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Category: Trade

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    External merchandise trade statistics for May 2025 
    In May 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.5% over a year earlier to $434.1 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 14.7% in April 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 18.9% over a year earlier to $461.4 billion in May 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 15.8% in April 2025. A visible trade deficit of $27.3 billion, equivalent to 5.9% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in May 2025.
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, the value of total exports of goods increased by 12.6% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 12.9%. A visible trade deficit of $124.7 billion, equivalent to 5.8% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first five months of 2025.
     
    Comparing the three-month period ending May 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 10.0%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.9%.
     
    Analysis by country/territory
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 21.8%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to most major destinations, in particular Japan (+96.2%), Malaysia (+55.3%), Taiwan (+54.8%), Vietnam (+41.2%), India (+35.1%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+17.6%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to Korea (-25.6%).
     
    Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the United Kingdom (-52.0%) and the USA (-18.4%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+67.3%), the United Kingdom (+49.2%), Taiwan (+33.5%), Malaysia (+27.7%) and the Mainland (+18.5%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+58.5%), Taiwan (+39.7%), Japan (+20.4%) and the Mainland (+17.9%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-24.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from most major suppliers, in particular Vietnam (+76.4%), the United Kingdom (+55.8%), Taiwan (+48.9%), Malaysia (+34.2%) and the Mainland (+9.4%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-19.6%).
     
    Analysis by major commodity
     
    Comparing May 2025 with May 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $27.4 billion or +15.5%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $18.9 billion or +44.9%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $40.4 billion or +23.7%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $21.7 billion or +69.4%).
     
    For the first five months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $125.1 billion or +66.1%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $103.3 billion or +12.0%).
     
    Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $122.8 billion or +14.6%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $115.9 billion or +81.5%).
     
    Commentary
     
    A Government spokesman said that the value of merchandise exports continued to show resilience, picking up strongly by 15.5% in May over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland and most other Asian markets grew visibly further. Exports to the European Union turned to moderate growth, while those to the United States fell.
     
    Looking ahead, the sustained steady growth in the Mainland economy and Hong Kong’s enhanced economic and trade ties with different markets should render support to trade performance. The Government will continue to closely monitor the external environment and stay vigilant to the elevated geopolitical tensions and uncertainties surrounding trade policies.
     
    Further information
     
    Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for May 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to May 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
     
    The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for May 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
     
    Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for May 2025.
     
    All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for May 2025 will be released in mid-July 2025.
     
    The May 2025 issue of “Hong Kong External Merchandise Trade” contains detailed analysis on the performance of Hong Kong’s external merchandise trade in May 2025 and will be available in early July 2025. Users can browse and download the report at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1020005&scode=230 
    Enquiries on merchandise trade statistics may be directed to the Trade Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2582 4691).
    Issued at HKT 16:30

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – European Parliament Press Kit for the European Council of 26 – 27 June 2025

    Source: European Parliament

    European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will represent the European Parliament at the summit, where she will address the heads of state or government at 11.00 and hold a press conference after her speech.

    When: Press conference at around 11.45 on 26 June

    Where: European Council press room and via Parliament’s webstreaming or EbS.

    At their meeting in Brussels, the heads of state or government will focus on ways to bolster EU competitiveness. They will also discuss how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression – with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, how to strengthen the EU’s defence capabilities, and the EU’s response to the escalation in the Middle East. Leaders will also discuss migration and the situation in the Western Balkans.

    Competitiveness

    In a resolution, adopted on Thursday 19 June in response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal plan, Parliament stresses the need to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness. It underscores the importance of the EU’s newly established industrial decarbonisation bank, which MEPs consider vital for scaling up investment in clean technologies. The resolution addresses the importance of regulatory simplification and the need to streamline permitting procedures to support the transition and innovation efforts of small businesses. MEPs also support the action plan for affordable energy and want measures to boost cross-border energy infrastructure and to complete the energy union.

    On 18 June, MEPs adopted a resolution highlighting the stabilising effect of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) at a time of significant economic uncertainty in Europe. They note that the RRF prevented the fragmentation of the EU internal market and promoted economic recovery in member states. MEPs are concerned that the short timeframe for the implementation of outstanding RRF funding poses challenges to the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have still to be reached. They urge the Commission to set up new programmes, which should be flexible and reactive to changing circumstances and guarantee predictability. MEPs also demand an 18-month extension for ongoing mature projects.

    In a keynote speech at the event “Europe at the crossroads” on 13 May, Parliament President Roberta Metsola outlined her vision for a smarter, stronger and safer Europe. The President argued “the time of hypothetical crossroads is over. There is only one path left: forward and together”. She called for a different Europe, which is more realistic, more self-critical and supportive of its industries, with less regulation and more innovation. On the need to cut back regulation, she said: “Europe’s simplification agenda needs to signal the start of a new Europe and with the upcoming MFF, trigger an economic boom.”

    Further reading

    Clean Industrial Deal must marry industrial competitiveness with climate action

    National recovery plans should add to EU resilience and strategic autonomy

    Metsola calls to “re-launch Europe as a global power”

    MEPs call for a more competitive EU that respects social and labour standards

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

    On 16 June, Parliament debated the human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression, the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians. You can watch the debate here. Parliament ill vote on a resolution on 9 July.

    On 17 June, MEPs agreed to update the EU-Ukraine road transport agreement and extend it until the end of 2025, to continue facilitating the movement of goods in and out of the country. Concluded in June 2022, the agreement has facilitated the transport of vital goods such as fuel and humanitarian aid into Ukraine, and enabled Ukrainian exports such as grain, ore, and steel to reach the EU and beyond. Set to expire in June 2024, its application continued provisionally pending formal backing by MEPs and the EU Council of its extension until the end of 2025.

    On 22 May, MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to reduce EU dependence on the two countries still further. Products targeted by the new tariffs include sugar, vinegar, flour and animal feed.

    In a resolution adopted on 8 May, MEPs strongly condemn Russia’s “genocidal strategy”, with the support of Belarus, designed to erase Ukrainian identity. The forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, their illegal adoption, their assassination, and the forced Russification and militarisation must stop. Russia must report the identities and whereabouts of all deported Ukrainian children and ensure their well-being and safe and unconditional return. The Russian authorities must also, MEPs say, allow international organisations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNICEF, access to all deported Ukrainian children.

    On 8 May, MEPs voted to renew the suspension of import duties and quotas for certain imports from Ukraine, such as iron and steel, due to expire on 5 June 2025.With the adoption of the Autonomous Trade Measures (ATM) Regulation, the EU liberalised trade with Ukraine by suspending trade defence measures on 4 June 2022. MEPs have now approved the proposed prolongation of these trade liberalisation measures, which focus steel, to provide Ukraine with vital export revenues

    On 7 May, Parliament discussed with Commission President von der Leyen and Polish Minister for EU Affairs Szłapka how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focussed on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law.

    Further reading

    European Parliament backs extension of EU-Ukraine road transport agreement

    Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods

    Parliament backs extension of trade liberalisation measure for Ukrainian imports

    The EU must contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine

    Joint statement on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

    EP Conference of Presidents’ statement on EU support for Ukraine

    How the EU is supporting Ukraine

    EU stands with Ukraine


    European defence and security

    On 18 June, MEPs outlined their expectations for the 24 – 26 June NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in a debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

    On 24 April, the Committees on Industry, Research and Energy and Security and Defence have adopted their position on the proposed creation of a European defence industry programme (EDIP), designed to strengthen Europe’s defence industry, ramp up defence product manufacturing and provide more support for Ukraine. More specifically, MEPs backed measures to boost Europe’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), to strengthen EU defence and integrate the EU defence industry. They want the new programme to focus on improving the supply of weapons, ammunition and other crisis-relevant products, boosting manufacturing capacities and ensuring their ramp-up, reducing lead times for production and delivery, and increasing stockpiles. MEPs and Council are now negotiating the final shape of the law.

    In a resolution adopted on 12 March, Parliament calls on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security. This will mean, MEPs say, strengthening relationships with like-minded partners, and strongly diminishing reliance on non-EU countries. The EU needs “truly ground-breaking efforts” and actions “close to those of wartime”, say MEPs, who welcomed the recently tabled ReArm plan. To achieve peace and stability in Europe, the EU must support Ukraine and become more resilient itself, MEPs argue. The resolution says “Europe is today facing the most profound military threat to its territorial integrity since the end of the Cold War”. It calls on member states, international partners, and NATO allies to lift all restrictions on the use of Western weapons systems delivered to Ukraine against military targets on Russian territory.

    Further reading

    MEPs push for a more ambitious European defence industry programme

    MEPs urge the EU to ensure its own security

    “We cannot afford to depend on others to keep us safe”, Metsola tells EU leaders

    “Europe must be responsible for its own security”, Metsola tells EU leaders

    MEPs call on Europe to strengthen its defence capacity

    Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”


    Middle East

    On 17 June, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas debated the situation in the Middle East. The debate focussed on the risk of further instability in the Middle East following the Israel-Iran military escalation, the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

    On 17 June, the King of Jordan, His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, addressed MEPs at a formal sitting in Strasbourg. Welcoming King Abdullah II of Jordan to the hemicycle, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “The European Parliament appreciates Jordan’s critical efforts in reducing regional tensions, in pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the return of hostages whilst also facilitating so much urgently needed humanitarian aid, as well as for the unwavering support for Palestinian and Syrian refugees and a two-State solution as a path to lasting peace.”

    The King outlined two essential areas for action: first, supporting development, because a thriving Middle East creates opportunities that benefit us all; and second, strong, coordinated action to ensure global security. “Our mutual security won’t be assured until our global community acts, not only to end the three-year war in Ukraine, but also the world’s longest and most destructive flashpoint, the eight-decade-long Palestinian-Israeli conflict.” King Abdullah II added: “Palestinians, like all people, deserve the rights to freedom, sovereignty, and, yes, statehood (…) The path to peace has been walked before. It can be again, if we have the courage to choose it, and the will to walk it together.”

    On 21 May, Parliament discussed the EU’s response to the Israeli government’s plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages.

    Further reading

    King Abdullah II of Jordan: “A shameful version of humanity is unfolding in Gaza”

    The EU must support the political transition and reconstruction of Syria


    Western Balkans

    In a vote on 24 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee backed North Macedonia’s EU path and called for bold reforms. Skopje must introduce constitutional changes, strengthen rule of law and fight corruption, MEPs say. The report underlines that EU accession is ultimately a matter of political will—both in enacting reforms and adopting constitutional amendments. MEPs call on all political parties in North Macedonia to engage in constructive dialogue to reach the required consensus, which would strengthen the country’s multi-ethnic character and accelerate EU progress.

    In two reports adopted on 18 June, MEPs welcomed Montenegro´s objective to join the EU in 2028 and praised Moldova’s EU membership efforts. Parliament is calling for political stability in Montenegro and substantial progress regarding electoral and judicial reforms as well as the fight against organised crime and corruption. MEPs stress that Montenegro remains the leading candidate in the EU enlargement process and point to the overwhelming support of its citizens and the majority of political actors for joining the EU in 2028. Parliament welcomes the country’s full alignment with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including EU sanctions against Russia, and commends Montenegro for its support for the international rules-based order at the United Nations.

    Praising Moldova’s exemplary commitment to advancing its progress towards EU membership, Parliament recognises that EU-Moldova relations have entered a new phase. Cooperation has intensified alongside sustained efforts by the government in Chișinău to align Moldova’s laws with those of the EU (the so-called “EU acquis”). Despite significant internal and external challenges, such as the effects of Russia’s continuing war against neighbouring Ukraine and Moscow’s interference in Moldova’s democratic processes, MEPs are encouraged by the Moldovan government’s progress on meeting the EU’s enlargement requirements and the country’s ambition to open negotiations on more enlargement-related issues.

    In a report adopted on 4 June, the Foreign Affairs Committee has praised Albania’s steadfast commitment to EU accession. MEPs highlight Albania’s broad political consensus and strong public support for joining the EU, alongside full alignment with the EU’s foreign and security policy. While welcoming Albania’s aim to complete accession talks by 2027 and the progress already made, MEPs stress the urgent need to intensify reforms. Key priorities include strengthening judicial independence, combating corruption and organised crime, and protecting fundamental rights. Enhancing media pluralism and transparency remains crucial to building public trust. Plenary will vote on the report on 9 July.

    The Foreign Affairs Committee called urgently for reform and unity in Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance EU accession and tackle corruption and division, in a report adopted on 4 June. MEPs reaffirm their strong support for BiH’s EU accession bid, emphasising a merit-based process aligned with the Copenhagen criteria and grounded in the country’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and in equality among all citizens. Welcoming the European Council’s decision to open accession negotiations with BiH amid the changing geopolitical landscape following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the committee acknowledged key reforms but expressed concern over stalled progress and weak implementation. The vote in plenary is scheduled for 9 July.

    On 7 May, Parliament adopted two resolutions, saying Kosovo needs to accelerate its EU-related reforms and that Serbia must do more to protect the rule of law and media freedom and to fight corruption.

    Kosovo has made notable strides in its electoral reforms, economic resilience, and the protection of fundamental rights, say MEPs. However, challenges remain regarding judicial reforms, media freedom, public administration efficiency, and the digitalisation of public services. Continued commitment to comprehensive reforms and inclusive governance is essential for Kosovo to make progress on its European integration pathway, they stress.

    Despite some progress in negotiations, Serbia still has major hurdles to overcome, according to MEPs. Belgrade needs to improve its internal political dialogue, protect the rule of law, and make anti-corruption reforms. It also has to work on reaching a comprehensive normalisation agreement with Kosovo, and fully align with EU foreign policy. Parliament calls on Serbia’s authorities to ensure the independence of key institutions, including media regulators such as the country’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media.

    Further reading

    European Parliament backs North Macedonia’s EU path, calls for bold reforms

    Montenegro and Moldova: MEPs applaud EU membership progress

    MEPs call on Albania to accelerate reforms and strengthen democratic institutions

    Support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU accession amid urgent calls for reform

    Parliament encourages Kosovo and Serbia to advance their EU accession reforms


    Migration

    On 18 June, Civil Liberties Committee MEPs backed proposals to give Europol and EU authorities more tools to fight migrant-smuggling and human trafficking. The proposed law would give the EU’s police agency Europol new tools to combat and investigate migrant-smuggling and human trafficking by coordinating the actions of EU national authorities. A European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) would be formally established within Europol to support cross-border investigations. . Parliament and Council are now negotiating on the final shape of the law.

    On 19 May, Parliament and Council reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Once operational, the system will register the data, including biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, of third‑country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area on short‑stay visas. The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues. The idea behind the gradual implementation over 180 days is to prevent a simultaneous launch in all countries from compromising the system. During the roll-out period, the launch could be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues. The vote in plenary will take place on 8 July.

    On 15 January, the Working Group on Asylum-Implementation of the Pact/CEAS (Common European Asylum System), formed by MEPs of all EP political groups, started to monitor the implementation of the EU Pact on Asylum and Migration. Chaired by Birgit Sippel (S&D, Germany), the Working Group will focus on scrutinising and monitoring the Common European Asylum System and the implementation of the Pact on Asylum and Migration.

    Further reading

    Migrant-smuggling: new resources and a stronger role for Europol

    Border security: agreement on gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

    MEPs kick off scrutiny work of the Asylum and Migration Pact

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Wu and Mrs. Wu Attended the Inauguration of the 20th Board of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Wu and Mrs. Wu were honored to attend the inauguration of the 20th Board of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia. On behalf of OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-ching, DG Wu presented a congratulatory letter to Peter Huang, newly elected President of TCCA, and a certificate of appreciation to outgoing President Michael Wu for his outstanding leadership and innovation.
    Nearly 200 distinguished guests gathered to celebrate TCCA’s achievements and future, including NSW Shadow Assistant Minister for the Arts, Innovation, Digital Government and the 24-Hour Economy Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC, Hon. Rachel Merton MLC, Monica Tudehope MP, Mayor of Ryde Trenton Brown, Brisbane City Councillor James Huang, Ku-ring-gai Councillor Barbara Ward, Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce in Oceania President Frank Chang, as well as leaders from the broad overseas Taiwanese community.
    Director General Wu praised President Michael Wu for his leadership in driving innovation within TCCA, and expressed confidence that incoming President Peter Huang will further strengthen cross-community ties, promote Taiwanese culture, and lead the chamber to new milestones.
    DG Wu also conveyed ROC (Taiwan) President Lai Ching-te’s warm regards and appreciation to the Taiwanese community in Sydney. He reaffirmed the government’s continued support for overseas Taiwanese businesses, noting that in Taiwan’s pursuit of an FTA with Australia and its accession to the CPTPP, TCCA can play a meaningful role in advancing these efforts, which aim to deliver broader economic and strategic benefits to all member economies.
    A highlight of the ceremony was a lively animation co-produced by TCCA and TECO Sydney, explaining Taiwan’s CPTPP bid and calling for support from Australia and other member economies. We were also glad to see community leaders from New Zealand, Thailand, Queensland, and Western Australia—showing the strong cross-regional ties of the global Taiwanese community.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Golar LNG Limited Announces Pricing of $500 Million of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2030 and repurchase of 2.5 million common shares

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Hamilton, Bermuda, June 26, 2025 – Golar LNG Limited (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: GLNG) announces today the pricing of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Company has also granted the initial purchasers of the Notes a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $75 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes in connection with the offering. The offering is expected to close on June 30, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

    The Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of the Company, bear interest at a rate of 2.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2025, mature on December 15, 2030, and be convertible into the Company’s common shares, cash, or a combination of shares and cash, at the Company’s election. The conversion rate for the Notes will initially equal 17.3834 common shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $57.53 per common share, representing an initial conversion premium of approximately 40% over the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common shares of $41.09 on June 25, 2025 and is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

    The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after December 20, 2028 if the last reported sale price of our common shares has been at least 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during any 30 consecutive trading day period (including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including, the trading day immediately preceding the date on which we provide notice of redemption at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.

    If we undergo a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the Notes), holders may require us to purchase the Notes in whole or in part for cash at a fundamental change purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the fundamental change purchase date.

    The Company will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes (including any notes sold pursuant to the initial purchasers’ option to purchase addition Notes, if exercised) to repurchase 2.5 million of the Company’s common shares in connection with the offering of the Notes and for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, future growth investments including a contemplated fourth FLNG unit, MKII FLNG conversion costs, FLNG Hilli redeployment costs, repaying indebtedness, and funding working capital and capital expenditures.

    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes, nor shall there be any sale of the Notes in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offer of the Notes will be made only by means of a private offering memorandum.

    The Notes and the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

    This announcement contains information about a pending transaction and there can be no assurance that this transaction will be completed.

    FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which reflect management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that address activities and events that will, should, could or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Words such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “subject to” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements and include statements related to the proposed offering of the Notes, the terms and conditions, the intended use of proceeds and other non-historical matters.

    These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict and which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks include risks relating to the actual use of proceeds and other risks described in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC.  You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Golar LNG Limited undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law.

    Hamilton, Bermuda
    June 26, 2025

    Investor Questions: +44 207 063 7900
     Karl Fredrik Staubo – CEO
    Eduardo Maranhão – CFO
    Stuart Buchanan – Head of Investor Relations

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

    This announcement is not being made in and copies of it may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which the publication, distribution or release would be unlawful.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: There’s gold trapped in your iPhone – and chemists have found a safe new way to extract it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justin M. Chalker, Professor of Chemistry, Flinders University

    A sample of refined gold recovered from mining and e-waste recycling trials. Justin Chalker

    In 2022, humans produced an estimated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste – enough to fill more than 1.5 million garbage trucks. This was up 82% from 2010 and is expected to rise to 82 million tonnes in 2030.

    This e-waste includes old laptops and phones, which contain precious materials such as gold. Less than one quarter of it is properly collected and recycled. But a new technique colleagues and I have developed to safely and sustainably extract gold from e-waste could help change that.

    Our new gold-extraction technique, which we describe in a new paper published today in Nature Sustainability, could also make small-scale gold mining less poisonous for people – and the planet.

    Soaring global demand

    Gold has long played a crucial role in human life. It has been a form of currency and a medium for art and fashion for centuries. Gold is also essential in modern industries including the electronics, chemical manufacture and aerospace sectors.

    But while global demand for this precious metal is soaring, mining it is harmful to the environment.

    Deforestation and use of toxic chemicals are two such problems. In formal, large-scale mining, highly toxic cyanide is widely used to extract gold from ore. While cyanide can be degraded, its use can cause harm to wildlife, and tailings dams which store the toxic byproducts of mining operations pose a risk to the wider environment.

    In small-scale and artisanal mining, mercury is used extensively to extract gold. In this practice, the gold reacts with mercury to form a dense amalgam that can be easily isolated. The gold is then recovered by heating the amalgam to vaporise the mercury.

    Small-scale and artisanal mining is the largest source of mercury pollution on Earth, and the mercury emissions are dangerous to the miners and pollute the environment. New methods are required to reduce the impacts of gold mining.

    In 2022, humans produced an estimated 62 million tonnes of electronic waste.
    DAMRONG RATTANAPONG/Shutterstock

    A safer alternative

    Our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers has developed a new technique to extract gold from ore and e-waste. The aim was to provide a safer alternative to mercury and cyanide and reduce the health and environmental impacts of gold mining.

    Many techniques have previously been reported for extracting gold from ore or e-waste, including mercury- and cyanide-free methods. However, many of these methods are limited in rate, yield, scale and cost. Often these methods also consider only one step in the entire gold recovery process, and recycling and waste management is often neglected.

    In contrast, our approach considered sustainability throughout the whole process of gold extraction, recovery and refining. Our new leaching technology uses a chemical commonly used in water sanitation and pool chlorination: trichloroisocyanuric acid.

    When this widely available and low-cost chemical is activated with salt water, it can react with gold and convert it into a water-soluble form.

    To recover the gold from the solution, we invented a sulphur-rich polymer sorbent. Polymer sorbents isolate a certain substance from a liquid or gas, and ours is made by joining a key building block (a monomer) together through a chain reaction.

    Our polymer sorbent is interesting because it is derived from elemental sulphur: a low-cost and highly abundant feedstock. The petroleum sector generates more sulphur than it can use or sell, so our polymer synthesis is a new use for this underused resource.

    Our polymer could selectively bind and remove gold from the solution, even when many other types of metals were present in the mixture.

    The simple leaching and recovery methods were demonstrated on ore, circuit boards from obsolete computers and scientific waste. Importantly, we also developed methods to regenerate and recycle both the leaching chemical and the polymer sorbent. We also established methods to purify and recycle the water used in the process.

    In developing the recyclable polymer sorbent, we invented some exciting new chemistry to make the polymer using light, and then “un-make” the sorbent after it bound gold. This recycling method converted the polymer back to its original monomer building block and separated it from the gold.

    The recovered monomer could then be re-made into the gold-binding polymer: an important demonstration of how the process is aligned with a circular economy.

    A long and complex road ahead

    In future work, we plan to collaborate with industry, government and not-for-profit groups to test our method in small-scale mining operations. Our long-term aim is to provide a robust and safe method for extracting gold, eliminating the need for highly toxic chemicals such as cyanide and mercury.

    There will be many challenges to overcome including scaling up the production of the polymer sorbent and the chemical recycling processes. For uptake, we also need to ensure that the rate, yield and cost are competitive with more traditional methods of gold mining. Our preliminary results are encouraging. But there is still a long and complex road ahead before our new techniques replace cyanide and mercury.

    Our broader motivation is to support the livelihood of the millions of artisanal and small-scale miners that rely on mercury to recover gold.

    They typically operate in remote and rural regions with few other economic opportunities. Our goal is to support these miners economically while offering safer alternatives to mercury. Likewise, the rise of “urban mining” and e-waste recycling would benefit from safer and operationally simple methods for precious metal recovery.

    Success in recovering gold from e-waste will also reduce the need for primary mining and therefore lessen its environmental impact.

    Justin M. Chalker is an inventor on patents associated with the gold leaching and recovery technology. Both patents are wholly owned by Flinders University. This research was supported financially by the Australian Research Council and Flinders University. He has an ongoing collaboration with Mercury Free Mining and Adelaide Control Engineering: organisations that supported the developments and trials reported in this study.

    – ref. There’s gold trapped in your iPhone – and chemists have found a safe new way to extract it – https://theconversation.com/theres-gold-trapped-in-your-iphone-and-chemists-have-found-a-safe-new-way-to-extract-it-259817

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Successful Familiarisation Visit at Dan Winter’s Cottage

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Lord Mayor Alderman Stephen Moutray pictured with Colin, Cristine, and their son Robert Winter, Joanne McElmeel, Trade Liaison Officer at ABC Council, alongside representatives from 22 local tourism providers during a successful familiarisation visit to Dan Winter’s Cottage.

    Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council welcomed 22 local tourism providers to Dan Winter’s Cottage, Loughgall as part of its ongoing Familiarisation Visits programme. The tour was titled ‘Mud walls of Memories’ was led by Colin and Christine from Dan Winters Cottage.

    The visit was an opportunity for providers to build confidence in recommending local experiences to their guests, while also encouraging collaboration and connection across the tourism and hospitality sectors. By fostering these relationships, the Council aims to create a more cohesive and compelling destination, driving increased visitor spend, longer stays, and repeat visits to our borough.

    Speaking about the event, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Alderman Stephen Moutray said:

    “It’s inspiring to see so many passionate providers come together to celebrate and support our local tourism offering. Initiatives like this not only showcase the best of our Borough but also build the partnerships that are vital for long-term success. Together, we are shaping a destination that visitors will want to return to time and time again.”

    Colin Winter, Dan Winter’s Cottage welcomed guests:

    “We’re delighted to offer visitors a truly immersive experience that brings our local history to life. With ‘Mud Walls of Memories’, we’re offering more than just a tour—we’re inviting people to step into the past and connect with the stories that shaped Dan Winter’s Cottage. We’re proud to bring its history to life in a way that’s meaningful and memorable.”

    The council is committed to driving tourism for the borough by providing memorable and unique visitor experiences. It is through these initiatives that the council continues to showcase its rich heritage and stories, celebrating local landmarks, historic buildings, and immersive tours — delivering cultural experiences to domestic, national, and international audiences.

    The council provides ongoing support to local tourism and hospitality providers through the Tourism, Arts and Culture Department. For more information and advice contact:

    *protected email*

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Afreximbank Launches 2025 Report on African Trade in a Shifting Global Financial Landscape

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) today launched its flagship African Trade Report 2025, themed “African Trade in a Changing Global Financial Architecture”, during the Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2025) in Abuja.

    Download Document: https://apo-opa.co/3FY7kKJ

    The report looks at the performance of Africa’s trade in a challenging global environment charaterised by rising geopolitical tensions, new trade barriers, and financial uncertainty—and analyses how the continent could leverage these challenges into opportunities to enhance its resilience and navigate the evolving landscape.

    Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said: “This year’s report provides a compelling roadmap for Africa to reposition itself in a volatile global economy. From strengthening trade finance systems to accelerating the AfCFTA, the message is clear: Africa must turn global fragmentation into an opportunity for industrialisation, digital progress, and greater control over its financial systems.”

    Dr. Yemi Kale, Afreximbank’s Group Chief Economist and Managing Director of Research, added: “Despite global headwinds, Africa’s trade rebounded strongly in 2024, with trade between African countries growing by 12.4% to reach US$220.3 billion, from a contraction of 5.9% in 2023. This shows the tangible benefits of AfCFTA implementation, even as the continent contends with rising inflation, sovereign debt risks, and a persistent trade finance gap.”

    The report shows that Africa’s total merchandise trade recovered, surging by 13.9% in 2024, to US$1.5 trillion, following a 5.4% contraction in 2023. However, Africa still makes up only 3.3% of global exports. That’s a clear signal. The continent must do more by moving away from commodity exports and accelerating its industrialisation process if it is to enhance its integration into global value chains and boost intra-African trade. It also needs better access to trade finance to bridge the gap estimated at about US$100 billion.

    While the global economy slowed to 3.3% growth in 2024 and is expected to dip further in 2025, Africa held steady. The continent’s economy grew by 3.2%, helped by strong commodity prices and better public finances. Still, growth remains uneven across the continent.

    Afreximbank’s African Trade Report 2025 emphasises the importance of advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is becoming a foundation for trade resilience across the region. It also highlights the expanding use of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), which is helping to reduce reliance on foreign currencies and making cross-border trade more efficient.

    In addition, the report offers practical guidance on making trade rules and regulations more consistent across countries, unlocking investment from African institutions like pension funds and sovereign funds, and using Africa’s new seat in the G20 to push for overdue global reforms. This includes ensuring a fairer share of global financial resources, such as Special Drawing Rights, an international reserve currency created by the IMF and increasing access to climate finance. It also calls for changes in credit ratings to better reflect the strength and potential of African economies.

    The report highlights the growing significance of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), as it is increasing funding for development and helping to rebuild a financial ecosystem that works better for Africans. In 2024, Afreximbank alone disbursed more than US$17.5 billion in trade finance. It plans to increase that amount to US$40 billion by 2026.

    As Africa faces a rapidly changing global environment, the report offers more than just analysis. It provides a clear and practical plan for building a stronger, fairer, and more resilient African economy, driven from within the continent.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

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    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Oando Posts 172% Growth in Gross Profit in Q1 2025 Financial Report as Crude Oil Production Increases 132%


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    Oando (www.OandoPLC.com), one of Africa’s leading indigenous energy solutions providers, has ended the first quarter of the year on a high with the publication of ₦933 billion revenue in its Q1 2025 unaudited results. This performance comes in the wake of its recent release of its 2024 FY Audited Financial Statement, where it reported a 44% year-on-year revenue increase to ₦4.1 trillion compared to ₦2.9 trillion in FY 2023 and a 267% increase in Profit-After-Tax to ₦220 billion.

    Oando, like a few indigenous oil and gas companies in Nigeria, who keyed into the International Oil Companies (IOCs) divestment of onshore assets, has begun reaping the gains of its acquisition of Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from Italian oil giant, Eni.

    An analysis of Oando’s financials shows that the company’s turnover grew by 2% year-on-year to ₦933 billion in Q1 2025 compared to ₦915 billion in Q1 2024. Additionally, the company posted a 172% increase of ₦85 billion in Gross Profit in Q1 2025 compared to ₦31 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting stronger E & P margins. In its upstream business, crude oil production rose 132% to 11,369 bopd, gas volumes grew by 56% to 25,185 boepd, and NGL production increased 30% to 1,040 bpd. The company recorded zero lost-time injuries (LTIs) and 12.3 million LTI-free hours, underscoring continued HSE excellence. In addition, the company achieved average daily production of 37,595 boepd (within guidance), up 72% year-on-year, driven by the full consolidation of NAOC assets and well reactivations. The company was awarded operatorship of Block KON 13 in Angola, marking its strategic entry into the Kwanza Basin, Angola and expanding Oando’s African upstream footprint.

    Speaking on the Q1, 2025 financial results, Wale Tinubu CON, Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC remarks  “Q1 2025 marked a strong start to the year for us, with a 72% year-on-year increase in production volumes as a result of the successful integration of the NAOC assets into our portfolio, improved asset reliability and the reactivation of shut-in wells, reflecting early wins from our focus on operational efficiency and disciplined execution.

    Beyond Nigeria, we have expanded our regional presence with our entry into Angola’s Kwanza Basin marking a major milestone in scaling our upstream footprint across Africa. Similarly, being named preferred bidder for the Guaracara Refinery in Trinidad and Tobago demonstrates the strength of our integrated business model, our growing role in the Afro-Caribbean landscape, and a reflection of our evolution into a more geographically diversified energy company.”

    There is evidence of a trend in the upward financial trajectory in the industry, as Seplat recorded revenues of N1.228 trillion, a 350% increase. Similarly, Aradel reported revenues of ₦199.9 billion, up 97.6%, and Profit after Tax of ₦34.2 billion, up 55.3%.

    In its downstream trading business, Oando Trading reported six (6) crude oil cargos (5.96 MMbbl) traded in Q1 2025, up from four (4) cargos (4.86 MMbbl) in Q1 2024, driven by stronger offtake execution.

    In its renewable energy business, Oando Clean Energy (OCEL) recorded 53,941 EV rides in Q1 2025 and 42,779 kg of CO₂ emissions averted through two (2) operational e-buses under the electric mobility programme operating in Lagos.  It also successfully published Nigeria’s National Wind Resource Capacity Report, identifying state-level wind potential across the country.

    Speaking on the outlook for 2025, Wale Tinubu CON, commented “Following a transformative 2024, our priority is to maximize the value of our expanded upstream portfolio through targeted infrastructure upgrades, rig-less well interventions and an extensive drilling programme in the second half of the year. These activities are now enabled by the working capital we have secured, giving us financial flexibility to accelerate execution. We are also taking decisive action to restructure our balance sheet towards restoring financial resilience.”

    Oando is targeting a full-year production of 30–40 kboepd maintained, driven by a balanced capital programme of three (3) new wells, nine (9) workovers, and six (6) rig-less interventions. The company is also projecting capex of $250–270 million focused on drilling, infrastructure, and ESG projects, with a 20% cost reduction goal. The company has set a trading guidance for its Trading subsidiary of 25 – 35 MMbbl crude oil; 750,000 – 1,000,000 MT refined products. For its renewable energy arm, Oando targets the deployment of 50 electric buses and progress its solar PV module assembly plant toward Final Investment Decision (FID).

    These plans are strengthened by the company’s recent announcement of the successful upsizing of its reserve-based lending (“RBL2”) facility to $375 million. This critical financing will significantly improve the Company’s ability to achieve its production target of 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and 1.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas per day by the end of 2029.

    These Q1 2025 results reinforce the growing momentum among indigenous operators in Nigeria’s upstream sector, who are beginning to demonstrate operational efficiency and financial resilience following recent asset acquisitions. With a 2% rise in revenue, a remarkable 172% surge in gross profit to ₦85 billion, and a 72% increase in average daily production, all within guidance, Oando’s performance signals not just the viability of the transition from IOC to indigenous ownership, but also the increasing capacity of local players to deliver value and drive long-term growth in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Oando PLC.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Synergy of Practice and Science: IPMET at the Main Economic Forum of the Country

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Teachers, scientists, postgraduates and students of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade took an active part in the work of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Polytechnic representatives conducted professional examinations, spoke at panel sessions, attended open lectures, master classes and platforms of industrial partners.

    IPMEiT employees worked as accredited experts of the Roscongress Foundation. Dmitry Rodionov, Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, acted as an expert in two sections that were in the sphere of professional and scientific interests of VIES: “Development of Russian Regions: Partnership between the State and Business to Achieve National Goals?” and “Universities on the Path to a New Model of Higher Education”. Analytical expertise of discussions related to strengthening the financial culture in terms of long-term savings, as well as ensuring the development of technological leadership in cooperation between universities and industry, was carried out by VIES Associate Professor Daria Krasnova. Olga Kalinina, Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management, worked as an expert in the specialized sections “Cooperation of Universities and Industries to Achieve Technological Leadership Goals” and “Modern Labor Market: Search for Answers to Global Challenges”.

    SPIEF gives the university a key advantage – an exit from the academic environment into the real sector. Collaborations are born here that translate theoretical research into the practical plane, – notes VIES Director Dmitry Rodionov.

    A regular participant of the SPIEF, director of the Scientific and Educational Center for Information Technologies and Business Analysis of Gazprom Neft, and professor at VIESH Irina Rudskaya noted that participation in the forum for the university is not just a status event, but a strategic opportunity.

    The forum allows us not only to evaluate our competencies, but also to integrate into the global expert-business agenda, find practical application for scientific developments and form long-term partnerships with industry leaders, says Irina Andreevna.

    Head of the System Dynamics Research Laboratory Angi Skhvediani conducted expert work in the sections “Bioeconomics in the global agenda” and “Artificial intelligence: from discussion to implementation”. Professor Tatyana Kudryavtseva carried out expertise in sections devoted to the digitalization of the contract system of Russia and discussion of forms of financing infrastructure projects necessary to maintain economic growth. Senior researcher of the laboratory Valeria Arteyeva acted as an expert in sections where the current state of the labor market and prospects for the emergence of new professions were discussed.

    During the work at the forum, we identified relevant and promising areas for conducting fundamental and applied research in areas such as the implementation of AI, analysis and forecasting of the labor market, and the development of the public procurement system. This knowledge will make the results of the laboratory’s work more in demand both in the academic and business environments, – comments the head of the Scientific Research Laboratory “System Dynamics” Angi Skhvediani.

    Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Sergey Barykin worked as an expert in two sections: “Cross-border electronic trade: launching new rules” and “Cyclic industries in the Russian economy and its development”.

    The results of the examinations will be published in the Roscongress Information and Analytical System, as well as on other information resources of the Roscongress Foundation and public publications.

    Director of the Higher School of Political Science Olga Kalinina and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics Daria Krasnova took part in the panel discussion as experts from the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) with the aim of collecting feedback on the main substantive and organizational aspects of the forum, where they shared their experience of conducting examinations, and also conducted an analysis of the activity and demand for visiting youth sections.

    Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Sergey Barykin took part in the session of the section “Neoethics in the era of neurotechnology” with the aim of developing theoretical approaches for socio-economic development based on neural network technologies for the development of the scientific school of the Higher School of Service and Trade “Socio-economic forecasting and improving the quality of life of the population”. He took part in the discussion about the importance of robotics for improving the quality of life of the population at the stand of the Association of Data Processing Centers, and also took part in the meeting with the delegation of Turkmenistan on the issue of expanding international cooperation of the scientific and pedagogical school of the Higher School of Service and Trade.

    Deputy Director of the Institute of Economics and Technology for work with students, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics and Technology Maxim Ivanov took part in several events of the SPIEF as part of the development of cooperation between the university and the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SPbCCI) and the city’s executive authorities.

    For the forum, the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry prepared a special issue of the magazine “Guide to Russian Business in St. Petersburg”, which was distributed throughout the event at the St. Petersburg stand. In the special issue “St. Petersburg: City of Meanings, Solutions and the Future”, the authors of the Polytechnic University, including Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Lyudmila Pankova, Director of the Higher School of Management Olga Kalinina, Deputy Director of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology Maxim Ivanov, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Management Tamara Selentyeva and Professor of the UNESCO Department “Quality Management in Education for Sustainable Development”, Chairman of the Human Resources Committee of the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vladislav Raskovalov prepared a publication “The Role of Mentoring at the University for the Development of the Region’s Human Resource Potential”, which revealed the main trends in the formation of the mentoring institution at the university level and its impact on the sustainable socio-economic development of the region.

    IPMEiT also actively participated in the International Youth Economic Forum “Day of the Future”, held as part of SPIEF-2025. The delegation of the Higher School of Industrial Management, consisting of Director Olga Kalinina, teachers Victoria Vilken, Anton Shaban, Anna Timofeeva, Artem Ivaschenko and twenty students and postgraduates, visited the exhibition stands of the largest companies, got acquainted with new technologies and initiatives in the field of digital economy, sustainable development and regional entrepreneurship. Of particular interest were the discussion sessions: “Marketplaces as a factor in sustainable economic development of regions” and “Hype Economy: Trends vs. Strategies”, where students not only broadened their horizons, but were also able to ask questions to market experts.

    Such events are more than just a forum. They are an environment in which the thinking of future managers is formed. We see how quickly the economic agenda is changing, and it is important that our students are not observers, but active participants in these changes. We are confident that each member of our team took away from the forum new ideas, contacts and motivation for development, – comment GSPM teachers Victoria Vilken and Anton Shaban.

    The Higher School of Business Engineering was represented by Master’s students in the Business Informatics program, Zhasurbek Toshkanov and Alexander Shtern. The students passed the competitive selection at Roscogress and got to the SPIEF as part of the business program “EAEU Model”, the sessions “Dialogue without Borders: Youth Cooperation for the Future” and “Formation of Personal Brand Value: New Tools with the Support of RWB”.

    The forum atmosphere charged us with motivation and inspired us to develop further, opening up new perspectives on personal growth and opportunities! We can confidently say that such events provide a unique opportunity to exchange experiences, make new contacts and get a fresh look at current issues of business development and international cooperation, – note Zhasurbek and Alexander.

    Bachelors of the Higher School of Business Engineering in the Business Informatics program also took part in various events of the forum: Ivan Golikov became a participant of the SPIEF and a resident of the SPIEF Academy, Elena Novokhatskaya took part in the youth day, including the session “Business does not sleep: 360 reviews”, Andrey Shestopalov was a forum employee, and Daria Dolgushina took part in the youth day as part of the Severstal delegation.

    Students of the Higher School of Public Administration also took part in the Youth Day of the forum.

    Participation in SPIEF has become an invaluable experience for me and a real driver of development! This is a unique platform where I was able to immerse myself in the atmosphere of large-scale discussions, meet leading experts and top managers, representatives of business and government, – Arina Shikhova, a master’s student in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”, shares her impressions.

    Students of the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in Trade: Alexander Goncharenko participated in the work of the negotiation rooms, and Alexander Dronov participated in open dialogues at youth meetings.

    The organizers of the SPbPU Case Club, students of the “State and Municipal Administration” and “Management” programs Daria Tomishinetz and Tatyana Izidorova, worked in the sections “Industrial City of the Future: How the Young Can Change Reality” and “Youth Communities as a Tool of HR Policy”. Activists of the “Keen On” conversation club, led by the head of the club, a student of the “Management” program Elina Goricheva, attended the events “Lessons Learned: Successes and Failures in the Business Environment”, “Business Doesn’t Sleep: 360 Analysis” and others.

    Students of IPMEiT also took part for the first time in the SPIEF Academy project, a special platform for students aimed at developing professional skills and leadership potential, as well as creating a dialogue between young professionals and representatives of government, business, culture, sports and other areas.

    For our students, participation in the events of the SPIEF Youth Day becomes an important event every year. This is not just an opportunity to see large-scale business processes from the inside, but also a chance to prove yourself, to communicate with professionals from all over the country and the world. It is important to note that the participation of final-year students opens up additional prospects for employment and professional growth for them, – emphasizes Tamerlan Tuganov, responsible for work with youth and graduates of IPMET.

    Our institute annually takes part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. We approach this event systematically in order to conduct high-quality expert assessment work, speak at panel discussions, and prepare our students and postgraduates for the Youth Day. Students’ interest in the forum is growing from year to year. The forum events have truly become a point of attraction for proactive and talented young people who strive to realize themselves in economics, management, technology, sustainable development, and international cooperation. I would also like to note that the active participation of all Higher Schools indicates high professional interest and demand for the events held at SPIEF-2025. For our institute, the forum has also become a platform for establishing contacts with representatives of business, specialized communities, and government bodies, — Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the IPMEiT, summed up the results of the institute’s participation in the forum.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCED at US Independence Day reception (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau, at the United States of America (US) Independence Day reception today (June 26):
     
    Consul General May (Consul General of the US in Hong Kong and Macau, Mr Gregory May), ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good afternoon. I am pleased to join you all today. This is a special occasion to acknowledge the deeply rooted ties between Hong Kong and the US. In fact, this year marks the 182nd anniversary of the US’s diplomatic presence in Hong Kong. The longstanding ties that connect Hong Kong and the US, in the fields of economics, trade, culture, and many more, are very important.
     
    In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025 published by the International Institute for Management Development, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness rises by another two places to third globally. And in the 2025 Business Sentiment Survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AmCham), 75 per cent of respondents viewed Hong Kong as highly competitive or competitive as an international business hub. Hong Kong adds value to US enterprises and business people, their services and their future.
     
    In the area of trade, over the past decade alone, the US has enjoyed a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong, one of the highest among the US’s trading partners. Also, in 2024, the number of US regional headquarters, regional offices and local branches in Hong Kong has increased from around 1 200 to 1 390. According to AmCham, the US’s trade in goods with Hong Kong supports about 140 000 jobs in the US, covering a wide range of sectors from agriculture to fashion and manufacturing. The US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong.
     
    The figures I just outlined speak for the fact that free trade unimpeded by protectionist measures, including the so-called reciprocal tariff, is the formula for growth and mutual benefits. As the freest economy in the world, we have all along supported and practised free trade. We strongly disapprove of the additional duty imposed by the US on products from Hong Kong, which is illogical given Hong Kong’s status as a free port. It harms the interests of both sides and is inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules. We call for the early rectification of these unfair and unjustified trade-impeding measures.
     
    Notwithstanding the challenges brought by an uncertain global economic outlook and the impact of geopolitics, we remain firmly committed to the rules-based multilateral trading system and free trade. The continued implementation of free trade policies and zero-customs tariffs provides the much needed certainties for businesses in Hong Kong. We will continue to strengthen our international ties and open up more overseas markets.
     
    In 2024, Invest Hong Kong assisted 539 enterprises in establishing and expanding their businesses in Hong Kong, representing an increase of over 40 per cent as compared with the full year figure of 2023. Apart from the Mainland being the largest place of origin, the US ranked second. I would like to assure all of you that Hong Kong welcomes all sorts of overseas investments including those from the US, and we remain your trusted partner and the preferred platform for collaboration in international trade and businesses.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, the shared interests between Hong Kong and the US have allowed us to develop a multifaceted and longstanding relationship over the past 182 years. Though there are differences, we may set our eyes on our shared interests based on the principles of mutual respect and fairness, which are instrumental in the mutual success of Hong Kong and the US. We hope our friends in the US will share this thought and join us to navigate the Hong Kong-US relationship into a better future.
     
    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Northern Markets Arms Investors for Volatile Markets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northern Markets, a global investment firm, has launched its new “Volatility Toolkit” to help traders handle unpredictable market conditions. The new tools are designed to support faster, more focused decisions when markets are moving quickly.

    With market swings becoming more common, many investors are struggling to manage risks. Northern Markets says the new toolkit offers practical features that give users better control and awareness during uncertain times.

    Helping Traders Stay Focused in Fast Markets

    The Volatility Toolkit includes real-time market indicators, new risk control settings, and simpler access to hedging tools. All features are built directly into the platform dashboard. This makes it easier for users to track market changes without needing extra software or switching screens.

    Northern Markets says these tools don’t predict the market but are made to help users stay clear-headed and organized when prices move suddenly.

    “When things get wild, people just want clear info and quick options,” the spokesperson added. “We built these tools to cut the noise and help users stay calm and make smarter choices.”

    The features are available to traders across all asset classes, including crypto, stocks, indices, and commodities. The toolkit works for both beginners and experienced users.

    Real-Time Alerts and Better Visibility

    The upgrade includes real-time notifications that notify users of sudden changes in the market or in risk levels, in addition to the basic features. With the aid of these notifications, investors may take swift action without spending all day staring at charts.

    The platform’s chart system has also been upgraded to respond faster, even during busy trading hours. This means less delay and better visibility during critical moments.

    “This update is really about staying in the loop,” the spokesperson said. “When markets go crazy, emotions take over. This gives people a way to stay focused and avoid panic.”

    The company clarified that although the toolkit is beneficial, it does not make losses inevitable. Its primary aim is to make the investors remain vigilant and make sound choices in difficult circumstances.

    Listening to What Traders Want

    Northern Markets says the new toolkit was shaped by direct feedback from users. Many traders asked for simpler tools and quicker access to key market signals. The company took that feedback and built features that respond to those needs.

    “A lot of traders told us they feel overwhelmed when markets shift fast,” said the spokesperson. “We really listened. This update is about giving people what they actually asked for.”

    The company says more updates are planned to improve the toolkit based on ongoing feedback.

    Looking Ahead

    Northern Markets will collect user feedback over the next few weeks to see how the toolkit performs. Future updates may include custom alerts and more tools to help users build better strategies.

    The company says this launch is part of a larger plan to create a smoother trading experience, no matter what the market looks like. More upgrades are expected later this year.

    About Northern Markets

    Northern Markets is a global investment firm offering access to a diverse range of financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies, equities, indices, and commodities. Known for its data-driven approach and personalized account management, Northern Markets empowers clients with tools, insights, and support to navigate today’s complex financial landscape. With a strong focus on transparency and regulatory alignment, the company continues to be a trusted resource for modern investors worldwide.

    Media Contact:
    Name: Daniel Simon
    Email: support@northmarkets.email
    Website: https://northmarkets.io/

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Northern Markets Arms Investors for Volatile Markets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northern Markets, a global investment firm, has launched its new “Volatility Toolkit” to help traders handle unpredictable market conditions. The new tools are designed to support faster, more focused decisions when markets are moving quickly.

    With market swings becoming more common, many investors are struggling to manage risks. Northern Markets says the new toolkit offers practical features that give users better control and awareness during uncertain times.

    Helping Traders Stay Focused in Fast Markets

    The Volatility Toolkit includes real-time market indicators, new risk control settings, and simpler access to hedging tools. All features are built directly into the platform dashboard. This makes it easier for users to track market changes without needing extra software or switching screens.

    Northern Markets says these tools don’t predict the market but are made to help users stay clear-headed and organized when prices move suddenly.

    “When things get wild, people just want clear info and quick options,” the spokesperson added. “We built these tools to cut the noise and help users stay calm and make smarter choices.”

    The features are available to traders across all asset classes, including crypto, stocks, indices, and commodities. The toolkit works for both beginners and experienced users.

    Real-Time Alerts and Better Visibility

    The upgrade includes real-time notifications that notify users of sudden changes in the market or in risk levels, in addition to the basic features. With the aid of these notifications, investors may take swift action without spending all day staring at charts.

    The platform’s chart system has also been upgraded to respond faster, even during busy trading hours. This means less delay and better visibility during critical moments.

    “This update is really about staying in the loop,” the spokesperson said. “When markets go crazy, emotions take over. This gives people a way to stay focused and avoid panic.”

    The company clarified that although the toolkit is beneficial, it does not make losses inevitable. Its primary aim is to make the investors remain vigilant and make sound choices in difficult circumstances.

    Listening to What Traders Want

    Northern Markets says the new toolkit was shaped by direct feedback from users. Many traders asked for simpler tools and quicker access to key market signals. The company took that feedback and built features that respond to those needs.

    “A lot of traders told us they feel overwhelmed when markets shift fast,” said the spokesperson. “We really listened. This update is about giving people what they actually asked for.”

    The company says more updates are planned to improve the toolkit based on ongoing feedback.

    Looking Ahead

    Northern Markets will collect user feedback over the next few weeks to see how the toolkit performs. Future updates may include custom alerts and more tools to help users build better strategies.

    The company says this launch is part of a larger plan to create a smoother trading experience, no matter what the market looks like. More upgrades are expected later this year.

    About Northern Markets

    Northern Markets is a global investment firm offering access to a diverse range of financial instruments, including cryptocurrencies, equities, indices, and commodities. Known for its data-driven approach and personalized account management, Northern Markets empowers clients with tools, insights, and support to navigate today’s complex financial landscape. With a strong focus on transparency and regulatory alignment, the company continues to be a trusted resource for modern investors worldwide.

    Media Contact:
    Name: Daniel Simon
    Email: support@northmarkets.email
    Website: https://northmarkets.io/

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

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Japan’s former Economic Security Minister Kobayashi Takayuki

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-06-16
    President Lai meets delegation led by Representative Bera, co-chair of US Congressional Taiwan Caucus
    On the morning of June 16, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Representative Ami Bera, co-chair of the US Congressional Taiwan Caucus. In remarks, President Lai thanked the representatives in Congress for actively voicing support for Taiwan and proposing numerous Taiwan-friendly initiatives to strengthen Taiwan-US ties, helping expand Taiwan’s international space and continuing to place focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The president said that we will continue to strengthen bilateral investment and industrial cooperation and create a more comprehensive environment for economic and trade exchanges to jointly enhance economic and developmental resilience. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet with the delegation and welcome Congressman Bera back to the Presidential Office. Last January, he visited after the presidential election, demonstrating the steadfast backing of the US Congress for democratic Taiwan. This time, as head of a delegation of new members of the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee, he is continuing to foster US congressional support for Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a sincere welcome to Congressman Bera and all our esteemed guests. Over the years, staunch bipartisan US congressional backing of Taiwan has been a key force for steadily advancing our bilateral relations. I thank the representatives in Congress for actively voicing support for Taiwan and proposing numerous Taiwan-friendly initiatives, thereby strengthening Taiwan-US ties, helping expand Taiwan’s international space, and continuing to place focus on peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. I want to emphasize that Taiwan has an unwavering determination to safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Over the past year, the government and private sector have been working together to enhance Taiwan’s whole-of-society defense resilience and accelerate reform of national defense. The government is also prioritizing special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds three percent of GDP this year. I hope that Taiwan-US security cooperation will evolve beyond military procurement to a partnership that encompasses joint research and development and joint production, further strengthening cooperation and exchange in the defense industry. Regarding industrial exchanges, last month, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) each visited Texas to see firsthand Taiwan-US collaboration in AI and semiconductors. And the delegation led by Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) sent by Taiwan to this year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, DC, was again the largest of those attending. All of this demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to working alongside the US to create mutual prosperity. In the future, we will continue to strengthen bilateral investment and industrial cooperation. And I hope that the legislation addressing the issue of Taiwan-US double taxation will become law this year. I want to thank Congressman Bera for co-leading a joint letter last November signed by over 100 members of Congress calling for such legislation. I believe that by creating a more comprehensive environment for economic and trade exchanges, Taiwan and the US can enhance economic and developmental resilience. In closing, I thank you all for making the long journey here to advance Taiwan-US relations. Let us continue working together to promote the prosperous development of this important partnership. Congressman Bera then delivered remarks, saying that on behalf of the delegation, it is an honor for him to be here once again, it being last January that he and Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart visited and congratulated President Lai on his election victory, noting that theirs was the first congressional delegation to do so. Congressman Bera said that this is an important time, not just for the US and Taiwan relationship, but for all relationships around the world. When we look at conflicts in Europe and in the Middle East, he said, it is incumbent upon democracies to hold the peace in Asia. He emphasized that is why it is important for them to bring a delegation of members of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Armed Services Committee, adding that he believes for all of them it is their first trip to Taiwan.  Congressman Bera said that while this is a delegation of Democratic members of Congress, in a bipartisan way all of Congress continues to support the people of Taiwan. As such, in this visit he brings support from his co-chairs on the Taiwan caucus, Congressman Díaz-Balart and Congressman Andy Barr. He also took a moment to recognize the passing of Congressman Gerald Connolly, who was a longtime friend of Taiwan and one of their co-chairs on the caucus. Congressman Bera mentioned that there is always a special bond between himself and President Lai because they are both doctors, and as doctors, their profession is about healing, keeping the peace, and making sure everybody has a bright, prosperous future. In closing, he highlighted that it is in that spirit that their delegation visits with the president. The delegation also included members of the US Congress Gabe Amo, Wesley Bell, Julie Johnson, Sarah McBride, and Johnny Olszewski.

    Details
    2025-06-13
    President Lai meets delegation led by French National Assembly Taiwan Friendship Group Chair Marie-Noëlle Battistel
    On the morning of June 12, President Lai Ching-te met a delegation led by Marie-Noëlle Battistel, chair of the French National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group. In remarks, President Lai thanked the National Assembly for its long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation and for upholding security in the Taiwan Strait, helping make France the first major country in the world to enact legislation to uphold freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. The president also said that exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and France are becoming more frequent, and that he hopes this visit by the Taiwan Friendship Group will inject new momentum into Taiwan-France relations and help build closer partnerships in the economy, trade, energy, and digital security.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to welcome Chair Battistel, who is once again leading a visiting delegation. Last year, Chair Battistel co-led a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. This is her fourth visit, and first as chair of the Taiwan Friendship Group, which makes it especially meaningful. This delegation’s visit demonstrates strong support for Taiwan, and on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to express my sincerest welcome and thanks. France is a pioneer in promoting free and democratic values. These are values that Taiwan cherishes and is working hard to defend. I want to express gratitude to the French Parliament for their long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation, and for upholding security in the Taiwan Strait. The French Parliament’s two chambers have continued to strongly support Taiwan, with the passage of a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in international organizations in 2021, as well as the passage of the seven-year Military Programming Law in 2023. This has made France the first major country in the world to enact legislation to uphold freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait. Through it all, the Taiwan Friendship Group has played a key role, and I want to thank all of our distinguished guests for their efforts. Over the past few years, Taiwan and France have continued to deepen cooperation in areas including the economy, technology, culture, and sports. At the Choose France summit held in Paris last month, Taiwanese and French enterprises also announced they will launch cooperation in the semiconductor and satellite fields. The VivaTech startup exhibition, now being held in France, also has many Taiwanese vendors participating. Exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and France, whether official or people-to-people, are becoming more and more frequent. I hope that this visit by the Taiwan Friendship Group will inject new momentum into Taiwan-France relations, building closer partnerships in the economy, trade, energy, and digital security.  To address current geopolitical and economic challenges, Taiwan will continue to join forces with France and other like-minded countries to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and contribute our concerted efforts to global prosperity and development. Once again, I want to welcome our visitors to Taiwan. I hope to continue our joint efforts to create a more prosperous future for both Taiwan and France.   Chair Battistel then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for extending this invitation. Last year on May 20, she said, she and her delegation attended the presidential inauguration ceremony, so she was delighted to visit Taiwan once again with the French National Assembly’s Taiwan Friendship Group and bear witness to their friendship with Taiwan. Chair Battistel noted that this visit has given them an opportunity to strengthen Taiwan-France relations in areas including the economy, culture, the humanities, and diplomacy, and conduct exchanges with numerous heads of government agencies and research institutes. It has also been an opportunity, she said, to witness the importance of exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan in areas including energy, semiconductors, youth, and culture, and the impact created by important issues of mutual concern, including AI and disinformation, on the security of many countries. Chair Battistel praised Taiwan for its youth development efforts, and said that under the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, 30 Taiwanese young people have embarked on a visit to France, with itineraries including the United Nations Ocean Conference and the VivaTech exhibition, as well as the city of Toulouse, which is strategically important for the aerospace industry. Members of the group are also conducting exchanges at the French National Assembly, she said.  Chair Battistel stated that the Taiwan-France partnership is growing closer, and that she hopes to continue to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation, as supporting peace for Taiwan supports peace around the world.  The delegation also included Taiwan Friendship Group Vice Chair Éric Martineau, as well as National Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs Vice Chair Laetitia Saint-Paul and Deputies Marie-José Allemand and Claudia Rouaux. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by French Office in Taipei Deputy Director Cléa Le Cardeur.

    Details
    2025-06-05
    President Lai hosts state banquet for President Bernardo Arévalo of Republic of Guatemala  
    At noon on June 5, President Lai Ching-te hosted a state banquet at the Presidential Office for President Bernardo Arévalo of the Republic of Guatemala and his wife. In his remarks, President Lai noted that Taiwan and Guatemala have both undergone an arduous democratization process, and therefore, in face of the continuous expansion of authoritarian influence, must join hands in brotherhood and come together in solidarity to safeguard our hard-earned freedom and democracy. President Lai also expressed hope that both countries will work together and continue to deepen various exchanges and cooperation, taking a friendship that has lasted over 90 years to new heights. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Once again, I would like to offer a warm welcome to President Arévalo and First Lady Lucrecia Peinado, who are leading this delegation to Taiwan. President Arévalo’s previous visit to Taiwan was 31 years ago. Back then, Taiwan did not have direct presidential elections, and the nation was continuing to make progress toward democratization. Today, 31 years later, Taiwan has conducted direct presidential elections eight times, with three transfers of power between political parties. On this visit, I am sure that President Arévalo will gain a deep appreciation for Taiwan’s free and democratic atmosphere.  Taiwan and Guatemala have both undergone an arduous democratization process. A little over 200 years ago, the people of Guatemala took a stand against colonial oppression, seeking national dignity and the freedom of its people. Eighty-one years ago, President Arévalo’s father, Juan José Arévalo, became Guatemala’s first democratically elected president, establishing an important foundation for subsequent democratic development.  Our two peoples have democracy in their blood. Both know the value of freedom and democracy and are willing to take a stand for those values. Therefore, in face of the continuous expansion of authoritarian influence, our two countries must join hands in brotherhood to respond to threats and challenges, and come together in solidarity to safeguard our hard-earned freedom and democracy. I hope that both countries will work together to continue to deepen various exchanges and cooperation, taking a friendship that has lasted over 90 years to new heights. I hope that on this visit, in addition to gaining a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s political, economic, and social development, President Arévalo can also reacquaint himself with the democratic vitality and cultural diversity of Taiwan by sampling various gourmet delicacies and once again experiencing the beauty of our scenery and warmth of our people. Guatemala is a very beautiful country. In the future, I hope to have a chance to personally experience that beauty, explore Mayan civilization, and savor local Guatemalan coffee. In closing, I wish the visiting delegation a smooth and successful trip, and beautiful, unforgettable memories. May President Arévalo enjoy the best of health, and may the diplomatic friendship between our two countries endure. President Arévalo then delivered remarks, stating that at different times and by different means, the people of Taiwan and Guatemala have relentlessly sought to defend freedom and democracy. We share the same expectations, he said, and are walking the right path amid today’s complex international circumstances.  President Arévalo stated that Taiwan and Guatemala are true democratic nations, where the government’s goal is to serve all the people. He noted that this is far from easy under current circumstances, as many authoritarian regimes use their long-term hold on power to safeguard the interests of select groups and neglect the wellbeing of the population as a whole. President Arévalo said that last week Guatemala commemorated the 40th anniversary of its constitution, which was enacted in 1985 and is Guatemala’s ultimate guide, setting the foundation for democracy and clearly outlining the path ahead. He said that over the past 40 years, Guatemala has continued to follow the democratic blueprint established by the constitution and end the civil war so that the nation could make the transition to real democracy. Although more than a few ambitious people have attempted to destroy that process from within, he noted, the people of Guatemala have never given up the pursuit of democracy as an ideal. President Arévalo stated that our two sides’ coming together here is due to such shared values as freedom and democracy as well as the idea of serving all the people. He underlined that the governments of both countries will continue to work hard and provide mutual support to smooth out each other’s path of democracy, freedom, and justice. President Arévalo emphasized that the government of Guatemala will always be Taiwan’s ally, and that he firmly believes Taiwan is Guatemala’s most reliable partner on the path of democracy and economic prosperity and development. The president said he hopes this visit will be the first step towards setting a new course for the governments and peoples of both countries. Also in attendance at the banquet were Guatemala Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Ramiro Martínez, Minister of the Economy Gabriela García, and Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.  

    Details
    2025-06-05
    President Lai welcomes President Bernardo Arévalo of Republic of Guatemala with military honors  
    On the morning of June 5, President Lai Ching-te welcomed with full military honors President Bernardo Arévalo of the Republic of Guatemala and his wife, who are leading a delegation of cabinet members visiting Taiwan for the first time, demonstrating the deep and enduring alliance between our nations. In remarks, President Lai noted that over the past few years, bilateral cooperation between Taiwan and Guatemala has grown closer and more diverse, and said that moving forward, based on a foundation of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, we will continue to promote programs in line with international trends, spurring prosperity and development in both our nations. The military honors ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the Entrance Hall of the Presidential Office. After a 21-gun salute and the playing of the two countries’ national anthems, President Lai and President Arévalo each delivered remarks. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Today, President Arévalo and First Lady Lucrecia Peinado are leading a delegation of cabinet members visiting Taiwan for the first time, demonstrating the deep and enduring alliance between our nations. On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Last year, our two countries celebrated the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties, providing mutual support all along the way. Especially over the past few years, bilateral cooperation has grown closer and more diverse. We have a long record of remarkable results, whether in terms of medicine and public health, education and culture, technological cooperation, or economic and trade exchanges. Moving forward, based on a foundation of mutual assistance for mutual benefit, Taiwan and Guatemala will continue to promote programs in line with international trends. We will continue to strengthen exchange and cooperation for young people, as well as scholarship programs, and actively cultivate high-tech and information and communications technology industry talent, spurring prosperity and development in both our nations. Although separated by a great distance, the peoples of both countries are closely connected by their ideals and values. I am confident that with President Arévalo’s support, bilateral exchanges and cooperation will become closer and more diverse, beginning a very promising new chapter. I wish the visiting delegation a smooth and successful trip. President Arévalo then delivered remarks, saying that on behalf of the government and people of Guatemala, he is honored to visit the Republic of China (Taiwan), this beautiful nation, and to receive full military honors, which reflects the mutual respect between our two nations as well as our solid friendship. Especially as this state visit comes as we celebrate 90 years of formal diplomatic ties, he said, he has brought the foreign minister, economics minister, private secretary to the president, and social communication secretary as members of his delegation, in the hope of our ties embarking on a new chapter. President Arévalo said that Guatemala-Taiwan ties have in recent years been growing steadily on a foundation of mutual understanding and cooperation, making significant progress, and that our peoples have also cultivated sincere friendships and cooperative relationships across many fields. Our nations are especially promoting public health, education, agricultural technology, and infrastructure, he said, key fields which are conducive to economic and social development. He expressed his hope that on such good foundations of the past, we can further strengthen our bilateral ties for the future. President Arévalo stated that through this state visit they not only want to reaffirm the good bilateral ties between our nations, but that they also hope to define a trajectory for the future of our cooperation in the direction of expanding economic cooperation, building economic and trade alliances, and facilitating investment to foster a Taiwan-Guatemala relationship that benefits both peoples. He then expressed gratitude to the people of Taiwan for helping Guatemala over the past 90 years and reaffirmed the unwavering support of Guatemala for the Republic of China (Taiwan). On the occasion of this visit, he said, he hopes to extend a friendly hand to the people of Taiwan, adding that he looks forward to our nations continuing to take major steps forward on the road of mutual assistance and prosperity. Also in attendance at the welcome ceremony were Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Andrea Clare Bowman, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan.  

    Details
    2025-06-03
    President Lai confers decoration on President Hilda C. Heine of Republic of the Marshall Islands, hosts state banquet  
    At noon on June 3, President Lai Ching-te, accompanied by Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, conferred a decoration upon President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and hosted a state banquet for President Heine and her husband at the Presidential Office. In remarks, President Lai thanked President Heine for her commitment to deepening the diplomatic partnership between our nations and speaking up for Taiwan in the international arena. He also expressed hope for Taiwan and the Marshall Islands to work together to address various challenges through an even greater diversity of exchanges, and that together, we can contribute even more to peace, stability, and development throughout the Pacific region. At the decoration ceremony, President Lai personally conferred the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon on President Heine before delivering remarks, a translation of which follows:  The Marshall Islands was the first Pacific ally that I visited after taking office as president. When I arrived there, I was immediately drawn to its beautiful scenery. And I received a very warm welcome from the local people. This gesture showed the profound friendship between our two nations. I was truly touched. I also remember trying your nation’s special Bob Whisky for the first time. The flavor was as unique and impressive as the landscape of the Marshall Islands.  In addition to welcoming our distinguished guests today, we also presented President Heine with the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to thank President Heine for her commitment to deepening the diplomatic partnership between our nations, and for staunchly speaking up for Taiwan in the international arena. Both I and the people of Taiwan are profoundly grateful to President Heine for her friendship and support. Over the past few years, cooperation between Taiwan and the Marshall Islands has grown ever closer. And this visit by our distinguished guests will allow our two countries to further expand areas of bilateral exchange. I have always believed that only through mutual assistance and trust can two countries build a longstanding and steadfast partnership. I once again convey my sincere aspiration that Taiwan and the Marshall Islands work together to address various challenges through an even greater diversity of exchanges. Together, we can contribute even more to peace, stability, and development throughout the Pacific region. In closing, I want to thank President Heine and First Gentleman Thomas Kijiner, Jr. for leading this delegation to Taiwan, which deepens the foundations of our bilateral relationship. May our two nations enjoy a long and enduring friendship. President Heine then delivered remarks, stating that she felt especially privileged to receive the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and humbly accepted the honor with the utmost gratitude, humility, and deep responsibility. This is a deep responsibility, she said, because she understands that since its inception in 1933, this order has been bestowed upon a select few. She then thanked President Lai for this great honor. President Heine stated that the banquet was not just a celebration of our bilateral friendship, but a true reflection of the generosity of the Taiwan spirit and a testament to the enduring ties between our nations, founded on shared values and aspirations, including a respect for the rule of law, the preservation of human dignity, and a deep commitment to democracy. President Heine stated that the Taiwan-Marshall Islands partnership continues to evolve through practical cooperation and mutual support. In recent years, she said, our countries have worked hand in hand across a range of vital sectors, including the recent opening of the Majuro Hospital AI and Telehealth Center and the ongoing and successful Taiwan Health Center, various technical training and scholarship programs, and various climate change adaptation projects in renewable energy, coastal resilience, and sustainable agriculture.   President Heine emphasized that the Marshall Islands continues to be a proud and vocal supporter of Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the United Nations system and other international organizations. Taiwan’s exclusion from these platforms, she said, is not only unjust, but is bad for the world, and the global community needs Taiwan’s voice and expertise.  President Heine also expressed sincere appreciation to all of the Taiwanese friends who have contributed their efforts to deepening bilateral relations, including government officials, healthcare workers, teachers, engineers, and volunteers. The people of the Marshall Islands, she said, deeply appreciate and value everyone’s efforts and service. President Heine said that as we celebrate our partnership, let us look to the future with hope and determination, continue to work together, learn from one another, and support one another to champion a world where all nations can chart their own course based on peace and international law. Also attending the state banquet were Marshall Islands Council of Iroij Chairman Lanny Kabua, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Finance David Paul, Nitijela Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Chairperson Joe Bejang, and Charge d’Affaires a.i. Anjanette Davis-Anjel of the Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.  

    Details
    2025-05-20
    President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
    In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era.  The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UKCIF funded programme fosters entrepreneurship, job creation and resilience in coastal communities in Belize

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UKCIF funded programme fosters entrepreneurship, job creation and resilience in coastal communities in Belize

    The FCDO funded a comprehensive technical assistance programme in Belize, through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF).

    AHC Alistair White

    Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) supported under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) took centre stage at the Buy Belizean Expo on 14 June. The event in Dangriga Town gave them the opportunity to showcase their products and services after months of targeted assistance.

    Their participation was the culmination of a comprehensive technical assistance programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), as part of the wider UKCIF Coastal Highway Upgrading Project. The initiative was implemented in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF), the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), and the Belize Trade & Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE).

    The Coastal Highway Upgrading Project is financed by a £26 million (US$32 million) grant from the UK FCDO and a US$34.5 million (£28 million) loan from the CDB, along with counterpart funding from the Government of Belize. Together, these investments aim to strengthen infrastructure and economic resilience in coastal communities.

    The initiative has supported the formalisation of 80 Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the training of 59 business owners in the coastal communities of Gales Point and Mullins River Villages – double the original target.

    BELTRAIDE has played a key role in equipping MSMEs with skills in business development and formalisation. For the entrepreneurs and businesses supported through the UKCIF programme – including those benefiting from BELTRAIDE’s training, the Buy Belizean Expo marked a pivotal milestone. It offered a platform to tap into new economic opportunities, expand market access, and experience the real-world impact of strategic investment in sustainable livelihoods.

    During the event, 21 MSMEs which had participated in the formalisation and training activities delivered by BELTRAIDE, alongside support agencies, highlighted their vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and economic resilience fostered through this initiative.

    The new acting British High Commissioner to Belize, Alistair White, spoke at the event, noting that,

    The UK is proud to support this expo, which brings to life some of our major aims through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund – increasing opportunities and improving people’s lives.

    Elbert Ellis, portfolio manager in the Caribbean Development Bank’s Social Sector Division, spoke on behalf of the bank, praising the project’s training of female entrepreneurs. He noted,

    CDB’s commitment to supporting women-led enterprises is reflected at this Expo and overall Project, with 43 of the 80 newly formalized MSMEs being female-owned, helping to build a more inclusive business environment in Belize.

    Mr. Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE, said,

    At BELTRAIDE, we believe that small businesses are the cornerstone of Belize’s economic future. This Expo is a powerful reflection of what happens when capacity-building meets opportunity. The MSMEs on showcase here today have not only formalised their operations but are now positioned to thrive in larger markets, showcasing the success of strategic partnerships and community empowerment.

    amilah Cardona, P.Eng., Project Engineer in the MIDH’s Project Execution Unit, added,

    The work of the MIDH extends beyond building roads. We strongly believe that incorporating additional measures within these projects enhances the livelihoods and well-being of those communities directly impacted by the project and ensures that the benefits are widely shared and sustainable.

    This Buy Belizean Expo marked a significant accomplishment in the journey of supporting livelihoods along the Coastal Highway through the UKCIF Programme, celebrating community empowerment, equitable economic development, and the transformative impact of strategic partnerships.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The section on the page “Summer in Moscow” will help you find places where fresh berries are sold

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    You can find a site where fresh berries are sold in the section “Berry Seasons” on the page of the large-scale city project “Summer in Moscow”. Here you can select the desired district and region.

    The “Berry Seasons” section contains the addresses of all 250 branded points of sale for strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, lingonberries, wild strawberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries and honeysuckles from different parts of Russia. For convenience, they are all located near metro stations and transfer hubs, residential buildings and offices.

    The shelves feature products from Krasnodar and Stavropol Krai, Volgograd, Astrakhan and Rostov Regions and such republics as Kabardino-Balkaria, Adygea, Karachay-Cherkessia, Crimea, Dagestan, North Ossetia and Ingushetia.

    In addition, fresh strawberries have been sold at Moscow weekend fairs since the end of May. At first, farmers brought them from the south of the country, and now berries have appeared from the Tambov, Lipetsk, Tula and Voronezh regions. They also bring raspberries, cherries, sour cherries and blueberries, mulberries, blackberries and honeysuckle.

    There are different varieties of berries to choose from, some of which can be eaten raw, while others are best suited for baking, smoothies or compotes. Now, in addition to such early varieties of strawberries as Alba, Clary, Queen Elizabeth and Florentina, mid-season Pineapple and Alice have been added. Blueberries are mainly represented by the Patriot, North Blue and Bluecrop varieties.

    Before sale, all berries are carefully checked by specialists. State Veterinary Service of the City of Moscow.

    The fair pavilions are equipped with the necessary trade and refrigeration equipment and are located near metro stations and in other crowded places in every district of Moscow.

    More information about the activities of the Department of Trade and Services is available atofficial telegram channel.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155837073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK trade envoy visit strengthens trade ties with Costa Rica

    UK trade envoy visits Costa Rica to boost trade ties and engage with British businesses.

    Ambassador Ben Lyster-Binns; Trade Envoy Jess Morden MP; Costa Rican Trade Minister Manuel Tovar and Sara Wheeler MBE, UK Trade Envoy Senior Relationship Manager.

    The UK trade envoy to Central America, Jessica Morden MP, undertook her first official visit to Costa Rica from 11 to 13 June 2025. The visit aimed to strengthen the UK Costa Rica trade relationship, reinforce UK commercial interests, and highlight the UK’s global leadership on climate resilience and sustainable finance.

    During her programme, the trade envoy met with key government officials, business leaders and representatives from British companies to explore new opportunities to advance trade and investment. This included a meeting with Costa Rica’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, where she reaffirmed the UK’s support for Costa Rica’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The UK formally became a member of CPTPP in December 2024.

    The trade envoy also engaged with British companies operating in Costa Rica to gain insight into the investment landscape and identify opportunities for growth. A meeting with the British-Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce provided further perspective on the Chamber’s role in supporting UK businesses interests in the country.

    The trade envoy visited UK firms Smith & Nephew and AstraZeneca, to discuss how the Department for Business and Trade could continue to support their growth in Costa Rica. She concluded her visit with a stop at Country Day School, part of the UK-headquartered Nord Anglia Education group, touching on how the UK could support the delivery of British educational excellence in Costa Rica.

    Speaking at the King’s Birthday Party reception in San José, the trade envoy said:

    This visit offers me a valuable opportunity to further strengthen our extensive trade and investment ties, and to engage with many of you who are so passionate about the opportunities to boost bilateral prosperity.

    The UK Government’s number one mission is clear: economic growth. Our new industrial and trade strategy reflects this priority – grounded in long-term stability, a renewed commitment to free and fair trade, and a pro-business approach.

    The United Kingdom’s trade envoy programme is a network of parliamentarians integral to supporting the government’s growth mission by providing additional international trade and investment support to ministers.

    They play a crucial role in supporting the Department for Business and Trade’s growth priorities, in particular through helping deliver the industrial and trade strategies and attracting foreign direct investment to every region in the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: BPX Authorised to Operate UK Regulated Marketplace for Traditional and Tokenised Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BPX is pleased to announce that it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF), Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM), Cryptoasset Exchange and Custodian Wallet Provider.

    With these institutional grade regulatory permissions in place, BPX is developing a fully integrated marketplace to support the entire lifecycle of a security. This includes issuance, trading and collateralised lending of traditional dematerialised and tokenised securities, alongside settlement and custody of tokenised securities.

    BPX is also the only FCA-authorised trading venue to have passed Gate 1 of the Bank of England and FCA’s Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS).

    BPX now enters its next phase: preparing for live operations and welcoming institutional participants to connect in anticipation of its first transaction.

    BPX’s mission is to enhance access and liquidity for Issuers and Investors in investment funds and digital assets. Its distributed ledger technology enabled platform enables efficient tokenisation at scale, broadening investment opportunities, unlocking new liquidity sources, and facilitating capital access.

    Dr. Robert Barnes, BPX Co-CEO, said: “Our vision is a marketplace of best practice, modernised for institutions, offering access through a single connection to a broader range of hard-to-access alternative assets, such as infrastructure and real estate investment funds, whether traditional or tokenised—available for issuance, trading, and use as collateral.”

    Ali Celiker, Co-CEO, added: “Our comprehensive regulatory permissions and integrated market infrastructure strongly position us to advance our mission: enhancing access and liquidity for issuers and investors, while leading the transformation of capital markets from legacy systems to tokenised workflows—firmly anchored in regulatory compliance and driven by innovation.”

    == ends ==

    Media Contact:

    Tina Kane
    tina.kane@therealizationgroup.com
    +44(0)7887947329

    About Us

    BPX is a regulated marketplace and infrastructure provider that aims to enhance access and liquidity for Issuers and Investors in Investment Funds and Digital Assets. Initial operations in the UK will focus on RWA-based funds, for example, real estate and money market funds, with expansion plans to other fund types and alternate investment products within a multi-jurisdiction UK and UAE offering.

    BPX is authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as both a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) and an Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM). In May, BPX was added to the UK’s Cryptoasset register, becoming only the third entity to receive approval in 2025, further strengthening its position at the intersection of the law, capital markets, and distributed ledger technology. Additionally, BPX has successfully passed Gate 1 of the Bank of England/FCA Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) and is currently progressing its Gate 2 application. 

    Through this combination of permissions, BPX will optimise the end-to-end investment and securities lending lifecycle for Issuers and Investors.

    BPX is headquartered in London, with an entity established at the DIFC Innovation Hub in the UAE to support future expansion plans.

    Learn more: www.bpx.exchange

    Notes to Editors

    • 14 Jan 25 – Approved at Gate 1 of Bank of England/FCA Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) –
      • The DSS was established to support the government’s objective of digitalising the UK’s financial market infrastructure. The DSS provides a regulated, live environment for exploring emerging technologies—particularly distributed ledger technology (DLT)—in the issuance, trading, and settlement of financial securities within the UK
    • FCA authorisations
      • 27 March 2025 – Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF)
      • 27 March 2025 – Alternative Investment Fund Manager (AIFM)
      • 29 May 2025 – Cryptoasset Exchange and Custodian Wallet Provider
    • Target audience:  Capital market participants such as;
      • Investment, Pension, hedge and mutual funds. sovereign wealth funds, wealth managers, private banks, insurance companies, family offices.
    • Legal-first, digital-first architecture, establishing standards in digital assets, innovating in cooperation with industry and regulators.
    • Single connection to fully integrated, hybrid marketplace for:
      • Traditional dematerialised and tokenised securities
      • Digital twinning of traditional securities, and digital-native securities
      • Exchange and OTC workflows for issuance, trading and securities lending
      • Execution to post-trade (e.g. notary, asset-servicing, settlement)
      • Interoperability with existing workflows.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Entrepreneurs help SVO fighters as part of the Summer in Moscow project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    In the shopping malls on the site of the large-scale city project “Summer in Moscow” on Tverskaya Square, you can buy unusual interior items – hand-made chests and caskets, vintage comics, jewelry and antique cutlery, and then treat yourself to delicious donuts.

    All participants, displaying their goods and treats on the shelves, have one thing in common: they help special military operation (SMO) fighters.

    Together with other vintage collectors, businessman Sergey is part of a volunteer group. For two years now, they have been helping the Valuysky Central District Hospital in the Belgorod Region, Kherson hospitals, doctors of the 810th Marine Brigade, the 25th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, and other units.

    The items collected by caring like-minded people included radios and monitors, medicines, medical products and bandages, as well as funds transferred to purchase everything necessary. The team’s ideological inspirer Marina directly contacts the fighters and doctors. She also deals with issues of storage and transportation of humanitarian parcels.

    In the shopping chalet No. 7, Sergey has put vintage and antique jewelry on the shelves, as well as tableware: teapots, samovars, forks, spoons, plates, dishes and much more, and has also put out foreign comics from the last century. However, he expects visitors not only to shop.

    “Anyone who wishes can, in addition to money, bring boots, socks, bed linen and underwear to our trading house for the soldiers who are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals. It is important that the items are new, in packaging and with price tags – this is necessary to comply with sanitary standards, which must be followed for the speedy recovery of servicemen. I will definitely pass on all this and give feedback,” the entrepreneur shared.

    Chests and sweets

    The owner of the chest workshop, Sergey, not only produces unusual furniture that will decorate any interior and give it a truly Russian flavor, but also regularly sends funds to the needs of military personnel.

    According to the businessman, the first time he and his comrades financially helped the fighters was at the beginning of last autumn. After that, they continued to transfer the necessary amounts to the official account of the charity fund.

    Maxim, a representative of the donut company that you can try right now at the Moscow Seasons site on Tverskaya Square, said that he and his colleagues began providing comprehensive assistance this year.

    The entrepreneurs launched their own production in the city of Zhukov (Kaluga Region). The local administration helped them cooperate with other business owners, and now together they are preparing huge loads for shipment to the front and to new regions of Russia.

    “For the last two orders, we bought wheels for KamAZ vehicles, and delivered repair parts, hinges and door handles to Mariupol. We buy humanitarian aid, each one their own part, so that we get a whole truck, and then we deliver everything to the fighters,” said Maxim.

    He added that the business expanded thanks to participation in city festivals — the team started by selling donuts in shopping chalets. Now the sweets can be found in grocery chains, but the entrepreneurs continue to delight guests of the Moscow Seasons venues with donuts.

    Many of the participants of Moscow festivals not only collect humanitarian aid from the first days of the SVO, but also independently deliver cargo to the front, and also help volunteer organizations. In addition, entrepreneurs give military personnel and residents of new regions products of their own manufacture (canned goods, warm clothes, toys, etc.).

    More information about the activities of the capital’s Department of Trade and Services is available in the official telegram channel.

    Project “Summer in Moscow”— the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. “Summer in Moscow” is being held for the second time, and the new season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155856073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey, House Partners Mark National Gun Violence Awareness Month with Slate of Gun Safety Bills to Address Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Watch: Sen. Markey commemorates Gun Violence Awareness Month
    Washington (June 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, today announced a package of gun violence prevention bills that would significantly decrease the pervasive threat of gun violence across the United States by putting an end to the three-dimensional (3D) printing and distribution of “ghost guns,” strengthen accountability measures for irresponsible gun dealers, help banks detect and report suspicious activity related to mass shootings, establish rules that prohibit the marketing of firearms to children, and strengthen state-by-state gun-licensing regulations through federal incentives.
    “Every day, more than 125 people in the United States die from gun violence,” said Senator Markey. “Our communities barely have a moment to mourn before gun violence in our schools and on our streets steals the lives of more Americans and rips families apart. We can’t keep living like this, and Americans can’t keep dying like this. This National Gun Violence Awareness Month, I am reintroducing my gun safety package, which includes commonsense solutions so that not one more life is lost to this unnecessary, man-made public health crisis. I will continue fighting to end the epidemic of gun violence and save lives.”
    Senator Markey was joined by several colleagues who introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “It’ll take a multi-pronged approach to end the ongoing gun violence crisis in our country and ensure no community has to face the tragedy my hometown of Parkland did,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). “That’s only become more urgent with developments from new technology, which is why I’m once again teaming up with Sen. Markey to block 3D-printed ghost guns and devices from our streets. Not only is this equipment nearly impossible to trace, but it can also increase the lethality of traditional firearms. With the safety risk that 3D-printed firearms and accessories pose to communities everywhere, I’m urging Congress to keep our families safe and pass this commonsense bill.”
    “Gun violence takes the lives of innocent people across our country every day, and the vast majority of guns used in violent crimes can be traced back to just a handful of dealers,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02). “Our bill will crack down on firearm dealers who break the law, give law enforcement the tools to hold them accountable, and save lives by stopping the flow of firearms used in acts of violence.”
    “We must use every tool at our disposal to combat America’s gun violence epidemic,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04). “This bill does just that by activating already existing infrastructure – usually used for detecting financial crimes – to find patterns of behavior that precede mass shootings and terrorist attacks, so we can prevent it. I am grateful to Senator Markey for his continued partnership, on this bill, and in our shared mission to stop tragic loss of life from gun violence.”
    “Gun violence is a public health crisis that subjects families and survivors to deep pain and intergenerational trauma that no one should have to endure,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). “Our constituents deserve meaningful policy action to save lives – and the MASS Act would do just that by creating stricter regulations around firearm purchasing and drastically reducing gun violence. This Gun Violence Awareness Month I am proud to partner with Senator Markey to confront this epidemic head on and advance common-sense solutions nationwide.”
    Today, Senator Markey and his colleagues reintroduced five gun violence prevention bills:
    The 3D Printed Gun Safety Act, led by Rep. Moskowitz (FL-23) in the House, would prohibit the online distribution of blueprints and instructions that allow for the 3D printing of firearms. The proliferation of “ghost guns” is partly attributed to the ease of assembling firearms using 3D printed technology. Because 3D printing allows individuals to make firearms out of plastic, these guns may be able to evade detection by metal detectors at security checkpoints. This legislation is endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, March For Our Lives, and Newtown Action Alliance.
    The Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act, led by Rep. Magaziner (RI-02) in the House, would strengthen accountability measures for irresponsible gun dealers violating the law, and provide the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) additional resources for enforcement. This legislation would ensure that guns do not end up in the wrong hands by authorizing more frequent inspections of gun dealers, increasing penalties for serious offenses, and strengthening the Department of Justice’s authority and discretion in enforcing gun laws. This legislation is endorsed by Everytown, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, March For Our Lives, and Newtown Action Alliance.
    The Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act, led by Rep. Dean (PA-04) in the House, would direct the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to collect and analyze information from financial institutions to determine what indicators, if any, might precede a mass shooting or terrorist attack. FinCEN would then be required to issue an advisory on how financial institutions use these indicators to comply with regulations. This legislation is endorsed by Giffords, March For Our Lives, and Newtown Action Alliance.
    The Making America Safe and Secure (MASS) Act, led by Rep. Pressley (MA-07) in the House, would incentivize states to adopt gun-licensing standards similar to those proven effective in Massachusetts and other states. Massachusetts has comprehensive gun licensing laws, and not coincidentally, one of the lowest gun death rates in the nation. The MASS Act would authorize the Department of Justice to make funding available to states that implement and maintain comprehensive licensing standards for gun owners and dealers. This legislation is endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, March For Our Lives, and Newtown Action Alliance.
    The Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules that prohibit the marketing of firearms to children. The gun industry consistently makes false and misleading claims about firearm safety and unfairly exploits children and teenagers through unfair and deceptive marketing practices that ultimately lead to fatal consequences. This legislation is endorsed by Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Giffords, March For Our Lives, and Newtown Action Alliance.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER, STANDING WITH FLIGHT 3407 FAMILIES DIRECTLY AFTER MEETING WITH TRUMP’S TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY, SLAMS ADMINISTRATION’S FAILURE TO FULLY COMMIT TO PROTECTING AIR SAFETY REGULATIONS &…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    Trump’s FAA Nominee Earlier This Month Repeatedly Refused To Commit To Protecting Aviation Safety Reforms Created By 3407 Families; Schumer Pushed For 3407 Families To Meet With Secretary Duffy – Like Every Transportation Secretary Before Him –To Discuss Importance Of Air Safety Regulations
    Advocates & Pilots Fear Trump Admin Will Roll Back Critical Flight Safety Regulations, Including Requirement That Pilots Log 1,500 Flight Hours In Order To Receive Certificate And Pilot Record Database, Risking Safety
    Schumer: Keeping Our Skies Safe Means Protecting 1,500-Hour Rule
    Standing with Flight 3407 families after their meeting with Transportation Secretary Duffy, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer slammed the Trump administration’s repeated failure to commit to protecting the 1,500-hour rule and other aviation safety regulations created in the aftermath of the 2009 tragedy in Western NY to prevent an accident like it from ever happening again. Amid growing fears about air safety, and following the Trump’s FAA nominee’s callous disregard to respect these rules, Schumer and the Flight 3407 families are demanding that the FAA not roll back these basic air safety standards, which would weaken the training for our pilots risking air travel safety and lives.
    “Working with the families of Flight 3407 to create the 1,500-hour rule and set a new standard for aviation safety has been one of the most inspirational things I’ve done in Congress. They represent the best of America, turning their grief into action to prevent a tragedy like this from occurring ever again. At this critical moment for aviation safety, after we just experienced a tragic crash here in DC, we need well-trained pilots who are prepared to make last second decisions,” said Senator Schumer. “Weakening the 1,500-hour rule and reducing the number of hours pilots train in the air is dangerous and could cost lives. If the Trump administration thinks we’ll let them turn back the clock on aviation safety, they are in for a rude awakening. We fought for years to create these basic safety reforms and we will not rest until we know they will remain untouched.”
    Earlier today, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted 15-13 to advance Bryan Bedford’s nomination to lead the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with all Senate Democrats opposing. At his nomination hearing earlier this month, Bedford multiple times refused to commit to protecting the 1,500-hour rule and basic aviation safety standards. Schumer said it is concerning that Republicans voted to advance Bedford to lead the very agency tasked with enforcing air safety regulations.
    Amid growing concerns for aviation safety earlier this year, Schumer called for U.S. Transportation Sean Duffy to meet with the families of Flight 3407 and commit to them clearly and unequivocally that he will not roll back the aviation safety law and pilot training standard, including the 1,500 rule, that they fought together to create.
    Schumer has been a long-time, relentless advocate for air safety standards following the tragic crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407. In February 2009, the tragic crash of Flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York claimed 50 lives and alerted the nation to the shortfalls in our aviation safety system, particularly at the regional airline level. In the wake of the tragedy, Schumer worked with the families who lost loved ones in the crash, to pass the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. This landmark aviation safety legislation addressed many of the factors contributing to the increasing safety gap between regional and mainline carriers by requiring the FAA to develop regulations to improve safety, including enhanced entry-level pilot training and qualification standards, pilot fatigue rules, airline pilot training and safety management programs, and the creation of an electronic Pilot Record Database.
    Notably, the legislation included a mandate that first officers – also known as co-pilots – hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which requires that the pilot log 1,500 flight hours, and the advocacy of the families has led to many other laws including regulations to combat pilot fatigue, the establishment of the electronic Pilot Records Database, and more.
    Schumer has previously raised concerns about the Trump administration’s commitment to upholding air safety standards. Earlier this month, Schumer expressed worry about the nomination of Bryan Bedford, Trump’s nominee for the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, due to his history of trying to repeal the 1,500-rule and continued refusal to commit to protecting the 1,500-hour rule and other aviation safety reforms created by the Flight 3407 during the confirmation process. With the Senate moving forward with Bedford’s nomination today, Schumer said it is important for the Trump administration to be firm in its commitment to maintaining air safety standards.
    As early as 2014, less than a year after the 1500-hour rulemaking process took effect, Mr. Bedford – serving as Republic Airways CEO – sought to reduce the number of hours required to serve as a pilot-in-command of a commercial airline. Again in 2022, the Bedford-led Republic Airways sought to circumvent flight-safety regulations by requesting an exemption from the 1500-hour rule. The FAA eventually denied this request, following strong advocacy from me and the families against Bedford’s attempt to roll back safety standards. Schumer said that, if confirmed as administrator, Bedford would have the authority to effectively erode the 1,500 rule which the Senator vowed to stand against.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Do not eat’: what’s in those little desiccant sachets and how do they work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kamil Zuber, Senior Industry Research Fellow, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia

    towfiqu ahamed/Getty Images

    When you buy a new electronic appliance, shoes, medicines or even some food items, you often find a small paper sachet with the warning: “silica gel, do not eat”.

    What exactly is it, is it toxic, and can you use it for anything?

    The importance of desiccants

    That little sachet is a desiccant – a type of material that removes excess moisture from the air.

    It’s important during the transport and storage of a wide range of products because we can’t always control the environment. Humid conditions can cause damage through corrosion, decay, the growth of mould and microorganisms.

    This is why manufacturers include sachets with desiccants to make sure you receive the goods in pristine condition.

    The most common desiccant is silica gel. The small, hard and translucent beads are made of silicon dioxide (like most sands or quartz) – a hydrophilic or water-loving material. Importantly, the beads are porous on the nano-scale, with pore sizes only 15 times larger than the radius of their atoms.

    Silica gel looks somewhat like a sponge when viewed with scanning electron microscopy.
    Trabelsi et al. (2009), CC BY-NC-ND

    These pores have a capillary effect, meaning they condense and draw moisture into the bead similar to how trees transport water through the channelled structures in wood.

    In addition, sponge-like porosity makes their surface area very large. A single gram of silica gel can have an area of up to 700 square metres – almost four tennis courts – making them exceptionally efficient at capturing and storing water.

    Is silica gel toxic?

    The “do not eat” warning is easily the most prominent text on silica gel sachets.

    According to health professionals, most silica beads found in these sachets are non-toxic and don’t present the same risk as silica dust, for example. They mainly pose a choking hazard, which is good enough reason to keep them away from children and pets.

    However, if silica gel is accidentally ingested, it’s still recommended to contact health professionals to determine the best course of action.

    Some variants of silica gel contain a moisture-sensitive dye. One particular variant, based on cobalt chloride, is blue when the desiccant is dry and turns pink when saturated with moisture. While the dye is toxic, in desiccant pellets it is present only in a small amount – approximately 1% of the total weight.

    Indicating silica gel with cobalt chloride – ‘fresh’ on the left, ‘used’ on the right.
    Reza Rio/Shutterstock

    Desiccants come in other forms, too

    Apart from silica gel, a number of other materials are used as moisture absorbers and desiccants. These are zeolites, activated alumina and activated carbon – materials engineered to be highly porous.

    Another desiccant type you’ll often see in moisture absorbers for larger areas like pantries or wardrobes is calcium chloride. It typically comes in a box filled with powder or crystals found in most hardware stores, and is a type of salt.

    Kitchen salt – sodium chloride – attracts water and easily becomes lumpy. Calcium chloride works in the same way, but has an even stronger hygroscopic effect and “traps” the water through a hydration reaction. Once the salt is saturated, you’ll see liquid separating in the container.

    Closet and pantry dehumidifiers like this one typically contain calcium chloride which binds water.
    Healthy Happy/Shutterstock

    I found something that doesn’t seem to be silica gel – what is it?

    Some food items such as tortilla wraps, noodles, beef jerky, and some medicines and vitamins contain slightly different sachets, labelled “oxygen absorbers”.

    These small packets don’t contain desiccants. Instead, they have chemical compounds that “scavenge” or bond oxygen.

    Their purpose is similar to desiccants – they extend the shelf life of food products and sensitive chemicals such as medicines. But they do so by directly preventing oxidation. When some foods are exposed to oxygen, their chemical composition changes and can lead to decay (apples turning brown when cut is an example of oxidation).

    There is a whole range of compounds used as oxygen absorbers. These chemicals have a stronger affinity to oxygen than the protected substance. They range from simple compounds such as iron which “rusts” by using up oxygen, to more complex such as plastic films that work when exposed to light.

    Some of the sachets in your products are oxygen absorbers, not desiccants – but they may look similar.
    Sergio Yoneda/Shutterstock

    Can I reuse a desiccant?

    Although desiccants and dehumidifiers are considered disposable, you can relatively easily reuse them.

    To “recharge” or dehydrate silica gel, you can place it in an oven at approximately 115–125°C for 2–3 hours, although you shouldn’t do this if it’s in a plastic sachet that could melt in the heat.

    Interestingly, due to how they bind water, some desiccants require temperatures well above the boiling point of water to dehydrate (for example, calcium chloride hydrates completely dehydrate at 200°C).

    After dehydration, silica gel sachets may be useful for drying small electronic items (like your phone after you accidentally dropped it into water), keeping your camera dry, or preventing your family photos and old films from sticking to each other.

    This is a good alternative to the questionable method of using uncooked rice, as silica gel doesn’t decompose and won’t leave starch residues on your things.

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

    – ref. ‘Do not eat’: what’s in those little desiccant sachets and how do they work? – https://theconversation.com/do-not-eat-whats-in-those-little-desiccant-sachets-and-how-do-they-work-258398

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Move to improve: Exercise eases depression and anxiety in kids

    Source:

    26 June 2025

    With more than three-quarters of children and teens experiencing depression or anxiety, parents are desperate for effective solutions. Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that something as simple as regular exercise could be a powerful intervention to support young people’s mental health.

    In the largest meta-meta-analysis of 375 clinical trials involving more than 38,000 young people, UniSA researchers found that when children took part in structured exercise programs, their symptoms of depression and anxiety improved. Specifically, the study found that:

    • Anxiety improved most through low-intensity, resistance exercises, such as light weights or gentle circuit activities.
    • Depression improved most through moderate-intensity, mixed-mode and resistance training, including circuits that combine aerobic and strength programs, particularly in programs lasting less than three months.

    The biggest improvements in depression symptoms occurred in programs lasting fewer than 12 weeks, suggesting that benefits can emerge relatively quickly – especially for children aged 12 and over.

    No significant differences were seen among the frequency of exercise sessions per week.

    Children with depression and ADHD also showed the greatest improvements from exercise.

    Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh says the findings present parents with a non-invasive, low-cost solution to combat poor mental health in kids.

    “Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues affecting children and teenagers worldwide,” Dr Ben Singh says.

    “Evidence-based treatment guidelines often recommend cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants as first-line interventions, yet 40-60% of children don’t receive treatment or fail to gain sufficient benefits, so we clearly need alternatives.

    “Exercise is a low-cost, widely accessible strategy that could make a real difference to children’s mental health. And while people know that exercise is generally good for your health and wellbeing, there is little evidence that shows how exercise works for kids nor the types of exercise that might work better than others.

    “Our study draws together global evidence to show that gentle, light-intensity exercise is highly effective in reducing anxiety in children and teens, while medium-intensity programs that combine resistance and aerobic training – like circuits with weights – can counteract depression.

    “Importantly, it demonstrates how exercise is an effective, accessible, lifestyle intervention that can immediately improve mental health issues in children, without first defaulting to medicines.”

    Senior researcher, UniSA’s Prof Carol Maher says the findings reiterate the importance of exercise for mental health.

    “Exercise should be a core part of mental health care for children and teens, whether at school, in the community, or clinical settings,” Prof Maher says.

    “Short, structured programs that include strength training or a mix of activities seem especially promising, but simply exercising, even for short amounts of time will deliver benefits.

    “And for parents, rest assured – you certainly don’t need to fork out money for a gym membership or training program; play-based activities, games, and sport are all valuable forms of movement that can support mental wellbeing.

    “The key message is simple: get active and keep active. Even short bursts of movement can make a real difference to a child’s mental health and wellbeing – especially for those who are struggling”.

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview:  Dr Ben Singh E: Ben.Singh@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 479 182 489 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Germany’s export outlook worsens amid US tariff concerns: ifo

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

    Export expectations among German manufacturers deteriorated in June as U.S. tariff policies continued to weigh on sentiment across key industries, a survey by the ifo Institute showed on Wednesday.

    The ifo Export Expectations index fell to -3.9 points in June from -3.0 in the previous month, signaling an overall decline in confidence within Germany’s export-driven economy.

    The apparel sector reported the bleakest outlook, while sentiment also weakened significantly among food and beverage producers, automakers, and metal product manufacturers.

    Germany’s automotive sector, a cornerstone of its industrial base, has faced persistently weak export expectations and remains especially exposed to trade tensions. The United States has already imposed a 25-percent tariff on cars and car parts imported from the European Union (EU).

    “The tariff threats from the U.S. are still on the table. An agreement between the EU and the U.S. has yet to be reached,” said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of surveys at ifo. “This uncertainty is lowering exporters’ expectations.”

    Latest data from the Federal Statistical Office showed that German exports dropped by 1.7 percent month-on-month in April, while shipments to the United States, Germany’s largest export market, fell sharply by 10.5 percent. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Completes the Fourth Reviews of the EFF/ECF Arrangements and the Third Review of the RSF Arrangement for Côte d’Ivoire

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    June 25, 2025

    • The IMF Executive Board today completed the Fourth Reviews of Côte d’Ivoire’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangements and the Third Review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement. The decision allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$758 million.
    • Program implementation has been strong, with all end-December 2024 performance criteria and structural benchmarks met satisfactorily under the EFF/ECF program, and all climate-financing reform measures completed under the RSF arrangement.
    • The authorities’ ongoing commitment to reforms is expected to support Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable transformation toward upper middle-income status over the medium term, while strengthening economic resilience to climate-induced shocks and maintaining balance of payments stability.

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Fourth Reviews of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangements and the Third Review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) Arrangement for Côte d’Ivoire.

    The EFF/ECF-supported program approved in May 2023 in the amount of SDR2,601.6 million (equivalent to 400 percent of quota or about US$3.6 billion), has substantially reduced imbalances and safeguarded a moderate risk of debt distress rating, while important reforms under RSF arrangement for a total amount of SDR975.6 million (equivalent to 150 percent of quota or about US$1.3 billion) are contributing to prospective balance of payments stability and economic resilience to climate-induced shocks. The authorities’ ongoing commitment to reforms under both programs should support Côte d’Ivoire’s sustainable transformation toward upper middle-income status over the medium-term. Program implementation has been generally strong thus far, with all end-December performance criteria met and implementation of structural benchmarks being satisfactory. Moreover, all reform measures under the RSF arrangement for this review with a focus on climate-financing architecture were implemented. The completion of the reviews allows for an immediate disbursement of about US$758 million under the multi-year Fund arrangements.

    Côte d’Ivoire’s resilient economy has consolidated its role as an anchor of stability in the region against a still difficult global backdrop. Amid a recovery in agricultural production, favorable terms of trade and rising household incomes growth is expected to pick up in the near term. The medium-term outlook also remains favorable as economic fundamentals strengthen further and the hydrocarbon and mining sectors add to broad-based growth. Risks are broadly balanced. For 2025, growth is projected to be 6.3 percent, while average inflation is expected to return to within the 1 to 3 percent WAEMU target range. The 2025 current account deficit is projected to narrow to 3.6 percent of GDP, and the fiscal deficit is expected to meet the WAEMU deficit ceiling of 3 percent of GDP.

    The authorities remain firmly committed to boosting tax revenue in the medium term, and to implementing the medium-term revenue strategy (MTRS) approved in May 2024. Sustained effort is expected by the authorities to increase tax revenue to GDP by 0.5 percent of GDP, each year through 2026 and reach approximately 20 percent of GDP over the medium-term through self-sustaining tax policy and tax administration reforms.

    Important structural reforms continue to focus on improving the business climate and increasing the involvement of the private sector in the country’s development. To this end, enhancements in the transparency and accountability of public enterprises, further strengthening governance and financial integrity (particularly the AML/CFT framework), along with investment in human capital, broader financial inclusion, and climate resilience, to support higher productivity growth will be instrumental.

    Following the Executive Board discussion, Mr. Okamura, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director, made the following statement:

    “Côte d’Ivoire’s performance under the Fund-supported programs has been strong, reflecting the authorities’ commitment to entrenching macroeconomic stability. Sustained reform efforts will help safeguard fiscal and debt sustainability and consolidate the country’s role as an anchor of regional stability.

    “Continued fiscal consolidation envisaged in the 2025 budget will be underpinned by high-quality and permanent tax policy measures, as well as tax and customs administration reforms. These measures will support bringing the fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2025, in line with the WAEMU ceiling, and help reduce the country’s debt sustainability risks.

    “Sustaining domestic revenue mobilization over the medium-term remains a priority to generate the fiscal space needed to finance social and development spending and support a deeper economic transformation toward upper middle-income status. To this end, implementation of the Medium-term Revenue Mobilization Strategy (MTRS) will continue to require significant engagement with stakeholders to ensure buy-in for the needed overhaul of the tax system and the streamlining of VAT tax exemptions and other tax expenditures.

    “Preserving fiscal space will be aided by the authorities’ commitments to enhance the coverage, transparency, and management of public finances. The authorities’ continued active debt management remains critical in safeguarding debt sustainability. Sustaining structural reform momentum and continuous improvements in safeguarding financial integrity and governance are important for unlocking the private sector’s potential.

    “Addressing identified AML/CFT framework deficiencies, and showcasing an implementation track-record on AML/CFT is critical. Further investments in human capital development, especially amongst youth and women, along with the reduction of informality, will make growth more inclusive. Continuing efforts to strengthen resilience to climate shocks will also be important for a sustainable transformation of Côte d’Ivoire’s economy.”

    Table 1. Côte d’Ivoire: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2022–26

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Kwabena Akuamoah-Boateng

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

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/06/25/pr25220-cote-d-ivoire-fourth-reviews-of-the-eff-ecf-and-third-review-of-the-rsf

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Stable public housing in the first year of life boosts children’s wellbeing years down the track – new research

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaimie Monk, Research Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research

    Phil Walter/Getty Images

    New Zealand’s unaffordable housing market means low-income families face big constraints on their accommodation options. This involves often accepting housing that is insecure, cold, damp or in unsuitable neighbourhoods.

    But little is known about the impact of housing type early in life on children’s wellbeing over time.

    Using data from nearly 6,000 children in the Growing Up in New Zealand study, our new research compared outcomes for children provided with public housing support during the crucial earliest years (pregnancy through to nine months) with those in other types of housing.

    What we found supports ongoing investment in secure, quality housing as a way to reduce inequalities in New Zealand – particularly for those with very young children.

    Importantly, by the age of 12, children who started life in public housing had higher levels of wellbeing than some of their peers.

    Tracking wellbeing

    For our project, we used data on the type of housing at nine months of age, as well as mothers’ assessments of children’s social and emotional development across the period when the children were two to nine years old.

    The final data we used were the children’s own responses regarding their quality of life at 12 years old.

    Housing was categorised into four types: private ownership (52.3% of children), public rental (9.1%), private rental (35.8%) or other (2.9%).

    The New Zealand government provides housing subsidies to approximately 7% of the population. Public housing comprises around 4% of the country’s housing stock.

    Demand for help has remained high, with 20,300 people on the waitlist for social housing in December 2024. At the same time, Kāinga Ora has axed 212 housing projects because they did not stack up financially, or were in the wrong locations.

    Housing influences behaviour

    Throughout our research, we found children who began life in public housing were the group facing the most disadvantage. They exhibited higher levels of behavioural difficulties in early childhood than those in other housing types.

    These behavioural difficulties include conduct, hyperactivity and emotional or peer relationship problems. However, their difficulty scores declined more steeply over time, getting closer to their peers by age nine.

    In contrast, children’s trajectories of prosocial behaviour, such as being kind and helpful, were the same for each group.

    By 12, self-reported wellbeing for children who started life in public housing was at or above that of their peers in private rentals, despite being in the most disadvantaged group in their early years.

    These results are different to the outcomes seen in similar research from Australia which found children in public housing had widening gaps in wellbeing compared with their peers in privately owned houses.

    In New Zealand, factors such as strong relationships with important adults such as parents and teachers, and reduced exposure to bullying, were found to be more strongly associated with quality of life at this age than housing type or frequency of moving house.

    The importance of a stable home

    Our work focuses on the early years of a child’s life where security, financial stability and a warm, dry home are important for children’s healthy development. Public housing filled this need for many low-income families.

    Despite the positive results seen at 12, gaps in behavioural development between children from the public housing group and their peers were apparent when children started school.

    These differences in school readiness mean these children are likely to need wider support to ensure they can make the most of long-term educational opportunities.

    But overall, having access to public housing in infancy appears to have cumulative benefits for vulnerable children in New Zealand, providing a stable base for families as children start their lives.

    Jaimie Monk received funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Programme for this research and has previously received funding from the Ministry of Social Development.

    – ref. Stable public housing in the first year of life boosts children’s wellbeing years down the track – new research – https://theconversation.com/stable-public-housing-in-the-first-year-of-life-boosts-childrens-wellbeing-years-down-the-track-new-research-259534

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smith, Daines Support Trump Administration’s Engagement on Agricultural Trade Priorities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

    Washington, DC — Today Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) led 54 of their colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.The letter commends the Trump administration for ongoing efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for robust market access on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.

    In the letter, the members wrote:

    We write to you to express our strong support for ongoing trade negotiations to level the playing field for American producers and manufacturers. President Trump’s decision to pause the implementation of certain reciprocal tariffs creates momentum to secure meaningful and enforceable agreements for U.S. agricultural producers, energy producers, and manufacturers.

    …Certain barriers may require long-term negotiations. However, we are confident in your ability to utilize this 90-day pause to come to agreements that can benefit all American industries while providing opportunity for continued dialogue. There are pressing trade issues, including digital services taxes, import quotas, and tariff reduction, which we cannot delay addressing.

    American manufacturers, producers, and consumers are eager for the long-term certainty trade agreements provide. This certainty could prevent the decline of commodity prices, recover global market share, and unleash American industry to counter global competitors. Further, bilateral agreements which address both tariff and non-tariff barriers provide opportunities to strengthen supply chains, drive innovation, and increase international collaboration, all of which would reassert the United States’ global leadership and combat China’s malign influence.

    Read the full letter here.

    Representatives who joined Smith and Daines in sending the letter include: Max Miller (R-OH), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN), Mike Bost (R-IL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Mike Carey (R-OH), Ann Wagner (R-MO), Ron Estes (R-KS), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Sam Graves (R-MO), James Baird (R-IN), Mark Alford (R-MO), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Troy Downing (R-MT), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), David Kustoff (R-TN), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Keith Self (R-TX), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), James Comer (R-KY), Mike Flood (R-NE), Eric Crawford (R-AR), Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), Tony Wied (R-WI), Robert Latta (R-OH), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Darin LaHood (R-IL), and French Hill (R-AR).

    Senators who joined Smith and Daines in sending the letter include: Deb Fischer (R-NE), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jim Risch (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN).

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Calls on DOJ, FTC to Investigate ISS and Glass Lewis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—This week, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking Committee and head of the committee’s working group on proxy advisors, sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson, urging them to investigate ISS and Glass Lewis for antitrust violations.
    “The dominant proxy advisory firms, [ISS] and [Glass Lewis], control more than 90% of the U.S. market for proxy advisory services,” Hagerty wrote. “These foreign-owned firms exploit their market power to suppress competition, hijack corporate governance, impose ideological agendas, drive companies’ capital allocation decisions, influence U.S. public policy on important matters, and undermine the welfare of American investors and consumers. Accordingly, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate these firms for violations of federal antitrust law.”
    Hagerty’s letter builds on his ongoing efforts to address abuses in the proxy advisory market. Previously, Hagerty demanded answers and documents from ISS after the firm publicly acknowledged that it may support proposals even though they are “not linked to long-term shareholder value.” He also sponsored the Putting Investors First Act, legislation to expand the SEC’s authority over proxy advisory firms.
    A copy of the letter can be found here and below.
    Dear Attorney General Bondi and Chairman Ferguson,
    The dominant proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), control more than 90% of the U.S. market for proxy advisory services. These foreign-owned firms exploit their market power to suppress competition, hijack corporate governance, impose ideological agendas, drive companies’ capital allocation decisions, influence U.S. public policy on important matters, and undermine the welfare of American investors and consumers. Accordingly, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate these firms for violations of federal antitrust law.
    The market power of ISS and Glass Lewis grants them enormous sway over public companies. A study of 175 institutional investors—managing more than $5 trillion in assets— revealed that the institutions followed proxy advisor recommendations more than 95% of the time. The influence of the proxy advisors enables them to dictate public companies’ governance standards, executive compensation practices, and corporate policies. Through the power of vote recommendations adverse to determinations of independent boards of directors as well as negative recommendations against board members themselves, the firms effectively force compliance even when these standards or practices are ideologically motivated, irrelevant, and/or destructive to shareholder value. In so doing, the proxy advisors have also been successfully pressuring companies to engineer social change outside the democratic process and shaping U.S. public policy on a wide range of issues, from energy to sensitive social policies. It is evident that ISS and Glass Lewis exercise de facto regulatory power over public companies, but without any of the accountability or transparency ordinarily demanded of such a role.
    The firms leverage their market power by offering consulting services on the same or substantially similar items as those on which they provide proxy advisory services—a conflict of interest that raises significant anticompetitive concerns. ISS, for example, offers proxy advisory services to institutional investors with respect to companies’ say-on-pay proposals while also selling corporate consulting services to companies regarding the executive compensation programs subject to a say-on-pay vote. Similarly, ISS offers consulting services to companies with respect to equity compensation plans, while also providing recommendations to institutional investors as to how to vote on those same plans. This dynamic results in a coercive pay-to-play setup, where public companies are pressured to purchase consulting services to avoid or remedy negative proxy recommendations or assure the support of the proxy advisors, as the case may be. Indeed, many companies report being approached by the consulting arm of ISS during the same year in which they receive a negative vote recommendation from the firm. ISS also provides its institutional clients with corporate governance ratings on issuers, while also offering consulting services to corporate clients so that those issuers can improve their governance scores. This dual role—both rating companies and advising them—further enhances the proxy advisors’ power and drives important corporate practices and policies. While Glass Lewis has claimed that it does not offer consulting services, like ISS it offers equity plan advisory services to public companies. It also advises activists on influencing companies through shareholder proposals and other campaigns. The firm engages in these practices even though it has openly acknowledged that “the provision of consulting services to corporate issuers, directors, dissident shareholders and/or shareholder proposal proponents, creates a problematic conflict of interest.”
    The link between consulting services and favorable ratings benefit both ISS and Glass Lewis by foreclosing competition. Revenues generated from consulting may permit the firms to cross-subsidize their proxy advisory services, enabling them to further expand and cement their market share. Such self-dealing practices are inherently anticompetitive and demand scrutiny.
    ISS and Glass Lewis also appear to coordinate their voting guidelines and governance standards in ways that suppress competition and reduce the ideological and analytical diversity of services available in the market. The House Judiciary Committee has found evidence that the firms collaborated with organizations such as Climate Action 100+ to jointly issue nearly identical recommendations—effectively steering institutional investors toward predetermined outcomes guided by partisan ideology, not shareholder value. This parallelism is reinforced by the firms’ control of proprietary voting platforms—ISS’s ProxyExchange and Glass Lewis’s Viewpoint—which encourage institutional clients to automatically vote in alignment with the firms’ recommendations. Known as “robovoting,” this practice discourages independent fiduciary analysis and only deepens investors’ dependence on the firms, as some major investment managers do not even have personnel responsible for verifying that robovotes are correctly cast. While the firms often point critics to their “benchmark” reports, they continue to offer comparatively more extreme and politically contentious robovoting options through their insufficiently scrutinized “specialty” reports, often referred to as their “shadow” reports.
    The market power and anticompetitive business practices of ISS and Glass Lewis inflict harm across the U.S. economy: potential competitors are foreclosed from entering or expanding within the proxy advisory market; capital formation is diminished as companies are deterred from going public; the cost of capital for certain industries, such as coal and oil and gas, is higher; the competitiveness of the US capital markets is impacted; boards and management lose control over their own corporate policies and practices; investors suffer the financial consequences of ideologically driven and economically unsound corporate decisions; finally, consumers pay higher prices due to operational inefficiencies and increased costs.
    For these reasons, I urge the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate ISS and Glass Lewis and take all necessary steps to promote competition in the proxy advisory market.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK seeks views on further trade protections for steel

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    UK seeks views on further trade protections for steel

    The UK has launched a six-week Call for Evidence, inviting views from across the steel supply chain to help shape new, future-ready trade measures.

    • Government invites businesses to shape future steel trade protections and strengthen the UK’s critical supply chains.
    • Key step in ensuring continued protection for the UK steel industry—building on the recent deal with the US to lift steel tariffs.
    • Follows a series of government actions under the Plan for Change to defend UK steel, protect jobs and secure major sites like Port Talbot and Scunthorpe.

    Steel producers, consumers, and unions will shape the UK’s future trade approach for steel, as Ministers seek robust long-term protections for the industry.

    Safeguard measures are put in place temporarily to address sudden import surges and help industry adapt to new trading environments, however the challenges now facing the steel industry demand longer-term solutions.

    The current UK steel safeguard measure ends in June 2026 and cannot be extended. The views from industry will help shape new future-ready trade measures that will protect UK businesses and jobs right across the country. 

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We know this is a tough time for steel producers which is why this Government is using every tool available to ensure the long-term success of our vital steel industry, protect jobs and deliver on our Plan for Change.

    Thanks to our deal with the United States, all Section 232 tariffs on UK steel will be removed—while producers in other countries still face tariffs of up to 50%. But we’re not stopping there.

    We will not sit by idly while cheap imports threaten to undercut UK industry, so we are inviting industry to shape the next phase of our trade defences so we can provide robust support and ensure a fair and competitive market.

    The six-week Call for Evidence comes in addition to further government action to support industry amid global challenges. This includes securing a trade deal with the US to remove tariffs on steel products and protect jobs. It also includes announcing the upcoming steel strategy, which will establish a long-term vision for the sector and help build resilient supply chains. These efforts follow the launch of both the Trade and Industrial Strategy, which set out broader plans to support key industries, including steel.

    This Call for Evidence is a key step in the Government’s wider commitment to rebuilding the steel sector, alongside decisive interventions such as the £500 million grant securing the transformation of Port Talbot steelworks, the £2.5 billion investment pledged to rebuild the sector, the action taken to safeguard British Steel’s blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, and the forthcoming Steel Strategy.

    UK Steel Director General Gareth Stace said:

    It is welcome news that the Government is developing a new steel trade defence mechanism.

    With growing global steel overcapacity and rising trade diversion, Government must deliver a new trade defence system to provide industry certainty before steel safeguards expire in June 2026.

    UK Steel looks forward to working with Government to design an effective framework that will help to level the playing field on international trade and provide the market stability needed to draw investment in the UK steel sector.

    Community Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said:

    Trade protections are a vital bastion for our steel industry in the face of global overcapacity, rising protectionism and unfair trade. They provide essential security, and safeguard thousands of jobs across the UK steel industry and its extensive supply chains.

    We welcome the UK Government’s early engagement with the sector to shape our future steel protections and ensure that a cliff-edge scenario next year is prevented.

    This government has demonstrated its steadfast support for our steel industry, and we will continue to work with them to secure the long-term future of the sector.

    Notes to editors

    • The Call for Evidence opens today and will run for six weeks, inviting stakeholders across the UK steel supply chain to submit feedback that will shape future trade measures.
    • For more details and to submit evidence, visit GOV.UK.
    • The UK’s steel safeguard measure is set to expire in June 2026 because it’s a temporary measure providing domestic industries with time to adjust to changing market conditions. These measures are meant to be in place for a limited time to allow industries to adapt to the influx of imports. WTO rules don’t allow for indefinite extensions of safeguard measures.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business

    The strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world while protecting vital industries from global threats and backing businesses to thrive.

    New Trade Strategy to protect and boost British business 

    • Trade Strategy sets out how UK will unlock £5 billion for businesses and expand UKEF capacity to £80 billion, delivering growth as part of the Plan for Change  

    • Trade defence toughened up with new and improved tools to better protect our vital industries from global threats  

    • UK sets its sights on quicker deals that firms can benefit from sooner, with a strong focus on services and high growth sectors 

    British Businesses will be given greater access to global markets more quickly as the UK tomorrow [Thursday 26 June] publishes its first Trade Strategy since leaving the EU. 

    The Strategy will make the UK the most connected nation in the world and secure billions worth of opportunities for businesses, helping deliver the economic growth needed to put money in people’s pockets, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and raise living standards.  

    It takes a more agile and targeted approach than the previous government’s, focusing on quicker, more practical deals that deliver faster benefits to UK businesses. It strengthens trade defences, expands export finance – especially for smaller firms – and aligns trade policy with national priorities like green growth and services. It’s a smarter, more responsive plan for a changing global economy. 

    The Trade Strategy:  

    • Unlocks £5 billion worth of opportunities for UK exporters through the new Ricardo Fund, which will tackle complex regulatory issues, shape global standards, and remove obstacles for UK businesses selling abroad.  

    • Expands UK Export Finance (UKEF)’s capacity by £20 billion to a total of £80 billion, announces a new Small Export Builder to give smaller firms better access to export protection insurance, and introduces improvements to help overseas buyers finance repeat orders from trusted UK suppliers in a more streamlined way.   

    • Vows to bolster our trade defence toolkit and make our trade remedies system more agile, assertive, and accountable to guard British businesses against global turbulence and the growing threat of unfair trading practices.   

    • Targets more mutual recognition of qualifications to boost the UK’s status as a services superpower – the 2nd biggest exporter of services in the world.  

    • Builds on existing clean energy and green sector agreements with partners including Norway, Japan and South Korea and explores new, deeper cooperation with markets such as Brazil, the Philippines and Mexico.    

    • Announces the UK will join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), a temporary arbitration arrangement for resolving appeals to WTO trade disputes, demonstrating our commitment to an effective rules-based international trading system 

    The Trade Strategy comes amid a backdrop of turbulent economic waters, resurgent protectionism and unfair trading practices creating significant challenges for businesses and industries across the whole of the UK. Together with our modern Industrial Strategy – a plan to grow the UK’s growth-driving sectors – we are strengthening businesses at home and setting clear direction to ensure success abroad and create high-paid, secure jobs in every part of this country.  

    It follows three significant trade deals agreed last month with huge benefits for UK businesses, jobs and consumers. Not only does our deal with India add £4.8 billion to the economy and £2.2 billion to wages each year, its reduced and liberalised tariffs means more whisky and gin is likely to be sold to Indian consumers and British shoppers could see cheaper prices on things like clothes, footwear and food products.  

    Our landmark deal with the US, the only one they have agreed with any country, protects hundreds of thousands of British jobs from automotive workers in the West Midlands, to aeroplane builders in Wales, to steelmakers in Scunthorpe. It shows the government delivering on its promise to champion British businesses and put jobs and livelihoods first. 

    The EU agreement, meanwhile, cuts red tape and improves access to our biggest trading partner. It means Scottish salmon farmers can sell their fish more easily to the EU, Welsh sausages and lamb mince exports will no longer be blocked, and British pets can join their owners on holiday with less headache.   

    Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: 

    What works for business, works for Britain. It means more jobs, more opportunities, and more money in people’s pockets. 

    That’s why I’ve backed British industry through global headwinds – securing major trade deals with the US, India and the EU that protect jobs and drive growth right across the country. 

    Today’s Trade Strategy is a promise to British business: helping firms sell more, grow faster, and compete globally. It’s about delivering growth as part of our Plan for Change—and making sure working people feel the benefits.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:  

    The UK is an open trading nation but we must reconcile this with a new geopolitical reality and work in our own national interest  

    Our Trade Strategy will sharpen our trade defence so we can ensure British businesses are protected from harm, while also relentlessly pursuing every opportunity to sell to more markets under better terms than before.  

    Broad and complex trade deals like we secured with India will bring billions to our economy every year but to deliver the Plan for Change we will strike more agile, targeted deals that exploit the sectors which drive the most growth for our economy.

    It comes as the government works in partnership with industry to shape future steel trade measures which will prevent cheap imports from undercutting UK businesses, following the expiry of the current UK steel safeguard measure in June 2026. Collaboration with steel producers, consumers and unions will help ensure the new phase of our trade defences continue to protect UK businesses and jobs, while providing a fair and competitive market.  

    UKEF measures included in the Strategy accompanies news this week that up to £13 billion of direct lending will be used to help boost exports across key industrial sectors, marking a £3 billion uplift in UKEF’s facility.  

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said:  

    This new hard-headed, data driven, and agile approach to trade policy is guided by our pragmatic patriotism. In this changed and challenging world, we will promote what we can and protect what we must to advance the UK’s national interest.  

    Through our Trade Strategy, we are supporting our businesses to expand and export with a wider range of trade tools that harness our high-growth industries of the future to deliver this government’s Plan for Change.  

    As we target these agreements, we will take every step necessary to safeguard British businesses from the increasingly protectionist mood in much of the world by sharpening our defensive toolkit.

    To complement the Trade Strategy, we have also today published the Global Trade Outlook 2025 which explores the long-term trends that may shape the global economy and international trade in the coming decades.

    Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the BCC, said: 

    The Trade Strategy sets out a clear, evidence-based approach to raising the UK’s export game. It rightly targets our strength in services, and vital high-growth goods sectors while identifying key markets in the Indo-Pacific, Americas and European neighbourhood.

    A focus on sectoral and digital trade deals is also welcome, alongside a commitment to a functioning rules-based global trading system. 

    Place matters in trade. This strategy can generate economic growth in every nation and region of the UK, lowering tariffs and removing trade barriers. Our Chamber Network stands ready to build, invest and deliver on international trade as a partner of government and an engine for economic growth.

    Rain Newton-Smith, CEO, CBI said:

    Businesses are clear that positioning the UK as an outward looking nation is a show of strength in this increasingly fragmented world. Backing free trade is critical to facing the great global challenges and opportunities of our time.

    The UK must be bold and ambitious to be a key player in the global race for growth. Today’s Strategy offers a dynamic vision which will help the UK to position itself as one of the world’s leading locations for investment and trade. Leaning into that openness, our international commitments, and partnerships with like-minded allies will be integral to our success.

    We now need government and business to work together to turn this ambition into action and ensure that the UK seizes on the opportunities available within the global economy.

    Ian Stuart, CEO of HSBC UK:  

    I welcome today’s announcement of the Trade Strategy. It provides a vital blueprint to ensure the UK’s continued role as a great trading nation and leading services exporter, with a focus on the sectors that will drive growth in the decades to come.  

    It also rightly recognises the challenges many exporters face at a time of heightened global uncertainty. This is a necessary first step in giving businesses the tools they need to thrive on the world stage. HSBC looks forward to supporting businesses to take advantage of the strategy and unlock the full benefits of international trade.

    Jon Holt, Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner, KPMG, said:    

    Our professional and business services industry is an international success story with our expertise in demand around the world. As a high-growth sector, we have long called for a Trade Strategy that enables UK businesses to take advantage of new global opportunities and expand into emerging markets.  

    Today we have a clear plan. From removing barriers to overseas markets, to making it easier for our highly skilled people to travel and work across borders, this approach will strengthen our connectivity, boost inward investment and make sure our sector remains globally competitive.

    The strategy’s success will depend on a strong partnership between business and Government.

    Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

    Industry will welcome the Trade Strategy which, for the first time, aligns hard on the heels of the Industrial Strategy and is a perfect example of joined up thinking across Government which has long been missing.

    In particular, as well as a focus on new markets, it will help optimise market access and signposting for companies, especially SMEs, to take advantage of current trade deals with a new focus on strategic economic partnerships with key trading partners.

    At the same time, as well as helping boost exports, it will strengthen trade defences against the threat of dumping and support UK firms in reporting possible trade discrepancies to the Trade Remedies Authority.

    Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:  

    UK Automotive is a trade powerhouse, generating imports and exports worth £108 billion a year and typically Britain’s biggest exporter of manufactured goods. Free and fair trade is fundamental to our success and recent agreements with India, the US and, particularly, the EU signal that intention.

    Today’s trade strategy, aligned to the industrial strategy announced earlier this week, provides confidence to help our sector navigate the many headwinds we face and sets a foundation for future success.

    Balanced trading relationships that break down tariffs and regulatory barriers to trade will enable automotive companies to grow and get great British products into the hands of consumers all over the world, boosting jobs, business and prosperity at home.

    Heathrow’s Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Nigel Milton, said:   

    We welcome this Trade Strategy, which is set to provide greater support for exporters and champion the importance of free trade.   

    As the UK’s hub airport and largest port by value, we know firsthand how trade can serve as a powerful engine for economic growth.   

    With our unrivalled access to global markets Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to growth and we stand ready to support the Government and exporters from across the country with the rollout of the new strategy.

    Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, said:

    This is an important step forward to a trade agenda with workers’ rights and good jobs at its heart.

    It’s right that the government is focusing on removing barriers to trade with our largest trading partner – the EU – on which thousands of quality jobs depend, and it’s vital that the government continues to show ambition in its trading reset with the bloc.

    Standing up for good jobs in sectors such as steel is essential and hugely welcome, especially with global trade wars leading to countries undercutting British products with cheaper foreign imports.

    The government has set out a path towards a values-based approach to trade, which supports international labour standards and human rights globally. We look forward to seeing the full detail and working with them to deliver this.

    John Pattinson, Founder and Managing Director of Air Covers Ltd, and a DBT Export Champion, said:   

    The UK Government plays a vital role in enabling and accelerating the journey to export – a critical driver of economic growth. At Air Covers, we have benefited greatly from our close partnership with DBT Wales.  

    The support we’ve received from DBT Wales, as well as from UK embassies and High Commissions around the world, has been instrumental to our expansion and success in international markets.  

    We believe that the UK Government’s Trade Strategy will open new opportunities for growth, both in established regions and emerging markets. For UK exporters, free trade agreements and the simplification of cross-border regulations are essential to unlocking global potential and maintaining a competitive edge.

    Julian David, CEO of techUK, said:

    TechUK welcomes the launch of this trade strategy as a landmark moment. For the first time, we have a coherent, long-term plan that reflects the realities of current geopolitics and the UK’s unique strengths – particularly in services and high-growth, innovation-driven sectors like ours.

    It’s especially encouraging to see government pulling together the full suite of tools at its disposal – from digital trade agreements to commercial diplomacy and meaningful trade defence instruments. We look forward to working closely with government to turn this vision into impact and ensure the UK remains a leader in the global digital economy.

    Marco Forgione, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said:

    Today’s new Trade Strategy is a welcome step forward that reflects many of the priorities we’ve been championing on behalf of our members, especially SMEs, who need targeted, accessible support to grow internationally.

    From the Small Exports Builder to enhanced UK Export Finance, these are practical tools designed to reduce friction and unlock potential for thousands of firms across the UK.

    We’ve worked closely with government to feed in the real-world experiences of our members, and it’s encouraging to see those insights reflected in today’s announcement.

    Launched alongside the Industrial Strategy, this sets a more joined-up direction for trade and growth. Now the focus must be on delivery, and we stand ready to help make it happen.

    Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

    Small firms know exporting is good for growth, so it’s good to see a clear strategy on trade. We welcome the government’s commitment to creating better digital tools, less red tape and putting stronger focus on practical support beyond just trade deals. 

    We also need to see more money and new funding programmes for SMEs wanting to trade internationally, as well as more bespoke support for the smallest firms, who do not qualify for one-to-one help.

    Small firms have been bogged down by unnecessary rules and costs for far too long, and today’s strategy is the first step to creating a better environment for exporters and importers.

    Notes to editor 

    • Department for Business and Trade (DBT) analysis of UNCTAD (2025) Global import data 2013-2023, mapped to industry sectors using sector definitions from DBT (2023) Global trade outlook.  

    • The GTO will be published at 0001 Thursday 26 June here 

    • The Trade Strategy will be published 0915 Thursday 26 June here 

    • More information on the UK Steel Trade Measures Call for Evidence will be issued separately, embargoed until 22.30 Thursday 25 June.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Staff Issues No-Action Letter to MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    CFTC Staff Issues No-Action Letter to MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC | CFTC

    /PressRoom/PressReleases/9090-25
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    June 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Division of Market Oversight today issued a no-action letter stating it will not recommend an enforcement action against MIAX Futures Exchange, LLC in connection with the temporary provision for the trading of Minneapolis Hard Red Spring Wheat options on futures (HRSW Options) exclusively through block trades, subject to the conditions in the letter. 
    The no-action position is intended to enable market participants, including those who are not Eligible Contract Participants as defined in section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), to trade out of or offset open positions.
    MIAX sought the requested relief due to the upcoming unavailability of an electronic trading system for HRSW Options. The proposed relief was open to public comment from June 23-25, 2025. 
    The time-limited no-action position is effective from June 29 – August 29, 2025. 

    -CFTC-

    MIL OSI USA News –