and workers by preventing any federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from being awarded to grantees for the purchase of transit buses or rail cars made by Chinese-controlled companies. The bill would help ensure that American taxpayer dollars are invested in American manufacturers, like those in Michigan, not China. 
    “China is actively working to undermine American workers and our economic success, particularly in the transportation industry, by flooding global markets with artificially cheap vehicles, from electric vehicles to buses,” said Senator Peters. “These vehicles could also pose a serious national security threat. This bipartisan bill would address these concerns and help level the playing field for Michigan manufacturers, suppliers, and workers as we continue to lead the world in mobility innovation by preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to support companies owned and operated by the Chinese Communist Party.”
    The Stop China Act would prohibit any federal funds from being awarded to grantees for the purchase of Chinese government transit buses or rail cars. It seeks to close loopholes in the previously enacted Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act that have allowed Chinese entities to continue competing for U.S. Government funds. It also requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General, to produce a list of prohibited entities headquartered or affiliated with China. 
    The legislation is endorsed by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Steel Manufacturers Association, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, United Steelworkers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and Transport Workers Union of America.
    Peters has made strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains a top priority. Peters helped author and pass into law the CHIPS and Science Act to boost U.S. manufacturing of semiconductor chips, strengthen critical domestic supply chains, and create good-paying American jobs. The CHIPS and Science Act additionally authorized increased funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, which has been a priority for Peters. Peters additionally supported and helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which will strengthen domestic manufacturing, onshore our supply chains, combat the climate crisis, and create millions of American jobs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Growing Colorado’s Semiconductor Industry: Gov. Polis Announces Okika Devices Expansion in Colorado

    Source: US State of Colorado

    COLORADO SPRINGS – Today, Governor Polis and the Global Business Development Division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that Okika Devices, a producer of chips and software that enable custom and cutting-edge analog solutions and computing, has selected Colorado Springs for its new headquarters and research and development (R&D) center. 

    “We are thrilled to welcome Okika Devices to Colorado, the best place to live and do business. Okika will bring 20 new, good-paying jobs to Colorado Springs while advancing our state’s growing contributions to the semiconductor industry,” said Governor Polis. 

    In Colorado, Okika joins a semiconductor industry poised for growth. The Semiconductor Industry Association places Colorado in the top 10 states with the resources and business ecosystem to support a strong semiconductor industry. In addition to major fabrication facilities, Colorado businesses support the entire value chain from chip design and materials to fabrication and packaging. 

    Okika develops Field Programmable Analog Array (FPAA) integrated circuit products to deliver state-of-the-art analog integrated circuit solutions that address complex challenges from sensor processing to machine learning. In Colorado Springs, the company recognized an opportunity to connect to a strong workforce, build on local relationships established through previous industry experience, and establish new partnerships within the local ecosystem. 

    The company expects to create 20 net new jobs at an average annual wage of $104,250, which is 160% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. Hiring is underway for applications and quality engineers, sales, and procurement. 

    “Relocating Okika’s headquarters to Colorado Springs marks an exciting new chapter for our company. The business-friendly environment, along with the unwavering support from the city, county, and state—who truly bent over backwards to make this transition seamless—made our decision an easy one. Colorado Springs offers a rich pool of talented and committed professionals, and we’re proud to join a community known for innovation and excellence. Many of our senior executives, formerly of Ramtron, are thrilled to return and help launch Okika in a place that feels like home. We are looking forward to being back,” said William Staunton, Chairman and CEO of Okika.

     “Okika Device’s dedication to cutting-edge analog solutions and commitment to innovation will undoubtedly strengthen and advance our state’s growing semiconductor ecosystem, further solidifying Colorado’s position as a leader in the advanced industries, technology and strategic economic development,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman. 

    The Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $398,756 in a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit for the company over an eight-year period. These incentives are contingent upon Okika Devices, referred to as Project Kokua throughout the OEDIT review process, meeting net new job creation and salary requirements. 

    Colorado Springs City Council approved $66,500 over a four-year period in performance-based incentives. The sales and use tax rebates apply to the purchases of construction materials, equipment, machinery, furniture, and fixtures. The City’s Economic Development Department also offered to support the company through its Rapid Response Program, as well as talent and workforce development support. 

    “Okika’s decision to establish its headquarters in Colorado Springs shows the confidence investors have in our region and speaks to Colorado Springs’ position as a dynamic hub for advanced manufacturing and semiconductor technology,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. This expansion will enhance our region’s capabilities in the analog integrated circuit market and strengthen our semiconductor supply chain, making Colorado Springs an ideal location for manufacturing businesses.” 

    “We are honored to welcome Okika Devices to Colorado Springs,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “Their investment brings high-quality jobs, cutting-edge innovation, and strengthens our role in advancing technologies critical to national security. Choosing to expand in Olympic City USA speaks volumes about our city’s growing reputation as a hub for skilled workforce, business-friendly environment, and as a premier destination for tech companies looking to grow and thrive.” 

    “We are excited to welcome this innovative semiconductor company to the Pikes Peak region,” said Commissioner Carrie Geitner, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Their expansion not only positions our region at the forefront of advanced technology but also brings high-quality jobs and new opportunities for our local workforce. El Paso County offers a supportive, business-friendly environment that enables companies like this to grow and thrive. We look forward to the positive impact they will have on our community and economy for years to come.” 

    El Paso County is the administrator for the Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone (EZ), which offers state income tax credits to encourage business investment and job creation in economically distressed areas. Through this state program, Okika Devices may be eligible for up to $402,532.50 in EZ incentives, contingent upon final site selection within a designated Enterprise Zone and compliance with all program requirements. 

    In addition to Colorado, Okika Devices considered California and Arizona for expansion. Previously headquartered in California, the company has six employees, one of whom is in Colorado. 

    About Okika 

    Okika Devices Corporation (Okika) is an analog integrated circuit products manufacturing company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, analog processing solutions. By tackling the most complex analog challenges, Okika aims to unlock new frontiers for sensor processing, machine learning, control system and power management applications. For more information visit okikadevices.com. 

    About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS, Partners Highlight Importance of HIV Work Amid Federal Funding Cuts

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS, Partners Highlight Importance of HIV Work Amid Federal Funding Cuts

    NCDHHS, Partners Highlight Importance of HIV Work Amid Federal Funding Cuts
    hejones1
    Tue, 05/20/2025 – 10:08

    Today the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services joined the NC AIDS Action Network for an event to raise awareness about the important work underway to end the HIV epidemic in North Carolina. State leaders and advocates highlighted the progress at-risk due to expected cuts at the federal level.  

    “Over the past few decades, we have made tremendous progress together toward the goal of eliminating HIV both globally and here in North Carolina,” said North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “Sustained funding is essential, not only to prevent the spread of HIV but also to support the health and well-being of North Carolinians living with the virus. Cuts would reverse hard-won gains and increase long-term costs for our state. Now more than ever, we must renew our commitment to supporting people living with HIV and protecting the public health of our communities.”

    HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It’s often spread through sexual contact or sharing needles, syringes or other drug injection equipment. While there is currently no effective cure, those who receive HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and will not transmit infection.

    As of December 31, 2024, there were 38,634 people living with HIV in North Carolina with 1,385 people newly diagnosed with HIV last year. While it’s estimated that 85% of those living with HIV across the state are aware of their diagnosis, there are still thousands who are unaware. Proposed budget cuts would decrease access to HIV testing, meaning more people would remain unaware of their status and be unable to take the actions needed to protect their own health and avoid further transmission. 

    For those living with HIV, care is prevention. People who receive treatment and are virally suppressed don’t transmit the disease. NCDHHS’ Division of Public Health conducts individualized outreach to people living with HIV and HIV care providers to improve access to supportive and culturally appropriate care. Additional efforts include reducing stigma associated with HIV care and testing, ensuring access to free testing options, and improving awareness and access to the range of tools that are now available to prevent the spread of HIV — including condoms and pre-exposure prophylaxis or “PrEP,” the medication that prevents HIV infection. Access to these prevention options that contribute to decreased potential for disease spread are threatened by budget cuts.

    NCDHHS’ most recent award from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Ryan White Program, received in April, was approximately half of what had been awarded in previous years. Future funding is currently uncertain, and the proposed federal budget suggests no funding for HIV prevention activities. 

    If cuts proceed, impacts could include: 

    • An increase in HIV transmission due to decreasing investment in promising new HIV prevention methods (like long-acting PrEP), decreased access to care that prevents transmission, and increased time with undiagnosed disease.
    • Increase in HIV transmissions because individualized outreach that helps people with HIV access care and helps exposed partners get testing will end.
    • Decreased ability to detect outbreaks early and prevent tragic outcomes.

    Cuts to this vital funding in North Carolina would be detrimental to all parts of the state, particularly in rural counties. Additionally, congressional proposals to reduce Medicaid funding and implement eligibility restrictions could jeopardize state public health infrastructure and infectious disease programs in North Carolina. Medicaid is the single-largest provider of insurance coverage for people living with HIV. Eroding access to Medicaid coverage could result in increased HIV cases and deaths. In North Carolina, Medicaid Expansion has given many people with HIV access to comprehensive health care, some for the first time.

    Hoy, el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte se unió a la Red de Acción contra el SIDA de Carolina del Norte para un evento para crear conciencia sobre el importante trabajo en curso para poner fin a la epidemia de VIH en Carolina del Norte. Los líderes y defensores estatales destacaron el progreso que se encuentra en riesgo debido a los recortes esperados a nivel federal.  

    “En las últimas décadas, hemos logrado un progreso tremendo juntos hacia el objetivo de eliminar el VIH tanto a nivel mundial como aquí en Carolina del Norte”, dijo el secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte, Dev Sangvai. “Es esencial que la financiación sea sostenida, no solo para prevenir la propagación del VIH, sino también para apoyar la salud y el bienestar de los habitantes de Carolina del Norte que viven con el virus. Los recortes revertirían los logros conseguidos con tanto esfuerzo y aumentarían los costos a largo plazo para nuestro estado. Ahora más que nunca, debemos renovar nuestro compromiso de apoyar a las personas que viven con el VIH y proteger la salud pública de nuestras comunidades”.      

    El VIH, o virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, es un virus que ataca el sistema inmunitario del cuerpo. A menudo se propaga a través del contacto sexual o compartiendo agujas, jeringas u otro equipo de inyección de drogas. Si bien actualmente no existe una cura efectiva, aquellos que reciben tratamiento contra el VIH pueden vivir vidas largas y saludables y no transmitirán la infección.

    Al 31 de diciembre de 2024, había 38,634 personas viviendo con VIH en Carolina del Norte con 1,385 personas recién diagnosticadas con VIH el año pasado. Si bien se estima que el 85 % de las personas que viven con el VIH en todo el estado son conscientes de su diagnóstico, todavía hay miles que no lo saben. Los recortes de presupuesto propuestos disminuirían el acceso a las pruebas del VIH, lo que significaría que más personas desconocerían su estado y no podrían tomar las medidas necesarias para proteger su propia salud y evitar una mayor transmisión. 

    Para quienes viven con el VIH, la atención es la prevención. Las personas que reciben tratamiento y tienen supresión viral no transmiten la enfermedad. La División de Salud Pública del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) lleva a cabo un alcance individualizado a las personas que viven con el VIH y a los proveedores de atención del VIH para mejorar el acceso a la atención de apoyo y culturalmente apropiada. Los esfuerzos adicionales incluyen reducir el estigma asociado con la atención y las pruebas del VIH, garantizar el acceso a opciones de pruebas gratuitas y mejorar la conciencia y el acceso a la variedad de herramientas que ahora están disponibles para prevenir la propagación del VIH, incluidos los condones y la profilaxis previa a la exposición o “PrEP”, el medicamento que previene la infección por VIH. El acceso a estas opciones de prevención que contribuyen a disminuir el potencial de propagación de enfermedades se ve amenazado por los recortes de presupuesto.

    El premio más reciente del NCDHHS del Programa Ryan White de la Administración de Servicios de Recursos de Salud (HRSA, por sus siglas en inglés), recibido en abril, fue aproximadamente la mitad de lo que se había otorgado en años anteriores. El financiamiento futuro es actualmente incierto, y el presupuesto federal propuesto sugiere que no habrá fondos para actividades de prevención del VIH.

    Si los recortes continúan, los impactos podrían incluir: 

    • Un aumento en la transmisión del VIH debido a la disminución de la inversión en nuevos métodos prometedores de prevención del VIH (como la PrEP de acción prolongada), la disminución del acceso a la atención que previene la transmisión y el aumento del tiempo con enfermedades no diagnosticadas.
    • Aumento de las transmisiones del VIH porque terminará el alcance individualizado que ayuda a las personas con VIH a acceder a la atención y ayuda a las parejas expuestas a hacerse la prueba.
    • Disminución de la capacidad para detectar brotes a tiempo y prevenir resultados trágicos.

    Los recortes a este financiamiento vital en Carolina del Norte serían perjudiciales para todas las partes del estado, particularmente en los condados rurales. Además, las propuestas del congreso para reducir los fondos de Medicaid e implementar restricciones de elegibilidad podrían poner en peligro la infraestructura de salud pública estatal y los programas de enfermedades infecciosas en Carolina del Norte. Medicaid es el proveedor más grande de cobertura de seguro para personas que viven con el VIH. Reducir el acceso a la cobertura de Medicaid podría resultar en un aumento de los casos y muertes por VIH. En Carolina del Norte, la expansión de Medicaid ha dado a muchas personas con VIH acceso a atención médica integral, algunas por primera vez.

    May 20, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Fisheries Subsidies: Lesotho’s acceptance

    Source: World Trade Organization – WTO (video statements)

    On 20 May, Lesotho’s WTO Ambassador Tsiu Khathibe presented his country’s instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Lesotho is the 99th WTO member to deposit its acceptance of the Agreement with the WTO.

    More info:
    https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news25_e/fish_20may25_e.htm

    Download this video from the WTO website:
    https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/webcas_e/webcas_e.htm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmCavFGgZ2s

    MIL OSI Video –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: Eramus+ UK: UK students are rejoining Erasmus+ Programme

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    Erasmus+ UK is getting closer to becoming a reality.
    The UK and European Commission have agreed to work towards the UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme.
    Negotiations should focus on mutually agreed financial terms and benefits, ensuring a fair balance and alignment with the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D-7kXMMU-w

    MIL OSI Video –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BW Offshore: Successful handover of BW Adolo operations to BW Energy Gabon SA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Successful handover of BW Adolo operations to BW Energy Gabon SA

    BW Offshore Limited (“BW Offshore”) and BW Energy Limited (“BW Energy”) announce that, with effect from 20 May 2025, operations and maintenance (“O&M”) of the FPSO BW Adolo have been handed over to BW Energy’s subsidiary, BW Energy Gabon SA (“BW Energy Gabon”).

    Under an amended bareboat charter, BW Offshore’s subsidiary retains ownership of the unit and will continue to lease the FPSO to BW Energy Gabon on the same terms as previously agreed without the O&M services. The charter includes a mutual put-and-call option on the FPSO for USD 100 million, exercisable in 2028. The parties have been working and will continue to work together on the transition until 30 June 2025 to ensure a safe and uninterrupted transfer of operations.

    “Transferring daily operational control of BW Adolo to BW Energy Gabon is a natural step given their growing presence in Gabon and potential to capture efficiencies across the local organisation,” said Marco Beenen, the CEO of BW Offshore. “The seamless execution reflects the commitment of both teams to safeguard personnel, the environment, and asset integrity.”

    “Assuming full O&M responsibility will allow BW Energy Gabon to optimise field performance and capture additional synergies across the Dussafu hub. We thank BW Offshore for its exemplary stewardship of the vessel and its continued support during the transition phase,” said Carl K. Arnet, the CEO of BW Energy.

    Both companies extend their appreciation to all offshore and onshore personnel who have maintained BW Adolo in a safe and efficient manner over the past seven years and look forward to sustained strong operational performance under BW Energy’s leadership. The unit remains deployed on the Dussafu Marin licence offshore Gabon, where it has produced safely since first oil in 2018.

    For further information, please contact:
    Ståle Andreassen, CFO, +47 91 71 86 55

    IR@bwoffshore.com or www.bwoffshore.com

    About BW Offshore:
    BW Offshore engineers innovative floating production solutions. The Company has a fleet of FPSOs with potential and ambition to grow. By leveraging four decades of offshore operations and project execution, the Company creates tailored offshore energy solutions for evolving markets world-wide. BW Offshore has around 1,100 employees and is publicly listed on the Oslo stock exchange.

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

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Successful handover of BW Adolo operations to BW Energy Gabon SA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Successful handover of BW Adolo operations to BW Energy Gabon SA

    BW Offshore Limited (“BW Offshore”) and BW Energy Limited (“BW Energy”) announce that, with effect from 20 May 2025, operations and maintenance (“O&M”) of the FPSO BW Adolo have been handed over to BW Energy’s subsidiary, BW Energy Gabon SA (“BW Energy Gabon”).

    Under an amended bareboat charter, BW Offshore’s subsidiary retains ownership of the unit and will continue to lease the FPSO to BW Energy Gabon on the same terms as previously agreed without the O&M services. The charter includes a mutual put-and-call option on the FPSO for USD 100 million, exercisable in 2028. The parties have been working and will continue to work together on the transition until 30 June 2025 to ensure a safe and uninterrupted transfer of operations.

    “Transferring daily operational control of BW Adolo to BW Energy Gabon is a natural step given their growing presence in Gabon and potential to capture efficiencies across the local organisation,” said Marco Beenen, the CEO of BW Offshore. “The seamless execution reflects the commitment of both teams to safeguard personnel, the environment, and asset integrity.”

    “Assuming full O&M responsibility will allow BW Energy Gabon to optimise field performance and capture additional synergies across the Dussafu hub. We thank BW Offshore for its exemplary stewardship of the vessel and its continued support during the transition phase,” said Carl K. Arnet, the CEO of BW Energy.

    Both companies extend their appreciation to all offshore and onshore personnel who have maintained BW Adolo in a safe and efficient manner over the past seven years and look forward to sustained strong operational performance under BW Energy’s leadership. The unit remains deployed on the Dussafu Marin licence offshore Gabon, where it has produced safely since first oil in 2018.

    For further information, please contact:
    Brice Morlot, CFO BW Energy
    +33.7.81.11.41.16
    ir@bwenergy.com 

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

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

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Netherlands to work for successful G20

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Netherlands has reiterated its commitment to work for a successful G20 meeting which South Africa will host later this year.

    This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp in a joint communiqué following the fourth meeting of the South Africa – Netherlands Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC) on Monday.

    “The Ministers discussed the progress of South Africa’s G20 Presidency to which the Netherlands was invited for all meetings including the Leaders’ Summit. Minister Veldkamp reiterated that the Netherlands will continue to work for a successful G20, the first on African soil, under South Africa’s Presidency,” the communiqué read.

    South Africa is set to host the Group of Twenty (G20) Summit in November 2025. The G20 is an international forum of both developing and developed countries which seeks to find solutions to global economic and financial issues.

    South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola co-chaired the JCC in the Hague alongside Minister Veldkamp.

    In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said the high-level dialogue between the Ministers underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations.

    READ | Minister Lamola arrives in Netherlands for Joint Cooperation Commission

    At the JCC, the Ministers noted the outcomes of the recent South Africa – European Union Summit and the agreement to start negotiations on a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership.

    “The Ministers expressed their commitment to a fruitful and successful Third AU-EU Ministerial meeting on 20 May 2025 in Brussels, paving the way for an AU-EU Summit in June 2025,” the communiqué stated.

    Held in Cape Town in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa described the 8th South Africa-European Union (EU) Summit as a “watershed” moment for trade and investment relations between South Africa and the regional bloc.

    READ | SA-EU Summit a ‘watershed’ moment for trade and investment relations

    “As a bloc, the European Union (EU) is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and the source of much investment in our country. Our economic ties with European countries go back to colonial times. Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago, we have steadily been growing the volume and value of trade,” the President said.

    Additionally, the Ministers underlined the strong relations between South Africa and the Netherlands.

    “The Ministers underlined the strong, broad and friendly relationship between the Netherlands and South Africa, recalling the State Visit of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima to South Africa in 2023.

    “The Ministers noted the progress that has been made in fostering the relationship between the two countries since the Third Meeting of the Joint Commission was held in Pretoria on 18 October 2023,” noted the communiqué. –SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mashatile engages with SA and French businesses in roundtable dialogue

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Deputy President Shipokosa Paul Mashatile has engaged with South African and French businesses during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris. 

    MEDEF is France’s largest business federation, representing over 750 000 companies, from SMEs to large multinationals. It plays a central role in promoting French economic diplomacy, supporting private sector development, and facilitating international investment and trade relationships.

    The Business Dialogue is an important platform for businesses from both countries to expand on existing cooperation and identifying new areas of cooperation, with a specific focus on trade and investment.

    “The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy. 

    “Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area,” the Deputy President said in his address at the Business Dialogue.

    The Deputy President also touched on the European Union-SA Summit, which took place in Cape Town in March 2025, where there was an announcement of the EU investment package of around R90 billion to support investment projects in South Africa. 

    In addition, Mashatile met with Thierry Deau, Group CEO of Meridiam and Chairperson of the Global Long-Term Infrastructure Investors Association. 

    Meridiam is a global investment firm specialising in public infrastructure, with assets under management exceeding €12 billion. It focuses on long-term investments in transport, energy, social infrastructure, and environmental projects, with a commitment to sustainable development and inclusive growth.

    READ | Deputy President in France for a working visit

    During the meeting, the two discussed, among others, the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders, including infrastructure investors, policymakers, and academia, as being crucial for promoting responsible and long-term private capital deployment in public infrastructure.

    The Deputy President indicated that he is certain that South Africa and France can achieve new heights of prosperity through strengthening their economic links and encouraging closer cooperation. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    May 21, 2025

  • Yoga Sangam 2025: India gears up for historic wellness celebration

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over 1,000 entities have already registered on the Yoga Sangam portal, setting the stage for what promises to be India’s largest-ever wellness celebration on June 21 — the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY). The theme for 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects India’s global leadership in promoting holistic well-being.

    Participation spans all corners of the country, including schools, colleges, corporates, NGOs, Resident Welfare Associations, government departments, and community groups from all 28 States and 7 Union Territories. Each group has pledged to follow the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), representing national unity through coordinated breath and movement. More than one lakh venues are expected to host yoga sessions — from the snow-capped Himalayas to the southern tip of Kanyakumari.

    The initiative encourages individuals and institutions to host yoga sessions and contribute to a national wave of wellness. Participants can earn recognition as community wellness ambassadors and receive official certificates of appreciation.

    To take part, visit yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam, register your organisation, conduct your Yoga Sangam event on June 21, and upload participation details after the event.

    India’s Wellness Diplomacy: Ayush at Osaka Expo 2025

    India’s presence at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, is garnering praise for showcasing the country’s rich traditions of holistic health. The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Embassy of India in Tokyo, Consulate General of India in Osaka-Kobe, and the Heartfulness Institute, has been hosting daily yoga sessions at the India Pavilion — Bharat — from May 2 through October 13.

    So far, 55 sessions have been held, engaging over 2,100 participants, including Japanese nationals and international visitors. The inaugural session on May 2, attended by Ambassador Sibi George and Consul General Chandru Appar, coincided with Japan’s Golden Week and attracted a large audience.

    The upcoming Yoga Week from June 15 to 21 will culminate in a mega celebration of International Day of Yoga, featuring multiple daily sessions in various formats. From June 29 to July 5, the India Pavilion will also spotlight traditional medicinal plants, herbs, and Ayush-based wellness products. On June 30, a dedicated B2B meet and road show will promote investment opportunities and global partnerships in Ayush healthcare.

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Labour governments have always struggled with immigration – here’s what Keir Starmer could learn from them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Erica Consterdine, Senior Lecturer in Public Policy, Lancaster University

    The government has outlined its plans to reduce net migration to the UK. The proposals are generally restrictive: scrapping social care visas, tightening work visas, longer residency requirements, tougher English tests and restructuring student visas.

    While Reform’s recent success at the local elections hardened Keir Starmer’s rhetoric in announcing the changes, the thrust of this policy was to be expected. But will the political calculation pay off?

    Immigration has long been a headache for Labour. It is a topic that cuts across the party’s ideological factions – its protectionist roots, its universalist values, and its market-friendly third way leanings. Each of these calls for a different approach on immigration.

    Labour’s record on immigration is historically patchy. Previous Labour governments have been responsible for some of the most deplorable immigration acts, including the racially discriminatory 1968 act, which restricted non-white immigration in a betrayal of Kenyan Asians fleeing persecution.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The British public then was far more illiberal on immigration than it is today. Trade unions were historically anti-immigrant, perceiving foreign labour as a threat to wages and job displacement. Labour, like their Tory counterparts, mostly operated on a bipartisan consensus of limiting immigration, on the idea that this was better for cohesion.

    This is exemplified in the Hattersley equation (named for former MP Roy Hattersley), a bipartisan political consensus that lasted from the postwar years up until Thatcher’s government. The compromise was between restrictive immigration policy and liberal integration measures (the Race Relations Act) to appease Labour’s liberal base.

    New Labour embraced the Thatcherite, neoliberal agenda, with Tony Blair declaring that there is no alternative to globalisation and therefore immigration. Framing immigration as an economic good, and humanitarian mobility as the bogeyman, Labour’s regime radically transformed the immigration system from one of the most restrictive in Europe to one of the most liberal labour regimes. But this was never for the benefit of migrants – it was simply economic calculation.

    We know what happened next: the political battleground, the cursed net migration target, Brexit and the lurches to the right ever since. In opposition, Labour has never been able to resolve this.

    Starmer’s approach

    A sticking point since 2010 has been traditionally working-class Labour constituents, viewed as “left behind” due to globalisation, and who now make up the red wall. The narrative goes that these voters have drifted rightwards due to dissatisfaction with immigration.

    But overall, Labour voters are still more positive than Conservatives towards immigration. A regressive policy on migrant rights could lose Labour some of its voter base.

    What’s more, net migration is likely to decrease over Labour’s term anyway, due to changes made by the last government and the tailing off of unprecedented migration from bespoke humanitarian schemes, like the one for Ukrainians. Arguably, Starmer’s reforms weren’t strictly necessary.

    Starmer could have framed the same policies around a softer rhetoric, one that embraces multicultural Britain while making the case for reforming the labour market. The enemy could have easily been cast as the Conservative government that neglected investment in the people at the expense of global corporations.

    Data from the Institute of Public Policy Research suggests that the UK public has become softer on immigration, but they want fairness. The easy way out here was to praise the benefits that immigration can bring while emphasising the need for control to maximise those benefits.

    Denigrating the current system as a “squalid chapter” of history is playing to Reform voters – arguably a foolish move, given that evidence shows you can’t beat the far right at its own game.

    Will the proposals work?

    If these proposals do reduce migration, it will come at a high cost for the country, not least in the consequences for the higher education and social care sectors. It may even increase irregular migration, as more people go underground in their attempts to reach Britain.

    The crux of the government’s problem is promising to reduce immigration in a system dependent on labour market flexibility. The proposals would make the UK extortionately expensive for both applicants and the employers who sponsor them, and make it economically unviable for the sectors that rely on foreign labour to recruit.

    A more social democratic immigration policy would invest in training, skills and wages of domestic workforces, while providing rights to the migrants who already reside here.

    Labour’s policy does not do this. It curtails rights significantly, for example in the doubling of the waiting period to apply for the right to stay indefinitely, and the plans to review how the right to family life is applied. Both of these are arguably counterproductive to the aims of integration and out of step with other countries.

    The theory behind the government reforms is that migrant workers will be replaced by the economically inactive domestic labour force – a win-win. Aside from the suspect simplicity of this equation, it will require more than sticks on employers and migrants. It necessitates a radical overhaul of the system, the economic model and a more interventionist state to move towards a coordinated market economy, one with more organisation and regulation on the labour market.

    Despite the government’s significant majority, a disciplined cabinet and an infighting opposition, the government appears reluctant to make such dramatic change, wedded to the existing paradigms of neoliberal free markets in a quest for growth in stagnating economies. If it wants its plans to work, Labour will have to be bolder and provide carrots to go with the sticks.

    Erica Consterdine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Labour governments have always struggled with immigration – here’s what Keir Starmer could learn from them – https://theconversation.com/labour-governments-have-always-struggled-with-immigration-heres-what-keir-starmer-could-learn-from-them-256737

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: 3 sites in China newly recognized as globally important agricultural heritage systems

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

    3 sites in China newly recognized as globally important agricultural heritage systems

    BEIJING, May 20 — A trio of sites in China were recently designated as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced on Tuesday.

    The newly recognized sites are an ancient pear orchard system in northwest China’s Gansu Province, a freshwater pearl mussel composite fishery system in Zhejiang Province in the east of China, and a white tea culture system in Fujian Province, also located in east China.

    With these latest additions, China now has 25 GIAHS sites — the highest number across the globe.

    The GIAHS program, launched by the FAO, has assisted farming communities in safeguarding traditional agricultural systems and associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity, knowledge systems and cultures.

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade Announces Integration with Viewpoint Spectrum ERP   

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServiceTrade, Inc., the premier commercial field service management software provider tailored specifically for mechanical and fire protection contractors, expanded its integrations portfolio with a new seamless integration with Viewpoint Spectrum, a widely adopted web-based construction ERP solution.

    The integration enables contractors to connect ServiceTrade’s leading field service management platform with Spectrum’s comprehensive ERP system. It combines ServiceTrade field efficiency, customer communications, office coordination, and sales enablement workflows with Spectrum’s powerful accounting, payroll, project management, equipment tracking, inventory, and reporting tools.

    “Contractors using Spectrum for back-office operations and ServiceTrade for service delivery now benefit from a unified, real-time connection between the two platforms,” said Brook Bock, Chief Product Officer. “We are dedicated to providing integrations with the business systems our customers rely on. Seamless integration with Viewpoint Spectrum virtually eliminates manual data entry, improves accuracy, and enhances visibility across the business, driving greater efficiency, accountability, and profitability.”

    Key Benefits of the Integration Include:

    • Eliminate manual data entry with automatic customer, job, and invoice synchronization.
    • Accelerate billing and revenue cycles with faster, more accurate period-end processes.
    • Reduce administrative burden on field technicians, operations, and accounting teams.
    • Improve operational visibility from the field to the back office.
    • Ensure audit-ready compliance with secure, documented processes.

    “When business systems talk to each other, the contractor’s whole business moves faster and more profitably. Contractors can reduce costs, accurately forecast and account for revenue, and make smarter decisions with clean, connected data. Accurate, timely customer communication and billing build trust, leading to better reviews, faster payments, and better retention rates,” concluded Ms. Bock. 

    To learn more about ServiceTrade:

    About ServiceTrade
    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a leading Field Service Management (FSM) software platform for commercial mechanical, fire, and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps contractors increase profits by improving service and project operations, enhancing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and fostering customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by commercial service contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Contact:
    media@ktcmarketingandpr.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: TopLine Financial Credit Union Receives Statewide Recognition for Member Service Initiatives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MAPLE GROVE, Minn., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, was named winner of the Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN). The Louise Herring award recognizes credit unions that demonstrate in an extraordinary way the practical application of the movement’s principles in serving their members.

    Topline was awarded in the Louise Herring Category for the credit union’s partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust (RCLT), a non-profit in St. Paul, to help make homeownership more affordable for individuals and families earning low-to-moderate incomes, and to preserve affordability for small businesses operated by people of color and non-profits at risk of displacement from rising rents.

    TopLine joined forces with Rondo Community Land Trust as the first credit union to be one of their approved mortgage lenders for their Homebuyer Initiated Program (HIP). This program assists home buyers at or below 80% area median income (AMI) to purchase and make repairs on a single-family home (including duplexes) in St. Paul or Suburban Ramsey County.

    “We are honored to be recognized for our partnership with Rondo Community Land Trust,” said Mick Olson, TopLine Financial Credit Union President and CEO. “We are committed to building strong connections with nonprofit community partners such as RCLT. By working together, we can drive economic growth and diversity, promote financial inclusion and access, and help more individuals achieve their financial dream of homeownership.”

    The Minnesota Credit Union Network is the statewide trade association that works to ensure the success, growth and vitality of Minnesota credit unions. For more information, visit www.mncun.org.

    Rondo Community Land Trust (CLT) is a community based affordable housing and commercial land trust operating in St. Paul and Suburban Ramsey County. For more information, visit www.rondoclt.org.

    TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based credit union, is Minnesota’s 9th largest credit union, with assets of over $1.1 billion and serves over 70,000 members. Established in 1935, the not-for-profit financial cooperative offers a complete line of financial services from its ten branch locations — in Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Forest Lake, Maple Grove, Plymouth, St. Francis and in St. Paul’s Como Park — as well as by phone and online at www.TopLinecu.com or www.ahcu.coop. Membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Benton, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington and Wright counties in Minnesota and their immediate family members, as well as employees and retirees of Anoka Hennepin School District #11, Anoka Technical College, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hoffman Enclosures, Inc., GRACO, Inc., and their subsidiaries. Visit us on our Facebook or Instagram. To learn more about the credit union’s foundation, visit www.TopLinecu.com/Foundation.

    CONTACT:
    Vicki Roscoe Erickson
    Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
    TopLine Financial Credit Union
    verickson@toplinecu.com | 763.391.0872

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52c4da82-782a-4a8f-9324-2650a4257373

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Celebrates Bitcoin Pizza Day with 52,000 USDT Campaign, Social Giveaway, and Monaco Beach Party

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, the world’s most established cryptocurrency exchange, announces its comprehensive Bitcoin Pizza Day celebration featuring a 52,000 USDT prize pool challenge, exclusive giveaway on X, and official partnership of PizzaDAO’s 5th Annual Global Pizza Party in Monaco.

    This lineup of celebrations honors the legendary May 22, 2010 transaction when programmer Laszlo Hanyecz purchased two Domino’s pizzas for 10,000 BTC, a purchase now worth hundreds of millions of dollars and widely recognized as Bitcoin’s first commercial use case.

    52,000 USDT Bitcoin Pizza Day Challenge

    Running from May 19 to May 31, 2025, BTCC’s Bitcoin Pizza Day Challenge rewards users with virtual pizza slices worth 1 USDT each when they complete tasks on the platform:

    • New User Incentives: Earn 5 pizza slices for making a first deposit of 200 USDT or more, plus another 5 slices for completing a first futures trade of at least 100 USDT.
    • Deposit Rewards: Users who deposit 5,000 USDT or more during the campaign period receive 30 pizza slices, while those depositing 20,000 USDT or more earn a substantial 200 pizza slices.
    • Trading Streak Challenge: Users trading futures daily with volumes of 2,000 USDT or more per day can earn additional rewards for consecutive trading days, ranging from 5 slices for a 3-day streak to 20 slices for maintaining a 10-day streak.

    Exclusive Bitcoin Pizza Day Events

    Aside from platform initiatives, BTCC also proudly partners with PizzaDAO for its 5th annual Global Pizza Party at Neptune Monaco Beach on May 22, 2025. The beachfront event brings together cryptocurrency enthusiasts and industry leaders for networking, pizza, and celebration of Bitcoin’s milestone moment.

    Additionally, the exchange is also hosting a special Bitcoin Pizza Day giveaway on its official X account. Users are encouraged to follow @BTCCExchange for details on how to participate in this exclusive opportunity.

    About BTCC

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, offering secure and user-friendly trading services to millions of users globally. With a commitment to security, innovation, and community building, BTCC continues to be a trusted platform in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.

    Website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US

    X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Pizza Day Meets Trump Dinner: HTX Unveils One Million USDT in Rewards!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, is leading the charge in a unique dual celebration on May 22, as Bitcoin Pizza Day coincides with the Trump Dinner. This moment, where history meets the present, is drawing global attention. In celebration of this special occasion, HTX has proudly partnered with diamond sponsors JUST Protocol, SunPump, APENFT, BitTorrent, and WINkLink, alongside platinum sponsors Levva and ChainGPT, to launch a series of Pizza Day-themed promotions across multiple business lines, including Spot, Futures, Earn, and Community, boasting a total prize pool of nearly 1 million USDT. Whether you’re a new or existing HTX user, you’ll discover exclusive opportunities and exciting benefits throughout these events.

    Event 1: HTX Pizza Day Celebration: 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts with Seven Project Partners

    Get ready for Pizza Fest! From May 13 to May 26, HTX is joining forces with seven esteemed partner projects—SunPump, APENFT, JUST Protocol, WINkLink, BitTorrent, Steem, and MEVerse—to deliver a 14-day Pizza Day Celebration packed with over 200,000 USDT in Surprise Gifts. During the event, users can claim daily gifts on the HTX App, distributed at 02:00 (UTC) daily. On May 22 at 12:00 (UTC), Bitcoin Pizza Day, HTX will drop even more Surprise Gifts featuring bigger rewards, distributed in the form of tokens, Cashback Vouchers, Futures Trial Bonuses, Margin Interest Vouchers, and APY Booster Coupons.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com/support/105001328825783?invite_code=rdmu6223&inviter_id=11353960

    Event 2: Join the Pizza Day Celebration to Discover Four Amazing Benefits and Grab Your Share of $200,000

    From May 20 at 10:00 (UTC) to May 25 at 10:00 (UTC), HTX invites both new and existing users to join the four-tiered rewards event and share a total prize pool of up to $200,000. See below for details:

    1. New users who sign up and complete any spot, futures, or margin trade during the event will receive a welcome package that includes a 20 DOGE airdrop, APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn, and Margin Interest Vouchers.

    2. Users will receive 15 USDT for their first successful referral. By inviting more friends, they’ll unlock Mystery Boxes worth up to 1,500 USDT each, containing popular cryptos like $BTC, $TRUMP, and $HTX. Additionally, they can earn up to another 1,500 USDT when their invitees reach the trading volume target.

    3. Eligible returning users who complete spot trading on HTX will have a chance to win BTC in a lucky draw. Additionally, after funding their USDT-M Futures account, they can earn APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn.

    4. Users who trade designated cryptos in spot or futures, or create spot grid trading strategies, will have a chance to share $30,000 in $HTX.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.co/en-us/mars/activity-center?callId=174728142724462

    Event 3: Take the BTC Pizza Day Quiz at HTX Square and Win Your Share of 200 USDT

    From May 16 at 02:00 (UTC) to May 23 at 15:59 (UTC), HTX Square is launching a quiz challenge where users can win rewards. Participants who follow HTX Square in the HTX Community and answer all the quiz questions correctly will have the opportunity to share the 200 USDT prize pool.

    * View details: https://square.htx.com/btc-pizza-day-celebration-take-the-quiz-win-rewards-2/

    Event 4: HTX Earn Bonanza for BTC Pizza Day: Enjoy Up to 10% APY on Popular Assets

    Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the HTX Earn Bonanza from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 19 to 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX is launching this special campaign featuring Earn products for both new and existing users. First-time subscribers at HTX Earn can enjoy New User Exclusive products with 100% APY. All users can subscribe to Fixed, Flexible, and Shark Fin products with 14 designated cryptocurrencies, including USDT, and earn up to 10% APY on HTX Earn. Additionally, participants who meet the net subscription increase requirement will each receive a 5% APY Booster Coupon for the USDT Flexible product.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.ec/en-us/support/95001601423089

    Event 5: HTX Affiliates Pizza Day Special: Team Up & Trade with Your Invitees to Win a Full Case of Kweichow Moutai

    Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day with the limited-time HTX Affiliates Special Event, running from 10:00 (UTC) on May 20 to 10:00 (UTC) on May 25. HTX Affiliates can refer friends to sign up using an exclusive invitation link or code and form a trading team with invitees. Once the team reaches the required trading volume, rewards will be unlocked. The top prize is a 6-bottle case of Kweichow Moutai Flying Fairy.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.de/en-us/support/35001621553884

    Event 6: HTX Convert Contest Now Live with 10,000 USDT Up for Grabs

    Don’t miss the HTX Convert Contest! It runs from 16:00:00 (UTC) on May 14 to 15:59:59 (UTC) on May 31. Trade designated cryptos on HTX Convert and reach a total trading volume of ≥500 USDT during the event to qualify for a share of the 5,000 USDT prize pool, with the top individual reward of up to 1,000 USDT. Complete 10 or more trades to unlock an additional prize pool — the more trades made, the bigger the share. Additionally, first-time converters on HTX Convert can also join an exclusive 2,000 USDT prize pool for new users, with up to 20 USDT per person available.

    * View details: https://www.htx.com.ec/en-us/support/25001446791888

    May 22 isn’t just about commemorating Bitcoin’s first “real-world transaction”; it is also a day for the global crypto community to celebrate the growth of the crypto industry and to share in its rewards. To honor this special day, HTX is launching a multifaceted celebration featuring diverse events that boost user engagement, elevate the festive atmosphere, and fully showcase the platform’s dynamic ecosystem.

    Pizza’s on the table and the party’s heating up. Join HTX today and experience the biggest crypto event of the year!

    About HTX

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

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

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord.

    For further inquiries, please contact Ruder Finn Asia, glo-media@htx-inc.com.

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fc6cf35-38b5-4b16-8b54-5298d501bfe3

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK sanctions hit West Bank violence network

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK sanctions hit West Bank violence network

    UK sanctions individuals, illegal settler outposts and organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as Foreign Secretary pauses Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel

    • New sanctions target 3 individuals, 2 illegal settler outposts and 2 organisations supporting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. 
    • Today’s measures include financial restrictions and travel bans, including on high-profile extremist settler leader Daniella Weiss
    • In a statement to the House, the Foreign Secretary is set to announce a formal pause of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately.
    • He will make clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally, and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

    In response to the persistent cycle of serious violence undertaken by extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, the Foreign Secretary has announced new sanctions today.

    Today’s measures target 3 individuals, including prominent settler leader Daniella Weiss, as well as 2 illegal outposts and 2 organisations that have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

    These individuals and entities are now subject to measures including financial restrictions, travel bans, and director disqualifications, and will follow 18 other individuals, entities, and companies already sanctioned relating to serious violence against communities in the West Bank.

    The measures follow a dramatic surge in settler violence in the West Bank, with the UN recording over 1,800 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since 1 January 2024.

    In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary is also set to announce the formal pause of Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Israel, effective immediately. While the UK government remains committed to the existing trade agreement in force, it is not possible to advance discussions on a new, upgraded FTA with a Netanyahu government that is pursuing egregious policies in the West Bank and Gaza.

    His statement will address latest developments on the ground in Gaza, making clear the UK’s complete opposition to the IDF’s new, extensive ground operation through Gaza, the threat of starvation for the Gazan population, and the UK’s condemnation of the Israeli government’s plans to drive Gazans from their homes into a corner of the Strip. The Foreign Secretary will also repeat UK demands that Hamas release all the hostages immediately and unconditionally and reiterate that Hamas cannot continue to run Gaza.

    The new steps follow a joint statement issued by the Prime Minister along with the leaders of France and Canada, setting out their strong opposition to the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and to illegal settlements in the West Bank. They also made clear that if Israel does not cease this action, further action will be taken in response.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    I have seen for myself the consequences of settler violence. The fear of its victims. The impunity of its perpetrators.

    The sanctioning of Daniella Weiss and others today demonstrates our determination to hold extremist settlers to account as Palestinian communities suffer violence and intimidation at the hands of extremist settlers.

    The Israeli government has a responsibility to intervene and halt these aggressive actions. Their consistent failure to act is putting Palestinian communities and the two-state solution in peril.

    The announcement comes as Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer summons Israel’s Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office over the expansion of military operations in Gaza.

    Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said:

    Today I will set out to Ambassador Hotovely the government’s opposition to the wholly disproportionate escalation of military activity in Gaza and emphasise that the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible. I will urge Israel to halt settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank.

    Israel must abide by its obligations under International Humanitarian Law and ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza. The limited amount of aid entering is simply not enough.

    We must get an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and a path to a two-state solution is the only way to ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

    Background

    Individuals and entities sanctioned today:

    • Daniella Weiss – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Weiss is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Harel Libi – Owner of Libi Construction and Infrastructure. Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Libi is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Zohar Sabah – has been involved in threatening, perpetrating, promoting and supporting, acts of aggression and violence against Palestinian individuals. Sabah is now subject to an asset freeze, travel ban, and director disqualification.

    • Coco’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  Coco’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze.

    • Libi Construction and Infrastructure –has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts resulting in the forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and activities which often leads to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Libi Construction and Infrastructure is now subject to an asset freeze and director disqualification.

    • Nachala – has been involved in facilitating, inciting, promoting and providing logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts and forced displacement of Palestinians in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, activities which cause the psychological suffering of Palestinians, and which often lead to violence perpetrated against Palestinians. Nachala is now subject to an asset freeze.

    • Neria’s Farm – is associated with a person who is or has been involved in activity which amounts to facilitating, inciting, promoting or providing support for activity which amounts to a serious abuse of the right of individuals not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neria’s Farm is now subject to an asset freeze.

    Definitions

    • Asset freeze: where an asset freeze applies, in summary, it is generally prohibited within the UK, and for UK persons outside the UK, to: (1) deal with funds or economic resources, owned, held or controlled by a designated person; (2) make funds or economic resources available, directly or indirectly, to, or for the benefit of, a designated person; and (3) engage in actions that, directly or indirectly, circumvent the financial sanctions prohibitions. 
    • Director Disqualification Sanctions: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it will be an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a company or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a UK company. 
    • Travel ban: an individual subject to a travel ban will be an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, meaning that they must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 20 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Cloudera Delivers AI-Powered Unified Data Visualization in On-Premises Data Centers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today announced the latest release of Cloudera Data Visualization, extending its AI capabilities to customers operating in on-premises environments.

    This new offering is a high-performance AI tool that democratizes insights across the full data lifecycle. With Cloudera Data Visualization, data engineers, business analysts, and data scientists can seamlessly communicate, collaborate, and share insights, without compromising data security or governance – all through the common language of visualization.

    Enterprises often struggle to appropriately visualize data due to silos across multiple platforms, complex integrations, and data governance limitations. Without a unified view, data visualization can be incomplete or misleading, often resulting in ineffective decision-making.

    Cloudera Data Visualization, now available on-premises, provides secure and integrated AI capabilities native to the Cloudera platform, empowering organizations to self-service visualization across multi-cloud and hybrid environments and the entire data lifecycle. This enables users to now unlock the value of their on-prem data through intuitive, out-of-the-box picturing and natural language querying. With Cloudera Data Visualization, enterprises can move faster, more efficiently, and with increased collaboration.

    “As enterprises continue to prioritize both multi-cloud and hybrid environments, they need to see their data as a part of a bigger picture,” says Leo Brunnick, Chief Product Officer at Cloudera. “Bringing together AI-driven insights, secure infrastructure, and seamless collaboration in one unified platform, users can see the missing puzzle pieces of their data, wherever they may be. It’s not just about being able to see the data; it’s about seeing how it all fits together to deliver business-critical insights.”

    Key features of Cloudera Data Visualization include: 

    • Out-of-the-Box Imaging: Use an intuitive drag-and-drop builder or choose from a wide range of custom extension options to create graphs or charts for every use case—from customer loyalty shifts to decades’ worth of trading trends—all in one platform.
    • Built-in AI Tools: Leverage AI in your BI workflows with AI Visual, a built-in AI tool in Cloudera Data Visualization. Unlock visual and structured reports easily using natural language querying, making AI-driven insights more accessible than ever.
    • Predictive Application Builder: Create unique applications with this innovative capability that is pre-built with machine learning models served in Cloudera AI, as well as models in Amazon Bedrock, OpenAI, and Microsoft Azure OpenAI.
    • Enterprise Security: Leverage enterprise data from anywhere without moving, copying, or creating security gaps with integrated security with Cloudera Shared Data Experience (SDX).
    • Robust Governance: Take complete control of data used for picturing with advanced governance features.

    “By integrating directly with Cloudera’s unified platform, users benefit from a consistent experience, enhanced collaboration, and full lifecycle data exploration—all while retaining full control over their own infrastructure,” said industry analyst, Sanjeev Mohan. “Now, Cloudera users can picture and share insights securely within their on-prem environment, allowing their teams to be more agile and informed in their decision-making.”

    Visit the Cloudera website to learn more about Cloudera Data Visualization, now available on-premises.

    About Cloudera
    Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world’s largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what once seemed impossible—today and in the future.

    To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Contact
    Jess Hohn-Cabana
    cloudera@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Everything you need to know about Derby Market Hall reopening

    Source: City of Derby

    The day we’ve been waiting for is almost here – the transformed Derby Market Hall reopens this Saturday 24 May! Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the big day. 

    What is Derby Market Hall? 

    The lovingly restored, Grade II-listed Victorian market hall is a flexible space that incorporates a modern street food dining area and bars, traditional and contemporary retail units, and creative spaces for artisan makers and traders. 

    An ongoing programme of events, activities and entertainment will bring the Market Hall to life throughout the week with regular themed markets, live music, DJs, craft workshops and more. It’s also dog-friendly! 

    When is it open? 

    The transformed Market Hall will officially open at 11am on Saturday 24 May, almost 159 years to the day since its original grand opening. There will be a short opening ceremony outside the Osnabruck Square entrance. 

    Usual opening times will be: 

    • Monday – Wednesday: 8am – 3pm 
    • Thursday – Saturday: 8am – 10pm 
    • Sunday: 11am – 3pm 

    How do I get there?  

    Derby Market Hall is at the heart of the city centre. There are entrances at Osnabruck Square, which is off Albert Street, and through the Guildhall Theatre, which is accessed from Derby Market Place. If you use what3words, it’s ///eating.pints.gangs. 

    It couldn’t be easier to find if you’re travelling by bus – Derby Bus Station is just a couple of minutes’ walk away. If you’re driving, there are several car parks within walking distance including Bold Lane and Darwin Place. The nearest Blue Badge parking is in Morledge and Full Street. 

    Who are the traders? 

    Shopping and services: Explore a diverse range of traditional and contemporary stalls. Buy top-quality produce at Anthony Andrews Butchers and Bailey’s Fishmongers. Derbyshire’s Own specialises in the best locally-sourced food and drink while Olivia’s Coffee and Bakery will have artisan bread, pastries, specialty coffee, and fresh deli sandwiches. 

    Pick up fashion finds at Mardy Ducks and Preloved, shop for your pets at Dawkins Pet Supplies, and find ethically sourced crystals and gifts at SpiritCrystals. Ayup Bikes specialise in servicing, repairs and maintenance classes and Derby City Lab will provide an interactive hub for engaging people in the latest regeneration projects in the city. 

    Eat & Drink: Foodies will be in heaven with the cosmopolitan array of eateries on offer: 

    Plus coming soon: The Spirit Run – Distillery and bar, offering cocktails, locally-crafted spirits and more, from the team at Darley Abbey Wines. 

    Make & Trade: On the first floor, you can meet local artists, makers and creators in our new Make & Trade spaces. Layer create performance sportswear designed for athletes at all levels, while The Oddities Store is a luxury sustainable fashion brand specialising in made-to-order knitted collections and deconstructed fashion pieces. 

    Regular pop-up traders will add to our permanent retail stalls, creating a vibrant community of independent businesses and products you won’t find anywhere else. 

    What’s happening during opening week? 

    Derby Market Hall will open with a spectacular week-long celebration packed with free music, creative workshops, and family-friendly activities – coinciding with the May half-term holiday. A detailed schedule of the week’s events is available on the Derby Market Hall website. 

    Highlights on opening day include live music from walkabout acts and sessions on the Market Hall stage. The musical entertainment will continue until 9:30pm, with a fantastic line-up of local talent including Carl North, Sura Laynes, Leah Wilcox, Anna Milne, and Mesha Terry. There will be workshops in photography, illustration and craft plus Virtual Reality headset sessions. 

    The fun continues every day for the rest of the week and into the following weekend, with a packed programme featuring: 

    • Live music from talented local artists on the Market Hall stage 
    • Entertaining walkabout acts both indoors and outdoors, on Cornmarket and Osnabruck Square 
    • Theatre performances and virtual reality sessions in the Market Hall’s multi-use space 
    • Workshops in crafts, pottery, music, performance and songwriting 

    But that’s just the start! Regular events will bring a buzz to Derby Market Hall throughout the year. 

    How do I order food? 

    When ordering food at Derby Market Hall, visitors are encouraged to use our new order and pay system, provided by Peazi.  

    There’s no need to download an app, simply scan the QR code at your table, browse the menus and pay without having to leave your seat. You can order from multiple vendors at the same time, and you’ll receive a text message once your order is ready to collect. 

    Ordering at the counter is still available from all of our traders, and cash is accepted when ordering directly. 

    Is Derby Market Hall accessible? 

    Thoughtful design with access and inclusion as a key priority ensures the Market Hall and its surrounding areas, including Osnabruck Square, are easily accessible and inclusive to all visitors. Features include: 

    • Levelled flooring to facilitate step free access 
    • New lift to provide access between the ground and first floors 
    • Changing Places toilet – the fifth in Derby’s city centre 
    • Muted colours to support visually impaired visitors and lighting designed at the correct lumens to improve visibility. Fixtures, fittings and furniture specifically colour contrasted to enhance accessibility 
    • Later in the summer, Osnabruck Square will reopen with accessible benches and dedicated disabled parking. 

    Follow Derby Market Hall on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the website, for all the latest information. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Culture at the core: examining journalism values in the Pacific

    ANALYSIS: By Birte Leonhardt, Folker Hanusch and Shailendra B. Singh

    The role of journalism in society is shaped not only by professional norms but also by deeply held cultural values. This is particularly evident in the Pacific Islands region, where journalists operate in media environments that are often small, tight-knit and embedded within traditional communities.

    Our survey of journalists across Pacific Island countries provides new insight into how cultural values influence journalists’ self-perceptions and practices in the region. The findings are now available as an open access article in the journal Journalism.

    Cultural factors are particularly observable in many collectivist societies, where journalists emphasise their intrinsic connection to their communities. This includes the small and micro-media systems of the Pacific, where “high social integration” includes close familial ties, as well as traditional and cultural affiliations.

    The culture of the Pacific Islands is markedly distinct from Western cultures due to its collectivist nature, which prioritises group aspirations over individual aspirations. By foregrounding culture and values, our study demonstrates that the perception of their local cultural role is a dominant consideration for journalists, and we also see significant correlations between it and the cultural-value orientations of journalists.

    We approach the concept of culture from the viewpoint of journalistic embeddedness, that is, “the extent to which journalists are enmeshed in the communities, cultures, and structures in which and on whom they report, and the extent to which this may both enable and constrain their work”.

    The term embeddedness has often been considered undesirable in mainstream journalism, given ideals of detachment and objectivity which originated in the West and experiences of how journalists were embedded with military forces, such as the Iraq War.

    Yet, in alternative approaches to journalism, being close to those on whom they report has been a desirable value, such as in community journalism, whereas a critique of mainstream journalism has tended to be that those reporters do not really understand local communities.

    Cultural detachment both impractical and undesirable
     What is more, in the Global South, embeddedness is often viewed as an intrinsic element of journalists’ identity, making cultural detachment both impractical and undesirable.

    Recent research highlights that journalists in many regions of the world, including in unstable democracies, often experience more pronounced cultural influences on their work compared to their Western counterparts.

    To explore how cultural values and identity shape journalism in the region, we surveyed 206 journalists across nine countries: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru and the Marshall Islands.

    The study was conducted as part of a broader project about Pacific Islands journalists between mid-2016 and mid-2018. About four in five of journalists in targeted newsrooms agreed to participate, making this one of the largest surveys of journalists in the region.

    Respondents were asked about their perceptions of journalism’s role in society and the extent to which cultural values inform their work.

    Our respondents averaged just under 37 years of age and were relatively evenly split in terms of gender (49 percent identified as female) with most in full-time employment (94 percent). They had an average of nine years of work experience. Around seven in 10 had studied at university, but only two-thirds of those had completed a university degree.

    The findings showed that Pacific Islands journalists overwhelmingly supported ideas related to a local cultural role in reporting. A vast majority — 88 percent agreed that it was important for them to reflect local culture in reporting, while 75 percent also thought it was important to defend local traditions and values.

    Important to preserve local culture
    Further, 71 percent agreed it was important for journalists to preserve local culture. Together, these roles were considered substantially more important than traditional roles such as the monitorial role, where journalists pursue media’s watchdog function.

    This suggests Pacific islands journalists see themselves not just as neutral observers or critics but as active cultural participants — conveying stories that strengthen identity, continuity and community cohesion.

    To understand why journalists adopt this local cultural role, we looked at which values best predicted their orientation. We used a regression model to account for a range of potential influences, including socio-demographic aspects such as work experience, education, gender, the importance of religion and journalists’ cultural-value orientations.

    Our results showed that the best predictor for whether journalists thought it was important to pursue a local cultural role lay in their own value system. In fact, the extent to which journalists adhered to so-called conservative values like self-restraint, the preservation of tradition and resistance to change emerged as the strongest predictors.

    Hence, our findings suggest that journalists who emphasise tradition and social stability in their personal value systems are significantly more likely to prioritise a local cultural role.

    These values reflect a preference for preserving the status quo, respecting established customs, and fostering social harmony — all consistent with Pacific cultural norms.

    While the importance of cultural values was clear in how journalists perceive their role, the findings were more mixed when it came to reporting practices. In general, we found that such practices were valued.

    Considerable consensus on customs
    There was considerable consensus regarding the importance of respecting traditional customs in reporting, which 87 percent agreed with. A further 68 percent said that their traditional values guided their behaviour when reporting.

    At the same time, only 29 percent agreed with the statement that they were a member of their cultural group first and a journalist second, whereas 44 percent disagreed. Conversely, 52 percent agreed that the story was more important than respecting traditional customs and values, while 27 percent disagreed.

    These variations suggest that while Pacific journalists broadly endorse cultural preservation as a goal, the practical realities of journalism — such as covering conflict, corruption or political issues — may sometimes create tensions with cultural expectations.

    Our findings support the notion that Pacific Islands journalists are deeply embedded in local culture, informed by collective values, strong community ties and a commitment to tradition.

    Models of journalism training and institution-building that originated in the West often prioritise norms such as objectivity, autonomy and detached reporting, but in the Pacific such models may fall short or at least clash with the cultural values that underpin journalistic identity.

    These aspects need to be taken into account when examining journalism in the region.

    Recognising and respecting local value systems is not about compromising press freedom — it’s about contextualising journalism within its social environment. Effective support for journalism in the region must account for the realities of cultural embeddedness, where being a journalist often means being a community member as well.

    Understanding the values that motivate journalists — particularly the desire to preserve tradition and promote social stability — can help actors and policymakers engage more meaningfully with media practitioners in the region.

    Birte Leonhardt is a PhD candidate at the Journalism Studies Center at the University of Vienna, Austria. Her research focuses on journalistic cultures, values and practices, as well as interventionist journalism.

    Folker Hanusch is professor of journalism and heads the Journalism Studies Center at the University of Vienna, Austria. He is also editor-in-chief of Journalism Studies, and vice-chair of the Worlds of Journalism Study.

    Shailendra B. Singh is associate professor of Pacific journalism at the University of the South Pacific, based in Suva, Fiji, and a member of the advisory board of the Pacific Journalism Review.

    This article appeared first on Devpolicy Blog, from the Development Policy Centre at The Australian National University and is republished under Creative Commons.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    May 21, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Making the MFF Fit for Purpose

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    Opening Remarks by Alfred Kammer, IMF European Department Director, for the Annual EU Budget Conference

    May 20, 2025

    Thank you for the opportunity to join this important discussion today on the EU budget.

    Europe stands at a transformative crossroads. The global environment is increasingly complex, and structural changes are reshaping the foundations of European economies. The challenges before us are significant: strengthening productivity and resilience amid demographic aging and rising geopolitical and trade tensions while increasing defense spending in a fiscally sustainable way, and enhancing energy security and accelerating the clean energy transition.

    This is an extraordinary combination of challenges, and it will take an extraordinary effort to meet them. The key is to combine (i) a determined push to complete the single market with (ii) national reforms to allow Europe’s firms to grow to scale. The benefits of doing both promise to be much larger than EU-level and national efforts could achieve on their own. For example, dropping “red tape” that holds back firms at the national level will have a significant larger effect on investment when supported by a much deeper and fully integrated European capital market. And (iii) we will need the EU budget to amplify these efforts by enabling the joint provision of European public goods and incentivizing national reforms. Just think of the importance of energy security for the single market—this is just one example of a European public good where the EU budget has an important role to play.

    The Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF, has proven its strategic importance time and again. It has supported economic convergence through cohesion policy, and, more recently, the ambitious NextGenerationEU package launched in 2020 helped Europe recover from the pandemic with renewed resilience.

    Yet, once again, the scale and nature of the challenges ahead require a fundamental rethink. To remain fit for purpose, the upcoming MFF must undergo a comprehensive overhaul. Our recommendations focus on three critical areas.

    First, a more ambitious budget with a stronger focus on European public goods is needed.

    Over time, the MFF has evolved to reflect emerging needs, but it has not kept pace with the expanding list of challenges that demand a joint EU-level response. Its current size and structure are insufficient to meet the scale of new investments required.

    The budget must prioritize areas where EU action can deliver the greatest value—by generating positive spillovers, leveraging economies of scale, and also avoiding duplication between member states. These are the hallmarks of European public goods. Investments in energy security, defense capabilities, and research and innovation are clear examples where joint EU action is both necessary and efficient.

    To meet these needs, we must consider a significant increase in expenditures targeted at European public goods, from 0.4 percent of GNI currently to at least 0.9 percent, based on various estimates from the Commission and others. Doing so without reducing allocations to existing programs would imply increasing the MFF budget by at least 50 percent for the 2028–2034 period, from 1.1 percent of GNI to 1.7 percent of GNI.

    In the first instance, more EU spending on public goods would reduce the burden on national budgets for the provision of these public goods. But, importantly, this would not simply shift costs from the national to the EU level. With coordinated EU-level investment, greater efficiency will be achieved and, thus, net savings in the provision of these public goods will be generated. For instance, in the case of investments for the clean energy transition, we estimate that improved coordination at the EU level could reduce aggregate costs by approximately 7 percent. At a time when many countries face tight fiscal constraints, such efficiency gains are critical.

    Second, we must ensure the MFF is more performance-based, streamlined, and adaptable.

    At the core of this effort should be a stronger focus on performance. Linking financial support more systematically to outcomes—an approach implemented through the Recovery and Resilience Facility—can significantly improve the effectiveness of EU spending. The performance-based approach should be expanded across more areas of the EU budget, particularly where targeted financial incentives can catalyze national and regional reforms that complement EU objectives. But as we expand this approach, we must also ensure it remains as simple and transparent as possible—complexity can hinder both implementation and accountability. Programs under cohesion policy and the Common Agricultural Policy are clear candidates. Importantly, though, effective implementation will also require leveraging local and regional expertise to tailor solutions to specific contexts.

    Beyond performance, the design of the MFF must be modernized to reduce complexity and increase strategic focus. Consolidating the more than 50 budgetary programs into a smaller number of thematic clusters, organized around key policy priorities, would help streamline the budget. Moreover, harmonizing requirements across programs would reduce the administrative burden for governments, organizations, and beneficiaries, while improving accessibility and implementation.

    The budget also needs to become more adaptable. The events of the past five years have demonstrated the need for greater flexibility to respond to evolving circumstances. Thus, the MFF should be equipped with a greater margin for reallocation within the budget and stronger flexibility instruments—backed by sufficient resources—to address more frequent and intense shocks. A mid-term review process within the regular budget cycle could continue to help respond to changing realities.

    Third, the financing framework of the budget must be strengthened.

    A more ambitious EU budget will require an enhanced financial capacity. Currently, the MFF is predominantly funded through national contributions based on GNI. To support a step-up in European public goods investment, the financing model should be expanded to include borrowing and more robust own resources.

    Borrowing capacity—particularly during the initial investment scale-up—can enable the EU to achieve shared objectives without delay, while smoothing the fiscal impact for member states over time. Moreover, bond-financing can support the further development of a European safe asset, thereby advancing capital market integration and contributing to macro-financial stability.

    At the same time, the long-term sustainability of the EU budget requires solid and predictable revenue sources. Progress on new own resources is essential—not only to finance existing debt obligations under NextGenerationEU, but also to underpin future borrowing. The Commission’s proposals, including revenue based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and potentially a harmonized corporate tax base under the “Business in Europe” initiative, represent a meaningful step forward.

    In the longer term, additional revenue sources linked to European public goods—such as user fees on jointly funded infrastructure—may also play a role as the budget evolves toward supporting more EU-wide investments, even if the scope remains limited for now.

    In conclusion, meeting Europe’s complex challenges requires a more impactful EU budget. The next MFF presents a unique opportunity to scale up ambition, deliver on shared priorities, and transform the budget into a true engine for growth, resilience, and European sovereignty.

    This will not be an easy path. Increasing the budget, improving its design, and broadening its financing base will all require political consensus across member states. But the potential rewards are significant: a more united, more competitive, and more secure Europe.

    Thank you.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER:

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/20/sp052025-ak-making-the-mff-fit-for-purpose

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 21, 2025
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