Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI: Agricultural Scientific Begins Construction on Innovative Hydroponic Greenhouse to Transform U.S. Food Supply Chain

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAGRANGE, Ga., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Agricultural Scientific, LLC announces that construction is now underway on the Agriculture Technology Campus (ATC), an innovative agricultural project in South Carolina set to transform food production in the Eastern U.S.

    Located at the 1,000-acre Agriculture Technology Campus, the high-tech hub will feature a hydroponic greenhouse and processing facility in Early Branch, SC. It will produce locally grown, organic tomatoes with 90% greater water efficiency than traditional farming, reducing dependence on imports from Mexico, California, and Canada.

    Initially announced in September 2020 during the COVID pandemic, the highly anticipated project that garnered international interest, has been galvanized through a strategic partnership between Phoenix Lender Services, a subsidiary of Community Bankshares, Inc. and Optus Bank of South Carolina.

    Backed by a complex capital stack of USDA Business & Industry and Food Supply Chain loans, the project will enable 400+ acres of hydroponic greenhouses to produce year-round vegetables, cutting water use and eliminating pesticides. Upon completion, this innovative project will bring $350 million in private capital investment and over 1000 direct jobs to rural Hampton County and the surrounding region.

    “This isn’t just about growing vegetables—it’s about reshaping the future of agriculture and re-shoring our critical U.S. supply chain,” said Zeb Portanova, CEO of Agricultural Scientific. “By producing fresh, high-quality produce closer to consumers, we can reduce food miles, cut emissions, and limit our reliance on foreign countries. Thank you to the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for her integral support of this project.”

    Currently, 90% of vegetables consumed in the Eastern U.S. are transported from other countries and regions, leading to supply chain vulnerabilities and excessive carbon emissions. This project will drastically shorten food miles, ensuring fresher produce while slashing CO₂ emissions by approximately 600 metric tons per 100 truckloads.

    Key benefits of this initiative include:

    • Enhance food security by reducing reliance on imported produce from Mexico and Canada
    • Lower carbon emissions through sustainable, localized production
    • Align with retailers’ goals by providing fresher, locally grown, organic, and environmentally responsible products
    • Foster U.S.-based manufacturing growth and reinvestment in critical sectors that sustain communities and the economy
    • Generate hundreds of skilled agricultural jobs in South Carolina

    “This is a landmark moment for agriculture, rural America, and sustainability,” said Chris Hurn, President of Phoenix Lender Services and Community Bankshares, Inc. “By investing in local food production, we’re not only boosting U.S. agriculture but also bringing manufacturing back home, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and creating lasting economic impact.”

    “This facility represents the future of sustainable food production,” said Reggie Webber, Chief Credit Officer of Optus Bank. “It’s not just an investment in farming—it’s an investment in economic stability, job creation, and environmental responsibility.

    “At Optus Bank, we are proud to bank on communities through innovation, impact, and economic empowerment. Our strategic partnership with Community Bankshares and their subsidiaries, Phoenix Lender Services, allows us to achieve a key strategic imperative for the Bank,” said Benita Lefft, President of Optus Bank.

    A total USDA loan capital stack of $46,157,187 was successfully structured through the partnership. This included two food supply chain loans totaling $29,610,400 and a Business & Industry (B&I) loan of $16,546,787.

    The ATC is developed and owned by Agricultural Scientific, LLC and leased to Lokal Harvest USA (LHUSA), a subsidiary of Harvest House, one of Europe’s largest and most successful greenhouse operators. With a track record of supplying major retailers like Walmart, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Trader Joe’s, and Publix, Lokal Harvest USA is well-positioned to scale operations and meet the rising demand for fresh, locally grown produce.

    “The Agriculture Technology Campus has been the talk of Hampton County since it was first announced, and the commencement of construction could not have come at a better time. We in Hampton County understand that good economic development has a direct tie to a better quality of life for all of our citizens, and we are excited about this innovative agricultural project. We thank everyone involved in the ATC project for their support, and we look forward to working with the company for decades to come as new jobs and opportunities emerge in Hampton County,” said Dr. Roy Hollingsworth, Chairman of Hampton County Council.

    “SouthernCarolina Alliance is delighted to see this critical project coming to fruition. We appreciate the support of our partners at USDA, the SC Dept. of Commerce, the SC Dept. of Agriculture, Phoenix Lender Services, Community Bankshares, and Optus Bank in facilitating this investment in our region. Good jobs and investment change communities, and this project will not only affect Hampton County locally, but also improve the quality of life in our region and beyond through both its economic impact and fresher, healthier produce for all,” said Danny Black, President and CEO, SouthernCarolina Alliance.

    This landmark project is more than just a local initiative—it’s a scalable model for the future of agriculture in the U.S. With federal support, private investment, and the expertise of global leaders in hydroponic agriculture, this initiative is poised to set a new standard for modern farming—one that delivers fresher produce, reduces environmental impact, and supports economic growth.

    Local, legislative and state leaders gathered at the construction site on July 16 to celebrate the partnership and view the construction underway.

    For more information, please visit The Agriculture Technology Campus https://agtechcampus.com.

    For more information about Phoenix Lender Services and its lending solutions, please visit www.phoenixlenderservices.com.

    ABOUT AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS (ATC)

    The Agriculture Technology Campus in Hampton County, SC, is a pioneering agricultural development designed to revolutionize food production through controlled-environment farming, sustainable growing practices, and strategic partnerships with global leaders in greenhouse technology. If you are interested in joining the ATC campus, please email info@gemozf.com. Backed by a complex capital stack of USDA Business & Industry and Food Supply Chain loans, the project will enable 400+ acres of hydroponic greenhouses to produce year-round vegetables, cutting water use and eliminating pesticides.

    ABOUT PHOENIX LENDER SERVICES

    Based in Georgia and serving clients nationwide, Phoenix Lender Services offers a comprehensive suite of commercial lending solutions, including loan underwriting, closing, and servicing; participant lender matching; secondary market sales; portfolio management; risk analysis; and compliance reviews and regulatory support. Our seasoned professionals combine extensive industry expertise in SBA, USDA, and other commercial government-guaranteed lending with industry-leading technologies to deliver tailored solutions that align with each client’s unique strategic goals. Phoenix Lender Services is leading the way in SBA and USDA commercial lending.

    ABOUT COMMUNITY BANKSHARES INC

    Community Bankshares, Inc. is a dynamic company that is revolutionizing the financial landscape via its support for America’s businesses. As a mission-focused company, we are redefining how lending capital is provided across the nation and its territories in ways that promote business stability and encourage local area prosperity. In doing so, we foster economic growth, job creation and retention, and community strength. https://communitybankshares.com/

    ABOUT OPTUS BANK

    Established in 1921, Optus Bank is a federally designated Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to serving underserved communities. Optus is committed to Banking on Communities Through Innovation, Impact, and Economic Empowerment—providing access to capital, financial education, and full-service banking for individuals, small businesses, and mission-aligned organizations. https://optus.bank/

    ABOUT LOKAL HARVEST USA

    Lokal Harvest USA is a leading producer of hydroponic greenhouse vegetables, bringing advanced farming techniques and global supply chain expertise to the U.S. market in partnership with Harvest House, one of Europe’s largest greenhouse operators.

    https://agtechcampus.com/

    MEDIA CONTACT

    Abigail Davison
    Uproar PR by Moburst for Community Bankshares, Inc.
    abigail.davison@moburst.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e99b9c29-2298-468a-8d70-705020ace65d

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Housing Starts Continue to Soar in Saskatchewan

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 16, 2025

    Year-to-date growth ranks first in the nation 

    The latest data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation indicates that urban housing starts in Saskatchewan saw an increase of 84.1 per cent in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, which ranks first for growth among the provinces.

    “For the last five months, Saskatchewan has been at the forefront of growth in Canada for urban housing starts, showing that our growth initiatives are leading to more and more people choosing to call our province home,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “The unprecedented growth we are experiencing is helping to create more jobs, opportunities and greater affordability for the citizens of Saskatchewan.”

    In addition, Saskatchewan’s two largest cities both saw an increase in urban housing starts in the first six months in 2025, with Saskatoon seeing a 112.9 per cent increase and Regina seeing a 40.4 per cent increase. Rural areas experienced an impressive 247.2 per cent in urban housing starts during this same period.  

    Housing starts refers to the number of housing projects that started that month.

    Saskatchewan continues to see significant economic growth. Statistics Canada’s latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) numbers indicate that the province’s real GDP at basic prices reached an all-time high of $80.5 billion in 2024, increasing by $2.6 billion, or 3.4 per cent. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth and above the national average of 1.6 per cent.

    Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased last year by 17.3 per cent to $14.7 billion, ranking first among provinces. Private capital investment is projected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025, an increase of 10.1 per cent over 2024. This is the second-highest anticipated percentage increase among the provinces.

    Last year, the Government of Saskatchewan unveiled its new Securing the Next Decade of Growth – Saskatchewan’s Investment Attraction Strategy. This strategy, combined with Saskatchewan’s trade and investment website, InvestSK.ca, contains helpful information for potential markets and solidifies the province as the best place to do business in Canada. 

    For more information, visit: InvestSK.ca.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev held an extended meeting on the development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    An extended meeting on the development of the unmanned aircraft systems industry was held at the Government Coordination Centre under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Education and Science, subjects, as well as manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems and their operators.

    Participants presented up-to-date data on the production and use of advanced unmanned systems for various sectors of the economy, and discussed a number of opportunities that could contribute to the further development of the industry in terms of increasing production volumes and the use of UAS.

    An important issue of stimulating the use of UAS at various levels remains the development of means of their identification and further integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the airspace. The introduction of a new class of airspace – H with the use of a simplified procedure for using airspace for the performance of flights of unmanned aircraft is at the final stage of development. In addition, a unified system for identifying unmanned transport is being created based on the state information system “ERA-GLONASS”. The practical implementation of these solutions will create additional opportunities for opening the skies in the regions for the use of unmanned aircraft.

    In 2024, the production volume of civil unmanned aircraft systems increased more than 2.5 times – from 6 thousand units to 16.4 thousand units compared to 2023. In total, there are currently more than 600 UAS and component manufacturers.

    In addition, all participants of the meeting noted the importance of training personnel for UAS management, including the integration of veterans of the Air Defense Forces into civilian professions in the UAS industry. Thanks to the activities of the federal project “Personnel for Unmanned Aircraft Systems” of the national project “Unmanned Aircraft Systems”, more than 10 thousand people were trained in 2024. This year, it is planned to train 5.6 thousand people. In total, about 68 thousand people are undergoing training under the programs of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Education and the NTI Fund in various areas related to UAS.

    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

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Mass implementation of the digital ruble will begin on September 1, 2026

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The largest banks will have to be the first to provide their clients with the opportunity to use digital rubles: open accounts, make transfers, pay for purchases and services, and perform other transactions. Gradually, by September 2028, all banks will have this obligation. The corresponding law The State Duma adopted it today.

    Trading companies that are clients of the largest banks and whose revenue for the past year exceeds 120 million rubles will also have to provide the ability to pay for goods and services in a digital form of the national currency from September 1, 2026.

    Banks with a universal license and their clients — trading companies with annual revenue of over 30 million rubles — will have to start working with digital rubles from September 1, 2027. Other banks and sellers with revenue of less than 30 million rubles per year — from September 1, 2028. The obligation to accept payments in digital rubles will not apply to retail outlets whose annual revenue is less than 5 million rubles.

    The law also sets the launch dates for a universal QR code based on the National Payment Card System (NSPK) solution. It will allow both buyers and sellers to significantly simplify the payment process without cards and avoid confusion when there are many QR codes at the checkout. The universal QR code can be used to access various payment options: the Fast Payment System, banking services or installment plans, and in the future, digital rubles. At the same time, the bonuses and discounts of the selected payment method are retained.

    All banks must complete the preparation of their systems to work with the universal QR code by September 1, 2026. However, they can do it earlier if they wish.

    NSPK will provide banks with a free universal QR code service. This will reduce their integration costs. The timeframes within which banks will be required to connect the universal QR code to sellers will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Bank of Russia.

    Let us recall that digital rubles will be in circulation along with cash and non-cash. People will be able to create a wallet and use the digital national currency through the usual applications of banks connected to the digital ruble platform of the Bank of Russia. All transactions with the digital national currency for citizens will be free. The choice of whether to use digital rubles or not remains with the person.

    Read more about the digital ruble on the website Bank of Russia.

    Preview photo: Hamara / Shutterstock / Fotodom

    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

  • Industry session highlights MSME opportunities for Ayush sector growth

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL), in collaboration with Rastriya Ayurved Vidyapeeth and the Ministry of AYUSH, on Wednesday organized an industry interactive session titled “Fostering Growth: SME Schemes and Opportunities for the Ayush Industry”. The event underscored the potential of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the Ayush sector.

    The session was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of AYUSH, S.C.L. Das, Secretary of the Ministry of MSME, and Dr. Kousthubha Upadhyaya, Adviser to the Ministry of AYUSH. Dr. Upadhyaya opened the session by emphasizing the critical role of MSMEs in advancing the Ayush industry. Anuja Bapat, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of MSME, delivered a detailed presentation on various schemes designed to support Ayush-focused enterprises.

    Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO of the National Medicinal Plants Board, highlighted the potential of Sea Buckthorn in the Ayush sector, while Ritu Sain, Investment Commissioner of Chhattisgarh, showcased state-level investment opportunities for the industry. Both Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and S.C.L. Das emphasized the need to enhance quality standards and scalability to strengthen the Ayush sector’s global presence.

  • MIL-OSI Canada: PacifiCan investment to boost trade and export success for B.C. businesses

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Minister Robertson announces $2.5M investment for companies across B.C., highlighting PacifiCan’s impact across the Southern Interior

    July 16, 2025 – Kelowna, British Columbia – PacifiCan

    As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, Kelowna, a regional hub in B.C.’s interior, is powered by a diverse economy, a thriving tech sector, and a strong spirit of entrepreneurship.

    PacifiCan has offices across the province, including Kelowna, supporting the entrepreneurs and innovators driving B.C.’s future. Since 2021, PacifiCan has invested over $47M in 156 projects across the Southern Interior, with over $28M in 65 projects specifically in Kelowna and nearby communities in the Thompson-Okanagan. These investments are fueling key sectors like tech, tourism, and manufacturing – creating well-paying jobs, and helping the region remain a hub of innovation and opportunity.

    Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of $2.5M to help businesses in Kelowna and throughout B.C. find opportunities for growth in new markets and manage the impacts of tariffs.

    Through this investment, $1.2 million will allow Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) to continue delivering the Export Navigator program, which helps B.C. businesses become export-ready. Export Navigator pairs businesses with expert advisors in regions across the province who provide personalized guidance to help them achieve their export goals. To date, Export Navigator has helped more than 1,200 businesses begin their export journey, including 280 businesses in the Thompson-Okanagan alone. This initiative also received $1.2 million from the Province of B.C.

    The remaining $1.3 million of PacifiCan investment will help CFBC and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) support B.C. businesses as they adjust to a changing economy and meet requirements of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) through two specialized initiatives:

    • $900,000 for CFBC to launch the CUSMA Compliance Advisory Services Initiative (CCASI), delivered through Export Navigator. This initiative will provide expert advisory services and up to $5,000 to help businesses cover the costs of becoming CUSMA compliant.
    • $380,500 for GVBOT to deliver a series of webinars and in-person workshops in six B.C. communities. These sessions will connect businesses with experts, including customs brokers, lawyers and other professionals, who will provide valuable guidance on CUSMA compliance.

    As the Government of Canada works towards building one Canadian economy, PacifiCan will continue helping businesses across B.C. remove barriers and unlock new trade opportunities.

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: My liberal vision for a thriving economy

    Source: Liberal Democrats UK

    Read Ed’s speech in full

    Thank you very much. It’s lovely to see you all this afternoon – as I hope to make a splash… this time, on dry land!

    I don’t know if someone planned it, or if it is just a coincidence that my speech on the economy comes a day after the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech. But I’m grateful both to the Chancellor for being my warm-up act, and to the IPPR for such a timely invitation.

    Let me start by taking you back 12 months…

    Just a few weeks after taking office, the Government quietly decided to cancel plans for a brand new “exascale” supercomputer at Edinburgh University – a supercomputer that could perform a billion billion calculations every second. 50 times more powerful than any computer in the UK. The announcement didn’t attract much attention at the time. It was rather overshadowed by Labour’s incomprehensible decision to withdraw the Winter Fuel Payment from millions of struggling pensioners. But just like Winter Fuel Payments, Ministers were forced to admit they’d made a mistake, and last month they U-turned on that decision too.

    So why am I talking to you about a supercomputer? Partly because I think that computer in Edinburgh, and other projects like it, will be essential to growing our economy over the years and decades ahead. If we are going to support Britain’s amazing tech start-ups and scale-ups… If we are going to attract investment and entrepreneurs from around the world… If we are going to be the home of the next big breakthroughs in science and medicine and artificial intelligence… Then we have to show that we are absolutely committed to investing in the digital infrastructure that those companies and researchers need.

    So I am glad that Ministers U-turned, but they cost that project a year. And we all know that in the world of scientific and technological innovation – especially when it comes to artificial intelligence – a year is an awfully long time to lose. 

    But the other reason I bring up that story is that I think it encapsulates what has gone so badly wrong in government over the past year – especially when it comes to fixing the economy. Labour came into office, opened the books, and found a terrible mess left by the Conservative Party. In this case, Conservative Ministers had announced a new £800 million supercomputer in a glittering press release full of boosterish language and self-congratulation. Just one problem: the project was completely unfunded. So, faced with the challenge of finding the money to make this crucial investment, Labour chose short-term penny-pinching instead.

    Just like when it came to Winter Fuel Payments, or bus fares, or family farms, or Personal Independence Payments, or the National Insurance hike that is hurting British businesses so badly. Mistakes made by a government with no vision for our economy, no strategy for growth. Just a desire to find some cash to keep the Treasury spreadsheet happy, no matter what.

    Now let me be clear: fiscal responsibility is essential. The Conservatives showed what happens when you let borrowing spiral out of control and don’t grow the economy.

    Borrowing more than £100 billion a year, just to pay the interest on our existing debts. More than the entire education budget. Enough to fund the whole of the National Health Service for six months. At a time when government debt is 100% of national income. So managing the public finances carefully, to bring down those borrowing costs and the national debt, and to give businesses the confidence they need to invest, is critically important.

    Yet in truth, this started before the last Conservative Government – even before the 2008 financial crisis. For decades now, Britain’s long-term fiscal future has been weakened because the big budget challenges haven’t been faced up to – by governments or oppositions. And I think a key reason for this is the way we do the Budget itself.

    The Treasury, hoarding power behind those intimidating walls on Horse Guards Road. The Chancellor, emerging every six months to make a fiscal statement, with a new set of forecasts and a scorecard of policies carefully tuned to meet her fiscal rules. And then what? No real debate.

    In theory, MPs have to approve spending for each individual department every year. It’s called the “estimates” process. In practice, it’s a sham. Last month, Parliament “approved” £1.1 trillion in government spending with just three hours of debate. That’s about £6 billion every minute. So instead of real debate and scrutiny, all we get is endless speculation about what new black hole the Chancellor will face in six months’ time, and what tweaks she will make to bring the numbers back into line. 

    Having tough fiscal rules and sticking to them is critical. But the way we scrutinise the budgets prepared to meet those rules, is nothing short of lamentable. And we need nothing less than a major overhaul of the whole system.

    I think we should look at a budget process more like the one Sweden brought in when it faced its own budget crisis in the early nineties. When its debt soared to just over 70% of GDP. Now the Swedish Parliament gets to debate the Government’s budget – and can propose alternatives and amendments – before it is finalised, and gets a proper period of scrutiny and accountability in the months that follow. And now, Sweden’s debt is down to 30% of GDP.

    It matters how a country takes its decisions on the budget. It may be less exciting, but process matters. So I think we should put more power in MPs’ hands to hold the Treasury and every Department properly to account on behalf of our constituents. Supported by a new Office of the Taxpayer, based in Parliament. That alone would rock Whitehall to its core. It would make MPs roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty and take more responsibility. The trade-offs and choices that get hidden and ignored by Britain’s opaque system, would become stark and unavoidable. And without such a major system change like this, I fear British politics will never deliver the fiscal responsibility so desperately needed.

    But let’s remember: fiscal responsibility alone is a means to an end. Not the end in itself. And certainly no substitute for an economic vision. You won’t be surprised to hear that my economic vision is a liberal one. With free trade, investment in education, support for enterprise. And rigorous competition policy to stop bigger businesses rigging the system. But if we are to build a liberal economy, we have to start with a clear-eyed analysis of where liberal economic policies have gone wrong in recent years.

    We cannot celebrate the advances in overall prosperity without recognising that, too often, that prosperity has not been properly shared. Individuals, communities – even whole regions have been left behind. Boris Johnson’s point about the need to “level up” was right, even if the execution left a lot to be desired. People from all over the world have enriched our economy and our society – but when governments lose control of immigration, as they so clearly did under the same Boris Johnson, it can impose social and financial costs too. And sometimes comfort and complacency has led liberal economists to neglect the importance of security. Food security. Personal security. National security.

    Our new liberal economics can’t afford to repeat those mistakes. It can’t be about going back to the world as it was – before Trump, before Covid, before Brexit, before the crash. What we need is Liberal Economics 2.0. Retaining all that worked so brilliantly in version one. But recognising its errors and correcting them, too. Grasping the new realities of our changing world – from AI to climate change, to demographic trends that make the fiscal outlook even more challenging. From the need to increase defence spending to the strength of new economic superpowers like China and India. 

    The era of interdependence is over. We need cooperation, but not dependence.

    But even in this new world, some old truths remain. Some are even truer than before. Like the importance of trade.

    Trade was how Victorian Liberals overturned protectionism imposed by the Tories – to usher in a period of free trade and growth. We champion free trade because it enlarges individual freedom. As one of my predecessors as Liberal leader put it – free trade “gives the freest play to individual energy and initiative and character, and the largest liberty both to producer and consumer”. And of course, free trade brings growth and lowers the cost of living.

    That is why we opposed the Conservatives’ Brexit deal – the biggest and most destructive act of protectionism in our lifetime. It’s why Liberal Democrats have pressed for a new bespoke UK-EU Customs Union. Why we are pressing Labour to go well beyond its timid “reset” with Europe and tear down Tory trade barriers as quickly as possible. To free British businesses from reels of costly red tape and bring down prices in our shops. And why Liberal Democrats are arguing for a new economic coalition of the willing, for more free trade not just with Europe, but with Commonwealth allies, and Asian allies too.

    The anti-free trade politics of Donald Trump have to be taken on. We can’t let the tariff man’s bullying approach to trade and geopolitics succeed. We know where that ends. That’s why appeasing the White House isn’t smart. Remember, Donald Trump isn’t forever. And as ordinary Americans suffer the costs of his idiocy, the tide will turn. Let the Conservatives and Nigel Farage champion Trump. We Liberal Democrats will champion Britain, and defend free trade so hard-won by those nineteenth century Liberals. 

    The party of trade. And as Liberals, we are also the party of people. Because underpinning our vision for the economy is an understanding of what the economy really is. It isn’t just a series of abstract percentages and meaningless slogans. We understand that, when you strip everything else away, an economy is its people.

    So growing the economy means getting the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs. That starts with a new approach to education and training – which across the UK has got narrower and narrower, when the rest of the world has got broader.

    But my local university, Kingston, is reversing that trend with its Future Skills programme. Every undergraduate – whatever they are studying – now also studies everything from creative problem solving to digital competency and artificial intelligence, from empathy to resilience, from adaptability to being enterprising. Skills they need. And skills businesses say they want. That’s the kind of education I want for all our young people. And anyone else who wants it later in life.

    And because the economy is about people, I believe that means that to get growth, to boost productivity, we need to focus far more on incentives. We need to build an incentive economy. An economy that gets the incentives right – to motivate people, to encourage people, to reward people who do their bit and play by the rules. And to stop people who break the rules.

    In Government, Liberal Democrats focused on getting the incentives right. Introducing the pupil premium. An incentive for schools to take more of the most disadvantaged children – and focus on them. Raising the personal income tax allowance by four thousand pounds. Taking the lowest paid out of income tax. Incentivising work for everyone, but especially the less well-off. So the Liberal Democrat record shows we’ve long been the party of incentives – and so many of our big ideas today are about how we encourage people to do the right thing.

    When it comes to backing Britain’s small and growing businesses, for example. The start-ups and scale-ups. The entrepreneurs and the self-employed. They are the engines of our economy, the beating heart of local communities, but they’ve been so let down in recent years. Just remember how the Conservative Government shamefully excluded over a million self-employed people from financial support during Covid. Leaving only us – the Liberal Democrats – to stand up for them in Parliament.

    Because we prioritise growth, we have long championed the self-employed and the small business owners. For them too, it’s about government getting the incentives right. That’s why we’d abolish the unfair system of business rates and replace it with a better Commercial Landowner Levy – to increase the incentive to invest and grow. It’s why we’re opposing Labour’s misguided job tax and its unfair tax raid on family farms and other family businesses.

    It’s why I’ve proposed the idea of “Employment in a Box”, to force every Government department – especially HMRC – to come together to make the UK the easiest place in the world for a business to take on its first employees. Because we need to stop holding back small firms that want to grow, and free them – encourage them – to do so. 

    And getting the incentives right also means getting rid of the wrong incentives. So a ban on bonuses for water company CEOs who keep polluting our rivers and seas – and fines if they don’t stop – fit my vision of an incentive economy. We’ve got to stop rewarding failure.

    And, of course, we need to think totally afresh about how we incentivise more people into work. With our focus on care and carers, Liberal Democrats have argued for a special higher minimum wage for care workers – £2 an hour higher than the national minimum wage – to incentivise more people into the care sector. And for family carers – where millions have given up work to look after their loved ones, and millions more have had to reduce their hours – we have argued for an overhaul of the crazy Carer’s Allowance system. So it properly supports carers and enables them to juggle work and care – instead of penalising them for taking on more hours. Getting the incentives right.

    And that inevitably takes us to the unsustainable welfare bill – and the Government’s shambolic attempt to reform welfare. Cutting Personal Independence Payments from disabled people and their carers was indefensible and it’s right those plans were dropped. But what got lost in the Government’s desperation to make the sums add up was an important truth: we need to get more people who aren’t working into work. It’s better for their dignity. It’s better for their families. And it’s better for the economy. The problem is, the Government’s proposed solution would have made the problem worse. Taking away the very support that enables many disabled people to work at all.

    What we need to do – and what our party will always champion – is to put in place the flexibility, security and support people need in order to work. Working from home, if that’s what their condition requires. Part-time, if that’s all they can manage. Helping employers to make whatever reasonable adjustments their workers need. Again, it comes back to Liberal values. Seeing people as individuals, and treating them fairly.

    It’s what makes me so angry about the assessment process. The impenetrable forms that show no comprehension of what life is like for disabled people or their carers. The dehumanising nature of it all. Trying to turn everyone into a box to be ticked or crossed. Not an individual to be engaged with and understood. Let me give you an example. Before the pandemic, 83% of PIP assessments were done face-to-face. There were often problems with such face-to-face assessments, no doubt about it. But at least they happened. Then during lockdown, they understandably switched to being done on the phone or by video. But when the pandemic ended, Conservative Ministers chose to make that switch to phone assessments permanent. So, last year, just 5% of PIP assessments were face-to-face. I think that was a massive mistake. That Conservative policy opened the door to error, abuse and fraud. And I strongly suspect it’s one of the main reasons the welfare bill has ballooned – and why public trust in the system has been undermined. We must go back to face-to-face assessments as soon as possible – so those who need support get it, and those who don’t, don’t.

    And of course we need to invest in people’s health. Physical and mental health. To get the welfare bill down, and more people back into work. How can we rebuild the economy, when more than six million people are stuck on NHS waiting lists?  How can we grow the economy when 2.8 million people are shut out of the labour market by long-term illness? When people are waiting weeks for a GP appointment? A healthy economy needs a healthy population, and a healthy NHS. So Liberal Democrat campaigns on GPs and dentists and hospitals and social care are about giving people the healthcare they deserve, but they are also core to our economic vision too.

    And while we’re thinking about people, let me turn to the cost-of-living crisis people are facing right now, and the number one thing driving it: energy bills. With inflation rising to 3.6% last month, this needs tackling urgently. Families and pensioners are being clobbered with energy bills that are still more than £50 a month higher than they were five years ago. So many people, who were already struggling to make ends meet, having to find an extra £50 a month – just to keep the lights on, or keep their homes warm this winter.

    And businesses are suffering too. Even with the welcome extra help promised in the new Industrial Strategy, parts of British industry will continue to face some of the highest electricity prices in the OECD.

    We have to get those prices down – to boost living standards and grow our economy.

    A big part of that are the things Liberal Democrats have consistently championed… Generating far more electricity from cheap, clean, renewable sources: solar, wind, tidal, hydro-electric. Insulating people’s homes and making them more energy efficient, so they are much cheaper to heat. Things the Liberal Democrats had a great track record on in government. Things the Conservatives put into reverse after 2015. And – when it comes to home insulation especially – something I’m afraid this Labour Government simply hasn’t made enough of a priority so far.

    But there’s another part of this problem that we haven’t spoken enough about, that I want to address today. And that’s the narrative – seized upon by Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch – that says the reason energy bills are so high is that we’re investing too much in renewable power. And if we just stopped that investment – and relied more on oil and gas instead – bills would magically come down for everyone.

    The experience of record high gas prices in recent years shows that’s not true. And even when gas prices are softer, the long history of volatility in fossil fuel prices means it’s only a matter of time before high prices return. So we know that tying ourselves ever more to fossil fuels would only benefit foreign dictators like Vladimir Putin – which is probably why Farage is so keen on it.

    But I think we also have to be honest and admit that we have done a really bad job winning that argument. Those of us who understand how important renewable energy is for our economy – how only renewable energy can deliver permanently low and secure energy prices, today and in the future – have too readily dismissed the rantings of Farage. But refusing to engage hasn’t stopped his myths from spreading. From gaining traction in the new world of fake news.

    So we must change that. Starting with the kernel of truth that underpins the myth. People are currently paying too much for renewable energy. But not for the reasons Nigel Farage would have you believe.

    Because generating electricity from solar or wind is now significantly cheaper than gas – even when you factor in extra system costs for back-up power when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining. But people aren’t seeing the benefit of cheap renewable power, because wholesale electricity prices are still tied to the price of gas – Even though half of all our electricity now comes from renewables, compared to just 30% from gas. That’s because the wholesale price is set by the most expensive fuel in the mix – and in the UK, that’s almost always gas. 97% of the time in 2021, the cost of electricity was set by the price of gas.

    And what does that mean for families, pensioners and businesses? It means we’re all paying that higher gas price in our bills, even though most of the energy we’re using comes from much cheaper sources. Not only is that manifestly unfair, but it is also undermining public support for the investment we need in renewable power. When people don’t see the benefits of cheap, clean energy in their bills, we shouldn’t be surprised if they’re sceptical about building more of it.

    So we have got to break the link between gas prices and electricity costs. We have to. It’s something both the Conservative Government and now Labour have spoken about. But when it came to it, both of them put it in the “too difficult” drawer, and just left the problem to fester. So, as with social care, as with sewage, it falls to us – the Liberal Democrats – to say: it might be difficult, but we have to do it. We can’t afford not to. Not when the price is Nigel Farage.

    Now this happens to be a problem we’ve grappled with before – that I grappled with before – back when we were in government. It was part of the thinking behind the incentive mechanism we created for new renewable projects: Contracts for Difference. These contracts give energy companies the certainty they need to invest in renewables. If the wholesale price drops below the agreed strike price, the government pays them the difference.

    But crucially, they give consumers a fair deal too. If the wholesale price goes above the strike price – like they did when gas prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine – energy companies pay back the difference, taking money off household energy bills. If all renewables were on Contracts for Difference, the electricity market would be a lot fairer and people would see the benefits of cheap renewables in their bills when gas prices are high.

    The problem is, only about 15% of renewable power is generated under Contracts for Difference. The rest is still governed by the old Renewables Obligation Certificates scheme – or ROCs – introduced by the last Labour Government all the way back in 2002 – when ministers didn’t have the foresight to realise that renewable power would get so much cheaper over the next two decades. Unlike Contracts for Difference, companies with ROCs get paid the wholesale price – in other words, the price of gas – with a subsidy on top. Subsidies paid through levies on our energy bills – costing a typical household around £90 a year. It shouldn’t be this way, and it doesn’t have to be any longer. The Government should start today a rapid process of moving all those old ROC renewable projects onto new Contracts for Difference.

    It’s an idea from academics at the UK Energy Research Centre that they call “pot zero”. And in 2022 they estimated that it could save around £15 billion a year – not only encouraging the end of those Renewable Obligation Certificate levies, but in the process cutting the typical household energy bill by more than £200. So my challenge to ministers is this. If you want to bring people’s energy bills down, if you want to tackle the cost of living, if you want to build support for renewable power – stop tinkering, stop dithering, stop deliberating. Start phasing out those unfair Renewable Obligation Certificate schemes today, by offering instead new Contracts for Difference we Liberal Democrats brought in. The incentive scheme is there. We created it. Please – use it. One simple trick to save everyone at least £200 a year.

    And there are so many ways we could do more to cut electricity bills for people and businesses. One example: why aren’t we pushing much harder for more interconnectors, cables that allow us to import electricity from Europe when it’s more expensive here, and export electrons when it’s more expensive there? Of course, Brexit was bad news for this trade – for both existing interconnectors and worse news for new projects. But one potentially big benefit for the UK rejoining the EU’s internal energy market is greater cross-border trade in power, and so lower electricity bills for consumers.

    After nearly a decade of criminally negligent energy policies under the Conservatives, that pushed up everyone’s bills, I believe the right policies now could cut energy bills in half – at least – within ten years. That should be the goal. Nothing less.

    A Liberal Democrat energy policy in service of the British people. Not a Nigel Farage energy policy in service of Vladimir Putin. So just imagine what our economy could look like, in the next decade or so.

    Energy bills slashed – easing the pressures on families and businesses. People helped into work, instead of trapped on NHS waiting lists or discarded as “inactive”. Education and training to equip people with the skills for the future.

    British start-ups and scale-ups thriving with the support they need. Entrepreneurs and the self-employed recognised for the risks they take. Trade boosted, especially with our neighbours in Europe.

    The public finances, carefully managed and properly scrutinised in Parliament. And a supercomputer or two, hopefully not putting think tanks out of business!

    An economy growing strongly, where everyone feels the benefits. An economy underpinned by our proud Liberal Democrat values. Proud British values. An economy that is truly innovative, dynamic, prosperous and fair.

    That is our vision – and I can’t wait to make it happen.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and strengthen Canada’s steel industry

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Canada is one of the countries most exposed to the fundamental restructuring of the global steel industry, with substantial steel exports, high per capita use, and a disproportionately open import market. To remain competitive and grow our economy, Canada must reinforce our strength at home. Our objective is to stabilize the domestic steel market and prevent harmful trade diversion amid current tensions in global steel trade.

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced a suite of targeted measures to stand behind Canada’s steel industry, protect Canadian careers, and invest in our homegrown industrial capacity to build Canada strong. Canada’s new government will:

    1. Restrict and reduce foreign steel imports entering the Canadian market
      • As stated on June 19, 2025, Canada’s new government promised to review our tariff rate quotas for non-free trade agreement (FTA) partners in 30 days. To that end, the following changes to tariff rate quotas will take effect in the coming days.
      • First, Canada will tighten the tariff rate quota levels for steel products from non-FTA countries from 100% to 50% of 2024 volumes. Above those levels, a 50% tariff will apply.
      • Second, for non-U.S. partners with which we have an FTA, Canada will introduce a tariff rate quota level for steel products at 100% of 2024 volumes and apply a 50% tariff on steel imports above those levels.
      • Existing arrangements with our CUSMA partners will remain the same, including no changes to our current trade measures with the U.S.
      • The government is reviewing its remission framework to favour the use of Canadian steel and aluminum in Canadian-made products. Canada will reassess its existing trade arrangements with respect to steel, consistent with progress made in the bilateral discussions with the U.S. and taking into account broader steel negotiations.
      • Canada will also implement additional tariffs of 25% on steel imports from all non-U.S. countries containing steel melted and poured in China before the end of July.
      • These measures will ensure Canadian steel producers are more competitive by protecting them against trade diversion resulting from a fast-changing global environment for steel, creating more resilient supply chains, and unlocking new private capital in Canadian production.
    2. Invest in Canadian steel workers and production
      • Building on the enhancements to Employment Insurance (EI) and the EI Work-sharing, the government is investing $70 million in Labour Market Development Agreements to provide training and income supports for up to 10,000 affected steel workers. Through reskilling investments and increased worker supports, we will ensure workers have the skills and support they need to meet the future needs of the industry.
      • To strengthen and ready the workforce to build a more resilient steel industry, Canada will provide $1 billion to the Strategic Innovation Fund to help steel companies advance projects that will increase their competitiveness within the domestic market, catalyze production of steel products not currently produced in Canada, and create jobs in sectors such as defence.
      • The Business Development Bank of Canada Pivot to Grow initiative is being enhanced to provide support to eligible steel small and medium-sized enterprises facing liquidity challenges.
      • The steel industry will be prioritized with $150 million as part of the government’s Regional Tariff Response Initiative through the Regional Development Agencies.
      • Finally, the Large Enterprise Tariff Loan will be updated to expand eligibility and provide lower cost financing to firms in the steel industry. These changes will include reducing the minimum annual revenue requirement from $300 million to $150 million, reducing the minimum loan size from $60 million to $30 million, extending the loan maturity from 5 to 7 years, reducing the initial interest rate, and requiring companies to prioritize worker retention.
    3. Prioritize Canadian steel to build big projects
      • As the federal government delivers on its mandate to build major, national projects and millions more homes faster, we will ensure Canadian steel and other Canadian materials are prioritized in construction. We will also change federal procurement processes to require companies contracting with the federal government to source steel from Canadian companies.

    At this transformative moment, we are shifting from reliance to resilience – using Canadian steel to protect our sovereignty, grow our industries, export our energy, and build one strong Canadian economy. It’s time to build big, build bold, and build the strongest economy in the G7 using Canadian steel.

    Quotes

    “Our steel industry will be central to Canada’s competitiveness, our security, and our prosperity. As Canada moves from reliance to resilience, Canada’s new government is taking a series of major measures to support, reinforce, and transform the industry to be more resilient in the face of profound shifts in global trade and supply chains.”

    “Our government continues to defend Canadian workers, businesses, and investments as we navigate the new trading environment. At the same time, we are actively strengthening our domestic producers through the significant additional supports announced today, enabling them to build essential infrastructure and ensure the prosperity of workers throughout this key Canadian industry.”

    “Protecting Canada’s steel industry means defending Canadian jobs, securing our economic sovereignty, and building the future right here at home. Canada’s steelworkers are critical to building a strong Canadian economy; protecting their jobs is protecting Canada’s economic future.”

    “Steel workers and their industry are vital to Canada’s economy. Canada will support workers as their jobs are threatened by tariffs. Today’s announcement will help workers access skills training and retraining tailored to the needs of the steel sector. As we build the strongest country in the G7, the message to Canadian steel workers is clear: we are with you.”

    “Canada is building faster and stronger. By prioritizing Canadian steel and other materials in our projects, we are taking important steps to prioritize Canadian suppliers, protect well-paying jobs, strengthen our supply chain, and support our industry in the face of unjustified U.S. tariffs.”

    Associated link

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: COFACE SA: Coface launches its syndicate at Lloyd’s offering AA solutions to its clients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Coface launches its syndicate at Lloyd’s offering AA solutions to its clients

    Paris, 16 July 2025 – 17.45

    Coface announces today that it has received an “in principle approval” from Lloyd’s to establish a new short term trade credit syndicate, that will be managed by Apollo Syndicate Management (‘Apollo’).

    The syndicate (Coface Lloyd’s Syndicate, 2546), is expected to commence underwriting in 2025. Coface believes that the syndicate will be a valuable addition to the Group’s offering. It will enable Coface to provide AA- rated solutions to better serve the needs of selected segments of the market. Coface also believes that there is significant profitable growth potential for credit insurance solutions at Lloyd’s.

    Coface values the support and advice received from Gallagher Re throughout the entire process.

    Xavier Durand, Coface’s Chief Executive Officer, commented:
    The creation of syndicate 2546 represents an important step for Coface. This project reflects our determination to improve the support to our customers by offering them a broader range of solutions. We see growth potential for credit insurance at Lloyd’s. This new structure is perfectly in line with the objectives of our Power The Core strategic plan, which aims to strengthen and extend our core expertise in credit insurance. It also supports our ambition to develop a global ecosystem of reference for credit risk management.

    David Ibeson, Apollo Group CEO, said:
    We are delighted to welcome Coface as a new Apollo Platform Partner, supporting and maximising the delivery of their Lloyd’s aspirations. The combination of Coface’s market leading trade credit expertise and Apollo’s track record of building innovative new syndicates is exceptionally exciting for the Lloyd’s market.”

    About Apollo:
    Apollo is an innovation inspired insurance platform offering data-driven and creative solutions to a wide variety of risks.

    We provide high quality products and services to clients, brokers, and capital partners at Lloyd’s, enabling a resilient and sustainable world.

    We offer insurance products across Property, Casualty, Marine, Energy & Transportation, Specialty, Reinsurance, as well as Smart Follow and digital & embedded risk programmes. Our expertise and unique Apollo ecosystem give our Platform Partners the best chance of success through the Lloyd’s new entrant process to the delivery of their long-term strategy.

    We invest in true partnership and innovation driven experiences unlike anyone else.

    About Gallagher Re:
    Gallagher Re is a full-service global reinsurance broking and advisory firm operating across the risk and capital spectrum.  

    By combining analytics capabilities with reinsurance expertise, strategic advisory services and transactional excellence, we help clients drive greater value from their businesses, negotiate optimum terms and achieve their risk transfer objectives. Our global client base includes all the world’s top insurance and reinsurance carriers, as well as national catastrophe schemes in many countries around the world. 

    Backed by Gallagher, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage, risk management and benefits consulting companies, we’re more connected to the places you do business. Whether your operations are global, national or local, we have the talent, market position and trusted relationships to build the best solutions possible.

    CONTACTS

    ANALYSTS / INVESTORS
    Thomas JACQUET: +33 1 49 02 12 58 – thomas.jacquet@coface.com
    Rina ANDRIAMIADANTSOA: +33 1 49 02 15 85 – rina.andriamiadantsoa@coface.com

    MEDIA RELATIONS
    Saphia GAOUAOUI: +33 1 49 02 14 91 – saphia.gaouaoui@coface.com
    Adrien BILLET: +33 1 49 02 23 63 – adrien.billet@coface.com

    FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2025
    (subject to change)
    H1-2025 results: 31 July 2025 (after market close)
    9M-2025 results: 3 November 2025 (after market close)

    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    This press release, as well as COFACE SA’s integral regulatory information, can be found on the Group’s website: http://www.coface.com/Investors

    For regulated information on Alternative Performance Measures (APM), please refer to our Interim Financial Report for H1-2024 and our 2024 Universal Registration Document (see part 3.7 “Key financial performance indicators”).

      Regulated documents posted by COFACE SA have been secured and authenticated with the blockchain technology by Wiztrust.
    You can check the authenticity on the website www.wiztrust.com.
     

    COFACE: FOR TRADE
    As a global leading player in trade credit risk management for more than 75 years, Coface helps companies grow and navigate in an uncertain and volatile environment.
    Whatever their size, location or sector, Coface provides 100,000 clients across some 200 markets with a full range of solutions: Trade Credit Insurance, Business Information, Debt Collection, Single Risk insurance, Surety Bonds, Factoring.
    Every day, Coface leverages its unique expertise and cutting-edge technology to make trade happen, in both domestic and export markets.
    In 2024, Coface employed ~5,236 people and registered a turnover of €1.84 billion.

    www.coface.com

    COFACE SA is quoted in Compartment A of Euronext Paris
    Code ISIN: FR0010667147 / Ticker: COFA

    DISCLAIMER – Certain declarations featured in this press release may contain forecasts that notably relate to future events, trends, projects or targets. By nature, these forecasts include identified or unidentified risks and uncertainties, and may be affected by many factors likely to give rise to a significant discrepancy between the real results and those stated in these declarations. Please refer to chapter 5 “Main risk factors and their management within the Group” of the Coface Group’s 2024 Universal Registration Document filed with AMF on 3 April 2025 under the number D.25-0227 in order to obtain a description of certain major factors, risks and uncertainties likely to influence the Coface Group’s businesses. The Coface Group disclaims any intention or obligation to publish an update of these forecasts, or provide new information on future events or any other circumstance.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung EEIP Calls for Eligible ICT Enterprises to Apply for the ED Programme

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has opened its third call, inviting all suitable, black-owned ICT and Service Centre SMMEs to apply for participation in this year’s Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) for Enterprise Development (ED).
     
    Samsung’s R280-million worth EEIP, which was launched in 2019, has managed to demonstrate considerable success since its inception. In its six years of sustained success, this year represents the 3rd edition of the programme and seeks to continue making a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans. This year’s call follows two successful cycles and forms part of Samsung’s broader commitment to the ICT sector, SMME development and the government’s Vision 2030.
     

     
    Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “This programme has in the last few years seen great success and has also had a positive impact in the lives of entrepreneurs in the ICT space. As part of our transformation objectives, our EEIP programme continues to contribute to the sustainable development goals of the National Development Plan (NDP).”
     
    Importantly, through Samsung’s collaboration with the DTIC – these partners remain committed to making a positive contribution to broader economic growth and, to continue playing a significant role in both job creation as well as sustainable entrepreneurship opportunities within South Africa.
     

     
    Beukes added: “And together with the DTIC, we have in the last few years re-affirmed our commitment to ICT development and economic transformation which are aligned to South Africa’s Vision 2030. This third edition of EEIP and its success to date, is a clear indication that Samsung’s significant investment in SMME development is yielding tangible results.”
     
    This third, consecutive call to all black-owned SMEs in the ICT and Service Centre space across South Africa is a great opportunity for the country’s ICT SMMEs to grow and shape the future of their businesses through this Samsung ED Programme.
     

     
    For more information on how to respond to the call and apply, please see link: www.samsung.com/za/local-programme/ed-programme/
     

    Main Page:  Samsung EEIP | Enterprise Development | Samsung South Africa
    Application form: Samsung EEIP Application for Enterprises | Samsung South Africa

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local business sentenced after crackdown on underage knife sales

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 16th July 2025

    A Hanley store has been ordered to pay almost £18,500 after selling a knife to a person under 18.

    Stoke Discount Ltd, trading as Hanley Discount Store, was found guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre last week after a member of staff sold a knife to an underage volunteer during a council-led test purchase. No attempt was made to check the young person’s age.

    The exercise was carried out by the city council’s Trading Standards team following a previous inspection where the store had been advised on how to follow the law and prevent underage sales.

    The test purchase was carried out in support of Staffordshire Police’s Ditch the Blade campaign, which works to reduce knife crime across the city.

    The court also heard that the Stafford Street store had already been warned by Staffordshire Police to move knives into a secure display unit.

    The store was ordered to pay a total of £18,404.15, including a £12,500 fine, a £5,000 victim surcharge and £904.15 in court costs.

    Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement, and sustainability at the city council, said: “This is a very serious case and I welcome this guilty verdict. This work forms part of the council’s commitment to creating a safer city for all and we will not tolerate underage sales of knives. The message is clear – you will face serious consequences if you choose to sell products to underage residents.

    “Our Trading Standards team work hard to keep people safe and this case shows the consequences for people who fail to follow the law. We’re proud to support Ditch the Blade and will continue doing everything we can to help prevent knife crime in Stoke-on-Trent.”

    Anyone wishing to report underage sales can contact the Trading Standards Hotline 01782 238444 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Central 1 Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Central 1 Credit Union (Central 1) announced today that Emma Hider, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be leaving Central 1 in the fourth quarter of 2025.

    “After much consideration, Emma has made the decision to leave Central 1, and will remain in the role to support the transition,” said Sheila Vokey, Central 1 President & CEO. “In her time with Central 1, Emma has been a strong leader enhancing our financial and management reporting, and providing reliable financial counsel and support on several major initiatives. On behalf of Central 1, we are deeply grateful for Emma’s contributions.”

    Central 1 will immediately begin a search for a new Chief Financial Officer, while Ms. Hider continues to provide support in the role.

    About Central 1
    Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions who deliver banking choice to Canadians. With assets of $10.8 billion as of March 31, 2025, Central 1 provides services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products, and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com

    Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This press release and announcement contain historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are or may be based on assumptions, uncertainties, and management’s best estimates of future events. Central 1 has based the forward-looking statements on current plans, information, data, estimates, expectations, and projections about, among other things, results of operations, financial condition, prospects, strategies and future events, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them. These include, without limitation, statements relating to our financial and non-financial performance objectives, vision and strategic goals and priorities, including focus on capital and cost management, the economic, market and regulatory review and outlook for the Canadian economy and the provincial economies in which our member credit unions operate , the impacts of external events such as international conflicts, protests, natural disasters or pandemics, as well as statements that contain the words “may,” “will,” “intends” and “anticipates” and other similar words and expressions.

    Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Securityholders are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Certain important assumptions by Central 1 in making forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, competitive conditions, economic conditions and regulatory considerations. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and the timing of such results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include economic risks, regulatory risks (including legislative and regulatory developments), risks and uncertainty from the impact of rising or falling interest rates, international conflicts, natural disasters or pandemics, geopolitical uncertainty, information technology and cyber risks, environmental and social risk (including climate change), digital disruption and innovation, reputation risk, competitive risk, privacy, data and third-party related risks, risks related to business and operations, risks relating to the transition of clients to alternative digital banking providers, and other risks detailed from time to time in Central 1’s periodic reports filed with securities regulators. Central 1 is subject to risks associated with evolving U.S. trade and tariff policies, inflationary pressures, interest rate volatility, and potential regulatory changes under the current U.S. administration. Shifts in tariff structures or global trade conditions may adversely affect our cost structure and overall operating environment. Given these risks, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Central 1 undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

    Contacts

    Media:
    Amanda LeNeve
    AVP, Communications & Marketing
    Central 1 Credit Union
    E communications@central1.com

    Investors:
    Brent Clode
    Chief Investment Officer
    Central 1 Credit Union
    905.282.8588 or 1.800.661.6813 ext. 8588
    E bclode@central1.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 16.7.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Siili Solutions Plc       Announcement  16.7.2025
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 16.7.2025  
         
    In the Helsinki Stock Exchange    
         
    Trade date           16.7.2025  
    Bourse trade         Buy  
    Share                  SIILI  
    Amount             900 Shares
    Average price/ share    6,6811 EUR
    Total cost            6 012,99 EUR
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc now holds a total of 30 978 shares
    including the shares repurchased on 16.7.2025  
         
    The share buybacks are executed in compliance with Regulation 
    No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council (MAR) Article 5
    and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.
         
    On behalf of Siili Solutions Plc    
         
    Nordea Bank Oyj    
         
    Sami Huttunen Ilari Isomäki  
         
    Further information:    
    CFO Aleksi Kankainen    
    Email: aleksi.kankainen@siili.com    
    Tel. +358 50 584 2029    
         
    www.siili.com    
         
         
         
         
         

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 16.7.2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Siili Solutions Plc       Announcement  16.7.2025
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc: Share Repurchase 16.7.2025  
         
    In the Helsinki Stock Exchange    
         
    Trade date           16.7.2025  
    Bourse trade         Buy  
    Share                  SIILI  
    Amount             900 Shares
    Average price/ share    6,6811 EUR
    Total cost            6 012,99 EUR
         
         
    Siili Solutions Plc now holds a total of 30 978 shares
    including the shares repurchased on 16.7.2025  
         
    The share buybacks are executed in compliance with Regulation 
    No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council (MAR) Article 5
    and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052.
         
    On behalf of Siili Solutions Plc    
         
    Nordea Bank Oyj    
         
    Sami Huttunen Ilari Isomäki  
         
    Further information:    
    CFO Aleksi Kankainen    
    Email: aleksi.kankainen@siili.com    
    Tel. +358 50 584 2029    
         
    www.siili.com    
         
         
         
         
         

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Sidhu speaks with Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and Industry

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 16, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    Today, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, spoke with Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry of the Philippines.

    Minister Sidhu and Secretary Roque discussed the continued growth of the Canada-Philippines trade relationship, building on enduring people-to-people ties, as highlighted by the launch of a Vancouver-Manila Air Canada route in April 2025. They noted the importance of increasing opportunities and support to businesses and workers in the 2 countries and promoting free trade.

    The Minister and Secretary reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to accelerating the pace of negotiations for an Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Canada free trade agreement to make as much progress as possible this year. They also committed to advancing the exploratory discussions on a potential Canada-Philippines free trade agreement, with the hopes to begin negotiations soon.

    Associated links

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    The Africa Debate: Foreign Secretary speech

    The Foreign Secretary gave a speech at The Africa Debate on 2 July 2025.

    Ladies and Gentleman, Friends.

    It’s a great, great pleasure to be here today. Thank you to Sumaila and the team behind the Africa Debate, for bringing us all together.

    This week, it’s 25 years since I was first elected the Member of Parliament for Tottenham and therefore began my journey in public life. So I want to start by looking back for just a moment in time.

    I was a Member of Parliament and then a Junior Minister in the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. And they were both very, very focused on Africa and the continent of Africa.

    However, when I look back on that period, it was most definitely  principally through the lens of development and aid. This was the era of the Jubilee debt campaign. It was absolutely the era of the Millennium Development Goals. Make Poverty History was the theme of the day and the G8 Summit in Gleneagles in 2005, implementing many of the recommendations of Blair’s Commission for Africa.

    These efforts left of course a legacy. In 2000, almost two-thirds of all sub-Saharan Africans lived on under three dollars a day, by 2010, when Gordon Brown left office, the figure was under half.

    But when I became Foreign Secretary last year, I wanted to modernise our approach to Africa, modernise our approach to development.

    I of course had been travelling to the continent for many, many years, the first country I ever visited was Kenya. But I’d seen the transformation of cities and communities, all brimming with huge potential.

    And I suppose I also benefited from my own heritage in the Global South. My parents hailed from Guyana. And so I understood some of the frustrations of countries and communities when it felt like the West was ignoring people or not listening to people, not understanding what they really needed.

    I wanted to change that. And to reset relations then with the Global South, and particularly with Africa. And to implement a new approach, partnership, not paternalism.

    Genuine partnership is, by definition, between two equals each respecting the other. So in this job, I have tried to show that respect. And in the past year, I have visited eight African countries. The first Foreign Secretary to visit South Africa or Morocco since William Hague. And the first Foreign Secretary ever to visit the great country of Chad.

    And on my first visit to the continent as Foreign Secretary, I launched consultations on our new Africa Approach. A five-month listening exercise, hearing from governments, from civil society and diaspora communities, from businesses and universities, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Dakar to Djibouti, what they valued, what they wanted to see from Britain.

    We needed to listen. And I thank you all for your engagement over the course of this process and for what you told us, what we needed to hear.

    The message actually didn’t surprise me. Because what African people want from Britain is exactly what British people want from Africa. You want, we want, growth.

    And not just any form of growth, a jump in numbers on a spreadsheet for a year or two.

    But a secure, sustainable growth for everyone, high-quality jobs, affordable prices, citizens living better lives than those of their ancestors.

    You want, we want, opportunity.

    Opportunity arising from our respective strengths, like the British education system, like of course the City of London, the incredible natural assets and energised young people across Africa, and our collective commitment to multilateralism.

    And you want, and we want partnerships. Partnerships that harness our deep historic ties, and the array of personal connections that exist between us.

    But partnerships that also continue to grow and deepen, as we both invest in them. That’s just a snapshot of a detailed piece of work.

    But of course, the work can only be beginning. The real test of our Africa Approach, and this was clear in the consultation as well, is how we put it into practice.

    Because talk is cheap. It’s actions in the end that count. I am excited by the deals driving growth that we have been delivering so far.

    A new Strategic Partnership with Nigeria, a new growth plan with South Africa, a new partnership with Morocco, joint work on a new AI strategy in Ghana, and new investments in Tanzania and of course in Kenya, announced in the first East Africa Trade and Investment Forum here in London in May.

    And thanks to our Developing Countries Trading Scheme, and free trade agreements with many African countries, almost £15 billion of goods were exported from Africa to Britain tariff-free last year.

    And following the publication of the British Government’s new Trade Strategy, we will further simplify the rules of the DCTS scheme which benefits thirty-eight African countries, and review our tariffs with South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

    The Trade Strategy reinforces Britain’s belief in the power of free trade. And the largest free trade area in the world is Africa’s.

    And that’s why we back the rollout of the African Continent Free Trade Agreement, reducing barriers to intra-African trade through support in areas like digital trade and custom cooperation.

    And we will increase opportunities for British firms to play their part, just as it will increase prosperity in Africa. The British businesses and investors in this room have a big part to play. And I want our Ambassadors, our High Commissioners working closely with you, so that together, we can play a confident role in investing more, and supporting the growth of the African market.

    So, more trade, more investment, this is the best path to prosperity for all.

    And there is a role of course for development as well. But this has to be a modernised approach to development, recognising that fundamentally development is about growth, development is about jobs, development is about business.

    The modern development expert needs to have a mindset of an investor, not a donor. Looking for the best return, not offering the biggest handout.

    And it’s in that spirit that British International Investment recently signed an MoU with South Africa’s Public Investment Corporation, one of Africa’s largest asset managers.

    And this week agreed to support Wave Money Mobile, an exciting African fintech unicorn.

    And it’s also in that spirit that Britain is co-hosting the next Global Fund replenishment summit in South Africa.

    And just last week I made a £1.25 billion pledge to the recent Gavi replenishment in Brussels, the largest of any sovereign donor.

    That work will save lives – many, many millions. But it will also unlock economic value -every pound given to Gavi drives £54 in wider economic benefit.

    And, crucially, it unlocks value in Britain and Africa. Gavi works closely with cutting-edge British pharmaceutical firms like GSK. And it’s also designed the first African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator, which is using industry partnerships to deliver vaccines for Africa.

    Vaccines, and this is very important, because people talked about that during the COVID pandemic, they asked the question, why, why are we failing, the West failing to vaccinate the African continent, and that was an important question.

    But there was a second question – why has the African continent not got its own manufacturing capability, and that is what we now need to deliver in Africa.

    Working with partners like Nigeria, we are pushing for organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund to work together and reform, so that their work has national ownership at its heart.

    National ownership is similarly important when it comes to reforming wider international finance, especially for climate and nature.

    And thank you, President Ruto, for your leadership on the climate issue particularly. The theme of your conference is precisely the right framing, Africa has Natural Capital. But it cannot unlock this if we make it impossibly challenging for states to access the finance that they need.

    At the recent Development Finance Summit in Seville, we were again pushing for reforms of the multilateral development banks and the IMF. We have to mobilise private capital and use guarantees to unlock more funds.

    To empower regional development banks, like the African Development Bank, where developing countries have more of a voice. To tackle unsustainable debt. To work with the City to bring innovations like disaster risk insurance and strengthen local capital markets.

    One example of what this can mean comes from Sierra Leone, where I can announce £2 million pounds worth of British government investment to back a mangrove restoration project by West Africa Blue. The project protects over 90,000 hectares of mangrove estuaries, improving coastal and community resilience.

    But it is also demonstrating how this model can be commercially viable, unlocking future investment in similar projects in the future. And finally, alongside our work on trade, on investment and development finance, we have heard the clear message from the consultation on illicit finance as well.

    I know that this message is not new. For years, friends in Africa have been saying Britain needs to do more to tackle dirty money. Kleptocrats and money launderers rob all our citizens of wealth and security.

    And now, the Government is listening too. That’s why I’ve started imposing sanctions on crooks who siphon off public money for themselves, like Isabel dos Santos of Angola and Kamlesh Pattni’s illicit gold smuggling network.

    And that’s why I’ve also announced that London will be hosting a Countering Illicit Finance Summit, bringing together a broad range and a broad coalition from the Global North and the Global South, to drive these criminals out of our economies.

    Friends, I said the messages of our recent consultations were that Africa wanted more growth, Africa wanted more opportunities, Africa wanted more partnerships.

    In effect, Africa wants Britain to help them to have more choices. Choices over who to do business with, because it’s choices which matter in a volatile geopolitical age.

    Britain wants choices too. And I believe that, given the choice, more and more British businesses and investors will be choosing Africa in the coming years.

    But don’t take my word for it – let’s hear from an African voice. It’s my pleasure now to introduce to the stage a great partner of the UK, a global leader on climate and nature action, and our next keynote speaker, His Excellency, Dr William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: MoonBull Launches Whitelist Registration Amid Surging Meme Coin Momentum

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Whitelist Offers Early Access to $MOBU Token with Staking and Allocation Benefits

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The team behind MoonBull ($MOBU), a new Ethereum-based meme coin, has officially opened whitelist registration for early supporters, signaling the next phase in its pre-launch development. The whitelist comes with exclusive benefits, including early token access, staking incentives, and private roadmap previews, available only to selected participants ahead of the public launch.

    This announcement arrives as interest in meme coin markets continues to grow. Recent activity around trending tokens like Turbo and Cheems highlights the increasing demand for early-access crypto opportunities driven by strong community narratives and innovation.

    MoonBull’s Whitelist Now Live

    MoonBull is positioning itself within the meme coin space by offering early contributors more than just pre-sale access. Whitelist members will receive early launch notifications and access to rewards including secret staking opportunities and bonus token allocations. These benefits are not available post-launch, making the whitelist phase a critical entry point.

    Only a limited number of whitelist spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested participants can register through the official MoonBull website at https://www.moonbull.io.

    “Our goal is to reward early supporters with more than just token access,” said a spokesperson from the MoonBull team. “The whitelist is designed to align MoonBull’s launch with long-term holders and community-first values.”

    Market Context: Turbo and Cheems See Increased Trading Activity

    The MoonBull whitelist launch coincides with notable market moves in the broader meme coin segment. Turbo ($TURBO), recognized for its AI-generated origins, recently reported a 44% increase over seven days, accompanied by a 185% rise in trading volume.

    Meanwhile, Cheems ($CHEEMS), a Solana-based meme coin, has seen a 63% jump in volume over the same period. Cheems continues to expand its brand presence with projects such as Cheems NFTs and a community-led card game initiative.

    While MoonBull is still in the pre-launch phase, the momentum in the meme coin market underscores growing investor interest in narrative-driven assets and early-access participation.

    How to Register for the MoonBull Whitelist

    Traders and enthusiasts interested in the MoonBull whitelist can register by submitting their email via the official form at https://www.moonbull.io. Approved users will receive exclusive launch information ahead of public announcements.

    About MoonBull

    MoonBull ($MOBU) is an Ethereum-based meme coin inspired by “unstoppable bull” energy. Designed for community-driven growth, MoonBull is preparing to launch with a focus on early access incentives, staking rewards, and utility-driven expansion.

    For More Information:

    Website: https://www.moonbull.io/
    Telegram: https://t.me/MoonBullCoin
    Twitter: https://x.com/MoonBullX

    Contact:
    Ayra
    support@moonbull.io

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96dc40a2-0df2-4bbe-9037-746151c8d482

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b63508b2-ecee-41c1-a965-fdbb08f6d4bc

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e94a01f-febf-452b-9df1-8387edf4e347

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56fd204c-44a1-4ece-9670-af2e8ab22f66

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Signs EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement to Support Türkiye’s Private Sector

    Source: APO

    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-IDB.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has signed a EUR 15 million Master Murabaha Agreement with Ak Finansal Kiralama A.Ş. (Aklease), one of Türkiye’s leading leasing institutions and a subsidiary of AkBank.

    The two-year facility aims to expand access to Shariah-compliant trade finance solutions for Türkiye’s private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling the import and pre-export of essential goods and services. The partnership reflects ITFC’s ongoing commitment to supporting economic development across member countries.

    Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Nazeem Noordali, COO of ITFC, stated: “This agreement underscores our long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s private sector. By partnering with leading institutions such as Aklease, we are furthering ITFC’s mandate to promote trade and foster economic growth.”

    From his end, Mr. Eser Okyay, General Manager, AKLease, commented, “This partnership contributes to the development of innovative financing models in the leasing sector while also reinforcing our vision of providing resources for projects that prioritize sustainable development. This agreement, which marks ITFC’s first contract signed with ITFC in Türkiye’s leasing sector, brings a fresh perspective to the industry. We believe that this approach, which centers on sustainability, green financing, and accessibility for SMEs, offers a valuable alternative for the real sector.”

    This agreement is aligned with ITFC’s broader strategy in Türkiye, where the Corporation has committed significant resources to supporting the private sector through targeted trade finance and capacity-building initiatives.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

    Contact us:
    Tel: +966 12 646 8337
    Fax: +966 12 637 1064
    E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org

    Social media:
    Twitter: (http://apo-opa.co/3GMjN4q)
    Facebook: (http://apo-opa.co/3Uh0mno)
    LinkedIn: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (http://apo-opa.co/4lvMth5)

    About the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
    The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is the trade finance arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for these member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Export Finance makes historic first visit to Turkmenistan

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK Export Finance makes historic first visit to Turkmenistan

    UK Export Finance visited Turkmenistan for the first time last month and met with key ministries and institutions.

    Ms Clare Allbless, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Ashgabat, Ms Sebnem Alp, UKEF Country Head for Türkiye, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Ms Irem Kayhan, Deputy Head for Türkiye, Turkmenistan & Mongolia, Mr Eldar Latypov, Project Officer, British Embassy Ashgabat.

    The British Embassy in Ashgabat is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the first-ever visit to Turkmenistan by senior representatives of UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK Government’s export credit agency. From 23 to 27 June 2025, Ms Sebnem Alp, UKEF Country Head for Türkiye, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Ms Irem Kayhan, Deputy Head for Türkiye, Turkmenistan & Mongolia, held high-level meetings with key ministries and institutions across Turkmenistan.

    Productive discussions with the Ministries.

    The visit, graciously facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, included productive discussions with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Energy, Central Bank, Vnesheconombank, and other strategic agencies. These engagements explored opportunities for UKEF to support major sovereign projects across infrastructure, fertiliser, transport, agriculture, water, and green transition sectors in Turkmenistan, potentially backed by UKEF guarantee support of up to £5 billion

    Ms Clare Allbless, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Ashgabat, Ms Sebnem Alp, UKEF Country Head for Türkiye, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Ms Irem Kayhan, Deputy Head for Türkiye, Turkmenistan & Mongolia, Mr Eldar Latypov, Project Officer, British Embassy Ashgabat.

    This milestone visit marks a new chapter in UK – Turkmenistan relations and opens the door to deeper bilateral trade and investment cooperation. The British Embassy stands ready to support continued dialogue and collaboration between UKEF and the Government of Turkmenistan to deliver sustainable, high-quality development outcomes.

    Updates to this page

    Published 16 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: PredictIt Announces Regulatory Agreement Supporting Broader Public Participation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PredictIt, the nation’s premier political prediction market, announces significant updates to its platform following a new agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). These updates represent a major step forward for millions of Americans choosing to engage in the democratic process by making small-dollar forecasts on the platform.

    The updated agreement removes the 5,000-trader limit on contracts, enabling an unlimited number of participants to join. As stated in the new No-Action Letter from the CFTC, “The removal of the trader cap is intended to foster broader public participation and enhance the utility of prediction markets as tools for academic research and public insight.” Additionally, the position limit has been expanded from $850 to the federal individual campaign contribution limit, currently set at $3,500. 

    “This new cap strikes the right balance—it allows meaningful participation and more informative markets, while preventing billionaires from distorting the odds or overwhelming the collective voice of everyday Americans,” explained David Mason, PredictIt General Counsel and former Federal Election Commission Chair.

    The platform will now be governed by a non-profit entity, the Prediction Market Research Consortium, advised by academic experts from Princeton, Rutgers, and Wake Forest. This new governance structure recognizes the significant research contributions made by PredictIt and other prediction markets, further strengthening their value to the academic community. This shift reflects PredictIt’s commitment to advancing research and reinforcing its role as a valuable tool for academia, the media, and the public.

    “PredictIt’s role in contributing meaningful data to researchers and media is a vital part of understanding political behavior and voter trends,” said John Aristotle Phillips, co-creator of PredictIt.

    This victory includes the legal admission, as determined by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, that the prior chairman of the commission acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner in seeking to shut down PredictIt — and enables PredictIt to continue operating indefinitely under a transparent and fair regulatory framework.

    “We are deeply grateful to Acting Chair Caroline Pham and the commission staff for recognizing the importance of PredictIt. Their diligence ensures the orderly expansion of prediction markets, allowing more Americans to participate in informed forecasting,” added Phillips.

    PredictIt would also like to thank its dedicated community of over 400,000 users, including the thousands who sent letters of support to their representatives and regulators during the legal battle. These individuals wrote letters, signed petitions, and advocated for fair regulation. Similarly, prominent media organizations, including The New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalFinancial TimesDrudge Report, and others, continued to reference PredictIt’s unique market data, underscoring its credibility and importance.

    A special acknowledgment goes to the plaintiffs of the case Clarke v. CFTC, whose dedication was instrumental in this effort. Our gratitude extends as well to the legal and operational teams, led by Mike Edney and David Mason, for their steadfast leadership throughout this challenging time.

    A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/0c3287c6-d016-4bac-b926-3b89cec18228

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: PredictIt Announces Regulatory Agreement Supporting Broader Public Participation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PredictIt, the nation’s premier political prediction market, announces significant updates to its platform following a new agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). These updates represent a major step forward for millions of Americans choosing to engage in the democratic process by making small-dollar forecasts on the platform.

    The updated agreement removes the 5,000-trader limit on contracts, enabling an unlimited number of participants to join. As stated in the new No-Action Letter from the CFTC, “The removal of the trader cap is intended to foster broader public participation and enhance the utility of prediction markets as tools for academic research and public insight.” Additionally, the position limit has been expanded from $850 to the federal individual campaign contribution limit, currently set at $3,500. 

    “This new cap strikes the right balance—it allows meaningful participation and more informative markets, while preventing billionaires from distorting the odds or overwhelming the collective voice of everyday Americans,” explained David Mason, PredictIt General Counsel and former Federal Election Commission Chair.

    The platform will now be governed by a non-profit entity, the Prediction Market Research Consortium, advised by academic experts from Princeton, Rutgers, and Wake Forest. This new governance structure recognizes the significant research contributions made by PredictIt and other prediction markets, further strengthening their value to the academic community. This shift reflects PredictIt’s commitment to advancing research and reinforcing its role as a valuable tool for academia, the media, and the public.

    “PredictIt’s role in contributing meaningful data to researchers and media is a vital part of understanding political behavior and voter trends,” said John Aristotle Phillips, co-creator of PredictIt.

    This victory includes the legal admission, as determined by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, that the prior chairman of the commission acted in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner in seeking to shut down PredictIt — and enables PredictIt to continue operating indefinitely under a transparent and fair regulatory framework.

    “We are deeply grateful to Acting Chair Caroline Pham and the commission staff for recognizing the importance of PredictIt. Their diligence ensures the orderly expansion of prediction markets, allowing more Americans to participate in informed forecasting,” added Phillips.

    PredictIt would also like to thank its dedicated community of over 400,000 users, including the thousands who sent letters of support to their representatives and regulators during the legal battle. These individuals wrote letters, signed petitions, and advocated for fair regulation. Similarly, prominent media organizations, including The New York TimesThe Wall Street JournalFinancial TimesDrudge Report, and others, continued to reference PredictIt’s unique market data, underscoring its credibility and importance.

    A special acknowledgment goes to the plaintiffs of the case Clarke v. CFTC, whose dedication was instrumental in this effort. Our gratitude extends as well to the legal and operational teams, led by Mike Edney and David Mason, for their steadfast leadership throughout this challenging time.

    A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/0c3287c6-d016-4bac-b926-3b89cec18228

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) Assigned A+ Rating with Stable Outlook by Japan Credit Rating Agency, Strengthening Access to Asian Capital Markets

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has been assigned a long-term Issuer credit rating of A+ with a stable outlook by Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd (JCR). This rating will enable AFC to continue growing its footprint in Asian capital markets.

    “The credit rating reflects AFC’s leading role in infrastructure development in Africa, the strong support from its member states and shareholders, the benefits of Preferred Creditor Status (PCS), its conservative financial policy, and its strong capital base,” JCR  stated in its  report.“ AFC employs diverse funding channels, including Eurobond issuance in international capital markets; borrowing from MDBs such as the African Development Bank, PROPARCO, DEG/FMO, KFW group, Export-Import Bank of China, Korea Development Bank, etc.; and financing from African, Chinese, European, Indian, Japanese and Middle Eastern private financial institutions.”

    The Japan Credit Rating Agency’s A+ rating reflects AFC’s continued demonstration of solid capital adequacy, maintaining a Capital Adequacy Ratio of 33.6% and improving its Cost-to-Income Ratio to 17.3% in FYE2024. In 2024, AFC delivered remarkable financial results, posting a 22.8% increase in revenue to surpass US$1 billion for the first time, as well as a 16.7% rise in total assets to US$14.41 billion. Liquidity buffers remain well above prudential thresholds, with a liquidity coverage ratio of 194% under normal conditions and 191% on a stressed basis, underscoring AFC’s resilience.

    JCR’s rating decision supports the Corporation’s ability to secure competitive borrowing costs. This financial strength underpins AFC’s ability to deliver transformational infrastructure projects across power, natural resources, transport and logistics, heavy industry, telecommunications, and technology—driving industrialisation and job creation across the continent. A notable example is the Lobito Corridor, where AFC serves as lead developer. Positioned to become one of Africa’s most strategic economic arteries, the corridor will connect Angola’s Port of Lobito on the Atlantic coast to Zambia through modernised rail infrastructure, enhancing regional trade, unlocking mineral value chains, and catalysing cross-border economic integration.

    Other key AFC transactions include a US$150 million investment in the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex—Africa’s largest and one of the world’s most sustainable copper producers and leading the commercial financing of a €381.5 million package for the engineering, procurement, and construction of 186 bridges and critical upgrades to Angola’s road network, which will improve connectivity and boost regional trade.

    Leading Japanese financial institutions—Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation have been critical partners supporting AFC on its journey of transforming Africa, participating in multiple funding transactions including bilateral, syndicated and Samurai facilities. This partnership has extended beyond AFC’s own capital-raising efforts to broader support for African issuers. A notable example is the Arab Republic of Egypt’s inaugural Samurai Bond, where AFC acted as re-guarantor and SMBC served as guarantor, facilitating a successful JPY 75 billion private placement.

    “Amidst a challenging global macroeconomic backdrop, this endorsement by JCR affirms AFC’s financial strength and credibility, enhancing our ability to mobilise competitively priced capital for transformative infrastructure projects across Africa,” said Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member & Head, Financial Services at AFC. “It reinforces our position as a reliable institutional partner for Japan and a key driver of Africa-Japan cooperation.”

    “In the challenging business environment, with increasing geopolitical instability in some African countries, AFC’s role in advancing infrastructure development in Africa as an MDB established by African countries is becoming more important, and support from member states and shareholders is expected to strengthen,” JCR analysts said, commending the Corporation. “AFC conducts appropriate risk management in the challenging business environment in Africa, ensuring strong profitability and building a sound financial structure. AFC has established risk management policies for various risks associated with its operations, including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, assets and liabilities management (ALM) risk, and environmental/social policy risks,” they further reported.

    Some of AFC’s landmark funding initiatives include the successful issuance of its US$500 million perpetual hybrid bond, the closing of a US$400 million Shariah-compliant Commodity Murabaha, and leading Nigeria’s inaugural domestic dollar bond issuance, which raised over US$900 million, with an oversubscription rate of 180%. These transactions underscore the Corporation’s innovative approach to capital markets, diversifying funding sources and enhancing its ability to finance transformational infrastructure projects across Africa.

    For the full statement from Japan Credit Rating Agency, please click here (https://apo-opa.co/46j2eU9)

    – on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC).

    Media Enquiries:
    Yewande Thorpe
    Communications
    Africa Finance Corporation
    Mobile: +234 1 279 9654
    Email: yewande.thorpe@africafc.org

    About AFC:
    AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC’s approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa’s infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth.

    Eighteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 45 member countries and has invested over US$15 billion in 36 African countries since its inception. www.AfricaFC.org

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI: TRUMP Frenzy Live on HTX! Limited-Time Event Features 100,000 USDT Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    PANAMA CITY, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HTX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announces the launch of its TRUMP Trading Extravaganza, a comprehensive campaign designed to capitalize on the surging interest surrounding the TRUMP token. This initiative follows significant developments, including Justin Sun’s recent acquisition of $100 million in $TRUMP. As reported by CoinDesk on July 10, Justin Sun, founder of TRON DAO and Advisor to HTX, has publicly affirmed his strong belief in TRUMP’s global narrative potential and committed to driving its widespread adoption across Asian markets. This strategic push is underpinned by the TRON ecosystem’s ongoing development of a future-proof global settlement layer, which provides robust support for stablecoins and fosters on-chain liquidity for prominent assets, including TRUMP.

    Capitalizing on recent market momentum, including Bitcoin’s sustained record-breaking performance and strengthening on-chain consensus, HTX’s TRUMP Trading Extravaganza provides diverse opportunities for users to engage with and potentially profit from the burgeoning TRUMP trend. Running until July 26 at 07:00 (UTC), the event features spot and futures trading competitions, Earn products, and lucky draws. With a total prize pool of 100,000 USDT, rewards are distributed across two main activities.

    Activity 1: Join TRUMP Trading Competition to Split 40,000 USDT

    The growing trading frenzy around TRUMP has prompted HTX to launch a dedicated TRUMP trading competition. Registered participants who achieve a cumulative spot trading volume (TRUMP/USDT) ≥ 500 USDT or a cumulative futures trading volume (TRUMPUSDT) ≥ 5,000 USDT will be eligible to share a 40,000 USDT prize pool. Rewards will be distributed based on overall trading volume rankings, with the champion on the leaderboard winning an exclusive 8,000 USDT. The top 10 traders are guaranteed substantial rewards, each receiving thousands of USDT.

    To participate, users must click the “Register Now” button, as only trading data after registration will be included in the reward calculation.

    Activity 2: TRUMP Earn Offers 20% APY and 60,000 USDT Bonus

    Beyond trading, HTX provides a flexible and convenient option for users seeking stable returns. The TRUMP Flexible product allows users to earn limited-time high yields with ease.

    • Up to 20% APY within your reach.
    • Minimum subscription of just 0.1 TRUMP.
    • Flexible subscription and redemption for optimal liquidity.
    • 60,000 USDT APY bonus distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Furthermore, HTX will randomly select five lucky users to receive a 50% APY Booster Coupon for USDD, enhancing their potential returns.

    Early Participation Grants Priority Access to Wealth Opportunities

    TRUMP has rapidly emerged as one of the most talked-about crypto assets, drawing widespread global attention fueled by the compelling narrative surrounding the 2024 U.S. election. It has consistently dominated trending topics across major social media platforms, achieving a remarkable convergence of escalating market value and intense public interest. Demonstrating keen market foresight, HTX quickly responded to these trends by being among the first to list TRUMP at the start of its market surge. With renewed enthusiasm for this “political meme token,” HTX’s TRUMP event will continue to empower users with valuable wealth-creation opportunities. The synergy of political developments and market sentiment is creating an undeniable “TRUMP Storm”, which is expected to drive a vibrant new cycle for meme coins.

    Participate now, ride the wave of this exciting trend, and reap the rewards of the TRUMP Frenzy with HTX!

    About HTX

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

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

    To learn more about HTX, please visit HTX Square or https://www.htx.com/, and follow HTX on XTelegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com.

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

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

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a846c64-73cc-4aaa-b3d2-18e21f3490f2

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: YieldMax® ETFs Announces Distributions on MARO, MRNY, ULTY, NVDY, LFGY, and Others

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO and MILWAUKEE and NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — YieldMax® today announced distributions for the YieldMax®Weekly Payers and Group B ETFs listed in the table below.

    ETF Ticker1 ETF Name Distribution Frequency Distribution per Share Distribution Rate2,4 30-Day
    SEC Yield3
    ROC5 Ex-Date & Record Date Payment Date
    CHPY YieldMax® Semiconductor Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.3730 35.07% 0.04% 100.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    GPTY YieldMax® AI & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.2956 32.36% 0.00% 100.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    LFGY YieldMax® Crypto Industry & Tech Portfolio Option Income ETF Weekly $0.4799 62.40% 0.00% 90.24% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    QDTY YieldMax® Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.1906 22.29% 0.00% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    RDTY YieldMax® R2000 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.3330 38.07% 1.65% 38.62% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    SDTY YieldMax® S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call ETF Weekly $0.1481 17.13% 0.07% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    ULTY YieldMax® Ultra Option Income Strategy ETF Weekly $0.1035 85.69% 0.00% 81.67% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    YMAG YieldMax® Magnificent 7 Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.1515 51.27% 63.17% 50.61% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    YMAX YieldMax® Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs Weekly $0.1041 39.01% 82.40% 76.75% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    BABO YieldMax® BABA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3820 32.17% 3.22% 11.74% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    DIPS YieldMax® Short NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.1716 31.92% 3.59% 88.67% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    FBY YieldMax® META Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.4992 38.91% 2.87% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    GDXY YieldMax® Gold Miners Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.3321 29.03% 3.22% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    JPMO YieldMax® JPM Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.5085 38.99% 2.70% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    MARO YieldMax® MARA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $2.3718 125.17% 3.09% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    MRNY YieldMax® MRNA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $0.2004 101.03% 3.07% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    NVDY YieldMax® NVDA Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $1.0285 75.28% 2.78% 37.15% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    PLTY YieldMax® PLTR Option Income Strategy ETF Every 4
    weeks
    $2.5602 48.72% 2.99% 0.00% 7/17/25 7/18/25
    Weekly Payers & Group C ETFs scheduled for next week: CHPY GPTY LFGY QDTY RDTY SDTY ULTY YMAG YMAX ABNY AMDY CONY CVNY FIAT HOOY MSFO NFLY PYPY
     

    Standardized Performance and Fund details can be obtained by clicking the ETF Ticker in the table above or by visiting us at www.yieldmaxetfs.com

    Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted above. Performance current to the most recent month-end can be obtained by calling (866) 864-3968.

    Note: DIPS, FIAT, CRSH, YQQQ and WNTR are hereinafter referred to as the “Short ETFs.”

    Distributions are not guaranteed. The Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield are not indicative of future distributions, if any, on the ETFs. In particular, future distributions on any ETF may differ significantly from its Distribution Rate or 30-Day SEC Yield. You are not guaranteed a distribution under the ETFs. Distributions for the ETFs (if any) are variable and may vary significantly from period to period and may be zero. Accordingly, the Distribution Rate and 30-Day SEC Yield will change over time, and such change may be significant.

    Investors in the Funds will not have rights to receive dividends or other distributions with respect to the underlying reference asset(s).

    1  All YieldMax®ETFs shown in the table above (except YMAX, YMAG, FEAT, FIVY and ULTY) have a gross expense ratio of 0.99%. YMAX, FEAT have a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.99% for a gross expense ratio of 1.28%. YMAG has a management fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.83% for a gross expense ratio of 1.12%. FIVY has a Management Fee of 0.29% and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses of 0.59% for a gross expense ratio of 0.88%. “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses” are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares of other investment companies, namely other YieldMax®ETFs. ULTY has a gross expense ratio of 1.40%, and a net expense ratio after the fee waiver of 1.30%. The Advisor has agreed to a fee waiver of 0.10% through at least February 28, 2026.

    2  The Distribution Rate shown is as of close on July 15, 2025. The Distribution Rate is the annual distribution rate an investor would receive if the most recent distribution, which includes option income, remained the same going forward. The Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing an ETF’s Distribution per Share and dividing such annualized amount by the ETF’s most recent NAV. The Distribution Rate represents a single distribution from the ETF and does not represent its total return. Distributions may also include a combination of ordinary dividends, capital gain, and return of investor capital, which may decrease an ETF’s NAV and trading price over time. As a result, an investor may suffer significant losses to their investment. These Distribution Rates may be caused by unusually favorable market conditions and may not be sustainable. Such conditions may not continue to exist and there should be no expectation that this performance may be repeated in the future.

    3  The 30-Day SEC Yield represents net investment income, which excludes option income, earned by such ETF over the 30-Day period ended June 30, 2025, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on such ETF’s share price at the end of the 30-Day period.

    4  Each ETF’s strategy (except those of the Short ETFs) will cap potential gains if its reference asset’s shares increase in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset’s shares decrease in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF. Each Short ETF’s strategy will cap potential gains if its reference asset decreases in value, yet subjects an investor to all potential losses if the reference asset increases in value. Such potential losses may not be offset by income received by the ETF.

    5  ROC refers to Return of Capital. The ROC percentage indicates how much the distribution reflects an investor’s initial investment. The figures shown for each Fund in the table above are estimates and may later be determined to be taxable net investment income, short-term gains, long-term gains (to the extent permitted by law), or return of capital. Actual amounts and sources for tax reporting will depend upon the Fund’s investment activities during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. Your broker will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year to tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

    Each Fund has a limited operating history and while each Fund’s objective is to provide current income, there is no guarantee the Fund will make a distribution. Distributions are likely to vary greatly in amount.

    Important Information

    This material must be preceded or accompanied by the prospectus. For all prospectuses, click here.

    Tidal Financial Group is the adviser for all YieldMax® ETFs.

    THE FUND, TRUST, AND ADVISER ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY UNDERLYING REFERENCE ASSET.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable to all YieldMax ETFs referenced above, except the Short ETFs)

    YMAX, YMAG, FEAT and FIVY generally invest in other YieldMax® ETFs. As such, these funds are subject to the risks listed in this section, which apply to all the YieldMax® ETFs they may hold from time to time.

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Referenced Index Risk. The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Index (or the Index ETFs). This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of companies that comprised the Index or an ETF that tracks the Index, even though it does not.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way. Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the companies that comprise the Index but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Index.

    Russell 2000 Index Risks. The Index, which consists of small-cap U.S. companies, is particularly susceptible to economic changes, as these firms often have less financial resilience than larger companies. Market volatility can disproportionately affect these smaller businesses, leading to significant price swings. Additionally, these companies are often more exposed to specific industry risks and have less diverse revenue streams. They can also be more vulnerable to changes in domestic regulatory or policy environments.

    Call Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s call writing strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in the positive price returns of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold call options and over longer periods.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings. A high portfolio turnover rate increases transaction costs, which may increase the Fund’s expenses.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of call option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in increases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Call Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security (ARKK, TSLA, AAPL, NVDA, AMZN, META, GOOGL, NFLX, COIN, MSFT, DIS, XOM, JPM, AMD, PYPL, SQ, MRNA, AI, MSTR, Bitcoin ETP, GDX®, SNOW, ABNB, BABA, TSM, SMCI, PLTR, MARA, CVNA, HOOD, BRK.B, DKNG), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole.

    Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Indirect Investment Risk. The Index is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GPTY)

    Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory, and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

    Technology Sector Risk. The Fund will invest substantially in companies in the information technology sector, and therefore the performance of the Fund could be negatively impacted by events affecting this sector. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a significant effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Information technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability.

    Risk Disclosure (applicable only to MARO)

    Digital Assets Risk: The Fund does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. The Fund does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than the Fund. Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to BABO and TSMY)

    Currency Risk: Indirect exposure to foreign currencies subjects the Fund to the risk that currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates and the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad.

    Depositary Receipts Risk: The securities underlying BABO and TSMY are American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). Investment in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

    Foreign Market and Trading Risk: The trading markets for many foreign securities are not as active as U.S. markets and may have less governmental regulation and oversight.

    Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in securities of U.S. issuers, such as risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability, as well as varying regulatory requirements applicable to investments in non-U.S. issuers. There may be less information publicly available about a non-U.S. issuer than a U.S. issuer. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to different regulatory, accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to GDXY)

    Risk of Investing in Foreign Securities. The Fund is exposed indirectly to the securities of foreign issuers selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities.

    Risk of Investing in Gold and Silver Mining Companies. The Fund is exposed indirectly to gold and silver mining companies selected by GDX®’s investment adviser, which subjects the Fund to the risks associated with such companies.

    The Fund invests in options contracts based on the value of the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (GDX®), which subjects the Fund to some of the same risks as if it owned GDX®, as well as the risks associated with Canadian, Australian and Emerging Market Issuers, and Small-and Medium-Capitalization companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YBIT)

    YBIT does not invest directly in Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest directly in derivatives that track the performance of Bitcoin or any other digital assets. YBIT does not invest in or seek direct exposure to the current “spot” or cash price of Bitcoin. Investors seeking direct exposure to the price of Bitcoin should consider an investment other than YBIT.

    Bitcoin Investment Risk: The Fund’s indirect investment in Bitcoin, through holdings in one or more Underlying ETPs, exposes it to the unique risks of this emerging innovation. Bitcoin’s price is highly volatile, and its market is influenced by the changing Bitcoin network, fluctuating acceptance levels, and unpredictable usage trends.

    Digital Assets Risk: Digital assets like Bitcoin, designed as mediums of exchange, are still an emerging asset class. They operate independently of any central authority or government backing and are subject to regulatory changes and extreme price volatility. Potentially No 1940 Act Protections. As of the date of this Prospectus, there is only a single eligible Underlying ETP, and it is an investment company subject to the 1940 Act.

    Bitcoin ETP Risk: The Fund invests in options contracts that are based on the value of the Bitcoin ETP. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of the Bitcoin ETP, even though it does not. Bitcoin ETPs are subject, but not limited, to significant risk and heightened volatility. An investor in a Bitcoin ETP may lose their entire investment. Bitcoin ETPs are not suitable for all investors. In addition, not all Bitcoin ETPs are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Those Bitcoin ETPs that are not registered under such statute are therefore not subject to the same regulations as exchange traded products that are so registered.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to the Short ETFs)

    Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.

    Price Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the value of the underlying reference asset. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the underlying reference asset, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, the Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the underlying reference asset increases. If the value of the underlying reference asset increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses.

    Put Writing Strategy Risk. The path dependency (i.e., the continued use) of the Fund’s put writing (selling) strategy will impact the extent that the Fund participates in decreases in the value of the underlying reference asset and, in turn, the Fund’s returns, both during the term of the sold put options and over longer periods.

    Purchased OTM Call Options Risk. The Fund’s strategy is subject to potential losses if the underlying reference asset increases in value, which may not be offset by the purchase of out-of-the-money (OTM) call options. The Fund purchases OTM calls to seek to manage (cap) the Fund’s potential losses from the Fund’s short exposure to the underlying reference asset if it appreciates significantly in value. However, the OTM call options will cap the Fund’s losses only to the extent that the value of the underlying reference asset increases to a level that is at or above the strike level of the purchased OTM call options. Any increase in the value of the underlying reference asset to a level that is below the strike level of the purchased OTM call options will result in a corresponding loss for the Fund. For example, if the OTM call options have a strike level that is approximately 100% above the then-current value of the underlying reference asset at the time of the call option purchase, and the value of the underlying reference asset increases by at least 100% during the term of the purchased OTM call options, the Fund will lose all its value. Since the Fund bears the costs of purchasing the OTM calls, such costs will decrease the Fund’s value and/or any income otherwise generated by the Fund’s investment strategy.

    Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in options contracts. Transactions in some types of derivatives, including options, are required to be centrally cleared (“cleared derivatives”). In a transaction involving cleared derivatives, the Fund’s counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank or broker. Since the Fund is not a member of clearing houses and only members of a clearing house (“clearing members”) can participate directly in the clearing house, the Fund will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members.

    Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, imperfect correlation with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions.

    Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying reference asset, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events.

    Distribution Risk. As part of the Fund’s investment objective, the Fund seeks to provide current income. There is no assurance that the Fund will make a distribution in any given period. If the Fund does make distributions, the amounts of such distributions will likely vary greatly from one distribution to the next.

    High Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may actively and frequently trade all or a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings.

    Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund, including options contracts, may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil.

    Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund.

    New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

    Price Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will participate in decreases in value experienced by the underlying reference asset over the Put Period.

    Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, for any Fund that focuses on an individual security (e.g., TSLA, COIN, NVDA, MSTR), may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Inflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. As inflation increases, the present value of the Fund’s assets and distributions, if any, may decline.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to CHPY)

    Semiconductor Industry Risk. Semiconductor companies may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, and such competition may have an adverse effect on their profit margins. Semiconductor companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Semiconductor companies’ supply chain and operations are dependent on the availability of materials that meet exacting standards and the use of third parties to provide components and services.

    The products of semiconductor companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Capital equipment expenditures could be substantial, and equipment generally suffers from rapid obsolescence. Companies in the semiconductor industry are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights would adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

    Risk Disclosures (applicable only to YQQQ)

    Index Overview. The Nasdaq 100 Index is a benchmark index that includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, based on market capitalization.

    Index Level Appreciation Risk. As part of the Fund’s synthetic covered put strategy, the Fund purchases and sells call and put option contracts that are based on the Index level. This strategy subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it shorted the Index, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s indirect inverse exposure to changes in the Index level, the Fund is subject to the risk that the Index level increases. If the Index level increases, the Fund will likely lose value and, as a result, the Fund may suffer significant losses. The Fund may also be subject to the following risks: innovation and technological advancement; strong market presence of Index constituent companies; adaptability to global market trends; and resilience and recovery potential.

    Index Level Participation Risk. The Fund employs an investment strategy that includes the sale of put option contracts, which limits the degree to which the Fund will benefit from decreases in the Index level experienced over the Put Period. This means that if the Index level experiences a decrease in value below the strike level of the sold put options during a Put Period, the Fund will likely not experience that increase to the same extent and any Fund gains may significantly differ from the level of the Index losses over the Put Period. Additionally, because the Fund is limited in the degree to which it will participate in decreases in value experienced by the Index level over each Put Period, but has significant negative exposure to any increases in value experienced by the Index level over the Put Period, the NAV of the Fund may decrease over any given period. The Fund’s NAV is dependent on the value of each options portfolio, which is based principally upon the inverse of the performance of the Index level. The Fund’s ability to benefit from the Index level decreases will depend on prevailing market conditions, especially market volatility, at the time the Fund enters into the sold put option contracts and will vary from Put Period to Put Period. The value of the options contracts is affected by changes in the value and dividend rates of component companies that comprise the Index, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived volatility of the Index and the remaining time to the options’ expiration, as well as trading conditions in the options market. As the Index level changes and time moves towards the expiration of each Put Period, the value of the options contracts, and therefore the Fund’s NAV, will change. However, it is not expected for the Fund’s NAV to directly inversely correlate on a day-to-day basis with the returns of the Index level. The amount of time remaining until the options contract’s expiration date affects the impact that the value of the options contracts has on the Fund’s NAV, which may not be in full effect until the expiration date of the Fund’s options contracts. Therefore, while changes in the Index level will result in changes to the Fund’s NAV, the Fund generally anticipates that the rate of change in the Fund’s NAV will be different than the inverse of the changes experienced by the Index level.

    YieldMax® ETFs are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside is not affiliated with Tidal Financial Group, or YieldMax® ETFs.

    © 2025 YieldMax® ETFs

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Asante Gold Corp to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Asante Gold Corp (CSE: ASE; GSE: ASG; OTCQX: ASGOF), a Canadian gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market.

    Asante Gold Corp begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “ASGOF.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    Trading on the OTCQX Market offers companies efficient, cost-effective access to the U.S. capital markets. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

    Dave Anthony, President and CEO, stated: “We are pleased that Asante’s common shares have been approved for trading on the OTCQX Best Market. This quotation will enhance Asante’s visibility within the U.S. investment community and provide U.S. investors with the ability to trade Asante shares in US dollars. Along with the Company’s application and conditional acceptance for listing the Company’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange, the OTCQX quotation is a further step in Asante’s growth strategy increasing North America market exposure diversifying the Company’s shareholder base.”

    About Asante Gold Corp
    Asante is a gold exploration, development and operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and mines in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani and Chirano Gold Mines and continues with detailed technical studies at its Kubi Gold Project. All mines and exploration projects are located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. The Company is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and the Ghana Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghana’s Golden Triangle. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.asantegold.com.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.

    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited™ Market. Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: OTC Markets Group Welcomes Dowway Holdings Limited to OTCQX

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities, today announced Dowway Holdings Limited (HKEX: 8403; OTCQX: DOWAY), one of the leading integrated exhibition and event management service providers in the PRC, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Dowway Holdings Limited upgraded to OTCQX from the OTCQB® Venture Market.

    Dowway Holdings Limited begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “DOWAY.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.

    The OTCQX Market is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among U.S. investors.

    About Dowway Holdings Limited
    The Group is one of the leading integrated exhibition and event management service provider in the PRC. It mainly serves as a project manager for exhibitions and events and provides a comprehensive range of related services. These services include design, planning, coordination and management of exhibitions and events covering theme, stage and venue design and overall planning, feasibility studies, procurement of construction materials and equipment. The Group has strategically expanded its business scope by venturing into the e-commerce services sector. Since 2024, the Group commenced its e-commerce services in the PRC, focusing on the development of SaaS platform solutions that integrates supply chain management, risk control and customer relationship management. Currently, the Group provides SaaS platform services to a merchant in the 3C leasing industry, encompassing computers, communication devices, and consumer electronics. The Group aims to further enhance the platform to cater to chain restaurants and other merchandise trading industries.

    About OTC Markets Group Inc.
    OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our public markets: OTCQX® Best Market, OTCQB® Venture Market, OTCID™ Basic Market and Pink Limited™ Market. Our OTC Link® Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

    OTC Link ATS, OTC Link ECN, OTC Link NQB, and MOON ATS™ are each SEC regulated ATS, operated by OTC Link LLC, a FINRA and SEC registered broker-dealer, member SIPC. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

    Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

    Media Contact:
    OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

    The MIL Network

  • Facebook privacy practices the focus of $8 billion trial targeting Zuckerberg

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An $8 billion trial by Meta Platforms shareholders against Mark Zuckerberg and other current and former company leaders kicks off on Wednesday over claims that they illegally harvested the data of Facebook users in violation of a 2012 agreement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

    Jeffrey Zients, White House chief of staff under President Joe Biden and a Meta director for two years starting in May 2018, is expected to be one of the first witnesses to take the stand in the non-jury trial before Kathaleen McCormick, chief judge of the Delaware Chancery Court.

    The case will feature testimony from Zuckerberg and other billionaire defendants including former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, venture capitalist and board member Marc Andreessen, and former board members Peter Thiel, Palantir Technologies co-founder, and Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix.

    A lawyer for the defendants, who have denied the allegations, declined to comment.

    The case began in 2018, following revelations that data from millions of Facebook users was accessed by Cambridge Analytica, a now-defunct political consulting firm that worked for Donald Trump’s successful U.S. presidential campaign in 2016.

    The FTC fined Facebook $5 billion in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, saying the company had violated a 2012 agreement with the FTC to protect user data.

    Shareholders want the defendants to reimburse Meta for the FTC fine and other legal costs, which the plaintiffs estimate total more than $8 billion.

    In court filings, the defendants described the allegations as “extreme” and said the evidence at trial will show Facebook hired an outside consulting firm to ensure compliance with the FTC agreement and that Facebook was a victim of Cambridge Analytica’s deceit.

    Meta, which is not a defendant, declined to comment. On its website, the company has said it has invested billions of dollars into protecting user privacy since 2019.

    The lawsuit is considered the first of its kind to go to trial which alleges board members consciously failed to oversee their company. This is often described as the hardest claim to prove in Delaware corporate law.

    Boeing’s current and former board members settled a case with similar claims in 2021 for $237.5 million, the largest ever in an alleged breach of oversight lawsuit. The Boeing directors did not admit to wrongdoing.

    In addition to privacy claims at the heart of the Meta case, plaintiffs allege that Zuckerberg anticipated that the Cambridge Analytica scandal would send the company’s stock lower and sold his Facebook shares as a result, pocketing at least $1 billion.

    Defendants said evidence will show that Zuckerberg did not trade on inside information and that he used a stock-trading plan that removes his control over sales and is designed to guard against insider trading.

    McCormick is expected to rule on liability and damages months after the trial concludes.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ12: Registration of proprietary Chinese medicines and import and export of Chinese herbal medicines

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (July 16):

    Question:

         Regarding the registration of proprietary Chinese medicines (“pCms”) and the import and export of Chinese herbal medicines, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective quantities and total values of imported and exported Chinese herbal medicines in each of the past five years;

    (2) of the following information on the applications for registration of pCms received by the Chinese Medicines Board under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong in each of the past five years: (i) the number of applications, (ii) the number of cases in which the Certificate of registration of pCms (the Certificate) was issued, (iii) the number of cases in which the Certificate was not issued, and (iv) among such cases, the main reasons for rejecting the applications for registration;

    (3) given that the National Medical Products Administration and the Guangdong Provincial Medical Products Administration respectively promulgated the notice regarding the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong and Macao registered traditional pCms for oral use in January this year and the notice regarding the streamlining of approval procedures for Hong Kong and Macao registered traditional pCms for external use in August 2021, so as to streamline the approval procedures for Hong Kong pCms on the Mainland, whether the Government knows the following information on the applications for registration and selling of pCms on the Mainland submitted by holders of traditional pCms for oral and external use in Hong Kong through the above measures since August 2021: (i) the number of applications, (ii) the number of approved applications, and (iii) the number of types of pCms involved in the approved applications;

    (4) whether it knows the registration and selling status of Hong Kong pCms in overseas countries; and

    (5) of the measures put in place by the authorities to assist Hong Kong Chinese medicine traders in making full use of the advantages of Hong Kong’s trade, testing and certification, and registration systems, etc to actively expand their business on the Mainland and overseas, so as to promote the development of the Chinese medicine industry, thereby developing Hong Kong into a bridgehead for promoting the internationalisation of Chinese medicine?

    Reply:

    President,

         In consultation with the Census and Statistics Department and the Department of Health, the consolidated reply is provided by the Health Bureau as follows:

         According to the statistics from the Census and Statistics Department, the quantity and value of imports and total exports of Chinese herbal medicines (Chms) (Note 1) of Hong Kong during the period of 2020 to 2024 are tabulated as follows:
     

    Year Imports Total exports
    Quantity
    (kg)
    Value
    ($ million)
    Quantity
    (kg)
    Value
    ($ million)
    2020 16 815 982 2,930.6 3 681 447 733.8
    2021 17 849 891 2,745.6 3 619 227 709.0
    2022 12 878 024 2,193.1 3 531 117 785.4
    2023 12 677 674 3,287.2 6 646 149 704.4
    2024 12 182 088 3,489.8 2 959 551 692.8

         The figures indicate that the value and quantity of imports and total exports of Chms of Hong Kong have exhibited a downward trend over the past five years, with a cumulative drop of nearly 28 per cent and 20 per cent in volume of imports and total exports respectively. The Chinese medicines (CMs) industry relayed that such downward trend is mainly attributable to changes in global procurement practice of Chms, as purchasers prefer sourcing Chms directly from places of origin to ensure stable supply and reduce cost, thus affecting the volume of intermediary trade in Hong Kong. In addition, rising costs of Chms may have led to reduced local demand, thereby impacting the overall transaction quantity in the Chms market.

         Regarding registration of proprietary Chinese medicines (pCm), under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), all pCm must be registered with the Chinese Medicines Board (CMB) under the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMCHK) before they can be sold, imported or possessed in Hong Kong. For a pCm to be registered, it must fulfill the stringent safety, quality and efficacy requirements set out by CMB. According to records, during the period of 2020 to 2024, annual figures received by the CMB under the CMCHK related to pCm registration applications, and the number of cases granted or not granted for a “Certificate of Registration of a pCm” (HKC) are tabulated below:
     

      Number of cases (Year) Total
    2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
    New applications for a HKC 24 95 137 266 96 618
    Cases granted for a HKC (Note 2) (Note 3) 390 800 810 835 888 3 723
    Cases not granted for a HKC (Note 2) (Note 3) 174 234 149 131 75 763

         The main reasons for refusal of registration applications and the number of associated cases are tabulated below:
     

      Number of cases (Year) Total
    2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
    Failure to submit the required documents, information, samples, and/or other materials specified by the CMB for the evaluation of the pCm registration application; and/or failure to meet the safety, quality, and efficacy requirements for pCm registration as stipulated by CMB 103 103 75 57 19 357
    Withdrawal of application by the applicant 64 98 45 44 23 274
    Non-renewal renounce by the HKC holder, or renewal application not approved by CMB 7 33 29 30 33 132

         According to the official website of the National Medical Products Administration, as of June 30, 2025, a total of 16 Hong Kong-registered traditional pCms for external use have been approved for marketing in the Mainland through the streamlined approval procedure. Currently, no Hong Kong- and Macao- registered traditional pCms for oral use has been registered in the Mainland through the streamlined approval procedure. Regarding registration and marketing data for Hong Kong-registered pCms in overseas countries, the Department of Health does not maintain relevant records.

         The Government has all along been promoting the internationalisation of Chinese medicine (CM) and developing Hong Kong into a bridgehead for the internationalisation of CM through various initiatives. The permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) is expected to be commissioned in phases starting from the end of this year. The GCMTI will continue to promote the standardisation and internationalisation of CMs and strengthen the quality control of CMs industry on its products through technology transfer. By leveraging Hong Kong’s strong reputation in the Mainland and overseas, and by establishing the brand image and standards of CMs in Hong Kong, the GCMTI promotes internationalisation of CM.

         Regarding regulation, with the conclusion of the transitional registration system for pCm on June 30, 2025, all pCms sold in Hong Kong must hold valid formal registration (i.e. HKC). This milestone marks a new era in the regulatory regime of CM in Hong Kong, signifying that all pCms sold in Hong Kong have strictly complied with the three core registration requirements, namely safety, quality and efficacy, and fully satisfied the requirements of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance in respect of packaging and labelling. The full implementation of the pCm registration system not solely enhances the protection of public health, but also significantly strengthens international confidence in regulatory regime for CMs in Hong Kong. This would facilitate local registered pCms to go global, and consolidate the strategic position of Hong Kong as an essential hub for the internationalisation of CM.

         In addition, the Government also encourages CMs traders to make good use of the Chinese Medicine Development Fund (CMDF) and other trade supporting measures. To align with the national policy on streamlining the approval procedures for Hong Kong- and Macao- registered traditional pCms for external use, the CMDF launched the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area pCm Industry Development Support Scheme (A5 Scheme) in February 2024 to assist Hong Kong pCm manufacturers or wholesalers to explore the Mainland market. To date, a total of 12 applications have been approved. The Health Bureau will further expand the scope of the A5 Scheme in a timely manner in light of the latest policy directives of extending the scope of the streamlined approval procedures to pCms for oral use. In parallel, various platforms also provide resources and support to the industry to strengthen brand promotion and business development, including the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales (BUD Fund), the SME Export Marketing Fund, and participation in the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products, which is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the industry, with a view to expanding their markets outside Hong Kong, strengthening international exchanges, and exploring co-operative trade opportunities.

         The Government will continue to fully leverage the role of Hong Kong as a gateway connecting the world, and further strengthen the role of Hong Kong as a bridgehead for internationalisation of CM, thereby promoting the high-quality and high-standard development of CM in Hong Kong on all fronts.

    Note 1: Chms refers to dried or processed forms of herbal medicine specified in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance.

    Note 2:Including new applications for a HKC, conversion cases from a “Notice of confirmation of transitional registration of pCm” to a HKC, and renewal cases for a HKC.

    Note 3:The actual processing time for a pCm registration application is subject to the completeness of documentation submitted by the applicant, the complexity of different application categories, and the current caseload of the CMCHK Secretariat. Depending on the submission time and circumstances of each application, the processing of an application may extend beyond the calendar year of initial submission.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI: Global Net Lease Announces Release Date for Second Quarter 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Net Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GNL) (“GNL” or the “Company”) announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

    The Company will host a conference call and audio webcast on Thursday, August 7, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET, to discuss the second quarter results and provide commentary on business performance. The results will be released before the call which will be conducted by GNL’s management team. A question-and-answer session will follow the prepared remarks.

    Dial-in instructions for the conference call and the replay are outlined below. This conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed by all interested parties through the GNL website, www.globalnetlease.com, in the “Investor Relations” section. To listen to the live call, please go to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary audio software. For those who are not able to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on the GNL website.

    Conference Call Details

    Live Call
    Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-833-816-1441
    International Dial-In: 1-412-317-0533

    Conference Replay*
    Domestic Dial-In (Toll Free): 1-844-512-2921
    International Dial-In: 1-412-317-6671
    Conference Replay Number: 10201018

    *Available from 2:00 p.m. ET on August 7, 2025 through November 7, 2025.

    About Global Net Lease, Inc.

    Global Net Lease, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust listed on the NYSE, which focuses on acquiring and managing a global portfolio of income producing net lease assets across the United States, United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. Additional information about GNL can be found on its website at www.globalnetlease.com.

    Important Notice

    The statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the outcome to be materially different. The words such as “may,” “will,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential,” “predicts,” “plans,” “intends,” “would,” “could,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include the risks that any potential future acquisition or disposition by the Company is subject to market conditions, capital availability and timing considerations and may not be identified or completed on favorable terms, or at all. Some of the risks and uncertainties, although not all risks and uncertainties, that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those presented in the Company’s forward-looking statements are set forth in the “Risk Factors” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” sections in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and all of its other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as such risks, uncertainties and other important factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s subsequent reports. Further, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time, unless required by law.

    Contacts:
    Investor Relations
    Email: investorrelations@globalnetlease.com
    Phone: (332) 265-2020

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Burke introduces an amended audit exemption regime for small and micro companies

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has today announced the commencement of Section 22 of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024.

    This provides for a change to the current audit exemption regime, whereby small and micro sized companies will not, in future, automatically lose the privilege of audit exemption on a first occasion, in a five-year period, of late filing of an annual return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO).

    Minister Burke said:

    “I am pleased to sign the Commencement Order, putting in place an amended audit exemption regime for those small and micro sized companies that are late filing annual returns with the CRO. For the minority of small businesses that do not file on time, the loss of audit exemption can have a disproportionate impact due to the significant costs associated with providing two years of audited financial statements.  This new regime will ease the burden on small companies, reducing paperwork and regulatory obligations on our SME sector while bearing in mind the importance of timely filing of annual returns with the CRO”

    Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth added:

    “Timely filing of annual returns is a key aspect of company law and access to company information is important for a whole range of stakeholders. It is important to emphasise that companies will still be subject to late filing fees if annual returns are not filed on time with the CRO.  I would encourage all companies and their advisors to ensure that they are in a position to file in accordance with statutory filing deadlines.”

    Notes for Editors

    Section 22 replaces section 363 of the Companies Act 2014 (whereby a company loses its audit exemption on the first occasion of its failure to deliver an annual return) with an updated regime as follows: 

    • provides that a company that qualifies as a small company will not be entitled to an audit exemption for the following two years where it fails to deliver its annual return and has previously failed to file an annual return in any of the previous five financial years 
    • further provides that a company’s first annual return or previous failure to file an annual return before the commencement of the provision (as the company has already lost its audit exemption) shall not be considered a previous failure.

    This approach being introduced retains late filing fees in all cases but does not penalise small businesses further with the loss of audit exemption where a once-off late filing may arise in any five-year period. 

    The remaining provisions of the 2024 Act relate to a variety of administrative and filing matters relating to the CRO and will be commenced later in 2025. 

    ENDS

    For further information please contact Press Office, Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, press.office@enterprise.gov.ie or (01) 631-2200

    MIL OSI Europe News