Category: Trade

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA announces proposals to improve access to world’s best medical devices for patients and to boost economic growth in Britain’s med tech sector
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

MHRA announces proposals to improve access to world’s best medical devices for patients and to boost economic growth in Britain’s med tech sector

The MHRA has now published the government’s response to its public consultation on future routes to market for medical devices – designed to modernise regulation
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today announced important new steps to secure access for patients to the latest medical technologies available in Europe and other advanced countries.

As well as improving patient access to technologies, the proposals will boost med tech industrial growth by reducing duplicative regulatory costs faced by manufacturers and instead focuses the domestic approvals route (UKCA) on first-in-market innovative technologies, including AI as a medical device.

The MHRA has now published the government’s response to its public consultation on future routes to market for medical devices in Great Britain (GB), designed to modernise regulation and improve patient access to the latest innovative technologies.

In direct response to stakeholder feedback, the MHRA is also announcing its intention to consult later this year on the indefinite recognition of CE-marked medical devices.

In parallel, new international reliance routes will be introduced to allow swifter access to medical devices from trusted regulators in Australia, Canada, and the United States. This will allow eligible products to follow a streamlined pathway to market, helping bring the latest technologies to patients more quickly.

The MHRA will support removing the requirement for physical UKCA markings on products and packaging once unique device identification (UDI) requirements are in place. This will reduce barriers to entry to the market while strengthening traceability and safety monitoring.

These measures reflect the government’s commitments in the UK’s Life Sciences Sector Plan and Industrial Strategy, and the 10 Year Health Plan for England, to reduce unwarranted barriers to market entry and to deliver transformative technologies to patients faster.

Today’s announcement forms part of our broader regulatory reform programme for medical devices that will see improvements in patient safety through our new post-market surveillance requirements, the creation of streamlined and risk-proportionate routes for faster market entry for products that have already undergone assessment in comparator regions, and a refocusing of the UKCA domestic pathway on innovative technologies including AI.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, said:

Our 10-Year Health Plan will seize the opportunities provided by new technology, medicines and innovation to deliver better care for patients, whether these originate at home or abroad.

It makes perfect sense that medical devices approved for use on patients in a country whose safety regulations we trust can also be used here – without red tape or bureaucracy delaying devices which can benefit NHS patients now.

We will look around the world to bring the best life-saving devices to Britain quickly and safely and build a modern health service that is fit for the future.

Minister of State for Science, Lord Patrick Vallance MP, said:

The MHRA’s new international reliance routes are excellent news for patients, who will now gain rapid access to new medical devices which have been approved as safe by our trusted regulatory partners. This is precisely the sort of streamlining of red tape that the Life Sciences Sector Plan calls for.

By making quick, informed, sensible decisions enabled by international reliance, the MHRA will be able to better target its resources, focusing on regulatory activity and scientific advice that will advance the development of innovative new medical products – ultimately helping patients, and supporting med tech businesses to grow.

Lawrence Tallon, MHRA CEO, said:

Our focus is on ensuring that patients benefit from the earliest possible access to safe and effective medical technologies that meet their needs and deliver significant clinical benefit.

By reducing regulatory duplication, improving traceability and aligning with international best practice, we are delivering on the Government’s promise to make this the best place in the world to market medical devices and a global leader in life sciences.

Professor Tom Clutton-Brock, Professor of Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Birmingham and Chair of the Interim Devices Working Group (an expert advisory committee to the MHRA), said:

The proposed changes to the regulations represent the most significant advances since their original introduction. When enacted, we will lead the world in streamlining medical device approvals.

The rapid advances in medical and healthcare technology make balancing the need for innovation against both short-term and long-term safety a real challenge. After the EU exit there was a clear need to update our regulations to keep pace with other countries. After extensive consultation, the MHRA has listened carefully and published its response.

Simplification for low-risk devices and the carefully controlled reliance and recognition of regulatory approval from other countries will support safe innovation. This will benefit patients, clinicians and our MedTech and HealthTech industries.

The MHRA intends to notify the World Trade Organization of these changes later this year and will continue engaging with international partners and industry to implement the reforms.

Summary of the consultation response:

The MHRA’s 2024 public consultation on medical device regulation focused on the following areas: international reliance, UKCA marking, and the regulation of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices.

Measures being taken forward include:

International reliance routes will allow certain devices that have approvals or certifications from trusted regulators in Australia (TGA), Canada (Health Canada), and the United States (FDA) to follow a streamlined pathway to the GB market. This includes specific software and implantable devices that meet GB equivalence criteria.

The government will consult later this year on proposals to indefinitely recognise CE marked medical devices, which continue to be recognised in GB under existing transitional arrangements until 30 June 2028 or 2030 (depending on the device classification and legislation complied with).

Physical UKCA marking requirements will be removed once Unique Device Identification (UDI) is in place. This aims to reduce burdens on manufacturers while improving traceability and post-market surveillance.

Class B IVD devices will be subject to a more risk proportionate approach, requiring manufacturers to self-declare conformity with the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 and hold ISO 13485 quality management system certification before placing products on the GB market.

The response to a fourth proposal, to extend four pieces of assimilated EU law, was published in February 2025 and has subsequently been actioned.

Notes to Editors

The consultation response is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-medical-devices-regulations-routes-to-market-and-in-vitro-diagnostic-devices

The consultation, “Future regulation of medical devices and IVDs – routes to market”, ran from 30 November 2024 to 29 January 2025. It sought views on four legislative proposals to update the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (as amended).

These reforms are part of a broader programme to modernise medical device regulation in Great Britain following the UK’s departure from the European Union. They align with the ambitions of the Government’s Life Sciences Sector Plan and 10-Year Plan for the NHS in England.

ISO 13485 is an internationally recognised standard that sets out requirements for a quality management system (QMS) specific to the medical device industry. It ensures that manufacturers demonstrate consistent design, development, production, and post-market support for medical devices.

The MHRA will publish further information in due course about the next steps, including updates on the planned Pre-Market Statutory Instrument and a future consultation on the indefinite recognition of CE-marked devices.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

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Published 22 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: International Trade Commission Delivers Win for Domestic LSPTV Industry

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

On Friday, the International Trade Commission (ITC) made an affirmative final determination in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations on low-speed personal transportation vehicles (LSPTVs) from China. Upon the announcement, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:

“I applaud this ruling from the ITC to impose strict antidumping duties and enforce our trade remedy laws. China’s adversarial and unfair trade practices have harmed domestic manufacturers like Club Car and E-Z-GO for far too long. Alarmingly, it has taken China less than four years to completely upend the American LSPTV market.

“However, with this ruling, domestic LSPTV producers can now rely on a level playing field—where they can out-innovate and out-compete anyone in the world. Over the last year, I have proudly led a bipartisan and bicameral effort to bring more attention to this issue, and I thank the ITC for delivering this win and standing with American manufacturers,” said Congressman Rick Allen.

“This final determination from the U.S. International Trade Commission is a clear win for fair competition and the thousands of American jobs that power our industry,” said Craig Scanlon, President and CEO of Club Car. “It allows us to stay focused on what matters most — our customers — and continue delivering the high-quality, reliable vehicles and exceptional experience that have defined Club Car for decades. We are proud to engineer, build, and support our products right here in the U.S., and we appreciate the Commission and its staff for their thorough work in reaching this important decision. We are also especially grateful to Congressman Rick Allen for his leadership and advocacy throughout this process.”

“We are thankful for Congressman Allen’s support of our industry, and his testimony before the International Trade Commission about the impacts of the unfair trade practices of Chinese importers on our employees and our community,” said Rob Scholl, President and CEO of Textron Specialized Vehicles. “This determination will help to protect the health of a uniquely American industry that employs thousands of hardworking residents of the 12th Congressional District, who build products that represent Augusta and Georgia around the world.”

TIMELINE

June 28, 2024: Congressman Allen sends letter to then-Ambassador Katherine Tai with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) – urging Ambassador Tai to include vehicles such as golf carts, Personal Transportation Vehicles (PTVs), and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) in the definition of “electric vehicle” as it relates to forthcoming tariffs on Chinese subsidized imports.

November 21, 2024: Congressman Allen sends a bipartisan, bicameral letter to then-Secretary Gina Raimondo – urging Secretary Raimondo to side with U.S. producers in the antidumping and countervailing duty cases filed by the U.S. LSPTV industry.

January 27, 2025: The U.S. Department of Commerce announces its preliminary finding that Chinese producers have sold low-speed personal transportation vehicles (LSPTVs) into the United States at less than fair value, violating U.S. international trade laws. In response, Commerce calculated affirmative antidumping duties ranging from 127.35% to 478.09%.

June 3, 2025: Congressman Allen sends a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick notifying his office of efforts by Chinese LSPTV producers to avoid paying duties and to circumvent and evade U.S. trade measures, urging his department to take all steps necessary to ensure that Chinese producers do not continue to erode U.S. trade measures.

June 6, 2025: Congressman Allen sends a bipartisan, bicameral letter to International Trade Commission (ITC) Chair Amy Karpel expressing support for the American low speed personal transportation vehicle (LSPTV) producers who have faced a surge of unfairly traded imports from China, and urging the ITC to carefully and fully consider the arguments raised by the U.S. industry throughout the ITC investigation.

June 13, 2025: Congressman Allen testifies before the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) to urge the Commissioners to take immediate action and hold China accountable for unfair trade practices that are harming U.S. producers in the Low Speed Personal Transportation Vehicles (LSPTV) industry.

BACKGROUND: Last month, the U.S. Department of Commerce concluded that low-speed personal transportation vehicles (LSPTVs) imported from China were being sold at unfairly low prices and subsidized, leading to the issuance of antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders. Following the U.S. International Trade Commission’s recent ruling, these imports will face antidumping duties ranging from 119% to 478% and countervailing duties between 31% and 679%. The Commission also identified critical circumstances in its AD and CVD investigations, meaning importers will face retroactive duties based on Commerce’s preliminary rates, applicable to entries up to 90 days prior to those determinations.

These AD/CVD orders will remain in place for at least five years, with the possibility of future increases in duty rates through annual administrative reviews. Moving forward, Congressman Allen plans to focus on ensuring compliance by monitoring for illegal practices such as tariff avoidance, absorption, indirect shipping, or circumvention by foreign producers and U.S. importers.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Oil and Natural Gas Trades Urge Congress to Push Permitting Reform
Source: Independent Petroleum Association of America

Headline: Oil and Natural Gas Trades Urge Congress to Push Permitting Reform
Jul 21, 2025 Oil and Natural Gas Trades Urge Congress to Push Permitting Reform

WASHINGTON — A group of eight oil and natural gas trade associations today called on lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to “take swift action on permitting reform.” In a letter to Chairman Bruce Westerman ahead of an oversight hearing tomorrow in the House Natural Resources Committee, the coalition underscored the need to streamline the process to approving federal permitting for energy production, expressed their priority principles, and pointed to recent legislative proposals as vehicles for a bipartisan path forward.

The coalition, comprised of Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Gulf Energy Alliance, International Association of Drilling Contractors, Independent Petroleum Association of America, National Ocean Industries Association, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, and Western Energy Alliance, warns that delays in reform threaten America’s economic growth.

The following are statements from members of the coalition:

Dan Naatz, COO and EVP of the Independent Petroleum Association of America: “The Biden Administration used the federal permitting process as a tool to hamper production and took every action to create greater hardship for America’s oil and natural gas producers. IPAA encourages legislators to act quickly to reform our current outdated permitting system and set the course straight to unleash America’s full energy potential. Reform is critical to bolster America’s energy security and build energy infrastructure to support our nation’s projected energy demands in the coming years.”

Melissa Simpson, president of Western Energy Alliance: “Across the political aisle everybody knows the federal energy permitting process is broken, particularly on federal lands in the West. Oil and natural gas require multiple federal approvals for everything from exploration and leasing to drilling, transportation, and export. Incremental progress has been made over the past few years, and the path to reform has been established. It’s now up to Congress to act. We hope lawmakers will move quickly to remove impediments, create interagency collaboration for simultaneous reviews, and improve the delivery of energy to all Americans.”

Tim Tarpley, president of Energy Workforce & Technology Council: “The current permitting system is a chokepoint for domestic energy development. Our members are ready to build, drill, and deliver, but red tape and frivolous lawsuits holds back investment, innovation, and jobs. Congress must cut through the bureaucracy and enact reforms to ensure the U.S. remains the global leader in energy production.”

Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association: “Permitting reform must be at the top of the national energy agenda. Offshore companies work within one of the most complex and highly regulated environments in the world. If we want to unlock the full potential of American energy, support good-paying jobs, and strengthen our national security, we need a permitting system that matches the scale, urgency, and innovation of today’s offshore energy industry.”

Karr Ingham, Economist, president, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers: “While we don’t have much in the way of production on federal lands and waters in Texas, access to markets for Texas and U.S.-produced crude oil and natural gas is critical and has long been hampered by abuses in the permitting process. Additional pipeline and export capacity, including new LNG export facilities, is required to support the extraordinary growth in production accomplished by the U.S. domestic oil and gas industry. Moving products to domestic and global markets more quickly meets growing energy needs at home and abroad, meets those needs in much cleaner fashion compared to non-U.S. production, and reduces the need to flare natural gas.”

Tim Stewart, president of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association: “We need to get back to building things in this country. Thankfully, the Supreme Court has clarified that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a procedural statute designed to assist agencies in deciding rather paralyzing them. It’s time to end decades of permitting delays, driven by misuse of NEPA to obstruct not just a final decision but the ‘next step’ of every step of the regulatory process. Chairman Westerman is providing a badly needed a course correction to align permitting with NEPA’s statutory intent with common sense so we can start building big things like we used to.”

The full letter to Chairman Westerman detailing the coalition’s call for action is available here.

# # #
MIL OSI Economics –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Colleagues Call for Foreign Nations to Pay Their Share in Pharmaceutical R&D

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.

“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,” wrote the Senators. “These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”

Sens. Tuberville and Young were joined by Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Boozman. (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in sending the letter.

Full text of the letter can be read below or here.

“Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,

We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.

Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.”

Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.

Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.

Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.

Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.

We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.

Sincerely,”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Colleagues Call for Foreign Nations to Pay Their Share in Pharmaceutical R&D

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.

“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,” wrote the Senators. “These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”

Sens. Tuberville and Young were joined by Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Boozman. (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in sending the letter.

Full text of the letter can be read below or here.

“Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,

We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.

Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.”

Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.

Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.

Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.

Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.

We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.

Sincerely,”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: United States Announces Successful Resolution of Rapid Response Labor Mechanism Matter at Modern Metal Alloys, S.A. de C.V.
Source: US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The United States today announced the successful resolution of the USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) matter at the Modern Metal Alloys, S.A. de C.V. (MMA) facility, located in Querétaro, Mexico. The United States has resumed liquidation of tariffs on goods from the MMA facility, which manufactures aluminum for the production of auto parts.

The resolution is another win for the Trump Administration, whose America First approach ensures our trade partners do not undermine worker protections to gain an unfair trade advantage or attract investment.

The Mexican government, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative facilitated a resolution with MMA to remediate workers’ claims.

Actions taken by the facility to address the matter include:
- Offering reinstatement with backpay and providing full severance to one worker who had been dismissed in retaliation for his union activity;
- Restoring workers to prior work assignments held before they were reassigned in retaliation for union activity;
- Granting the union holding the certificate of representation access to the company’s facility;
- Negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the union holding the certificate of representation;
- Adopting, disseminating, and implementing a neutrality statement and company guidelines on freedom of association and collective bargaining, including a zero-tolerance policy for violations, and training all company personnel on the neutrality commitments and company guidelines; and
- Providing a complaint mechanism for workers to anonymously report any violations of their rights and breaches of company guidelines on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Actions taken by the Government of Mexico (Mexico) to address the matter include:
- Delivering in-person trainings for all company personnel on freedom of association and collective bargaining;
- Offering an email address for workers to anonymously report any intimidation, coercion, or threats with respect to their selection of a union and union activities; non-neutrality concerning unions who represent or seek to represent workers; or interference in internal union affairs; and
- Monitoring the facility and engaging with the workers and the company throughout its review period.
Based on these measures, the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer, has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility.

The RRM, developed under the first Trump Administration, is an unprecedented trade tool that helps to level the playing field for American workers and businesses, by preventing Mexican businesses from gaining a competitive advantage by violating labor laws.

The United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement (ILC). On March 17, 2025, the ILC received an RRM petition from the Secretary General of the Sindicato Industrial de Trabajadores de la Transformación, Construcción, Automotriz, Agropecuaria, Plásticos y de la Industria en General, del Comercio y Servicios, Similares, Anexos y Conexos del Estado de Querétaro, “Angel Castillo Resendiz” (Transformación Sindical), a Mexican labor union. The petition alleged that MMA had violated workers’ rights by failing to recognize the legitimacy of Transformación Sindical, which holds the certificate of representation; refusing to sign a collective bargaining agreement; denying Transformación Sindical access to the facility; harassing and engaging in reprisals against workers due to their union activity, including through dismissal; and promoting and pressuring workers to affiliate with a company-aligned union. The ILC reviews RRM petitions that it receives, and the accompanying information, within 30 days. Department of Labor attachés visited Querétaro to conduct interviews with the company, workers and the union, and collect additional case evidence that was used in the ILC’s analysis of the claims alleged in the petition. The ILC determined that there was sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights enabling the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms.

As a result, on April 16, 2025, the United States Trade Representative submitted a request to Mexico to review the matter. Mexico accepted the request and found that the company had taken the remedial steps necessary to address the alleged denials of rights related to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The United States subsequently engaged in further negotiation with MMA, after which MMA agreed to take additional remedial actions.

As a result of the above actions taken by the facility and Mexico to resolve the action, the United States agrees that there is no ongoing denial of rights. Ambassador Greer’s letter directing the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility is available here.

Learn more about the department’s work to defend American workers and end foreign labor abuse.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Engineer Pleads Guilty to Stealing for Chinese Government’s Benefit Trade Secret Technology Designed for Missile Launch and Detection

Source: United States Attorneys General 13

A Santa Clara County man and former engineer at a Southern California company pleaded guilty today to stealing trade secret technologies developed for use by the U.S. government to detect nuclear missile launches, track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, and to allow U.S. fighter planes to detect and evade heat-seeking missiles.

Chenguang Gong, 59, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of trade secrets. He remains free on $1.75 million bond.

According to his plea agreement, Gong – a dual citizen of the United States and China – transferred more than 3,600 files from a Los Angeles-area research and development company where he worked – identified in court documents as the victim company – to personal storage devices during his brief tenure with the company last year.

The files Gong transferred include blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors designed for use in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as blueprints for sensors designed to enable U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles’ infrared tracking ability. Some of these files were later found on storage devices seized from Gong’s temporary residence in Thousand Oaks.

In January 2023, the victim company hired Gong as an application-specific integrated circuit design manager responsible for the design, development and verification of its infrared sensors. Beginning on approximately March 30, 2023, and continuing until his termination on April 26, 2023, Gong transferred thousands of files from his work laptop to three personal storage devices, including more than 1,800 files after he had accepted a job at one of the victim company’s main competitors.

Many of the files Gong transferred contained proprietary and trade secret information related to the development and design of a readout integrated circuit that allows space-based systems to detect missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles and a readout integrated circuit that allows aircraft to track incoming threats in low visibility environments.

Gong also transferred files containing trade secrets relating to the development of “next generation” sensors capable of detecting low observable targets while demonstrating increased survivability in space, as well as the blueprints for the mechanical assemblies used to house and cryogenically cool the victim company’s sensors. This information was among the victim company’s most important trade secrets that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Many of the files had been marked “[VICTIM COMPANY] PROPRIETARY,” “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY,” “PROPRIETARY INFORMATION,” and “EXPORT CONTROLLED.”

Law enforcement also discovered that, between approximately 2014 and 2022, while employed at several major technology companies in the United States, Gong submitted numerous applications to ‘Talent Programs’ administered by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC government has established these talent programs as a means to identify individuals who have expert skills, abilities, and knowledge of advanced sciences and technologies in order to access and utilize those skills and knowledge in transforming the PRC’s economy, including its military capabilities.

In 2014, while employed at a U.S. information technology company headquartered in Dallas, Gong sent a business proposal to a contact at a high-tech research institute in China focused on both military and civilian products. In his proposal, translated from Chinese, Gong described a plan to produce high-performance analog-to-digital converters like those produced by his employer. In another Talent Program application from September 2020, Gong proposed to develop “low light/night vision” image sensors for use in military night vision goggles and civilian applications. Gong’s proposal included a video presentation that contained the model number of a sensor developed by an international defense, aerospace, and security company where Gong worked from 2015 to 2019.

Gong travelled to China several times to seek Talent Program funding in order to develop sophisticated analog-to-digital converters. In his Talent Program applications, Gong underscored that the high-performance analog-to-digital converters he proposed to develop in China had military applications, explaining that they “directly determine the accuracy and range of radar systems” and that “[m]issile navigation systems also often use radar front-end systems.” In a 2019 email, translated from Chinese, Gong remarked that he “took a risk” by traveling to China to participate in the Talent Programs “because [he] worked for…an American military industry company” and thought he could “do something” to contribute to China’s “high-end military integrated circuits.”

According to his plea agreement, the intended economic loss from Gong’s criminal conduct exceeds $3.5 million.

U.S. District Judge John F. Walter scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, at which time Gong faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office through the Counterintelligence Task Force in partnership with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this matter. The FBI’s San Francisco Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California also provided substantial assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Nisha Chandran for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

MIL Security OSI –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA – Fully Underwritten Private Placement successfully placed – 21 July 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.

Oslo, Norway, 21 July 2025.

Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement published earlier today on 21 July 2025 by IDEX Biometrics ASA (“IDEX” or the “Company”) regarding a contemplated underwritten private placement (the “Private Placement”) of new shares in the Company (the “Offer Shares”), where Arctic Securities AS has acted as manager and bookrunner (the “Manager”).

The Private Placement has been successfully completed, raising gross proceeds to the Company of NOK 30,000,000, through the issuance of 9,090,909 Offer Shares at a subscription price per Offer Share of NOK 3.30 (the “Offer Price”).

The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for the Company’s commercialization efforts in line with the new business strategy announced in March 2025 as well as for general corporate purposes.

Altea AS, Pinchcliffe AS (closely associated company of the CEO and CFO, Anders Storbråten), Anders Storbråten, Charles Street International Ltd. (Robert Keith) and K-Konsult AS (closely associated company of the chairperson of the board of directors, Morten Opstad) (the “Underwriters”) had, subject to customary conditions, accepted to be allocated Offer Shares that were not applied for during the Application Period (as defined herein) for up to NOK 30,000,000 pursuant to an underwriting agreement entered into with the Company (the “UWA”). An underwriting fee equal to 5% of the underwriting commitment by each Underwriter will be payable by the Company to each of the Underwriters in the form of a total of 454,542 new shares in the Company (the “Underwriting Shares”), subject to the approval and issuance of the Underwriting Shares by the EGM (as defined herein).

The Private Placement was divided into two tranches: Tranche 1 (“Tranche 1”) consisted of 4,731,594 Offer Shares, and the share capital increase related to Tranche 1 have been resolved by the board of directors (the “Board”) pursuant to an authorization granted by the Company’s general meeting held on 21 May 2025 (the “Authorization”). Tranche 2 (“Tranche 2”) will consist of the number of Offer Shares that, together with the Tranche 1 shares, is necessary in order to raise gross proceeds of NOK 30 million. The issuance of Offer Shares in Tranche 2 remains subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting, scheduled to be held on or about 14 August 2025 (the “EGM”). Applicants will receive a pro rata portion of shares from Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 based on their overall allocation in the Private Placement, with the exception of the Underwriters, which have agreed that the new shares it is allocated in the Private Placement will all be allocated in Tranche 2.

The completion of Tranche 1 is otherwise subject to (i) the Share Lending Agreement and the UWA remaining in full force and effect (“Tranche 1 Conditions”). The completion of Tranche 2 is subject to (i) completion of Tranche 1, (ii) approval by the EGM and (iii) the Share Lending Agreement and the UWA remaining in full force and effect (“Tranche 2 Conditions”). Both the Tranche 1 Conditions and the Tranche 2 Conditions include the share capital increase pertaining to the issuance of the allocated Offer Shares under such tranche being validly registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises and the allocated Offer Shares being validly issued and registered in the Norwegian Central Securities Depository Euronext Securities Oslo (“VPS”). Completion of Tranche 1 is not conditional upon completion of Tranche 2, and acquisition of shares in Tranche 1 will remain final and binding and cannot be revoked or terminated by the respective applicants if Tranche 2 is not completed. The Board reserves the right to cancel, and/or modify the terms of the Private Placement, at any time and for any reason prior to delivery of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1, without or on short notice. The applicant acknowledges that Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of the Private Placement will be cancelled if the relevant conditions for such tranches (or issuance) are not fulfilled, and may be cancelled by the Board in its sole discretion for any other reason whatsoever prior to delivery of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1. Neither the Manager nor the Company will be liable for any losses if the Private Placement is cancelled or modified, irrespective of the reason for such cancellation or modification.

Following completion of Tranche 1, the Company’s share capital will be NOK 52,095,850 divided into 52,095,850 shares, each with a par value of NOK 1.00. Following completion of Tranche 2 of the Private Placement and issuance of the Underwriting Shares, both subject to EGM approval, the Company’s share capital will be NOK 56,909,707 divided into 56,909,707 shares, each with a par value of NOK 1.00.

The Private Placement (Tranche 1 and Tranche 2) will be settled with existing and unencumbered shares in the Company that are already listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, pursuant to a share lending agreement entered into between the Company, the Manager and an existing shareholder (the “Share Lending Agreement”). The Share Lending Agreement will be settled with the new shares in the Company issued by the Board pursuant to the Authorization (as described above) and issued by the EGM, as applicable.

Settlement of Tranche 1 of the Private Placement is expected to take place on a delivery versus payment basis on or about 24 July 2025. Settlement of Tranche 2 of the Private Placement is expected to take place on a delivery versus payment basis on or about 18 August 2025.

The Board has considered the contemplated Private Placement in light of the equal treatment obligations under the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and Oslo Børs’ Circular no. 2/2014 and deems that the Private Placement is in compliance with these requirements. The Board holds the view that it will be in the common interest of the Company and its shareholders to raise equity through a private placement, in view of the current market conditions and the growth opportunities currently available to the Company. A private placement enables the Company to raise capital in an efficient manner, and the Private Placement is structured to ensure that a market-based subscription price is achieved.

Taking into consideration that the Private Placement was conducted as a publicly announced bookbuilding process and a market-based subscription price was achieved, the Board has concluded that a subsequent offering towards existing shareholders is not necessary.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to MAR article 17 and section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Kjell-Arne Besseberg, Chief Operating Officer, on 21 July 2025 at 23:15 CEST.

About IDEX Biometrics ASA

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.

Important information:

This announcement is not and does not form a part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of the Company. The distribution of this announcement and other information may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

The securities referred to in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in accordance with applicable U.S. state securities laws. The Company does not intend to register any part of the offering or its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Any sale in the United States of the securities mentioned in this announcement will be made solely to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

In any EEA Member State, this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation, i.e., only to investors who can receive the offer without an approved prospectus in such EEA Member State. The expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation 2017/1129 as amended together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State.

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons in the United Kingdom that are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom this announcement may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only for relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Persons distributing this communication must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.

Matters discussed in this announcement may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “strategy”, “intends”, “estimate”, “will”, “may”, “continue”, “should” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control.

Actual events may differ significantly from any anticipated development due to a number of factors, including without limitation, changes in investment levels and need for the Company’s services, changes in the general economic, political and market conditions in the markets in which the Company operate, the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, changes in the Company’s ability to engage in commercially acceptable acquisitions and strategic investments, and changes in laws and regulation and the potential impact of legal proceedings and actions. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not provide any guarantees that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this announcement are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this announcement or any obligation to update or revise the statements in this announcement to reflect subsequent events. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this document.

The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date, and are subject to change without notice. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review, update, confirm, or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this announcement.

Neither the Manager nor any of their affiliates make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this announcement and none of them accepts any responsibility for the contents of this announcement or any matters referred to herein.

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities in the Company. Neither the Manager nor any of their affiliates accept any liability arising from the use of this announcement.

The MIL Network –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Manitoba Advance Interprovincial Trade
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on July 21, 2025

Provinces sign agreement on mutual recognition, labour mobility and direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.

Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on enhancing interprovincial trade between the two jurisdictions.

“Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges,” Moe said. “Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Together, we are encouraging other jurisdictions to join Canada’s most ambitious domestic trade agreement, and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example, on direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.”

Much like the MOUs Saskatchewan has signed with Ontario and PEI, today’s agreement includes commitments to move forward on a framework for DTC alcohol sales and facilitate mutual recognition. Improving labour mobility and trade are at the heart of this MOU, while remaining focused on strengthening public safety and maintaining the role of crown corporations.

“This agreement reflects Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety” said Kinew. “By working with partners across the nation, we are unlocking opportunities for people and businesses and building up this country we all love so much.”

The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and Manitoba was over $6 billion in 2021.

This agreement comes on the heels of several new interprovincial trade announcements for the Government of Saskatchewan. This includes Moe inviting all Canadian premiers to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market.

The province continues to take part in the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which includes enhancing the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to interprovincial trade and facilitating labour mobility.

On July 8, CIT announced significant progress, including:
- Reducing party-specific exceptions under the CFTA by a further 30 per cent.
- Concluding negotiations of the financial services chapter.
- Advancing mutual recognition through a pilot project in the trucking sector and negotiating towards a mutual recognition agreement on the sale of goods.
- Cross-Canada commitment to a 30-day service standard for processing labour mobility applications.
- An DTC MOU on DTC alcohol sales, co-led by Saskatchewan and Ontario, involving ten jurisdictions across Canada to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage, directly from the producer, for personal consumption.
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For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Female technician completes EV training at EIT

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

25 seconds ago

A female technician at Andrew Simms Motor Group in Auckland has completed electric vehicle training through EIT to meet growing demand in the workshop.

Lezani Oosthuizen-Meyer, who joined the dealership in 2023, recently completed the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering [Level 5] through EIT via distance learning, while working full-time in the service department.

Auckland technician Lezani Oosthuizen-Meyer completed the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering [Level 5] through EIT while working at Andrew Simms Motor Group.

Originally from South Africa, the 35-year-old has more than a decade of experience in the automotive industry, including experience with both passenger vehicles and heavy transport.

Her enrolment is part of a wider upskilling initiative at Andrew Simms, which, since 2023, has chosen EIT as its preferred provider for EV training across its six Auckland dealerships.

“We’re seeing more and more EVs coming through, so my managers encouraged me to do the course, and it was a really good experience.”

Delivered through a mix of online learning and in-person block courses, the level 5 programme is designed to equip qualified technicians with the skills and safety knowledge required to service and repair high-voltage electric vehicles.

Lezani said the support from her EIT tutor Scott Cunningham made a big difference.

“Scotty was very knowledgeable and helped me a lot. Even now, if I have questions, I can call him, and he’ll talk me through it.”

Having previously trained in both South Africa and New Zealand, Lezani said the EIT course offered more depth than anything she had done before.

“It broke everything down really clearly,” she said. “I already had experience working with modules and diagnostics, but this gave me a much better understanding of high-voltage systems.”

While juggling study, work, and parenting a four-year-old was a challenge, she said it was manageable and worth it.

“Sometimes I’d get home late, give my son a bath and get him to bed, then go straight into the online classes,” she said. “It was tiring, but it’s added to what I can do in the workshop.”

As one of the few women in the trade, Lezani said she’s noticed a more inclusive culture in New Zealand compared to South Africa, where opportunities were limited.

“I’ve seen more women in the industry here, which is really encouraging,” she said.

Now looking to take a break from study, she hopes to explore opportunities in management in the future.

“For now, I’m focused on work and family, but I’d definitely recommend the course to others. It’s a good investment in your future.”

Tim Jagusch, EIT School of Trades and Technology Assistant Head, said Lezani’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.

“At EIT, we’re proud to support learners like her; people who are not only advancing their own careers but also helping to shape the future of the automotive industry. Her success reflects the strength of our partnerships with industry leaders like Andrew Simms Motor Group and the value of flexible, high-quality training. We congratulate Lezani on her achievement and look forward to seeing more technicians take up the challenge of EV training.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Engineer Pleads Guilty to Stealing for Chinese Government’s Benefit Trade Secret Technology Designed for Missile Launch and Detection

Source: US State of North Dakota

A Santa Clara County man and former engineer at a Southern California company pleaded guilty today to stealing trade secret technologies developed for use by the U.S. government to detect nuclear missile launches, track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, and to allow U.S. fighter planes to detect and evade heat-seeking missiles.

Chenguang Gong, 59, of San Jose, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of trade secrets. He remains free on $1.75 million bond.

According to his plea agreement, Gong – a dual citizen of the United States and China – transferred more than 3,600 files from a Los Angeles-area research and development company where he worked – identified in court documents as the victim company – to personal storage devices during his brief tenure with the company last year.

The files Gong transferred include blueprints for sophisticated infrared sensors designed for use in space-based systems to detect nuclear missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as blueprints for sensors designed to enable U.S. military aircraft to detect incoming heat-seeking missiles and take countermeasures, including by jamming the missiles’ infrared tracking ability. Some of these files were later found on storage devices seized from Gong’s temporary residence in Thousand Oaks.

In January 2023, the victim company hired Gong as an application-specific integrated circuit design manager responsible for the design, development and verification of its infrared sensors. Beginning on approximately March 30, 2023, and continuing until his termination on April 26, 2023, Gong transferred thousands of files from his work laptop to three personal storage devices, including more than 1,800 files after he had accepted a job at one of the victim company’s main competitors.

Many of the files Gong transferred contained proprietary and trade secret information related to the development and design of a readout integrated circuit that allows space-based systems to detect missile launches and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles and a readout integrated circuit that allows aircraft to track incoming threats in low visibility environments.

Gong also transferred files containing trade secrets relating to the development of “next generation” sensors capable of detecting low observable targets while demonstrating increased survivability in space, as well as the blueprints for the mechanical assemblies used to house and cryogenically cool the victim company’s sensors. This information was among the victim company’s most important trade secrets that are worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Many of the files had been marked “[VICTIM COMPANY] PROPRIETARY,” “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY,” “PROPRIETARY INFORMATION,” and “EXPORT CONTROLLED.”

Law enforcement also discovered that, between approximately 2014 and 2022, while employed at several major technology companies in the United States, Gong submitted numerous applications to ‘Talent Programs’ administered by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC government has established these talent programs as a means to identify individuals who have expert skills, abilities, and knowledge of advanced sciences and technologies in order to access and utilize those skills and knowledge in transforming the PRC’s economy, including its military capabilities.

In 2014, while employed at a U.S. information technology company headquartered in Dallas, Gong sent a business proposal to a contact at a high-tech research institute in China focused on both military and civilian products. In his proposal, translated from Chinese, Gong described a plan to produce high-performance analog-to-digital converters like those produced by his employer. In another Talent Program application from September 2020, Gong proposed to develop “low light/night vision” image sensors for use in military night vision goggles and civilian applications. Gong’s proposal included a video presentation that contained the model number of a sensor developed by an international defense, aerospace, and security company where Gong worked from 2015 to 2019.

Gong travelled to China several times to seek Talent Program funding in order to develop sophisticated analog-to-digital converters. In his Talent Program applications, Gong underscored that the high-performance analog-to-digital converters he proposed to develop in China had military applications, explaining that they “directly determine the accuracy and range of radar systems” and that “[m]issile navigation systems also often use radar front-end systems.” In a 2019 email, translated from Chinese, Gong remarked that he “took a risk” by traveling to China to participate in the Talent Programs “because [he] worked for…an American military industry company” and thought he could “do something” to contribute to China’s “high-end military integrated circuits.”

According to his plea agreement, the intended economic loss from Gong’s criminal conduct exceeds $3.5 million.

U.S. District Judge John F. Walter scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, at which time Gong faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office through the Counterintelligence Task Force in partnership with the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service and Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this matter. The FBI’s San Francisco Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California also provided substantial assistance.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David C. Lachman and Nisha Chandran for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Brendan Geary of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: TLGY Acquisition Corp. Announces Rescheduling of Conference Call Relating to its Business Combination with StableCoinX Assets

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New York , July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TLGY Acquisition Corp. (OTC: TLGYF) (“TLGY”), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for a business combination with StablecoinX Assets Inc. (“SC Assets”), a newly-formed validator and infrastructure business supporting the Ethena ecosystem (the definitive agreement, the “Business Combination Agreement” and the transactions contemplated thereby, the “Transaction”). The combined company will be named StablecoinX Inc. (“StablecoinX” or the “Company”) and the parties will seek to have StablecoinX’s Class A common shares listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “USDE.”

TLGY will discuss the proposed Transaction with securities analysts in a call tomorrow, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. ET. A webcast of the meeting will be available in a listen-only mode to individual investors, media, and other interested parties on TLGY’s website at www.tlgyacquisition.com under the “Events” section. This call has been rescheduled from the previously announced date and time.

Important Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the Transaction, StablecoinX intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement of TLGY and a preliminary prospectus of StablecoinX, and after the Registration Statement is declared effective, TLGY will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Transaction to its shareholders as of the record date to be established for voting at the Extraordinary General Meeting. The Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, will contain important information about the Transaction and the other matters to be voted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting. This press release does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Transaction and other matters and is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. TLGY and StablecoinX may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Transaction. TLGY’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the Registration Statement, including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed in connection with the Transaction, as these materials will contain important information about TLGY, SC Assets, StablecoinX and the Transaction.

TLGY’s shareholders and other interested persons will be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement, including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed or that will be filed by TLGY and StablecoinX with the SEC, free of charge, through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements with respect to the proposed Transaction include expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans, prospects, financial results or strategies regarding SC Assets, StablecoinX, TLGY and the proposed Transaction, statements regarding the anticipated benefits and timing of the completion of the proposed Transaction, the assets held by SC Assets and StablecoinX, the price and volatility of ENA, ENA’s growing prominence as an issuer of digital dollars on-chain, StablecoinX’s listing on any securities exchange, the macro, political and regulatory conditions surrounding ENA, the planned business strategy including StablecoinX’s ability to develop a corporate architecture capable of supporting its treasury initiatives and strategic stake in the Ethena Protocol, plans and use of proceeds, objectives of management for future operations of StablecoinX, the upside potential and opportunity for investors, StablecoinX’s plan for value creation and strategic advantages, market size and growth opportunities, regulatory conditions, technological and market trends, future financial condition and performance and expected financial impacts of the proposed Transaction, the satisfaction of closing conditions to the proposed Transaction and the level of redemptions of TLGY’s public shareholders, and StablecoinX’s expectations, intentions, strategies, assumptions or beliefs about future events, results of operations or performance or that do not solely relate to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, but not limited to: the risk that the proposed Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of TLGY’s securities; the risk that the proposed Transaction may not be completed by TLGY’s business combination deadline; the failure by the parties to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed Transaction, including the approval of TLGY’s shareholders and the listing of StablecoinX’s securities on a national securities exchange at closing; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed Transaction; the level of redemptions by TLGY’s public shareholders, which may reduce the public float of, reduce the liquidity of the trading market of, and/or impact the ability of, the shares of Class A common stock of StablecoinX to be listed in connection with the proposed Transaction; the insufficiency of the third-party fairness opinion for the board of directors of TLGY in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed Transaction; the failure of StablecoinX to obtain or maintain the listing of its securities on any securities exchange after closing of the proposed Transaction; risks associated with TLGY, SC Assets and StablecoinX’s ability to consummate the proposed Transaction timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in ENA prices or for other reasons; costs related to the proposed Transaction and as a result of becoming a public company; changes in business, market, financial, political and regulatory conditions; risks relating to StablecoinX’s anticipated operations and business, including the volatile nature of the price of ENA; the risk that StablecoinX’s stock price will be highly correlated to the price of ENA and the price of ENA may decrease between the signing of the definitive documents for the proposed Transaction and the closing of the proposed Transaction or at any time after the closing of the proposed Transaction; risks associated with TLGY, SC Assets and StablecoinX’s ability to consummate the proposed Transaction timely or at all, including in connection with potential regulatory delays or impediments, changes in ENA prices or for other reasons; risks related to increased competition in the industries in which StablecoinX will operate; risks relating to significant legal, commercial, regulatory and technical uncertainty regarding ENA; risks relating to the treatment of crypto assets for U.S. and foreign tax purposes; risks that after consummation of the proposed Transaction, StablecoinX experiences difficulties managing its growth and expanding operations; the risks that launching and growing StablecoinX’s ENA treasury advisory and services in digital marketing and strategy could be difficult; challenges in implementing StablecoinX’s business plan, due to operational challenges, significant competition and regulation; being considered to be a “shell company” by any stock exchange on which StablecoinX’s Class A Common Stock will be listed or by the SEC, which may impact StablecoinX’s ability to list its securities and restrict reliance on certain rules or forms in connection with the offering, sale or resale of securities; the outcome of any potential legal proceedings that may be instituted against StablecoinX, SC Assets, TLGY or others following announcement of the proposed Transaction, and those risk factors discussed in documents that StablecoinX and/or TLGY has filed, or will file, with the SEC. The foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of The Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q that have been and/or will be filed by TLGY with the SEC from time to time, the Registration Statement that will be filed by StablecoinX and TLGY and the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, and other documents that have been or will be filed by TLGY and StablecoinX from time to time with the SEC. These filings do or will identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that neither TLGY, SC Assets nor StablecoinX presently know or that TLGY, SC Assets and StablecoinX currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.

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

The terms of the proposed Transaction described in this press release, including any dollar-denominated figures or implied valuations, are based on information as of the date of the signing of the definitive Business Combination Agreement and assume no redemptions from the TLGY trust account. These terms are subject to change, including as a result of fluctuations in the price of ENA prior to closing of the proposed Transaction. There can be no assurance that the final terms at the closing of the Transaction will reflect the figures referenced herein.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release does not constitute (i) a solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the Transaction or (ii) an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation to purchase, any securities of TLGY, SC Assets, the combined company or any of their respective affiliates. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom, nor shall any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction be affected. No securities commission or securities regulatory authority in the United States or any other jurisdiction has in any way passed upon the merits of the Transaction or the accuracy or adequacy of this communication.
Participants in the Solicitation

TLGY, SC Assets, StablecoinX and their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of TLGY’s shareholders in connection with the Transaction. More detailed information regarding the directors and officers of TLGY, and a description of their interests in TLGY, is contained in TLGY’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025, and is available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of TLGY’s shareholders in connection with the Transaction and other matters to be voted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting will be set forth in the Registration Statement for the Transaction when available.
Media Contacts

StablecoinX
press@stablecoinx.com

TLGY Acquisition Corp.
media@tlgycpc.com

Ethena Foundation
nate.johnson@augustco.com

The MIL Network –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island Breaking Down Trade Barriers
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on July 21, 2025

Provinces build economic resilience through interprovincial trade agreement.

Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the removal of trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.

“Saskatchewan is standing strong amidst the trade challenges we are currently facing,” Moe said. “Our province remains committed to deepening interprovincial collaboration and further enhancing trade, investment and labour mobility, so that we can continue to build a strong economy that delivers for the people of Saskatchewan. Today’s MOU between Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island is just one more way we are strengthening economic ties across the country.”

This MOU includes commitments to facilitate mutual recognition, and a framework for direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales between the two jurisdictions. It aims to boost interprovincial labour mobility and investment while strengthening public safety and maintaining the role of crown corporations.

“Saskatchewan and PEI understand that when provinces work together, the entire country benefits,” Lantz said. “This agreement is about building trust, creating opportunity and making it easier for people and businesses to thrive no matter where they are located.”

The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and PEI was $44.25 million in 2021.

The Government of Saskatchewan continues to demonstrate leadership in reducing internal barriers, advocating for free and fair trade. Last week, Saskatchewan called on all provinces and territories to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. This agreement represents Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market, with an economic region of over 11 million Canadians and a combined GDP exceeding $818 billion. Other recent progress includes the signing of an MOU with Ontario to remove trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.

The province continues to take part in the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which includes enhancing the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to interprovincial trade and facilitating labour mobility.

On July 8, CIT announced significant progress, including:
- Reducing party-specific exceptions under the CFTA by a further 30 per cent.
- Concluding negotiations of the financial services chapter.
- Advancing mutual recognition through a pilot project in the trucking sector and negotiating towards a mutual recognition agreement on the sale of goods.
- Cross-Canada commitment to a 30-day service standard for processing labour mobility applications.
- A DTC MOU, co-led by Saskatchewan, involving ten jurisdictions across Canada to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage, directly from the producer, for personal consumption.
-30-

For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: How EVs and electric water heaters are turning cities into giant batteries
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bin Lu, Senior Research Fellow in Renewable Energy, Australian National University

Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock

As the electrification of transport and heating accelerates, many worry the increased demand could overload national power grids. In Australia, electricity consumption is expected to double by 2050.

If everyone charges their car and heats water using electric systems at the same time, peak demand could rise sharply, forcing costly grid upgrades. But this would only happen if there’s no planning done.

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and electric water heating has a huge silver lining. As more Australians make the switch, they’re quietly expanding a vast network of distributed energy storage. In a fully electrified future, each person could have on average about 46 kilowatt hours worth of energy storage – both in EV batteries and hot water systems.

Scaled up, that’s a huge resource. If all cars and water heaters run on electricity, their combined flexible energy storage could reach over 1,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) across Australia. That’s far beyond the 350 GWh capacity of the Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric project and all existing grid-scale batteries put together.

Authorities can use these devices to help operate the grid more efficiently and slash infrastructure costs. In fact, our new research shows that with the right coordination, cities can transform from energy consumers into flexible energy hubs able to store energy and release it as necessary. This would make it possible to avoid billions of dollars worth of grid upgrades.

Storage built in

Electrification replaces fossil fuel-burning technology with electric-only systems, powered by a grid getting steadily cleaner.

For households, electrification means switching a combustion engine car for an EV and replacing gas hot water with electric systems such as heat pumps. Both slash carbon emissions when run on grids with high levels of renewables.

EVs and electric hot water systems offer more than just mobility or heating. They also have built-in energy storage. EV batteries store huge amounts of electricity – usually several times the size of a house battery. Hot water systems store energy too, in the form of heat.

Both of these resources are very useful to power grid authorities, because they can help optimise how the grid operates.

Power grids are a constant balancing act, where supply and demand have to be carefully matched up. At times of intense demand, such as during a heatwave, demand can outstrip normal supply and send prices skyrocketing.

When EVs are charged and water heated during off-peak periods, the strain on the grid can be significantly lessened.

Workplace EV chargers are convenient for drivers – and very useful for the grid.
jixiang liu/Shutterstock

Canberra is pointing the way

Since 2020, Canberra has been 100% powered by renewable electricity. The ACT Government is aiming for net zero by 2045.

In our modelling, we found this goal could get a lot closer if EVs and hot water systems are used cleverly. We found changing the time cars are charged and water heated would shift around 5 kWh of electricity per person per day. That’s about a third of each Canberra resident’s average daily electricity use.

Unmanaged charging and water heating would cause peak load to jump 34%. But if charging and heating was shifted to off-peak hours overnight, it could restrict the rise in peak load to just 16%.

Reducing the rise in peak load would make it possible to avoid billions of dollars in grid upgrades such as expanding substations and building more transmission lines.

Where flexibility matters most

We found Canberra’s new energy storage resources are concentrated in storage hotspots – densely populated areas with many electric hot water systems and where many EVs are parked during the day.

Importantly, these hotspots don’t stay put. During working hours, vehicle batteries tend to concentrate in high-density office areas where EVs are parked. Storage capacity rose up to 31% in some Canberra working districts during the working week.

It would make sense to make the most of these hotspots by installing smart chargers, which optimise the timing of EV charging and creating virtual power plants, which can coordinate the time when household devices and EVs draw power.

Both of these approaches offer a cost-effective way to aggregate small scale household devices into a large coordinated storage resource.

Aligning demand with solar peaks means using renewable energy which might otherwise go to waste during peak times.

This map shows Canberra’s storage hotspots averaged out. EV batteries are in blue and electric hot water storage in orange.
Bin Lu, CC BY-NC-ND

Policy needs to catch up

Capturing the huge benefits from these new storage resources won’t happen automatically. It requires smart systems and supportive policies.

Technologies such as smart chargers and virtual power plants already exist. South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant shows what’s possible in practice.

But to date, most Australian households don’t have these kinds of smart systems. In many areas, electricity pricing is relatively inflexible and there’s limited coordination between flexible energy use and the needs of the grid.

To unlock the full potential of this huge new energy storage resource, governments and energy companies should:
- encourage uptake of smart chargers and smart water heaters in buildings
- expand dynamic pricing schemes which better reflect real-time supply and demand to help shift electricity use to off-peak periods
- focus on rolling out workplace EV chargers in high-density areas to boost charging during solar peak periods
- develop smart energy systems able to aggregate devices in individual households into a large grid-supporting fleet.
More demand – but more storage

As Australia increasingly goes electric, cities are becoming more than just energy consumers.

Rather, they’re becoming flexible energy hubs able to help balance supply and demand.

Used wisely, humble electric water heaters and EVs can do more than meet household needs — they can help power Australia’s clean energy future.

Bin Lu received research funding from the Icon Water & ActewAGL Endowment Fund.

Marnie Shaw has received funding from federal and state governments.

– ref. How EVs and electric water heaters are turning cities into giant batteries – https://theconversation.com/how-evs-and-electric-water-heaters-are-turning-cities-into-giant-batteries-261369
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister LeBlanc meets with U.S. Senate Congressional Delegation

Source: Government of Canada News

July 21, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, met with a U.S. Senate Congressional Delegation to discuss opportunities to strengthen the longstanding and unique trade and investment relationship between Canada and the United States.

During his discussion with Senators Ron Wyden (Oregon), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire), and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nevada), Minister LeBlanc underscored the importance of maintaining an open and stable trade environment between our deeply integrated economies to support mutual growth, prosperity and security. The minister conveyed his commitment to work with U.S. Congressional leaders to advance shared trade and investment goals.

Associated links

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University

Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar. But new research suggests this widely used sweetener may be quietly undermining one of the body’s most crucial protective barriers – with potentially serious consequences for heart health and stroke risk.

A recent study from the University of Colorado suggests erythritol may damage cells in the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s security system that keeps out harmful substances while letting in nutrients. The findings add troubling new detail to previous observational studies that have linked erythritol consumption to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.

In the new study, researchers exposed blood-brain barrier cells to levels of erythritol typically found after drinking a soft drink sweetened with the compound. They saw a chain reaction of cell damage that could make the brain more vulnerable to blood clots – a leading cause of stroke.

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.

Erythritol triggered what scientists call oxidative stress, flooding cells with harmful, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s natural antioxidant defences. This double assault damaged the cells’ ability to function properly, and in some cases killed them outright.

But perhaps more concerning was erythritol’s effect on the blood vessels’ ability to regulate blood flow. Healthy blood vessels act like traffic controllers, widening when organs need more blood – during exercise, for instance – and tightening when less is required. They achieve this delicate balance through two key molecules: nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, and endothelin-1, which constricts them.

The study found that erythritol disrupted this critical system, reducing nitric oxide production while ramping up endothelin-1. The result would be blood vessels that remain dangerously constricted, potentially starving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This imbalance is a known warning sign of ischaemic stroke – the type caused by blood clots blocking vessels in the brain.

Even more alarming, erythritol appeared to sabotage the body’s natural defence against blood clots. Normally, when clots form in blood vessels, cells release a “clot buster” called tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves the blockage before it can cause a stroke. But the sweetener blocked this protective mechanism, potentially leaving clots free to wreak havoc.

The laboratory findings align with troubling evidence from human studies. Several large-scale observational studies have found that people who regularly consume erythritol face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. One major study tracking thousands of participants found that those with the highest blood levels of erythritol were roughly twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event.

However, the research does have limitations. The experiments were conducted on isolated cells in laboratory dishes rather than complete blood vessels, which means the cells may not behave exactly as they would in the human body. Scientists acknowledge that more sophisticated testing – using advanced “blood vessel on a chip” systems that better mimic real physiology – will be needed to confirm these effects.

The findings are particularly significant because erythritol occupies a unique position in the sweetener landscape. Unlike artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, erythritol is technically a sugar alcohol – a naturally occurring compound that the body produces in small amounts. This classification helped it avoid inclusion in recent World Health Organization guidelines that discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control.

Erythritol has also gained popularity among food manufacturers because it behaves more like sugar than other alternatives. While sucralose is 320 times sweeter than sugar, erythritol provides only about 80% of sugar’s sweetness, making it easier to use in recipes without creating an overpowering taste. It’s now found in thousands of products, especially in many “sugar-free” and “keto-friendly” foods.

Erythritol can be found in many keto-friendly products, such a protein bars.
Stockah/Shutterstock.com

Trade-off

Regulatory agencies, including the European Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, have approved erythritol as safe for consumption. But the new research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even “natural” sugar alternatives may carry unexpected health risks.

For consumers, the findings raise difficult questions about the trade-offs involved in sugar substitution. Sweeteners like erythritol can be valuable tools for weight management and diabetes prevention, helping people reduce calories and control blood sugar spikes. But if regular consumption potentially weakens the brain’s protective barriers and increases cardiovascular risk, the benefits may come at a significant cost.

The research underscores a broader challenge in nutritional science: understanding the long-term effects of relatively new food additives that have become ubiquitous in the modern diet. While erythritol may help people avoid the immediate harms of excess sugar consumption, its effect on the blood-brain barrier suggests that frequent use could be quietly compromising brain protection over time.

As scientists continue to investigate these concerning links, consumers may want to reconsider their relationship with this seemingly innocent sweetener – and perhaps question whether any sugar substitute additive is truly without risk.

Havovi Chichger 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. A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study – https://theconversation.com/a-popular-sweetener-could-be-damaging-your-brains-defences-says-recent-study-261500

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Announces An Investigation of Colombier Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: CLBR)
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. The firm is headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and is investigating Colombier Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: CLBR) related to its merger with Metroplex Trading Company (“GrabAGun”). The proposed transaction is valued at $150 million with the current equity holders of GrabAGun receiving $100 million of stock in the combined company and $50 million of cash. Is it a fair deal?

Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/colombier-acquisition-corp-ii/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE EQUAL. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:
1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?
About Monteverde & Associates PC

Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

No one is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

Contact:
Juan Monteverde, Esq.
MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
New York, NY 10118
United States of America
jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: $HAREHOLDER ALERT: The M&A Class Action Firm Announces An Investigation of Colombier Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: CLBR)
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Class Action Attorney Juan Monteverde with Monteverde & Associates PC (the “M&A Class Action Firm”), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm in the 2024 ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. The firm is headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and is investigating Colombier Acquisition Corp. II (NYSE: CLBR) related to its merger with Metroplex Trading Company (“GrabAGun”). The proposed transaction is valued at $150 million with the current equity holders of GrabAGun receiving $100 million of stock in the combined company and $50 million of cash. Is it a fair deal?

Click here for more info https://monteverdelaw.com/case/colombier-acquisition-corp-ii/. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE EQUAL. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask:
1. Do you file class actions and go to Court?
2. When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders?
3. What cases did you recover money in and how much?
About Monteverde & Associates PC

Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders…and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

No one is above the law. If you own common stock in the above listed company and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341.

Contact:
Juan Monteverde, Esq.
MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC
The Empire State Building
350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740
New York, NY 10118
United States of America
jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com
Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2025 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC (www.monteverdelaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Tribunal Terminates Inquiry—Corrosion-resistant Steel Sheet from Türkiye

Source: Government of Canada News

Ottawa, Ontario, July 21, 2025—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today terminated its final injury inquiry to determine whether the dumping of corrosion-resistant steel sheet, originating in or exported from the Republic of Türkiye, by Borçelik Çelik Sanayi Ticaret, has injured Canadian producers. The Tribunal’s inquiry was required by law as a result of the initiation of a dumping investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

On July 16, 2025, the CBSA determined that there had been no dumping and terminated its dumping investigation. Therefore, the Tribunal will not continue its final injury inquiry.

The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Arbitrators issue award in EU-China intellectual property dispute

Source: WTO

Headline: Arbitrators issue award in EU-China intellectual property dispute

This is the second appeal arbitration conducted under the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) to which both China and the European Union are participants.
Summary of key findings

Download:

In pdf format:

What is the MPIA?
The MPIA was agreed upon among its original 18 participating members in April 2020 to provide the possibility of resorting to arbitration under Article 25 of the DSU in case of an appeal in disputes between any two or more participating members. Currently the following WTO members are parties to the MPIA: Australia; Benin; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; the European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Japan; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; Montenegro; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Norway; Pakistan; Paraguay; Peru; the Philippines; Singapore; Switzerland; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and Uruguay.

Share

MIL OSI Economics –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Arbitrators issue award in EU-China intellectual property dispute

Source: WTO

Headline: Arbitrators issue award in EU-China intellectual property dispute

This is the second appeal arbitration conducted under the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) to which both China and the European Union are participants.
Summary of key findings

Download:

In pdf format:

What is the MPIA?
The MPIA was agreed upon among its original 18 participating members in April 2020 to provide the possibility of resorting to arbitration under Article 25 of the DSU in case of an appeal in disputes between any two or more participating members. Currently the following WTO members are parties to the MPIA: Australia; Benin; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Ecuador; the European Union; Guatemala; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Japan; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; Montenegro; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Norway; Pakistan; Paraguay; Peru; the Philippines; Singapore; Switzerland; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; and Uruguay.

Share

MIL OSI Economics –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Members highlight progress in sustainability discussions, discuss MC14 objectives

Source: WTO

Headline: Members highlight progress in sustainability discussions, discuss MC14 objectives

Ambassador Nadia Theodore of Canada, a co-convener of TESSD, welcomed the “important strides” made by the four working groups — each focused on a different key theme outlined above . As work intensifies in the lead-up to MC14, she noted: “It is useful to recall that, as an incubator of ideas, our aim is to identify where trade policy can best support members’ efforts to achieve their environmental and climate goals and promote more sustainable production and consumption.”
Progress in working groups
The facilitators of the four TESSD working groups updated members on progress made in recent technical discussions, with several highlighting advances in drafting outcome documents in preparation for MC14. Feedback from members is currently being incorporated into the outcome documents and revised versions will be circulated ahead of the next working group meetings in October.
Jean-Marie Meraldi of Switzerland, the facilitator of the Working Group on Trade-Related Climate Measures (TrCMs) highlighted the discussions held in May, which focused on the interoperability of carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs). Key topics included carbon standards, emissions measurement methodologies, and data exchange frameworks. Members also reviewed the first draft outcome document mapping trade-related climate policies. Work is now underway to refine the document’s structure and incorporate members’ feedback.
Ben Rake of the United Kingdom, co-facilitator of the Working Group on Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) reported that discussions have proceeded on two fronts: sector-specific topics such as sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation, and horizontal issues, including trade facilitation and regulatory practices. The group continued to develop its analytical summary. A revised version will be reviewed at the October meeting.
Taka Sashida of Japan and Nur Karabağ of Türkiye, the co-facilitators of the Working Group on Economy-Circularity reported that members had recently shared a range of experiences on promoting circularity in the textiles and battery sectors. Members also discussed a draft outcome document for MC14. They broadly supported compiling members’ practices and trade policy tools to capture trade-related aspects of circularity across four key sectors — textiles, batteries, electronics and renewable energy.
Tiffany Smith, co-facilitator of the Working Group on Subsidies said members have focused on policy incentives and international cooperation to support the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries — such as steel, aluminium and cement — as well as maritime transport. The first draft outcome document on key elements for subsidy design was introduced, including considerations for subsidy design and member experiences.
Members and stakeholders welcomed the progress achieved across the four TESSD working groups, with many emphasizing their value in fostering inclusive, practical and technical discussions at the intersection of trade and environmental sustainability. Members supported the continued development of the outcome documents, underscoring the importance of transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the sharing of national experiences.
They highlighted the need to address both horizontal and sector-specific issues and to include examples from developing members. Some suggested that members begin reflecting on the structure of the four working groups and the content of TESSD work beyond MC14. Some members asserted that TESSD has been successful in catalysing the uptake of multilateral discussions on trade-related climate measures and suggested shifting this work to the Committee on Trade and Environment.
TESSD publication for MC14
Ambassador Ronald Saborío of Costa Rica, also a co-convener of TESSD, introduced a draft annotated outline for planned TESSD publication for MC14 (INF/TE/SSD/W/40). The draft aims to consolidate key messages and substantive insights into how trade and trade policy can support climate and environmental goals, including the clean energy transition, decarbonization of industry and transport, climate adaptation, and biodiversity. The document also has a section on lessons learned and key messages for policymakers at both national and multilateral levels, along with a forward-looking vision for TESSD’s future work.
Delegates welcomed the co-convenors’ draft outline for this overarching MC14 output as a good basis for further discussion, recognizing its value in consolidating five years of substantive work and enhancing transparency and understanding for a wide range of policymakers and stakeholders.
Some members emphasized the importance of maintaining balance across different objectives, while others called for better integration of cross-cutting themes. Several delegates highlighted the importance of including case studies from members at different levels of development to reflect diverse experiences. Others stressed that the document should remain non-prescriptive.
In conclusion, Ambassador Saborío thanked participants for their constructive feedback. He reaffirmed TESSD’s commitment to helping members leverage trade to achieve environmental objectives. He said: “Over the past five years, TESSD has made remarkable progress toward its goals. We have created a platform for meaningful dialogue — one that is innovative, creative, active and transparent.” He encouraged continued collaboration in the lead-up to MC14 and assured members that their inputs would be reflected in the revised outcome document.
More information
Guided by its 2021 Ministerial Statement, TESSD seeks to complement the work of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment and advance discussions at the intersection of trade and environmental sustainability towards identifying concrete actions that members could take individually or collectively. The initiative, which is open to all WTO members, is currently co-sponsored by 78 members representing all regions and all levels of development.

Share

MIL OSI Economics –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Members highlight progress in sustainability discussions, discuss MC14 objectives

Source: WTO

Headline: Members highlight progress in sustainability discussions, discuss MC14 objectives

Ambassador Nadia Theodore of Canada, a co-convener of TESSD, welcomed the “important strides” made by the four working groups — each focused on a different key theme outlined above . As work intensifies in the lead-up to MC14, she noted: “It is useful to recall that, as an incubator of ideas, our aim is to identify where trade policy can best support members’ efforts to achieve their environmental and climate goals and promote more sustainable production and consumption.”
Progress in working groups
The facilitators of the four TESSD working groups updated members on progress made in recent technical discussions, with several highlighting advances in drafting outcome documents in preparation for MC14. Feedback from members is currently being incorporated into the outcome documents and revised versions will be circulated ahead of the next working group meetings in October.
Jean-Marie Meraldi of Switzerland, the facilitator of the Working Group on Trade-Related Climate Measures (TrCMs) highlighted the discussions held in May, which focused on the interoperability of carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs). Key topics included carbon standards, emissions measurement methodologies, and data exchange frameworks. Members also reviewed the first draft outcome document mapping trade-related climate policies. Work is now underway to refine the document’s structure and incorporate members’ feedback.
Ben Rake of the United Kingdom, co-facilitator of the Working Group on Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) reported that discussions have proceeded on two fronts: sector-specific topics such as sustainable agriculture and climate adaptation, and horizontal issues, including trade facilitation and regulatory practices. The group continued to develop its analytical summary. A revised version will be reviewed at the October meeting.
Taka Sashida of Japan and Nur Karabağ of Türkiye, the co-facilitators of the Working Group on Economy-Circularity reported that members had recently shared a range of experiences on promoting circularity in the textiles and battery sectors. Members also discussed a draft outcome document for MC14. They broadly supported compiling members’ practices and trade policy tools to capture trade-related aspects of circularity across four key sectors — textiles, batteries, electronics and renewable energy.
Tiffany Smith, co-facilitator of the Working Group on Subsidies said members have focused on policy incentives and international cooperation to support the decarbonization of energy-intensive industries — such as steel, aluminium and cement — as well as maritime transport. The first draft outcome document on key elements for subsidy design was introduced, including considerations for subsidy design and member experiences.
Members and stakeholders welcomed the progress achieved across the four TESSD working groups, with many emphasizing their value in fostering inclusive, practical and technical discussions at the intersection of trade and environmental sustainability. Members supported the continued development of the outcome documents, underscoring the importance of transparency, stakeholder engagement, and the sharing of national experiences.
They highlighted the need to address both horizontal and sector-specific issues and to include examples from developing members. Some suggested that members begin reflecting on the structure of the four working groups and the content of TESSD work beyond MC14. Some members asserted that TESSD has been successful in catalysing the uptake of multilateral discussions on trade-related climate measures and suggested shifting this work to the Committee on Trade and Environment.
TESSD publication for MC14
Ambassador Ronald Saborío of Costa Rica, also a co-convener of TESSD, introduced a draft annotated outline for planned TESSD publication for MC14 (INF/TE/SSD/W/40). The draft aims to consolidate key messages and substantive insights into how trade and trade policy can support climate and environmental goals, including the clean energy transition, decarbonization of industry and transport, climate adaptation, and biodiversity. The document also has a section on lessons learned and key messages for policymakers at both national and multilateral levels, along with a forward-looking vision for TESSD’s future work.
Delegates welcomed the co-convenors’ draft outline for this overarching MC14 output as a good basis for further discussion, recognizing its value in consolidating five years of substantive work and enhancing transparency and understanding for a wide range of policymakers and stakeholders.
Some members emphasized the importance of maintaining balance across different objectives, while others called for better integration of cross-cutting themes. Several delegates highlighted the importance of including case studies from members at different levels of development to reflect diverse experiences. Others stressed that the document should remain non-prescriptive.
In conclusion, Ambassador Saborío thanked participants for their constructive feedback. He reaffirmed TESSD’s commitment to helping members leverage trade to achieve environmental objectives. He said: “Over the past five years, TESSD has made remarkable progress toward its goals. We have created a platform for meaningful dialogue — one that is innovative, creative, active and transparent.” He encouraged continued collaboration in the lead-up to MC14 and assured members that their inputs would be reflected in the revised outcome document.
More information
Guided by its 2021 Ministerial Statement, TESSD seeks to complement the work of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment and advance discussions at the intersection of trade and environmental sustainability towards identifying concrete actions that members could take individually or collectively. The initiative, which is open to all WTO members, is currently co-sponsored by 78 members representing all regions and all levels of development.

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MIL OSI Economics –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: North Macedonia Considers Autonomy Plan as Only Basis to Settle Moroccan Sahara Dispute

Source: APO

.

The Republic of North Macedonia “considers the Autonomy Plan, put forward by the Kingdom of Morocco in 2007, as the only basis for the settlement of this dispute.”

This position was expressed in the Joint Statement signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timčo Mucunski, following their meeting on Monday in Skopje.

Mucunski reaffirmed “his country’s longstanding support for the UN-led process aimed at reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties,” the Joint Statement reads.

“The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of North Macedonia reiterated their commitment to the UN’s leadership in this political process, and expressed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2756 (October 2024), which underscores the parties’ role and responsibility in seeking a realistic, lasting political solution based on compromise,” the document highlights.

In this Statement, the two ministers also reaffirmed the support of Morocco and North Macedonia for “the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy and his mission to advance the political process, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the principles of the UN Charter.”

This new stance of North Macedonia is part of the international momentum supporting the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco, a dynamic driven by the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and backed by an increasingly strong international consensus.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney meets with United States senators

Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with a bipartisan delegation of United States senators in Ottawa. The Senator for Oregon, Ron Wyden, the Senator for Alaska, Lisa Murkowski, the Senator for New Hampshire, Maggie Hassan, and the Senator for Nevada, Catherine Cortez Masto, were present.

The Prime Minister and the senators underscored the significance of the trading relationship between Canada and the U.S., including the important economic impact of Canadian businesses in the senators’ home states. They also discussed the sectors most impacted by the shifting trade landscape and Canada’s recent measures to transform our steel industry. They discussed work to strengthen continental defence and security, as well as Canada’s successes in dismantling illegal drug smuggling and securing the border. The Prime Minister and the senators expressed a shared commitment to tackling the scourge of the fentanyl crisis on both sides of the border.

As Canada negotiates a new trade and security relationship with the U.S., the Prime Minister affirmed his focus on securing the best deal for Canadians. Last week, senior officials, including the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Marc-André Blanchard, were in Washington, D.C., to advance negotiations. The President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, Dominic LeBlanc, will be there this week to continue that work.

Associated link

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The main factor in the growth of exports from Georgia in the first half of 2025 was the re-export of passenger cars

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Tbilisi, July 21 (Xinhua) — Georgia’s exports amounted to $3.2 billion in the first half of 2025, up 13 percent year-on-year, the National Statistics Office of Georgia reported on Monday.

According to published data, the main factor behind the growth was the active re-export of passenger cars, the volume of which increased by 30 percent year-on-year and reached $1.2 billion.

In terms of total exports, Kyrgyzstan remains Georgia’s largest sales market for the second year in a row. Exports to this country totaled $681 million, up 50 percent from the first half of last year. Kazakhstan ranked second with $414 million, and Azerbaijan third with $342 million.

As for the export of goods of Georgian origin, it increased by 6.4 percent year-on-year, amounting to $1.473 billion. The largest markets for Georgian goods in the first half of 2025 were Russia /310.6 million dollars/, China /162.3 million dollars/ and Turkey /150.4 million dollars/. The main export goods were ferroalloys, mineral and fresh waters, carbonated drinks containing sugar, wine, nitrogen fertilizers, packaged medicines, as well as unprocessed and semi-processed gold. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: Northisle Copper & Gold Inc. to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference July 23
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northisle Copper & Gold Inc (OTCQX:NTCPF), based in Vancouver, BC, focused on copper, gold, molybdenum and rhenium, today announced that Sam Lee, President & CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on July 23, 2025.

DATE: July 23
TIME: 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE
Available for 1×1 meetings: July 23 – 29

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company
questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the
conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- Northisle Announces Upsize of Financing to C$35 Million; Wheaton Precious Metals to Invest C$5 Million
- Northisle Announces Near Surface Intercepts and Higher-Grade Intercepts at Depth at West Goodspeed on its North Island Project
- Northisle Commences Trading on the OTCQX Market Under the Symbol NTCPF
- Northisle Commences 2025 Drilling and Field Program
About Northisle Copper & Gold Inc.

Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based company whose mission is to become Canada’s leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. Northisle, through its 100% owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island Project is located near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle on a belt stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine operated by BHP Billiton. Since 2021, the Company has discovered two significant deposits, expanded resources, demonstrated the economic potential of the project, and is now focused on accelerating the advancement of this compelling project while exploring within this highly prospective land package.

For more information on Northisle please visit the Company’s website at www.northisle.ca.

About Virtual Investor Conferences®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
Northisle Copper & Gold Inc
Nicholas Van Dyk
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (604) 335-3590
Email: info@northisle.ca

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University

Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar. But new research suggests this widely used sweetener may be quietly undermining one of the body’s most crucial protective barriers – with potentially serious consequences for heart health and stroke risk.

A recent study from the University of Colorado suggests erythritol may damage cells in the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s security system that keeps out harmful substances while letting in nutrients. The findings add troubling new detail to previous observational studies that have linked erythritol consumption to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.

In the new study, researchers exposed blood-brain barrier cells to levels of erythritol typically found after drinking a soft drink sweetened with the compound. They saw a chain reaction of cell damage that could make the brain more vulnerable to blood clots – a leading cause of stroke.

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.

Erythritol triggered what scientists call oxidative stress, flooding cells with harmful, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s natural antioxidant defences. This double assault damaged the cells’ ability to function properly, and in some cases killed them outright.

But perhaps more concerning was erythritol’s effect on the blood vessels’ ability to regulate blood flow. Healthy blood vessels act like traffic controllers, widening when organs need more blood – during exercise, for instance – and tightening when less is required. They achieve this delicate balance through two key molecules: nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, and endothelin-1, which constricts them.

The study found that erythritol disrupted this critical system, reducing nitric oxide production while ramping up endothelin-1. The result would be blood vessels that remain dangerously constricted, potentially starving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This imbalance is a known warning sign of ischaemic stroke – the type caused by blood clots blocking vessels in the brain.

Even more alarming, erythritol appeared to sabotage the body’s natural defence against blood clots. Normally, when clots form in blood vessels, cells release a “clot buster” called tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves the blockage before it can cause a stroke. But the sweetener blocked this protective mechanism, potentially leaving clots free to wreak havoc.

The laboratory findings align with troubling evidence from human studies. Several large-scale observational studies have found that people who regularly consume erythritol face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. One major study tracking thousands of participants found that those with the highest blood levels of erythritol were roughly twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event.

However, the research does have limitations. The experiments were conducted on isolated cells in laboratory dishes rather than complete blood vessels, which means the cells may not behave exactly as they would in the human body. Scientists acknowledge that more sophisticated testing – using advanced “blood vessel on a chip” systems that better mimic real physiology – will be needed to confirm these effects.

The findings are particularly significant because erythritol occupies a unique position in the sweetener landscape. Unlike artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, erythritol is technically a sugar alcohol – a naturally occurring compound that the body produces in small amounts. This classification helped it avoid inclusion in recent World Health Organization guidelines that discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control.

Erythritol has also gained popularity among food manufacturers because it behaves more like sugar than other alternatives. While sucralose is 320 times sweeter than sugar, erythritol provides only about 80% of sugar’s sweetness, making it easier to use in recipes without creating an overpowering taste. It’s now found in thousands of products, especially in many “sugar-free” and “keto-friendly” foods.

Erythritol can be found in many keto-friendly products, such a protein bars.
Stockah/Shutterstock.com

Trade-off

Regulatory agencies, including the European Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, have approved erythritol as safe for consumption. But the new research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even “natural” sugar alternatives may carry unexpected health risks.

For consumers, the findings raise difficult questions about the trade-offs involved in sugar substitution. Sweeteners like erythritol can be valuable tools for weight management and diabetes prevention, helping people reduce calories and control blood sugar spikes. But if regular consumption potentially weakens the brain’s protective barriers and increases cardiovascular risk, the benefits may come at a significant cost.

The research underscores a broader challenge in nutritional science: understanding the long-term effects of relatively new food additives that have become ubiquitous in the modern diet. While erythritol may help people avoid the immediate harms of excess sugar consumption, its effect on the blood-brain barrier suggests that frequent use could be quietly compromising brain protection over time.

As scientists continue to investigate these concerning links, consumers may want to reconsider their relationship with this seemingly innocent sweetener – and perhaps question whether any sugar substitute additive is truly without risk.

Havovi Chichger 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. A popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences, says recent study – https://theconversation.com/a-popular-sweetener-could-be-damaging-your-brains-defences-says-recent-study-261500

MIL OSI –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Path Forward for Runway Rehabilitation Monday 21 July 2025

Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

Press Release
Date: 21st July 2025
Alderney Charts a Practical Path Forward for Runway Rehabilitation

Following extensive work by the Chair of the General Services Committee, Iain Macfarlane, and the States of Alderney’s Head of Operations, two fully costed and technically sound proposals for the full rehabilitation of Alderney’s runway, taxiway, and apron infrastructure have now been delivered to, and gratefully received by the States of Guernsey’s Trading Supervisory Board (STSB) President, Mark Helyar.

This work has been undertaken in alignment with the political direction set by the States of Guernsey’s 11th April 2025 resolution, which called for a pragmatic, cost-effective, Code B-compliant solution.

These proposals prioritise the urgent airside works — runway, taxiway, and apron — to ensure the airport remains safe and operational. Land-side upgrades, such as the terminal and control tower, remain important and can be addressed once this critical phase is complete.

“This has been a focused and determined piece of work,” said Mr Macfarlane. “Our goal from the outset was to demonstrate that viable, cost-effective, and deliverable solutions do exist — and we’ve done exactly that. We’ve drawn a line under the years of uncertainty and turned the conversation back to action.”

He continued: “We now hope for an expedited route forward, building on the diligent work of our Members and Officers. We’re keen to hear the views of STSB and Ports, and we hope they are ready to progress delivery.”

Mr. Abel, Chair of the Policy & Finance Committee added:
“I am pleased to see two pragmatic runway rehabilitation proposals that could be delivered in a short space of time that clearly warrant review by STSB.”
The proposals have been drafted to meet all necessary technical standards, grounded in prior contractor involvement and site knowledge, and are intended to enable the States of Guernsey to assess them against previously commissioned specifications.

The States is ensuring it is being proactive having been given a seat at the table on the Runway Project Board and stands ready to support the next stage of this vital project as it is eager to see it finally delivered. The States recognizes the increasing pressures on the public purse for both Alderney and Guernsey and we therefore remain committed to being part of the solution to wider Bailiwick challenges by working collaboratively with our colleagues in the States of Guernsey to the benefit of the Bailiwick taxpayer.

Ends
Media contact: Publications.Alderney@gov.gg

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How a popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University

Found in everything from protein bars to energy drinks, erythritol has long been considered a safe alternative to sugar. But new research suggests this widely used sweetener may be quietly undermining one of the body’s most crucial protective barriers – with potentially serious consequences for heart health and stroke risk.

A recent study from the University of Colorado suggests erythritol may damage cells in the blood-brain barrier, the brain’s security system that keeps out harmful substances while letting in nutrients. The findings add troubling new detail to previous observational studies that have linked erythritol consumption to increased rates of heart attack and stroke.

In the new study, researchers exposed blood-brain barrier cells to levels of erythritol typically found after drinking a soft drink sweetened with the compound. They saw a chain reaction of cell damage that could make the brain more vulnerable to blood clots – a leading cause of stroke.

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.

Erythritol triggered what scientists call oxidative stress, flooding cells with harmful, highly reactive molecules known as free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s natural antioxidant defences. This double assault damaged the cells’ ability to function properly, and in some cases killed them outright.

But perhaps more concerning was erythritol’s effect on the blood vessels’ ability to regulate blood flow. Healthy blood vessels act like traffic controllers, widening when organs need more blood – during exercise, for instance – and tightening when less is required. They achieve this delicate balance through two key molecules: nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, and endothelin-1, which constricts them.

The study found that erythritol disrupted this critical system, reducing nitric oxide production while ramping up endothelin-1. The result would be blood vessels that remain dangerously constricted, potentially starving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This imbalance is a known warning sign of ischaemic stroke – the type caused by blood clots blocking vessels in the brain.

Even more alarming, erythritol appeared to sabotage the body’s natural defence against blood clots. Normally, when clots form in blood vessels, cells release a “clot buster” called tissue plasminogen activator that dissolves the blockage before it can cause a stroke. But the sweetener blocked this protective mechanism, potentially leaving clots free to wreak havoc.

The laboratory findings align with troubling evidence from human studies. Several large-scale observational studies have found that people who regularly consume erythritol face significantly higher risks of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes. One major study tracking thousands of participants found that those with the highest blood levels of erythritol were roughly twice as likely to experience a major cardiac event.

However, the research does have limitations. The experiments were conducted on isolated cells in laboratory dishes rather than complete blood vessels, which means the cells may not behave exactly as they would in the human body. Scientists acknowledge that more sophisticated testing – using advanced “blood vessel on a chip” systems that better mimic real physiology – will be needed to confirm these effects.

The findings are particularly significant because erythritol occupies a unique position in the sweetener landscape. Unlike artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or sucralose, erythritol is technically a sugar alcohol – a naturally occurring compound that the body produces in small amounts. This classification helped it avoid inclusion in recent World Health Organization guidelines that discouraged the use of artificial sweeteners for weight control.

Erythritol has also gained popularity among food manufacturers because it behaves more like sugar than other alternatives. While sucralose is 320 times sweeter than sugar, erythritol provides only about 80% of sugar’s sweetness, making it easier to use in recipes without creating an overpowering taste. It’s now found in thousands of products, especially in many “sugar-free” and “keto-friendly” foods.

Erythritol can be found in many keto-friendly products, such a protein bars.
Stockah/Shutterstock.com

Trade-off

Regulatory agencies, including the European Food Standards Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration, have approved erythritol as safe for consumption. But the new research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that even “natural” sugar alternatives may carry unexpected health risks.

For consumers, the findings raise difficult questions about the trade-offs involved in sugar substitution. Sweeteners like erythritol can be valuable tools for weight management and diabetes prevention, helping people reduce calories and control blood sugar spikes. But if regular consumption potentially weakens the brain’s protective barriers and increases cardiovascular risk, the benefits may come at a significant cost.

The research underscores a broader challenge in nutritional science: understanding the long-term effects of relatively new food additives that have become ubiquitous in the modern diet. While erythritol may help people avoid the immediate harms of excess sugar consumption, its effect on the blood-brain barrier suggests that frequent use could be quietly compromising brain protection over time.

As scientists continue to investigate these concerning links, consumers may want to reconsider their relationship with this seemingly innocent sweetener – and perhaps question whether any sugar substitute additive is truly without risk.

Havovi Chichger 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. How a popular sweetener could be damaging your brain’s defences – https://theconversation.com/how-a-popular-sweetener-could-be-damaging-your-brains-defences-261500

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 22, 2025